New CEO shares birthday with community

Dec 24, 2024

Deniliquin’s Jack Bond had a big week last week.

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On Wednesday, it was announced he would join Edward River Council from the end of January as its new permanent CEO.

He is believed to be the very first home-grown leader for the local council, including pre-merger when it was Deniliquin Council.

Two days later, Jack celebrated his birthday.

And he did so, in part, with the community.

Jack attended the Edward River Community Christmas Party and Rotary Carols by Candlelight on Friday with his family - including wife Lauren and their children - as he has done many times before.

It was Mayor Ashley Hall who revealed it was his birthday when, during his opening address, he invited Jack to come forward and say a few words.

Ducks relocate for party

So where do our resident ducks go when the Deniliquin Waring Gardens is overrun with community members?

Well, on Friday night a vast majority of them headed straight for the highway ... literally.

Drivers had to navigate a larger than normal flock of ducks on Hardinge St while the Edward River Community Christmas Party and Rotary Carols by Candlelight took place.

Instead of taking refuge in one of the other lagoon parks, it seems they all realised there was access to food dropped from trucks bringing grain through town.

No bin days missed

It’s a common question asked every Christmas - what day will my bins be collected?

Well, the team at Edward River Council will be working throughout the festive period to make sure nothing changes for you.

That means bin collections on Christmas Day for some.

“Garbage collection will continue as usual, including on public holidays,” Council said.

“Please place your bins out the night prior to collection, as the pickup service will run earlier that usual over the Christmas/New Year period.”

There will also be no change to kerbside bin collection days for residents in Murray River Council.

Health service extension

Following from last week’s article about health services while GP clinics are closed for Christmas and New Year, locals have been given extended access to telehealth services.

The GP After-Hours Telehealth service is available for free to people in the Edward River, Berrigan Shire and Murrumbidgee local government areas.

Regular hours are 6pm to 10pm weeknights and noon to 4pm on weekends and public holidays.

On Christmas Day, the service’s hours will be extended to be from 5pm to 11pm.

On Boxing Day, community members can access the service at any time between 8am and 8pm for medical advice.

After a call to the service, funded by the Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network through the Federal PHN Program, you will be triaged by a nurse and then connected with a doctor if necessary.

To access the service, call 1800 272 767.

In an emergency, please call 000.