Hepburn Shire is enriched by the practise and enjoyment of arts and culture. Arts and culture play a valuable role in enhancing social connectedness and community wellbeing and contribute in many ways to the Shire’s identity, liveability and sustainability. Council recognises that arts and culture mean different things to different people and that this meaning continues to change as communities and places evolve. Supporting creativity of all forms develops our local talent, sustains our local traditions, and connects us to each other. Council is committed to working with the communities of Hepburn Shire to support and promote the continued development of this vital aspect of community identity. We are excited to invite the community to be a part of developing the very first Hepburn Arts and Culture Strategy.

Our Community Vision speaks about an inclusivity, embracing innovation and fostering partnerships. Hepburn’s first Arts and Culture Strategy (2022-2026) will provide a roadmap for the role of arts and culture in making progress towards that vision. The first step in developing the strategy is the creation of a shared vision that community, creative sector and Council can work toward. The strategy will define key priority areas where Council can play a dynamic and supportive role in strengthening the provision of existing services, programs and facilities so that the creative community can thrive. Measurable objectives will be developed to support each key priority area. An implementation plan including strategies, partnerships, activities and resources will be created to act as a roadmap for achieving our shared vision.

Creative community conversations about arts and culture were held across our Shire in mid-2022 in Daylesford, Trentham, Clunes and Creswick and five additional sessions were held online. A second round of on-site pop-up engagements and an on-line survey were completed in March 2023. The delivery timeframe has now been extended to October 2023 to allow for finalisation of key cultural partner input prior to exhibition of the draft Strategy in September.

The first and second phases of engagement have now finished. Thank you to all the community members and creative people who participated in the focus group sessions and submitted survey responses.