This year, there were highs and lows across the district. The Courier was there to capture the best and the worst of it all.
Wednesday, January 3
The Katamatite Rodeo looked set to return the following week, while former Cobram resident James Parr won the GQ model of the year title for his work modelling for fashion brands like Boss and Calvin Klein. Kebab Kingz opened on Punt Rd earlier in December 2023. Father John Corcoran was gifted an orange Mitsubishi ASX GSR by De Maria Motors at his retirement bash earlier in December.
Year 6 students at Cobram Anglican Grammar School celebrated their next step to secondary school. Moira Shire Council received a state government grant of up to $130,000 to improve road safety.
In sport, Katamatite export Sam Wright was appointed to coach the Collingwood women’s team in the AFLW.
Wednesday, January 10
Locals beat the summer heat with a dip in the Murray. Charlie Holt celebrated his 100th birthday with his 13 grandchildren at the Sporties Club. The Cobram Youth Shop was hit by vandals, with walls damaged and some equipment destroyed. A 14-year-old Cobram boy was charged for allegedly assaulting Santa Claus on Saturday, December 23.
Meanwhile, in sport, the Katamatite Rodeo was declared a huge success, while the fixture for the Picola and District Football Netball League was released. Barooga trumped Cobram in round 10 of the Murray Valley Cricket Association, while Finley fell to Katamatite.
Wednesday, January 17
Barooga local Daniella ‘Dela’ Gargaro, who lives with cerebral palsy, prepared to summit Mt Kosciuszko. Cobram narrowly avoided the flooding that hit neighbouring towns like Rochester. Cobram Community House’s Chatty Cafe was set to reopen on January 25. Police appealed for information regarding a man seen allegedly wielding a knife in Cobram earlier in the month. The Courier asked its Facebook followers whether Australia Day should be moved to another date or not.
In sport, Cobram trounced rivals Deniliquin in round 11 of the Murray Valley Cricket Association, posting 6-231 ahead of the Rhinos’ 10-57. Women in Turf volunteers took to the greens at the Cobram Barooga Golf Club as the Webex Player Series Murray River tournament loomed.
Wednesday, January 24
The Tocumwal Railway Heritage Museum celebrated the history of railways during World War II. Cobram and district geared up to mark Australia Day. Justin Sullivan stepped into the role of NCN Health chief executive officer on an interim basis after Jacque Phillips resigned. Bedecked in AC/DC shirts and the national flag, a group of protestors assembled outside Cobram Woolworths, demanding to know why the supermarket chain no longer stocked Australia Day products.
At least 120 local youngsters learned water safety skills at Thompsons Beach as part of Moira Shire Council’s Bush Nippers Program. Staff at NCN Health and residents prepared to raise funds for the Australian charity, Love Your Sister, in April.
In sport, 14-year-old Cameron Sneddon topped the junior male category at the Albury-Wodonga Triathlon Club mini-triathlon on January 14. In A-Grade cricket, Cobram fell to their Katamatite guests, with Kepler Lukies tucking away seven wickets from the riverside rivals.
Wednesday, January 31
Cobram arts group Arts for All set its eyes on placing a mural on the walls of the amenities block in Mivo Park. Moira Shire Council administrator Suzanna Sheed was recognised for her services to Victoria as a Member of the Order of Australia (OAM), alongside Cobram volunteer Heather Barrie.
A quartet of CSC students in Cooper Adkins, Jayden Woodhead, Ethan Brooks and Imogen Brooks competed in the Cows Create Careers dairy race. The Cobram and District Toy Library relocated to the old train station office in Cobram’s Federation Park. Fourteen of Australia’s newest citizens from around the world were inducted at the Cobram Civic Centre as part of the shire’s Australia Day activities.
In sport, Katamatite Tigers appointed former Mulwala forward Dylan Flanagan as assistant coach alongside James Hazelman, who was named head coach for the 2024 season. The Numurkah Lawn Tennis Club marked its 93rd Annual Tennis Tournament over the weekend. Katamatite cricket prospect Kepler Lukies helped his Northern Rivers outfit cruise to victory in the final of the Victorian Country Cricket League under-18 competition.
Wednesday, February 7
Resident Marj Gow appealed for assistance after leaving a box of family heirlooms at PALS Op Shop in Cobram. Junior students marked their first day of school across the district. The CFA called for entries in the annual CFA/VFBV State Firefighter Championships at Mooroopna Recreation Reserve. Swashbuckling author Susea Spray prepared to visit the Cobram library the following week. Residents at Cobram’s Irving House welcomed a visit by Diego and Pedro the miniature donkeys, while in sport, the Australian Beach Volleyball Tour arrived at Thompsons Beach for the Cobram Barooga Classic.
Wednesday, February 14
Cobram Community House marked its inaugural Garden to Plate seasonal cooking class, while Cobram Anglican Grammar School welcomed the newest addition to its staff in Yarrawonga local Georgia Nicholson. Cobram’s Florist and Gifts owner Jackyn Tickell prepared for Valentine’s Day. The 2023 Year 12 cohort celebrated its graduation. Meanwhile, Angela Peris spoke to The Courier of her plans to open a glamping retreat near Berrigan.
In sport, Barooga Football Netball Club called for expressions of interests from women considering playing the national code. Meanwhile, the Cobram Barooga Classic junior volleyball competition saw young stars travel from across the nation to go head-to-head.
Wednesday, February 21
After 55 years of service, co-owner of the Barooga Post Office, Max Steward, welcomed his retirement. Elsewhere, the community banded together with local SES units to repair storm damage to buildings like the Historical Society Log Cabin. At least 32 CFA units battled a blaze outside Koonoomoo.
Meanwhile, Cobram resident Marj Gow had her box of missing jewellery returned to her by another resident. Several kindergartens across the district, including Trikki Kidz Cobram, received $6000 in grant funding from the Victorian Government for their bush kinder programs. Matthew Morgan was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of Moira Shire Council for a full-time term of four years.
In sport, Cobram Secondary College students Paulie Degei, Alex Krause and Codi Bowden were selected for the Murray Bushrangers Football Club.
Wednesday, February 28
Local barber Frank Gattuso reflected on 50 years of time in his trade. Cobram locals Mitch Heaton, Jai Draper and Teresa Jarred signed up to the SES Cobram unit. Moira Shire geared up for a concert by Kyabram-born soprano Charlottee Goode. Meanwhile, Cobram Highway Patrol sergeant Bill Dockrey spoke out over the number of road fatalities during 2023, one of the worst years on record for road trauma in the region. New school captains were announced at Strathmerton Primary School.
Wednesday, March 6
Cobram’s Hungie Fangs Bakery took out six awards at the Victorian Baking Show, while the Cobram Men’s Shed showed its support for the Love Your Sister gala to be held in April by crafting 36 candleholders. Some readers of The Courier railed against plans by Moira Shire Council to change its bin collection roster under state government requirements. Twelve CFA units responded to a grass and scrub fire outside Katamatite on February 29. Elsewhere, the Rotary Club of Numurkah prepared to host the 44th annual Arts and Craft Exhibition at the Numurkah Town Hall in March. Meanwhile, OAM members were honoured by administrators at a meeting of Moira Shire Council administrators.
In sport, Yarrawonga local Nikita Carroll prepared to take to the water in the Paddle NSW Marathon State Championships in Canberra later in the week. Cobram A-Grade severed Nathalia’s winning streak to take the win in the semi-final of the Murray Valley Cricket Association.
Wednesday, March 13
In Katamatite, the Boosey Creek Tavern reopened as the Boosey Creek Tavern and Tin Shed Bistro under new owners Shane Cridland and Jamie Noonan. Women from across the shire celebrated International Women’s Day with films and scones, and Dutch Thunder Wildlife Rescue ran a successful Clean-Up Australia Day event along River Rd in Cobram.
Cobram Secondary College prepared to open its in-house childcare centre. Meanwhile, Cobram’s Ben Coghill and Jacob Hore were inducted as recruits as part of CitiPower’s and Powercor’s largest intake of apprenticeships in a decade. Young science teacher at Cobram Seocndary College, George Allen, received the 2023 Public Education Foundation’s Teachers Health Early Career Scholarship. Alarm bells rang over numbers in the Cobram Agricultural Socety’s committee.
In sport, Cobram took home the flag in the grand final of the Murray Valley Cricket Association, beating rival Barooga 9-219 to their NSW counterpart’s 10-56. Meanwhile, Cobram Lawn Bowls Club member Kerry Baldacchino strapped up to represent the Murray and Goulburn Murray areas at the Victorian State Championships in April.
Wednesday, March 20
Volunteers and staff assembled at the SES Cobram unit to take part in the Women in Rescue Day on Saturday, March 16. The second Baala Creek Festival went off with a bang in Numurkah, while Andrew Maclean opened up about plans for Nathalia’s first Cars and Coffee event to be held later in April. Close friends Erin Higgins and Julie Cameron organised a Melanoma March to be held at Kennedy Park in Cobram later in the month.
In sport, local swimmer Meriam Nelson notched a place at the School Sport Victoria State Swimming Championships, to be held in April. Meanwhile, kayaker Nikita Carroll took home gold at the Paddle NSW Marathon State Championships in Canberra earlier in the month, beating her personal best time in the three-kilometre short course event. While the Cobram Roar’s division one men’s side started its season by drawing 2-2 with Albury-Wodonga, the women’s side fell 3-0 to the Hotspurs.
Wednesday, March 27
At the recent CFA/VFBV State Firefighter Championships at Mooroopna Reserve, two Strathmerton teams competed under the eye of firefighting veteran Bill Logie. Meanwhile, the new NCN Health Cobram Urgent Care Centre prepared to open later in the week. At the same time, Cobram Anglican Grammar School announced a new trade centre was on its way to the school grounds. The Melanoma March was declared a success, with over $11,000 raised to support cancer research.
In sport, Lauren Sneddon prepared to compete at the Target Rifle Australia National Championships in the junior division in Brisbane over Easter. Meanwhile, Cobram Roar’s division one women’s side went down 1-0 to Melrose FC, while the men drew neck and neck with their Melrose FC counterparts 4-4.
Wednesday, April 3
Locals flocked from far and wide to drink in the sights at the Easter River Beaches Festival over the festive weekend. The CFA Cobram Unit raised $10,772 during its Good Friday Appeal, while Cobram photographer Jawid Iqbal Anwar shared his story with The Courier. Arts for All teamed up with the Cobram Men’s Shed to craft larger-than-life Easter bunnies using recycled timber.
In sport, students Kasey Caldow and Emily Stone competed in The Scots School Albury Equestrian Interschool Challenge 2024. Round one of the Murray Netball League took off, with Cobram snatching the win by 13 points over its Barooga counterpart. Meanwhile, in the footy, the Tigers secured a 47-point win over Barooga in the first round of the season. The Cobram Football Club held its 1974 and 1984 premiership reunions, with the event deemed a success by organisers.
Wednesday, April 10
The question of a 24-hour police station in Cobram was raised by residents concerned over crime in the community. The Cobram community celebrated Cultural Diversity Week in style at St Joseph’s Catholic Church. Meanwhile, a 44-year-old man was charged for allegedly lighting more than 30 fires in bushland near Ulupna Island at Barmah National Park. Jim Sutton made the most of his golden years to restore a beloved Massey-Harris 744 tractor. The NCN Health Cobram Urgent Care Centre opened on Wednesday, March 27.
In sport, Koonoomoo handyman William Hoyle took home two gold medals at the Sydney Royal Easter Show Woodchopping Competition. The Cobram division one women’s team gave Wodonga a tough welcome to division one soccer with a 7-0 victory.
Wednesday, April 17
Fifteen-year-old Cobram student Emily Davies couldn’t wait to return home to volunteer at Irvin House. Cobram resident and veteran Robert Brown reflected on his time serving in the Vietnam War following his conscription in 1965. Owner of The Paddock at Ulupna Island, John Hall, found himself in the midst of the fray on Easter Saturday after at least 30 fires were allegedly lit nearby.
In sport, the inaugural Move Moira Get Active kicked off to enable greater access to skateboarding for those with a disability.
Wednesday, April 24
The Cobram Civic Centre hosted the second Moira Shire Achiever Awards, where Tungamah resident Debbie Hayes received the Moira Shire Star Achiever of the Year Award. The Cobram Social Sequence Dancing group called for expressions of interest. The Koonoomoo Big Strawberry took on a new look for a good cause. Cobram Secondary College hosted its annual ANZAC ceremony. Moira Shire Council administrator Suzanna Sheed was appointed chair of the Goulburn Valley Libraries board. The main street of Nathalia was the scene of the inaugural Cars and Coffee event. The community reflected on the 12 months following a horror collision at the Murray Valley Hwy-Labuan Rd intersection.
The Roar women took down rivals Twin City at Wodonga 3-0, while the division one men secured a 4-1 victory over their Twin City counterparts. In the netball, Cobram fell to southern rivals Congupna 52-22.
Wednesday, May 1
A man faced court after a woman was found dead in her Cobram home in April. Cobram and district remembered the fallen on Anzac Day. Rick and Ben Ramadge finished their mammoth cycle from Melbourne to Cobram as part of their efforts to raise money and awareness of breast cancer.
Barooga’s Youth Girls squad took an impressive win over their Nathalia counterparts, leaving no doubt as to their club’s prospects. Katamatite, Picola United and Strathmerton enjoyed wins across round five of the Picola and District Football League.
Wednesday, May 8
In preparation for Mother’s Day, Melissa Crisafulli offered an array of gifts and special meals. National Road Safety Week kicked off across Victoria, while community members spoke and marched in Cobram’s Federation Park against gender-based violence. A man from Benalla was airlifted to Melbourne following a collision at the intersection of Cobram-South and Benalla-Tocumwal Rds. The Cobram and District Toy Library opened doors at its new location at Cobram’s Federation Park.
In sport, Barooga’s Casey Chandler went undefeated at the Gold Australia Victorian Women’s Division One Pennant in Melbourne.
Wednesday, May 15
Cobram SES Unit’s Luke Herezo steps up to the unit controller role. Police investigated a string of burglaries in Cobram and Numurkah earlier in the month. Ambience Bakery backed local volunteers during National Volunteer Week. Students from across the district tried their hands at clay target shooting.
In sport, both Cobram and Barooga fell to their opponents in the netball, while Moama trumped Barooga and Cobram felt defeat at the hands of Deniliquin.
Wednesday, May 22
The Cobram and District Garden Club celebrated its 30th birthday with flowers and cake, while the CG&C Group welcomed some new kit in a robotic Zeman steel beam assembler. The $1.5m light show, Bullanginya Dreaming, opened on May 24.
In round seven of the Murray Football League, Cobram secured a 26-point win over its Tongala opponents, while Barooga tasted victory against Echuca.
Wednesday, May 29
The Bullanginya Dreaming Light Show opened. New citizens were officially welcomed at an Australia Day ceremony at Cobram Civic Centre. Residents united with State Member for Shepparton Kim O’Keeffe to raise concerns over the condition of Lake Numurkah.
In sport, Cobram cycling legend Raymond Jarratt was recognised by Australian Cycling for his service and achievements in competitive cycling.
Wednesday, June 5
Local woman Taylor Chisholm spoke up about her struggle to secure affordable housing for herself and her family. Thomas Harkins passed away, leaving behind his beloved family and an immigrant success story. A Strathmerton farmer was shocked to find one his cows had given birth to a two-headed calf. John Tanner stepped down as Moira Shire Council chief executive officer, while five locals were recognised for their volunteering efforts during Volunteer Week celebrations.
In sport, the Cobram Roar trounced St Pats 8-0, while the Tigers edged into the top four on the Murray Football League ladder with a win over Rumbalara.
Wednesday, June 12
Malcolm Bruce Padgett received the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his fundraising work for bowel cancer research. Award-winning Cobram author Clancy Tucker prepared to release his latest novel in the ‘Kick Ass Tyler’ series, Team Skippy. Dr Mark Ashcroft was appointed CEO of NCN Health.
Wednesday, June 19
Kindergarteners at Bluebird Kindergarten Cobram answered the call of the wild at Thompsons Beach. Community River Arts launched with a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party at the Barooga Community Hall. The junction of Labuan Rd and the Goulburn Valley Hwy was allocated $870,000 by the Federal Government for safety upgrades.
In sport, the Cobram Roarettes toppled Twin City 6-0 while their division one men counterparts suffered defeat.
Wednesday, June 26
Theatre services at NCN Health were transferred from Cobram to the Numurkah campus. Seven people were charged after a brawl broke out in the early morning outside a business in Katamatite. Cobram farmer Raymond Bauer was shocked to excavate a 17kg sweet potato from his vegetable patch.
In sport, the Cobram Tigers notched a one-point win over reigning premier Mulwala.