Nathan Spicer looks back at the events and issues from October in The Guardian’s Year in Review series.
Tuesday, October 4
– A record number of people went through the gates at the 125th Swan Hill Show. Swan Hill District Agricultural and Pastoral Society president Reg Packer said the turnout was “unbelievable,” and he put it down to the COVID break and kids under 16 getting in for free.
– It was announced next year’s Australia Day event in Swan Hill would be run by Swan Hill Rural City Council for the first time. The organising committee was dissolved after the council cut funding and rejected its proposal to return to the traditional breakfast at Riverside Park.\
Friday, October 7
– Swan Hill Police and specialist units arrest members of an outlaw motorcycle gang at their gathering in town. 235 people were checked, with six riders testing positive for illegal substances, and three firearm prohibition orders were served.
– The controversial $10.9 million Our Place project is canned after the Pioneer Settlement is heritage-listed. The decision divided opinion, with Cr Anne Young saying it was disappointing that a “minority” had stopped the project.
