Permit burns are occurring in large numbers across the Riverina region, prompting some timely reminders from local firefighters.
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The Mid Murray Rural Fire Service received three fire calls relating to permit burns on Wednesday.
Two were alerting firefighters to registered burns which were adequately maintained.
The third, at Myrtle Park, had broken containment lines and escaped into nearby trees.
By the time firefighters pulled the fire up it had burned between eight and nine hectares.
RFS firefighters were also called to a paddock fire in Tullakool, believed to have been started by a hot exhaust in grass.
It was extinguished after burning between four and five hectares.
Mid Murray Zone district officer John Temlett said because of the “odd weather” in the region, it was timely to remind landholders to monitor conditions and the requirements of their permits.
He said permit burns should be abandoned if the weather is expected to become extremely hot or windy, and reminded landholders it is a requirement that the fire is monitored at all times.
If you see an unattended fire in the region, call 000 immediately.
Anti-vape poster campaign
Murrumbidgee Local Health District is running a poster competition for high school-aged students to develop and promote e-cigarette (vape) prevention messages.
All high school students living and attending a high school in the MLHD region are invited to submit a poster.
It should highlight the health impacts of vaping and/or ways to get support to become and stay vape free.
The competition will run in term one only and offers an opportunity for young people to make positive changes in their own lives and the voice to make an impact on their peers and school communities across MLHD.
Entries close April 12. For full details and to enter, go to msnswlhd.snapforms.com.au/form/mlhd---vaping-poster-competition.
Perin opens up
Deniliquin-based Senator Perin Davey has continued to field questions this week about accusations she was inebriated at a Senate Estimtes hearing last week.
Senator Davey has admitted to having two glasses of wine during The Nationals staff drinks before attending the evening meeting, which ended a 14-hour day.
In an interview with 2BS Bathurst, Perin shared a very personal health experience from 2019 which she says also affects her speech at times.
“I jumped on a plane in Melbourne with a sore throat and I got off a plane in Germany. Basically my face and my neck and my shoulder met,” Perin admitted to host Dusty Fitzpatrick.
“I had an abscess behind the tonsils that had completely erupted and gone through my facial muscles and tissue in my throat muscles and, I had to have two lots of emergency surgery. I had full blown sepsis, and I was in the hospital for 11 days and kind of lost count of the amount of antibiotic transfusions I had.
“And they did say at the time, they asked me what my job was and I was in campaign mode at the time, I said I wanted to be a politician.
“They warned me that it will impact my speech. But, I've been very conscious of it ever since and I've always thought I've managed it very well.
“Although I acknowledge when I'm tired or if I've had a glass of wine, or if I'm stressed my throat catches, sometimes a bit of mucus will fall down my throat and I'll have a coughing fit, sometimes I slur words.
“It's something that I've never talked about because I've always thought it's personal.”
STEM challenge
Young women interested in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) are invited to participate in the 2024 STEM Cover Girl Challenge and Girls’ Day Out from March 3 to 10.
The program is intended to empower girls aged 10 to 14 to discover possibilities in the STEM field.
The program has been organised to coincide with International Women’s Day 2024, which has the theme ‘Count Her In’.
Just by completing challenges, young women have the chance to be selected as the STEM cover girl.
Tickets for the online event are free thanks to sponsorship.
Registration is via Eventbrite, or go to gdostem.com.au to learn more.
Trains derailed ... for now
Locals who catch public transport between Echuca and other regional centres and cities are advised that trains will be replaced by coaches until Sunday, March 3, 2024.
Department of Transport and Planning spokesperson Andrew Crook advised to add 60 minutes to your journey, especially if you need to connect to other services.
“There is work replacing an entire bridge with a concrete Box culvert between Bendigo and Swan Hill, and scheduled works to other bridges along the route,” he said.
“There are station upgrades closer to the city at four stations, Bendigo, Clarkefield, Riddells Creek, and Woodend, that are going to be carried out while the trains are not running.
“Like last week for the Taylor Swift concert, an extra coach will leave Southern Cross on Friday night for Pink concert-goers travelling through to Bendigo.”
All V/Line services leaving from Echuca are scheduled to leave the town as per the current timetable.
For anyone wanting to check the details and times, a temporary coach timetable is available for download on the PTV and V/Line websites.
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