Holiday levy from January: Stress for BnBs
The Victorian State Parliament has passed the contentious ‘AirBnB Tax’ law to impose a 7.5 per cent levy on short-stay accommodation platforms ... Michele Waddington, owner of Fairbank House holiday home rental, believes the levy will have an impact on local accommodation providers and beyond: "The legislation, which taken with other recent taxes, has significantly impacted Maldon’s economic recovery."
Leadership opportunities at Maldon Inc.
The local traders association Maldon Inc. held its annual general meeting (AGM) ... but has yet to attract a new president or secretary. Barry Robinson has served as president of the organisation since 2022 and Lindsay Calloway from Warral Maldon has been serving as secretary ... Barry acknowledged that there is reduced enthusiasm for joining committees in 2024 but said the organisation is considering the creation of an advisory board, so people can contribute to certain topics or on certain projects in which they specialise.
One step closer
47 people helped the Cohuna Lions Club add to the national tally of kilometres for Lap the Map on Saturday when they participated in Cohuna parkrun ... Funds raised go to the Lions Australia Medical Alert Dog Program that provides Diabetic Alert Dogs to people with type 1 diabetes, free of charge.
Brolgas return to Towong
The last of four largescale artwork pieces was installed at Towong ... as part of Stage 2 of the Great River Road touring route project. The newest sculpture depicts two brolgas in a Brolgas return to Towong courtship dance on the Towong Walking Trail.
Exploring our region’s historic churches
In our sister publication The Clifton Courier, over the past two weeks we have been exploring the history of local churches in the area and this week Greenmount’s very own St. Joseph’s Catholic Church is featured. St. Joseph’s, which sits in an elevated position overlooking the town on Warkon Street, was built in 1958.
Summer congestion: Beach parking challenge
Patricia Gill. Parking will be at a premium at Ocean Beach and Prawn Rock Channel with the area expected to be congested with beachgoers over summer. Ocean Beach near the Denmark Surf Life Saving Club is expected to remain closed to the public until October next year as work continues on the refurbished clubrooms … The Ocean Beach car park will remain closed while contractors use the area as a laydown space…
CWA intergenerational initiative a first for Denmark
Serena Kirby. Denmark's CWA is bridging the generational gap with its Nanna’s Next Door initiative. The intergenerational playgroup is the brainchild of local mum Megan Sutton who believes that the Denmark CWA is the only branch offering this type of program ... "Some of these women may not have held a baby in decades and there’s certainly something special that happens when they hold a baby."
End of an era at Japps
It was the end of an era ... when Hay’s pharmacist of close to 70 years finally passed on the baton. "The time has come," Allan Japp told The Riverine Grazier after signing over his share of Japp’s Pharmacy to Mina Malek who had been working with him for the past two-and-a-half years.
Action Gerard’s ‘key to prosperity’?
Hugh Schuitemaker. The current Gerard Council will again appear before the Berri Court, in January, with a "reset" in its management needed to help the community, according to a wellknown local figure ... In response to last week's article, a State Government spokesperson said "the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs (Kyam Maher) has been made aware of the concerns that have been raised by Mr Lindsay".
Local Lions attend 48th Annual District Convention
Members of the Nhill and Kaniva Lions Clubs enjoyed their time at the District 201V2 Convention which was held at the Werribee Racing Club. Almost 200 Lions members, delegates, special guests and visitors were in attendance ... Nhill Lion Julie McDonald came as "Old McDonald" with a difference because she not only had a farm but a John Deere tractor!
Letters from Home: Goodbye to the tree
The tree was beautiful and we loved it. It was a maple that was young and growing when we moved here after the fires, and was part of many different trees on the property, all quite immature ... Boy did it grow.
Health inquiry goes ahead
Michelle Daw. Yorke Peninsula residents are being urged to contribute to a long-awaited inquiry into health services in the region launched on November 14. The inquiry was triggered by a petition signed by nearly 11,000 people. It was led by Member for Narungga Fraser Ellis, who lodged it with State Parliament in November 2023.
Col Jacka and Vic Pope: the men of Southern Cross Museum and Balranald’s best assets
Col Jacka and Vic Pope are two of the unsung heroes of Balranald. They man the wonderful attraction, Southern Cross Museum. They take tours of people, whether one or two, or large groups around the fascinating building, and regale them with fascinating stories of the history behind the exhibits.
‘National Rescue Awareness Week’ highlights Australia’s emergency education knowledge gap: GME
Tackling a worrying gap in the nation’s emergency rescue education, Australia’s leading communications and safety brand, GME has partnered with leading survival expert and instructor, Outback Mike to launch the inaugural National Rescue Awareness Week ... bringing together 65 years of expertise in helping Australians explore our beautiful backyard with simple advice to prepare Aussies better and keep them safe on land and out at sea.
ASSEA urges Australians to beware of ageing and deteriorating asbestos
The Asbestos and Silica Safety and Eradication Agency (ASSEA) is calling on Australians to understand the growing dangers of ageing and deteriorating asbestos, particularly as the summer season approaches, and home renovation projects kick off. Despite a complete asbestos ban more than 20 years ago, an estimated one in three homes across Australia still contain asbestos. Â
Bee Pope: One very busy bee
As the new year looms many of us are looking to freshen up our homes and streamline our lives but decluttering and becoming better organised are things that often fill us with dread. Not so for Bee Pope. Decluttering and organising are things that fill her with excitement and joy.
Skilled GPs delivering babies at Naracoorte
A highly skilled team of four specialist rural doctors with qualifications and experience in obstetrics are working together, continuing to deliver babies at the Naracoorte Hospital. They include Dr Kim Trueman, Dr Clare Garner, Dr David Mills and Dr Ron Wallingford … news for obstetrics was released in statements by … (LCLHN) as well as the Naracoorte General Practice and Kincraig Medical Clinic.
Hard Talk – Healthcare cost burden
Payroll tax on GPs, increasing costs for GP visits, and a complicated Medicare scheme—is our health system failing our communities and the most vulnerable?... We asked the SA Health Minister Chris Picton, Federal Health Minister Mark Butler, SA Shadow Regional Health Services Minister Penny Pratt, and Federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, what needs to be done to reduce the burden of increasing healthcare costs on people in country towns, where access to various health services is already limited?
Stay safe this snake season
As warmer weather sets in, Darling Downs Health is reminding local residents to be on the lookout for snakes. In the first two months of snake season, September and October, 39 people presented to emergency departments with snake bite injuries within the Darling Downs region.
Gerard wants accountability
Hugh Schuitemaker. A senior member of the Gerard community says accountability for ongoing poor management of the area is needed to improve living conditions for its residents. Berri man Tyson Lindsay has raised concerns surrounding continued mismanagement of the Gerard Community Council and the resulting impact on community members.
Active spirits: Bridging generations in Hay through fun and connection
Meredith Gow. The Active Spirits Intergenerational Program, run by Intereach and supported by Hay Shire Council, has become a highlight of the week for many in the Hay community ... students from Hay War Memorial High School and local community members come together for an afternoon of activities designed to get everyone moving and laughing.
Food Co-Op marks 10 years
Neil Amor. Ten years ago, the Nimbin community came together to ensure the continued growth of an organic, sustainable food culture ... with the financial support of the community and the hard work of a legion of volunteers, despite some tough times getting things up and running, the Nimbin Organic Food Co-op has grown to supply the local need and has become a thriving business.
