Hey there! Welcome to the Clare Valley Podcast, your go-to spot for monthly updates on all things council and community in the Clare and Gilbert Valleys.

I’ve got some exciting news: we have a new CEO! David Stobbe will be starting on March 31st. I’ll fill you in on what’s happening at the Council in our next episode after he gets settled in.

In the meantime here are the minutes from the latest Council meeting in March:

https://www.claregilbertvalleys.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0035/1783628/19-March-2025-PUBLIC-Ordinary-Council-Meeting-Minutes.pdf

But today, I’ve got something really special for you!

Over the next 40 minutes, we’re diving into the wonderful world of books, perfect for anyone who loves reading—young and old alike.

Podcasting is booming, and library podcasts are right there with it with librarians chatting about everything from what’s hot to what’s not in the world of books—fiction, nonfiction, children’s picture books, you name it!

If you’re a book lover, you’re going to really enjoy this episode.

So, without further ado, I’m handing it over to our amazing Clare and Gilbert Valley Council librarians, Tammy Porter, Coedy Pohlenz and Jess Waldhuter. They’re ready and raring to to share their passion for books with you!

Also, Council has recently launched Clare and Gilbert Valleys Heritage Guide. Check it out:

https://www.claregilbertvalleys.sa.gov.au/community-information/arts-and-culture/heritage-guide

Here is the list of books discussed by Tammy, Coedy and Jess:

The Secret – Lee Child

What happened to Nina – Dervla McTiernan

The Bullet that Missed – Richard Osman

The Thursday Murder Cub – Richard Osman

Daisy and Kate – Meredith Appleyard

The Other Bridget – Rachael Johns

The Bad Bridesmaid – Rachael Johns

Lessons in Chemistry – Bonnie Garmus

The Women – Kristin Hannah

Lola in the Mirror – Trent Dalton

Did I ever Tell you this – Sam Neill

Wifedom – Anna Funder

By any Other Name – Jodi Picoult

Recipe Tin Eats Dinner – Nagi Maehashi

Fourth Wing – Rebecca Yarros

Iron Flame – Rebecca Yarros

Onyx Storm – Rebecca Yarros

A Court of Thorn and Roses – Sarah J Maas

Tractor – Sally Sutton

All of the factors why I love tractors – Davina Bell

Hairy Maclary – Lynley Dodd

Grug – Ted Prior

Mr Men – Roger Hargreaves

Here One Moment – Liane Moriarty

Wild Dark Shore – Charlotte McConaghy

Once there were Wolves – Charlotte McConaghy

Migration – Charlotte McConaghy

Scrublands – Chris Hammer

Two Turtles – written by Kiah Thomas and illustrated by Jake Minton

The Truck Cat – Deborah Frenkel

The Prospect – Fleur McDonald

 Clare and Gilbert Valleys Library:  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CGVCLibrary

Website: https://www.libraries.sa.gov.au/client/en_AU/claregilbertvalleys

Email:  [email protected]

This is the first episode of 2025. 

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

• CEO appointment update
• Councils view on reducing dust on roads during dry times
• Discovery Caravan Park seeking approval for park improvements
• Representation Review final report
• Off street parking request by Model Engineers for Phoenix Ave, Clare
• Successful applicants for Community Asset grants

**NEW CEO APPOINTED****

Clare and Gilbert Valleys Council is pleased to announce the appointment of David Stobbe to the role of Chief Executive Officer.

At its special meeting of Wednesday, 26 February 2025, Council finalised its
recruitment for the role following an extensive and robust recruitment process.

Understanding that this is a highly anticipated announcement, Mayor Allan
Aughey OAM said Council welcomed the appointment, noting that the Councillors feel David will play an important role in supporting Clare and Gilbert Valleys in building upon its strategic direction, and achieving a number of key infrastructure projects to meet the needs of the community

David joins Council from the City of Onkaparinga, where he held the position of Director Corporate and Chief Financial Officer. 

Whilst possessing an extensive financial background, David is also extremely community focused, holding a number of board positions, including the Country Fire Service (CFS) Foundation, the Central District Football Club, and Harness Racing South Australia.

David will be relocating to the District and is thrilled at the prospect of joining at Clare and Gilbert Valleys Council, commencing 31 March 2025. 

He is eager to work with the community to create a lasting impact,  and looks forward to collaborating with Council, local businesses, residents and other stakeholders to drive positive change, enhance services, and support a strong and vibrant future for all.

With the appointment of the Chief Executive Officer brings an end to the interim arrangement.

Council takes this time to thank Interim Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Aitken, for his sincere and collaborative leadership over the past five months. Much has been achieved under his steady guidance and this will assist David in his transition to the Clare and Gilbert Valleys.

Water carting in the Clare and Gilbert Valleys 

It’s no surprise to anyone in SA, it’s so incredibly dry, to the point people have been repeatedly carting water to fill up their tanks. In the Adelaide Hills we’ve heard there’s a 2-month waiting list to get water delivered, with SA Water opening a few potable stations to allow more access to water.

In the Clare and Gilbert Valleys region, local water carter, Grant Fidge has been flat out delivering up to an average 80 thousand litres to residents across the Clare and Gilbert Valley region.

He says there is a 3 week wait for water.

Grant Fidge, Fidges Water Carting

Desperate calls for more volunteer mentors for Wheels in Motion

To get your provisional drivers licence you need to rack up 75 hours of driving time. 

For most young people, that’s a challenge. 

But there are many in the community that are struggling to get their P’s because they don’t have anyone at home to help supervise their driving.  

That’s where Wheels in Motion comes in, a program that started in February last year providing volunteer mentors to help young people get their driving hours up.

 Unfortunately, one year on, demand is outstripping supply with a waiting list of young people but not enough mentors. In Clare Valley alone, there are currently 12 participants and 10 mentors with 6 more participants on the waiting list.

Christina Underdown, Program coordinator; Bron Willis, mentor; Gareth Herron, mentor<

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