Friday, 29 January, 2021 WEATHER PAGE 20 TV GUIDE PAGES 23-24, 49-50 PUZZLES PAGE 22 CLASSIFIEDS PAGES 54-56 borderwatch.com.au | $3.00 Our newest Beach access Ausralians petition plea RAQUEL MUSTILLO MOLLY TAYLOR [email protected] [email protected] ELECTED members have questioned FIFTY new Australian citizens took the legitimacy of a petition tabled at a pledge to the nation in the heart of Grant District Council meeting, with Mount Gambier on Tuesday in one of Tarpeena Ward representative Shirley the biggest citizenship ceremonies ever Little labelling the appeal to keep Green held in the region. Point access open as a “shambles”. Among the region’s newest Aussies is At this week’s meeting, councillors 27 year old Jolie Hirwa (pictured), who discussed a petition from the South East moved to Mount Gambier in 2015 from Amateur Surf Fishing Club support- Africa where she had lived in a refugee ing a request for council to reopen the camp. privately-owned beach access to Green With family in the region, Ms Hirwa Point. spoke of the safety and security provid- The petition, signed by 353 people, ed in Australia and the Limestone Coast. calls for the access point to be reopened The ceremony was among a broad to enable boat access for small fishing range of community events held across vessels to beach launch and save a 5km the region on Tuesday to mark Australia trip from Danger Point. Day. A council report noted of the 352 sig- OUR NEW OAMS - STORY PAGE 3 natures, 206 had not provided their full AUS DAY COVERAGE - PAGES 13-17 name or full address. “However, it is noted that the petition was indeed community driven,” the re- port says. A number of councillors raised con- cerns over the petition, whether they were ratepayers and the legitimacy of some of the signatories. STORY PAGE 4 Cop shop concern RAQUEL MUSTILLO one and two-person stations in South Australia alise” model to roll out across South Australia Demand for police services, the decline of and the closure of unviable sites. in the long-term. growth of the local community, a cost benefit [email protected] The long-awaited Regional Policing Review Under the proposal - which is still in the assessment, attraction and retention and a THE future of the Beachport, Lucindale, consultation paper, released under Freedom consultive stage - all single and dual person “Regional Impact Assessment” will be among Kalangadoo and Port MacDonnell police of Information (FOI), has proposed some stations will be clustered and subject to review the factors considered in the assessment for stations is under a cloud with a SA Police regional single-person stations will under a policing based on triggers including vacancy, condition ongoing viability. policing review floating the consolidation of all restructure with a “cluster, assess and ration- of infrastructure, suitability of local housing. STORY PAGE 6 New T-Cross Visit You’ll just want one Barry Maney Volkswagen Go for a surf, hit the gym, 43 Percy Street, Mount Gambier partake in a little shopping, 08 8721 3400 all in the same trip and all barrymaneyvolkswagen.com.au thanks to the T-Cross with it’s sliding rear seat and boot space for days. Of course you just want one. 12474330-NG51-30 2 NEWS Friday, 29 January, 2021 BORDERWATCH.COM.AU School’s back from summer MOLLY TAYLOR [email protected] HOPE remains for an uninterrupted 2021 at Limestone Coast education facilities as students returned back to school this week. Classrooms were reignited into hubs of en- ergy and excitement with Wednesday marking the first day back at school for 2021. Mount Gambier North Primary School was one of the region’s many education facilities TOO COOL FOR SCHOOL: to welcome a queue of new faces on-site this Reception student year, including students, staff and families. Matilda was ready to go on her first day at Mount Gambier North Primary School. Principal Paul Harmer remained hopeful COVID-19 would not cause too much disrup- tion and distraction in 2021, with the region fortunate to avoid significant closures or dis- ruptions last year. “It has become a bit of the new normal re- ally, always unsure on what will come next,” Mr Harmer said. “Kids are pretty resilient and go with the flow anyway though. “We are really hoping for an uninterrupted year where we can focus on learning and well- being and get through it while continuing to FUN IN THE SUN: Mount Gambier North Primary build on our values.” School reception student McKenna spends her Mr Harmer said the site was focused on BACK TO SCHOOL: Mount Gambier North Primary School Year 1 student Lachlan helps sister time in the school sandpit building sand castles structured routine. Harper on her first day of school with Year 1 student Mayson. Pictures: MOLLY TAYLOR on her first day. “We have to be conscious of not changing too much so people don’t get confused,” he Education Minister John Gardner said the they will be focused on ensuring our newest “Speeding, running red lights and failing said. Year 7 move was on track, with three pilot students feel safe and secure,” he said. to give way can have potentially catastrophic “We have made some really good progress schools in other areas of the state making the Meanwhile the RAA has issued a safety consequences,’’ Mr Mountain said. in the last few years and we are keen to contin- transition this year. warning to motorists after it was revealed “Pedestrians - especially young children - ue building on the stuff which is working well. Mr Gardner remained confident students more than 17,000 drivers were caught break- are among the most vulnerable road users and “I think for anybody starting school, It can would show the same resilience and determi- ing road rules around schools last year. RAA urges motorists to exercise vigilance and be a pretty anxious time. Classes all looked nation as last year, backed by the support of The majority of fines were for speeding caution around schools.’’ pretty relaxed and there were lots of smiles the state’s educators. (15,089) and running red lights (2061). Mr Mountain reminded drivers to observe which is great to see.” “I would like to reassure parents of children RAA safety and infrastructure senior man- the 25km/h limit when students were pres- This year also marks the final 12-month starting school for the very first time that our ager Charles Mountain urged drivers to be ent in school zones, and warned motorists to period before South Australian Year 7 study is early primary teachers are extremely skilled at vigilant around schools and be aware of the watch out for children at these locations and transferred to high school in 2022. smoothing the transition into school life and relevant road rules. be ready to stop. GRAB n GO. Push to remove lake path rule MOLLY TAYLOR Cr Jenner asked whether there was any law or act which made the one-way restriction [email protected] necessary. Jim Beam or A MOUNT Gambier councillor has Acting chief executive Barbara Cer- Canadian Club Cube unsuccessfully pushed to remove the one- novskis stated there was not but noted the way foot traffic directive along the Blue approach was considered best for public Lake’s Bay Road walking path. safety. Councillor Paul Jenner said the one-way “It is something we are regularly review- $75.99 ea directive along the 750-metre stretch on the ing and it has been in response to concerns lake’s western fringe was a source of confu- from the community,” Ms Cernovskis said. sion, with some signage being removed or “It is about the challenge on how we can damaged. assist people in maintaining that social dis- The Blue Lake exercise path was declared tancing...That is the most logical solution one-way only by council in April last year in we could come up with. response to concerns raised about the abil- “It has been up and it’s done its job, but ity to social distance on narrow sections of the community are complaining and we the path, particularly on the Bay Road sec- need to listen to our community,” Cr Jen- tion. ner said. Council reopened a majority of the ex- Cr Jenner requested an amendment to ercise path to two-way traffic in November a motion to remove the one-way signage - paving the way for the return of Mount but it did not meet the required criteria un- Gambier parkrun - but a clockwise directive der the motion, with the councillor asked $44.99 carton remains along the narrow Bay Road section. to consider presenting a motion at next Pushing to have the directive removed, month’s council meeting. Miller Chill Lime, Blood Orange or Draft Grapes of Mirth to make return NATIONAL comedy and wine touring event Choice Award winner), Nick Cody (Triple M Jim Beam or Grapes of Mirth will return to Coonawarra The Big Breakfast Show), Ivan Aristeguieta Canadian Club next month. (Adelaide and Perth Fringe award winner) and 700ml According to much-loved Grapes of Mirth Geraldine Hickey (Metro Sexual). Coke 2L head clown, Merrick Watts, the COVID safe Grapes of Mirth general manager Jason show at Penley Estate on Saturday, Febru- Nikolas said it would be a show to remember Range ary 13 will bring an epic comedy line-up and after a year to forget. some overdue laughs to the Limestone Coast. 2 for 2 for “The Grapes of Mirth family is pumped to “After the 2020 we experienced, we are get back out there to bring the laughs,” Mr $75 $9.00 desperate to start 2021 with a bang, a bunch Nikolas said.