Thursday, June 10, 2021 Print Post approved – 100003237 $1.70 inc GST Sport from Regional the regions roundup From page 12 pages 6 & 7 Health Water is lifeblood turmoil in MIA Nicholas Rupolo organiser Mick Grayson said HEALTH Services Union paramedics regional paramedics were at a across the Riverina will only attend significant disadvantage from lower to serious emergencies today pay and costly work practices. following NSW Treasurer Dominic Mr Grayson said regional staff Perrottet’s wage increase offer the had paid for their own professional union describes as “humiliating and development, registration fees and insulting”. working with children checks. A 24-hour strike today (June “And the government basically 10) will see paramedics only treat refuses to pass on meagre 2.5 per cent “the most urgent, life threatening pay rise,” he said. “Queensland and emergencies” in an attempt to force ACT paramedics are approximately the hand of the government. $200 a week better off than NSW This industrial action has been paramedics. Specifically in the taken by workers and the union after Riverina, paramedic numbers are they were offered a 0.3 per cent pay the lowest of the major states, the increase in 2020 and a 1.5 per cent Riverina has the lowest paramedic increase in 2021. to community ratios, they work The union says it is a low-ball harder for less.” offer considering the government’s A major concern for paramedics budget accounts for inflation at and the HSU is the low wage offers 2.2 per cent. paired with rising average increases Following the freezing of public in the cost of living. sector wages, the union says The latest Australian Bureau of paramedics deserve better than Statistics cost of living analysis from Murrumbidgee Irrigation staff member Bryan Salvestro captured wildlife on Brays Dam near Darlington what is being offered. 2009 to 2019 showed the “overall Point. Murrumbidgee Irrigation’s “What water means to the MIA” photography competition drew nearly Health Services Union Riverina continued on page 3 100 entrants and celebrated the value of water in all its forms around the region. Fog then sunny Patients benefit MAX: 13°C MIN: 3°C FRI SAT SUN MON TUES from equipment 15°C 15°C 16°C 16°C 17°C NARRANDERA Hospital has Auxiliary members 0°C 4°C 5°C 4°C 4°C received valuable patient care hand over the new - - - - 1-5mm equipment generously donated patient transfer board by the Narrandera Hospital at Narrandera Hospital. Auxiliary. Photo supplied. The hard-working Hospital June – 6.4mm Auxiliary committee fundraise throughout the year and pass on 2021 total – 253.6mm all donations gifted to them to lack the ability to use both arms buy equipment for Narrandera for a usual Walker. Hospital, so any money raised Leanne Ivanoff, Sewfab, locally or donated in and around donated labels to be applied to Narrandera Argus the town stays local. mark the goods as property of The Auxiliary took some time Narrandera Hospital. out from fundraising last week to ”Our staff always have a wish ENQUIRIES present the Hospital with their list of items we’d like to purchase Phone 6959 2222 latest piece of equipment. that will make our jobs easier or “The Auxiliary has donated safer or will make our patients 167 East Street, Narrandera a patient transfer board with weight,” acting facility manager The auxiliary also provided the more comfortable,” Ms Williams or PO Box 5, Narrandera NSW 2700 inbuilt scales to weigh patients Kate Williams said. hospital with Equagel pressure said. and measure their height whilst “This is a valuable tool as some relieving cushions for pressure “Donations allow us to www.narranderaargus.com.au they are bed bound, a valuable medications are administered area care and a one handed purchase things off our wish tool when some medications depending on the patients Wheelie Walker for patients who list sooner than we would have or find us on Facebook are administered depending on weight.” have had upper limb surgery or otherwise.” NEWS ROOM Managing Editor Liz Lawrence Happy ending for Luna and Asith [email protected] Rustty Lake-Connolly JUST recently a friend of mine called Asith Journalist Pieris arrived at his Sturt Street home Kim Woods in Narrandera to find his best friend and [email protected] companion, Luna, was nowhere to be seen. Luna is a female Neopolitan Mastiff cross who was gifted to Asith by some kind people in Sydney as a loyal friend to share his new ACCOUNTS life within rural Australia. Asith is a refugee from Sri Lanka and Luna Administration Manager meant everything to him. Debbie Bock When he rang me, he was devastated but I knew with the help of the good people in [email protected] this town we had hope. Firstly, we talked to the neighbours and looked for home security cameras in the ADVERTISING immediate vicinity. We gave all Luna’s details to the ranger Brian Payne and we put a carefully worded post on the I [email protected] live in Narrandera social media page. This is or [email protected] how it panned out. Day one and no news about Luna. There were plenty of well wishers and Phone 6959 2222 shares but no sightings. In my post I mentioned Fax 6959 2256 she was booked in for surgery, hoping the thought of a vet bill would make anyone who had her think twice and bring Luna home. It was now 24 hours since she disappeared Luna with her owner Asith Pieris at home in Narrandera. Photo: Rustty Lake-Connolly LETTERS TO THE EDITOR and I knew she wasn’t running the streets as To submit a letter to the editor: I would have had a phone call by now. alarm. The dog was a male and the owner Two hours later we receive a phone call > mail to PO Box 5, Narrandera NSW 2700 I decided to post a different photo of Luna was nice about the whole situation. from the police to say Luna was safe and and this time the response was amazing. We put up another post using the words well, ready to return to her relieved owner. > deliver in person to 167 East Street, Day two and my phone started to ring hot. “stolen and reward”. On day three we heard The response to Luna’s abduction has Narrandera The best lead we got was from a couple who about a local lady who was suspicious of a been incredible and many thanks to the local > email: [email protected] had been walking past a local dwelling and person seen with a belt around a dog’s neck. people who helped get Luna home. We now had an area in town where Luna A special thanks to the local police Letters to the editor should be no more than saw a dog who looked the same. The local police were helpful after seeing could possibly be. Later that day we received officers who were only too willing to help 500 words and, if not emailed, clearly and neatly the post themselves. They accompanied us an address and the police were willing to us recover Luna and give this story a happy written. to the address but it turned out to be a false check this new information. ending. Correspondents should include their full name and address as well as a contact phone number. Letters may be edited. Opinions expressed in this section of the New choir aims to Tips on platypus newspaper are not necessarily the views of the Narrandera Argus management and staff. be biggest in area and tree planting THE nation’s first regional With “Last week we had about 10 PRACTICAL tips on how Kathie Le Busque, ANU One Voice choir at Narrandera people, which was a really good to improve local creeks to Sustainable Farms, will speak Narrandera Argus will have a practice session on start and we would like to grow encourage platypus will be on enhancing farm dams with Tuesday, June 15 at the CRC it to be the biggest choir in the held at the Palladium Theatre, plantings. This will be followed by VOLUME 140, No 22 Church from 6.30pm. Riverina. Morundah, on June 16. a sunrise walk around “Tarabah”, With One Choir Riverina “We would like people The talk from 6pm will Morundah, at 7.15am on June 17 CONTACT: coordinator Tracey Lewis said from all over the Riverina to be hosted by Murrumbidgee for a chance to spot the elusive the choir catered for people aged join us. Landcare, YACTAC, NSW Local platypus followed by breakfast. Phone 02 6959 2222 Fax 02 6959 2256 nine to 109 and was conducted Land Services and Sustainable Plant identification and tree 167 East Street, Narrandera NSW 2700 “I’m hoping it can become by Liz Walsh. Farms. planting will be held along the PO Box 5, Narrandera NSW 2700 a place where people can “We have received grant support each other and make Geoff Williams, Australian creek from 11am at “Yarrabee”, EMAIL: [email protected] funding for the first year connections, and to give the Platypus Conservancy, is a Morundah. of operation and it will community another outlet. guest speaker and the key For more information and to DEADLINES hopefully continue on with “With One Voice has about findings of Yanco Creek and make a booking contact Andrea 10am Monday for display advertising donations and the aim to hold 30 choirs all over Australia and Tributaries Advisory Council’s (YACTAC) on 0419 841 834 or and editorial community concerts,” Ms Lewis this is a first for the regional recent platypus report will be Kathy (Murrumbidgee Landcare) 12noon Tuesday for Classified advertising said.