Mayor column: with Cr John Harvie

Published on 19 June 2025

I get invited, from time to time, to say a few words or address a community organisation about councils’ strategic plan and what that will actually deliver for that community.

Last weekend I received an invitation from Moama Football Netball Club to say a few words prior to the game against the Deniliquin Rams and spend the afternoon at the match to mingle with supporters and club sponsors. 

Grateful for the invitation, I went along and was absolutely amazed to observe an army of volunteers coordinated and working in harmony to enable our kids and young men and women to play football and netball.

The value of our local clubs and organisations and the volunteers who run them is incalculable because the value is not just monetary, the hourly rate donated by the volunteers. There is value in providing an opportunity for our kids and youth to participate in healthy sports programs and to learn the value of working together as a team both on the field or courts and off. 

Players are expected to participate in rostered activities in the canteen pre and post their games and help clean the facilities and grounds after the game.

The social value for club members, supporters, and players and their families is also huge. Loneliness and social isolation can significantly impact mental health and result in higher rates of anxiety and depression.

To Moama Football Club, thank you for the invitation, thank you for the opportunity, thank you for your invaluable contribution to the Moama community and thank you for one of the best afternoons I’ve had in years.

Still on volunteerism, I was also recently invited to attend a medal presentation for Rural Fire Service members at Deniliquin.

I was also given the honour of saying a few words on behalf of council and our community members and assisting in presenting the medals.

The thrust of my few words was to say thank you; for your service and for protecting our communities in times of need, thank you for your courage.

Murray River Council brigade members awarded were Steve Richmond who received the national Medal for fifteen years of diligent service and twenty years’ service in total. Alan Eacott and Cameron McDonald each were awarded the Long Service Medal for ten years’ service.

A further sixteen recipients, from Edward River Council brigades, received awards recognising an amazing total of six hundred and thirty-nine years’ service with one member being awarded for seventy years of service.

Amazing! Cheers to our Volunteers.