The year started off with some challenges with Covid-19 cases spiking and bushfires raging,
New Years Eve celebrations in Robe were blamed for a spread of the virus, and rapid antigen tests became a hot commodity.
Causing controversy in the region was news that workers at Teys Australia, near Naracoorte were asked to return to work even if they were Covid-19 positive.
“To meet demand, the business received permission from SA Health to allow asymptomatic Covid positive essential workers back into work,” The Border Watch reported.
“SA Health confirmed on Tuesday that close to 140 positive cases are linked to the site, with testing still underway.”
This decision was later overturned.
Election campaigning began with a bang, as the Labor government pledged an upgrade to the emergency department.
On January 21, it was reported that “doubling of mental health beds and two additional drug and alcohol detox beds at the Mount Gambier hospital are part of Labor’s multi-million dollar health policy blitz for the Limestone Coast announced today by State Opposition Leader Peter Malinauskas.”
The Coles bushfire raged on south of Lucindale, which sadly took the life of CFS firefighter Louise Hincks.
It started in a gum plantation on January 19 and burnt 3,800 hectares of land.
CFS resources were then stretched further as a fire broke out at Mount Gambier’s Crater Lakes, with 50 hectares being burnt.
More than 125 firefighters attended the fire with 20 trucks from the Country Fire Service (CFS), Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS) and National Parks combined.
It wasn’t all bad news however, with Mount Gambier’s Margaret Winterfield and Millicent’s Garry Davis being recognised with Order of Australia medals in the Australia Day Honours List.
