Another calendar turn and the welcoming of a new year gives us as a community a moment to pause, not just to look ahead, but to take stock of the last 12 months.
2025 was not without its challenges for the north. Like so many communities across the state, we felt the pressure of rising costs, challenging weather conditions and growing pains as the region experiences exponential growth. And to think these problems are now in the past just because the week saw a new calendar year is ignorant. But what should be encouraged is taking time to acknowledge the strength of the north, and how it stands up to challenge and continues to survive. Resilience showed up in meaningful ways throughout the year, whether it was community groups raising funds and resources for farmers, struggling families or businesses, residents finding creative ways to stay connected, or volunteers putting in the blood sweat and tears to make events like our Christmas carols and parades across the region a success. So while setting goals and resolutions for ‘new year new me’ might be helpful to some, I encourage the community to take a breath, and pat themselves on the back for making it through another year. And from all of us at The Bunyip, we wish our readers a safe, hopeful, and connected year ahead.
