Buybacks to ‘damage’ local communities
Hugh Schuitemaker. Federal Government water buybacks will increase the price of temporary water for Riverland irrigators and the cost of food production, according to senior local politicians ... Chaffey MP Tim Whetstone said Riverland communities and councils were “extremely concerned about what these open slather buybacks will do to their towns, businesses, and local environment.”
Dedicated to the Flying Doctors
Hugh Schuitemaker. A well-known Riverlander who has overseen the expansion of the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) in the region is set to retire from his senior role. Current RFDS Riverland Support Group president Alan Eckermann will retire from the position at the end of this month.
A winning pack of spuds
A family potato farm with operations in Waikerie is in the spotlight after it received international recognition for its contributions to the industry on the world stage. The 2024 World Potato Congress (WPC), held in Adelaide from June 23 to 26, saw Miltolo Family Farms recognised with the WPC Industry Award.
Growers to exit with only their dignity?
Jason Perrin. "What scraps do we grape growers get from you? Just $3.5m. I guess it’s obvious the future security and survival of the Riverland, the Riverina and areas of the Murray Valley are not as important as a new rugby team in Papua New Guinea."
An extra-oar-dinary Saturday row
Alexandra Bull. A foggy and chilly Saturday morning did not dampen the spirits of all 201 rowers rowing in the annual Renmark Rowing Club Wharf to Woolshed Long Row. With 44 crews on the water, slightly challenging conditions marked the start of the 36km row ... Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson also jumped into the Renmark Rowing Club eight for the last 10km
Dr Rosenthal’s Riverland journey
Hugh Schuitemaker. Progressing the quality of medical care in the Riverland has been a career-long goal for a local doctor who is set to retire. Renmark-based GP David Rosenthal will today retire after 50 years of practising medicine in the community.
Razor gang cuts funding to slash council deficit
Paul Mitchell. Berri Barmera Council has cut a list of programs and expenses from its budget, in a bid to reduce its projected deficit in the next financial year – and avoid lifting rates. Among the defunded projects are the Loveday Internment Camp, for which $53,877 was set aside in the council’s original 2024/25 budget, and the Rally for the Riverland initiative, a joint Riverland councils project ...
