Raw concerns about saleyards future
Sheryl Lowe. Members of the Millicent and surrounding district rural community converged on the Wattle Range Council owned saleyards on Tuesday 16 November at 5 pm to find out if Council was going to sell or repair the facility. Millicent Saleyards was discussed at the October and November Council meetings in confidence, amidst claims Council was seeking expressions of interest for the facility.
Hotel changes hands
Gabrielle Duykers. The Naracoorte Hotel Motel will bid farewell to long-time family operators the Pettman’s, with new owners to take over the business early next month. Hotel Motel manager Josh Pettman runs the facility with the help of his wife Jody and parents Heather and David. He said the family were presented with an offer from Australian Venue Co. that came at the right time.
Close call in Women’s cricket
Charlie Legoe. Naracoorte played North Sportsman’s in Round 3 of the South East Women’s competition. Naracoorte won the toss and opted to bowl first and with a clever run out off the 2nd ball, things were looking good.
Blue lease on life
Gabrielle Duykers. A dead tree outside Lucindale has been transformed into a bright blue beacon which local suicide prevention advocates hope will help spark conversations around mental health ... While the Blue Tree Project has seen 36 blue trees pop up around South Australia, the Lucindale addition is the first to feature in the Limestone Coast.
Corella culling begins
Gabrielle Duykers. Local council will begin its annual shooting of corellas throughout the district this month in an attempt to mitigate damage caused by the species. At its October meeting, Naracoorte Lucindale Council moved to begin its Little Corella Management Program 2021-22 which will extend to April 2022.
Frances calls for help as fire season looms
Chris Oldfield. A call for help has been issued by Frances Progress Association as the fire danger season looms. The town has just one tank of fire water to protect its entire community. There is no town water supply and no bore fitted with a pump and generator during a power outage. A 4km strip of native vegetation runs from the Little Desert National Park straight into Frances. If it was fuelling a fire, flames would hit the school first.
Taxpayers funding locum doctors
Chris Oldfield. The SA Government is using taxpayer funds to pay fly-in locum doctors up to $3000 per 12-hour shift at country hospitals. And it is claimed it pays our local Naracoorte GPs as little as $285 per 24-hour shift to cover accident and emergency. Seven SA country hospitals including Millicent and Mount Gambier are now reliant on taxpayer funded fly-in locums – when they are available.
Farmers flock to Seeds Field Day
Gabrielle Duykers. More than 100 farmers, researchers, and industry representatives gathered together for the Naracoorte Seeds biannual Field Day to learn about the latest in productive pasture varieties ... "It's important for local growers because they're getting the most relevant information about the newest and most productive pasture varieties on the market, and it's important for us to test what we think we know”: Jamie Tidy, MD, Naracoorte Seeds Research Farm.
