Councillor Matters | Jack Blake, May 1, 2026

Published on 01 May 2026

Once again there has been so much happening locally and worldwide and with so much uncertainty surrounding fuel prices and availability, the Stawell Easter Gift gave us some well-deserved joy.

Growing up in Stawell it was our favourite time of year, riding our bikes around town and seeing – and probably annoying – the visitors who seemed to come from all over the world.

I found myself captivated by the runner nicknamed the ‘The Flying Scotsman’, George McNeill. To me, the thought that someone with so much passion for running would fly across the world to run in our humble little town was just incredible.

McNeill won the gift in ’81 on his eighth attempt. It just goes to show how determined he was and that never giving up on a dream is so important in life in general. 

Stawell has always been where my heart is, even when I lived overseas. Sitting in a little village called Stawell in Somerset, England, I couldn’t help but start chuckling to myself, thinking if I could only find someone a bit older and unhealthier than me to race against, I could potentially call myself a Stawell Gift runner (well, at least in Stawell, Somerset!).

On another occasion – much to my surprise – a waiter in Bruges, Belgium told me he had gone to Stawell to watch a friend compete in the gift. Unfortunately, as my French/Dutch was just as good as his English, I never got to find out who his friend was or if he won.

On the retail side of things, it was fantastic to see life returning to the Town Hall pub over Easter. I strolled in to see Beth and the team to grab a coffee, and the atmosphere was so relaxing I nearly fell asleep sitting on the sofa, with the sun beaming through the window as I people watched. 

Congratulations to everyone involved in running Easter festivities in Northern Grampians Shire – you are the real champions.

Last weekend my fellow councillors and I commemorated Anzac Day. We had another great turnout for services in the shire. I attended the Halls Gap dawn service before heading to Great Western and then on to the RSL to catch up with an old mate and make sure he is okay.

It was great to see this band of brothers having a laugh and a drink together. It must be such an emotional day for them because it is for me, and I have never served.

Lest we forget.