It has been said that in principle we do.

Theoretically, Australians own all the rain that falls in Australia, that rain becomes a lake, rivers and streams that flow over the land and the underground water that flows beneath it. That's our water.

It's our common property, our birthright and water stored in dams. If you have a rain tank that the rain falls on your roof it is your property. Water has become a complicated issue.

Every few years we have droughts, in 2001 it lasted for nine years and then the rain came in 2010, 2012 floods that devastated Yenda and other towns in NSW, Victoria and in 2016 more rain and floods only this time Yenda was spared.

The Darlington Point Road to Hay had water lapping the side of the road and the Murray River was in flood and all the dams were overflowing and farmers along the Murray River went under.

The story goes that the farmer was about to lose his sheep and out of the night, people came in their boats to help by cutting the fences and lifting the wet sheep into the boat and taking them to higher ground and then we have the invisible drought in 2018 that no one saw coming, only the people living in the bush where it has not rained and the soil and dams have dried out and the rain tanks run empty.

Then you have the other side of the coin where Murray irrigators have zero per cent water allocation and the MIA water allocation is six per cent.

The Hume Dam was built in 1936 and Eildon in 1955 and then in 1973 construction of the Dartmouth Dam was built by Victoria Rural Water Commission and was completed in 1979 and for the past 40 years it has staved off droughts and has saved the nation and today is operated by the Murray Darling Basin Authority.

On August 25 the Dartmouth Dam stood at 90 per cent, Hume 50 per cent inflow 1,200 megalitres, Blowering Dam 75 per cent water release 5,500ml inflow 4,960ml.

Who owns the water in the dams?

It was wrong to have separated water from the land and have made water to be traded and sold like shares, price $370 per megalitre and in times of drought irrigator's are held at ransom.

The dams were built to produce food and in times of drought to store water for the communities.

Pioneer Park Playgroup would like to give a big 'thumbs up' to the Griffith Shed for Men who recently helped us out by fixing up one of our favourite toddler tricycles. 

In this time of combating waste, it would have been a real shame to have thrown away a trike that had a perfectly good frame. 

The Men's Shed took it on and replaced all wheels for us. 

As a hot favourite with the kids at our playgroup, we know this trike will have a busy second life ahead of it.

From one community organisation to another, a big, big thank you!

It’s hard to say goodbye to people you love. I’ve had to do that as I left home for Griffith, and now as I leave The Area News.

Griffith has opened my eyes to new experiences, amazing wine and food. And, during my time with the paper I met some great characters.

Most of all, I’ll miss my colleagues: cat lover Jacinta Dickins, who is so little; Anthony Stipo, whose cheeky smile could melt your heart; Liam Warren, who wouldn’t admit it but he’s a big softie; and I-can’t-tell-if-she’s-being-serious-or-sarcastic Jessica Coates.

Thank you Griffith. Thank you The Area News. I’m sorry to leave the paper.

Smoke me a kipper, I’ll be back for breakfast.

- Have you got a letter you want to share with the community? Email it to editor@areanews.com.au or mail it, or drop it off to 11b Banna Avenue.