Tuesday, August 1
Snatch and grab drug theft ends in murder
What started a “snatch and grab” for money and drugs ended up in the stabbing murder of a 58-year-old Manangatang cancer patient, a court was told.
Albury man Dael John Newman, 42, was sentenced to 21 years’ jail with a non-parole period of 16 years for the murder of David Gaskell and recklessly causing injury to his 42-year-old de facto partner during the home invasion.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/police-and-courts/snatch-and-grab-drug-theft-ends-in-murder
Tourism hub design ‘fits Mallee story’
The new Swan Hill tourism and cultural hub concept designs have been released.
Complementing the heritage-listed Pioneer Settlement, the single storey building will form part of the attraction as well as a visitor information centre and Aboriginal cultural space, encompassing the redevelopment on Pental Island.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news/tourism-hub-designfits-mallee-story
Deadly risk in Murrawee shed fire
A blaze that destroyed a shed at a Murrawee property was complicated by the presence of a deadly pesticide.
At least 10 firefighting vehicles raced to the intersection of Prince and Willox roads as large plumes of smoke could be seen across the area, while smoke drifted from the smouldering shed throughout the afternoon.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news257/deadly-risk-in-murrawee-shed-fire
Friday, August 4
Pumped to fight for sewerage solution
Woorinen South residents are fighting for a better sewerage and waste water system despite lack of support for their cause.
Years of inaction have led to stories of raw sewage leaks at the Woorinen District Primary School and overflowing septic systems contaminating private and public land.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news/pumped-to-fight-for-sewerage-solution
Lights shine on Mallee
Swan Hill Pioneer Settlement’s new laser light show, Legends of the Mallee, was officially launched.
The new show brings to life the rich history and stories of the Mallee region.
General manager Jessica Warburton said the team at Pioneer Settlement were delighted to showcase the new experience.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/arts-entertainment/lights-shine-on-mallee
Tuesday, August 8
Canine carers bring weekend cheer
There is now a pair of four-legged members on the team at Swan Hill District Health (SHDH).
Therapy dogs Rosie and Cruiser will visit patients on weekends to help them smile at what can be a hard time.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news257/canine-carers-bring-weekend-cheer
Crowds flock to Speed
The Mallee Machinery Field Days at Speed returned from the COVID wilderness with more than 6000 people attending.
Field days stalwart Dean Munro, who does a fair bit of everything at the event – including “a bit of security and manning the barbie” – said the seasonal gods have smiled on 2023.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news257/serious-buyers-flock-to-speed-1
Friday, August 11
Hold off on pharmacy plan, says Mallee MP
Federal Member for Mallee Anne Webster called on the government to press pause its planned 60-day pharmacy dispensing rollout because of the adverse impact on regional people.
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia says almost one in four of the 1000 community pharmacies surveyed had reduced opening hours and 54 per cent had increased fees for services.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/politics/hold-off-on-pharmacy-plan-says-mallee-mp
Call to reopen wood season
There has been a call for a reopening of the domestic firewood collection season amid supply shortages and surging power bills.
With the spring collection season not open until September 1, Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh called for an “immediate” reopening of the collection season.
Mr Walsh said with the late and protracted winter, too many people in regional Victoria were going cold because they couldn’t afford to heat their homes.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/politics/call-to-reopenwood-season
‘Irresponsible’ vandals pour bubble bath in fountain
The McCallum Street fountain, adjacent to Swan Hill Town Hall, was filled with soap, creating a pool of suds that had to be cleaned up by council staff, who also had to flush the corrosive solvent out of its pump and plumbing.
Swan Hill Mayor Les McPhee has lashed out at “irresponsible” people who poured a cleaning agent into a recently restored CBD fountain.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news257/irresponsible-vandals-pour-bubble-bath-in-fountain
Tuesday, August 15
Welcome home, Merv, as journey to the Murray ends
Former Swan Hill resident and Swan Hill Technical student Merv Hinneburg arrived back in his old stomping group in a rather unconventional way last Friday.
He and his intrepid crew pulled up to the 10 steps in a raft constructed of composite fibre beams sitting on top of empty 55-gallon drums and affectionately known as the Shed Down the Murray.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news257/welcome-home-merv-as-journey-to-the-murray-ends
Couple wakes to find carport ablaze at Speed
It was a freighting night for Speed residents Chloe White and Izaiah Riley when, while the couple was fast asleep, waking to large explosion to find their carport was well alight.
They said that they will be forever grateful to the local community and CFA volunteers who worked tirelessly to save their home from the fire.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news257/couple-wakes-to-find-carport-ablaze-at-speed
Friday, August 18
Vietnam veterans’ day makes a big difference
Swan Hill, along with the rest of Australia, commemorated the 50th anniversary of Australian troops withdrawing from Vietnam.
Vietnam Veterans’ Day commemorates the date of the Battle of Long Tan. More than 60,000 Australians served in Vietnam – Australia’s longest war involvement in the 20th century where more than 3000 were wounded and 523 gave their lives.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news257/vietnam-vets-day-makes-a-big-difference
Tuesday, August 22
Going nuts over almonds
Robinvale’s 14th annual Mallee Almond Blossom Festival was a huge success with people lining up at the gates well before opening time.
The event has been growing in popularity with more than 6000 people attending this year.
Travelling from as far as Melbourne and South Australia, visitors were keen to be a part of the iconic event.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news257/going-nuts-over-almonds
Lack of housing holds back district, council tells Legislative Council’s inquiry
Lack of housing is stifling the expansion of the Swan Hill municipality, especially employment, business and population growth, according to council’s submission to a parliamentary inquiry.
Councillors tour Goschen mine project sites
Swan Hill councillors were given a tour of the proposed Goschen rare earths and mineral sands mine project.
The Goschen project will have a forecasted mine operation workforce of about 400 workers, making early planning and collaboration on key economic and social service development initiatives imperative for growth in the region.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news257/councillors-tour-goschen-mine-project-sites
Friday, August 25
No Thomas promise
The first sod has been turned in the Swan Hill District Health emergency department redevelopment.
However, the government has refused to commit to further funding of any future stages.
The project was jointly funded between the Victorian Government ($35.7 million) and Commonwealth ($30 million).
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news257/no-thomas-promise
Developer’s call wins on road name
Swan Hill Council rejected the name of an Indigenous woman for an arterial road through the $100 million South West Development Precinct after an objection by the developers.
Swan Hill Rural City Council approved the name Sunrise Boulevard at the unscheduled August 22 meeting after hearing the developers were the sole objectors to a proposal to name the road Laura Kirby Boulevard.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news/developers-call-wins-on-road-name
Tuesday, August 29
Council workers ‘targeted’ by abuse
Buloke Shire Council instigated a zero tolerance campaign after an unprecedented rise in levels of aggressive behaviour towards staff.
The council says it has seen a significant increase in the number of incidents of occupational violence towards staff, not only while they are at work.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news/council-workers-targeted-by-abuse
Varroa mite raises biosecurity concerns
Varroa mite detected in beehives in the New South Wales towns of Euston and Balranald has raised significant bio concerns for the Mallee.
The lack of hives could pose a threat to the almond industry if there is a shortage of bees for pollination.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/opinion/varroa-mite-raises-biosecurity-concerns
