News
Halloween
Spooktacularly successful
Between Halloween events held at Wyreema the weekend before last and at Westbrook on Halloween night, well over a thousand local children participated in community events ... 1,400 kids were counted at one house, including likely a few repeat customers, and overall over 1,000 kids plus parents, meaning upwards of 2,000 people taking part in the festivities.
Gus
Emperor makes historic visit to Denmark
Patricia Gill. An emaciated emperor penguin was found far from his Antarctic home on Ocean Beach on Friday in the first known sighting of the bird species on Australian shores. Gus, named after the Roman emperor Augustus, is reported to be doing well while in the care of a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, Carol Biddulph from the WA Sea Bird Rescue.
Wildlife
Lone Rangers: Solitary, sociable cetaceans
Liz Sandeman. Over the past 16 years since the first edition of Marine Connection’s Lone Rangers report was produced, there has been an increasing number of dolphins and whales around the world living solitary lives ... The report is not only an historic record of solitary, sociable dolphins, and whales, but also highlights their individuality and why it is vital that we respect them as wild animals.
Pets
Snake season – anti venom treatment for local pets doubles
As the weather warms up the incidents of snake sightings being shared has increased. Hay Veterinary Clinic’s Wayne Gardam says snake "season" is shaping up to be a particularly bad one for domestic pets, with about twice as many patients as usual being presented to the Hay Veterinary Clinic for treatment for snake bite since September.
Dunes - WA
Wanneroo rangers and WA police use drones to patrol Two Rocks dunes
Rangers and police are using drones to identify unauthorised vehicles involved in off-road activity in Two Rocks. WA Police said they have been assisting and would continue to assist in conducting proactive patrols ... using a police-issued drone.
Beaches - NSW
Shark Bay rated very good for water quality but two beaches graded poor
Ninety five per cent of ocean beaches in NSW have been graded as Good or Very Good. The State Government Beachwatch Program has assessed beaches since 1989. The latest report summarises the performance of 218 swimming sites along the NSW coast in 2023–2024 including ocean beaches, estuarine areas lakes, lagoons and freshwater swimming sites.
Law & order
Police launch new community safety initiative
The Queensland Police Service (QPS) launched a new proactive initiative in Toowoomba ... aiming to reduce crime and fear of crime across the region. Safer Together Toowoomba, which runs for the next few months until January 2025, aims to enhance community safety through targeted crime prevention and engagement activities.
Koalas - WA
Yanchep National Park koala-ified to offer family fun this summer!: Whitby
Families will have the opportunity to get a close look at unique Australian wildlife this summer with the introduction of three new koalas to a major national park … Miffy, a seven-year-old female from Ballarat Wildlife Park in Victoria, and Louie and Franklin Doogsie, 18-month-old brothers from Cleland Wildlife Park … were released into Yanchep National Park late last month.
Flood recovery
Governor-General reopens school and principal gives emotional speech from the heart
The official opening of the Catholic school in Woodburn is a reminder of how far the riverside town has come in its recovery after the 2022 flood disaster. Principal Jeanette Wilkins gave an emotional speech at the blessing and dedication of St Joseph’s Primary School in Woodburn ... Governor-General Sam Mostyn officially declared the school open.
Youth
Care-bears and creativity show mercy to young traveller: CELC
Catholic Early Learning and Care (CELC) Director Alison Forster commended the children at St Joseph's Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) for their compassion and thoughtfulness in sending homemade gifts and heartfelt messages to support a young international visitor injured in a rock-throwing incident while riding the Kuranda Scenic Rail in Cairns.
Remembrance Day
Airstrips
RFDSSE fleet is dedicated to reaching the most remote locations
Did you know there are two different sizes of aircraft in three different configurations that the Royal Flying Doctor Services uses in NSW? ... we are investing in developing a comprehensive database of airstrips we attend so that we have up to date information about the current state of existing airstrips, but also to provide a platform to share updates and consult with airstrip owners in the future.
Fundraising
Lego display for MND
Naracoorte’s Legorium, a magnificent city of Lego, will soon open for two days in a bid to raise funds for Motor Neuron Disease (MND). Legorium includes three colourful rooms – one 8m x 8m - boasting displays with various Lego themes ... Behind Legorium is Naracoorte’s Angela McLachlan, a self-proclaimed “Lego addict”...
Youth
School kids provide revegetation
Both Barham and Deniliquin High School students attended Barham Lakes to complete revegetation work. Almost 200 terrestrial plants grown at Tulla Natives and many aquatic species transferred from within the local area were planted, assisted by Western Murray Land Improvement Group, Traditional Owners from the Moama Local Aboriginal Land Council, Deniliquin Landcare and volunteers.
Community
Community spirit came to the fore
Many residents of the close-knit community of Towong gathered on Saturday to celebrate the official re-opening of the Towong Soldiers Memorial Hall ... during the 2019-20 bushfires it was the local relief centre and as a place to reconnect with friends and neighbours.
Accident
Bad luck continues for Leeton’s historic Roxy Theatre as out of control car hits frontage
The facade of Leeton’s Roxy Theatre was damaged by a driver who lost control on the nearby roundabout last week. The historic building is in the middle of extensive renovations. CCTV footage shows the vehicle being driven at speed and going into an apparently deliberate slide or "drift" before hitting the building and being driven away.
Centenarians
May celebrates 104th birthday
On Tuesday 22nd October, May Craig celebrated her 104th birthday with her usual style, good humour and grace… Merv Schneider, who incidentally is May’s Legacy helper – Reader please NOTE: Veteran Merv 99 years old helps veteran/war widow May 104!! That has to be a first, maybe even a record!
Oldest known man in Australia turns 111
Kenneth “Ken” Weeks, the Clarence Valley’s oldest resident and the country’s oldest known living man, celebrated his 111th birthday earlier this month at his residence at Whiddon Grafton. With his loved ones by his side, Mr Weeks enjoyed a low-key affair this year after his 110th birthday in 2023 was commemorated in spectacular style by Heinz Australia who personalised 300 cans of his favourite food, baked beans, with his portrait in his honour.
Youth
2024 Jacaranda Royal Party crowned
Born and raised in the Clarence Valley, Alice Jabour, 30, grew up admiring the Grafton Jacaranda Festival and the proud traditions it holds within the local community. As a student at St Joseph’s Primary School in South Grafton, she recalls feeling inspired to nominate as a Jacaranda candidate after a former Jacaranda Royal Party visited her and her classmates.
Senior
Serviceton’s Angela Heinrich recognised as Senior Citizen of the Year
West Wimmera Shire Council has named Serviceton’s Angela Heinrich as the 2024 Senior Citizen of the Year ... Ms Heinrich has been an active volunteer in her community for many years and continues to make an outstanding contribution to both the Serviceton and Kaniva districts.
Driver training
Birrang’s driving program to visit Balranald and Wilcannia
Birrang Enterprise Development Company is bringing its Driver Licence Access Program (DLAP) to the back country, in the final outreach services for 2024. The program will be available in Wilcannia ... and Balranald … a free program providing support to people in NSW who face extra challenges in getting a licence.
Community
A day of familiar difference at multicultural festival
Daniel Puentes. We may all march to the beat of our own drums, but this day showed just how well those drums fit together, and how community comes from the harmony of us all. From the moment I arrived at the festival held at Donald’s Memorial Park to the minute I left, this event left me filled with community spirit.
Education - Clifton
Schoolkids combine Lego with robotics
How many adults would know where to start if asked to program a robot? But that’s exactly what a bunch of students from our local primary schools did at the First Lego League Competition held in the Clifton State High School Hall last Friday.
Youth - Corryong
Street works impact on youth centre
Despite a number of delays caused by the Corryong streetscape project, the re-opening of the Youth Space in Hanson Street will go ahead tomorrow. In 2021, Upper Murray Innovation Foundation (UMIF) - the Corryong Neighbourhood Centre (CNC) Community Foundation - received a federal Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grant to refurbish and re-equip the Youth Space at 42 Hanson Street.
Indigenous
Honour Wall recognises achievement and heritage of Wiradjuri people
Narrandera Shire Council, in partnership with the Narrandera Aboriginal Elders Liaison Group, officially opened the Wiradjuri Honour Wall at Marie Bashir Park in Narrandera on Saturday. This event celebrated and honoured the rich cultural heritage and achievements of the Wiradjuri people. Wiradjuri elder Aunty Jennifer Johnson had the honour of cutting the ribbon...
Koalas
Narrandera celebrates its furry friends
Sean Cunningham. This year’s Narrandera Koala Fest at the Brewery Flat Reserve attracted a large number of wildlife enthusiasts. The event is designed to celebrate Narrandera’s furry friends and to raise awareness about their conservation. A Narrandera Shire Council spokesperson hailed the event as a success with many koalas being spotted.
Pollinators
Forget cheese, these mice prefer nectar: La Trobe University
A long-held theory about the life cycle of one of Australia's most beloved natural icons has been upended in a botanical whodunnit that has revealed an unlikely hero ... researchers at La Trobe University, has uncovered another suspect in the survival of some of Australia’s more unconventional Banksia flowers, in a paper published in the Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society.
Law & order
Upset and broken!
A local businessman is calling for more police presence in the town, particularly at night. Multicultural grocery store BWD Trading on McRae Street was broken into last Friday night—twice in two months, sustaining alleged losses and damage of about $30,000.
Wildlife
They grow up too fast
Rachel Hagan. The exciting news Coobowie residents have been waiting for is finally here with their precious osprey pair hatching not two, but four chicks on the town’s community-made nesting platform. About two weeks ago, little osprey heads were seen bobbing up and down in the nest, which has caused bird enthusiasts to flock to Coobowie.
Church
Women step up in Lutheran Church
Sarah Herrmann. Following five previous unsuccessful attempts since 2000, the Lutheran Church of Australia has made the historic decision to allow women to serve as pastors ... The ordination of women had been a major thread throughout her life, Copper Coast Anglican Community priest The Reverend Sheridan Brand said, adding she was pleased to see the LCA take this direction.
Aging
Looking to expand
Cycling Without Age Kerang is seeking to expand its services to other nursing homes, but they require more volunteer cyclists to do so ... The TriBike, a trike bike, is electronically assisted, providing an effortless pedal for the cyclist and a safe and enjoyable ride for up to two passengers.
Bushfire recovery
Tourism attraction is set to re-open
After rocky progress over the past four years, rehabilitation of the Bluff Falls tourism area at Cudgewa North following the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires is almost complete. In June last year, a residents’ action group was formed to progress the recovery project and it sought the support of the community to get the tourism site re-opened.
Health
Taking the plunge for mental health
Sarah Herrmann. More than 30 brave souls waded into the cold Wallaroo seawater at 6.45am last week as part of a national tour to raise awareness and money for mental health ... Australia-wide community movement and not-for-profit organisation Cold Nips completed its 71st of 100 sunrise dips at beaches across the country over 100 days.
Mental health
Support this project – one Blue Tree at a time
In a remarkable show of solidarity, neighbourhood houses in the Buloke, Gannawarra, Mildura Rural City and Swan Hill Rural City councils added “Blue Trees” to their towns on World Mental Health Day ... in support of the Blue Tree Project. Incorporating “Blue Trees” into the Mallee landscape was a Mallee Neighbourhood House Network initiative…. to raise awareness and encourage people in the Mallee to have open and honest conversations about mental health.
Evolution
Bigger bodies in twenty-three generations
Scott O'Keeffe. The red-bellied black snake (Pseudonaja porphyriacus) is a venomous Australian Elapid snake ... Cane toads (Bufo marinus) have proven toxic to a wide range of native predators and scavengers, including RBBS and other native snakes ... Cane toads are certainly toxic for RBBS’s, but are toads alone the cause of a population decline?
Fire season
Prepare your property ahead of increased fire risk
CFA is urging residents to prepare their properties ahead of the fire danger period, with parts of Victoria facing an early start to fire season. The AFAC seasonal outlook for Spring, released last month, predicts an increased fire risk in west and southwest Victoria, following a notably dry Autumn and Winter.
Emergency services
Do you have an RFDS airstrip? Time to update your information
Over the past 20 years, RFDS has operated across more than 300 airstrips throughout Far West and Western NSW. Some of these, such as the service's regular clinic airstrips, are part of routine flights, whilst others are access in emergency situations. With so many airstrips available to the RFDS, it is crucial they maintain up-to-date information for each location.
Commemoration
Name of RFS deputy captain John Holmes added to the 119 names on emergency services memorial
There are 119 names engraved on a monument at Mrs Macquarie’s Chair in Sydney to honour the fallen men and women from the state’s volunteer emergency services. One of the new names added is John Holmes who was senior deputy captain of Mallanganee Brigade. He died at the fire front at Bean Creek in October 2023.