JANUARY 

IT was revealed camping facilities at the Mount Gambier Showgrounds would officially be expanded after a complaint saw approvals move through the Magistrates Court.

Calls were renewed for a dedicated marine rescue service in Port MacDonnell after a boating incident saw a fisherman stranded on New Year's Day.

Mount Gambier/ Berrin resident and former City of Mount Gambier councillor Ben Hood threw his hat in the ring to replace Stephen Wade in the Legislative Council; he was subsequently appointed to the role.

The Mount Gambier and Districts Residents and Ratepayers Association made moves to reform after it had been in recess for close to a decade.

FEBRUARY

Radiation treatment in the Limestone Coast was deemed "unsustainable" and the state government announced it would expand chemotherapy services in the region using the $4.3 million already allocated to the project; after ongoing debate there is now a radiation feasibility study underway.

Several councillors in the Limestone Coast were removed from their positions after failing to lodge their campaign returns.

The debacle, which later saw all South East councillors eventually reinstated, saw City of Mount Gambier's Cr Mark Lovett, District Council of Grant's Cr Bruce Bain, Wattle Range Council's Cr Emma Castine, and Naracoorte Lucindale Council's Cr Craig McGuire stood down.

MARCH

A dementia village planned for Mount Gambier/ Berrin remained on the backburner due to rising building costs despite previously securing a $1.5 million Department of Health grant.

Mount Gambier/ Berrin's In Home Hospice Care called on the state government for funding assistance, needing $120,000 per annum to continue the service.

There was a 70 per cent uptick in illegal waste dumping in the region's forests, causing significant issues for plantation owners.

There was massive community support for a children's book reading event that outraged some people, as the event was hosted by world famous cabaret performer Dolly Diamond.

The Salvation Army advised people looking at moving to Mount Gambier/ Berrin to rethink their plans due to a lack of accommodation in the city.

APRIL

Southern Coast Ocean Care, a community group opposing the development of an offshore wind farm was established.

Concerns were raised around the safety of facilities at the Mount Gambier Racing Club by former trainers, committee members and safety officers, though club officials hit back at the accusations and said they were working on resolutions for some of the issues raised.

After only attending two of six meetings since he had been elected, City of Mount Gambier councillor Mark Lovett took a three month leave of absence from his role, leaving him to miss at least half of the council meetings held in the first 12 months since he was elected.

A candlelight vigil to remember lives lost at the hands of domestic violence was held by the Limestone Coast Family Violence Group.

MAY

A petition with more than 16,000 signatures calling for radiation treatment facilities in the Limestone Coast was presented to state parliament, triggering a Legislative Review.

The federal budget was handed down, with Member for Barker Tony Pasin saying Australians would be "poorer" because of it.

Also the Shadow Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Mr Pasin claimed a number of regional road funding programs had been scrapped from the budget, but federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Catherine King said the programs would continue and the claims they would not were "scaremongering".

The South East Animal Welfare League was offered, and subsequently rejected, an eight month extension to a tripartite funding agreement with the City of Mount Gambier and the District Council of Grant.

JUNE

Community members were reminded to only call for an ambulance in an emergency after a member of the public waited an hour for help.

Yahl Primary School received a $3 million grant from the state government to go towards infrastructure upgrades.

Neville Bonney and Maureen Christie were inducted into the SA Environment Hall of Fame and given Lifetime Achiever Awards at the 2023 SA Environment Awards to honour their time, expertise and passion in preserving the state's environment.

The City of Mount Gambier received backlash on their draft 2023-2024 budget, with one resident calling it "a disgrace".

Uniting Communities said a six-bed rehabilitation centre in its Wehl Street South premises would have no negative impacts on the community, despite backlash from neighbouring businesses and residents.

JULY

Member for MacKillop Nick McBride left the South Australian Liberal Party and became an independent.

It was revealed a dedicated palliative care facility could be built in Mount Gambier/ Berrin after Member for Mount Gambier Troy Bell was successful in calling for the state government to recognise the need for varied end-oflife care in regional areas.

Robe Liberal Branch president James Yates claimed the SA Liberal Party had been "taken over" by the far right.

A community information session on radiation therapy was held were Cancer Care Associates chief executive officer Damien Williams revealed it was estimated more than 260 people Mount Gambier/ Berrin residents would need the treatment.

AUGUST

The state government announced four new key worker housing homes would be built in Mount Gambier/ Berrin to attract more workers to the region and ease the housing shortage.

Five former employees of Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre came forward with allegations of bullying, unsafe work practices and communications breakdowns, revealing there was a SafeWork SA investigation taking place after only nine months of operation; Belgravia Leisure refuted the claims and said they were complying with the investigation.

The Department of Primary Industries announced only terminal sheep would be sold at Mount Gambier and Naracoorte Saleyards in an effort to stem the spread of footrot.

SEPTEMBER

Member for Mount Gambier Troy Bell put a bill forward in parliament, calling for cannabis to be legalised for medical use.

Forums calling for both Yes and No votes in the Voice to Parliament referendum were held in Mount Gambier/ Berrin, giving community members updates on the vote.

Mr Bell and Member of MacKillop Nick McBride were united in calling for the state government to prioritise product development and tourism experiences in the Limestone Coast.

The City of Mount Gambier confirmed it would hold an Australia Day celebration on January 26, 2024, but would investigate hosting the event in following years.

OCTOBER

It was announced Dr Richard Try would lead the now open bulk-billed Urgent Care Clinic.

With the Voice to Parliament vote approaching both Yes and No campaigners were calling for respectful debates.

Australia voted No in the referendum, with the Barker electorate returning one of the highest No votes in the state.

Op shop volunteers were frustrated with people leaving donations on the street and asked people to donate during business hours or leave donations in the bins so they would not be ruined.

With Naracoorte Lucindale Council not contributing to the now local, state and federal government funded Telstra upgrade, the South Australian Forestry Products Association stepped up to fund the councils share.

NOVEMBER

The state government launched a review into council elections, with the 2022 event seeing low nominations and voter turnout.

Officer in Charge of the Lucindale Police Station, 53-year-old Brevet Sergeant Jason Doig died on Thursday, November 16, after he was allegedly shot by a 26-year-old Senior man, who was shot by police and suffered serious life-threatening injuries.

The Mount Gambier Urgent Care Clinic officially opened aiming to make it easier for residents to receive urgent treatment from qualified doctors and nurses while also taking pressure off local hospitals.

Mount Gambier Community Events Management Inc announced the cancellation of the Mount Gambier New Year's Eve festival, citing low volunteer numbers.

DECEMBER

Two anglers were caught up in a boating incident off the coast of Port MacDonnell, renewing pleas for a dedicated marine rescue service in the town.

Funding was increased to allow more medical students to train in regional areas, with Flinders University expecting the number of students training in Mount Gambier/ Berrin to double from 2025.

A proposal for a homemaker centre to be built adjacent to Mount Gambier Marketplace was put forward by Axiom Properties.

A rural attraction payment of up to $50,000 was announced by the state government to attract more general practitioners to Bordertown, Kingston SE, Millicent and Penola.