Community

Patricia Gill. Rob and Sally Seminara tell of how a ‘firey’, overcome with emotion, had wept while presenting them with a cake after the couple had returned to their burnt out house. The show of emotion and gesture touched the hearts of the devastated couple whose home of 30 years at Parryville was razed overnight on February 4.

Emma Pritchard. The Grafton Chamber of Commerce hosted its first breakfast meeting of the year at the Clocktower Hotel last week ... In assuming his new role with the Chamber, Mr Jablonski, a passionate advocate for local youths, spoke to the crowd about encouraging mentorships for young people and getting them actively involved in entrepreneurships and business.

Kelly and Dustin’s rental property in Castlemaine became unliveable after the floods last Friday ... Many other locals and businesses in Castlemaine experienced loss and damage due to the severe weather front last Friday and local council has been working closely with affected residents and local emergency service team to assist.

Ali Bohn. The river was decorated with an array of wildlife and household replicas last Wednesday as the annual (and now iconic) Lilo Race took place for Australia Day. Flamingos, swans, lounge chairs, traditional lilos, and even thongs floated down the mighty Murray River; quite a sight to see from the banks on a stunning January morning.

Sean Cunningham. “Our future really does start today, we can all help make it a better place in the future.We can all live as equals because we are all equal and our visions can help Australia to become a better nation” : Warren Potent, five-time Olympian and Olympic medallist for prone rifle shooting and 2022 Australia Day Ambassador.

Emma Pritchard. She is one of the most charismatic entertainers in Australia and a self-described proud Graftonian, and now, Brooke McClymont has entered the jungle to try and win $100000 for her local community.

William Bay National Parks Association has been recognised as the community group that only downs tools in driving hailstorms in the depths of winter ... WBNPA is believed to be Denmark’s most active and longest-serving community group in contributing towards a nationally and internationally recognised national park.

The sun was still burning hot as the annual Christmas Carols began at 7pm last Saturday at the Bill Woodfull Reserve. Families watched with anticipation as the shadows across the oval became longer, bringing relief from the heat as they settled on the their picnic rugs to enjoy the festivities.

D Buck. The Maldon Village Quilters group has a history spanning decades and continues to thrive ... at the request of Maldon Hospital, we made and donated two quilts to be used for palliative care patients, and have made three Healing Quilts for members facing serious illness as well as one for another much loved member of the Maldon community.   Some of our members also make Hero Quilts for Australian service personnel, especially those serving abroad, and others make caring quilts for neonatal units and other worthy causes.

Emma Pritchard. The streets of Ulmarra were filled with seasonal festivities, joviality and plenty of community spirit over the weekend when the riverside village hosted a special Christmas evening ... President of the Ulmarra Village Inc Steve Pickering, who also owns the Coldstream Gallery in Ulmarra, said local business owners were thrilled to be involved with the event and he estimated upwards of 500 people attended throughout the evening.

A well-respected Warumungu elder was bestowed the Fitzgerald Justice Award in the 2021 Northern Territory Human Rights Awards recently. John Fitz Jakamarra was nominated for his dedication to being a community mentor to the welfare, wellbeing and reintegration of local people in the Barkly community ... An NT Shelter spokesperson said John is committed to supporting to those who have been impacted or at risk of being impacted by the justice system.

It's worth reflecting on what-just-was: wave after wave of pandemania. Snap lockdowns and travel restrictions were for some, a form of forced minimalism ... The antidote of course is to find our social focus again, re-acquaint ourselves with community activities, get out of forced hibernation and meet the real world ... ranked up there with hidden Hinterland beauty spots is the spring fed waterhole of the old Bexhill Quarry.

Yesterday representatives of the local soccer club, Lions Club and the CWA were each presented with $800 cheques from the IGA Community Chest to assist them with their activities, and all recipients were very thankful for the gift.

The Barham 2 Broome and Back virtual fundraising walk was held throughout November to raise money for the Local Health Medical Trust. The walk ended on Friday with a community walk and celebration ... Walkers signed up from right around our region, plus from as far away as Sydney and even Dubai!

When Jill Adam saw that blocks of land in Tabulam were up for sale because of unpaid rates, she dug deeper. The properties ... were owned by the now-deregistered Jarguan Aboriginal Corporation. The properties are now held by ORIC – the federal government’s Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations. ORIC said it will not pay the rates and charges owing on the land in the name of Jarguan Corporation.

Greg Westcott. More than 40 years on from the demolition of the historic Portland Roads jetty, the community is divided by persistent lobbying by a minority of local property owners for the construction of a rock wall and boat ramp that, when completed, will extend out from “the point” about 190 metres into deep water.

Walgett Shire Council, News, 18 November 2021

As always, Tennant Creek RSL held a heartfelt service to honour the fallen, with wreaths being laid by Barkly MLA Steve Edgington, Mayor Jeffrey McLaughlin, as well as students from local schools and other organisations in town. For those who were unable to attend the RSL, or those who are interested in the history of Australia in battle there will be a semi trailer cinema session at the IGA car park from 7pm till 9.30 tonight.

A  letter co-signed by a consortium of environmental community groups has been sent to Mount Alexander Shire and Central Goldfields Shires seeking their support to have duck shooting banned in the Cairn Curran Reservoir area. Signatories say the activity is no longer appropriate for safety reasons, and the area would be better served as a sanctuary to protect threatened species.

Bernice Shepherd. In the Adelaide Parklands, the annual gathering of Greek and Italian locals spreading blankets and bashing olive trees is quite the spectacle. Olive trees proliferate around that city and no self-respecting ex-European would dream of letting that bounty go to waste ... In Casino, we have the Junbung Walkway bush tucker trail ... But could we go further?

Cook Shire mayor Peter Scott and two councillors have heard the concerns of residents living in the council’s smallest locality. Around eight Portland Roads residents – or Iron Range if you want to be technical about the actual locality – attended a community forum last Tuesday to voice their concerns ... One of the hot topics was the desire for better water access in the area.

Tennant Creek Girl Guides celebrated its 80th birthday on Saturday morning with an Open Day at the Showgrounds. Everyone was welcome to come along and see some of the history of Guides in Tennant Creek, and also to get a look at what the girls get to do under the careful guidance of their leaders, not to mention the special treat of being able to take a ride in the Bushfires vehicle courtesy of Keven Stout.