The Leader Newspaper – The Barossa's Favourite Newspaper

Showing her toothless grin, you wouldn’t realise how much trouble this happy go lucky six-year-old went through losing her front teeth.

Tanunda’s Brooke Henschke was diagnosed with a chronic blood disorder two years ago, with one of the effects leaving her prone to excessive bleeding.

Also prone to heavy bruising, this has made some childhood experiences, such as playing on the monkey bars, impossible for Brooke.

And although she doesn’t yet realise, she is being kept healthy with the support of blood donors.

Brooke suffers from a chronic case of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), which means her platelet count is extremely low and needs constant monitoring.

When local pharmacy assistant, Ms Olivia Shannon met a New Zealand pharmacist overseas, she never expected to run into him again in the Barossa.

Mario Besic and Olivia first talked at the Eiffel Tower in France while on a Contiki tour last July, where they discovered the link between their jobs.

After returning home, Olivia, 19, was surprised to find out the new pharmacist at Barossa Chemplus was her Contiki buddy, Mario.

“We met halfway across the world and then we met back here in the Barossa,” Olivia said.

Gawler businessman, Mr Tom Zorich is the Liberal candidate for the Federal seat of Wakefield after pre-selection took place at Balaklava on Saturday.

Mr Zorich and Two Wells resident, Mrs Kay Boon sought support from Liberal Party members for the Wakefield seat with the winner being a candidate in the next Federal election, which is tipped to be in 2013.

Mr Zorich spoke to The Leader on Monday and said he was looking forward to the challenge.

“I really was somewhat stunned, but privileged as well,” said Mr Zorich.

“I’m a new boy on the block and they have put faith in me and I’m extremely proud for the seat of Wakefield.”

An act of vandalism last week has devastated a local business and left it more than $800 out of pocket.

The ice cream freezer at the Kapunda Pizza Bar was unplugged, leaving $865 worth of stock to melt while nobody was in the shop.

Owner, Mr Dorian Chambers said all of the ice creams in the freezer were ruined and insurance wouldn’t cover the loss of stock.

Mr Chambers had reported the vandalism to police and said he would look over the CCTV vision.

“Offenders will be prosecuted and they’ll have to pay for expenses,” Mr Chambers said.

For the full story, grab this week’s copy of The Leader.

If anyone deserves an all expenses paid trip to Vanuatu, it’s Mrs Marie Michopolos from Keyneton.

After a hard couple of years following a breast cancer diagnosis – all with a smile on her face – Marie will have a well-deserved break for her niece’s overseas wedding.

Marie’s workmates at Barossa Chemplus, Nuriootpa, led by Mrs Mandy Talbot, entered her into a radio competition to win the trip she so badly wanted to go on.

Marie never considered she would be able to attend the wedding after paying for expensive treatment following the diagnosis last February.

When she got the winning call, Marie couldn’t speak and was emotional because her workmates had done something so wonderful for her.

“It was lovely, Mandy and all of the girls here are all so beautiful,” Marie said.

In her winning entry, Mandy wrote about how Marie is strong, positive and never complains while going through hormone therapy and radiation, which she finished just last week.

For the full story, grab this week’s copy of The Leader.

“As much as they say it’s been effortless, it hasn’t and I’ve been a pain,” Marie said.

She said driving from Keyneton to the Lyell McEwin Hospital for treatment, then to work at Nuriootpa was made easier because she was surrounded by the girls at the chemist.