Murray bookings plummet
Tourism and visitor economy operators in the Murray River region are warning that businesses may not be able to withstand the drastic fall in forward bookings.
During the peak Christmas/New Year period the Murray region normally welcomes 1.87 million visitors, but a recent survey conducted by the Murray Regional Tourism Board has found more than half of the region’s tourism businesses have lost at least 40 per cent of their bookings for the peak season.
The survey is the first of three surveys aimed at determining the full impact of the floods on the tourism industry.
Two time travellers in a boat
Long before John Doyle and Tim Flannery took a ‘tinny’ for two along the highways and byways of the Murray Darling, two much braver time travellers were climbing into their own little boat and heading downstream.
Not many remember Edward William Cole or George Burnell, but 160 years ago the two photographers nudged their little boat away from the bank of the Murray at Echuca and let the current propel them into midstream at the beginning of their 1700km epic journey to the Murray Mouth at Goolwa in South Australia.
They ‘set sail’ on New Year’s Day 1862 and were waved off by locals from the current wharf area, taking on the river without even a shakedown cruise.
From January 6 until February 28, the Echuca Historical Society will reintroduce them and their journey to the world.
The exhibition incorporates a portion of the 52 significant stereograph photos taken between Echuca and Goolwa, covering the section from Echuca to Mildura.
It launches with a free family-friendly open day and morning tea at the museum on January 6, from 10am until 2pm.
The Echuca Historical Society is located at 1 Dickson St, Echuca.
Sadie says farewell
For Sadie Herrick, Friday, December 9 was the last day of an illustrious career as a preschool assistant in Jerilderie.
Families, staff and the preschool committee gave Sadie a wonderful send-off, with an array of food and gifts.
A large jar full of notes of thanks and love from past and present families and students will provide Sadie with lots of reading matter and emotional memories.
Sadie said that she has had 27 years of continual learning herself while involved in the care of the youngsters.
She has passed the baton to a new generation of teachers and carers.