Rising river closes ramps
The Sloane St and Harfleur St boat ramps in Deniliquin have been closed due to rising river levels.
Edward River Council advised they would be closed ‘‘until further notice’’, with advice suggesting the river would continue to rise.
The Edward River at Deniliquin had started to recede, but an increase in releases from the Hume Dam have caused it to go up again.
At 9am Sunday the river was 3.49m and by 2pm yesterday it was 3.88 and listed as steady.
Minor flood level for the Edward River at Deniliquin is 4.6m.
Now is a good time to refresh your flood plans if you live on the river. For more information go to https:/ /www.ses.nsw.gov.au.
Queen of the channel
Legendary Australian marathon swimmer Chloe¨ McCardel has successfully completed her 44th swim of the English Channel — setting a new World Record.
She has been dubbed the new ‘Queen of the English Channel’.
McCardel coached our very own Brenda Norman, who successfully crossed the English Channel in 2018.
Norman completed the 40km swim in 11 hours and 53 minutes, becoming the first Deni resident to cross.
On McCardel’s 44th crossing, she set off from Dover, UK at 2pm AEDT (4am BST) on Wednesday and crossed the finish line to Cape Gris Nez, just after midnight AEDT (2pm BST).
Her record-breaking swim took her just over 10 hours — the official final swim time is currently under review by officials.
‘‘I am ecstatic, I have so much adrenaline and I am proud to finally be Queen of the English Channel. It feels like my Channel journey is complete after 12 years and it feels great,’’ she said after her swim.
‘‘Today, the conditions were very favourable and the sun even came out, which is rare for October in England. I was concerned my chest infection might affect my swim but I felt really good. Aside from some one-metre waves earlier, the last few hours were very flat so I got to just enjoy the swim and soak it all up.
‘‘I have had immense support back in Australia. I want to thank everyone across the country who has supported me. I hope to be an inspiration to anyone who wants to set big goals or is working hard to achieve things.’’
Easter fete
The St Michael’s Parish School fete’s reschedule date has been announced, after the event was unfortunately cancelled for the second year in a row due to COVID rules.
The fete is now set for April 2 next year and will incorporate an Easter theme.
The St Michael’s school P&F is excited to make the announcement and has asked residents to save the date for the longawaited return of one of its biggest events of the year.
Life-size creations
Some new stars are in the spotlight at the moment.
Local sculptor Stuart Taylor has completed an emu family after a few months’ work.
Two adult and three baby to-scale emus have been sculpted using metalwork.
You can see them at his work yard in Sloane St, Deniliquin before they head to Mudgee for an exhibition in November.
Devoted reader
A 92 year-old Deniliquin woman was featured on the front of the Riverine Grazier this week for her life-long interest in her hometown.
Connie Devlin (formerly Godley) has been reading the Grazier since she moved from Hay to Deniliquin at 20 years old.
She buys the paper at Deniliquin after pension day every fortnight.
The Grazier believes she may be the paper’s oldest reader, but we’re certain she’s the most devoted.
CanAssist raffle
Deniliquin Clay Target Club’s CanAssist Charity Shoot has been cancelled out of caution, but a fundraising raffle for the cancer assistance group is still being held.
Tickets are available at Betta Home Living Superstore in George St, Deniliquin for $1 a ticket or three for $2.
Proceeds donated to CanAssist help support people in the community receiving cancer treatment. Support is commonly in the form of fuel vouchers and help with bills.
Families needing assistance from Deniliquin CanAssist are invited to reach out to the local group, by calling 0455 097 676.
Two weeks to enter
Entries for the Reach Out And Relax and Intereach youth art competition close in just two weeks.
The competition asks young people aged 12-18 to submit a creative project by October 31 for the chance to win one of four $150 vouchers for Art Supplies Australia or a Teen Gift Card.
Categories are open for most creative, unique, thoughtful and technical work and will be judged by ROAR, Intereach, an artist and a young person.
The competition asks young people ‘‘how do you tune in?’’ when being creative.
The reason behind the competition is to promote mindfulness and mental health in the Southern Riverina.
Works will be shared and displayed on Intereach’s Facebook page. Submit one piece to roar@intereach.com.au to enter.
50,000 doses
Murrumbidgee Local Health District COVID-19 coordinator Emma Field has announced that MLHD administered its 50,000th dose of a COVID-19 vaccine on Wednesday.
‘‘Today is a really big day for us,’’ she said.
‘‘We have a lovely gentleman in there who’s just received the 50,000th jab.
‘‘So that's a lot of vaccinations in that time, since beginning in March,’’ Ms Field said.
She added now that the MLHD’s vaccination rate is at the ‘‘pointy end’’ of its goal, it would be focusing on areas with low vaccination rates such as Edward River local government area and Junee Shire LGA.