Drive safely to protect wildlife

It prompted us to remind everyone to be extra careful on the roads.

Animals are forced to cross roads and highways in search of food, water, cover and mates—placing them in the path of our vehicles.

So what can you do? First and foremost, you should slow down.

Keeping your speed in check gives you a better chance of stopping in time if an animal darts onto the road.

Watch for wildlife in and near the road at dawn, dusk and in the first few hours after darkness.

Keep in mind that where there is one animal, there are probably others - young animals following their mother or male animals pursuing a female.

Scan the road as you drive, watching the edges for wildlife about to cross.

This will also make you more aware of other hazards such as bicyclists, children at play and slow-moving vehicles.

You should also avoid throwing trash out car windows. As well as being unsightly, discarded food creates a hazard by attracting wildlife to the roads.

Lastly, use your high beams whenever possible.

And if you do happen to hit an animal, or see one dead on the side of the road, please make sure to check for any babies that can be rescued.

Free astronomy talk

Astronomer and Powerhouse curator Sarah Reeves will be in Deniliquin and district next week to give a series of free astronomy talks.

Partnering with South West Arts, Edward River Council and other sponsors and supporters, the Deniliquin talk will be held Wednesday, May 24 from 5pm at the Deniliquin Town Hall.

Starting with a 45 minute exploration of the exhibition Southern Sky Astrophotogrtaphy 2022 David Malin Awards, with commentary from the special guest, before heading outside and looking skyward.

Bring your own blanket and food to eat.

While the evening is free, you’re encouraged to book a place.

Follow the links from the South West Arts Facebook page or visit www.eventbrite.com and search ‘astronomy Deniliquin’.

My Shop morning tea

Denise Phillips and her friends are back with their Biggest Morning Tea fundraiser this May.

The crew of fundraisers will be busy making and baking to put on a delicious morning tea spread for next Friday, May 25.

Head on down to My Shop in Napier St from 10am to noon on the day, pay a donation and enjoy the delicious treats on offer.

Tables and chairs will be set up outside the shop where you can sit and enjoy your selection, and catch up with others in the community.

All funds raised will be donated to the Cancer Council for important cancer research and support programs.

... but first, join us at the PT

You don’t have to wait until next week to pick up a great morning tea while supporting charity.

For the first time, the Deni PT staff will host our own Biggest Morning Tea stall outside our office in Cressy St this morning.

The stall will run from 10am to 11.30am.

We’ve been baking up a storm and will have lots of sweet and savoury items to delight the taste buds.

Come by and treat yourself, or pick up something to take back to the office for morning tea.

It is a great opportunity to meet the team and grab a physical copy of today’s edition.

New health research director

Murrumbidgee Local Health District is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Barbara Taylor as the district’s director of research.

Dr Taylor, who was previously MLHD’s research manager, has extensive experience in periodontal clinical specialist practice, research and training.

She has run clinical trials into links between dental disease and general health and also collaborated with researchers throughout the world and served on human research ethics committees for more than a decade.

“We’ve been working on new developments and partnerships that will further strengthen research activity and help to improve health in MLHD,” Dr Taylor said.

“A key focus will be improving access to healthcare for people in rural and regional communities so they can receive care closer to home.”