Lloyd Polkinghorne, The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper
781 POSTS
Labor pains
Countless reports, ‘engagement’, reviews and the rapid erosion of the river have highlighted all these failings, yet a potential prime minister appears oblivious to the geographical diversity of issues, constraints and environments across the basin. With city centric politics appearing more interested in getting elected, what hope does the health of our basin have?
Build policy on solutions, not winning votes: Speak Up
The community-based Speak Up Campaign has joined the growing list of organisations expressing concern at last week’s Labor Party announcement around implementation of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan. In particular is the issue of water buybacks, which Labor’s Shadow Water Minister Terri Butler conceded, “If we have to” was “an option that will have to be pursued.”
Reboot your soils
“Despite all our achievements, we owe our existence to a six-inch layer of topsoil and the fact it rains.” A quote often attributed to long time US radio presenter, Paul Harvey, this quote succinctly captures the critical importance of our topsoil. What is topsoil, how is it formed and how do we improve it?
Kerang retailers looking forward to holidays
Ali Bohn. Kerang retailers eagerly await the arrival of tourists at Easter and school holidays which is always the busiest time of year for visitors. Both retail and hospitality have taken a beating these last couple of years as we know, but that has been felt even harder in the country. However, if there is one thing they have learned through the experience it is resilience, and during these holidays, they are excited about the events attracting people back to the area.
Local Health Advisory Committee
Joan de Bondt. The Barham Local Health Advisory Committee (LHAC) is holding a free two-day course, ‘Mental Health First Aid’ on May 5 and 6 ... The members of the Barham committee meet once a month to identify local service needs, to discuss ways to improve access to services, and to assist in planning and development. They provide valuable input into planning health services and in informing the local community of the availability of services. They encourage members of the public to raise their concerns and to offer suggestions about programs that they would like to see implemented.
Mason is on track
Kye Mason of Cohuna represented Victoria at the 2022 Australian Track & Field Championships in Sydney last week. Competitors from across Australia and New Zealand converged on Sydney for the championships which were held from March 26 to April 3.
Wings and wheels
Joan de Bondt. The inaugural Kerang Air Show held last weekend was the brainchild of Barry Wood, president of the Murray Valley Flying Club. His vision was to involve the public in celebrating a weekend of aviation, with the addition of motorcycles, military vehicles, the SES, tractors and vintage cars.
