November:

■ ‘Businesses do their bit for Nav this month’ – The aptly named charity month Navember was in full swing, with businesses asked to contribute to a $1 million appeal for Navorina Nursing Home by hosting events or donating a portion of proceeds. Deni Care Care jumped on board, offering $3 from every roadworthy fee paid during the month.

■ ‘Rejected again’ – The old adage ‘third time lucky’ did not ring true for the Coles Group, whose Liquorland application for Deniliquin was refused by Liquor & Gaming NSW. As the decision was still open for appeal until the end of the month, a specific reason for the rejection was not published at the time.

■ ‘TAFE to go?’ – Documents tabled in a NSW Parliament Budget Estimates revealed that Deniliquin’s TAFE campus had been slated for potential divestment in 2020. The documents were marked with a handwritten ‘not approved’.

■ ‘Amy Shark to say hi to Deni’ – Australian music megastars Amy Shark and Spacey Jane were names among the artists secured for the March 2022 Play on the Plains event. The lineup also includes

Destrends, fronted by Deniliquin’s Matt Savage, plus Skeggs, Northeast Party House, GRAACE, Beddy Rays and The Rions.

■ ‘We’re in crisis’ – Vinnies Services expressed concern that homelessness in Deniliquin and district has risen by at least one fifth in 12 months, exacerbated by a strong housing market. Team leader Meghan Fisher said without serious investment in appropriate social housing and private residential development, the crisis would not ease any time soon.

■ ‘Man charged with murder’ – A 31 year-old Deniliquin man was charged with the murder of a 42 year-old woman, who sustained significant head injuries before allegedly being set on fire. A police officer sustained burns when attempting to help the woman.

■ ‘Liberal fight to out Ley’ – The PASTORAL TIMES learned of a challenge within the Liberal party to replace Sussan Ley as Federal Member for Farrer. Relatively new Deniliquin resident and long-time Liberal Christian Ellis has nominated for Farrer pre-selection.