Riverina communities successful in saving Southern bell frog from extinction
Dr Fleur Stelling. Riverina communities have been successful in recovering the Southern bell frog from the brink of extinction ... Last week, the monitoring team from Charles Sturt University working on the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder’s science program in the Murrumbidgee, were thrilled to hear the unmistakable calls of the frogs and observe large numbers of tadpoles in the Lowbidgee wetlands – a clear sign that their population is recovering well.
Local land value rise in region, up to 35.9 per cent for Balranald
Land values across Hay Shire have increased by 4.5 per cent residential and 6.3 per cent rural. The biggest rise in residential land value in the region is Balranald with a whopping 35.9 per cent while Carrathool Shire leads the way with 7.7 per cent in rural increases. Edward River came in at a 2.7 per cent rise for residential, 4.5 per cent commercial and 1.6 per cent rural.
Hay retains Creet Cup in strong victory
Mick Cattanach. Hay Senior cricket team had its first defence of the Creet Cup on Sunday against arch rivals Griffith. After holding the cup for the entire 2023/24 season, Hay was determined to keep homeground supremacy and hold the Cup in the first challenge.
End of an era for Bishop’s Lodge, but the doors remain open
Anne Longworth bowed out as the final president of Bishop’s Lodge Management Committee last Wednesday when the final meeting took place after the last of Hay Shire Council’s Section 355 museum committees was dissolved. This reluctant step was taken at the request of the committee due to the chronic volunteer fatigue experienced in Hay over the last few years.
Active spirits: Bridging generations in Hay through fun and connection
Meredith Gow. The Active Spirits Intergenerational Program, run by Intereach and supported by Hay Shire Council, has become a highlight of the week for many in the Hay community ... students from Hay War Memorial High School and local community members come together for an afternoon of activities designed to get everyone moving and laughing.
Snake season – anti venom treatment for local pets doubles
As the weather warms up the incidents of snake sightings being shared has increased. Hay Veterinary Clinic’s Wayne Gardam says snake "season" is shaping up to be a particularly bad one for domestic pets, with about twice as many patients as usual being presented to the Hay Veterinary Clinic for treatment for snake bite since September.
New Griffith Hospital to open early 2025, offering expanded healthcare facilities
Hay and other western Riverina communities will soon benefit from new and expanded healthcare facilities with the new Clinical Services Building, a key component of the $250 million Griffith Base Hospital Redevelopment, nearing completion ... The new hospital will include an expanded Emergency Department, two operating theatres, and an additional procedure room in the perioperative suite, new and expanded ICU...
Local pollies expenses revealed
The April to June expenses figures for Australian politicians revealed vast sums being paid for travel and electorate offices in the local region. When the cost-of-living crisis is forcing families to tighten their belts, the amounts spent by elected officials have raised some eyebrows. Member for Farrer Sussan Ley spent $28,822 on interstate travel to tropical Queensland and Perth, and her team of nine staffers racked up more than $93,340 worth of travel in the three-month period.
Forum tackles aged care issues
The Hay Shire Council Aged Care Roundtable was held last Monday and was organised by the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care Local Network. More than 25 people attended, representing Council, Haydays, Hay Multi-Purpose Service, and aged care providers and support services.
TAFE Hay tackles rural skills shortage – from florist to wool classer
TAFE NSW Hay has helped a former florist raised in suburban Bathurst make an unlikely career pivot to wool classing, as the spring shearing season hits full swing. Rebecca Owen, 35, was trained at TAFE NSW as a florist and an aged care assistantin-nursing in her 20s, before falling in love with the wool industry and moving to Hay.
