March 2009
Mannum, South Australia 5238
Issue number 33
Mid Murray Australia Day Awards Citizen of the Year
Young Citizen of the Year
Helen Griffiths
Brionie Hansford
H
elen’s commitment and passion in regards to our River and the need for planning and development to give due consideration to the River, including the Murray Darling Basin and its catchment areas, is to be commended. Helen engaged the community who were hurting severely, and through the Mannum Progress Association instigated a community rally on the steps of Parliament House on 1st August 2008, highlighting community concerns over the water level in our river. The amount of community support was astounding and has engendered a community pride and gave the community a voice that was not being recognised. It was a rally for the River Community by a River Community. Helen made a submission to the Senate Inquiry into Water Management in the Coorong and Lower Lakes, including consideration of the Emergency Water (Murray-Darling Basin Rescue) Bill 2008 where she voiced strongly the need for us to consider and care for the River environment. Helen addressed the Inquiry in September last year. All this at a time when her business and residential life were being affected by the drop in the water level. Yet, her commitment to the wider community remained unchanged and she still retains great hope for the future. Helen is co-owner and Captain of the Jester Cruises and is a true ambassador for the river. Guests who have been on the cruise commend Helen and her partner Jeff for their informative and fun hour and half cruise where River facts are relayed and any myths are dispelled. Helen is involved in the community with roles in the Mannum Rowing Club, Mannum Progress Association and Murraylands Regional Tourist Association. She also assisted in obtaining a potable water supply for the Purnong Road residents. We thank Helen for her commitment to the River and the wider Murraylands region.
B
rionie completed Year 12 at Mannum Community College in 2008. The Brionie has been involved in an extensive range of activities at the College. • Helping to cater for Mannum Community College fundraising dinners. • Vice-Captain for her house at the College in 2007 and 2008. • Won the Year 11 Academic Awards for Chemistry and English in 2007. • Won the Environmental Award in 2007. • Was a River Murray Youth Council member from 2006 to 2008. The Council is a youth based forum, where students from across the region meet monthly to discuss recent actions they have taken to improve the environment. As part of this group she went to Canberra in 2007 to partake in the Murray Darling Basin Commission International River Health Conference. • Organising a project at the College to encourage staff and students to save electricity. Brionie was a Climate Change Torch Relay participant and she received a Lions Australia Day Award in 2007, mainly for her community involvement in the 1956 Flood Celebrations. She is also a member of the Mannum Roos Netball Club where she helps to pack up and set up equipment, scoring and timing. Brionie’s community activites include being a member of the Mannum Tennis Club; a Committee member in 2007/08 and 2008/09 and Assistant Secretary in the above seasons. She is also the afternoon tennis team Manager this year and has helped out at Tennis club fundraisers. Congratulations Brionie. The awards were presented by Mid Murray Council Mayor Ian Mann, OAM. The text here is derived from the presentation speeches made at the 2009 Australia Day ceremony at the Mary Ann Reserve, Mannum. Editor.
Mannum Mag AGM Chairman’s Report
I
have much pleasure in presenting the inaugural Chairman’s Report for the Mannum Community Magazine Incorporated. As this is the first formal report of the Mannum Mag, I must take time to give credit to the work of Reverend Mann who instigated the formation of the local community magazine in Mannum. Those who knew Rod would understand his philosophy of ‘Community Ministry’ whereby opportunities were taken to unite the community through involvement in interest groups. It was in this context that we must give credit and thanks to Rod for placing us in our current position. Mannum Mag was incorporated during the year, thus bringing greater accountability and Contents Angie’s Cooking Tips Calendars & Dates
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Choristers Corner Church Services Classifieds
responsibility for the Executive Committee. Hence, this inaugural general meeting after three years of operation. Since its inception in April 2006, Mannum Mag has gone from 16 pages with 12 advertisers to a record 46 advertisers on 28 pages in April 2008. From information supplied by our Editor, the average number of advertisers has increased from 21 in 2006 to 34 in 2007 and to 42 in 2008. And, we must not lose sight of the fact that it is the advertisers who keep the issues coming. Their support is invaluable. The Print Room and facilities at the Showground have been made available to us at no cost and for this we are most grateful. This provides not only an 8 3 27
Editorial Letters Mannum Matters
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area in which to set up equipment for production of master pages for pr oof reading and pre-press but also for printing, collating and folding each month. We are extremely grateful for the services of the volunteer groups associated with the `Mag’. Continued, page 3
Police & Neighbourhood Watch 18 Out of this World 8
Geoff Skein, Chairman Mannum Mag
Puzzle Under the Toadstool
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