During a break in the rain, Diggies residents met on Saturday 23 May for the Annual General Meeting of the Dignams Creek Community Group (DCCG). Dignams Creek residents have been organising in this way since 1995, but articles in the Cobargo Chronicle record community working bees and get-togethers as far back as 1898. These were all, of course, preceded by Djiringanj communities living in and enjoying this place they called Wullunthar, meaning very crooked, for millennia.

In her report, DCCG President Heather Anderson acknowledged the passing of both Martin Kotvojs and Graham Froud during the past year. ‘Both men were key members of our community and their absence will be deeply felt, but their contributions will no doubt continue to guide and strengthen our community for years to come.’ She also noted that a key challenge dominating the first few months of this financial year was the replacement of Boundary Bridge. ‘Along with providing many logistical challenges, ongoing noise, continued delays and poor communication, it cut our small community in half.’

Dignams Creek Community Group AGM. Photo Flick Ruby

A major highlight of the year for our group was the Diggies Trash and Treasure Christmas Market in December that raised over $2,600. These funds were directed towards offering fruit fly trap reimbursements to all Dignams Creek residents to help reduce another significant environmental pressure that affects us all. While only seven households took advantage of the reimbursement, it was a great start to improving fruit fly management. The remaining funds will be used to increase our bushfire resilience, specifically by supporting residents to fit Storz couplings to accessible water tanks so the RFS can refill efficiently during emergencies.

Our AGM mapped out a practical year ahead. We will continue advocating on local issues, from dingoes to roadworks, signage and dust, while making better use of tools like Snap Send Solve to report problems to Council. On the ground, initiatives include distributing cat bibs to registered owners and strengthening our response to wildlife care, with plans for a wombat care talk and clearer pathways to report mange. We are also investing in communication, with a new Squarespace website in development and more local voices contributing to this column.

Community events remain central – Didi and I will be leading the management of this year’s Christmas Market on 12 December and a pre-summer RFS briefing is in the works. We are delighted to welcome back Heather Anderson as President and Suzannah Walker as Vice President to guide the year ahead.

Flick Ruby

Photo above right: Dignams Creek Community Group President and Vice President, Heather Anderson and Suzannah Walker. Photo Eva Tandy