PHOEBE DOYLE looks back at the events and issues from September in The Guardian’s in Review series
Friday, September 2
– Swan Hill’s childcare crisis was getting worse, with Young Adventurers Early Childhood Education Services owner Marg Hartshorn, one of Swan Hill’s largest childcare providers, telling The Guardian she had 200 children on their waitlist.
– The latest Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission data showed pokies losses in the Swan Hill LGA for 2021-22 rose to $8.3 million after dropping to $5.9 million in 2019-20 and $5.5 million in 2020-21. Local venues have a total of 159 machines, on which punters lost an average of $52,201 per machine.
Tuesday, September 6
– Swan Hill played host to the inaugural Go North Arts Festival. The festival kicked off with the 2022 Swan Hill Regional Art Gallery National Print and Drawing Awards on the Friday evening, before the headline event on Saturday afternoon at Riverside Park. More than 450 people came out to see Clare Bowditch headline the spectacular live music and art event.
– Lake Boga vegetable grower Nathan Free added another community role to his extensive resume, being appointed the president of the Sunrise Rotary Club of Swan Hill. During his 12 month term as president, Mr Free said he was looking forward to once again achieving great things for the Swan Hill district with the help of likeminded fellow members who wanted to benefit the local community.
