Tuesday, February 6
Parks Victoria said it would beef up patrols in Gunbower National Park after protected wetlands and sand dunes were used as a playground for joy riders over the Australia Day long weekend.
Authorised officers issued 10 fines to trail-bike riders and four-wheel-drivers over January 26 to 28.
After engaging with more than 100 visitors in the flood-impacted national park, authorised officers were “dismayed” to witness 24 incidents of unlawful behaviour causing harm to the environment and cultural heritage.
The Gannawarra Shire’s major tourism information centre was looking for new volunteers to help promote the area’s attractions to visitors.
The Gateway to Gannawarra Visitor Centre, in Cohuna, has been providing tourist information and community support for the past 12 years, with more than 7000 people visiting the centre in 2023.
Tuesday, February 13
Atkinson Park in Kerang came alive with the sounds of music on Saturday for Summerwave 2024.
The alcohol, drug and smoke-free event organised by the youth of Kerang featured 15 acts from the local area, across Victoria and interstate.
Northern District Community Health youth programs co-ordinator Matt Allan said the event was a huge success.
Jack Wardell was appointed Kerang Primary School principal after a stint as acting principal.
The Bendigo local, who has been at the school for six months, said the transition from classroom teacher to leadership role had been made easy by the staff and students.
“There are great people working here, and great kids that attend,” Mr Wardell said.
Tuesday, February 20
It was announced Gannawarra Shire residents would elect seven councillors in an unsubdivided structure at this year’s council elections.
Local Government Minister Melissa Horne accepted the recommendation of an Electoral Representation Advisory Panel appointed to review dozens of shire electoral boundaries in the state.
The ERAP recommended the number of councillors elected to the shire remain at seven, but with wards no longer used.
V/Line ruled out a return of staff to Kerang Railway Station.
Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh said the busy transport hub warranted supervision.
He said the station was at the intersection of the Swan Hill to Bendigo train service, the Echuca to Kerang bus service, the Albury to Mildura bus service, the Mildura to Bendigo bus service and the Albury to Adelaide bus service
Tuesday, February 27
A fatal house fire in Kerang early on Saturday was not being treated as suspicious.
Emergency services were called to an address in Lilac Avenue shortly after midnight to find the property ablaze.
Victoria Police confirmed a body was found inside the property once the fire was extinguished.
The Cohuna-Leitchville RSL sub-branch has a new president, Trevor Powis, to lead the active club of 94 members.
A resident of the Cohuna area for 16 years, he became a member of the sub-branch shortly after he arrived.
This was the first time he had ever joined an RSL sub-branch after one of the local Vietnam veterans visited and asked him to join up.
