Monthly Newsletter for

the Balranald Shire com-

munity and

Balranald Shire Council Councilor Contact

Details

Mayor

Cr Leigh Byron

0428 201 301

Deputy Mayor

Cr Alan Purtill

0429 201 301

Cr Steve O’Halloran

0429 619 880

Cr German Ugarte

0407 267 087

Cr Jo Roberts

0409 147 787

Cr Trevor Jolliffe

0408 066 460

Cr Doug Allen

0421 526 671

Cr Jeff Mannix

0409 783 075

Travelling on

Closed Roads

From time to time, inclement weather necessitates Council

to close all unsealed roads.

This will include roads that lead to Mungo.

Advance warning signs confirming these closures

exist in Mayall St and at the Euston Prungle intersection.

Council wishes to advise people that driving on closed

roads may lead to heavy penalties.

For further information, please contact Council

on 03 5020 1300

Council Website

www.balranald.nsw.gov.au

ISS UE

Apr i l 2017

4

Balranald Shire Council Newsletter Issue 4 – April 2017

Coming Events NEWSLETTER

Balranald Shire Events in April

Newsletter published by:

BALRANALD SHIRE COUNCIL

70 MARKET STREET (PO BOX 120)

BALRANALD NSW 2715

www.balranald.nsw.gov.au

OFFICE HOURS 8.30AM TO 5.00PM

MONDAY TO FRIDAY

PH: 03 5020 1300 FAX: 03 5020 1620

AFTER HOURS EMERGENCIES 0418 322 902

Service NSW Hours Balranald

9.30am to 4pm Tuesday to Friday

Closed for lunch 1pm - 1.45pm

Euston 2nd & 4th Thursday of month

11.30am to 3pm Closed for lunch 12.15pm - 1pm

Call Centre 13 77 88

WHAT’S OPEN

Balranald Museum Access to Museum via Visitor Centre

7 days per week

Balranald Library Monday & Friday 2pm - 5.30pm

Wednesday 9am - 5.30pm

COMMUNITY GENERAL INTEREST

Adult Day Care at the Hospital Monday 10am-2pm, Thursday 10am-2pm Phone Hospital 5071 9800

Seniors Club every Friday 2pm Senior Citizens Hall

Hospital Auxiliary 2nd Monday of the month 2.30pm, Adult Day Care Centre Ph. Dawn 50201311

Health Advisory Council (HAC) 4th Monday of each month 7:00pm Contact 5071 9800

Baby & Child Clinic Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri - Balranald Tue - Euston

Balranald Immunisation Clinic at Hospital every 2nd Wed 9.30-11.00am Call 0427699485 to book

Little Bunyips Playgroup each Thursday 10am to 1pm - River Street. Contact Dee 0429 201 460

Sing Australia Friday 1.30pm -Presbyterian Church

Men's Shed Tues & Thurs 8am Heritage Park

Take Off Weight Naturally Club at Multipurpose Centre Mondays 6pm Call Heather 03 5020 1478

Optometrist (from Deniliquin) last Wednesday of the month, appointments @ Balranald Chemist

Balranald Wool Centre 3rd Friday of month, 11am - 3pm @ The Gallery. New members welcome

Balranald Community Arts & Crafts Open most days or by appointment. Meetings 3rd Monday of month, 2pm @ The Gallery. Drop in Day Thurs, 9th February 10am - noon

Balranald Hospital Auxiliary every 2nd Monday of the Month @ 2:30pm at Adult Day Care Centre

Narelle’s Driving School Ph 0402 782 597

Balranald Harvest Christian Centre each Sunday at the CWA rooms in Market Street from 10.30am

Balranald History Group 4th Tuesday of month in Theatre Royal Ticketing office Market St. from 5pm

CanAssist Balranald Branch 2nd Monday of month 4pm - 92A Market St. Second-hand book shop open Mon to Sat 10am & Wednesday 1.30pm Call Karen 0404 842 037 or Kirstyn 0448 158 709

Vision Australia - contact Yann, Mildura 5023 9500

Sureway Employment & Training Tuesday & Wednesday 8.30am–5pm Call Michael 03 40284900

Balranald Presbyterian Church - Monday Ladies KYB 7.30pm @ Hall, Last Tuesday of month PWA @ Hall, Thursday Mens KYB 7.30pm @ Manse, Friday Ladies KYB 10am @ Manse, Sunday Wor-ship service 10am (last Sunday of Month Hospital service at 2.30pm)

Balranald Rescue Squad meet 3rd Thursday of each month - 8pm at Rescue Squad headquarters.

Friends of the Southern Cross Market Day - Fourth Sunday of each month - Woodsys corner 8.30am

CareWest Community Transport for non-urgent door to door transport. Call Connie 0350719819 or 0428 335 711

Ability Links Balranald Wed - contact 0487 740 000

ROAR – Reach Out and Relax Last Tuesday of month. Contact Chris 0428 096 462

www .ba lrana ld .nsw .gov .au

Disclaimer - Balranald Shire Council reserves the right to

edit or rewrite submissions for grammar, style and clarity or to conform to restrictions of space. Council makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of this information and does not accept responsibility for errors or omissions contained within this publication.

If you are aware of errors please notify Cherie Ward as soon as possible via email - cmurphy@balranald.nsw.gov.au or phone the Council office on 03 50201300.

4 May NDIS: Straight up workshop offers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals and carers info on the NDIS. Greenham Park Hall 10am - 4pm

21 May Balranald Golf Club annual Les Bodinnar Memorial Tournament

31 May MacKillop Rural Community Services NDIS Info sessions - Learn your options and how MRCS can support you. Senior Citizens Centre, 11am - 1pm or 7pm - 8.30pm

14 June Save the Date Friends of the Southern Cross AGM. More info to come

Mondays Sun - Wed

Mon - Fri Mon - Sun Tue &Thu

Fridays

Saturdays 13 May

10 June

What’s on at Balranald Club

Members Seniors Lunch Happy hour 5-6pm $10 lunch 12-2pm Dinner 6 - 9pm Bingo Tuesday 7pm, Thursday 2pm

Smorgasbord, raffle / members draw from 6.30pm Free Poker from 6.30pm Blair Bildstien in Main Bar Hutch Lawrie in Main Bar facebook.com/clubbalranald

7 Days/week

Mon/Thurs Tues / Sun Wednesday

Thursdays

Thu/ Fri Thu/Sun

Fri & Sat

What's on at Euston Club Resort Station46 Bistro daily Lunch 12 - 2pm Dinner 6 - 8.30pm. Café open all day Free Bingo Mon 10.15am Thurs 7.00pm Poker Tues from 6.30pm Sun from 6pm Raffle night & members draw from 6pm Members cash draw from 7pm Riverina Super draw 7 - 9pm Members cash draw from 6pm-8pm Social Bowls. Registration 9.15am - call John Bond on 50264244 Free Live Entertainment from 7.30pm MEGA Raffle last Wednesday of month facebook.com/eustonclubresort

Have you tried out the NEW Club menu - call in today! Renovations are continuing and re-opening date is to be confirmed - thank you for your on-going patience

Also available at the Club- * Member drink prices must show membership card *Full TAB facilities, *Keno, *Coffee shop, *Pre-paid phone credit, *City Link passes *Fishing licenses, *Pre-paid Broadband vouchers, *Seniors Kiosk & internet access, *Free WiFi, *Outdoor seating & smoking area & area within the main bar for under 18’s, ** must be accompanied by a Parent/Guardian

Balranald Shire Population - 2300

Shire Area - 21346km²

Balranald Shire is surrounded by five of the most iconic river

systems in NSW.

They are The Murray River,

The Murrumbidgee River, The Lachlan River,

The Wakool River and The Edward River.

FREE live entertainment Friday & Sat from 7.30pm and Sunday from 1.30pm to 5.00pm

April was a busy month, buzzing with activity from National Youth Week and also Easter celebrations in Balranald Shire.

National Youth Week (NYW) was celebrated from Friday 31st March to Sunday 9th April across Australia and this joint initiative of the Australian, state, territory and local Governments gives our youth (aged 12-25 years) the opportunity to express and act on their ideas and views or issues that affect them. It's also a chance to have a lot of fun through planned events in each Local Government Area.

Balranald Shire celebrated with a combined Balranald Central School & Balranald Council bike safety workshop on Saturday 8th April and also a ten pin bowling & movie day on Monday 10th April.

The bike safety workshop, run by Woody Longford, was aimed at educating our youth with safety issues and the correct etiquette of navigating while travelling on our roads or streets.

On Monday April 10th, Council staff and some parents set off for Mildura with 23 eager youth for a day filled with fun and games.

Ten pin bowling was a hit, with many laughs. A quick lunch break and another game of ten pin bowling ensued, then they headed to the movies where they watched Beauty and the Beast. Following the movie and lots of popcorn and soft drink filled youth, the parents were ready for home!

Council wishes to thank Moore’s Bus Lines, Bianca Johnstone and Council staff Carol and Nikkita for supervising on the outing.

Balranald was abuzz this Easter with visitors coming to the area for river activities such as fishing and kayaking and to also attend the Easter events. Visitor numbers at the Visitor Information Centre were higher than previous years with many visitors

returning due to the Easter events and many coming for the first time due to promotions seen on social media, TV or the tourism website. Many visitors were also return visitors due to the river and river activities including fishing, kayaking, camping and boating.

Visitors came from both interstate and from within NSW with an increased number coming from cities such as Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide.

Easter events which included the Twilight Market on Saturday and the Easter Egg Hunt recorded higher numbers to last year with many visitors expressing their praise of these events and for making Balranald a great place to be for Easter.

Visitors to the Visitor Information Centre said that they love Balranald because it is such a friendly town and will keep returning to Balranald for Easter.

Winners of the letter box decoration competition was the Hines Family. The competition was judged by four visitors from Melbourne who drove to each address for the judging.

Council would like to say thank you to Balranald shire residents, business operators, stall holders and all the helpers who supported the Easter events and activities over Easter.

NYW Balranald Shire Youth heading to the movies

Pictured above: the twilight market activities & below: The Hines family with their prize

Young People in Emergency Services Awards

Balranald

Visitor

Information

& Discovery

Centre

Cnr Market and River Streets

Open Daily

10.00am to 4.00pm

Phone 03 5020 1599

CountryLink tickets and

fishing licences can be

purchased from the

Visitor Information Centre

Rubbish Tip Hours

BALRANALD 1st October - 30th April

Tuesday 5.00 - 7.00pm Thursday 5.00 - 7.00pm

Saturday 10.00am - 1.00pm Sunday 10.00am - 3.00pm

1st May - 30th September

Tuesday 3.00 - 5.00pm Thursday 3.00 - 5.00pm

Saturday 10.00am - 1.00pm Sunday 10.00am - 3.00pm

EUSTON Tuesday 1.00pm - 6.00pm

Thursday 1.00pm - 6.00pm Sunday 9.00am - 3.00pm

Tip Tokens $11.00 are available from

Councils office, Visitor Information Centre,

Caltex, Market Street, Café Cassaro

Euston Post Office & Takeaway

Fees start from $11 per one axle trailer or utility

Garbage Collection

Please don’t over fill

your bin!

Residents, please note!

As previously advised, waste must be confined to allow

the bin lid to fully close at the kerbside pickup.

Overfilled bins result in littering and will not be collected by the

contractor.

Your help is appreciated.

Ensure your bin is put

out on the kerb the

night before collection

LID MUST CLOSE

Next Ordinary Meeting of Council

- Tuesday 16th May 2017 -

What’s happening at

The Gallery

30th April & 1st May

10am to 4pm

“Re-Collections”

Restoration, preservation,

writing and storage of family

history workshop

1st May

Memorabilia workshop

11th May

Drop in Day

CANCELLED this month

15th May

Monthly meeting 2pm

(please note time change)

What a wonderful Easter in Balranald Shire, with many activities and events occurring. I hope all residents and visitors enjoyed their Easter break and didn't overload with chocolate.

The Robinvale-Euston Football club will play round three (29 April) on the Euston oval - the team go up against the Imperials. Good luck boys.

I would also like to say well done to some of the up and coming youth in our community; Jordyn Jolliffe, Ryan Bruton and Javen Ricevuto.

Balranald’s Jordyn Jolliffe has a bright future in the AFLW league. Jordyn was the only member of the Bendigo League 2016 premiership winning Woorinen Youth girls squad to recently attend a week-long AFL Women’s National Academy in preparation for the next crop of AFL women's footballers.

Ryan Bruton, also from Balranald recently achieved the Young Visual Artist Award at the YouthInc NOVO awards. Ryan, a budding filmmaker is the owner of a successful YouTube channel Hyperax Films with more than 170 subscribers.

Javen Ricevuto hails from Euston, though attends Balranald Central School and through the school participated in a RFS cadet program. Javen was recently awarded with RFS Cadet of the Year – Balranald Central School, Region South.

Congratulations to you all - its great to see youth in our region doing extremely well.

From the

Mayor’s Office

Mayor Leigh Byron

Major Developments in Balranald Shire

goFARM is an agricultural property developer and manager, focused on delivering investment-grade agricultural assets and improving Australian agriculture. goFARM’s vision is to develop a world class almond orchard south of Balranald in the junction of the Murrumbidgee and Murray Rivers; starting at the property known as “Maffra”. All necessary licences, approvals and permits to facilitate the investment and enable the development have now been achieved with assistance from Council and development work commenced at “Maffra” in early February 2017. “Maffra” will be developed and planted up in two stages; the first plantings are scheduled to take place in August 2017 with follow-on plantings in August 2018. All trees have been propagated, budded and grown at goFARM’s own nursery South West of Balranald with the first commercial harvest is anticipated 3 years after planting with maturity anticipated by Year 6 or 7. goFARM has two major developments occurring at “Maffra” - Construction of the 720ML on-farm water storage and goFARM’s almond nursery, located on-farm South West of Balranald. goFARM also wish to acknowledge the community’s friendly welcome and demonstrated support.

Your local Vinnies Centre is always looking for more volunteers to assist them in their work. Men and women of all ages and denominations are welcome and encouraged to become volunteers at our Balranald Vinnies Centre - even a couple of hours a week would be a great help.

Your local Vinnies Centre has a very friendly, social environment and the work provides a special sense of satisfaction you get from helping others and learning new skills.

Various tasks include sorting donated goods, serving at the counter, clerical, basic computer, interviewing and listening to people in need.

If you are interested in volunteering, drop into the Vinnies Centre for a chat or telephone the Centre on 03 5020 1241. We would love to hear from you.

Above: goFarm’s on-farm almond nursery and Below: 720ML on-farm water storage,

both located at goFARM's new almond orchard development at Maffra south of Balranald

DRAFT Disability Inclusion Action Plan for public comment

Young volunteers across NSW have received awards for the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) and NSW State Emergency Service (SES) Cadet of the Year and Young Volunteer of the Year.

The winners of this year’s awards are:

RFS Cadet of the Year – Javen Ricevuto,

Balranald Central School, Region South.

SES Cadet of the Year – Sasha Cox, Broken Hill

High School, Far West Region.

RFS Young Volunteer of the Year (12-15 years) –

Alexander Slade, Williamtown/Salt Ash Rural Fire Brigade, Region East.

RFS Young Volunteer of the Year (16-25 years) –

Elizabeth Butt, Bendick Murrell Rural Fire Brigade, Region West.

SES Young Volunteer of the Year (16-25 years) –

Yvette Amos, NSW SES Snowy River Unit, Southern Highlands Region.

Congratulating the winners, Minister for Emergency Services Troy Grant said recent natural disasters in NSW highlight the invaluable contribution of volunteers and the need to recruit, train and retain young volunteers to ensure the strength of our emergency service agencies into the future.

“We cannot thank our emergency services volunteers enough. These impressive youngsters are already making a great contribution and I wish them all the best in their future endeavours,” Mr Grant said. An increasing number of young people are volunteering for emergency service organisations,

and NSW RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said it was great to see their engagement and commitment.

“The effort and enthusiasm of young members in the RFS is significant and these awards acknowledge their hard work, camaraderie and community participation,” Commissioner Fitzsimmons said.

NSW SES Commissioner Mark Smethurst said the NSW SES provides professional training and diverse experience so young people could take their enthusiasm for providing assistance and turn it into a professional career.

Pictured above: Balranald Central School Principal Aaron Flagg, RFS District Services Officer & Cadet Coordinator

Frances Medianik, Balranald Central School RFS Cadet of the Year winner Javen Ricevuto and The Hon. Troy Wayne

Grant MP, Minister for Emergency Services.

Am I Registered?

It is up to you as a responsible pet owner to microchip and register your dog (or cat) and ensure that your contact details are up to date. If your dog is lost, up to date contact details are the best way for Council to locate you.

You should ensure that your dog is wearing a collar and tag with your contact details on it and when you are away from home, it is important that you control your dog at all times with a suitable leash so it does not threaten or harm a person or animal.

Council is required by the NSW Disability Inclusion Act 2014 (DIA) to develop a Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) and as such has prepared a DRAFT Disability Inclusion Action Plan for its Local Government Area. Council is committed to improving access to services, facilities and jobs for people with a disability and also seek to ensure positive community perceptions within our shire. Council is seeking community feedback to its DRAFT plan and copies will be on display from Friday 28 April at the Council Office, Balranald Library, Euston Post Office, Homebush Hotel and also on Councils website. Written comments and feedback, addressed to The General Manager, P.O. Box 120, BALRANALD NSW 2715 should be received at Council no later than 5.00pm on 25 May 2017.