Volunteering

With shovels in their hands and smiles on their faces, 38 students from the University of Technology (UTS) in Sydney journeyed to the Clarence Valley last week where they spent a day undertaking a variety of local projects throughout the riverside village of Ulmarra ... All of them are hard-working and community minded members of The Big Lift, a student- run volunteering organisation founded on the philosophy of paying it forward through UTS...

In a night filled with nostalgia, gratitude, and camaraderie, the Tennant Creek Branch of Bushfires NT marked a significant milestone on Saturday night at the Sporties Club as they celebrated 25 years of dedicated service to the local community. Members, both past and present, as well as invited guests gathered to commemorate this remarkable achievement.

150 Murray crayfish were released in Barham on Friday after many of the iconic species were relocated during the 2022 and early 2023 blackwater events. During the flood event, blackwater poured out of forests that had already had long periods of inundation with environmental water, contributing to poor water quality within the river system.

As reported in the previous issue of the [Buloke] “Times”, Donald’s Jacob Donnellon had a big weekend ahead of him. After having been selected as a state finalist in the 2024 Junior Rural Ambassador program, he was headed to Kaniva for the VAS deciding round ... Say congratulations to the 2024 Victorian Junior Rural Ambassador champion!

What is SCOPE all about? SCOPE is an all Australian women’s community service club. Any women over the age of 18 from all walks of life make up the membership. Scope stands for Service Community Involvement Opportunity Education ... Members from New South Wales and Queensland attended the National Conference of Scope Club of Australia Inc held recently at Allora.

This week, we shine a spotlight on Lorraine Gibson Napaljari, who has chosen to assist others in unconventional yet deeply impactful ways. Lorraine, a Stolen Generation member, made a life-altering decision four years ago ... the pursuit closest to her heart is supporting Elders in navigating the challenges of daily life.

Narrandera's Rockin’ on East Festival has unfortunately been discontinued following the sudden disbandment of its organising committee. The festival has been attracting visitors from far and wide to Narrandera during the October long weekend since its inception a little over nine years ago ... Ultimately, it was decided that the festival could not proceed.

Jenny Pollard. Team and individual members of the Red Cross Buloke Emergency Services Team were recognised with exemplary awards at the May 28, presentations held at Government House in Melbourne ... As the recipients of the Distinguished Team Award, the citation listed the extensive outreach which this small, but determined group has imparted over the years.

Affected CFA Brigades have united in a call for industrial action to achieve demands with respect to the future of their role as firefighters, in view of the Victorian State Government proposed reckless renewables expansion. We consider untenable the risks to lives and property, and irreparable damage imposed by proposed installations of High Voltage Transmission Lines and Renewable Energy Infrastructure.

These plantings are held each autumn and assist in bushfire recovery, bank stabilisation and improved water quality for us all. This year, the collective action in the Upper Murray by volunteers from around the state has led to the planting of 3,200 trees along the Nariel and Thowgla Creeks over four days.

Jenny Pollard. A lifetime of table tennis service to the Victorian Table Tennis Country Championships saw Charlton’s Bill Freeman recognised with two significant awards ... Showing stellar dedication, Bill has attended every TTVCC event since 1966 – either at the tables as a participant, or in combination with his role as a committee member – a position which he has held for 40 years.

Serena Kirby. This year’s senior citizen of the year, Louise Swan, has put her love of horses to good use since retiring and moving to Denmark nearly a decade ago. Louise said horses had been her passion since she was five years old and when she discovered there was a local HorsePower centre, she wasted no time in volunteering to help.

Kerryn Dyer. At last after a journey of some 6 months of preparation of both stock, venue and administration compliance, we opened our doors at 10am on Thursday 6th June. The hall was warm and ready, the urn was hot and the food was good!

The Playle’s Hill Project Group continues to make further upgrades to the community facility and the latest addition is The Labyrinth. The project originated through the Black Summer bushfire recovery process ... It is a reflective healing space to walk solo, with a partner, with family or friends.

A new era in Queensland’s disaster and emergency management begins today as some of the most significant changes to how the state responds to natural disasters and emergencies takes effect. The State Emergency Service (SES) is now formally established with its own legislation, the State Emergency Service Act 2024 ... And for the first time, Marine Rescue Queensland (MRQ) is established as the state’s first integrated marine rescue service ...

Joanna Tucker. Suicide awareness organisation SOS Yorkes is on the brink of collapse unless more volunteers can be found immediately ... Chair Ann Clothier said, if SOS Yorkes — which was founded in 2015 and stands for Stamp Out Suicide — cannot find a new secretary and treasurer in the next few weeks, the service will cease at the end of this month.

Volunteering knows no age limits, as demonstrated by 17-year-old local Jamie Jones. Not only is he a keen Speedway competitor, but he also enthusiastically helps out at Speedway meets.

Congratulations to Julie Hough, who as from 1 July will be the first woman to be appointed Captain of the Walmer Fire Brigade ... She is well qualified and has a few roles at the Walmer Brigade - she’s the Comms Officer, the Health & Safety Officer, is trained in first aid, is licensed to drive trucks and has been part of a few strike teams.

Patricia Gill. Denmark's Citizen of the Year Murray Brooker believes in always leaving a place better than he found it and continually improving and learning. The former school principal and university lecturer in child psychology has served in emergency and fire services wherever he has lived but is thankful of all the support he receives.