Community

Denmark's Anglican Church celebrated the 125th anniversary of the consecration of St Leonard’s on October 20 ... The name St Leonard’s was chosen in 1914 because the French saint (d. 599) established a community for released prisoners in a forest ... Denmark historian Bev McGuinness spoke at the morning service and described how Norwegian carpenters had built the church.

Between Halloween events held at Wyreema the weekend before last and at Westbrook on Halloween night, well over a thousand local children participated in community events ... 1,400 kids were counted at one house, including likely a few repeat customers, and overall over 1,000 kids plus parents, meaning upwards of 2,000 people taking part in the festivities.

Many residents of the close-knit community of Towong gathered on Saturday to celebrate the official re-opening of the Towong Soldiers Memorial Hall ... during the 2019-20 bushfires it was the local relief centre and as a place to reconnect with friends and neighbours.

Both Barham and Deniliquin High School students attended Barham Lakes to complete revegetation work. Almost 200 terrestrial plants grown at Tulla Natives and many aquatic species transferred from within the local area were planted, assisted by Western Murray Land Improvement Group, Traditional Owners from the Moama Local Aboriginal Land Council, Deniliquin Landcare and volunteers.

On Tuesday 22nd October, May Craig celebrated her 104th birthday with her usual style, good humour and grace… Merv Schneider, who incidentally is May’s Legacy helper – Reader please NOTE: Veteran Merv 99 years old helps veteran/war widow May 104!! That has to be a first, maybe even a record!

West Wimmera Shire Council has named Serviceton’s Angela Heinrich as the 2024 Senior Citizen of the Year ... Ms Heinrich has been an active volunteer in her community for many years and continues to make an outstanding contribution to both the Serviceton and Kaniva districts.

Despite a number of delays caused by the Corryong streetscape project, the re-opening of the Youth Space in Hanson Street will go ahead tomorrow. In 2021, Upper Murray Innovation Foundation (UMIF) - the Corryong Neighbourhood Centre (CNC) Community Foundation - received a federal Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grant to refurbish and re-equip the Youth Space at 42 Hanson Street.

The 61st Barham Koondrook Show dodged the rain on Friday to put on two days of fun-filled action for the community. Thrilling rides, live music, great food and impressive displays enticed the crowds to brave the wind and menacing clouds for the first show of the new committee.

Kate Hill. The night is young, the wine is flowing and drifting out from the main stage of the Coonawarra Soldiers Memorial Hall is the sound of twelve singers belting out the classic Let’s Put the Rooster in the Stew. "We’re pretty rough and ready - definitely one of a kind," said Coonawarra Community Choir Leader and Joanna resident Anne Woodard, with a laugh.

Jenny Pollard. “Life is better in the garden”. How many gardeners would agree with that?! From the attendance at last Sunday’s North Central Garden Club’s (NCGC) Charlton Open Gardens Day, the lure of that precious space you call your own resonates with a lot of people!

Cycling Without Age Kerang is seeking to expand its services to other nursing homes, but they require more volunteer cyclists to do so ... The TriBike, a trike bike, is electronically assisted, providing an effortless pedal for the cyclist and a safe and enjoyable ride for up to two passengers.

In a remarkable show of solidarity, neighbourhood houses in the Buloke, Gannawarra, Mildura Rural City and Swan Hill Rural City councils added “Blue Trees” to their towns on World Mental Health Day ... in support of the Blue Tree Project. Incorporating “Blue Trees” into the Mallee landscape was a Mallee Neighbourhood House Network initiative…. to raise awareness and encourage people in the Mallee to have open and honest conversations about mental health.

Over the past 20 years, RFDS has operated across more than 300 airstrips throughout Far West and Western NSW. Some of these, such as the service's regular clinic airstrips, are part of routine flights, whilst others are access in emergency situations. With so many airstrips available to the RFDS, it is crucial they maintain up-to-date information for each location.

Serena Kirby. The Denmark St John community transport service capabilities have expanded with the recent purchase of a second vehicle. Established in late 2018 to transport residents to non-urgent medical, hospital and allied health appointments, the service has made more than 2700 trips around Denmark and Albany ... “We have nearly 20 volunteer drivers on the roster and all hold a first aid certificate but more importantly they all have a strong desire to help others and enjoy meeting and talking to people”: Yvonne Hortin, Service coordinator.

Sydney might be 236 years old, but Murrabit is catching up fast – having notched up its official first century at the weekend. And it was certainly one of the bigger parties the Murray River town has thrown in its first 100 years, pulling a bumper crowd of locals, former locals and the descendants of some of the town’s establishment names for the two days of festivities.

Rachel Hagan. Another year and another huge success for the annual Minlagawi Nature Festival with about 200 attendees engaging with culture and their community, while taking in a deep breath of fresh air ... The event was all about connecting with nature while learning about Nharangga culture.

Madison Eastmond. Calperum Station’s Flood Recovery program is boosting local employment and changing the lives of many Riverlanders in the process ... the four-month voluntary program at Calperum Station has expanded to a comprehensive skills and confidence-building initiative for local jobseekers, restoring habitat and community in the towns of Renmark and Berri, and producing two rounds of successful graduates since its inception.

This years theme “Encouraging Dreams” was built on the last years Fashion Parade theme “Dream Big”. Thirty five children took part in the parade and a number also took part in the warm up circus act ... Mary is working on raising the awareness that the key word in the program is “RESPONSIBILITY”. Everyone is responsible for their own actions ...

Anyone around the streets on Sunday or Monday could not have failed to notice the number of colourful, accessory laden vehicles driving around Wilcannia and White Cliffs. Seventy non-4 wheel drive cars, which had to cost less than $1,500 to purchase or prepare.

One of the Wimmera’s favourite events for women in agriculture is returning in October. After a 10-year hiatus, Chicks in the Sticks is back on October 23 at Grampians Park Station, Moyston.

Quilts but not as you know them. Kyogle Quilters Group has an exhibition at the Roxy Gallery in Kyogle that is full of colour, intricate stitching, imagination and a few surprises. Everything you thought you knew about quilting will be upturned at the  Quilts – we’ve got you covered  exhibition running until October 13.

The whole town garage sale ... turned the town of Donald into a busy shopping centre for astute bargain hunters, and allowed many residents to make a dollar or two from selling unwanted items. As the saying goes: "One man’s trash is another man’s treasure," and the numerous garage sales held in Donald at the weekend seemed like a great big, marvelous treasure hunt...