Labour hire team to the rescue for Ampilwatja essential services
A labour hire company has come to the rescue to help with essential services in the Ampilatwatja community. A struggle to hire locally has meant the Barkly Regional Council team has had to think outside the box by engaging the labour-hire company to fill the gaps to provide municipal services.
Locals needed for Yorke Peninsula health council
Michelle Daw. Community members are being urged to volunteer for five vacant roles on the Yorke Peninsula Health Advisory Council. Member for Narungga Fraser Ellis, who is the local MP representative on YPHAC, and retiring YPHAC member Rod Thomas have both encouraged local people to consider joining the group.
Volunteering creates a flow on
The importance of an active local SES Unit will be the focus of a public meeting in Corryong next week ... Sara Jenkins, coordinator of the CNC, which operates the Upper Murray Community Bakery, said that without SES assistance "The bakery could not have returned to trading as quickly as we did" ... Sara encouraged locals who were looking to volunteer with the SES service to "put your hand up and give it a go. "We certainly know from the last few years, that if we can’t take care of ourselves, we could be in real trouble," Sara said.
Baptist doors closed
A strong congregation attended the last service at the Cohuna Baptist Church on Sunday afternoon. 71 people from across the district and further afield came to celebrate 63 years of Christian faith and fellowship and see the doors close for the last time. Low numbers and an inability to maintain financial viability saw the decision to close the church.
War in Ukraine: Do we make a difference?
Alison McEwen. Victor Boltak writes from Ukraine: "… And your help (Ukraine Appeal) is valued very highly here. "Recently I donated $275 USD for medicine which was taken yesterday to a so called ‘stabilization point’ – this is the first medical help point close to the battlefield where the wounded are delivered from the front lines and where military doctors try to give the first aid and stabilize the condition of the wounded so they could be further moved to the field hospital.
New research on cultural tourism investment: Culture Counts, RAA
Regional Arts Australia (RAA) and Culture Counts have released new research findings on cultural tourism … The RAA Cultural Tourism Accelerator Program 2021-2022 Research Project indicates that arts and cultural activity in regional and remote Australia creates significant economic impact and community connection.
Proposed public art mural for Allora
A community consultation meeting will be held in Allora later this month to discuss the proposal for an art Mural. The Allora Advertiser has received this correspondence from Margaret Baaguly who has received funding for this mural creation.
Bulls bond with buddy programs
Blake Lee. Local sporting clubs provide an opportunity to bring people together, increase participation in sport, promote social connection and create a sense of belonging. In recent weeks, the Birchip-Watchem football and netball clubs have been fostering this opportunity by hosting buddy programs to build and strengthen bonds between senior and junior players.
Leadership is not a title
Have you ever noticed it is always the same people who volunteer and involve themselves in all aspects of the community? Regional and rural Australia would not be the same without our army of volunteers, community leaders, and people who put their hands up to lend a hand for the betterment of the community.
Facebook a ‘war zone’ as toxic school debate rages
Patricia Gill. A Denmark counselling psychologist calls on people to choose their words carefully in the Lions Club and Kwoorabup Nature School dispute ... Community discord has mounted while the Lions Club called an electors’ meeting for Tuesday, August 1, to overturn the Denmark Shire Council’s decision on April 18 to terminate their lease at a Reserve in the Heritage Precinct.
Mallee Machinery Field Days
For four decades, the Speed Lions Club has been responsible for bringing the Mallee’s largest agricultural event to fruition each year. It’s no mean feat for the dedicated group of 26 volunteers, who work tirelessly behind the scenes to organise the two-day event, showcasing the latest in agricultural machinery and technology.
Roger that, instant home two years after house fire
Roger bought a house in Mallanganee in 2003. Two years ago, the house was burned to the ground ... Roger said he has been homeless since the fire. That changed with the delivery of a self contained small house costing about $77,000. The house has a kitchenette, shower and basin and somewhere to sleep. Roger is “stoked” about the help he is getting from his mates to make the small house a home.
Parents re-take dinner time, for your children’s sake
Regional townships have a huge advantage over big cities in an ability to authentically inject a sense of connection and inclusion into the community ... when people know their family history, you will hear stories of enterprise, resilience, perseverance and bravery, which help fuel a sense of pride and family identity ... the research is quite clear. Children who know their family history have a sense of belonging, and in turn are more resilient.
Kaniva celebrate National Tree Day
Kaniva District Landcare Group held a successful tree planting day in celebration of National Tree Planting Day on Saturday at Lillimur. There were over 1200 trees planted on Victoria Toogood’s property at Lillimur in approximately 2 hours.
Hands & Hearts repairing 100 homes in 10 days – doing what the government won’t
A project led by locals aims to raise $50million to help flooded communities. The project was born out of the frustration over the lack of funding to rebuild homes after the Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation released flood maps that showed priority areas that excluded most of the damaged homes.
Despairing residents express anger over fudged flood figures
The gathered people were angry, frustrated and sad. Many took the mic and spoke and for some it was clearly uncomfortable to bare their sorrow as they shook and their voices broke ... Henry Luong told people to “use your rage and make it your power”.
Community camera alliance launched
Police from the Darling Downs District have launched the Community Camera Alliance at the Denise Kable Youth Services Centre in the Toowoomba suburb of Centenary Heights. Community Camera Alliance is an opportunity for members of the community across the region to register their closed circuit television (CCTV) system with the Queensland Police Service (QPS).
Homework club at The Patch
The Wimmera Development Association (WDA) and Nhill Learning Centre have partnered for years to deliver homework club support for multicultural students in Nhill. The program is provided for students who may have English as a second or third language, or whose parents do not speak English and cannot support with homework.
Final clean sweep planned for ‘Rum Jungle’
The four-year long community led rehabilitation of ‘Rum Jungle’ is nearing completion with a final clean-up and Boxthorn Blitz workshop taking place next weekend. To celebrate the successful initiative, members of the community who come out one last time will be treated to morning tea, giveaways and a couple of numbers from Geraldton’s Sea Shanty group aptly called Rum Jungle.
Community is driving force behind village’s new bus
Hoorah! Rappville has a community bus ... The 2019 bushfires destroyed 23 properties; the pub was saved from flames twice. Residents had to rebuild, recover and find ways to move forward after the disaster. Dave and the other members of the Rappville Social Club had to decide how best to use the donations coming in from “all over Australia”.
Time to kick in for Kookaburra
With regional tourism on the rise, Donald, along with a lot of other rural communities, is finally getting its time in the proverbial spotlight. And the Donald 2000 committee is determined to shine that spotlight on something that cannot be missed.
Bordertown Field Naturalists celebrate 50 years
Gwen Colwill. 27 April 1973 a meeting was held in Bordertown chaired by Mr Colin Pitcher where it was decided to form a field Naturalist Group ... Walt was presented with a tree seedling by Gwen Colwill which he planted in the reserve to commemorate our 50 years.
