Mayors and CEO’s on opposite sides of the NSW/Victoria border have commended their communities who they say are coming forward in record numbers to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

In September this year, the councils of Berrigan, Federation, Indigo and Moira launched a joint campaign to share a simple message – ‘Let’s do this, let’s get vaccinated’.

The councils began a friendly challenge to see whose community could reach 80% double vaccination the quickest.

The race is tight, with Berrigan Shire Council currently sitting in first place, with 95% > first dose, and 74.8% second dose, followed closely by Federation Council at 95% > first dose, and 69.7% second dose. Indigo Shire Council is at 95% > first dose, and 68.8% double dose, and Moira Shire Council are sitting at 95% > first dose, and 65.9% double dose.

Federation Council Mayor, Pat Bourke said he and other leaders continued to be proud of the efforts of their respective communities.

“We are so close to coming out the other side of this, and our border communities have really done the hard yards to get to this point,” he said.

“Vaccination is a critical step in our defence against COVID-19 and I have no doubt that our community will continue to answer the calls and come forward to ensure the State of NSW and our friends across the river in Victoria reach our vaccination targets. Our percentages are nothing short of amazing, and I look forward to the day when we hit that 80% mark.”

Berrigan Shire Mayor, Matthew Hannon said he was proud of the vaccination rates of the community to date.

“We need to not take our eye of the ball, and push our vaccination rates up over 80% to protect as many of our residents as possible,” he said.

“Much anticipated visitors will start returning to our area and that will mean that our chances of Covid coming to our Shire is real. We must be prepared.”

Indigo Shire Mayor, Jenny O’Connor applauded all residents for doing their bit to protect themselves, their loved ones and their communities.

“This is an outstanding result and is testament to the people of Indigo, Berrigan, Federation and Moira Councils who all want the same thing and that is to return to some form of normality, for our businesses to recover and to look forward to the future,” she said.

Moira Shire Council Mayor, Libro Mustica said the local vaccination numbers were outstanding and showed the dedication and commitment of communities to work together for public health.

“Moira Shire is coming a distinguished fourth, but I think with a bit of a push we can overtake Federation, Indigo and Berrigan and start leading the way in this vaccination race,” Mayor Mustica said.