Family

Congratulations to The Allora Community Circle for organising a wonderful Bush Christmas again this year. With the support of local sponsors and business houses as well as the community involvement Allora turned on a memorable event including the official lighting of the Community Christmas Tree ... It was an amazing experience as the kids flocked to see and touch a real live reindeer.

“By Five WSM” and the North Central LLEN recently brought together rural leaders from across the region for a special Forum to discuss some of the well-documented barriers to early childhood education and care in small rural communities. 

Estimates of around 1,000 trick or treaters and adults roamed the streets of Westbrook last Tuesday to celebrate one of the biggest days of the year for families. Rather than a traditional-style trick or treating arrangement, the Westbrook Lions organised a street closure in the part of town which sees the most houses participate.

Long Day Care will be available alongside Kindergarten in Charlton from Term 1, 2024 with the announcement of a change of service provider for the Charlton Early Years Centre ... “The arrival of a new Early Years provider in Charlton represents a significant step in Council’s commitment to providing high-quality, accessible, and inclusive early childhood services to families in our community,” said Mayor Cr. Alan Getley.

Jess Liddy. A feeding-friendly group has started in Kadina. Australian Breastfeeding Association counsellor Sally Michael and her daughter, trainee counsellor Mary Carroll, wanted to bridge a gap locally ... “We will talk through all different kinds of baby topics throughout a session — not just feeding.”

Wayne Krause. The family would like to thank Chappie and Sharon for being here and for Chappie taking the service. Les specifically asked if Chappie could do this a couple of years ago because of his personal friendship with Chappie and the impact Chappie had on the Island Les loved ... Leslie Allen King was born in Petersham, NSW, on 30 August 1921, the only son of Norm and Maggie King.

Lynn James Harrison, known to one and all as Sam, was born September 22nd, 1939 in the Corryong Hospital ... Sam Harrison officially joined the Bringenbrong Rural Fire Brigade in 1958 ... well respected as a Captain as he remained very calm under pressure.

Jess Liddy. Grayson Patterson, of Wallaroo, is lucky to be alive. The 2-year-old went into cardiac arrest in June, after a barbecue smoker fell on him. If it wasn’t for the GoodSAM app, and the quick response from an off-duty ambulance officer to deliver life-saving compressions and care, the outcome could have been a lot different.

Adrian Callinan and Kathleen Purcell met each other at a football game in Melbourne in 1946. Kathleen had several suitors lining up to woo her, but she fell for Adrian, a dashing flyboy just back from the war.

It’s quite rare to see a human Lego-Man walking along the highway on a casual day. And if you do, you might wonder why. Meet Alex McIntyre, 36, and he is the South East’s Human Lego-Man with a purpose ... “I am doing it for cancer,” Mr Mclntyre told The [Naracoorte Community] News as he started his 100-kilometre walk...

The Goomburra Town Hall is inviting local families who may have family members who served for their country to donate a paver for the Memorial Garden. There are two Honour Boards in the hall and the committee are replicating these by developing a memorial garden with named pavers of service personnel.

Ted Cavanagh. Following the Church Service at St Pat’s the Cavanagh families moved into the grounds of the School for photos and lunch. St Patrick’s brought back many memories for the Cavanagh children who attended the School over the years.

National Child Protection Week is a week-long event that takes place from 3-9 September every year ... Along with educational activities, children also got the chance to explore a fire truck, use the hose to water the oval and interact with service providers.

Recently, two mature peppercorn trees in White Cliffs were removed to make way for water pipes. Shirley Evans (nee Riley), who now lives in Wilcannia, was born under one of those trees in 1937. She says, 'When I was an adult I went back to that tree a few times with Mum ... I was really disappointed to think that they'd cut that tree down.'

Margaret Millington OAM. Every year, hundreds die around the world from the curse of addiction, but no one can ever really understand what it is like to lose a family member or see a loved one caught in the web of addiction until it happens to them. It is a hideous 'disease' that occurs so easily to unsuspecting victims, but it is so hard to escape from once caught up in it.

Despite the chill in the air the community turned out in force in the Attree Centre on Friday night at the ‘Corryong Spirit’ event to support and connect with local families who have endured hardship on different levels in the past few years, particularly those who have been affected by suicide.

On Wednesday 2 August, Maldon Neighbourhood Centre launched the Maldon Toy Library ... The new toy library will be open twice a week, with families able to borrow four toys at a time for a two-week period, with toys mostly catering to the 0 – 5-year-old age group.

Over the past two years, By Five and the RCH have joined forces with the Wimmera workforce to deliver ‘great care, everywhere’ to children. Together, they’ve supported over 200 children and families to access timely paediatric care without having to travel outside the region...

This week sees the opening of a wonderful Support Centre for Women. Located at 37 Guy Street Warwick Protea Place welcomes vulnerable women who may be experiencing homelessness or disadvantage. The focus of Protea Place Warwick is on delivering Dignity Services such as lunch, showers, laundry, clothing and toiletries along with information and referral where possible.

A fundraiser organised by a loving daughter, Lara, aims to ease the financial strain of her mum's fight against breast cancer ... Lara's campaign has a personal and heartfelt touch, as she isn’t just raising funds but is also sacrificing her hair to provide her mother with a natural wig during the tough times ahead.