Community

Blake Lee. National Volunteer Week acknowledges the people who generously give up their time to support and benefit their communities. From May 15 to 21, National Volunteer Week is celebrated right across Australia. In 2023 the theme is “The change makers” to recognise the millions of volunteers who play a vital role in creating positive change in their communities and beyond.

Restoring the Nhill Silo isn’t a small endeavour, nor is it a cheap or an easy one. Nevertheless, a passionate group of local volunteers is committed to making it happen. The Nhill Silo Heritage Project was incorporated in 2021, following the purchase of the structure on behalf of the community.

Fifty pairs of helping hands restored the McCormacks’ prize winning garden at Swan Bay. In 2018, Jenny and Jim McCormack won the North Coast Champion Garden. In 2022, that garden was under water with only the tops of the tallest trees poking out of the floodwaters.

Two community gardens could soon be available to residents on the Copper Coast. The proposed garden lots at Pol green Park, Moonta, and Hughes Street, Wallaroo, are set to be guided by community consultation.

“Bula.” That was Louisa’s greeting to everyone at the Lions’ Club monthly meeting on April 27 – “Hello” in Fijian. “Welcome”. This welcome was an invitation to all gathered, an invitation into Fijian culture, shared through meals and memories.

A strong connection to Burra, its community and the iconic Midnight Oil House has seen the creation and generous donation of a collectable jewellery masterpiece by Melbourne jeweller Glenn Bakker; to the Burra community, through the Regional Council of Goyder during this year’s Shannon’s Rally of the Heartland ... He has since spent the last 12 months creating an exquisite piece of art which he has named the "Midnight Oil House-Burra".

Michelle Daw. A field of 1000 handcrafted poppies and wooden crosses made a poignant sight at Port Broughton for Anzac Day. The crosses were laid out in a grid on the foreshore lawns to reflect overseas war graves of Australian service personnel. Crocheted or knitted poppies in three colours – red to commemorate fallen servicemen and women, purple in remembrance of war service animals, and white to remember all the casualties of war, both civilians and armed forces – adorned the crosses.

To ensure that the emu population receives appropriate funding and care, a recent on-country meeting was held on Mount Wycheproof, with participation from Council, Traditional Owners, State Government agencies, Friends of Mount Wycheproof, Landcare, and community members. The group collectively resolved to establish a team representative of all stakeholders to oversee the welfare of the emus.

There was a good turnout for the Country Women’s Association (CWA) AGM last Saturday with new members being welcomed and the return of a familiar face in the form of Bonnie Thompson who has returned to Tennant Creek ... With a new committee in place, craft mornings have resumed on Sunday mornings from 10am until noon at the CWA Hall on Noble Street.

A Garden Party celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Queensland Country Women’s Association (QCWA) at "Marinya", the former home of Mrs Ruth Fairfax, the founding president of the organisation, drew a large crowd of branch members from a wide area along with local and visiting dignitaries.

The Narrandera District Community Radio Spirit FM hosted a wonderful community celebration at the Narrandera Golf Club and Function Centre ... to celebrate its 18th year of broadcasting in 2023 ... Spokesperson for Spirit FM, Sue Ruffles commented that the organisation of the party provided an opportunity to delve into some history of the station which has not previously been captured.

Local residents are encouraged to come along to Echuca Library this Saturday for the annual Echuca Moama Discovery Day. The event will showcase over 50 groups from Echuca Moama and surrounds, ranging from local service and sporting clubs, to singing, art, craft, history groups and many other community organisations.

A huge crowd of members, friends and invited guests attended the celebrations at the historic homstead, Marinya, Cambooya on Saturday. Marinya was the home of founding president Ruth Fairfax who hosted meetings and garden parties for the QCWA.

A wide-ranging program of activities is planned to engage young people across the Toowoomba Region for Queensland Youth Week 2023. Held from 11 to 17 April, Queensland Youth Week is an annual celebration of young people aged 12–25, and an opportunity to recognise the positive contributions they make across our Region.

Last week, Harmony celebrations all over Australia reminded us that everyone is different, everyone belongs and we all bring something unique to our communities.

The Newstead Community Garden began in 2009   and has evolved into a peaceful and joyful venture for keen and eager gardeners ... The garden produces fruit and vegetables, which are used by the members, and the excess is dried, used for chutneys, fed to the chooks and/or donated to community groups.

The Paddock Run flood initiative, which was driven by the Buloke community, has been nominated for the Disaster Preparedness category in the 2023 National Awards for Local Government ... Council partnered with over 45 food businesses and grain receival sites across the shire to deliver flood support and assistance information to the paddock, truck, tractor, harvester, ute etc., using a less conventional, but more practical delivery method – via their stomachs.

Act Belong Commit Darkan Sheepfest is now more than a sheep and wool show. The event is a testament to the cultural and economic value that a show can provide to a community and town.

The Lions Club of Clarence – Environmental are launching a cat campaign designed to protect the extraordinary biodiversity of the valley and allow cat owners to enjoy their pets and keep them safe ... “The campaign is designed to make people aware of what their cats are doing when they are out of their home, and it’s feral cats as well as domestic cats”: President Barbara Linley.

West Wimmera Health Service recently released new Community Health and Wellbeing Profiles, providing the first detailed snapshots of the health, wellbeing and liveability of nine towns across the Wimmera and southern Mallee ... "The exciting thing about this project is that we now, for the first time, have access to solid benchmarking data, which means from this year forward, we will be able to track the health and wellbeing of these small communities over time": Health Promotion Manager, Dorothy McLaren.

The markets are back in their home at Coronation Park, eager to bring the community back together to create the famous iconic event. Held on the second Sunday of the month since 1976, the market is renowned for its colour and atmosphere.