Monday, April 29, 2024

CATEGORY

Life

Gold Fish Race honours Sophie

An amazing figure of $9,675 was raised at the Get Chopped Pub in Greenmount on Australia Day, which hosted the inaugural Sophie’s Gold Fish Race in the memory of Sophie Grace Patch ... Sophie, daughter of Todd and Tamara Patch of East Greenmount, tragically passed away in November 2022 at the young age of 11 months.

Inclusively divided

I have vivid memories of Monday mornings from my childhood at Eureka Street Primary School, standing out on the asphalt for assembly in the freezing cold as we joined in singing the Australian National Anthem as the flag monitors rose the Australian flag ... As cold and miserable as it was, I do not once recall any of us complaining about the anthem containing lyrics that offended or made us feel excluded. We students were from all walks of life ... The thing is we were all part of the same thing and nobody even considered the thought of needing their own title. Sexual orientation or preference was irrelevant ...

Wazza’s tribe gathers for fond farewell

Serena Kirby. Renowned surfboard shaper, big wave rider and local identity, Warren (Wazza) Thompson was farewelled with a heartfelt tribute at Ocean Beach last month ... Organised by long time friend and fellow board shaper, Patrick McCarthy, the tribute included a paddle-out and the forming of a circle of surfers in the water.

Water restrictions set to continue in Clarence Valley

Clarence Valley Council (CVC) General Manager Laura Black has revealed she is unsure how long Level 4 (Severe) water restrictions introduced last week for the whole Clarence Valley water supply system due to a prolonged dirty water event following recent rainfall in the Nymboida River will remain in place but said council should have “a better idea later this week.” The restrictions were issued by council on January 30 to avoid the need to call a Boil Water Alert.

Flood observers sought: Gannawarra Shire Council

Residents who would like to provide local knowledge and support planning for future flood events are encouraged to consider becoming a volunteer flood observer. Gannawarra Shire Council, Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) and the North Central Catchment Management Authority are seeking new flood observers, especially from residents in the Pyramid and Wandella Creek areas.

Families face another cost of living threat under Labor

Member for Maranoa and Nationals leader David Littleproud is backing calls for Labor to rule out scrapping the Fuel Tax Credit (FTC) scheme. Mr Littleproud said dumping the FTC scheme was another cost of living threat under Labor and would hurt families and businesses.

Get tested: Increase in syphilis cases cause for concern

A sharp rise in syphilis cases across the Northern Rivers has prompted health authorities to advise people to get tested for the disease ... North Coast Population and Public Health director Dr Valerie Delpech said since 2020, infectious syphilis cases increased each year with 29 cases in 2020, 41 cases in 2021 and 85 in 2022.

One million fishy stories, all of them true: Furner

Australia’s volunteer tagging database Infofish recently became the first citizen science tagging program in the world to tag 1 million fish since its inception in 1986 ... “Community-based fish tagging has made a significant contribution to our understanding of the movement patterns and growth rates of many fish species, and the Infofish program is recognised as a world leader in this space": Mark Furner, Qld Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries.

Aussie grains harvest complete but Ukraine war’s not over: GPA

Australian grain leaders are calling on other growers and farm businesses to show generosity and donate a tonne of grain or more, to help support Ukraine farmers and rural communities. The #AUSSIEGRAIN4UKRAINE initiative was established last year in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, to give Australian grain producers a way of supporting their farming colleagues and communities facing the continuing challenges and horrors of war.

Grog ban first step

The recommendation to reinstate alcohol bans in Alice Springs town camps and outback home lands was described as “finally some commonsense” by the Independent MLA for Araluen, Robyn Lambley. But she says Dorrelle Anderson, who made the recommendation, should now go back to her work and “sort out child protection, the most critical problem in Central Australia” and “keep off the streets” children causing trouble.

New country, new life

It’s the little things that count: A plate of food for someone lonely, new in town, from the other side of the world. A volunteer giving an English lesson. Singing together. Men chatting about crafts in their former homes. Leonamedes Bowey, Leony to her many friends, and declared Centralian Citizen of the Year on Thursday, has practised the art of making people welcome to Alice Springs for 40 years ... on Australia Day politics takes a back-seat in Alice Springs.

New portal shows huge program of works

Moyne Shire Council has launched a new roads portal to give the community quick access to information about council’s road network and planned upgrade works across the shire. The portal includes a map pinpointing road renewal and resealing works, before and after photos, expected timeframes and information about how the works are funded.

Our day – We salute our local heroes

Local people and organisations were recognised for their community service at breakfast ceremonies in towns across the Towong Shire on Australia Day ... The joint Citizens of the Year are former Corryong pharmacists, Catherine and Stewart Ross, who have had a long involvement in community affairs ... Local cafè owner, Stuart Spratt, was presented with a Special Recognition award ... Community Group of the Year award went to the supporters and committee members of the Corryong & District Memorial Hall and the RSL Hall ...

Koondrook Barham Australia Day Breakfast

The unusually cold summer weather continued as community members and visitors gathered in Riverside Park Barham to eat together and celebrate the broader community ... "There's no doubt, I often thought the biggest influence in local communities is the volunteers": guest speaker Keith Cummins from Cohuna ... Keith believes one of the biggest dangers we face is the inability to have discussions and listen to other people’s ideas.

Brigade’s proud service record is recognised

More than 20 members of the Tintaldra Fire Brigade were recently presented with Long Service Medals by CFA Commander, Trevor Ebbels, totalling an amazing 650 years of service in total. The longest serving current member is Phillip Coysh who has been involved with the brigade for 50 years with Laurie Forrest chalking up 45 years.

Local heroes celebrated

Inspirational community contributions celebrated. Well known Narrandera Shire resident Rex Evans was rewarded for his generous and ongoing contribution to Narrandera shire communities over many years with the 2023 Citizen of the Year Award ... "our town wouldn’t be what is without volunteers": Senior Citizen of the Year, Beverly Hughes.

Country music show by Dolly’s Dream ambassador

Country music on horseback will rev up Narrandera tomorrow night when multiple Golden Guitar winner, Tom Curtain, rides in to the Narrandera Showground ... Tom is an official ambassador for Dolly’s Dream, and uses his music and shows to raise awareness about the importance of mental health and wellbeing in rural communities.

Two of the very best

The organising committee of the Cambooya Australia Day celebrations could not split the outstanding community efforts of Rohan Greer and Christopher Collins, both receiving the Citizen of the Year award ... Rohan Greer is a well-respected and active volunteer in the community ... Chris Collins is recognised in the community as a selfless volunteer ...

Cambooya’s Blue Tree turning heads

The sight of two trees painted blue located on the eastern side of the New England Highway just north of the United Etonvale petrol station has caught the attention of motorists with a keen eye ... Painting the trees blue is not a random act but rather something that has been happening all over Australia as part of the Blue Tree Project.

Vale Rodney Giles

Karen Giles. Rodney Giles (Gerry) passed away peacefully at home on Friday 20th, January ... Rod’s working life on Lord Howe included unloading the ship (from age 15 to age 60), the Lord Howe Island Board and many island lodges but his passion was Ned’s Beach shed.

Three locals honoured in Australia Day awards

A community leader, a teacher and an SES Unit Commander have been recognised for their decades of dedication to the region in the annual Australia Day Awards honours list. Three Clarence Valley residents, Mr Peter Dougherty, Mrs Meghanne Wellard and Mrs Susan Chapple were respectively awarded the prestigious honours of Medal of the Order of Australia, Public Service Medal and Emergency Services Medal.

Celebrating 45 years with local business

Donna Layton knows a thing or two about the true meaning of loyalty, commitment, and devotion. As the General Manager of J Notaras and Sons Sawmill proudly reflects on 45 years with the local business, where she is well respected by her friends and colleagues, she said she can’t imagine being anywhere else.

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