Increased testing, and jabs to come

The Deniliquin Respiratory Clinic and Murrumbidgee Local Health District are organising increased testing at Deniliquin due to one identified positive COVID-19 case in the local government area.

Bookings are essential; patients cannot drive up or walk in without a booking due to infection control measures.

Results are expected to come back between 24 and 48 hours.

Respiratory Clinic practice manager Sarah Campbell said testing and vaccinations at the Deniliquin Clinic on George St will continue to be alternated in line with protocol.

She said the Deniliquin Clinic will have extra Pfizer doses available from 10am to 3pm on Saturday. She asked people to book ahead or they will not get a spot.

Residents are also encouraged to contact all vaccinating sites, such as General Practices, pharmacies and the Respiratory Clinic to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

The NSW Government announced yesterday the Pfizer vaccine is now eligible to anyone over the age of 12.

Moderna is also available for those aged 12 and older at pharmacies. AstraZeneca is available at all sites.

Phone 1800 831 099 to book at the MLHD testing clinic or the Respiratory Clinic at (03) 9087 9375.

More information on where to book for testing and vaccinations is on page 1.

Snap lockdown

Navorina Nursing Home and Orana Residential Aged Care have gone into temporary lockdown as a precautionary measure against the positive case of COVID-19 in the Edward River local government area.

The facilities will not accept visitors until the threat of COVID-19 in the community has satisfactorily passed.

Murrumbidgee Local Health District reported 100 per cent of its aged care staff are vaccinated against COVID-19.

Blue weekend

While the town is not abuzz with the usual Ute Muster noise this weekend, you might feel obliged to wear your blueys in honour of the decades old event.

Deniliquin Play on the Plains Ltd decided to hold a virtual muster and a ‘loudest ute’ competition to mark the event, even if it won’t be as big.

If you found yourself celebrating, send your pictures to zoe.mcmaugh@denipt.com.au.

Read the full story about this weekend’s virtual event on page 9.

In tribute to Big John

Moulamein columnist Ian ‘China’ Gibson has paid tribute to the late John Elliott this week.

The former Carlton Football Club president and former Federal Liberal president died Thursday last week, aged 79.

As China points out, ‘Big John’ was ‘‘part of our district for many years after he bought a farm called Woorima West, just east of Moulamein’’.

‘‘John spent a heap of money developing this farm under the guidance of his farm manager Mick Gatager. In those days, John was riding high and wherever John went, the cameras went,’’ China recalls.

‘‘Our Moulamein Race Club was in a bit of financial trouble at the time.

‘‘Due to the generosity of John sponsoring our race club for many years — as well as the steady guidance out of a sticky situation by then president, John Perignon — people started to come from miles around to be at our races because the TV cameras followed Big John’s adventures.

‘‘I can remember some of my campers saying after they saw him on TV, ‘why would we go to Birdsville when Moulamein Races are just up the road’.

‘‘They have been coming ever since and they will be back as soon as they are on again.’’

China’s property is near the one Elliot purchased, and the pair met a couple of times over the years.

‘‘He was a good neighbour to have across the creek, and all I can say with my couple of meetings with him is that he had a bloody good memory.

‘‘After his little muck up with Calton, I ran into him down the street and asked if he could get the John Elliot Stand signs that they took down so we could put them out at our race club. Unfortunately, nothing came of it.

‘‘Rest easy Big John and thank you for your time in Moulamein.’’

Sleep better

With daylight savings starting this Sunday, a Deakin University sleep expert has offered tips to help our bodies adjust to the time shift and get a good night's sleep.

Associate Professor Mark Stokes explained that our sleep-wake cycle takes a hit when the clocks change, leaving some people struggling to sleep.

Prof Stokes cautions that we should never underestimate the power of sleep.

‘‘We know it is during sleep when the brain consolidates learning from the day and sheds the unimportant experiences. It also allows your body to recover,’’ he said.

Here are the recommended ways to get a good night’s sleep:

Take a morning walk: exposure to as much morning light as early as possible repowers the body clock's rhythm and is important to maintaining stable strong sleep-wake cycles and enabling you to get the best sleep you can for your age.

Stick to a bedtime routine and no screens: parents can help children adjust by setting regular bedtimes and removing screens (TVs, computers, iPads, phones, game consoles).

Turning screens off should be done early in the evening. At dusk is the best time during daylight saving.

Have a nap: a 15-minute nap in the afternoon takes advantage of how our circadian rhythms are built — made of little, short rhythms all piled together.

Hailing on Mathoura

Wet weather hit the southern Riverina with an alternating set of assaults this week, and more is yet to come.

Between moments of humidity and chill in the air, lightning appeared on Tuesday evening and the rain has continued since.

At Mathoura, the bowls club even saw hail hit its courts. It certainly would have been a crunchy and soggy game for anyone who attempted to ‘play on’.