Year in Review: November

Friday, November 3

Police focus bush search

Police continued to search for missing 72-year-old Wayne Tripptree, believed missing near Narrung, south of Boundary Bend.

Police from Victoria and New South Wales were involved in the search, which scoured land and water, with NSW police and SES utilising search boats.

Mounted police units and a drone were also used in the search efforts.

https://www.theguardian.com.au/news257/police-focus-bush-search

Report tick to buybacks

Farmers voiced their disappointment in the Productivity Commission after it backed the use of water buybacks as part of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.

The commission’s latest basin plan implementation review recommended more government accountability and “staged voluntary” buybacks to recover the 450 gigalitres of water for the environment earmarked for efficiency measures.

https://www.theguardian.com.au/farming-and-environment/reports-buyback-findings-criticised

School’s award for inclusion

Swan Hill Specialist School won a state award for their inclusion of Indigenous culture.

The school was presented with a Victorian Education Excellence Award in the Outstanding Koorie Education category.

https://www.theguardian.com.au/education/schools-award-for-inclusion

---

Tuesday, November 7

Firefighters get a workout

It was a busy start to the fire danger period across the Swan Hill municipality, with the CFA called to 18 fires in the district.

They included a grass and scrub fire on the Murray Valley Highway at Tyntynder, which burned around four hectares, and a grass and scrub fire in Ultima.

https://www.theguardian.com.au/news/firefighters-get-a-workout

Police alert on fake $50s

Police issued warnings in relation to an influx of counterfeit $50 notes circulating in Robinvale.

The warning came after eight $10 counterfeit notes were discovered in July.

Police Sergeant Jason Downie said the counterfeit notes had a lot of misprints on them.

“The counterfeit notes feel like an inferior kind of plastic, they’re very discoloured and are missing some of the markings that you would usually find on a real note.”

https://www.theguardian.com.au/news257/police-alert-on-fake-50s

Don’t get bitten by mozzie risk

As the weather warmed up, residents were reminded to protect themselves against mosquito-borne diseases.

Last year’s heavy rains and flooding created the ideal environment for harbouring disease.

Surveillance work at La Trobe University showed the risk of illness could be higher than normal this mosquito season.

https://www.theguardian.com.au/health/dont-get-bitten-by-mozzie-risk

---

Friday, November 10

Fed-up health volunteers step away

The Moulamein Local Health Advisory Committee resigned at its annual meeting, in what was a shock mass resignation.

The committee was the link between the community and health officials.

Former Moulamein LHAC secretary Tarsh Rodda said committee members had been frustrated and tired since the COVID pandemic.

“We thought that by all stepping back, it makes MLHD more accountable directly to the community instead of just going through us,” she said.

https://www.theguardian.com.au/news257/fed-up-health-volunteers-step-away

No answers in search

Renewed search efforts for missing man Wayne Tripptree were unsuccessful.

Search crews combed through bushland around the Narrung area and employed sonar in their search of the Murray River, south of Boundary Bend.

https://www.theguardian.com.au/news/no-answers-in-search

Hay shed fire’s $1m damage bill

Fire crews from across the region responded to a large hay fire at a storage facility in Kerang on Melbourne Cup day.

More than 20 units responded to the fire at the large storage facility, where seven of the 20 sheds were impacted by the blaze.

Kerang Fire Brigade was forced to make a public plea for motorists to stay away from the scene, with police enforcing traffic controls.

CFA District 20 operations manager Bryan Suckling said windy conditions tested crews.

The fire was estimated to have caused more than $1 million in damage.

https://www.theguardian.com.au/news/hay-shed-fires-1m-damage-bill

---

Tuesday, November 14

Second bid for a Subway restaurant in Robinvale

Developers launched a second bid for a Subway restaurant in Robinvale after an initial proposal given the green light was quashed by Victoria’s planning regulator.

The original $1.5 million proposal became a long-running saga with a group of residents strongly opposed to the development, which dated back to 2018.

The group cited concerns about planning and zoning, traffic congestion and pedestrian safety.

The development was expected to generate 15 to 20 additional jobs with 4.5 per cent of turnover to be reinjected back into the local community.

https://www.theguardian.com.au/news/second-bid-for-a-subway-restaurant-in-robinvale

Heart-warming youth turnout for Remembrance Day

Hot weather didn’t deter a large crowd from attending this year’s Remembrance Day ceremony to honour those who have served Australia in all conflicts.

https://www.theguardian.com.au/news/heart-warming-youth-turnout-for-remembrance-day

---

Friday, November 17

Hospital project on time and budget

The $65.7 million redevelopment of Swan Hill’s emergency department at Swan Hill District Health continued to progress, with the project running on budget and on time.

SHDH chief executive Peter Abraham said they were happy with the progress.

“The first stage is moving towards occupancy of the new emergency department towards the end of 2024,” he said.

The hospital’s emergency department averages between 60 and 70 people through its doors each day.

https://www.theguardian.com.au/news/hospital-project-on-time-and-budget

Bridge money spared axe

Swan Hill was assured federal funding promised for its bridge redevelopment would be delivered.

The confirmation came following fears the bridge project could lose vital funding after an independent strategic review found the Infrastructure Investment Program, set up by the former Coalition government, was undeliverable and some promised projects would need to be scrapped.

Victorian Nationals leader and Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh said his immediate reaction to the news Canberra would bankroll the Swan Hill Bridge was “utter relief”.

https://www.theguardian.com.au/news/bridge-money-spared-axe

---

Tuesday, November 21

Lake Boga silo art complete

Lake Boga’s stunning new silo art was completed by artist Tim Bowtell.

The GrainCorp silo art took just over three weeks to complete.

The Lake Boga project marked Mr Bowtell’s fourth silo artwork project.

“With this kind of canvas, you’re really hoping to offer a snapshot of what the town is about,” Mr Bowtell said.

https://www.theguardian.com.au/community/lake-boga-silo-art-complete

Roads a dangerous disgrace

A Grattan Institute report slammed the state of rural country roads.

The report noted roads across regional Australia were in dire need of funding to be fixed and maintained.

It was estimated an extra $1 billion would need to be invested in the next year to maintain roads to their current standards.

https://www.theguardian.com.au/news257/roads-a-dangerous-disgrace

Murray markers missing, says skipper

Huge stretches of the Murray River remained without vital navigation aids after the October 2022 floods, according to Gunbower Island resident Tuesday Browell.

A NSW Transport Department spokesperson said the department was aware of the problem and had contractors on the job to replace missing markers.

High waters and access challenges had hampered the repairs.

https://www.theguardian.com.au/news257/murray-markers-missing-says-skipper

---

Friday, November 24

New mayor for Swan Hill

Stuart King was elected as the mayor of Swan Hill Rural City Council.

The first-term councillor was elected unopposed and said his new role was a natural extension of his commitment to his hometown.

First elected to the council in 2020, Cr King said the region’s infrastructure would be a priority, with a focus on roads and drainage.

https://www.theguardian.com.au/news/new-mayor-for-swan-hill

Little Ray of Giving has its most successful year

Swan Hill and district residents dug deep in the lead-up to the festive season.

Ray White Swan Hill kick started its annual Little Ray of Giving campaign to collect donated gifts to be distributed to locals in need.

“The gifts go to the people who might need a little extra Christmas cheer due to financial difficulty or not having family to receive from,” Ray White principal Cameron Smits said.

https://www.theguardian.com.au/community/little-ray-of-giving-has-its-most-successful-year

Hampers on the way

The Grain Shed Church of Christ was a hive of activity as community groups came together to pack 800 hampers full of essentials as the Christmas season fast approached.

More than 30 volunteers formed a production line to package the hampers, which were packed with a range of non-perishable dry goods.

The hamper initiative came about in 2020 during the COVID lockdowns.

https://www.theguardian.com.au/community/hampers-on-the-way

---

Tuesday, November 28

Unlocking home solutions at Swan Hill summit

Swan Hill hosted the inaugural Beyond Bricks and Mortar Summit, providing an opportunity for industry leaders to tackle the region’s housing crisis.

More than 100 community members and business professionals attended the summit at the Swan Hill Town Hall.

A range of topics were covered, including the shortage of affordable housing, the need for diverse housing options and strategies for sustainable development.

https://www.theguardian.com.au/property-news/unlocking-home-solutions-at-swan-hill-summit

Brew and chew savours success

Swan Hill hosted its inaugural Brew & Chew Festival at Riverside Park.

The event proved to be a huge success, with more than 2000 people attending.

Following its success, organisers hope the event will become a regular fixture on the local calendar.

https://www.theguardian.com.au/community/brew-and-chew-savours-success

Active stance against violence

Campbell Street was awash with orange as more than 200 people joined together for the Walk Against Family Violence.

The event marked the start of the region’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, an international campaign aimed at ending violence against women and girls.

https://www.theguardian.com.au/news/active-stance-against-violence