Friday, December 1
RSL reopens after day of deluge
Streets turned into rivers as more than 85mm of rain was dumped on Swan Hill.
Staff and students from two primary schools were forced to stay home and workers were left stranded by flooded residential streets.
The Swan Hill RSL club was also closed after the deluge caused significant damage to the premises.
The drainage system struggled to cope in what was the second highest 24-hour fall recorded at the Swan Hill Aerodrome since records began at the site in 1996.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news/rsl-reopens-after-day-of-deluge
Basin deal brings out irrigation divide
Environmentalists and irrigators voiced opposing views on what the new Murray-Darling Basin Plan Bill would mean for basin communities.
It came as the Federal Government secured the support needed to rewrite the basin plan.
The updated legislation would remove the cap on the amount of water the Commonwealth could buy from farmers to meet environmental water saving targets, while voluntary water buybacks would also be introduced.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news/basin-deal-brings-out-irrigation-divide
Tuesday, December 5
Crops cop a drenching
Farmers throughout the district feared crops could be downgraded due to heavy rainfall.
Swan Hill recorded 102.8mm throughout November, including 85.4mm in late November which caused flash flooding throughout the district.
Harvest came to a standstill as a result of the rain during the peak harvest period, in what was shaping up to be a lucrative yield year.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/farming-and-environment/crops-cop-a-drenching
All good in the kitchen
A Good Kitchen had a new co-ordinator, with founder Goodie Hiensch handing the keys over to volunteer Mully Pearse.
The organisation has been providing meals for people in need for the past six years.
The St Vincent de Paul Society initiative serves around 50 guests each Tuesday night, with the service offering a hearty meal and companionship.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/community/all-good-in-the-kitchen
Guardian pioneer dies
The region lost two greats who made a considerable contribution to the district.
Former Guardian manager Desmond Frank Morris died, aged 87. Mr Morris oversaw radical newspaper production changes during his appointment.
He began his newspaper career in advertising at Mildura’s Sunraysia Daily and was appointed to manager of the group’s Swan Hill publication in 1964.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news/guardian-pioneer-dies
Teacher was successful author
Meanwhile, retired teacher and children’s author Peter Clutterbuck died on November 22, aged 82.
The long-time Woorinen resident wrote more than 100 student and teacher resource books for both primary and secondary students, which were translated into multiple languages.
Mr Clutterbuck began his teaching career at Swan hill Technical School in 1961 and produced his first book when he was principal at Castlemaine Primary School.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news/teacher-was-successful-author
Friday, December 8
Cat calls grow: council puts curfews, desexing to public
Swan Hill Council sought feedback on the management of domesticated cats, with a focus on the introduction of cat curfews and mandatory desexing of cats in the municipality.
The launch of the survey came as council received 127 requests for cat traps and impounded more than 200 cats this year.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news/cat-calls-grow-council-puts-curfews-desexing-to-public
Childcare fails Swan Hill, says Productivity Commission
Poor rates of access to early childhood education and care in the Swan Hill municipality were highlighted in a draft Productivity Commission report.
The commission’s inquiry found many families were struggling with access to services due to poor availability, high out-of-pocket expenses, and a lack of flexibility and inclusivity.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news/childcare-fails-swan-hill-says-productivity-commission
Harvest race is on
Mallee farmers hit record-breaking yields this harvest, with some crops returning between four and five tonnes to the hectare.
Third-generation farmer Peter Schodde said this year marked his best ever harvest in his 40-odd years of farming.
“To get a crop like that on Mallee ground is unbelievable considering we are basically desert country out here,” he said.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/farming-and-environment/harvest-race-is-on
Tuesday, December 12
Voters pulling at the boundaries
The Mallee federal electorate should not be expanded, according to the bulk of suggestions to a boundaries review.
Victoria and New South Wales need to lose one seat each due to population changes, which has prompted the Australian Electoral Commission to conduct redistributions.
A committee will review suggestions and comments before releasing proposed divisions early next year, with the new boundaries likely to take effect at the next federal election.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news/voters-pulling-at-the-boundaries
Tyrrell concerned over VNI West
Victorian One Nation MP Rikkie-Lee Tyrrell has vowed to help protect farmland from the proposed VNI West transmission line.
Visiting Swan Hill and the Mallee region, Ms Tyrrell met with farmers to discuss the implications of the controversial project.
She said she had “grave concerns” over the number of properties affected.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news/tyrrell-concerned-over-vni-west
Ecologist calls for carp virus release
A top river ecologist called for the release of the carp herpes virus into Australia’s freshwater rivers to save native fish populations and their habitats.
Dr Martin Mallen-Cooper said the release would temporarily reduce carp numbers and provide a critical window for native fish to establish a more critical recovery phase.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/farming-and-environment/ecologist-calls-forcarp-virus-release
Friday, December 15
Balranald in mourning for boy, 9
The Balranald community rallied behind the family of nine-year-old William Ellis, who died after he was hit by a car on Market Street.
NSW paramedics treated the boy at the scene before he was transported to Balranald District Hospital, where he died a short time later.
A GoFundMe page was set up to help support William’s parents and five sisters with funeral costs and expenses.
The family already faced a challenging year, after mum Kylie was diagnosed with breast cancer.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news/balranald-in-mourning-for-boy-9
Top student’s medical dream
The region’s top students were celebrated following the release of ATAR scores.
Swan Hill College dux Zoe Steicke achieved a score of 94.2 and hoped to study medicine.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/education/top-students-medical-dream
Teachers inspire dux
St Mary MacKillop College dux Charlotte Angus had her sights set on a teaching career after receiving an ATAR score of 94.05.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/education/teachers-inspire-dux
Lily’s happy harvest
Meanwhile, Tyrrell College dux Lily McClelland hoped to pursue a career in occupational therapy.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/education/lilys-happy-harvest
Tuesday, December 19
Swan Hill gets into the Christmas spirit
The long-awaited return of Swan Hill’s full carols event was hailed a huge success, as more than 1500 people gathered at Riverside Park to take part.
Organising group member Craig Harvey said the turnout was the biggest carols crowd he had seen in Swan Hill.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/swan-hill-gets-into-the-christmas-spirit
Uniting Church fire contained
A fire was contained at Swan Hill’s Uniting Church. The fire broke out near the altar.
Three CFA units rushed to the scene after a passer-by reported smoke coming from the building.
Incident commander Brendan Jilbert said damage to the building was minimal.
Christmas observance for the congregation and wider community will go ahead.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/uniting-church-fire-contained
Council backs tennis deal
Swan Hill Council backed a deal to provide Swan Hill Tennis & Croquet Club with a cash injection of $30,000 annually for the next five years.
Tennis Victoria and Tennis Australia had asked the council to consider a proposal of $75,000 per year over five years, however the council said that amount was not justified.
Figures showed Country Week brought about $3.3 million in economic value to Swan Hill, while next year’s Pro Tour event would bring $500,000.
The early push to fund tennis events in next year’s council budget was criticised by Cr Bill Moar.
“It feels like we are being ambushed and forced to make a decision when someone’s road isn’t going to get graded or footpath won’t get fixed,” he said.
