The NSW SES Tocumwal unit has a new flood boat, which will help improve their response to emergencies on the water.
Through lots of conversation and liaison with the NSW SES Zone Commander, the unit has had one of its two boats replaced and now has a flat bottom punt to utilise for search and rescue missions.
Unit Commander Justin Greatorex explained that this boat would come in handy particularly at times when the Murray River is in flood.
It is in very versatile and can travel through quite low water to access farms and parts of the community that are cut off during flood times.
The punt will make these areas more easily accessible, particularly for welfare checks and the resupply of fuel and food.
“This is fantastic for our town,” Commander Greatorex said.
“It’s a very exciting new asset, and it is great to get this kind of equipment to better service our community.”
Unlike most volunteer organisations, the NSW SES is not required to fundraise for equipment and expect its second V-nose boat to be replaced within this financial year, if not the next.
The service utilises a rescue truck that is only two years old and is grateful to have this new equipment available to service the community.
Tocumwal SES unit is always on the hunt for people to join its crew of volunteers. If you lack experience, the SES will provide you with all the training you require to gain the knowledge you need.
Tocumwal SES trains at 7.30pm on Mondays at the station at 1-3 Jerilderie St on a fortnightly basis, and train in Cobram on alternate weeks.
Their members are scattered around the Berrigan Shire, and all are welcome to join and participate in these training sessions or attend for a look and to see what being a member of the SES is all about.
For more information, go to https://www.ses.nsw.gov.au/get-involved/volunteer/ or attend a training session.
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Last Friday, students from the Tocumwal Public School Student Representative Council (SRC) kicked off a fantastic new initiative by starting the collection of empty cans from canteen orders.
This program is all about promoting healthy environmental habits at school.
The SRC students will be diligently collecting the cans, which will then be taken to the depot for a refund of 10 cents each.
Alongside this program, TPS students will also be collecting the pull tabs from the cans for a project centred on prosthetic limb design and creation.
The tabs from the cans are especially needed for this purpose.
If anyone in the community would like to get involved, save the tabs from any cans and take them into the school office.
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This is the last week to support the Tocumwal Public School bakery fundraiser with pre-orders for family sized pies and sweets from Macdermids Bakery closing on Wednesday, August 28.
Order forms can be collected from the school office, and you will be contacted by the bakery with the time and date your order will be ready.
Pick up will be from Tuesday, September 3 to Thursday, September 5, before 3.30pm.
These family sized pies and sweets are delicious and can be frozen to use at a later date.
All profits from this fundraiser go to the Tocumwal Public School P&C Committee and support is appreciated.
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Congratulations to Club Tocumwal member, Aaron Dale, who has been named as part of the team to represent the district at the upcoming Country Teams event.
This will be played at The Sands Torquay and Portarlington Golf Club from Monday, September 30 to Wednesday, October 2.
Congratulations Aaron!
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The Tocumwal War Memorial Hall Committee of Management has recently announced the successful completion of the hall's facade refurbishment.
To commemorate this significant milestone, the committee hosted an evening of appreciation to honour the community organisations and businesses that made the project possible.
The refurbishment was made possible through funding from the Department of Veteran Affairs Community War Memorials Fund, Rotary Club of Tocumwal, Tocumwal Optimists Club, and Tocumwal Community Op Shop.
Cardillo Constructions generously contributed materials and labour for the step tiling, while numerous other businesses and tradespeople provided essential in-kind assistance and expertise.
Special guests at the appreciation event included Mayor Julia Cornwell-McKean and Cr Ted Hatty from Berrigan Shire Council.
The event offered a meaningful opportunity to express gratitude and acknowledge the collective effort of all contributors.
The Tocumwal War Memorial Hall has long been a cornerstone of the community, hosting a wide range of events and activities that enrich the cultural and social fabric of the area.
"We were thrilled to celebrate this achievement with everyone who contributed," said Colin Jones, the chair of the Tocumwal War Memorial Hall Committee of Management.
"This refurbishment not only enhances the hall's appearance but also reaffirms our community's commitment to preserving this vital local landmark."
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The following has been contributed by Julie Stava, under the title ‘Everything old is new again’.
Remember the 1990s and early 2000s when every country town to fill their event calendar would have a craft fair during the winter months?
Fast forward to 2024, not only has the event name and concept changed but Tocumwal has introduced artisans and crafters that are backyard creators and inventors.
Incorporating the values of reduce, recycle and reuse, Barooga's Rob Hamilton is Vintage Wood'n That, and he is extremely accomplished at all of those.
Rob is very well known for his creativity along both sides of the border going back for many years to the 1980s.
He is so well admired for his use of second-hand materials and residents often donate materials to Rob that would have previously taken to the tip.
The Local Artisan Creativity Expo has several stallholders who follow similar thinking.
Join the Finley Regional Care Auxiliary at their inaugural Local Artisan & Creativity Expo on this Sunday, between 10am and 3pm at the Memorial Hall in Murray St, Finley.
Entry is a gold coin donation with a light lunch and morning tea available for $10 per person, as well as a committee raffle and plant trading table.
All proceeds go back to the residents of Finley Regional Care, one of the highest quality vital aged care facilities in the region.
Stallholders from around the region are of the highest quality, handmade in the make it, bake it, grow it, sew it tradition.
There are more than 35 stallholders including artwork, jewellery, children's clothing, fresh flowers, ceramics and pottery, tin and woodwork, leather work, herbal teas, candles, garden art plus much more.
Take a Sunday day trip to Finley and enjoy an extraordinary event.
This event is all part of a big weekend for the Finley community and 120 year anniversary of Finley’s School of Arts.
On Friday, the Finley Dance Group will host a masquerade ball in the School of Arts hall, and on Saturday there will be an open day in the hall with memorabilia display and refreshments.
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If you have something of interest for inclusion in the ‘Tocumwal Tells’ column or are celebrating a special event, send an email to leonie.smith1725@gmail.com or call on 0432 261 296.