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Issue No. 268 Thursday, February 21, 2013

A NUMBER of Riverland and Mallee projects have proceeded to full application stage for rounds three and four of the Regional De-velopment Australia Fund (RDAF).

Riverland and Mallee coun-cils are hopeful projects will be successful after no funding was awarded to the region in the fi rst two rounds.

Round three of the fund is worth $50 million and will pro-vide grants of between $50,000

and $500,000 for projects located in towns with a population of 30,000 or less.

Round four will allocate $175 million through grants of between $500, 000 and $15 million for priority regional

infrastructure projects. Renmark Paringa Councils

Renmark town centre revitalisa-tion project, the Waikerie sports precinct stage two development, Swan Reach town hall redevelop-ment and the Pinnaroo wetlands walking trails and recreation open space are all projects that have pro-gressed in round three.

A Karoonda East Murray Coun-cil project, Mindarie Connect, has pushed to the next stage of the

round four fund. RDA Murraylands and River-

land chair Neil Martinson said there were some hard decisions and the projects that meet clear-ly identifi ed regional priorities were selected.

We received a number of high quality project proposals and it was diffi cult to choose those that will proceed to the fi nal stage of the application process, Mr Martinson said.

The projects chosen took into the account the priorities of our regional plan and other identifi ed community priorities and address the needs of the region.

The projects are backed by a strong level of community support and are ready to proceed.

They will each have a positive long-term impact on our region and neighbouring regions.

Continued Page 5

BRADPERRY

REPORT BY

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Experiencing the impact of cancer on their family, a Berri couple plan to hit the road to raise money for a good cause.

Full story

Page 10

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PREPARING: Berris Stephen and Joy Riley will jump on

their bike in April and ride to Queensland and back, with a

goal to raise $10,000 towards fi nding a cure for cancer.

Photo: BRAD PERRY

After missing out on fi rst two rounds, local projects hope to have...

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EDITORIAL BY

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Television Guide Page 18 Real Estate Pages 19 to 23 Weekly Crossword Page 27

THURS

FRI

SAT

Late ShowerMin 16. Max 34

Possible ShowerMin 20. Max 35

SunnyMin 20. Max 36

Riverland Weather

THURS

FRI

SAT

Late ShowerMin 12. Max 34

Possible ShowerMin 16. Max 35

Mostly SunnyMin 2. Max 22

Mallee Weather

LL

10A Wilson Street, Berri Postal PO Box 1279, Berri. 5343

Phone 8582 5500 Fax 8582 5505

For General Enquiries, email:[email protected]

Editorial Content:[email protected]

Classified Advertising:[email protected]

How to contact us

Manager Adrian HughesEditor Brad PerryAdvertising Consultants Carly Affleck Tim Fitzgerald

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Patrick Broughton

Contacts

2 Riverland Weekly Thursday February 21, 2013

SCHOLARSHIPS have been of-fered to 190 allied health pro-fessionalsm, including two Riv-erlanders, wanting to complete postgraduate study this year more than double the number offered last year in the latest round announced by Services for Australian Rural and Remote Al-lied Health (SARRAH).

Offers were recently sent to qualifi ed allied health profes-sionals including eight para-medics, whose profession was added to the postgraduate schol-arships program for the fi rst time this year.

Others include those working in physiotherapy, social work, di-etetics and nutrition, pharmacy, sonography and speech therapy.

Two graduates in the River-land were offered the postgradu-ate study courses, one in Berri and one in Loxton.

SARRAH CEO Rod Welling-ton said $3.6 million in Com-monwealth funding was avail-able for those taking up study places in 2013.

The 190 scholarships offered this year compares with 85 offers

made last year.These scholarships have

been hugely popular with allied health professionals who not only benefi t, but bring a higher standard of care to patients in rural and remote Australia, Mr Wellington said.

These scholars are hav-ing a huge impact on rural pa-tients in crucial areas of need such as aged health care, mental health, early intervention and Aboriginal health.

Loxton social worker Kylie Stephens recently fi nished a two year Graduate Diploma in Perin-atal and Infant Medical Health as part of the scholarship program.

She said the SARRAH schol-arship was worth $15,000 and helped to pay for fees, books and twice yearly study blocks in Sydney.

Thousands apply for these scholarships every year and not many are granted so I was ex-tremely fortunate to get one, Mrs Stephens said.

The scholarships are only granted to those people living and working in rural areas.

This has added to my cur-rent qualifi cations (Bachelor of Social Work) and has expanded my practice skills and knowl-edge on supporting infants right through from pregnancy to age fi ve in my role at CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health) as an Early Intervention Clinical Therapist.

Mrs Stephens said the schol-arship enabled her to develop important skills.

The pregnancy and early in-fancy is a crucial period of time for the development of the infant and pathways are set up for future successes in all areas including physical, emotional and cogni-tive development, she said.

The fi eld of infant mental health focusses on the emo-tional, social and psychological needs of the infant and provides a knowledge base on how to best support the infant and his family, so that the infant will have the best chance possible to develop into a healthy child.

Healthy, well developed children are able to cope better with the rollercoasters we all ex-perience in life such as school, friendships, grief and trauma, and future successes such as ca-reers, and relationships etc.

When we are able to address mental health issues in infants they are less likely to develop into serious mental health conditions throughout the lifespan includ-ing depression and anxiety.

Desexing and adoption to reduce cat euthanasiaDUE to the high number of kittens that are pre-sented to the clinic for eu-thanasia over the spring period, the Riverland Veterinary Hospital, in partnership with a dedi-cated nurse at the prac-tice, are offering a Kitten Adoption Program.

Kittens are desexed, vaccinated and micro-chipped prior to be-ing adopted out to loving homes.

This program has been really well received by the community, with a high number of kittens being adopted.

However, due to the large number of kittens presented to the clinic every year only a small number make it into the program justifying a need for the Riverland Veterinary Hospital to run a community cat desexing program.

The Riverland Vet-erinary Hospital have recently identifi ed an in-crease in the stray popula-tion of cats and its team of veterinary surgeons are looking to provide discounted desexing pro-gram to all cat owners to address the loss of cats

being euthanised. This desexing pro-

gram will run from the Berri based clinic and also the Waikerie Veterinary Clinic.

It does not require a vaccination history and is done at a discounted price because the clinic has also identifi ed the local economic hardship the Riverland community are facing.

The Riverland Vet-erinary Hospital strives for a high quality of care and your cat will receive proper treatment and care in accordance with

accredited veterinary procedures within this managed program.

It is important that cat owners understand and take complete re-sponsibility for their cats re-producing, a spokesperson said.

Desexing is such an important part of respon-sible pet ownership.

A cat can start to produce kittens from as young as six months of age and are capable of having three litters a year with an average of four kittens per litter.

It doesnt take long

to get out of control. The Riverland Veteri-

nary Hospital will also be extending this program to the Pinnaroo and Lameroo areas over the coming months.

Helping the com-munity reduce its feral cat population in all sur-rounding areas is some-thing the clinic feels strongly about.

If you have any que-ries in regards to the community cat desex-ing program or the kitten adoption program, please give the clinic a call on 8582 1222.

Scholarship boost

STUDY: Loxton social worker Kylie Stephens.

Clipsal 500 tickets winner

COBDOGLAS Lee-Anne Marsic was the lucky winner of the Riverland Weeklys Clip-sal 500 competition drawn this week.

Ive always wanted to go to the Clip-sal but because my son has just turned 21 and just got engaged, I thought it would be nice to give it to them, she said.

She is pictured being presented with the passes by Riverland Weekly general manager Adrian Hughes.

SATSunnyMin 18. Max 36

Consultation needed on no wash zones

THE no wash zone de-bate is one which is go-ing to be discussed for some time.

While project coordi-nators have been quoted as saying they would like to have the 28 zones along the River Murray running by the end of the year, I

believe it is unlikely this will happen.

The River Murray Eco Action Campaign aims to create zones where speed limits are potentially re-duced to help stop river-bank erosion.

From all accounts, the community wants public consultation on this matter, given the di-vided opinions being ex-

pressed by locals.I feel this project

needs much patience.

Signing off

AFTER more than four years and 216 editions, I am sign-ing off as editor of the Riverland Weekly.

Since being em-

ployed by the newspa-per after completing university, there has been many highlights and challenges.

From writing about the plight of farmers dur-ing the drought to profi l-ing some inspirational characters, the Riverland has been an exceptional place to be an editor and a journalist.

Id like to thank read-ers, the staff, those people I have worked with and those who have had faith in me and supported me over the years.

Hopefully, I will see you all around the Riverland in my new role.

Good luck to the Riv-erland Weeklys new edi-tor Bev Story.

is proud to present our Community Cat Desexing Program.

Running from the Riverland Veterinary Hospital & the Waikerie Veterinary Clinic for the discounted price of$110 Females and $88 Males.

No Vaccination History Required.

Bookings Essential.

Please contact (08) 8582 1222.

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The Riverland Veterinary Clinic

Mon - Fri Open Times

30 Wilson Street, Berri

NO appointment necessary

Contact Joey 0434 506 577

Monday, Tuesday and Friday

7.30am - 5pmWednesday and Thursday

7.30am - 7pm

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Thursday February 21, 2013 Riverland Weekly 3

By BEV STORY

WIN Television axed its local news service in both the River-land and South East on Monday shocking viewers and staff alike with 10 editorial staff immedi-ately losing their jobs.

The local broadcasts stopped forthwith staff told the move was because of the need to sig-nifi cantly cut costs.

Member for Chaffey Tim Whetstone said South Australia had become the most expensive state in which to do business and laid part of the blame at the door of the SA Labor Government.

He called for WIN to reverse its decision while Independent Senator Nick Xenophon said he hoped to see Federal legislation amended to include a quota of local content.

Liberal Senator Anne Ruston, of Renmark, believes the ABC could fi ll the void and wants a Senate inquiry into the Austra-lian Broadcasting Corporation to be broadened to examine the ABCs obligations to provide lo-cal television news services in regional areas.

State and Federal parliamen-tarians and candidates from across the political spectrum were quick to register their disap-pointment at WIN dropping its local news.

Mr Whetstone said the impact of the cost of business was felt es-

pecially hard in regional areas. Labor makes it increasingly

diffi cult for businesses in SA to be viable, Mr Whetstone said.

It looks like WINs news service can be added to the casualty list.

He called the move a slap in the face for local viewers.

Regional areas have been supporting their local television services with loyal viewership and with advertising spending for decades, Mr Whetstone said.

A regional television ser-vice should include a local news bulletin.

He said there was no justifi -cation for discriminating against regional areas like this.

The TV bulletin had already been centralized produced and read out of the Channel Nine newsroom in Adelaide.

Federal Independent Sena-tor Nick Xenophon will move to amend the Broadcasting Services Act to include regional South Australia to force broadcasters to include a quota of local content.

Senator Xenophon said such legislation was already in place federally but only covered the eastern states.

Why are eastern states af-forded protection under legisla-tion, but not South Australia? Senator Xenophon said.

Its an anomaly that needs to be fi xed.

Mr Whetstone lamented the loss of regional jobs and the im-portant training ground it had provided for young journalists.

South Australian Regional Development Minister Gail Gago agreed.

The jobs are often seen as important training opportuni-ties for young journalists who become highly sought after in newsrooms in metropolitan cit-ies, Ms Gago said.

The news is disappointing for everyone who is impacted.

The Nationals Barker candi-date James De Barro said commu-nity news - good or bad - needed to be conveyed in visual form as well as print and radio.

He planned to talk with WIN TV about its decision and de-termine what options may lay ahead for local television news broadcasting in the region.

Senator Ruston said given

viewers in the Riverland, Mallee and South-East had been told that WIN TVs cutting of the lo-cal news was a commercial deci-sion, she would address the issue through the Senate Environment and Communication Reference Committee, of which she is a member.

The Committee is conducting an inquiry into the ABCs com-mitment to refl ecting and repre-senting regional diversity.

If it is not commercially vi-able for the television licence holder in these areas to provide a local news service then the pub-lic broadcaster may have a role to play in fi lling the void, Senator Euston said.

The question is whether or not the ABC has an obligation to provide local television news services in a regional area where commercial broadcasters do not provide them.

She said the inquiry was in-vestigating the ABCs commit-ment to refl ecting and represent-ing regional diversity in Australia, and the impact of increased cen-tralisation of television produc-tion in Sydney and Melbourne on the ABCs ability to meet this commitment.

She has written to Commit-tee chairman Senator Simon Bir-mingham to ask that the inquiry be broadened in light of the WIN decision.

Senator Ruston said greater Federal Government costs on small businesses under the Fed-eral Labor Government had af-fected WINs capacity to fund a news service in regional SA .

The Government has im-posed greater costs and regula-tion on regional small businesses in Australia, which have been forced to cut their advertising spending and other costs as a re-sult, she said.

This has been refl ected across all regional media adver-tising revenues are down, local newspapers are getting thinner, and services like WINs news are being cut to compensate.

Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance secretary Angelique Ivanica said it was a sad day when regions were harshly affected.

Were use to seeing a reduc-tion in staff or some changes here or there or, in print for example a

reduction in hours more recently in the last year, but when you ac-tually have complete closure that leaves a massive gap, not only for the local residents in terms of local news coverage but also where are the staff going to go, she said.

News service axed

B-Double road to receive major upgrades $4.4 million prawn farm for WaikerieAN inland prawn farm will be built near Waikerie as part of a $4.4 million project.

Work on the aquaculture farm is expected to be be-

gin later this year and be fully opera-tional by the end of 2014.

A total of 45 jobs are expected to be created.

Each year about

1500 tonnes of prawns and fi n fi sh will be processed at the farm, which is made up of three 500 tonne fi sh farm units and a processing plant.

HEAVILY used B-Double route, Zie-gler Road at Ram-co will receive a $742,000 upgrade under the $220 million Heavy Vehi-cle Safety and Pro-

ductivity Program.With Federal

Government fund-ing and an equal contribution from the local council, there will be six kilometres of re-

construction on the road, as well as up-grades to two major intersections.

The Sturt High-way will also have rest areas construct-ed or upgraded.

The question is whether or not the ABC has an

obligation to provide local television news -

Anne Ruston

A regional television service

should include a local news bulletin - Tim Whetstone.

The jobs are often seen as important

training opportunities for young journalists -

Gail Gago

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We need carers for Full-time, Respite & Shared Care arrangements.

We are seeking families, couples or individuals who are sable to provide care in their own home to children and young people with disabilities from ages 5 to 17 years.Carer assessments, training, regular breaks for fulltime scarers and a designated Coordinator are provided to support your role.On-going support from Families SA and specialist support sfrom Disability Services and 24 hour emergency support from Homelink SA.Previous experience supporting children with special sneeds is preferred.Remuneration (tax free) varies according to individual ssituations.

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By BEV STORY

THE younger generation of the Stemberg family provided the impetus behind it buying the former Sunset Boulevard site at Bamera.

However, The Lakes, the li-censed venue to be established in the building, will be owned by the whole family.

Melissa Sandford said work-ing at Barmera Pitstop had con-vinced her of the need to have an outlet there for local pro-duce and weekend dining and entertainment options.

However, she stressed that The Lakes was six months away from opening and would not be a night club.

This building was sitting

here and so in the family talk-ing about it we wanted to push what the Riverland has about it, she said.

It is only going to get better.

She was keen to dispel nega-tive images of the Riverland which permeated city media since severe water restrictions about six years ago which led a lot of po-tential tourists to believe that the River Murray and Lake Bonnney were empty of almost so.

Anje and Simon Stemberg have owned the Sun Bake busi-ness in Berri for the past 32 years, expanding to other Riverland towns over that time.

Their daughters Melissa Sandford and Bianca MacGregor both helped out while they were

going to school before they start-ed working there full time and studying business management.

The sisters have both been involved with owning new bak-eries before however, this will be the fi rst time that their hus-bands, Hayden Sandford and Ja-son MacGregor have been part of a new venture.

Melissa said there was a lot of work to be done to create the atmosphere they wanted in The Lakes.

She is enthusiastic about the new business and the opportu-nities it provides to further pro-mote the Riverland and Barmera to tourists.

Getting to know the people in the Bamera community and talking to the locals and tour-

ists convinced her that there was so many people traveling through the town who were looking for more dining options and greater opportunities to buy local products.

We are going to have a va-riety of small meals and some larger meals, Melissa said.

I dont want it to be a night club but on a Saturday afternoon or Sunday afternoon to be some-where for people to come and lis-ten to music.

Somewhere where they can come and enjoy themselves and have some entertainment.

It has got a beautiful view.However, having stood empty

for 12 years the site needs a lot of work to get it how we want it, it is going to be a big job.

The Lakes to open

WATER Police returned to Berri on Mon-day conducting a search of the River Murray as part of ongoing investiga-tions in to the drowning of a man on February 2.

The body of the man, who was being questioned by police when he jumped into the river in an attempt to evade po-lice, was found the following afternoon.

Police attempted to get the man to return to the bank by calling out to him, then two offi cers jumped into the river in an attempt to rescue him when he appeared to be struggling.

However, the man appeared disap-peared from view and police and State Emergency Service volunteers scoured the river and banks for several hours without success that day and the next before fi nding his body.

A Berri police spokesperson said yes-terday that ;Water Operations were back to continue their search in relation to the death in custody.

It is being treated as such because police questioned the man shortly be-fore he died.

Police continue search in Berri in relation to drowning

RIVERLAND wineries and food producers have been se-lected to showcase their prod-ucts at the award winning Cellar Door Wine Festival in Adelaide this weekend.

Australias biggest Cellar Door will be created when more than 150 South Austra-lian wineries come together under one roof at the 2013 Cellar Door Wine Festival.

In its third year, the 2013 festival has attracted 30 new wineries to the annual event, which will feature thousands of wines from 13 iconic South Australian regions.

Local wineries 919 Wines, Banrock Station, Burk Salter, Illalangi, Mirabella Vineyards, Salena Estate and Spook Hill Wines and food producer Kol-ophon Capers will showcase the region at the event.

ACC Chief Executive Alec Gilbert said the festival is

developing into the biggest of its kind in Australia.

Many visitors to the festival are introduced to wineries theyve never come across before and follow up research indicates they often later visit the winery as a result, Mr Gilbert said.

Also, some of the small-er wineries dont have cellar

doors, so the festival pro-vides a unique opportunity for visitors to meet these winemakers.

The festival differs from other wine events because its educational and gives people a greater understand-ing of the characteristics of each region and the varying winemaking styles of the local wineries.

The food businesses will be part of the new Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA) New Producers Area, which has been intro-duced for the fi rst time at this years festival.

Up to 8,000 people are expected to attend this years festival, all of which will be lucky to have the chance to try and buy new and excit-ing local products, Regional Development and Food Min-ister Gail Gago said.

Local producers on display

SHOW: Berri based 919 Wines will be on offer at the festival.

NEW LIFE: Former Sunset Boulevard in Barmera has been sold and will open in about six

months as The Lakes.

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From Page 1

The closing dates for full applications is March 27 for round three and April 11 for round four and funded projects will be an-nounced in June.

Renmark Paringa Council chief execu-tive offi cer Tony Siviour said he is hopeful of the town centre proposal progressing to the funding stage, aiming to leverage $400,000 for the project.

Obviously were not getting ahead of ourselves because there is still approximately 150 applications in the pot, so well just take it as it comes from here and obviously get-ting as much support as we can which will hopefully make our application look a lot stronger, he told the ABC.

Wed hope to think that someone in the Riverland or Murraylands gets something out of either RDAF round three or four given that no councils in the Murray Mallee have received anything in the fi rst two rounds.

DELAYS in fi nalising details with some of the expected major tenants has seen plans stall for the reopening of the former Berri Direct building.

The formerly owned National Foods outlet was sold by Berri Bamera Council last year. Berri businessman Peter Hoffmann is determined that the building will be there for the long haul when the site he bought four months ago in conjunction with two Adelaide investors opens for trade.

We had a couple of interested parties and are running with it, Mr Hoffmann said.

We want to make sure that what we do is long term not just a reshuffl e of local business.

That is why nothing has happened quickly.

Mr Hoffmann said that most of the plans for the opening of the former Berri Direct building had been made and that on several occasions he had thought that everything would be ready to start within another month however, they are still de-pendent on others for that to happen.

By BRAD PERRY

FIFTY gigalitres of water will be pumped into a privately owned local wetland over the next fi ve years as part of an environmental initiative.

Managed by the Nature Foun-dation of South Australia, the project aims to pump Common-wealth environmental water into Clarks Floodplain, near Lock 4.

Conservation organisations, irrigators, landholders, commu-nity and private sector groups have worked together to imple-ment the initiative.

Nature Foundation SA is the fi rst non-government organisation to receive Com-monwealth environmental water to manage.

Foundation president Bob

Lott said wetlands across the state have received water over the years but privately owned holdings have missed out.

At the height of the drought we found out that there were a lot of major watering sites to have environmental water placed on them but there was a whole raft of private wetlands that are very, very important ecology that werent going to have water made available because there just wasnt any available, Mr Lott said.

So we thought, this is no good and we went out and started buying water our-selves and trying to water those private wetlands.

Its grown from there. We bought ourselves a small

amount, 43 megalitres, and from there weve been able to get a lot

of extra water from the Com-monwealth environmental water holder and now the program is how do we get enough fi nances to get that water out on these pri-vately owned wetlands.

Mr Lott said the Clarks Flood-plain project is a great opportu-nity for these wonderful wetlands that are so important.

Steve Clark, who owns the fl oodplain where 50 gigalitres of water is being pumped, said the initiative involves the Book-purnong Lock 4 Environmental Association and many other community groups.

Im a member of the Book-purnong Lock 4 Environmental Association and weve under-stood for many years that weve got some environmental im-pacts along the river and we

saw an opportunity to partner with Water for Nature, Nature Foundation SA, he said.

Given that we are so well engaged with the community here at Bookpurnong and weve got such an immense back up from irrigators and from resi-dents, weve used that as a plat-form going forward to engage with the Commonwealth.

Our view is if there is wa-ter coming out of the irrigators in the region then we would like to see that water come back to the region in environ-mental fl ows.

There are hundreds of thou-sand of trees down there and it is a one in 30 year opportunity for me as a landowner to part-ner with someone to help these trees go forward.

Interest in reopening former Berri Direct building

Projects progress in RDA fund

PrivatePrivatewater water fl owsfl ows

FLOWING: Commonwealth

environmental water holder David Papps (left)

and Nature Founda-tion SA president Bob Lott watch as water is pumped into Clarks

Floodplain this week and (inset) sprinklers being

trialled to water trees on the fl oodplain.

Photo: BRAD PERRY

CibusFine Dining Restaurant

Bookings Essential

Big River Motor InnOld Sturt Highway, Berri

Phone 8582 2688

Open every Friday & Saturday night from6pm


LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Bad impression left on visitor to the region

MY PARTNER and myself (from Adelaide) had a family function to attend on a Saturday night in Berri recently and therefore decided to make a weekend of it by staying the night at the local caravan park.

We arrived at approximately 1pm and were looking forward to looking at some of the local shops/boutiques/antique stores and hav-ing a bite to eat, preferably sampling some local produce and inject some money into the local community.

Unfortunately when we arrived the only store we could fi nd open was Woolworths and Cheap as Chips at the time so we spent the afternoon in our cabin.

The saturday night was a nice function at the Berri Club where we had a pleasant meal and enjoyed the location.

We decided to stop in at the Berri Hotel for a quick drink at the nightclub on the way home but stopped short when we were told there was a $12 each cover charge.

I wouldnt even pay that amount for a club in Sydney, let alone Ad-elaide or Berri for that matter.

We decided to retreat again back to our cabin with a full wallet and go to bed early. The next morning we checked out of the caravan park (which was great and the staff were very hospitable) and headed into Berri again hoping to have a nice cooked breakfast at the caf on the foreshore or in the main street, this was approximately 10am.

We could not fi nd anywhere in Berri to eat at all.

We started to head back to Ad-elaide hoping to stop near Barmera to fi nd a caf etc. and there, again, to no avail. It wasnt until we reached Waikerie that we did fi nd a takeaway store that had a breakfast meal on the menu.

When ordering the eggs I was given the option of fried or fried, neither of which are to my prefer-ence but this was the only place we could fi nd open.

After we ordered, we waited 40 minutes for the sub standard meal to arrive, which we reluctantly ate.

I love the natural beauty of the Riverland and whenever I can I do my best to holiday and spend time

and money in my own state to sup-port these communities.

I was extremely disappointed and embarrassed with my experi-ence in the region which means I would be hard pressed recommend-ing to anyone.

I understand local regional com-munities need to balance their own time and resources with the local community, however the Riverland is a major tourism drawcard for our state and the impression I got was that it was closed for business.

I do hope the opportunities for local business and tourism can increase over time so that the com-munity can prosper and visitors can take away a truly unique holiday ex-perience with them.

Shane Kennedy,Adelaide.

Setting the record straight on fruit fl y

I WRITE in response to your article Concerns over lack of fi nes at random roadblock (February 7, 2013).

Had I been contacted to respond to the irresponsible claims made by the Member for Chaffey Tim Whet-stone I would have happily set the record straight.

South Australias multi million dollar fruit growing regions are fruit fl y free.

We are the only state in Australia that can proudly make this claim.

We have demonstrated our commitment to the community and industry by continuing to in-vest in the resources to keep fruit fl y out of SA. Misleading statements in your article made by Mr Whetstone can create fear and concern in the community, in Mr Whetstones very own electorate and across South Australias $675 million fresh fruit and vegetable growing industry.

This scaremongering has the potential to foster business uncer-tainty and inhibit investment and therefore industry growth in this important sector.

Roadblocks form part of the State Governments broader strategy to keep South Australia fruit fl y free and protect our competitive edge as the nations leading producer of premium food and wine.

Four fi xed stations located in

major strategic locations check peo-ple visiting or returning to SA while random roadblocks do the same but have the capability to be set up anywhere, or any time around the state - and are put in place at peak times such as long weekends and holidays during the fruit fl y season.

Nearly 2000 vehicles were stopped over the Australia Day long weekend roadblock.

Our offi cers take the opportu-nity when stopping people to raise public awareness and educate peo-ple about the risks associated with bringing fruit fl y into the state.

Unfortunately there were seven instances where our offi cers discov-ered a disregard of the law or repeat offenders. Those cases were assessed and expiations will be issued.

Mr Whetstone fails to see that the number of potential expia-tions are low because the majority of people are doing the right thing and that the governments educa-tional program with the theme Eat it, bin it or declare it is resonating with the South Australian public.

We will continue with our pub-lic education programs as they are working well to keep fruit fl y out of the state. South Australia has a strict policy of eradication that has been in place since 1947.

Its objective is to keep our state fruit fl y free and to protect industry and jobs. We have no intention of changing this policy as it is working well and plays a signifi cant role in protecting the states enviable clean fruit bowl.

Gail Gago,Minister for Agriculture, Food

and Fisheries.

Playing petty politicsIT IS very disappointing to see Min-ister Gago play petty politics with an issue as important to the Riverland as fruit fl y.

The fruit industries of this re-gion rely on its fruit fl y free status to access lucrative export markets which have been hard won over a long time. Riverland fruit produc-ers are perfectly within their rights to question Labors commitment to the states fruit fl y program when 231 out of 1384 vehicles one in every six inspected at the Blanch-etown roadblock on the Australia

Day long weekend are caught bring-ing fruit into the region illegally and only seven of them are later issued with a fi ne.

These damning fi gures are not an invention. They have been pro-vided by the minister herself in Par-liament and in this newspaper.

It wasnt all that long ago when Labor attempted to close the night-shift at the Yamba and Ceduna quarantine stations, reversing the decision only after months of re-lentless pressure from fruit indus-tries and the State Opposition.

Export markets were naturally very concerned by this move to re-duce the fruit fl y program, and they wont be happy about this govern-ment letting more than 200 fruit fl y offenders get off so easy.

It is this kind of soft approach that creates the sort of uncertainty, fear and concern the minister ap-parently laments.

Roadblocks intercept fruit that could potentially be infested and start a fruit fl y outbreak.

The offi cers staffi ng these road-blocks do an excellent job.

However, they need to be given the power to fi ne offenders on the spot. The minister needs to get tougher with fruit fl y.

South Australia faces an in-creased risk of Queensland fruit fl y outbreaks, a fact admitted by her own department, and must send a stronger message that bringing fruit into the Riverland represents an un-acceptable risk to this community.

Tim Whetstone,Member for Chaffey.

Over 55s return to work?PM Gillard has announced that her administration will introduce legislation to require employers to give part time work for those over 55, and those returning to the work force after fi nishing maternity leave, whether they are male or female, and also for some who are disabled.This is another impost on employ-ers and it is being done in a cynical attempt to garner votes for the ALP at the 14/9 election. How many more announcements will we hear from the good Com-rade in the months leading up to the fateful election?The way things are going it might

be better if Comrade Gillard would simply nationalise all in-dustry and businesses, and run the whole show from Canberra. After all, it would be more hon-est than to take over control of ev-ery enterprise, bit by bit, through socialist legislation.

Isnt it grand to live in the So-cialist Theocratic State? But would Comrade Tony be any better?

Jay Nauss,

Glen Aplin.

Tough on drugs policyI AM writing in light of the recent report on drugs in sport scandal.

I feel proud to be part of the Drug Free Powerlifting world fam-ily. As president of the SA Drug Free Powerlifting Assoc. Inc., I can say that our self funded drug test-ing charter requires 10 per cent of all lifters and offi cials to be tested in and out of the competition.

This is a great cost to our ama-teur, non-profi t association.

Our drug tests are tested by the Australian Sports Drug Testing Lab-oratory, which is a federal govern-ment organisation. We are required by WADA and our world body to use this laboratory at a cost to us of $495 for testing the A sample and if the B sample is required, a fur-ther $1000 is asked for.

Added to this cost is registered post ($15) and purchase of a test kit ($55), making a total per test Sample A of $565. This money is a great impost on our association fi nances and is funded by fundrais-ing and sponsorship, as no money is forthcoming from any govern-ment department for drug testing costs. Our strict drug testing policy, which is well in excess of any other powerlifting organisation and other sporting codes, carries a sanction of a life time ban for a positive test result. Perhaps the professional sports could look at a similar drug testing program and sanction of the life time ban as a way of cleaning up this blotch on sport in general.

It works well for us.

Don Juers,South Australian Drug Free

Powerlifting Assoc Inc, president,Kingston-On-Murray.

Send your letters to PO Box 1279, Berri, SA, 5343 or email [email protected]

A new fi ne dining experience

THE Riverlands newest fi ne dining restaurant has opened its doors, serving a range of scrumptious meals set to tan-talise the tastebuds.

Located at the Big River Motor Inn off the Sturt High-way in Berri, Cibus, which is Latin for great food, offers a menu incorporating local produce and delivering the highest quality dishes.

Chef de cuisine Zoe Hard-wick, along with executive chef Kevin White, carefully design and regularly change the menu to showcase the quality of the fresh seasonal produce the Riverland has to offer.

To accompany the exqui-

site food is a selection of the regions fi nest wines and are perfectly matched to enhance the dining experience.

Some of the top selections on the menu include the na-tive spiced twice cooked quail, beetroot and orange cured salmon and peppered beef carpaccio for the entree, tender Murraylands lamb rack, pan fried duck breast and Murraylands 400 gram rib eye for the main meals.

These are just a few exam-ples of a changing menu that is sure to impress.

The dessert options are also sure to leave you want-ing more with the ever pop-ular dessert platter for two

a highlight.Another of the dishes

expected to be more than popular is the Riverland produce platter to share, showcasing a range of the best local produce and gourment products.

There is a selection of backyard bread, spiced pear chutney, Butchs Small-goods red wine garlic mettwurst, Tolleys kum-quats and Illalangi Olives with the suggested wine be-ing Barmera based Bassham Wines montepulciano.

Cibus is open on Fri-day and Saturday evenings and bookings are essential on 1800 801 516.

DELICIOUS: Patrons dine at Cibus during its grand opening night and (inset) the delicious dessert platter for two available at the Riverlands newest fi ne dining restaurant.

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WAIKERIE LIFESTYLE VILLAGE OPEN DAY ADVERTISING FEATURE

THE Waikerie Lifestyle Vil-lage offers affordable living for the over 55s with a new and unique style, changing the traditional concept of a lifestyle village.

The village creates an in-spiring and affordable hous-ing solution for pre-retirement and retirement living.

Offering that community atmosphere that you would get living in a small town, the Waikerie Lifestyle Village is sit-uated in a prime location.

Situated near the Waikerie riverfront and only a short dis-tance from the town centre, all homes at the village are ready to move into with no more to pay.

Unlike other lifestyle villag-es selling homes for in excess of $300,000, the Waikerie Life-style Village offers brand new two or three bedroom homes ranging from just $155,000 to $170,000.

One of the stand out fea-tures of the Waikerie Lifestyle Village is the new range of homes that are on offer with a range of two and three bed-room homes with one or two bathrooms, which caters to residents with different needs.

In addition to great prices, these homes include carports, fencing, landscaping, fl oor and window coverings and much more.

All homes are also built by All-Steel Homes, guaranteeing their quality and each home also comes with the revolun-tionary Thermaloc insulation which reduces energy con-

sumption by 50 per cent.Lifestyle Village residents

do not have to pay council rates, water charges or taxes as they are included in the site fees.

Purchasers of homes in the village may be eligble for the Housing Construc-tion Grant of $8,500 but it is subject to applicaiton and eligibility criteria.

Residents at the village also have access to fantastic services and amenities such as the swimming pool, large community entertaining area with barbeques, while there are plans for an alfresco dining area and community vegetable garden, as well as a playground for the grandchildren.

A unique feature, a mens shed, is currently under construction.

Unlike other lifestyle vil-lages, the Waikerie Lifestyle Village has no exit fees.

As a resident you have the fl exibility to sell your home at any stage and retain the pro-ceeds, including all gains.

So far 18 homes have been sold with two display homes also at the village.

Anyone interested is en-couraged to attend the Open Day on Sunday, February 17 from 11am to 3pm.

The community can come along to visit and experience the Waikerie Lifestyle Village and there will be bonus offers of over $10,000 on homes dur-ing the Open Day.

A free sausage sizzle will also be part of the day.

The pinnacle of living for over 55s at Waikerie Lifestyle Village

UNIQUE: The impressive homes on offer at the Waikerie Lifestyle Village

and (below) the spacious layout.

Native vegetation management funding for rural landholdersSouth Eastern BushBids seeks to enhance regional biodiversity values through long-term conservation agreements with private landholders.

Landholders within the South Eastern BushBids boundary, with areas of native vegetation on their property, are invited to apply for funding for vegetation management.

Landholders will set their own price as part of a competitive tender for the conservation management services they are prepared to undertake.

Successful tenders will be those that offer the best value for money and suitable biodiversity outcomes.

The South Eastern BushBids is focussing in the area from Murray Bridge to the SA/Vic border, south to Naracoorte.

An information brochure, including a map of the South Eastern BushBids boundary, can be viewed online at: www.samdbnrm.sa.gov.au

To fi nd out more attend one of the information sessions.

Town Location Date Time

Frances Frances Hotel/Motel Wednesday, 6 March 2013 2pm

Mundulla Mundulla Sport and Rec Centre Wednesday, 6 March 2013 6pm

Tintinara Tintinara Health and Rec Centre Thursday, 7 March 2013 2pm

Tailem Bend Community Centre Thursday, 7 March 2013 6pm (behind Shell Service Station)

Expressions of Interest can be made from9.00am 4 March 2013 by calling 1300 847 450.

3535499

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Visiting the Riverland23rd & 24th February

0429 406 975katespsychicconnection.com.au

s0SYCHOMETRYs#LAIRVOYANTs-EDIUMs4HETA(EALING

ZER0068/H

For a RECYCLE RIGHT fact sheet visit zerowaste.sa.gov.au or call 1300 137 118.

Food scraps can spoil recyclable materials so ensure all food remnants are removed before recycling. Very greasy pizza boxes can go in the GREEN BIN.

Place recyclable items loose into the RECYCLING BIN.

ZER0068/E

For a RECYCLE RIGHT fact sheet visit zerowaste.sa.gov.au or call 1300 137 118.

WWW.GRAPHICK.COM.AU


Thermal4x2

THE NO WASH ZONE DEBATE

A PROPOSED plan to implement 28 no wash zones along the River Murray has received mixed feelings in the Riverland com-munity despite assurances boat and jet ski activities will not be banned in the zones.

The River Murray Eco Action Campaign, which is a joint initia-tive between the Boating Indus-try Association of South Austra-lia and Keeping South Australia Beautiful with backing from the State Government, has pro-posed the zones which include sites at Renmark, Berri, Loxton and Waikerie.

Joint project coordinator Dick

Olensinski said the project will not involve banning recreational water sports in the zones.

A lot of people are concerned that their enjoyment, or what-ever, is going be impacted by this and thats c e r t a i n l y not what the aim is, he said.

This is about mak-ing sure we have a sustainable re-source for everybody to enjoy and particularly for people in the future to enjoy.

The initial media announce-ment of it created a little bit of angst out in the community.

We are not banning anything we are just saying you need to be a careful at these areas along the

river, its not about banning skiing or wakeboarding.

A lot of river us-ers dont adhere to those existing regu-lations but it is not up to us to enforce those issues.

Mr Olesinski said the idea of the no wash zones is to help

prevent riverbank erosion. We have been organising a

working group for nearly three years and agreement was gained that some parts of the river really being knocked around, he said.

This is not something that is new, it is in New South Wales, Tasmania, Western Australia and overseas as well where there is designated areas.

For example, the Berri Row-ing Club have done a lot of work in mitigating fl ood and level of the river to ensure that their ac-tivities are maintained.

We are looking to make sites like the Berri Rowing Club an ex-ample of what you can do and be proactive in reducing the inci-dents of wash.

In 2011, 30 problem sites were identifi ed during an on-river sur-vey on the River Murray but that list was reduced to 28 because there was no perceived need to have anything there.

Mr Olesinski said the idea

is to reduce the speed lim-it in the proposed no-wash zones but he conceded there is still a lot of discussion and negotiations required.

Its only the very fi rst part of quite a process of discussion and trying to get some sort of agreement, he said.

We need to en-gage more with the shack owners associa-

tions and all the councils.They feel as if they havent

had any input into this, however, all of the councils along the river were invited to be part of this initial working group and there was a person from (each) coun-cil that had an update right from day one.

Community consultation is to be planned about the pro-posed no wash zones, according to Mr Olesinski.

A lot of people are com-ing to us and saying we think there should be no wash zones at Lyrup and places like that, so there are places where people are wanting more of these zones, he said.

All of those zones wont be agreed to and why should we

Community is divided

A lot of people are concerned that their enjoyment is going to be impacted.

RESTRICTIONS: One of the three trial no wash zones along the

River Murray.

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try and shove something down someones throat that they dont agree to?

Thats what this is about, its about lets talk about it fi rst and go through the process and if people dont want zones there thats how it will be.

There will be a process of peo-ple coming through the website or social media as well.

Currently there are three trial no wash zones with signage erect-ed in Blanchetown, Mannum and Murray Bridge.

We are trying to get some sort of feedback from the op-erators on how that is going, Mr Olesinski said.

South Australias peak boating industry organisation has reassured boating and skiing enthusiasts that there are no plans to legally enforce no wash zone restrictions at various sites along the River Murray.

Boating Industry Association of SA (BIASA) general manager Glen Jones said recent mainstream and social media reports that water ski-ing and wakeboarding could be reg-ulated at 28 sites were incorrect.

Mr Jones said the program, which would eventually involve extensive community consulta-tion, aimed to protect fragile areas where the riverbank was subject to environmental harm, including erosion.

The intention is to create pub-lic awareness among people who enjoy the river about threats to the natural environment from the wake of boats and to encourage them to act with care at a number of sensi-tive locations, he said.

There is no intention at all to enforce or regulate no wash zones.

Rather, the focus is on educa-tion and motivation for all users to care for and share the river in a sen-sible and sustainable manner.

Mid Murray Council Mayor Dave Burgess said having trial no wash zones is a great initiative.

My understanding is where there are reeds along the river, which are isolated areas generally, thats the best place to have the wakeboats and in the shack areas where you have got people is where the wake is causing issues, he said.

Its a sensitive thing that needs to be thought through prop-erly, it is good they are going to just trial those three zones to see the feedback.

We dont want to spoil the fun people have on the river but how we manage the issue is the most important part.

Reducing the speed limit in the proposed zones also needs to be policed, according to Mr Burgess.

If you are going to imple-ment something you need to police something or you need to fi nd an area where all of that wash is going to have less impact, he said.

I do believe something has to be done as when you can put a tonne of water in the back of the

boat and a couple of people sitting in the back of the boat while some-one is doing wakeboarding, you are having an impact.

While I do like to see young people having fun on the river and enjoying the lifestyle, when some-things being eroded or destroyed, not cared for properly, we do need to have a management plan.

From a recreational point of view, Berri Water Ski Club com-mittee member Damien Philp said something needs to be done when it comes to riverbank erosion.

The ski club in general would be supportive of it but we would have to work around it, obvi-ously we wouldnt want one (a no wash zone) near our ski site area, he said.

As long as we still had room to waterski in, then we would be sup-portive of it.

However, Mr Philp said it is not only boat wash that causes erosion.

We recognise there is erosion problems along the river, he said.

Ski boats in general do get blamed for a lot of it and they are a contributor to it for sure, but they are not the only issue, as when we have fl oods and high river fl ows, that does just as much damage.

Restrictions in certain areas of the River Murray in the region will not have a negative impact on tourism, according to Destina-tion Riverland executive offi cer Tony Sharley.

I appreciate that no wash zones may well send the signal to some that weve got quite heavy handed restrictions in the region but in reality there are hundreds of kilometres of river in the Riverland, he said.

There are 350 kilometres of riv-er in the Riverland itself on which to waterski.

If there are some sensitive sites where speed is restricted, I dont think thats going to be a major issue.

Most sections of the river ac-commodate a lot of boats on them and theres ample places for skiers to enjoy the river.

Member for Chaffey Tim Whet-stone said every side of the argu-ment must be represented in the debate over no wash zones.

I would like to see a public meeting on this, he said.

It will impact on individu-als but also the value of shacks, caravan parks and a number of stakeholders.

The Loxton Waikerie Council has invited Mr Olesinski to the dis-trict meet with representatives to discuss the no wash zones.

Loxton Waikerie Council mayor Leon Stasinowsky said more infor-mation is required.

What we are going to do is ask for more informationbecause we are not happy about these things be-ing put into place without any con-sultation with council, he said.

The fi rst we knew about it was

when it was said in the press and we dont know what grounds theyve decided to do this.

Where they (proposed zones) are with Waikerie and also Loxton, thats in our prime town areas and where are caravan parks and boat ramps are.

Mr Stasinowsky said the high rivers have been a major contribu-tor to riverbank erosion.

A lot of it is done by high river wash which usually happens after any high river and wind causing it and also the boats still have to go somewhere because thats where our boat ramps are, he said.

It (the sites) will just kill our tourism because thats what the rivers used for.

Apparently theyve put in a tri-al site down at Blanchetown which none of us new anything about and what they should actually be doing is rehabilitating the banks and see-ing how they go before they go any further with this.

Berri Barmera Council chief executive offi cer David Beaton said council is also looking for more information about the proposed zones.

We are trying also to get some more information on the zones, potentially where they might be and what effect that might have, he said.

It depends where they are. We certainly wouldnt want

ones out the front of the hotel and that sort of area because thats where they run the speedboats in competition and that sort of thing.

We certainly dont want some-thing that might be detrimen-tal to the river and to other users of the river.

over proposed no wash zones SAFE: Industry groups have assured recreational

river users that sports such as wakeboarding will not be banned from the no

wash zones.

Rivstone Pavers quality fi nish

WHEN it comes to top quality local paving, look no further than the Riverlands own Rivstone Pavers.

Locally owned and em-ploying local people, the Glossop based company offers a range of pavers to suit a number of needs.

One of the premium products is the salt treated wet cast pavers giving you longer life for the product, which fi ghts against rising

salts in the soil.Riverstone Pavers

also offers a wide range of pavers, pool cop-ing and other wet cast concrete products.

If you are looking to reinvigorate your gar-den, Rivstone Pavers has garden boarders starting from low prices and many factory second pavers at affordable prices.

During the month of March, the Glossop based

business is also offering free delivery throughout the Riverland.

Rivstone Pavers can also deliver pavers to Ad-elaide and Mildura.

So if you are looking to do some landscaping, need some pavers for the pool or want to pave over your tired lawn, contact Rivstone Pavers today on 0418 850 157 or visit the business off the Old Sturt Highway in Glossop.

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BERRI couple Stephen and Joy Riley are fed up of see-ing people they love suffer.

A number of the pairs family and friends have battled cancer and some have sadly lost the fi ght.

As a result the pair have decided to organise the Cruizin for a Cancer Cure, with plans to ride their mo-torbike for more than 6000 kilometres and they hope to raise about $10,000.

The Rileys plan to leave Berri on April 20 and head to Hervey Bay, Queensland, to be by Mr Rileys mother

Myras side as she contin-ues to battle health prob-lems and then they will travel back to the Riverland in May.

It was 20 years ago that Myra was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Then last year, she was told by doctors that she had a mystery cancer and only had six to 12 months to live.

Mr Riley said eight chemotherapy treatments were planned and his mother only had six be-fore it appeared she had

beaten the cancer, only to have a heart attack and now require open heart surgery.

While my mother was going through chemo, we thought that we should raise some money to help fi nd a cure for cancer, Mr Riley said.

Its devastating when family and friends have died from cancer and we wanted to help do some-thing about it.

We are looking to raise $10,000 that can go into research.

The pair decided to take the motorbike as it is a passion for them both.

We like riding and are part of the Christian Mo-torcycle Association, Mr Riley said.

Currently a number of local businesses are on board for the event but the Rileys still need fur-ther support for the Can-cer Council ride.

If you would like to donate to Cruizin for a Cancer Cure, contact Ste-phen on 0409 817 832 or Joy on 0407 036 074.

Cruizin for a cureWaikerie apprentices overseas experience

AMONGST 16 of Australias elite young apprentices and trainees that will embark on a two-week trip of a lifetime to the UK on June 16, to partici-pate in a leadership and devel-opment program is Waikeries Stephen Beelitz.

Stephen (pictured) has been chosen to participate in the 2013 BBM Skilled Futures Program following his impres-sive medal winning perfor-mance in the Fitting category at the 2012 WorldSkills Austra-lia national competition held in Sydney.

The program is recognised as a valuable and prestigious award for acknowledging and rewarding excellence in skills.

WorldSkills Australia CEO Mark Callaghan believes that the BBM Skilled Futures Pro-gram is a unique development opportunity for our young and highly skilled Australian men and women.

It aims to test these se-lected individuals both physi-cally and mentally, with the overall goal of enhancing their employability.

The program recipients are selected biennially and this year Stephen was fortu-nate enough to be offered this unique opportunity.

The BBM Skilled Futures Program provides a rare op-portunity for the future leaders of the Australian workforce to become more confi dent and effective team leaders, enhance their technical skills and devel-op and improve their commu-nication skills, all whilst gain-

ing new cultural experiences.Stephen said he is

looking forward to the overseas experience.

The most exciting part of the BBM scholarship is the opportunity to travel to the UK along with the prospect of meeting new people who are also striving for excellence in their chosen career, he said.

Over the course of the two weeks, Stephen will face a series of mentally and physi-cally challenging team activi-ties including a sinking ship simulator, mountain biking and trekking.

The BBM recipients are also encouraged to undertake an in-ternational work placement in their respective industries.

BBM Ltd has maintained a longstanding relationship with WorldSkills Australia (WSA) and is a prominent international pathway for WSA competitors, since fi rst partnering in 2000.

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Ceremony and reception location:

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Number of guests:

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Where did you meet:

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drinking and chatting at The Vines and other places we exchanged numbers and the

rest is history.

Where and how did you get engaged:

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very enjoyable evening. Grant popped the question and I of

course said yes.

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asked again, and of course I said yes.again!

Challenges:

We had our caterer cancel only a couple months

before, with all local caterers already booked, so we had

to quickly fi nd someone suitable. Getting my very

unique dress made proved to be a challenge in itself. Trying to work out catering requirements for such a large number of people

being that it was held at a private property was also a

challenge.

Favourite moments:

Having my mum, my boys and my bridesmaids all there helping me get ready in the morning. Making a spur of the moment visit to see my nephews and brother-in law play cricket since they were playing instead of coming

to the ceremony. Having my youngest son Jett ask for

dinosaurs part way through the ceremony.

Having a very special poem read out at the ceremony by

my brother.

Finally exchanging our vowels.

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Time after Time- Cindy Lauper

Honeymoon:

Quick get away to Victor Harbor

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Do not enter the reception early and by yourself to get

drinks as this will make for one very angry wife. Be

involved in the planning process as it is really a special day for the both of you. Enjoy every little

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LOXTON MARDI GRASADVERTISING FEATURE

THIS years Loxton Mardi Gras has expanded to be big-ger than ever with a week-end long celebration uniting the community.

Beginning tomorrow and running until Sunday, the 2013 Loxton Mardi Gras has some-thing for all of the family.

It all kicks off tomorrow morning where locals are given the opportunity to check out the quilting display at the Unit-ing Church from 10.30am or visit Art Space 2013 at the Blue Shop on East Terrace from 9.30am to 4pm.

Saturday is the big day with shops opening from 9am and entertainment for the children beginning at 9.45am in the main street of Loxton.

The local scouts will be of-fering a range of kids activities including pom pom creature making, egg and spoon races and quoits.

At 10.45am, 2013 citizen of the year Dick Fogden will open the Loxton Mardi Gras parade with Steph Casha, Greg Cram, Pamela Perre and Bill Martin pro-

viding commentary.Then the parade, which is ex-

pected to feature up to 50 fl oats, begins under the theme Lets Recycle with prizes for most out-standing fl oat, most humorous, best themed fl oat and best am-bassador fl oat.

Following the parade there will be a performance by the Nu-riootpa Town Band before lunch will be available at the rotunda.

Then the winning ambas-sador will be crowned and fl oat winners and the Mardi Gras show window display competition will be announced.

Further into the afternoon, the scouts will again provide entertainment with plate smash-ing, a doughnut eating contest, relay races and sack races, while the Mildura Pipe Band provides some rousing tunes.

At 2pm Senator Anne Ruston shall open the Jay G Images Pho-

to Arts Exhibition at the Loxton Terrace Gallery.

The children will also be given the chance to hold a num-ber of animals, thanks to a small zoo being set up on the day by Destiny Farm.

They are going to come

with crocodiles, lizards and other animals, which people will be able to pat, Loxton Mardi Gras chairman Peter Magarey said.

After the offi cial parade on Saturday, the Mardi Gras Har-vest Thanksgiving lunch is be-ing held at the Loxton Lutheran Schools Life Centre on Sunday, while a combined church service will follow.

Mr Magarey said the com-mittee has worked hard to make the event successful for another year.

The program has expand-ed to include Friday and the

involvement of the scouts, he said.

The committee has really worked together to think later-ally and broadly and actively looking to see ways to make the Mardi Gras bigger and better for the community.

Mr Magarey said many of those organisations entering fl oats in this years parade are being creative with the theme.

With the new recycling bins in town, we thought the recy-cling theme would be a good thing to have environmentally, he said.

There is also discussion being had about changing the time of the Mardi Gras next year.

What we are seeing is a bal-ance that has changed over time of a drift towards the Nippys Gift, Mr Magarey said.

The committee is consid-ering the possibility of mov-ing the Mardi Gras to the Sat-urday evening to fl ow into the Nippys Gift and con-tinue to make the weekend a tourism drawcard.

Community embraces Mardi Gras

With the new recycling bins in town, we thought the recycling theme would be good.

COLOURFUL: The Loxotn Mardi Gras fl oat parade is always creative and great to watch.

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Come Celebrate Loxtons 56th / Mardi Gras Family Fun Day For All / Money Raised goes towards community projectsParade of Floats start at 11am / Mardi Gras Art Space 2013 / Featuring Nippys Gift Top SA Interstate Professional Athletes

Friday 22 February

10.30am Quilting Display Uniting Church

9.30 4pm Art Space 2013 - local artists works on display

Blue Shop

East Tce

Saturday 23 February

9.00am Shops Open Quilting Display Uniting

ChurchMarket Stalls open for business

Art Space - Come and view the

spectacular display of art work by

Loxtons locals until 4pm

Blue Shop

East Tce

9.45am Entertainment for Children - The Scouts kick off Mardi Gras action

with a range of Fantastic Kids

Activities, including:

Pom pom creature makingEgg and spoon racesQuoitsGold coin donations are appreciated

to cover costs.

10.45am Parade Opening by 2013 Citizen of the Year - Dick Fogden

Commentators for the Parade:

Steph Casha and Greg CramPamela Perre and Bill Martin

11.00am Parade steps off, featuring oats to the theme Lets Recycle.

Prizes for the Parade Categories:

Most Outstanding FloatMost HumorousBest Themed FloatBest Ambassador Float

11.50am Nuriootpa Town Band In Rotunda

12 noon Lunch Available around the Rotunda A great opportunity to eat out and

support your local community with

Loxtons service groups , including

the Scouts, Lions, Rotary and Apex,

ready to cook your lunch.

Rotunda

surrounds

12.30pm Crowning of Ambassadors for 2013 Rotunda1.00pm Announcements of Float Winners

and The Loxton News Mardi Gras

Show Window Display Competition

Rotunda

1.15pm More Entertainment for Children with the Scouts, continuing all afternoon.

A new set of childrens and adult

activities.

Plate smashing!!!Doughnut eating contestRelay racesSack racesGold coin donations are appreciated.

1.30pm Mildura Pipe Band (as a prelude to the art competition)

2.00pm Ofcial Opening of the Jay G Images Photo Arts Exhibition.

Opening by Senator Anne Ruston

Loxton Tce

Gallery

Sunday 24th February12.30pm The Mardi Gras Harvest

Thanksgiving Lunch - Meat provided.

Please bring along a salad or

dessert to share.

Life Centre

Loxton

Lutheran

School,

Luther

Road.

Loxton

1.30pm Combined Church Service - Offering to local Christian Pastoral

Support Workers

Chairperson:Peter Magarey 0418 808 296

Secretary:Callie Nickolai0439 466 988


FOR the 56th time, Loxton Mardi Gras ambassadors have been busy hosting events to raise money for community projects.

Most years the event rais-es about $20,000 for the community.

This year there is one se-nior ambassador, two Mardi Gras ambassadors and four junior ambassadors.

Remarkably, 91-year-old Les Voigt has put his hand up to fund-raise in the senior category and by all reports has done a fantastic job

so far.He seems pretty likely to

win that competition being the only entrant but he has put in a lot of effort, Loxton Mardi Gras chairman Peter Magarey said laughlingly.

The two Mardi Gras ambassa-dors have been working overtime to raise funds after late entry into the event.

Sheree Cameron and Lau-ren Benson are both competing for the title.

Mr Magarey said there has

been some outstanding fundrais-ing efforts to date.

The Mardi Gras is a fundrais-ing community effort and prob-ably one of the biggest events of its kind held, he said.

Ambassadors for this years event are supported by local service clubs and community groups with Les Voigt deciding on the Loxton Uniting Church as his choice.

Les is no spring chicken but hes been out there, work-ing hard and raising funds, Mr Magarey said.

Ambassadors Sheree and Lau-ren have done a very good job in the time they had available to raise money for each of their own causes.

Supported by parents and the community, the ju-nior ambassadors have also been heavily involved in their own fundraising.

Steph Paxon, Mya Lynse, Brai-ley Jachmann and Erin Hughes have all been busy preparing for the big day.

Loxton Mardi Gras junior

ambassador co-ordinator Terri Weston said many events have been held to raise money in-cluding bingo, Devonshire tea parties and help from their local schools.

Theyve all put in a great ef-fort so far considering there wasnt a huge amount of time, she said.

Theyve represented the community well with their fundraising efforts and in-terest in taking part in the Mardi Gras.

Ambassadors raising money for a good cause

FUNDRAISING: Loxton Mardi Gras ambassadors Sheree

Cameron (left) and Lauren Benson with senior ambassador Les Voigt.

1942 Bookpurnong Road Loxton SA 5333

PHONE 8584 6124

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Friday, March 1st, 2013 from 5.30pm

Loxton High School Bands, Fashion Parade, Bouncy Castle & Giant Slide and lots of food stalls.

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LOXTON HIGH SCHOOL CONTINENTALFEATURE

WHAT has become a com-munity tradition, the Loxton High School Conti-nental will again be a fam-ily affair this year.

In its 34th year, the Continental is being held at the high school oval on March 1 beginning at 5.30pm.

Over the years the event has continued to grow and is now recognised as one of the biggest social outings in the town of Loxton.

The annual major fundraiser hosted by the school community will include an extensive range of delicious foods and entertainment, as well as a silent auction and raffl e.

Students, teachers and parents will be involved in serving food, hosting entertainment and helping the night run smoothly.

Loxton High School

fundraising committee member Justin Lane said for many local families, the Continental is a set fi xture on the calendar.

Mr Lane is again hope-ful of another large crowd in attendance.

We hope to see more than 2000 people come in, get some food, be enter-tained and raise money for the school, he said.

Those in attendance of-ten use the time to socialise and catch up with friends and family, according to Mr Lane.

For the kids theyve got rides, for the adults there is tea and coffee and it is a chance for parents to relax and socialise as their kids be entertained.

While there is an abun-dance of things for the children to do, the Loxton High School Continental also has plenty for the adults with the wine and cheese bar and silent auc-tion, offering a number of top quality wines.

Popular local artist Kylie Loxton, accompa-nied by Jason Geddie, will provide the main en-

tertainment on the night, with two high school bands also showing off their talents.

Students and teachers work around the clock pre-paring for the Continental.

A lot of food is pre-prepared by students dur-ing the day, Mr Lane said.

A lot of the teachers

have stalls that theyve be-come experts on.

Encouraging the Riverland and beyond to attend the event on Friday, March 1, Mr Lane said he is looking forward to a suc-cessful evening.

It is great to see the community come together for such a succesful event, Mr Lane said.

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