Friday, September 1
Caller joins the honour boards
Noel Watson has been calling local football for radio station 3SH for 38 years and has been recognised with AFL and AFL Victoria community media awards.
Watson won the AFL Victoria Community Football Media award and claimed the inaugural AFL National Community Football Media Award.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news257/caller-joins-the-honour-boards
Drainage ‘war chest’ needed
Swan Hill Deputy Mayor Stuart King said current reserves for funding drainage works were inadequate in Swan Hill and Robinvale to fund projects for these towns.
Council staff will investigate setting up a “war chest” to strategically fund future drainage works in Swan Hill and Robinvale.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news257/drainage-war-chest-needed
No mite in Victoria – yet
Despite growing outbreaks of varroa mite close to the NSW border, Agriculture Victoria was confident the mite had not reached the state.
The NSW Department of Primary Industries established emergency eradication and surveillance zones around Balranald after detecting the mite in the area and the zones extended into Victoria.
It was the second emergency zone extending into Victoria since the detection of varroa at a hive in Euston last week.
It was the fourth infestation uncovered in the past week and brings the total of infested properties to 231.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news257/no-mite-in-victoria-yet
Tuesday, September 5
Big money for Swan Hill
Swan Hill and its giant Murray cod was being promoted on a large scale with a limited-edition $1 collectable coin and stamp.
Paying homage to 10 of Australia’s “big things”, the 15-metre giant cod is shown on the coin and stamp collections, which are now available at local post offices or online.
To celebrate the launch, Australia Post conducted a survey of 1000 Australians to discover their thoughts about these giant roadside structures and why they are so loved.
Swan Hill Mayor Les McPhee said the council was delighted to have the giant Murray cod, known as Arnold, feature on the collectables.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news257/big-money-for-swan-hill
New tasers for police
Swan Hill police will soon be armed with upgraded tasers as part of a $214 million agreement with US-based supplier Axon. The rollout was to start in 36 regional stations and two metro sites in November with 10,300 officers to receive a taser over the next three years. The new Taser 7 model is a replacement for units issued up to five years ago and provides improved technology, accuracy and safety.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/police-and-courts/new-tasersfor-police
Donuts for dad day
St Mary’s Primary School welcomed dads, grandads and special friends from the school community to spend time with the children both in the classroom and out in the playground on Friday as a lead-in to Father’s Day.
The annual event provides an opportunity for male role models in the child’s life to come and share some of the experiences at school.
It always has a great attendance with about 400 turning up to receive a doughnut, a handmade card and other goodies in a specially decorated Father’s Day bag.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news257/donuts-for-dad-day
Friday, September 8
RSPCA alert on seizures, cruelty
THE number of reported animal cruelty incidents in the Swan Hill municipality has more than doubled in the past four years.
RSPCA Victoria released data for 2023-24 showing cruelty reports increased from 14 in 2019-20 to 32 in 2022-23.
The number of animals seized by or surrendered to the animal welfare organisation’s inspectorate across the state has also increased for the sixth year in a row.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news257/rspca-alert-onseizures-cruelty
Historic levee needs protection, says councillor
There were fears the historic Takasuka levee wouldbe damaged in future works proposed as part of floodplain restoration projects have prompted Swan Hill Rural City Council to seek more information.
The levee, which is partly protected by a Swan Hill Rural City Council heritage overlay, falls within the construction zone of the Vinifera section of the Victorian Murray Floodplain Restoration Project.
Cr Jacquie Kelly told the previous month’s general meeting that reports on the proposed projects were “massive” and “convoluted” and it would be helpful for the council to have a summary of the information relating to the Takasuka levee, as well as recommendations for recording or interpretation, “because they have acknowledged they are going to destroy some of it”.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news257/historic-levee-needs-protection-says-councillor
Tuesday, September 12
Club concern over Victorian pokies reform
New sweeping reforms around gaming machines raised fears for community clubs, according to a local club chief executive, as the Victorian Government introduced the new reforms to “protect” Victorians from gambling harm.
Swan Hill Club and Murray Downs Golf & Country Club chief executive Greg Roberts said the reforms were announced without consultation with the industry and without any evidence-based data to support them.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news257/club-concern-over-victorian-pokies-reform
Chance to have an impact
Ambulance Victoria put the call out for more recruits to join its community teams in the Loddon and Mallee regions. Ambulance community officers are employed on a casual and on-call basis, working in remote and rural regions.
They are trained to provide advanced first aid in communities where the ambulance case load is low and they can transport patients to hospital.
Community Emergency Response Teams are made up of local volunteers who provide 24 hours, seven days a week emergency medical support in less populated areas of the state.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news257/chance-to-have-an-impact
Nats’ focus on women, health
Nationals leader David Littleproud said Member for Mallee Anne Webster’s work on regional health policy would be part of the party’s 2025 election aspirations as they tried to win back women voters.
At the federal Nationals conference, Mr Littleproud’s leader’s address expressed the party’s need to re-engage with voters who lost confidence in the party at the last federal election.
“While we held onto all our seats, there were clear signs that there were cohorts that left us. And we’ve got to be honest, they were women,” Mr Littleproud said.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/politics/nats-focus-onwomen-health
Friday, September 15
Fake letter designed to ignite fear
Fake letters in support of the “no” vote, purporting to be from a member of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria, were sent to landowners in north-west Victoria.
The assembly said the letter, which featured the assembly’s letterhead, had an upbeat tone, but the underlying themes were designed to create unfounded fear about the reacquisition of land.
Assembly member and representative of the Wotjobaluk, Jaadwajali, Jadwaa, Wergaia and Jupagulk clans Dylan Clarke said he was horrified by the discovery.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news257/fake-letter-designed-to-ignite-fear
Farmers fear Plibersek’s plan re-write
Farmers were warning that a Bill introduced by Water Minister Tanya Plibersek to rewrite the Murray-Darling Basin Plan would obliterate consensus.
The Water Amendment (Restoring Our Rivers) Bill 2023 would result in legislative changes to the controversial basin plan, including water buybacks from local irrigators.
Ms Plibersek said the Bill offered “more time, more options, more money and more accountability”.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news257/farmers-fear-pliberseks-plan-re-write
College welcomes teaching incentive
The Victorian Government announced it would help grow the school workforce across the state with a $229.8 million package providing a variety of scholarships and incentives.
Attraction, recruitment and retention of teachers are the aims of a scholarship program that will allow students to study free for secondary teaching degrees – and help fill gaps in regions like Swan Hill.
An investment of up to $93.2 million will provide new scholarships to support teaching degree students with the cost of studying and living.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/education/college-welcomesteaching-incentive
Tuesday, September 19
Premiership Cup tour feeds local footy fever
Footy fever is well and truly taking hold of Swan Hill, helped by a stop from the 2023 AFL Premiership Cup.
A week before the Central Murray Grand Final, Toyota representatives and three-time premiership player Cameron Mooney visited Swan Hill Toyota.
The prestigious silverware was making the rounds of the country as part of the Toyota AFL Premiership Cup Tour. The cup made a quick stopover visit at Alcheringa Residential Care.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news257/premiership-cup-tour-feeds-local-footy-fever
Farmers concerned by forecast dry
The quarterly Rabobank Rural Confidence Survey found Victorian farmers were taking a more pessimistic outlook on the year ahead, despite the state enjoying “generally good” seasonal conditions in most areas.
Though down on the previous quarter, the decline was relatively small compared to falls in rural confidence seen in other states, with Victorian farmers also more positive than the rest of the nation.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/farming-and-environment/farmers-concerned-by-forecast-dry
Fight isolation and reach out
Social support was the talk of Swan Hill Neighbourhood House over morning tea as the community recognises R U OK? Day.
Community members, as well as members of Swan Hill District Health’s Social Support Group, attended the morning tea.
They heard about the power that asking a simple question can have to check in on a person’s mental health.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news257/fight-isolation-and-reach-out
Friday, September 22
Swan Hill now home, sweet home
The road has been long and sometimes painful for Rohullah Hussaini, but on a day of jubilation he found out he had Australian permanent residency.
The Afghan refugee has become a big part of the Swan Hill community, with many friends and what he classes as his Australian family.
A call came from his lawyer had him dreading the prospect of even more paperwork.
When he answered the phone, however, she told him that he should probably buy a bottle of champagne.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news257/swan-hill-now-home-sweet-home-for-afghani-refugee
Robinvale residents demand a tidier town
A group of Robinvale residents has accused Swan Hill Council and property owners of showing “total neglect and disregard” for the “dirty” and “unkempt” centre of town.
A petition submitted to the council claimed the general appearance of key streets was “unpleasant and unwelcoming” and there had been negative feedback from visitors about the state of its main thoroughfare, Perrin Street.
The petition was co-signed by 24 members of the Robinvale Op Shop following a recent meeting at which it was decided to express their concerns about the current state of the Robinvale retail and business district.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/community/robinvale-residents-demand-a-tidier-town
Tuesday, September 26
Tank firm is charged
Local water tank manufacturer Polymaster was charged after a man was killed and another seriously injured in separate unloading incidents.
Three charges were under the Occupational Health and Safety Act for failing to provide and maintain a workplace that was safe and without risks to health.
The company faced two further charges for failing to ensure that people other than employees were not exposed to health and safety risks.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news257/tank-firm-is-charged
Emergency responsiveness in safe hands
A mock emergency exercise was held on at the Country Fire Authority Swan Hill incident control centre and brought together numerous agencies including Swan Hill Rural City Council, Victoria Police, CFA, the Department of Health, Ambulance Victoria, Swan Hill District Health, State Emergency Service and Forest Fire Management.
The execrice was co-ordinated by the Swan Hill Municipal Emergency Management Planning Committee as part of its work to better prepare communities to respond to and recover from emergencies.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news257/emergency-responsiveness-in-safe-hands
Friday, September 29
Council ‘toxic’ and getting worse, union claims
Swan Hill Council rejected union claims that it had a “toxic workplace culture” that was “worsening” as it dealt with the fallout of an exodus of employees.
Australian Services Unionorganiser Billy King said this “toxicity” included allegations of workplace bullying, harassment and age discrimination against long-term staff members by senior council managers.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news257/council-toxic-and-getting-worse-union-claims
Dance studio up for awards
Richardson Dance Studio was officially a finalist in the 2023 Australasian Dance Education Awards.
The popular local business is in line for three awards: Rural Dance Studio of the Year, Hall of Fame Studio and Excellence in Community Impact.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news257/dance-studio-up-for-awards
