Volunteers honoured in day of fun, fashion and memories at Leeton Races 80th anniversary
Kim Woods. Two community stalwarts, John Gavel and Sarina Saffioti, were honoured with life memberships at the Leeton Jockey Club’s 80th anniversary celebrations on Saturday ... Canberra Indonesian teacher and fashionista Sally Martin made it back-to-back wins in the Most Fashionable Lady in the competitive Fashions on the Field Competition.
Clancy looms large as racing industry icon and mentor across six decades
Kim Woods. Peter Clancy will cut the 80th anniversary cake at the CopRice Leeton Cup ... and mark eight decades of involvement with the club. Octogenarian Peter Clancy is simply "Mr Racing" – the racehorse trainer and breeder has been the mainstay and face of the industry in the Leeton area for more than 60 years.
Narrandera’s koala colony is thriving
Narrandera's koala colony, which has now grown to more than 290 over 1600 hectares, is being studied as part of the $190 million NSW Koala Strategy as a model for how to re-establish populations ... Drones with thermal cameras have been used to count the koalas and sound recorders are being installed in national parks, and on Crown land and farms along a 100-kilometre stretch of the river.
Volunteer attends Queen’s funeral
Senior Australian of the Year 2022 and former Narrandera resident Valmai Dempsey of Canberra was one of ten Australians representing Australia at the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II last week. Ms Dempsey, a St John Ambulance ACT Volunteer for more than four decades, has been a passionate advocate for first-aid training for learner drivers.
Riverina Express starts journeys
Riverina Express ran through the Narrandera area at the weekend. The Express is a full time tourist train to service the Riverina-Murray area. It is regarded as superstar in passenger train evolution, offering speed, comfort and air-conditioning.
Building Better Regions funding
“All of these projects, not only in the Riverina and Central West, but, indeed, right throughout regional Australia were recommended for funding. It’s just that the Australian National Audit Office believes that some projects scored higher in the Department’s estimations for funding. But no-one knows their own local area and their local people’s wants, needs and expectations better than a local MP. Departmental officials are not elected and the decision-making has to remain with the Minister and Ministerial Council" : Michael McCormack, Member for Riverina.
Lockhart baker scholarships
Lockhart baker Steve Peters has awarded the first of his Blue Bird Cafe Restaurant scholarships to nursing student Holly Louise Fordham. Mr Peters is giving something back to the community by offering university students from Lockhart Shire the chance to receive some money from the scholarship incentive he is offering.
Lockhart Shire takes stance on ownership of Rural Fire Service assets
Lockhart Shire Council has taken a strong stance on the NSW Government’s determination on ownership of Rural Fire Service assets by refusing to carry out stocktakes on these assets on behalf of the NSW Government nor record the assets in the council financial statements.
Council talks stormwater funding
The Narrandera Shire Council has agreed to increase its 2022-23 borrowing bid to the Office of Local Government and NSW Treasury from $2 million to $3 million to enable it to undertake stormwater infrastructure works in urban Narrandera. The works are aimed at solving severe flooding that occurred in the town earlier this year.
