Clare Valley Podcast

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