War badge returned to family
Gabrielle Duykers. A Naracoorte family has been reunited with a 70-year-old WWII medal, after months of effort from RSL volunteers ... After extensive research across VIC and SA war registers, he discovered the medal was in fact a Returned from Active Service badge, originally issued in WWI and again in WWII ... Bill Leitch said receiving the badge was like having another “piece to the puzzle” of his ancestry.
Community radio milestone
Sheryl Lowe. Community Radio Station 5THE FM celebrated 28 years of local broadcasting in July this year. Although based in Millicent, it is licensed to broadcast across a large part of the South East. Numerous national and state awards collected since the ï¬rst broadcast in 1983, is evidence there is an appetite for community-based independent media.
Cycling event cancelled
Gabrielle Duykers. The tour of the Great South Coast bike race has been cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions, originally set to begin travelling through the Limestone Coast and Victoria later this month ... Naracoorte Lucindale Council CEO Trevor Smart said the cancellation was unfortunate news for the town. “The danger of it being called off this year is that we may not see the race again – once it goes into recess, that’s two years in a row now so the event promoter may not continue that race.”
Riddoch Ward councillor resigns
Sheryl Lowe. Former Wattle Range Councillor Rick Paltridge resigned on Tuesday 3rd August, effective immediately ... “Unfortunately, I couldn’t ï¬nd a happy balance between the demands of a corporate entity such as Wattle Range Council with the needs and aspirations of my local communities, and my personal wellbeing and health. I thought I was up for it! I was prepared to learn, to adapt, and to communicate openly, respectfully and frankly, but in the end that just wasn’t enough”, said Mr Paltridge.
Lack of childcare an ‘equity’ issue
Eliza Berlage. The struggle to secure childcare services in rural and regional areas has led some parents to sacriï¬ce their careers or move to bigger cities, according to a new study ... It found regional and rural areas lacked childcare services and staff to work at the centres, and that childcare was often not seen as profitable enough to attract new operators to the sector.
Picton backs country doctors
Chris Oldfield. SA Shadow Health Minister Chris Picton has thrown his weight behind Naracoorte's doctors and country GPs, calling for the State Government to negotiate contracts with them. Mr Picton has slammed the State Government for wasting taxpayers’ dollars on locums, failing to negotiate and throwing rural doctors and country hospitals into turmoil.
Local producers taste Food Forum success
Eliza Berlage and Gabrielle Duykers. More than 30 local producers gathered together last week for the inaugural Limestone Coast Food Forum. Hosted by the Limestone Coast Food and Agribusiness Cluster, food processors, and retailers met at Lucindale Country Club to hear from 16 guest speakers about opportunities in the local food and beverage industry.
Rain boosts confidence
The Farmhand. Winter is here and rainfalls for the past month are at levels at the high end of averages. Even have heard the odd farmer say we had enough for the moment. Feed supplies in the areas north of town are still tight but we can see the spring having a great feed result based on the amounts of moisture already received.
