Party celebrates progress towards Noojee's transition

It has been a year of change at Noojee after the state government's closure of native timber harvesting from the start of the year.
Forestry and timber had been the backbone of the town but there was plenty to celebrate at a community party with Christmas dinner and pudding, live music from local musician Liam Aghan and an appearance by Santa.

The party was run as part of the Noojee Forestry Transition Project, a government-funded initiative to involve community members in Victorian timber towns impacted by the closure.
Baw Baw Shire mayor Danny Goss said the government had invested $548,000 in the transition project in the past year alone to identify future economic opportunities and areas for growth.
Community members, council and the government have worked together to develop a strategic direction that supports the town, its businesses and residents he said.
Through the transition project, working groups have been formed to investigate five potential areas that could boost Noojee and district's economy and build community strength.
They are eco tourism, specialised agriculture, hunting and game processing, reliable power and connectivity and establishment of a community hub and education centre.
East Ward councillor Adam Sheehan said the work of the groups had seen strong business-to-business partnerships taking shape, people gaining work through talking to other attendees and building social connections.
"The regularly conducted meetings and community engagement events have also provided a strong foundation to support the community in developing improved cohesiveness, transparency and networking," Cr Sheehan said.
The Noojee Forestry Transition Project runs quarterly community events, with an average attendance of more than 80 community members who receive progress updates while building their social networks.