This is the final episode for 2024.

In this episode, Clare and Gilbert Valleys Council Interim CEO Andrew Aitken discusses:

• Delegation formed to focus on future road sealing
• Council to take over ongoing management and maintenance of Richardson Park Playspace, Sevenhill
• Council to apply for another grant to help refurbish Riverton Community Hall

Helping community people during the Xmas period
We’ve heard countless times this year about the housing and homelessness issue statewide, the Mid North is not immune to this. According to Uniting Country SA many people are experiencing homelessness for the first time or re-experiencing this due to housing stress, affordability, and the lack of private rental properties. Many people are couch surfing with family and friends, there are reports of people sleeping rough, in tents and in caravan parks. Uniting Country SA is trying to support people in these conditions but with limited housing options its proving to be extremely difficult.

You'll hear about some of the initiatives that are assisting people who are suffering socially, financially and mentally this Christmas including the Clare Valley Community Kitchen's Christmas lunch and the Clare Valley Christian Outreach Christmas Hampers.

Julie Grover, Coordinator of the Clare Valley Community Kitchen
Cathy Giersch, president, Clare Valley Christian Outreach Management Committee
Irene Connell, Clare resident

Clare and Gilbert Valleys Council - December 11 Agenda
https://www.claregilbertvalleys.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0027/1726731/11-December-2024-PUBLIC-Ordinary-Council-Agenda.pdf

Clare Valley Christian Outreach
https://www.facebook.com/groups/276364059198982/

This podcast is brought to you by the Clare and Gilbert Valleys Council.

This  podcast provides the most up-to-date news from the CGVC council meeting in November.

Points of interest: 

•    Sealed road update - Mystery road funding
•    Clare Town Hall update - more work on stage
•    Grant opportunity Update - Riverton Community Hall refurbishment
•    Community Project Grant opportunities - SA Youth Week and Age Friendly       grants
•   Successful applicants for  Community Asset Grants 
•    Deputy Mayor Appointment - Malcolm Bartholomeaus

Also in this episode we’ll find out about the Clare Valley’s unique sister city relationship with the Japanese city of Bizen; an exchange relationship that was formed 34 years ago. Most recently, there hasn’t been the interest from Clare Valley students to visit Japan as part of this delegation and the Bizen/Yoshinaga Friendship Group is also calling out for more home stay families to host Japanese students in 2025.

Clare and Gilbert Valleys Council minutes:
https://www.claregilbertvalleys.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0033/1718736/20-November-2024-PUBLIC-Ordinary-Council-Meeting-Minutes.pdf

Bizen and Clare & Gilbert Valleys Sister City relationship: 
https://www.jlgc.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/NL180.pdf

This podcast is supported by the Clare and Gilbert Valleys Council.

In this episode, you'll meet Interim Council CEO Andrew Aitken. He's in the role for a few months until the new CEO is appointed. The former Adelaide Hill's Council CEO details his experience in local government and what he wants to achieve while in the Clare and Gilbert Valley. He briefly discusses some of the topics at October's Council meetings including: 

• Community requests to build infrastructure on council land
• Representation Review

Open Garden Event to raise money for the Mercy Ships

Pat Casey has spent the last 50 years of her life on a sheep property outside Peterborough with her husband John, raising 4 children. She moved to Clare full- time a couple of years ago.

I recently met her at SACWA event and heard about her upcoming open garden which she is pulling together to help raise money for the mercy ships. Since meeting Pat, I have asked a lot of people whether they know about the mercy ships? Most people don’t. I didn’t. It’s fascinating. Enjoy her story.

Clare and Gilbert Valleys Council October Agenda:
https://www.claregilbertvalleys.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0025/1692322/16-October-2024-PUBLIC-Ordinary-Council-Agenda4.pdf

Mercy Ships:
https://mercyships.org.au/who-we-are/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIuvjAz-6viQMVl8w8Ah24XwobEAAYASAAEgLa7PD_BwE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xT2qZu6zE5s

This podcast is supported by the Clare and Gilbert Valleys Council

Council news with CEO Dr Helen Macdonald: ( the final recording with the outgoing CEO)

• Event Support Program grant funding adjustments
• Australia Day Funding - not taken up by councillors
• Discovery Holiday Parks cabin development plans
• Riverton Community Hall structural works update
• Increased requests for infrastructure builds on council land
• CEO top 3 incomplete projects - Stormwater management, CWMS, Clare Town Hall

Unprecedented frost events hit paddocks across the Mid North of South Australia

Farmers across most of the state have been dealt with a double slap to the face this growing season with dry weather and now severe frosts decimating wheat, barley and lentil crops.

The Clare and Gilbert Valleys is one region that’s been hit hard with some producers stating it’s the worst dry season in 110 years, doubled with severe frosts  of -7 degrees.

The frosts have also affected grape growing regions across the state, the Barossa reporting 30% damage, and the Clare valley reporting 15% affect to vineyards, however it's not as widespread as last year. 

In October 2023, Primary Industries and Regions reported 40% of the regions vineyards were impacted by frost.

 So far this year, the Polish Hill River Valley region has been hit the hardest.

You'll hear from Michelle Bammann from Ground Up Agronomy  who provides a broad overview of the season across the mid north of SA and Robert Jaeschke from Hill River Wines who captures the extent the dry and frosty conditions that have affected his operation. 

CGVC September Minutes:
https://www.claregilbertvalleys.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0034/1683538/18-September-2024-PUBLIC-Ordinary-Council-Meeting-Minutes.pdf

Ground Up Agronomy: https://www.facebook.com/groundupagronomy/

Hill River Wines: https://hillriverwines.com.au/?srsltid=AfmBOoofF08WEKBqpKhW9bQFuEggpHNS_NCe2Tw7yGETbIQnN_FINPNc

Hill River Hay: https://www.hrhay.com.au/

This podcast is brought to you by the Clare and Gilbert Valleys Council.

In this episode:

• ACDC accepts gifting of the Auburn library
• Neon Australia's plans for a second construction camp - will this ease the Valley's housing shortage?
• Moves to resurface basketball courts
• Event Support Program hold up
• The Valley's Lifestyle Centre financial performance
• Appointment of Interim CEO Andrew Aitken scheduled for September 24th to replace outgoing CEO Dr Helen Macdonald 

Council Employee profile: Cecilia Wang, Cultural Tourism Coordinator
Cecilia is originally from Taiwan and has been in the new role for 2.5 years. She explains her role and why Council wants to encapsulate and  preserve the area's history.

SALA Artist Profile: Wendy Pfeiffer, Snowtown
Staying with culture, recently the region's artists showcased their work as part of the SALA or South Australian Living Arts Festival celebrating the thriving visual arts community across the state.  Galleries, community centres and town halls were adorned with a rich tapestry of all types of visual arts. Wendy Pfeiffer was one such artist, who has a great deal of knowledge in landscapes and animal portraits with 60 years of oils, graphite and coloured pencil pieces in her portfolio. She is also passionate about mentoring up and coming artists and pushing the boundaries in the art world.

Clare and Gilbert Valleys Council August Minutes:
https://www.claregilbertvalleys.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0034/1666942/21-August-2024-PUBLIC-Ordinary-Council-Meeting-Minutes.pdf

Clare and Gilbert Valleys Special Council minutes:
https://www.claregilbertvalleys.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0028/1670185/27-August-2024-Special-Council-Meeting-Minutes.pdf

Visual Artist Wendy Pfeiffer: https://www.artscollective.com.au/wendy-pfeiffer

This podcast is brought to you by the Clare and Gilbert Valleys Council

In this episode, Council CEO Dr Helen Macdonald explains:

• Post budget details - Rates, Annual Service Charges, Total Revenue and Expenses
• Clare Town Hall Stage Update
• Old Town Hall fix up - in the courts
• Build to Rent Proposal - partnering with not-for-profit housing provider to  increase rental housing
• Future of Clare Boardwalk along Hutt River
• After 7 years, Council resignation news

Library profile
How often do you visit your local library? Do you still borrow books or do you use the library for another reason - attending events, participating in computer skills training, or visiting a justice of the peace. The role of libraries has changed markedly over the years, there’s so many services that our libraries offer to the community, that you may not be aware of. You will hear from Clare and Saddleworth Library Manager Catherine Driscoll about the myriad of services it offers. 

Dinosaur Olympics
Most  of us Aussies are immersed in Olympic fever at the moment with our athletes battling it out over in Paris, so the Clare Valley dabbled in its own Olympic fun over the school holidays, but it was more the prehistoric Olympics.
This story features Imogen and Brodie Wundke, Pop Events, Charles the Librarian.

Links:
Clare and Gilbert Valleys Council Meeting Agenda: July 31st
https://www.claregilbertvalleys.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0022/1650082/31-July-2024-Special-Meeting-Agenda.pdf
Clare and Gilbert Valleys Council Meeting Agenda: July 17th
https://www.claregilbertvalleys.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0023/1643504/17-July-2024-PUBLIC-Ordinary-Council-Agenda.pdf

Clare and Saddleworth Libraries:
https://www.claregilbertvalleys.sa.gov.au/library/clarelibrary

Pop Events: https://www.popevents.au/

This podcast is funded by the Clare and Gilbert Valleys Council

Council chat
In this episode Council CEO Dr Helen Macdonald discusses the following topics:

• Council endorses Draft Budget 2024/25 and Annual Business Plan
• Council to expect a $863,000 deficit
• Rates increase 4.3% + growth
• Some independent members of the Audit and Risk Committee raise concerns about the reduction in expenditure on capital renewal projects.

Consultation begins from June 14 until Wednesday 8th July.  

Clare Valley Wine and Grape Industry's Hall of Fame Gala Dinner
Congratulations to the newest Hall of Fame Legend inductees that were announced at the Clare Valley’s Wine Hall of Farm Gala Dinner. Held once every decade,  this event celebrates the outstanding achievement and innovation in grape growing, wine production, marketing and regional ambassadorship. This year, five legends were inducted:

Roly Birks , Wendouree ( Posthumous recognition)
Peter Barry, Jim Barry Wines
Neil Paulett, Paulett Wines
Andrew Pike, Pike Wines
Stephanie Toole, Mt Horrocks Wines

Navigating the world of being a debut novelist - Mark McAvaney
Have you ever wanted to write your own novel but don’t know how to start?  Also, how do you the navigate the publishing world? Mark McAveney is a new Australian author, who grew up in the Clare Valley, who now lives in London and has just published his first book - For Everything a Time . This interview isn’t about the book - it’s all about writing the book, the process, the constant editing and back and forth with publishers. He was recently in Clare as part of his Australian book tour. Enjoy this chat with Mark McAveney who is still coming to terms with his celebrity status.  

You can grab his book  "For Everything A Time'  which has been getting great reviews I might add online or any major book stores and I also believe you can get it from your local library. 

 Special CVGC  Meeting Minitues:
https://www.claregilbertvalleys.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0030/1612596/29-May-2024-PUBLIC-Special-Council-Meeting-Minutes.pdf

CVWGA Hall of Fame Gala Dinner:
https://clarevalleywine.com.au/news/clare-valley-legends-honoured-at-hall-of-fame-gala-dinner

Mark McAvaney - Author
https://ultimopress.com.au/products/for-everything-a-time

This podcast is supported by the Clare and Gilbert Valleys Council.

It’s budget time! The Clare and Gilbert Valley Council is feverishly working away at the draft Annual Business Plan and Budget for the next financial year.   (2024-25)

CGVC CEO Dr Helen Macdonald discusses how they've managed this upcoming budget differently,  what the big expenses are, and will there be a rise in rates? 

Other topics discussed:

·      A new proposal or compromise for the Stanley Flat Code Amendment,
·      Proposed upgrades to the Quarry Hill Lookout
·       Questions raised about the quality of the materials to re-sheet roads.
·      Peak Body review - why is this happening?
·      Community Asset Grant - Round 2 - not enough applications in round one?

Council Employee Profile:

Overseeing all the works and infrastructure in the Clare and Gilbert Valleys region is not an easy feat. Dealing with community requests for footpath and road upgrades, managing work orders and meeting with contractors and keeping it all to budget is just a few of the responsibilities of the council work and infrastructure team headed up the director Amy Neubauer.
As its budget time, I squeezed in a brief meeting with Amy to find out more about her and her role within Council, a role she’s held for the last year and a half.

Links:
Clare and Gilbert Valleys Council April 17th Agenda:
 https://www.claregilbertvalleys.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0033/1575357/17-April-2024-Ordinary-Council-Agenda-PUBLIC.pdf
Clare and Gilbert Valleys Council April 17th Special Meeting Agenda:
https://www.claregilbertvalleys.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0028/1587313/1-May-2024-Special-Meeting-Agenda.pdf
Stanley Flat Code Amendment Background:
https://plan.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/1245778/Stanley-Flat-Code-Amendment-Fact-Sheet.pdf

This podcast is proudly brought to you by the Clare and Gilbert Valleys Council.

In this episode:

Council CEO Dr Helen Macdonald discusses:

• ESCOSA glances at Council's financials
• Extension of lease and funding for the Clare Valley Wine, Food and Tourism Centre
• Update on the Clare Stormwater Management Plan
• Forensic audit to go ahead on Council's procurement activities
• Council accepts Buchanan St portion price of $32,000
• Calls to extend 50km/hr zone along Horrocks Highway
• Skywhales Tour to hit Clare Valley in 2026

Back to Tarlee Disco featuring DJ legend Sparks Disco "Tony Clarke"

Who can remember going to discos during the 70’s, 80’s and even the 90’s? They’re few and far between now, but the community of Tarlee is about to change that as they’re bringing theirs back on April 20th. 

Around 300 people are converging on the lower north town to revive the atmosphere that once filled the Tarlee Institute to help raise funds for Tarlee’s Inclusive Playground Project. Heading up the entertainment is the Barossa Aussie Rock cover band, The Barking Ants and DJ legend, the front man of Spark’s Disco, Tony Clarke, a man who has been entertaining crowds on the dance floor for 46 years. 

The farmer from Tarlee, is considered an absolute icon, giving back to communities near and far, helping with their fundraising efforts by providing the legendary beats for their event.  In this episode, we'll be skipping down memory lane with Tony about the good  old disco days.

For more information or glance at the reports from Council's latest meeting check out the latest agenda:
https://www.claregilbertvalleys.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0034/1563595/20-March-2024-PUBLIC-Ordinary-Council-Agenda.pdf

Clare and Gilbert Valleys Council catch-up with CEO Dr Helen Macdonald

• Minister for Planning Nick Champion visits the region to address housing shortage
• Council advised to adopt a Land Use Strategy
• Land Management Agreements – do they have power to control development?
• Council unhappy over public access rights to Clare Caravan Park waterpark
• State Government seeking locations for Community batteries
• Following land revocation, calls for more strategic approach to Phoenix Avenue land use
• Another rate review scheduled for next financial year.

Tourism Accomodation Shortage

In this episode we delve further into the tourism accommodation shortage in the Clare Valley. 
In previous episodes we’ve highlighted the ongoing long term housing shortage where people are struggling to find rentals across the Clare and Gilbert Valleys. Last month, in particular, we reported how this shortage is now branching into tourism accommodation with a number of Air BNB’s  pulling out of the tourism market and offering to long term renters.  This is partly due to a significant worker infiltration from major projects such as the Goyder Windfarm and Battery project at Blyth.  With less tourism accommodation available for tourists, what flow on effect is that having on the local tourism market?

Sally Haynes, Manager, Clare Valley Wine, Food and Tourism Centre
Ali Paulett, Paulett Wines
Greg Cooley, Greg Cooley Wines
Maggie Gunn, Clare Central Motel

 Clare and Gilbert Valleys Council:
https://www.claregilbertvalleys.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0021/1550235/21-February-2024-PUBLIC-Ordinary-Council-Meeting-Minutes.pdf
Clare Valley Wine, Food and Tourism Centre: https://www.clarevalley.com.au/directory/clare-valley-wine-food-and-tourism-centre
Greg Cooley Wines: https://gregcooleywines.com.au/
Paulett Wines: https://www.paulettwines.com.au/
Clare Central Motel:  https://www.clarevalley.com.au/directory/clare-central-motel