John’s colourful spring display
Beautiful displays of flowers are popping up all over Deniliquin as many plants go into full bloom for spring.
It is no different at John and Jenny Cottee’s home, where thick bushes of azaleas in all shades of pink are bringing colour to Greaves Court.
Gardening is John’s passion, and the azaleas are his pride and joy.
‘‘The flowers are always out at this time of year and it is brilliant,’’ he said.
‘‘Gardening takes up most of my time, but I enjoy it.’’
Most of the azaleas were planted about 14 years ago, according to Jenny.
‘‘We have put some new ones in since, but just because we wanted to fill space in the garden,’’ she said.
‘‘When they are not flowering, they are nice and green, especially in summer.
‘‘We just love them.’’
Ducks’ heroes
Thumbs up to the men who were seen doing their best to protect a family of ducks from swooping crows on Tuesday morning.
The ducks were making their way along Dick St toward the Deniliquin Golf Course when the attack began.
A nearby resident then spotted the men, walking alongside the ducks waving sticks above their heads to provide some cover.
It’s unclear how long the men stood guard over the waddling family, but even if it was for only a few seconds their efforts should be applauded.
Golf day rescheduled
Monday’s Rotary Golf Day was cancelled at the last minute, due to a lack of entries and poor weather conditions.
It was a cold and windy day, with the temperature between 13.9°C and 19.4°C.
Wind speeds were also up to 48km/h according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
The ambrose event, to be hosted at the Deniliquin Golf Club, will be rescheduled for later in the year.
All proceeds will go to the Australian Rotary Health Lifting and Aid Program, funding research into mental health.
One case remaining
There is just one active case of COVID-19 in the Murrumbidgee region, which is in Wagga.
More than 67,800 tests for the virus have been conducted across the region with a total of six hospitalisations and one death since the beginning of the pandemic.
Deniliquin has stayed virus free throughout the pandemic, and will hopefully stay that way.
There have been 56 cases spread throughout the following local government areas: Albury City, 11; Berrigan Shire, 5; Cootamundra Gundagai Regional Council Area, 2; Federation, 7; Greater Hume, 3; Griffith City, 3; Hay Shire, 1; Hilltops Council, 2; Junee Council, 1; Murrumbidgee Council, 3; Narrandera Shire, 1; Snowy Valleys Council Area, 1; Temora Shire, 1; Wagga Wagga City, 14.
While other states effectively promote testing stations and provide COVID Safe messaging through local media, the NSW Government continues to ignore regional communities and has not provided effective local advice.
We suspect it’s too late in the pandemic for that to change, but it continues to be a sad reflection on our state government and its communication.
Talk-and-Walk-a-Thon
Schools and students are being encouraged to take part in Peer Support Australia’s annual Talk-and-Walk-a-Thon.
The 2020 Talk-and-Walk-a-Thon encourages students to talk to their peers and build relationships, which after a year of social distancing and disruption is much needed in Australian schools.
The event combines a traditional walka-thon with aspects of relationship building and mental wellbeing.
Participation is free and schools can register to participate by heading to www.peersupport.edu.au.
Registered schools will receive a Talkand-Walk-a-Thon toolkit.
Trivia night
If you love a good quiz, the Deniliquin
RSL Club has you covered.
The club will now host a trivia night on the third Tuesday of every month.
The first will be on Tuesday, October 20 from 7pm. It is open to everyone, even children, and entry is free.
There will be prizes each week, which will be revealed at the start of each trivia night.
You can enter a team, or go solo, it is completely up to you.
Book a team or let the RSL know you will be attending by phoning reception on 5881 1455.
Word of the Week
Yarkuwa is working toward revitalising the use of the traditional local language, Wamba Wamba/Wemba Wemba, in all its forms.
As part of keeping the language alive, we will publish a word of the week in PTee.
This week’s word is Tyarrang, which means blue sky.
Like all words that are recorded, the translation from an oral to a written language presents some challenges.
The word starts with the first syllable tya followed by the ch sound with a long r rolled to the a and ng sound as in song.
For more information on the language, or to hear the words pronounced, visit https://culture.yarkuwa.org.au/.