Eddie Harris commenced the role of Aboriginal Arts Enterprise Development Officer for the Wilcannia Arts program in early January this year.   James Giddey from West Darling Arts has been guiding Eddie in setting up the program and is extremely keen to see arts programs up and running again in Wilcannia. James represents West Darling Arts as the auspice body for the 2 year grant.

One of Eddie first jobs has been to establish a Board who will oversee the program. The Board is:
Colin Clark—Chair
Dale Woods —Deputy Chair/treasurer
Chris Elliott—Secretary
Kevin (Cat) Cattermole
Dave Curry.

The technical Services department of Central Darling Shire have been  quietly preparing for the “impending flood”.

With funds from the NSW State Government’s Counter Disaster Fund there has been a levy built around Tilpa, and levy repairs and rebuilding down around the Warrali Estate and St Therese’s Mission School. Local contractors were used for these works, which had to be sanctioned by the State Emergency Service before work commenced.

Traffic on the Barrier Highway has been disrupted today while local road contractors work on stabilising the shoulders on either side from Hood Street through to the White Cliffs Road side of the Shire Depot.

The Wilcannia community has committed to raising $20,000 towards the cost of new digital x-ray equipment for the Wilcannia Hospital. The remainder of the estimated $84,000 total cost will be met by NSW Government.

The need for this has been identified by the community during the process of consultations for the Local Implementation Plan for the Federal Governments Remote Service Delivery program.

The Hospital Auxiliary has taken up the challenge. To date there has $15,500 set aside. The final $4,500 is needed by the 1st June 2012.

To raise this a Multi draw raffle is being held (to be drawn Friday, April 27, 2012 - 7:00pm*) with prizes donated by Wilcannia and Broken Hill businesses (see below for more details).