Lots of people from across the Southern Riverina make the journey to Deniliquin each year for our Ute Muster.
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So it seems only fair that we reciprocate with their Strawberry Fields Festival, which is on November 29 to December 1.
Organisers have announced a line-up of 42 musicians for the arts and music festival, and we’re sure none will be at both the Ute Muster and Strawberry Fields.
Among those at the latter are Ausecuma Beats, Gordon Koang, Nu Guinea and Simo Cell, and they represent everywhere from the Senegambia region to South Sudan, Naples and France.
This year marks the 11th instalment of the festival, bringing together what organisers tell us is a unique blend of DJs and live artists, plus a community of hugely devoted fans for a truly unforgettable weekend.
For more information about the full line-up, the event or tickets, go to www.strawberry-fields.com.au.
Bradfield push
The need to improve our water supplies and operations has been regularly in the news, as drought and poor management continue to hit home.
The latest promoter of more imaginative water policy is well-known national columnist Robert Gottliebsen, who has used a local example to highlight his case.
In an article last week in The Australian he talked about the Bradfield Scheme, which has been suggested as a way of diverting excess coastal water to our dry inland.
Gottliebsen said: “I met a family whose son has a farm on the banks of the Edward River near Deniliquin. Soaking rains nearly missed Deniliquin and the farmer is not able to exercise his water entitlement … because of the shortage. Along with tens of thousands of Australians, he is the human cost of the Bradfield 81 year pigeonhole.”
It’s this human cost which our politicians appear to have forgotten, as they prattle on, yet fail to find a solution that will get local farmers off the zero allocation which is causing so much heartache.
Christmas cheer
One of the fun events on the annual calendar at Deniliquin Golf Club is its Christmas In July evening.
This year it will be held on Friday, July 19 with a traditional Christmas feast, including prawns.
Interested? RSVP to June at the Golf Club with numbers. Tickets are $40 per person.
Going too far
We’ve heard lots of local comment about the AFL’s crackdown on spectators expressing their views on umpiring decisions.
While we support appropriate behaviour by all football supporters, having behaviour police walking up and down the aisles at Melbourne games to make sure no-one is barracking too loudly seems a step too far.
We’d also hope they are not sent out to regional areas, as some of our local supporters may be in a bit of strife.
Acacia show
If you are looking for some high class entertainment this Friday night, don’t forget the Acacia Quartet, being hosted by South West Music.
They will appear at the Deniliquin Uniting Church from 7.30pm, then be at the Womboota Hall on Saturday night and the Tocumwal War Memorial Hall on Sunday afternoon.
Tickets are $35 per person and can be purchased at www.swmusic.org.au. The ticket price includes supper at interval.
Volunteer value
On page three we have a story on the Edward River Council’s thankyou morning tea for volunteers at the Peppin Heritage Centre and our local library.
Volunteers, of course, are the backbone of our community. Can you imagine the cost to governments at all levels if volunteers did not perform their amazing work?
One of the worthwhile volunteering roles in our community is Community Transport, operated through Intereach.
It is searching for more volunteer drivers to transport people to local and out of town appointments.
If you can help, or would like more information, contact Emma at Intereach on 1300 488 226.
Or go fishing
Talking of volunteers, another organisation seeking support is Navorina, as we pointed out in our page three story on Friday.
They want people to help out by participating in the new fishing program. It’s simple; just accompany one of the residents to the river and help them drown a worm and hopefully catch a fish.
You can have a lot of fun and make a person happy, at the same time.
Phone Bernadette on 5881 3944 if you can be part of this wonderful program.
Health petition
And finally, please take note of our front page story regarding the health petition. Thousands more signatures are needed in this next step to getting action to improve our most important service.