Tuesday, October 3
Pioneer Settlement hub gets council tick
Council was told that any further delays could have jeopardised a new tourism and cultural hub at Pioneer Settlement.
The new building will house the entry to Pioneer Settlement including the nightly light show, river cruises on the PS Pyap, visitor information services and First Nations cultural and tourism support.
Cr Stuart King said the project had been a “long and drawn-out process”, with a larger scale concept forced to reduce in size after Pioneer Settlement was heritage listed amid a storm of controversy over its location.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news/pioneer-settlement-hub-gets-council-tick
Cancer team bowled over by generosity
Local bowlers have ensured they’re doing their bit to raise money for Swan Hill District Health’s (SHDH) cancer and wellness services.
More than 100 people attended a morning tea hosted by Swan Hill Racecourse Bowls Club, raising $2440 through admission fees and a raffle.
Club president Norm Smith said the club was always happy to lend a hand.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news257/cancer-team-bowled-over-by-generosity
Remembering comrades
Police around Australia paused to remember fellow members who had passed away over the past 12 months on.
Marking Police Remembrance Day and Blue Ribbon Day, September 29 is the annual date that honours the dedicated police officers who have died serving their communities, and reminds the public of the difficulties and risks that police officers face every day.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news257/remembering-comrades
Friday, October 6
Council makes ‘respectful’ Australia Day change
Swan Hill Council endorsed an inclusive Australia Day celebration next year that acknowledges trauma for the First Nations community.
Festivities will be moved one day earlier to a January 25 awards ceremony at Swan Hill Town Hall, while events in smaller towns will continue on January 26.
Director of development and planning Heather Green told last month’s council meeting it was important to understand there was a “great reluctance” from the local First Nations community to be involved in events on January 26, as this day was seen from a different perspective.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news257/council-makes-respectful-australia-day-change
Hundreds team up for community choir
Swan Hill locals raised the roof on the town hall as a large group lent their voices to the In Full Voice community choir event.
Last time this happened in Swan Hill was in 2018. Led by Helpmann Award-winning composer and music director Nate Gilkes, the group spent an hour learning some basic singing techniques and the words to a mash up of the iconic songs Throw Your Arms Around Me by Hunters and Collectors, and I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For by U2.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/community/hundreds-team-up-for-community-choir
Exempt farm houses: VFF
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) voiced concerns about a proposed tax that would extend the vacancy tax to houses in regional Victoria that have been vacant for more than six months.
VFF president Emma Germano wrote to Treasurer Tim Pallas outlining the VFF’s concerns toward the policy announcement, which could “unfairly” impact farmers who are unable to keep farmhouses occupied throughout the year.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news257/exempt-farm-houses-vff
Tuesday, October 10
Buybacks harm reiterated
The Nationals sought assurances that the Victorian Government remains “steadfast” opposed to water buybacks, a position the government says has been made clear.
Water Minister Harriet Shing told Parliament that Victoria’s anti-buyback position was backed up by evidence, including from the Frontier Economics report, showing “very clearly that buybacks do real harm”.
Opposition water spokesperson Tim McCurdy said The Nationals had long been opposed to water buybacks.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news257/buybacks-harm-reiterated
Voters pile in
Swan Hill voters turned out to have their say on the Indigenous Voice referendum, filling ballot boxes at a much faster pace than a typical election vote.
After the first week of early voting last week, the Swan Hill polling place had received 3661 ballots from voters in the Mallee electorate, according to the Australian Electoral Commission.
By comparison, one week into last year’s federal election, 2636 early votes had been cast in Swan Hill – a 39 per cent increase.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news257/voters-pile-in
Friday, October 13
Inclusive school in line for award
Inclusion is second nature at Swan Hill Specialist School, and its achievements have been recognised by the Victorian Government.
The school is one of three finalists in this year’s Victorian Education Excellence Awards in the Outstanding Koorie Education category.
Principal Jodi Walters told The Guardian it’s a very exciting time for the school, which has worked to acknowledge and represent local Wemba Wemba culture.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/education/inclusive-schoolin-line-for-award
Silence on bridge funding delay
Swan Hill’s bridge is still no closer a decision and councillors and Mallee’s federal MP are fed up with waiting for answers.
Swan Hill Mayor Les McPhee, colleagues and Member for Mallee Anne Webster challenged the Federal Government on the delay, 75 days after a 90-day infrastructure review was due for completion.
The $75 million project to build a new Murray River crossing was due to receive $60 million from the federal Infrastructure Investment Program.
But the government in May announced it would undertake a 90-day review of the IIP.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news257/silence-on-bridge-funding-delay
Tuesday, October 17
Swan Hill rejects Voice
Swan Hill region voters joined the majority of Australians and resoundingly rejected an Indigenous Voice to parliament.
The Mallee electorate topped the “no” vote in Victoria with 79.2 per cent, from more than 100,000 votes counted up to Monday.
It was among the top 10 regions in the country to reject the proposed change to the Constitution.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/politics/swan-hill-rejects-voice
‘Apprentice’ doctors thrive in Swan Hill
The first cohort of locally-trained medical students is nearing the end of their time in Swan Hill.
The four students at CSU Mallee Clinical School are about to sit their final exams after spending their third-year placements at Swan Hill District Health.
Launched in 2021, the school is part of a “first of its kind” shift in medical undergraduate training, focused on hands-on experiences in rural hospitals, and general and community practices.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news257/apprentice-doctorsthrive-in-swan-hill
Daniher’s Drive visits Arnold
A strong contingent of 250 drivers and supporters from Daniher’s Drive started gathering in Swan Hill and many found their way to Arnold the Big Murray Cod.
Daniher’s Drive is one of the fundraising events for the FightMND charity.
Established in 2014 by AFL great Neale Daniher, who has Motor Neurone Disease, the organisation has the goal of finding effective treatments and ultimately a cure for MND.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news257/danihers-drive-visits-arnold
Friday, October 20
Council cans drag strip
Motorsport enthusiasts have been left saddened by the announcement that the Swan Hill Drag Strip will close.
Behind closed doors during the Swan Hill Council’s October meeting, councillors made the decision to enforce the closure of the strip.
Swan Hill Mayor Les McPhee told The Guardian that the “difficult decision” had to be made because there was no user agreement in place with Swan Hill Drag Club.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news257/council-cans-drag-strip
Puppy attack nightmare
Danielle Gaskin was left traumatised when she returned home one day to find that a pig hunting dog had killed the litter of her pet Labrador’s puppies.
And she says that if her 12-month-old child had been in the yard, the outcome could have been unimaginable.
The attack occurred despite the backyard at Ms Gaskin’s Swan Hill home being surrounded by high fences.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news257/puppy-attack-nightmare
Shops open for Sunday trading
Weekend shoppers rejoiced as a selection of Swan Hill stores prepared to open their doors on Sunday.
Twenty-one stores opened for business from 10am to 2pm for the Super Sunday shopping spree, which aims to bring joy back to shopping.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/community/shops-open-for-sunday-trading
Tuesday, October 24
Owners’ perfect tribute to Brock
Swan Hill hosted more than 30 Holden Dealer Team vehicles from the Brock Commodore Owners Association of Australia at Riverside park.
Club President Andrew Bond said the club has about 130 members who own more than 300 cars, of the original 4000, built or modified in the workshop of legendary racing icon Peter “Perfect” Brock.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news257/owners-perfect-tribute-to-brock
Silo art starts at Lake Boga
It has been five years in the planning and Lake Boga Inc has finally announced that work had started on the newest instalment of silo art in the Mallee.
Lake Boga Inc chairperson Steve Mathews introduced Benalla artist Tim Bowtell and said the work should be completed within four weeks.
“Tim is an accomplished artist and has previously painted the silo murals at Colbinabbin and Katamatite,” he said.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news257/silo-art-starts-at-lake-boga
Snakes force playground closure
Tower Hill playground was closed by council after a series of snake sightings.
The playground was renowned for snake sightings in previous years but Swan Hill City Council warned this year they have received a higher number of calls reporting sightings.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news257/snakes-force-playground-closure
Friday, October 27
$65k fine for amputation
A worker’s thumb was amputated by a sanding machine at a Swan Hill business despite a “known and documented” risk of entanglement, a court heard. Polymaster Pty Ltd, appearing at Swan Hill Magistrates’ Court, pleaded guilty to failing to provide and maintain a safe working environment.
The Swan Hill tank manufacturer employed the victim as a trades assistant in its engineering and fit-out building, the court was told.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news257/65k-fine-foramputation
Ex-mayor exits council
Murray River Council’s first mayor resigned as a councillor, citing ongoing health reasons.
Chris Bilkey had been the only mayor of the council from its formation in 2017 until last month, when he vacated the position.
Mr Bilkey served almost seven years on the council, having previously been a councillor with the former Murray Shire before amalgamations.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news257/ex-mayor-exits-council
Open Gardens raise $7000
The volunteers at the Swan Hill District Health Op Shop were over the moon with the result of their open garden event, which raised more than $7000.
Committee President Jill Brown said that despite the inclement weather, the group was very pleased with the outcome.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/community/open-gardens-raise-7000
Tuesday, October 31
Search for missing bushman
The daughter of a missing man who was homeless in the Wood Wood area has made a plea for information, as search efforts were renewed.
Police said they intended to begin a new search for Wayne Tripptree, a 70-year-old former railway worker.
Local officers, SES members and specialist support services were preparing to scour the area Mr Tripptree was last seen, south of Boundary Bend in Narrung.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news257/search-for-missing-bushman
Consent program
Consent can be a difficult subject to talk about, especially with young people, however, a new project coming to Swan Hill aims to tackle this.
Sexual Health Victoria, Women’s Health Loddon Mallee and Women’s Health in the South East have put together a pilot, capacity-building session for youth and community service professionals.
Funded by the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, the Consent Matters Project aims to increase the knowledge, skills of confidence in youth and community workers in delivering affirmative consent education to young people.
