Lloyd Polkinghorne, The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper

Kirstin Nicholson. It has been a flurry of turtle activity around the district over the past couple of months as broad-shelled turtles nest, and eggs hatch. Graham Stockfeld from Turtles Australia returned to the area recently to record data on turtle sightings, nest locations and condition ... Barapa Country Elders were actively involved in locating turtle nests in the Gunbower Forest on this visit.

The ACCC has been touring the basin disseminating their findings from reviews into the now nearly $2 billion unregulated water trading scheme. The ACCC stated that water trading has its origins in informal arrangements between neighbouring farmers, where one farmer’s excess water could be transferred to a neighbour. This does seem like a logical arrangement, trading between farmers in existing irrigation districts. The same historical irrigation districts that were regulated within a similar geographical footprint.

"Could we have come to the end of wars? Could we be the first civilisation to not have enemies? To not have something, someone else wants?"

Ali Bohn. “Mum plays 18 holes of golf twice a week. She does light exercises twice a week, she’s involved with a group who play cards, and up until COVID-19, she was doing water aerobics. She is just a very happy lady and a wonderful person. She would absolutely love this!”

Kendall Jennings. When the birthday ballot forcefully selected healthy 20-year-old men for compulsory two years’ military service and a further three years on a reserve list under the National Service Act of 1964 for the Vietnam conflict, it set forth a mateship that has not altered in 50 years. On Saturday, April 25, former Two Royal Australian Regiment (2RAR) met on the towns located on the banks of the mighty Murray River, Barham and Koondrook, to pay homage at the Anzac Day services.

Kendall Jennings. In April 1996, I joined the Australian Army Reserve, 8th/7th Royal Victorian Regiment Charlie Company Headquarters Swan Hill. I served for four years, three as an administration clerk and one year as a driver. I had the chance to travel around Australia and play soccer for the Australian Army. When I went to transfer to Regular Army with my friends, unfortunately, I was made non-deployable and forced to be medically discharged. The people I served with over the years are life friends. One person I am incredibly proud of is Tamie Andrew. She enlisted into the Australian Army Reserve in 1997, as a combat storeman. In 2006, she transferred to the Australian Regular Army as a cargo specialist.

Ali Bohn. Last week I was thrilled to return face-to-face with our Pioneers after almost a year apart. Although we were not permitted to meet indoors, we sat under the tree out the front of Murray Haven and Barham’s stunning autumn weather did not disappoint; so much so in fact that it was cool drinks on offer in place of the usual hot cuppa. Today’s discussion topic was wartime and what our Pioneers’ memories are of such time with family members heading off to the unknown, and the uncertainty of ever seeing them again.

For 150 years, European settlers have enjoyed the regenerative resource that is our redgum forests. Now, the industry faces closure at the hands of the Victorian Labor Government. The Andrew’s government plan was first mooted in 2019 and now, with COVID-19 easing, bureaucratic boots are on the ground to ensure Labor achieve their objective. If successful, all Victorian native forestry harvesting and logging will cease by 2030. Other key milestones include the end of current forest contracts in 2024, followed by a re-tendering process.