You would be forgiven if last Friday you thought you were in tornado alley.
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The region along the river once again suffered from wild weather, with damage reported from the west of Tocumwal at Old Woperana, to The Grange on Fullers Rd and Platypus Drive at Barooga where vehicles were crushed by falling trees.
The SES was busy along the Murray Valley Hwy clearing fallen branches to allow traffic to flow again.
There have been no reports of injury in Tocumwal, though a person caught in the storm while driving described it as the scariest three minutes of his life.
Maryanne and Mark Ryan at Old Woperana had a lot of tree damage with massive gums being uprooted and flung about. There was also incredible damage to their hay and machinery sheds as the wind tore through them.
They were so happy to see their friends and family come to help clean up on Saturday, leaving them with a good pile of fire wood for the winter. A big thank you from Mark and Maryanne to all those who helped.
Mark said there is also huge damage in the Thornley State Forest, which lies between the river and the Lower River Rd. He says more large trees have been damaged and uprooted in this area.
Phillip and Lynda Snowden on Fullers Rd suffered damage to their wheel line which was upended and twisted by the storm, as did Troy Alexander, whose property was also wrecked by the winds.
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Ambulance for Tocumwal Steering Committee member Faith Close was warmly thanked for her services last week, retiring as secretary.
Bobette Wilkinson and Jo Boake will be working hard to try and fill her shoes this year.
The committee is open to all interested citizens, meeting at the Tocumwal Lions Care Centre in Adams St, on the first Monday of the month at 5.30 pm.
At the next meeting, the committee is looking forward to listening to a member of the Australian Paramedics Association. All are welcome.
At that meeting, on March 1, it is hoped a way forward to getting an ambulance in Tocumwal will be established.
The Australian Paramedics Association will be providing valuable information at this meeting, so please come along and show your support.
As the largest town in the Berrigan Shire and with an ever-increasing population of seniors, it is imperative that Tocumwal has an ambulance service within the town and not be dependent on using ambulances from distant towns.
When Tocumwal gets an ambulance, it will add to the available cars in the district and will help other towns as well.
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The fully renovated laundromat is now open for business with a new bank of fully operational washing machines all ready and waiting for customers.
The premises are now a real asset to the town.
Thanks to the Tocumwal War Memorial Hall Committee, led by Sergio and Claire, it has come up looking so nice and inviting.
Massive repairs have been made to the area which is now safe and sound, welcoming to tourists and locals alike.
It was a job that was very necessary, so well done to all concerned
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Another building getting renovated is the Tocumwal Police Station.
It is currently undergoing long awaited repairs to its exterior and interior.
At present there is scaffolding around the building and people working on the property.
More next week on the progress that is being made
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The foreshore building is really taking shape with the second storey now in place.
Fingers crossed it will be ready for our next influx of visitors as things are looking better on the tourism scene.
Come and have a look, take a stroll along the foreshore and have a coffee or meal at the local eateries. There is plenty to chose from in Tocumwal.
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This year the World Day of Prayer will be held at St Peter’s Catholic Church in Charlotte St, Tocumwal.
It will be hosted at 10.30am on March 5, with morning tea to follow.
The theme is ‘Building on a Strong Foundation’ with the featured country being Vanuatu.
Please come along and celebrate.
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Next week parishioners of St Peter’s Catholic Church will be saying goodbye to Father Stephen.
In preparation for teaching at Vianney College Seminary, Father Stephen has been asked by the Diocese to pursue further studies at Notre Dame University Sydney, majoring in philosophy. He will be leaving the district in a couple of weeks.
It is hoped a replacement priest will be able to fill in until a permanent priest is appointed.
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There will be mass at the Catholic Church at 9am on Wednesday, February 17, which is Ash Wednesday. COVID-19 rules still apply.
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Members of the Tocumwal Golf and Bowls Club are saddened to hear of the death of former member Bert Van Huizen.
Bert came to Tocumwal to retire and to play golf, but somehow he got mixed up with the Tocumwal Bowls Club and ended up working there as a volunteer of everything. Bert was a draftsman and builder by trade and this experience was very valuable to the club at the time, but Bert didn’t just practice his specialty he was very fond of pulling a beer in the bar and serving drinks to the members. Bert and his wife Pam decided to move to Bargara in Queensland a couple of years ago to spend their retirement. Last year Bert suffered a stroke and needed full-time care.
Even so he was able to meet up with some of his Tocumwal mates when they were holidaying in that area and enjoy their company.
Condolences are extended to Pam and to Bert’s children.
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This week’s drawing session will again be dedicated to portraiture.
Shayla will be modelling for the group with her little baby.
Sue feels this is just the inspiration needed to get the artists right back into it.
It will be hosted at the Memorial Hall in Deniliquin St, Tocumwal from 10.30am until 12.30pm.
It costs $20 with materials and equipment available for your use on the day.
Please do not attend if you are feeling unwell. TocArts is following the Covid-Safe plan for the Memorial Hall.
This means attendees are required to scan the QR code or sign in, maintain two metres distance apart from each other, sanitise and clean the equipment, and practise social distancing when in the hall.
It’s all so different to how it has been before, but with a bit more effort the crew gets to meet weekly to do the thing they love and are learning from.
Thank you for your cooperation in this way.
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The Rotary Op Shop in Finley St, Tocumwal, around the corner from the other two charity shops, is having a clearing sale until the end of February.
Their usual opening hours on Friday and Saturday remain but the bargains are big.