Our community was robbed on Wednesday of a young Wagga father who was never happier than when spending time with his partner and their two daughters.

It was impossible not to be moved when Sharna McTavish, in paying tribute to her partner of seven years Steve Schreiber, told The Daily Advertiser so simply and starkly that "It will be hard without him".

Then, on Friday afternoon, a single-vehicle crash at Coolac claimed the life of a man in his 80s.

It was only the following day that nameless, faceless person from the police press release was revealed as one of this region's most identifiable figures.

Peter Batey OAM was a giant across Australia's intertwined art, theatre and comedy scenes, and a damn good friend to The Daily Advertiser.

Probably best known these days as the founder of the Bald Archy Prize, Peter was a tireless advocate for the Riverina and its people, places and produce.

Amid all this sadness, it was perhaps fitting that the Wagga Comedy Fest was on to provide a measure of relief from the gloom.

It was a pleasure to see such talented comedians as Lano and Woodley live on a Saturday afternoon in Wagga.

Neither microphone trouble nor a regrettably half-full theatre could detract from the show.

All the best for the week ahead, and please stay safe on our roads.

Ross