NEW CITIZENS & AUSTRALIA DAY AWARD WINNERS FOR 2023

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Wentworth Shire Council has welcomed three new citizens to Australia and announced the Australia Day Award winners at their Ceremony held at the Coomealla Memorial Sporting Club in Dareton on 25 January 2023.

The Australia Day 2023 Awards had very worthy nominees, each of whom have made outstanding contributions to the community through volunteering, sports, culture and the environment. Nominees for the Citizen of the Year award included Ross Hall, Clair Bates, Gwen Wilkinson and Jan White.

The Wentworth Shire Council 2023 Citizen of the year is Gwen Wilkinson. Gwen is a Life Member of the Gol Gol Rural Fire Service, a wildlife carer for almost 35 years with Sunraysia Wildlife Carers Group and an extremely active member at the Australian Inland Botanic Gardens since 2012.

Other award winners on the night included Daniel Hawkins, Young Citizen of the Year, Bec Marshall Sportsperson of the Year, Kalesita Burton Young Sportsperson of the Year.

Mayor Tim Elstone also conferred citizenship on Miss Anna Kuus, Mrs Brooke Mobilio and Ms Ludivina Macalla.

Mayor of Wentworth Shire, Cr Tim Elstone said “On behalf of the Wentworth Shire community, I warmly welcome our new citizens to the Wentworth Shire and to Australia. I also congratulate the 2023 award winners and of course, all of the deserving nominees. I would also like to acknowledge those who took the time to submit such worthy nominations. In addition, I would like to thank our Australia Day Ambassador, Dr. Clio Cresswell and Senator Perin Davey for being part of our celebrations. It was a pleasure to have them attend.

Citizen of the Year Gwen Wilkinson - pictured with Mayor of Wentworth Shire Cr Tim Elstone & Australia Day Ambassador Dr Clio Cresswell
Citizen of the Year Gwen Wilkinson – pictured with Mayor of Wentworth Shire Cr Tim Elstone & Australia Day Ambassador Dr Clio Cresswell
2023 Australia Day Award Winners – – pictured with Mayor of Wentworth Shire Cr Tim Elstone, Senator Perin Davey & Australia Day Ambassador Dr Clio Cresswell
2023 Citizen of the Year Nominees – pictured with Mayor of Wentworth Shire Cr Tim Elstone & Australia Day Ambassador Dr Clio Cresswell
Sportsperson of the Year – Rebecca (Bec) Marshal – pictured with Mayor of Wentworth Shire Cr Tim Elstone & Australia Day Ambassador Dr Clio Cresswell
Young Citizen of the Year – Daniel Hawkins – pictured with Mayor of Wentworth Shire Cr Tim Elstone & Australia Day Ambassador Dr Clio Cresswell
Young Sportsperson of the Year – Kalesita Burton – – pictured with Mayor of Wentworth Shire Cr Tim Elstone & Australia Day Ambassador Dr Clio Cresswell
Citizen of the Year Nominee – Jan White – pictured with Mayor of Wentworth Shire Cr Tim Elstone & Australia Day Ambassador Dr Clio Cresswell
Senator Perin Davey & Cr Daniel Linklater Deputy Mayor for Wentworth Shire Council
Citizen of the Year – Ross Hall – pictured with Mayor of Wentworth Shire Cr Tim Elstone & Australia Day Ambassador Dr Clio Cresswell
New Australian Citizens – pictured with Australia Day Ambassador Dr Clio Cresswell, Mayor of Wentworth Shire Cr Tim Elstone & Senator Perin Davey

Wentworth Shire to welcome new citizens

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Three Wentworth Shire residents will become its newest citizens during a special citizenship ceremony at Coomealla Memorial Sporting Club in Dareton this Australia Day Eve, Wednesday 25 January 2023 from 6:00pm.

Wentworth Shire Mayor, Cr Tim Elstone said: “Our new will join thousands of other Australians who are celebrating their citizenship. They will contribute their skills and cultural diversity to our local community, and enrich it through their hard work and participation in public life.”

Mayor Elstone will preside over the ceremony, which will also include the Australia Day Awards Ceremony and a Welcome to Country by Arthur Kirby from Barkindji Maraura Elders Environment Team (BMEET).

Other events to celebrate Australia Day on Thursday 26 January 2023 will include:

Breakfast in the Australian Inland Botanic Gardens

A breakfast cooked by the Buronga Gol Gol Lions Club in the picturesque Australian Inland Botanic Gardens commencing from 8:00am.

Pooncarie – Breakfast in Pioneers Memorial Park

The Pooncarie and District Development Association will hold a breakfast in Pioneers Memorial Park, Pooncarie commencing from 8:00am.

Dareton Community Brunch in the Park

The Dareton Coomealla Namatjira Community Action Group will hold a brunch in Tapio Park, Dareton commencing from 10:00am.

“I encourage everyone to not only enjoy Australia Day festivities, but to take time and reflect on what it means to be an Australian citizen. Think about how you can become more involved with your local community, to help make it a better place every day,” said Mayor Elstone.

For more information about Australia Day activities in Wentworth Shire, visit the Experience Wentworth website at: www.experiencewentworth.com.au

For more information about Australian citizenship (including eligibility criteria and application process) and our shared values, visit www.citizenship.gov.au

Ready to Winedown at the Australian Inland Botanic Gardens?

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FREE TO ATTEND // FOR ALL AGES

Get ready to Winedown at the Australian Inland Botanic Gardens (AIBG), Buronga. Pack your picnic rug and bring your friends to enjoy a platter and listen to some of Australia’s top artists.

Featuring Mallrat, Allday, Alice Ivy & Loose Bricks, you can enjoy some of the region’s best wine offerings with pop-up cellar doors and a beer garden.

Enjoy a platter of delicious gourmet foods from local catering companies and food vans.

Although the event is no longer located at Wentworth, buses will still be running from Wentworth, Dareton, Buronga and Gol Gol to support our local businesses before and after the event.

Buses will also be running to and from Mildura for those living across the border. All bus tickets will be a small fee of $10 plus booking fee for a return trip.

Head to www.experiencewentworth.com.au to purchase bus tickets and for more information.

Funded by the Reconnecting Regional NSW – Community Events Program

NSW SES Flood Update 19 Jan 2023

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Flood update from NSW SES at 3.28pm on 19 January 2023

Summary

WATCH AND ACT – DO NOT ENTER FLOODWATER

The NSW SES advises people NOT TO ENTER FLOODWATER due to
current widespread moderate flooding in Wentworth and surrounding areas.

You should monitor the situation as it is constantly changing. Avoid floodwater for your safety.

The Bureau of Meteorology advises the Murray River at Wentworth is currently at 32.95 metres
AHD and falling slowly, with moderate flooding.

The river is likely to remain above the moderate flood level (32.68 metres AHD) over the
weekend into early next week.

Current and predicted flows in the Darling River are not likely to cause significant river level rises
at Wentworth.

Read the full press release below.

Wentworth-NSW-SES-Flood-Watch-and-Act-Do-not-enter-floodwater-19-January-2023Download

Flood Impact Survey for businesses impacted by floods

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Has your business been impacted due to flooding in the area? Have you suffered from a lack of tourism due to floods?

The NSW Government would like to know the financial impacts of the recent storms and floods on businesses in flood affected regions.

Your business does not necessarily need to be affected by rising flood waters to complete the survey. Other types of flood water impacts may be due to road detours, lack of visitation, supply chain issues or additional costs in mitigation works.

If your business has been impacted, please complete the short 5 minute survey.

Your input will support ongoing disaster response and help get assistance to those in our region who need it.

NOTE: This survey has now closed

Fee relief for families with preschool aged children in long day care and community and mobile preschools

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The NSW Government is providing fee relief for families with preschool aged children in long day care and community and mobile preschools from January 2023.

Families can save up to $4,220 per child on community and mobile preschool fees and up to $2,110 per child on long day care fees (in addition to the Child Care Subsidy). The fee relief will be passed on to families as a reduction in fees.

For more information visit the Start Strong website, call 1800 619 113, or email ececd@det.nsw.edu.au

Preschool_fee_relief_in_long_day_careDownload
Fee_Relief_in_Community_and_Mobile_PreschoolsDownload

NSW SES Flood Update 4 Jan 2023

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Flood update from NSW SES at 12.01pm on 4 January 2023

Summary

POONCARIE

The Darling River at Pooncarie is currently at 7.29 metres and steady, with minor flooding. The Darling River at Pooncarie may exceed the moderate flood level (7.60 metres) around mid January. The river level may reach around 8.00 metres during late January, with moderate flooding. Further rises are possible.

BURTUNDY

The Darling River at Burtundy is currently at 7.25 metres and steady, with minor flooding. The Darling River at Burtundy may exceed the major flood level (7.70 m) late January. The river level may reach around 8.40 metres early February, with major flooding. Further rises are possible.

Read the full press release below.

Burtundy-Pooncarie-NSW-SES-Advice-4-01-2023Download

The road to recovery

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The Murray River is slowly dropping in Wentworth Shire Council however rises in the Darling River are still expected over the coming weeks.

Please be advised that roads and other sites will only be able to reopen when Council officers are able to assess the safety and potential damage that may result.

Roads may take weeks and in certain cases months to re-open to road users, dependant on the extent of debris clean-up, emergency repair works and level of inundation suffered. Roads closures for heavy vehicle access may still be in place for longer duration to prevent road damage as a result of sodden pavements.

We ask for road users to plan ahead and avoid flood affected areas and roads whilst the recovery phase progresses.

To keep up to date with road and other site closures in our Shire impacted by the flood event, please visit https://www.wentworth.nsw.gov.au/flood-updates-roads-other-sites/

Please remember to obey road closure signage, drive with caution and to NEVER drive through flood water.

Please be advised as we move into the recovery phase there will be a high volume of requests for the re-opening of roads. Your patience will be greatly appreciated.

To view the latest river levels and flow rates for the Lower Darling, visit https://mdbwip.bom.gov.au/16/#4.6/-31.5/147

NSW SES Flood Update 3 Jan 2023

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Flood update from NSW SES at 3:49pm on 3 January 2023

Summary

Wentworth

The Bureau of Meteorology advises moderate flooding is continuing at Wentworth, where river levels are slowly falling. The Murray River at Wentworth is currently at 33.80 metres AHD and falling slowly, with moderate flooding.

The Murray River at Wentworth is likely to remain above the moderate flood level (32.68 metres AHD) through to late January.

Read the full press release below.

Wentworth-NSW-SES-Watch-and-Act-Do-not-enter-floodwater-03-01-2023Download

Dareton, Gol Gol, Boeill Creek and Buronga

The Bureau of Meteorology advises rainfall over the past months has caused renewed and prolonged flooding along the Murray and Edward Rivers. The Murray River at Mildura Weir is currently at 37.83 metres and falling, with moderate flooding.

Mildura Weir is likely to remain above the moderate flood level (37.50 m) into early January.

Based on predictions from the Bureau of Meteorology, the following areas may be impacted by dangerous floodwaters:
• Low lying areas along the Murray River may become inundated
• Local access roads may be closed due to floodwater
• Low lying sporting fields, parklands and public recreation areas are impacted by floodwater
• Amaroo Road between River Road and Boeill Creek Road
• Boeill Creek Road, Boeill Creek
• Twin Isles Drive, Curlwaa
• Ryans Road, Curlwaa
• Little Manly Lane, Curlwaa
• River Drive, Buronga
• Watch and Act – Prepare to evacuate warning remains current for Boeill Creek. See separate warning for details.

Read the full press release below.

Dareton-Gol-Gol-Boeill-Creek-and-Buronga-NSW-SES-Watch-and-Act-Do-not-enter-floodwater-03-01-2023Download

NSW SES Community Newsletter January 2023

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Community newsletter for Pooncarie and Burtundy.