Cobram Courier looks back on the first half of 2023 and recounts many of the highs and lows, the joys and tragedies that the first six months of 2023 brought.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
Wednesday, January 4
The year 2023 began with a hit-and-run-which left a woman with life-threatening injuries. Cobram Anglican Grammar School’s Cody Lincoln received a perfect 50 in physics in his fast-tracked Year 12 subject.
A new academy for females in the Goulburn Valley who wanted to umpire was announced in sports.
Wednesday, January 11
The Courier celebrated Barooga’s Airlie Stella Carruthers, who was born in the new year. Berrigan had a swap meet, and the inaugural Bush Nipper program filled up with spots. The Mailbox Cafe in Strathmerton expanded its range as PCR testing facilities closed.
Goulburn Valley Bush Bash League was set to hit Cobram on Sunday, January 15.
Wednesday, January 18
The results of an Australian Services Union survey in Moira Shire revealed a culture of bullying, sexual harassment and intimidation. Cobram Community House’s Chatty Cafe reopened, while the Cobram Lions Club sought recruits. Katamatite’s inaugural rodeo was declared a success.
Cobram continued its winning cricket form in the Murray Valley Cricket Association A-grade.
Wednesday, January 25
The Courier celebrated the 65th wedding anniversary of Jean and Geoff Bowen. The inaugural Bush Nipper program was declared a success. CIF Trading — Poolside Cobram’s Gwen Campbell finished 37 years at her place of employment before retiring.
Cobram Panel Works Panthers headed to the Bush Bash League grand finals in cricket.
Wednesday, February 1
Cobram celebrated Australia Day with 20 locals being sworn in as citizens. Fred Mustica and Cadence Pang both won council awards. Meanwhile, the owner of a black BMW SUV saw their prized possession sink in the Murray River.
The Player Series hit Cobram this week.
Wednesday, February 8
Cobram Secondary College’s Cameron Sneddon participated in the Starlight Foundation Super Swim Challenge. A woman convicted of assault at an incident at a Strathmerton service station was ordered to complete a community corrections order. A Cobram motorist had a lucky escape when a branch hit her tree.
Women from the Cobram Cricket Club raised money for breast cancer research.
Wednesday, February 15
CSC Year 12’s of 2022 graduated, while their ex-fellow students enjoyed the traditional swimming carnival. One person died, and two others were injured in a crash on the Murray Valley Hwy. Moira Shire hosted renowned trauma recovery expert Dr Rob Gordan to advise on recovering from the floods.
Michael Hoban retook the reins at Cobram Football Netball Club.
Wednesday, February 22
CSC announced it was looking for old bikes as part of its Pedal Empowerment program. CCH hosted a drop-in session for elderly residents at risk of homelessness while at the Barooga Euchre Club. Moira Shire Council received $2.5 million in road funding.
Cobram had its second loss in the Murray Valley Cricket Association league.
Wednesday, March 1
Cobram Regional Care secured funds for its expansion. The Moira Shire Council looked for new lifeguards, while Nathalia and Katunga saw police raids that seized illicit tobacco.
Tocumwal Football Netball Club was admitted back into the Murray Football Netball League.
Wednesday, March 8
Moira Shire Council was sacked following a Commission of Inquiry found that it failed to have good governance practices. Berrigan residents protested against the idea of a wind farm in their area, and Cobram Barooga Apex Club announced the return of the lawn mower races.
Cobram celebrated two MVCA Grand Final cricket victories.
Wednesday, March 15
A report into Moira Shire Council has found the murder of former operations manager Rick Devlin might have been preventable if the council’s workplace had been less toxic to employees. Moira Shire Council’s outgoing mayor disagreed with the Commission of Inquiry’s findings.
Barooga Cricket Club made it into the finals.
Wednesday, March 22
Cobram Regional Care resident Luigia Valenta celebrated her 100th birthday. A Numurkah woman was left grieving after her beloved pet pig was allegedly deliberately run over. The Victorian Government appointed an independent administrator to begin his work at Moira Shire Council.
Cobram Roar was victorious on the soccer pitch.
Wednesday, March 29
Cobram Lions Club helped a family who lost everything in a house fire with a new front-load washing machine, microwave, kettle, toaster and gift card. Helen Dalton became the State Member for Murray, while Cobram police were after help regarding alleged burglaries on storage sheds.
Mark Haberfield took over as the new coach for Katamatite Cricket Club.
Wednesday, April 5
The Courier helped promote the region while police tracked a car with an allegedly stolen trailer. Independent administrator John Tanner was appointed to several council committees, while the Strathmerton Mailbox Cafe turned one year old.
Yarroweyah’s netballers won the A-grade netball.
Wednesday, April 12
Cobram raised $120,000 for the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal. The Ambience Cafe celebrated Rainbow Mental Health Day. The CFA warned of hundreds of burn-offs.
Barooga beat Cobram in the football.
Wednesday, April 19
Cobram local Asha Mustica raised $5002 for the Good Friday Appeal. There was a crash on the Murray Valley Hwy but no injuries, while homelessness increased across the Goulburn Valley. Strathmerton residents did well in a national burnout competition, while the Moira Shire Council gave tentative approval for a burnout pad.
Cobram Roar’s female team celebrated its first win.
Wednesday, April 26
In one of the darkest days for the Moira Shire area, five people were killed at the Labuan Rd, Murray Valley Hwy intersection. Independent administrator John Tanner was interviewed by The Courier and said he wanted to lay the groundwork for a new beginning for council. Moira Shire celebrated its first inaugural awards ceremony.
Yarroweyah beat Jerilderie in netball.
Wednesday, May 3
Emotions were raw as hundreds of residents, members of the emergency services and council for an impromptu vigil for the five victims of the Strathmerton crash. Google Maps changed its directions between Shepparton and Cobram to avoid the intersection. Cobram’s ANZ bank closure was confirmed.
Strathmerton destroyed Tungamah in the football.
Wednesday, May 10
Ambulance response times in Moira Shire have improved, while the new SES building was ahead of schedule in its construction. St Joseph’s Cobram students slept rough to raise money and awareness for homeless people in the region. Another person died in a vehicle crash in Yarroweyah. The Royal Flying Doctor Service announced a new client community transport program.
Strathmerton dominated Katamatite in netball.
Wednesday, May 17
Regional politicians slammed the federal budget, while a truck rolled over in Marungi. Moira Shire local Margaret Watson was awarded the prestigious Pearl Kelly Award for her contributions to harness racing. Independent administrator John Tanner thanked members of the VALS Sewing Group for its excellent work on the bollards around Cobram and Barooga.
In football, Cobram trounced Rumbalara.
Wednesday, May 24
Emergency services gathered at the Strathmerton crash site to plea for motorists to take care on the roads. St Joseph’s Cobram principal Sarah Iddles recounted her Italian pilgrimage. CSC’s Pedal Empowerment program assists 10-year-old Heather-Maree Cripps-O’Shea with a new bike after hers was stolen.
In netball, Yarroweyah handed Strathmerton its best defeat of 2023.
Wednesday, May 31
A Cobram company was fined $250,000 after the death of Kialla man Glenn Parson during the dismantling of the former Murray Goulburn factory in Leitchville. CSC’s teacher George Allen was nominated for the Education Rising Star of the Year Award.
Barooga’s football team notched up its third win in a row.
Wednesday, June 7
State Member for Ovens Valley Tim McCurdy met with family members and residents of Merriwagrove as the facility faced closure. A woman died in a crash involving a car and a truck in Nathalia, and the Cobram laundrette was broken into with money stolen.
Cobram Roar made it to the Commercial Club FA Cup.
Wednesday, June 14
Cobram’s Francis Lawrence Wallace was honoured in the King’s birthday awards, while three people were hospitalised in a crash in Nathalia. Suzanna Sheed, former State Member for Shepparton, was announced as a member of the new Panel of Administrators for Moira Shire. CAGS announces a new VCE vocational major.
Local cricket great Kepler Lukies was named in the Phillipines Cricket Association men’s team.
Wednesday, June 21
The Courier talked to renowned mural artist Tim Bowtell as he painted the Katamatite silo. Jason Millington is Katamatite CFA’s new captain. A new family day care centre and a new war memorial opened in Cobram. CAGS Year 12 students slept rough for a good cause.
Cobram turned around a near-certain defeat to beat Finley in football.
Wednesday, June 28
Cobram CFA’s heroes were celebrated at an awards ceremony in Shepparton. At the same time, Moira Shire Council unveiled a permanent memorial to those who have died on the region’s roads in the wake of the Strathmerton crash. Police were looking for an alleged stolen car taken from a property in Koonoomoo.
Cobram announced it was hosting the Ultimate Frisbee competition.