Christmas Giving Tree

Members of the St. Vincent de Paul and the Rotary Club of Corowa have organised the Christmas Giving Tree at Waldron’s Fresh on River - IGA Supermarket for people to leave donations of non-perishable food items over the next six weeks prior to Christmas.

All items received will be collected by the Vinnies Conference team for their annual Christmas Hamper project.

Through the generous support received from our community, the conference members anticipate packing over 80 pre-ordered hampers for collection on Wednesday, December 18.

The focus this year is on non-perishable foods and all donations will be very much appreciated.

Local people looking to receive a Christmas hamper, or any assistance can call 0417 119 820, Monday to Friday 9am – 4.30pm.

Late Night Shopping and Festivities

Late Night Shopping in Sanger Street, Corowa! G et into the festive spirit with extended business hours on Thursday, December 12, and Thursday, December 19!

Local businesses along Sanger Street will be open late to help you tick off your Christmas shopping list. Don’t miss the chance to shop local and enjoy the holiday cheer!

Bingo for charity

Friends of the Corowa Hospital and Nursing Home Inc. would like to remind everyone that Cash Bingo is held on Thursday nights at 7:30 pm at Club Corowa, and Charity Bingo takes place on Friday afternoons at 2:00pm, also at Club Corowa. All proceeds from both events go directly to support the Corowa Hospital and Nursing Home. New members are always welcome to join us in raising funds for this important cause.

Wrap with Love

This year the Corowa group of Wrap with Love was asked to transfer Wraps to AKWAK (Australians Knitting for War affected Kids). Based in Melbourne, a Syrian Group collected and distributed Wraps to Syria Free of charge. AKWAK is packing bags containing Gum boots, Sox, Underwear, Jumpers, scarves and berets and will include a Wrap for each child with all they need for the school year. Many of the children come from camps where there has been no education for years. It is easy to see how precious these gifts are for them. Corowa group of Wrap with Love with the help of some Lockhart ladies, has contributed 165 Wraps this year. Our thanks to all the Corowa ladies who continue to provide many squares for the Wraps. They just keep coming! Area contacts: Carmel Packer 6033 0996 Bev Barron 6033 2766.

Beyond Blue’s new on-line tool

Financial stress is on the rise and it’s impacting our mental health. A new online tool is here to help guide you to the right support earlier. With the festive season looming and cost-of-living pressures causing increased stress, Beyond Blue and Financial Counselling Australia are launching a new free online tool to support people with their financial wellbeing and mental health.

Beyond Blue’s Support Service is available 24/7 on 1300 22 4636 and via web chat or email www.beyondblue.org.au/support The National Debt Helpline provides free, independent and confidential help from trained financial counsellors on 1800 007 007 or via webchat ndh.org.au The Money and Mental Health Quiz can be accessed on Beyond Blue’s website: www.beyondblue.org.au/money-quiz

Quote of the Week

“When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don’t throw away the ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer.” Corrie Ten Boom. Dutch Christian and Holocaust Survivor.

David Sloane.

Letters to the Editor

Sustainable success

Recently Corowa Public School received the prestigious Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation's Sustainable Solutions Award.

The hands-on outdoor classroom gardening model allows students to explore, experience and understand the WHY of sustainable practices in their beautiful “Sunshine Garden”.

Students track their food and garden scraps waste through the cycle of composting which is then used to grow food that they eat and share.

The enthusiasm of students across all grades is infectious and the many lifelong skills they are acquiring are invaluable.

The garden was created by Nigel Creamer and Neil Ormond about 15 years ago and it has continued to grow and become a productive garden and learning space.

The current leadership team including Chris Munroe, Kerrie Ormond, Peter Strahan with support from principal Helen Duncan are to be congratulated for their innovative approach to sustainability education.

Sally Hughes

Corowa

Going barking mad!

I write this letter in the hope that it may lead to an improvement in the quality of the process that the Federation Council has in place to address the issue of barking dogs.

I want to preface this letter by saying I am not a “dog-hater”.

I grew up on a farm and our working dogs were treated well and recognised for what they were – an integral part of the workforce.

I recall one champion dog my old man called “Flash” because he was so quick and smart when working with the sheep. Years later he (Flash) slowed down to the point he could barely walk.

As I headed off to school one day, Mum said that Dad was taking Flash to the vet – and that Flash probably wouldn’t be here when I got home. He wasn’t. It was a quiet dinner that evening.

I made a complaint to the council about barking dogs more than 12 months ago. An “investigation” took place, and I was told that there was “insufficient evidence to enable further action”. Okay. Suck it up.

Another 12 months of regular, lengthy periods of barking at 6.44am, 7.03am, etc prompted me to lodge another complaint. On the same day, I lodged the complaint, I got a call from the ranger or dog catcher or whatever his title is to tell me: “We’ve been through all this before, buddy!” and “I’ve gone and had a listen and they bark for about 30 seconds – and only in response to other dogs.”

When I made the reply that he must have caught them on a good day if they only barked for 30 seconds and that I would be keeping a log of the barking, his reply was: “You can keep a log for as long as you like!”

I got the same letter I got 12 months ago. No great surprise there. He had made up his mind about my complaint on the day it was lodged. He also advised me he was very busy in his role and would not be able to spend lengthy periods of time listening to dogs. I’m sure he is. He wouldn’t.

As I sit here at my keyboard and listen to the yapping dogs of my neighbour, I should contemplate that it is not their (the dogs’) fault – they are bored because they spend long periods of time inside their owner’s house and then thrust out in the back yard when the owner heads to work. Then when responsible dog owners take their pet/s for a walk past the house, the cacophony begins.

Maybe I am the exception to the rule here. Perhaps other people have found the process when making complaints about barking dogs to be fair and reasonable.

I have found it to be anything but. If you have had the same experience as me, let the Council know about it.

Paul Delahunty

Corowa

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