Gold for Comfort Inn Bishop’s Lodge
Comfort Inn Bishop’s Lodge in South Hay has been recognised among top performers in the Choice Hotels Asia-Pac 2024 Gold Awards for its outstanding performance and dedication to delivering exceptional guest experiences. Comfort Inn Bishop’s Lodge is among a select group of 20 hotels across Australia and New Zealand to receive an accolade.
“Hands off our church!” Booligal’s Anglican congregation vows to fight for their historic church building
The community of Booligal provided the money to build St Alban’s Anglican Church in 1899 with the help of a bequest, and have maintained it for more than a century. Now the Diocese wants to sell it and there are fears the meticulously kept building could become a hunting lodge for pig shooters.
Shirley our top citizen
Shirley Hajek is a household name throughout Hay Shire and a popular selection for the 2025 Citizen of the Year ... An emotional Shirley accepted her award from Australia Day Ambassador, Susie Elelman AM during the traditional breakfast ceremony at Hay Gaol Museum on Sunday.
Debt-free pool – $8M project fully funded
The replacement pool and facilities at the John Houston Memorial Swimming Pool will be constructed free of debt to Council and at minimal cost to ratepayers. The $8.067 million project received a further boost of $4.191 million last week following Council’s successful funding application under Round 2 of the Growing Regions Program.
Solar heating for new pool: Council considers options for renewable energy at replacement pools
Heating options for two of the replacement pools at the John Houston Memorial Swimming Pool are currently being investigated by the contractor, ELM Aquatics. Works are due to commence late next month, with the pool closing on February 24, to be completed for re-opening late November 2025. General Manager, David Webb said the replacement project includes three new pools, filtration equipment, solar heating, renewable energy supply, recreational facilities and landscaping.
Bush Bursary students enjoying the calm and friendliness of Hay
Hay Shire Council is continuing its efforts in attracting medical staff to Hay with a commitment to the Bush Bursary program. Current recipients are Zali Beuzeville and Charlie Jackson, pictured with Lyla Quinn during their placement at Japp’s Pharmacy last week.
Fresh intake of 20,600 fingerlings along local river waterways
Hay Shire Council and Hay Lions Football and Netball Club joined forces once again for their much-anticipated annual native fish restocking event in the Murrumbidgee River at Hay late last month. Around 6600 Murray Cod fingerlings were released near Sandy Point, marking another significant step in enhancing the local aquatic ecosystem.
Recognition for Honorary Ambo – 37 years later
Allan Japp is the first, and possible the only recipient in Hay to receive the Honorary Bearer Medal, some 47 years after he completed his last trip behind the wheel of an ambulance. Allan become an Honorary Ambulance Officer (Honorary Bearer as they were known then) in August 1963. His first case was taking a patient from Hay Hospital to the Royal Melbourne Hospital – a round trip of 917 kilometres which took just under 12 hours to complete.
Business partnership brings early Christmas gift for Can Assist
A partnership arrangement between two Maude Road businesses, Fellows’ grain storage facility and Nutrien Ag Solutions has realised $612 for Can Assist Hay. The money was raised through weighbridge operations at the Fellows yard, and are carried out by Sophie Stephens and Riley Jackson (pictured) of Nutrien Ag Solutions when the weighbridge is unattended.
Hay Shire Council welcomes $45M feedlot development
A $45 million development application which will create 147 direct jobs in the district was unanimously approved by Hay Shire Council at its monthly meeting last week. General Manager, David Webb said Council staff supported the application to intensify the cattle feedlot capacity at Ravensworth from 60,000 head to 100,000 standard cattle units (SCU), and recommended it be approved. There will be no change to existing infrastructure (pen space) at the Ravensworth feedlot which currently employs 35 to 40 people.