Community

One of the Clarence Valley’s most promising musical talents, Sumira Mahoney will say farewell to the region with a special concert including family and friends titled ‘Text Me Back’ at the Harwood Hall on January 31, before she leaves to study musical theatre in Sydney.

Hay’s haven for senior citizens has gained two new people at the helm. Martyn Quinn is to be the new Facility Manager of Haydays Retirement Hostel, with Kim Gibbs on board as the new Assistant Facility Manager.

Many country agricultural shows remain in doubt for 2025. However some country shows bucked the trend and drew a large crowd. Ganmain Show was one of them, attracting more than 2500 people in 2024.

Two unforeseen acts just prior to Christmas have placed the future of the Corryong Neighbourhood Centre (CNC) and the community bakery in financial jeopardy. Firstly, the Australian government delayed providing $85,000 of grant funding, which had already been spent, until May 2025.

Clarence Valley Council has announced the Brooms Head foreshore will be returned to the community with sites adjacent to the beach no longer available to families who have camped there for more than 50 years, across generations.

Placing their own safety at risk, Paul Mitchell – previous editor of The Murray Pioneer – and Craig Lueth immediately approached the burning vehicle, removing the injured driver just moments before the vehicle became fully engulfed.

Rachel Hagan. An icon of Port Vincent is staying afloat, after insurance costs threatened to dismantle the town’s summer fun. Small towns across the state have been forced to remove their pontoons because insurance companies are unwilling to provide cover for public liability.

Tomki Rural Fire Brigade has put out a call for new members. “We will keep you fit, teach you many skills that will empower you to strive in many situations as well as having a great support group around you. If you live in the Spring Grove, Clovass, Mckees Hill or the Tomki area why not jump online at NSW RFS and fill in an application form.”

Noel Fisher. O’Brien Street Cohuna was a busy place over Christmas as Lawrence and Mel Mathers’ home became a central focus for young and old as Cohuna’s own LEGO land came alive. The couple first caught the Lego bug in 2018 after a Christmas visit to Mel’s parents.

The Kerang Turf Club held its AutoPro Summer Races on the last Saturday of 2024. The eight-race card attracted trainers from across the state. However, the day's highlight was not the races but the awarding of a Kerang Turf Club Life Membership to Alan Shields.

Rotary Club of Iluka Woombah President, Craig Budd said the 2025 Pignic Races were the 10th year the of the prestigious event, which raises money for children’s charities ... Before the first "official" race the "fresh batch" of 7 racing pigs were introduced to the growing crowd and sent on a trial run of the course.

Nhill & District Racing Club President, Bruce Beacom was pleased with the community support of the DMD Nhill Cup. While our preference was to race on Boxing Day, we understood that the extreme weather forecast coupled with the fire rating made it not possible to race on Boxing Day and at the end of the day participant, patron and equine welfare is paramount to the club and racing industry.

Christine Webster. A volunteer organisation committed to preventing crime in the Waikerie area has gone into recess after 34 years of operation. Waikerie Neighbourhood Watch met for the last time at a lunch at the Waikerie Club on 5 December.

My journalistic work in the Territory began early on Christmas Day 1974, looking down from the aircraft of Deputy Prime Minister Jim Cairns onto the Northern Territory capital that had been all but annihilated by Cyclone Tracy.

The age-old appeal of flying a kite provided plenty of fun for young and old at Ardrossan recently when the Adelaide Kite Flying Association put on a display on the clifftop near the town’s foreshore. The event was held by Ardrossan Progress Association in conjunction with the local Christmas street party on December 20.

When soldiers put their lives on the front line, long-term health challenges are almost inevitable, but assistance dogs are improving both the physical and mental wellbeing of those in need. Birchip resident Mr Jonathan (Jonny) Kemp has recently completed training with Integra Service Dogs Australia, becoming the custodian of an Integra-owned assistance dog named Capri.

Be sure to take a tour of Allora and check out all the impressive Christmas lighting displays.

A large gathering of community members appreciated the late change in venue for Carols on Sunday, December 14; and organisers were grateful to the Buloke Shire for providing the alternate location ... A two-hour program was prepared for the community, with Jane and Kieran Lamos leading the audience with “Aussie Jingle Bells” to get everyone started.

Why do we call this the Silly Season? Partly because the title gives us permission to let go a little and relax after a busy, bustling and stressful year. We might get silly with indulgences, parties and gifts at Christmas … but a little bit of thoughtfulness goes a long way, too. Caring interactions with each other, quality time and gratitude; these are all part of a successful festive season.

Have a heart and be a volunteer. "A community without volunteers, is a community without a heart." Those were the words of NSW Governor, The Honourable Margaret Beazley when she visited Yamba earlier this year. Ms Beazley expressed her serious concern about the decline in volunteers in communities across NSW and organisations across the Clarence Valley are feeling the pressure from the lack of people stepping up to help their communities.

The annual Boxing Day DMD Nhill Cup is set to take place once again and the scene is set for it to be one of the biggest yet. The Nhill & District Racing Club have catered for everyone with Col Williams who will keep everyone entertained off the track.

Jenny Pollard. A half century of international support was celebrated by the Charlton Action for World Development (AWD) Group last Friday night with the milestone occasion also bringing a bitter-sweet end to the small, but passionate entourage ... Including former guest speakers, foundation members and many supporters, the evening was a testament to the desire to create tangible benefits and build understanding about places and people whose lives, cultures and situations were so different to the Charlton locale.