Thank you to former local woman, Lorraine Hughes, who provided locals with a bit of a reprieve from COVID concerns this week.
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Lorraine posted a series of Youtube videos featuring Mathoura Public School students from the 1980s, and their principal Chris Diercke.
Part of a Country Areas Program, the video is entitled ‘Man and the River’ and centres on safety when camping — campfires, canoeing, orienteering, swimming, fishing, bushwalking and other activities, including washing up.
It was great to turn back time and see the participants, now adults with children of their own (and at least one with grandchildren), enjoying time in the forest which was their heritage.
Thanks Lorraine.
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Congratulations to Danny Wardlaw, winner of Mathoura Bowling Club’s footy tipping competition. Danny scored 131 in the annual competition to take the $1000 first prize. There was a three-way tie for second place, with William Brander, Wayne Hayes and Lindsay Vallance, all registering 128 wins. They each received $200.
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Mathoura’s future is looking brighter with Murray River Council considering a report on future residential development for the town.
The report covered the feasibility of developing and subdividing council owned land bounded by the Cobb Highway, Jones and Mathoura Streets on the southern entrance to the town.
Mayor Chris Bilkey said with Mathoura centrally located between Echuca and Deniliquin it made sense to properly plan for future development and encourage growth in the township in the near future.
He said the initial layout proposed 21 lots, ranging from 663m2 to 1111m2 and averaging 945m2.
The next step will involve completing a more detailed business and property market analysis for council’s consideration.
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Organisers of the Mathoura Speed Shear Competition are the latest local group forced to cancel their annual event.
They held off as long as they possibly could in a bid to see the event return this year.
However there is now no way it can go ahead. It is hopeful it will return next year, coming back bigger and better than before.
In the meantime the group has thanked Murray River Council for its support through community grants, which has allowed it to upgrade the shearing stand.
This will enable future events to run more smoothly.
New gates for the portable sheep loading ramp have also been installed, and new steps to the stand and stabilisation of the shearing stand legs.
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Thirty local and district businesses have combined to support Mathoura Preschool in its latest fundraising venture.
They have contributed goods and services to a mega raffle — a great incentive, that unlike many other fundraising ventures will be unaffected by COVID.
The range of prize donors includes accommodation facilities, photography, mechanical, food, beauty and transport services.
Raffle tickets can be purchased from the preschool and local businesses.
The fundraising raffle will be drawn on October 9.
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The season has come to an end for the Picola and District Football Netball League.
Sadly it has robbed clubs from enjoying the thrill of finals competition.
However, as they say, tomorrow (or next year) will offer new opportunities to follow those dreams.
Our local club has had to take it on the chin, but they have not packed away their gear and signed off on another season without recognising the support provided by a range of people.
The club has extended its thanks to everyone who volunteered in any way, coaches, team managers, runners, scorers, timekeepers, first aiders, canteen helpers, those on the gate and in the bar.
It urges everyone to say safe and looks forward to having them back next year.