Friday, November 3
Police focus bush search
Police continued to search for missing 72-year-old Wayne Tripptree, believed missing near Narrung, south of Boundary Bend.
Police from Victoria and New South Wales were involved in the search, which scoured land and water, with NSW police and SES utilising search boats.
Mounted police units and a drone were also used in the search efforts.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news257/police-focus-bush-search
Report tick to buybacks
Farmers voiced their disappointment in the Productivity Commission after it backed the use of water buybacks as part of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.
The commission’s latest basin plan implementation review recommended more government accountability and “staged voluntary” buybacks to recover the 450 gigalitres of water for the environment earmarked for efficiency measures.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/farming-and-environment/reports-buyback-findings-criticised
School’s award for inclusion
Swan Hill Specialist School won a state award for their inclusion of Indigenous culture.
The school was presented with a Victorian Education Excellence Award in the Outstanding Koorie Education category.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/education/schools-award-for-inclusion
Tuesday, November 7
Firefighters get a workout
It was a busy start to the fire danger period across the Swan Hill municipality, with the CFA called to 18 fires in the district.
They included a grass and scrub fire on the Murray Valley Highway at Tyntynder, which burned around four hectares, and a grass and scrub fire in Ultima.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news/firefighters-get-a-workout
Police alert on fake $50s
Police issued warnings in relation to an influx of counterfeit $50 notes circulating in Robinvale.
The warning came after eight $10 counterfeit notes were discovered in July.
Police Sergeant Jason Downie said the counterfeit notes had a lot of misprints on them.
“The counterfeit notes feel like an inferior kind of plastic, they’re very discoloured and are missing some of the markings that you would usually find on a real note.”
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news257/police-alert-on-fake-50s
Don’t get bitten by mozzie risk
As the weather warmed up, residents were reminded to protect themselves against mosquito-borne diseases.
Last year’s heavy rains and flooding created the ideal environment for harbouring disease.
Surveillance work at La Trobe University showed the risk of illness could be higher than normal this mosquito season.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/health/dont-get-bitten-by-mozzie-risk
Friday, November 10
Fed-up health volunteers step away
The Moulamein Local Health Advisory Committee resigned at its annual meeting, in what was a shock mass resignation.
The committee was the link between the community and health officials.
Former Moulamein LHAC secretary Tarsh Rodda said committee members had been frustrated and tired since the COVID pandemic.
“We thought that by all stepping back, it makes MLHD more accountable directly to the community instead of just going through us,” she said.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news257/fed-up-health-volunteers-step-away
No answers in search
Renewed search efforts for missing man Wayne Tripptree were unsuccessful.
Search crews combed through bushland around the Narrung area and employed sonar in their search of the Murray River, south of Boundary Bend.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news/no-answers-in-search
Hay shed fire’s $1m damage bill
Fire crews from across the region responded to a large hay fire at a storage facility in Kerang on Melbourne Cup day.
More than 20 units responded to the fire at the large storage facility, where seven of the 20 sheds were impacted by the blaze.
Kerang Fire Brigade was forced to make a public plea for motorists to stay away from the scene, with police enforcing traffic controls.
CFA District 20 operations manager Bryan Suckling said windy conditions tested crews.
The fire was estimated to have caused more than $1 million in damage.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news/hay-shed-fires-1m-damage-bill
Tuesday, November 14
Second bid for a Subway restaurant in Robinvale
Developers launched a second bid for a Subway restaurant in Robinvale after an initial proposal given the green light was quashed by Victoria’s planning regulator.
The original $1.5 million proposal became a long-running saga with a group of residents strongly opposed to the development, which dated back to 2018.
The group cited concerns about planning and zoning, traffic congestion and pedestrian safety.
The development was expected to generate 15 to 20 additional jobs with 4.5 per cent of turnover to be reinjected back into the local community.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news/second-bid-for-a-subway-restaurant-in-robinvale
Heart-warming youth turnout for Remembrance Day
Hot weather didn’t deter a large crowd from attending this year’s Remembrance Day ceremony to honour those who have served Australia in all conflicts.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news/heart-warming-youth-turnout-for-remembrance-day
Friday, November 17
Hospital project on time and budget
The $65.7 million redevelopment of Swan Hill’s emergency department at Swan Hill District Health continued to progress, with the project running on budget and on time.
SHDH chief executive Peter Abraham said they were happy with the progress.
“The first stage is moving towards occupancy of the new emergency department towards the end of 2024,” he said.
The hospital’s emergency department averages between 60 and 70 people through its doors each day.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news/hospital-project-on-time-and-budget
Bridge money spared axe
Swan Hill was assured federal funding promised for its bridge redevelopment would be delivered.
The confirmation came following fears the bridge project could lose vital funding after an independent strategic review found the Infrastructure Investment Program, set up by the former Coalition government, was undeliverable and some promised projects would need to be scrapped.
Victorian Nationals leader and Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh said his immediate reaction to the news Canberra would bankroll the Swan Hill Bridge was “utter relief”.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news/bridge-money-spared-axe
Tuesday, November 21
Lake Boga silo art complete
Lake Boga’s stunning new silo art was completed by artist Tim Bowtell.
The GrainCorp silo art took just over three weeks to complete.
The Lake Boga project marked Mr Bowtell’s fourth silo artwork project.
“With this kind of canvas, you’re really hoping to offer a snapshot of what the town is about,” Mr Bowtell said.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/community/lake-boga-silo-art-complete
Roads a dangerous disgrace
A Grattan Institute report slammed the state of rural country roads.
The report noted roads across regional Australia were in dire need of funding to be fixed and maintained.
It was estimated an extra $1 billion would need to be invested in the next year to maintain roads to their current standards.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news257/roads-a-dangerous-disgrace
Murray markers missing, says skipper
Huge stretches of the Murray River remained without vital navigation aids after the October 2022 floods, according to Gunbower Island resident Tuesday Browell.
A NSW Transport Department spokesperson said the department was aware of the problem and had contractors on the job to replace missing markers.
High waters and access challenges had hampered the repairs.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news257/murray-markers-missing-says-skipper
Friday, November 24
New mayor for Swan Hill
Stuart King was elected as the mayor of Swan Hill Rural City Council.
The first-term councillor was elected unopposed and said his new role was a natural extension of his commitment to his hometown.
First elected to the council in 2020, Cr King said the region’s infrastructure would be a priority, with a focus on roads and drainage.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news/new-mayor-for-swan-hill
Little Ray of Giving has its most successful year
Swan Hill and district residents dug deep in the lead-up to the festive season.
Ray White Swan Hill kick started its annual Little Ray of Giving campaign to collect donated gifts to be distributed to locals in need.
“The gifts go to the people who might need a little extra Christmas cheer due to financial difficulty or not having family to receive from,” Ray White principal Cameron Smits said.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/community/little-ray-of-giving-has-its-most-successful-year
Hampers on the way
The Grain Shed Church of Christ was a hive of activity as community groups came together to pack 800 hampers full of essentials as the Christmas season fast approached.
More than 30 volunteers formed a production line to package the hampers, which were packed with a range of non-perishable dry goods.
The hamper initiative came about in 2020 during the COVID lockdowns.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/community/hampers-on-the-way
Tuesday, November 28
Unlocking home solutions at Swan Hill summit
Swan Hill hosted the inaugural Beyond Bricks and Mortar Summit, providing an opportunity for industry leaders to tackle the region’s housing crisis.
More than 100 community members and business professionals attended the summit at the Swan Hill Town Hall.
A range of topics were covered, including the shortage of affordable housing, the need for diverse housing options and strategies for sustainable development.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/property-news/unlocking-home-solutions-at-swan-hill-summit
Brew and chew savours success
Swan Hill hosted its inaugural Brew & Chew Festival at Riverside Park.
The event proved to be a huge success, with more than 2000 people attending.
Following its success, organisers hope the event will become a regular fixture on the local calendar.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/community/brew-and-chew-savours-success
Active stance against violence
Campbell Street was awash with orange as more than 200 people joined together for the Walk Against Family Violence.
The event marked the start of the region’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, an international campaign aimed at ending violence against women and girls.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news/active-stance-against-violence
