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Saturday, April 20, 2024

About Australian Rural & Regional News

A platform for independent news and stories written by,
for and about people living outside Australia’s capital cities

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Topics to watch

Murray Darling Basin Plan, biosecurity,
 transmission line, housing, fire

Bioenergy

Energy

Radial Timber taking on power

Philip Hopkins -
Radial Timber in Yarram, with a strategy already in place for its mainstream timber operation, has embarked on a new approach to using its wood waste that takes the company deeper into the heart of the sustainable, circular economy. Radial has installed a pilot plant that uses pyrolysis technology; organic material, in this case wood residues, is burnt at high temperatures without oxygen to produce biochar, a stable solid that is rich in carbon and can fertilise and endure in soil for thousands of years.

Farming

Agriculture

An opportunity for young farmers

The Buloke Times -
With BCG’s Young Farmer Network rapidly expanding, Senior Manager of Extension and Communications, Grace Hosking, is encouraging more young farmers to register now. "In our role as the Vic Hub’s North West Broadacre Node, BCG has brought together hundreds of young farmers from across the region in recent weeks to build knowledge, create networks and support each other through our BCG Young Farmer Network events...."

Doctors

Health

Welcome Dr. Maryna

Contributor, The Buloke Times -
It is with immense pleasure that we at the Donald Family Clinic would like to welcome a long anticipated new addition to our medical team. Dr. Maryna Aliakseyeva has officially joined us and her books will be open as of Monday, April 22, 2024. 

Food & beverages

Charity

Falcons ginger beer launch

Mike Smythe, Tarrangower Times -
On Thursday last week the Mount Alexander Falcons Women’s Sports Club launched a ginger beer made in collaboration with Shedshaker Brewing as a fundraiser to support the club and their community programs, which includes the outreach program at Tarrengower prison.

Infrastructure

Council

It’s dam important – Cressbrook Dam an utmost priority

Ted Rogers, On Our Selection News -
Toowoomba Region Mayor Geoff McDonald and Deputy Mayor Cr Rebecca Vonhoff last week stepped up the call for external funding for the $270 million Cressbrook Dam Safety Improvement Project ... Without grant funding, Council’s submission to the State Government said the full cost of the dam wall upgrade will be transferred to ratepayers through increased water charges.

Governance

MIL vote outcome

Lloyd Polkinghorne, The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper -
The proposed resolutions to remove the two current MIL non-member directors, Trisha Gorman and Robert Burbury, from the Murray Irrigation Board failed to garner the necessary votes last week ... The infighting at the board level has seen division spill over into the community, with the company, certain directors and influential farmers taking a leaf out of the MDBA book and hosting closed-door meetings for invite-only attendees.

Regional air

Council

Flight reductions under watch

Narrandera Argus -
Narrandera and Leeton Shire Councils will be keeping their eyes open and continuing dialogue with Regional Express executives in relation to flight reductions and timing of flight schedules being resumed at the Narrandera Airport. An overview of the continued Regional Express flight reductions through until at least the end of October 2024 was considered by the joint airport management committee.

Regional banking

Another NAB branch bites the dust

Ted Rogers, On Our Selection News -
Local readers who may have been used to ducking across to Pittsworth to use the services of NAB will have to change their ways from today (Thursday). The Pittsworth branch of NAB has closed permanently. The closure comes despite a strongly supported petition organised by the Federal Member for Groom, Garth Hamilton as well as a personal letter from Mr Hamilton to the CEO of the Bank.

Try telling this to people in Pittsworth and Clifton…

Ted Rogers, On Our Selection News -
The new Group Chief Executive Officer for the NAB has made contact with the bank’s customers explaining how the bank is continuing to support its customers. Andrew Irvine has been appointed NAB Group Chief Executive Officer, replacing Ross McEwan ... "During more than 20 years in banking I’ve learned that delivering the best experience for customers should be at the heart of why we come to work each day," Mr Irvine said.

Banking - Tennant Creek

Banking

ANZ celebrates opening of its new, improved branch office

Tash Adams, Tennant & District Times -
The ANZ branch in Tennant Creek has celebrated the opening of its new location after serving customers at its Paterson Street premises for decades. The new branch is still located on the main street, but now boasts a modern interior that’s bright and welcoming, showcasing ANZ’s unwavering commitment to the local community.

Banking - Maldon

Your bank turns 25!!

Viv Markham, Tarrangower Times -
The Community Bank Maldon & District is now 25 years old, and you’re invited to the celebration at Bank Corner ... It all began with a determined group of local residents who banded together to see what they could do about the fact that the Commonwealth Bank and the National Bank had deserted the town.

Mining

Business

BHP Operational Review for the nine months ended 31 March 2024

We have released our BHP Operational Review for the nine months ended 31 March 2024. “We remain on track to meet copper, iron ore and energy coal production for the year...": BHP Chief Executive Officer, Mike Henry.

Education & training

Education & training

TAFE staff member not all business!

Narrandera Argus -
Brenda Poole of Narrandera serves as the vibrant and dedicated Aboriginal Education and Engagement Coordinator at TAFE NSW. With over 20 years of experience, Brenda is a force to be reckoned with, especially her infectious energy and passion for her work.

Indigenous

Federal politics

NIAA opens doors to its new office location

Tash Adams, Tennant & District Times -
The National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) has established its new home in the former Westpac Bank building in Tennant Creek ... The agency works in partnership with First Nations communities to enable their self-determination and aspirations, ensuring they have a say in the decisions that affect them.

Youth - NT

Labor Govt has failed Barkly youth: Edgo

Federal politics Tash Adams, Tennant & District Times -
The Member for Barkly has called out Labor for its dereliction to support regional young people at risk after he highlighted the shocking cases of two Tennant Creek children who he says was failed by the NT Government. Mr Edgington, also the Shadow Attorney-General, says the children had a history of neglect and abuse and were allowed to escalate into violent offenders despite 67 child welfare notifications.

International

Family

Stein follows in mum’s footsteps

The Buloke Times -
In September 1995 a shy young Norwegian girl, Ingvill Backman, came to work on the Campbell farm, “Springbank” at Corack. For eight months she helped Trevor and Adam with all types of agricultural activities ... Now, almost twenty-nine years later her elder son, Stein Sira, has paid a visit to the Campbells.

Biosecurity

Agriculture

Fire ant inquiry shows Labor failing and too slow to act: Littleproud

“The frightening thing is that if fire ants get up above the Great Dividing Range, it could potentially get into the Murray Darling Basin and that could effectively see the fire ants go right down to Adelaide. It would impact the whole country and have devastating consequences. Labor now needs to urgently respond to the inquiry and eradication must continue to be the focus”: David Littleproud.

Gas

Economic confidence in the Beetaloo Basin grows: Lawler, Monaghan

Today, announced on the ASX, Empire Energy has successfully raised over $46 million enabling them to progress drilling in the Beetaloo Sub-Basin for natural gas. The drilling will comprise of a pilot development well for pre-production testing. Empire Energy is anticipating commencement of commercial production by 2025 with the first supply of natural gas going into the Northern Territory Market.

Regional health

Doctor struggles to get Yamba GP appointment

Rodney Stevens, Clarence Valley Independent -
A General Practitioner who retired from clinical practice to live in Yamba and took five months to secure an appointment with a local doctor whose books were open, says a large percentage of GPs don’t have their own doctor ... Dr M has offered some solutions to the health crisis in the region, which could ease the pressure on local GPs and enable doctors to access consultations with colleagues.

Wind farm

Energy

People power wins

Mim Rogers, Allora Advertiser -
The company which had been looking into the possible creation of a wind farm in the Goomburra district, east of Allora, has abandoned further action on the matter. Wind Prospect Pty Ltd’s Regional Development Manager, Michael Sale, told The Clifton Courier this week of the decision.

Renewable energy

Business

AGL Energy and Someva Renewables announce community funding as part of Pottinger Energy Park near Hay

Tertia Butcher, The Riverine Grazier -
AGL Energy and Someva Renewables have announced tens of millions in funding for the Hay Shire and Edward River Councils regions if the proposed Pottinger Energy Park proceeds ... The bulk of the funding will be delivered via two voluntary planning agreements between Someva, AGL Energy and the two councils.

Transmission lines

Agriculture

Shire meets with farmers

Contributor, The Buloke Times -
Carey Brennan. On Thursday, April 11, approximately 80 farmers filled the Donald Memorial Hall supper room to hear from the Buloke Shire and several speakers, to find out exactly what the Victorian NSW Interconnector (VNI) West Transmission Lines project means for this district.

Health - SA

YP health services risk ‘collapse’ – union

Employment Yorke Peninsula Country Times -
Yorke Peninsula hospitals are on the brink of a collapse of services, according to the nurses and midwives’ union, which is calling on residents to support its statewide campaign to counteract staff shortages in regional hospitals.

Health - SA

“GP tax” burden

Chris Oldfield, Naracoorte Community News -
A trip to the doctor is expected to soar by an extra $12 per visit under a State Government bid to claw payroll tax out of independent GP clinics. Following a brief amnesty, the extra $12 charges for GP visits will go straight into State Government coffers.

Energy

Energy

Coal cancellation

Philip Hopkins -
A drive to establish new industry and jobs using Latrobe Valley's brown coal in non-energy ways is effectively dead after the state government stopped funding research into the work, a decision denounced as "folly" and "ideological madness" by local leaders. Australian Carbon Innovation at Federation University, which since 2011 has been researching the non-energy use of brown coal that does not produce greenhouse gas emissions, will close on June 30 after the government pulled the plug on funding.

Health - SA

Minister awaits report

Chris Oldfield, Naracoorte Community News -
As The [Naracoorte Community] News deadline loomed last week, the Limestone Coast Local Health Network (LCLHN) was still working on reconnecting telephone services to the Lucindale Health Centre. And Health Minister Chris Picton expects to hear from a working group regarding nursing services at Lucindale “by the end of this month”.

Biosecurity

Agriculture

Biosecurity tax still fails fairness and equity tests: GPA

Under the Federal Government’s new Biosecurity Tax, Australian grain producers are being forced to pay 10 times more than the existing biosecurity levies that they already contribute towards emergency responses and other proactive initiatives, investments and partnerships. These levies are established by growers themselves and hypothecated for specific purposes.

Flood recovery

Building & Construction

Resilient Lismore receives full ‘repair to return’ funding

Dunoon and District Gazette -
“After nearly two years of our home repair work being privately funded by local organisations and philanthropists we are very grateful that the NSW Reconstruction Authority is providing this additional funding so that we can continue to help people return to safe and secure homes”: Resilient Lismore Executive Director Elly Bird.

Flood recovery

Council

Flood-affected land to be regenerated, turned into koala habitat: LVRC

Hundreds of native seedlings are set to be planted on flood-affected land, helping to bolster native habitat and reduce future flood damage. The project area, adjacent to and including Lions Park, Lower Tenthill, consists of two recently acquired lots which were bought back under the Voluntary Home Buy-Back (VHBB) program.

Flood management

Council

Donald to enhance flood management with Victorian Government funding

Buloke Shire Council is set to bolster its flood management capabilities with the support of Victorian Government funding. The Donald Flood Protection Demountable Levee Project ... will play a pivotal role in safeguarding residents from flooding and optimising the deployment of Council resources during emergency situations.

Agriculture - Indigenous

Roundtables seek agreement for defining Indigenous agricultural products: NFF

The National Farmers’ Federation will host a series of roundtables across April and May to confirm support for the broad characteristics and principles that must be used in defining Indigenous agricultural products ... NFF President David Jochinke said it was essential the widest range of voices were heard at this stage to ensure project’s objectives are achieved, including delivering ongoing prosperity to Indigenous peoples and business by being able to demonstrate authenticity and verifying claims about their products. 

Environment - NT

Fire

Only biological control can eradicate buffel

Erwin Chlanda, Alice Springs News -
The green that surrounds you is buffel, as far as the eye can see, a malicious plant predator that has overwhelmed much of The Centre, and is continuing its relentless advance. Renowned Central Australian botanist Peter Latz, who has studied the introduced plant for decades, likens the magnitude of impact on the country of buffel with the megafauna’s extinction.

Environment - NSW

Inland waterways

Advance Our Nature Fair

Lloyd Polkinghorne, The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper -
A free family event was held at the Federation Botanic Reserve on Sunday. Sixteen sites were set amongst the regenerated ground, which was a bare paddock not long ago … Attendees stood among 130 native species of ground cover, shrubs and trees that have thrived on the site and had the opportunity to listen, sharing the opportunities and experiences of people connecting with their natural environment. 

Forest - WA

Agriculture

Forests facing collapse

Denmark Bulletin -
Patricia Gill. Forests and reserves around Denmark have been hit by a ‘forest collapse’ event as the region struggles through a dry six months and feed for farms is depleting. Murdoch University fire and plant ecologist Dr Joe Fontaine says Denmark and South Coast regions may not be having the driest spell on record but the ecology was suffering due to an unusually long summer.

Murray-Darling

Federal politics

Water leaders convene at summit on future challenges for the Basin: MDBA

More than 100 senior leaders will meet under one roof today for a 2-day summit hosted by the Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) to collaborate, listen and share the diverse points of view on current and future management of the Basin ... the summit continues the conversation with First Nations people, industry, environmental, science and community leaders collaborating on the future of the Basin. 
Agriculture

Commonwealth backs down on Basin Plan blackmail: VFF

The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) is relieved the Commonwealth Government has finally stopped blackmailing Victoria and agreed to fund environmental projects that will ensure floodplains are watered. VFF President Emma Germano said it’s pleasing to see that Victoria will no longer be short-changed for key Basin Plan projects.

Environment

Business

Environment and business to benefit from Nature Positive Plan: Plibersek

Key updates are: Australia’s first national independent Environment Protection Agency with strong new powers and penalties to better protect nature. More accountability and transparency with a new body called Environment Information Australia ... Faster environmental approval decisions on projects ...

Infrastructure

Fishing

What phase 2 upgrades to the Two Rocks marina will include

Contributor, Yanchep News Online -
Betheney A’Vard. The Department of Transport provides an update on the upgrades to the Two Rocks marina, including those due to be undertaken in phase two. Reporter Betheney A’Vard spoke to Cameron Smith from the Department of Transport’s maritime section who said the marina mainly catered to the fishing and boat servicing industries but also the charter industry and recreational boating.

Public transport

Council

All aboard for a free ticket to ride

City of Coffs Harbour’s bold free bus travel initiative aims to help all members of the community, including people who don’t drive. The free bus travel trial starts on Friday 19 April, and Mayor Paul Amos said it would particularly support older people who no longer drive and unlicensed teenagers...

Land - NSW

Council

State Government exposed by tale of two cities

If it’s good enough for the NSW South Coast then it should be good enough for the NSW North Coast – as City of Coffs Harbour fights to keep the prized public land at the Jetty Foreshores in the hands of the community. Mayor Cr Paul Amos has won support for a Mayoral Minute which detailed inconsistencies in the NSW Government’s approach to public holdings. 

Research

Agriculture

World Vegetable Map 2024 – Turbulent times for the global vegetable sector: Rabobank

Global vegetable trade value rose amid cost increases; production down in some major markets. The value of the global vegetable trade rose in line with rising prices, reaching 3 per cent average annual growth from 2017 to 2022, according to Rabobank’s recently-published World Vegetable Map.

Communications

Telstra’s 5G and 4G upgrades promise enhanced connectivity for Nhill

Emily Gladdis, Nhill Free Press & Kaniva Times -
Telstra has announced significant upgrades to its mobile base station in Nhill, which will bring enhanced 4G services and introduce 5G coverage to the community. However, these improvements come with a temporary inconvenience—scheduled outages are expected from April 15 to April 19, during which there will be no 3G/4G coverage available from the site.

Regional news

How your community newspaper works for you: Oscar Tamsen

Contributor, Clarence Valley Independent -
Oscar Tamsen. As we all know only too well, inflation, the Web and the presence of TV advertising have collectively put paid to many community newspapers in various parts of Australia and elsewhere. Your ‘Clarence Valley Independent’ is, however, committed to continuing printing its weekly edition to carry the latest local news and timely shopping information to you, our many faithful readers. The 30-year-old philosophy of our editorial and management team has always been to serve our community by standing up for your individual rights when needed.

Farming

Agriculture

Around the paddock

Emily Gladdis, Nhill Free Press & Kaniva Times -
Farmers across the district are gearing up for the cropping season which is fast approaching. Brett Jewell said, "We are busy preparing for sowing, with a few internal fences being removed, gypsum to spread, some seed still to clean, a couple of stubble to burn, and some maintenance to be done on the sprayer and airseeder.

Emerging industry

Agriculture

A superfood renaissance down under: AgriFutures Australia announces new research plan for the quinoa industry

Known for its ancient origins and impressive nutritional profile, quinoa has not only captured the attention of health-conscious consumers globally, but also some entrepreneurial Australian farmers. Quinoa fuelled ancient Andean civilisations in South America for more than 7,000 years … along with high protein levels and essential amino acids has earned it the “superfood” title.

Pharmaceuticals

Agriculture

Dechra welcomes Numnuts® into the Gold Standard for pain relief

In a significant stride towards elevating pain relief standards for farm animals, Dechra Pharmaceuticals proudly welcomes Numnuts® into its product offering. Numnuts®, a revolutionary solution for ring marking in lambs, will be distributed alongside Dechra’s flagship wound care, anaesthetic, and antiseptic product, Tri-Solfen®.

Research

Farming

Eagle slayer myth hard to kill off

Yorke Peninsula Country Times -
Shaun Hollis. A trio of majestic wedge-tailed eagles rises out of the paddock stubble as our farm ute approaches ... Honiton farmer Matt Smith said he likes the huge birds living in the scrub beyond the bottom paddock because they help clean up the remains of any lambs which have become too weak to survive on their own. He said he has never seen an eagle kill a healthy lamb on his farm.

Craft beer

Business

Fun, Star Wars pun-inspired event for annual craft beer showcase

May the fourth beer with you! The Cairns Craft Beer Festival is back in 2024, with a frothing good lineup of ales from six of North Queensland’s craft breweries, delicious pub grub, lively entertainment, and competitions from noon until late...

Meat

Education & training

‘We meat again’: unique program helping ‘Gong butchers snag new staff

TAFE NSW Wollongong West will partner with a meat industry peak body to host a unique program this month offering local jobseekers a “taster” of the butchery trade and helping address a worsening skills gap. The three-day Introduction to the Retail Butchery Industry course ...

Property

Business

RSM Club buys the Clydesdale Steakhouse as part of its future plans

Susanna Freymark, indyNR.com -
The Casino RSM Club announced its plans to refurbish the Royal Hotel and to buy the Clydesdale Motel and Steakhouse and the former Sil Gava commercial site on Walker Street. The club’s expansion plans were shared with club members at a recent forum.

Hospitality

History & heritage

It’s time to say goodbye – historic pub for sale

Susanna Freymark, indyNR.com -
Lisa Stewart first saw the pub at Rappville when it was surrounded by ash and burnt ground. Despite the devastation in Rappville from the 2019 fires, Lisa saw the beauty of the historic Commercial Hotel rising from the ashes.

Air show

Event

What a show!

Emily Gladdis, Nhill Free Press & Kaniva Times -
A great day was had by all who came from near and far to the Nhill Airshow 2024. Planes had been flying all week but on the morning of the show they were coming in from every direction, including the Gooney Bird up from Melbourne and a number of private planes, many of which formed part of the aircraft ground display.

Air show

Only three more sleeps till the airshow

Emily Gladdis, Nhill Free Press & Kaniva Times -
You've been hearing and reading about it for months, but it's finally here; this Saturday strap on your boots for an amazing day; gates open at 8.30 am. Here's just some of the exciting events ... Around 11am Paul Bennet's world class aeronautics spectacular commences with an Australian Flag Parachute drop...

History & heritage

Nhill air pageant a “roaring success”

Emily Gladdis, Nhill Free Press & Kaniva Times -
John Williams. 65 years ago, it was marked as "our best air pageant ever" when a Canberra Bomber and Meteor jet buzzed the 3,000-strong crowds at the two-day event in March 1959. The RAAF display was a highlight with the Canberra fly-over on the Saturday and the Meteor staying overnight for another demonstration which ended when the jet rocketed up to a height of 23,000 feet to disappear into the wide blue yonder.

Defence

Military

RAAF training at Evans Head

Rodney Stevens, Clarence Valley Independent -
Lower Clarence residents will hear the sound of Royal Australian Air Force supersonic fighter jets in the skies over the next two months as squadrons conduct training exercises from the Evans Head Air Weapons Range. The training of pilots in the Number 1 Squadron and the Number 2 Operational Conversion Unit involved training flights and air-to-ground bombing training in both F/A -18F Super Hornets and F-35A Lightning II jets during April and May.

Rescue

Health

Goomburra now has a helipad

Mim Rogers, Allora Advertiser -
After three years of fundraising by Brad and Teresa Badgery a helipad has been built for emergency use at the Goomburra Valley Campground. It ensures visitors enjoying the picturesque Goomburra Valley Campground and surrounding campsites will now have easy access to the RACQ LifeFlight Rescue helicopter services, if needed.

Bush poetry

The autumn draft to Corryong

Mark Collins, Corryong Courier -
Anonymous. A thousand head of ‘forward steers’ are listed for the sale - cold country reared, good doers, to go forward without fail. So runs the stock advertisement and buyers from the plains are on their way to Corryong to beat the winter rains. Away in far-off Groggin and out near Buenbar, the mountain lads are mustering the cattle, near and far ...

Military history

The Malayan Emergency

Warwick O'Neill, Military Historian -
As an Australian military history nut, I like to think I know at least something about most of our major military actions since the late 1800s ... So what better opportunity to fill in that missing piece of my history puzzle for myself than to try and explain to you what it was all about? So here we go, the Malayan Emergency.

Tourism

Event

Festival goers roll in – the fun begins

Mark Collins, Corryong Courier -
People have been flocking into Corryong this week for the 29th edition of The Man From Snowy River Bush Festival which officially starts today. The festival promises rugged adventure and a celebration of traditional Australian culture.

Trade

Agriculture

Norco resumes international exports

Ted Rogers, On Our Selection News -
Australian dairy products from Southern Queensland and northern New South Wales are on their way to Japan, marking the first international shipment from Norco’s Lismore dairy operations since before the Northern Rivers floods in 2022.

Transport

Agriculture

“Weighting” their weighbridge turn

The Buloke Times -
Day after day they come from all around the district, their destination being the weighbridge south of the Donald township. This was the view from above on Tuesday morning.

Hay

Agriculture

Hay plant in construction

The Buloke Times -
A new hay export plant is being constructed at Warracknabeal by farmers and businessmen Scott Somers and Paul Johns, who, after six years of planning, are finally seeing the results of their efforts with the footings for the air-conditioned production shed now under way.

Rowing

Horticulture

World champ pumpkin paddler

Kirstin Nicholson, The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper -
It has elements of Jack and the Beanstalk and Cinderella, but our story is far from a fairytale, and doesn’t take place in a magical far away land. Our story involves one man’s dream, giant pumpkin seeds, a pumpkin boat, and our mighty Murray River.

Racing

News

Clancy looms large as racing industry icon and mentor across six decades

Narrandera Argus -
Kim Woods. Peter Clancy will cut the 80th anniversary cake at the CopRice Leeton Cup ... and mark eight decades of involvement with the club. Octogenarian Peter Clancy is simply "Mr Racing" – the racehorse trainer and breeder has been the mainstay and face of the industry in the Leeton area for more than 60 years.

Emergency services

Council

Greater extreme weather incidents lead to need for SES facilities expansion at Narrandera Airport

Narrandera Argus -
Expansion of the NSW State Emergency Services at Narrandera Airport in conjunction with the NSW SES is taking place as a result of co-operation between the state body and the Narrandera Shire Council. As previously announced the Council approved the usage of the southern section of the airport hangar…

Renewable energy

Stripping right to appeal is an insult to regional communities

Mark Collins, Corryong Courier -
Independent Federal Member for Indi, Helen Haines, has written to the Victorian government expressing her dismay with its decision to remove the right for third parties to appeal renewable energy planning decisions through VCAT ... In her letter to the Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosia and Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny, Dr Haines expressed concern that under the current system, there are not enough safeguards to ensure communities are heard and their issues acted upon by developers.

Nuclear

Energy

Opposition moves to investigate South Australia’s nuclear potential: Speirs, Patterson

The Opposition has introduced a motion into State Parliament supporting an open-minded, non-ideological investigation into the potential for a civil nuclear industry – including energy generation – in South Australia. Leader of the Opposition David Speirs introduced the motion to explore nuclear energy opportunities in South Australia in Parliament on Wednesday.

Murray-Darling

Agriculture

Murray Darling Basin television campaign uproar – MDB ads ‘disgraceful’

Krista Schade, The Riverine Grazier -
Independent Member for Murray, Helen Dalton, has called on the federal government to scrap its Murray Darling Basin advertising campaign, labelling it “dishonest and disgraceful.” ... “These ads blame NSW farming families for the state of the rivers, when water mismanagement by the federal government is responsible for the shocking state of our system,” Ms Dalton said.

Floodplain

Council

Claims that lives may be at risk from proposed Yamba development

Rodney Stevens, Clarence Valley Independent -
The lives of more than 200 residents of Yamba’s Hometown Australia owned Grevillea Waters, whose average age is in their mid-70s, are at significant risk if a proposed 16 townhouse development adjacent to the village is approved by Clarence Valley Council. That was the strong message the Grevillea Waters Residents Committee Focus Group GWRCFG delivered to the Member for Clarence, Richie Williamson, and the CV Independent when we were invited to tour the village...

Opinion

Agriculture

The family farm is doomed

Trevor Whittington, CEO WAFarmers -
Some rough numbers: 18 million hectares make up Western Australia’s freehold grain belt. Back in 1970 we had 20,000 growers and farms averaged about 1500ha in size, today we have 4000 broadacre farmers with the average farm about 3000ha ... While we may think our version of the family farm will be here forever, think again. The mega global family farms are on the march and so are the corporates.

Murray-Darling

Federal politics

Statement from the Minister for Water: Shing

"After years of advocacy with and for the Victorian community, the Commonwealth has finally agreed to fund key Victorian environmental water projects that will secure water for our precious floodplains, even in dry conditions. This is what the Murray Darling Basin Plan was always intended to achieve, and the Commonwealth Government has finally confirmed it agrees with us ...": Harriet Shing.

Opinion

Agriculture

Foreign land buyers quietly backing the Live Exports Gone movement

Trevor Whittington, CEO WAFarmers -
Notice how there is a deathly silence by the big foreign pension and sovereign investment funds on the merits of the Government's planned end to the live export trade. These are the foreign entities that have been quietly buying up millions of acres of Australian  farmland.

Environment

Agriculture

Overwhelming opposition to CCS in the Great Artesian Basin continues to grow with delegation calling on the Queensland Premier to take action: QFF

With an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) decision for Glencore’s proposed carbon capture and storage (CCS) project in the Great Artesian Basin (GAB) expected to be handed down in early May, community, environmental groups and industry remain united in calling on the Queensland government to reject the proposal.

Water

Carbon

Western Queensland Councils unite – “Don’t mess with the Great Artesian Basin”: WQAC

It’s a resounding no from leaders across Western Queensland to proposed plans to inject industrial waste into the Great Artesian Basin … The 24 member councils of Western Queensland ... unanimously agree in their opposition to the proposal for foreign-owned mining giant Glencore to undertake an injection test of 330,000 tonnes of liquid carbon dioxide (CO2) over three years into the Great Artesian Basin (GAB).

Environment - Vic

Inland waterways

Wetlands closed to hunting

The Buloke Times -
The Richardson River, Donald, and Lake Buloke are among the areas closed to hunting for the season beginning tomorrow. The Victorian Government has closed or partially closed thirty-two wetlands to hunting for the 2024 duck season to prevent losses or disturbance to significant numbers of threatened species and breeding waterbirds.

Health - Barham

Health

Ochre to go – opportunity knocks?

Lloyd Polkinghorne, The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper -
Ochre Health announced its intention to withdraw from Barham in a press release last week, and a hunt is underway to find a new operator for the facility. The Barham Local Health Medical Trust, which owns the facility, acknowledged Ochre Health’s commitment to the community and its excellent provision of medical services over the past 15 years.

Health - Murrumbidgee

30 year celebrations for Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network

Narrandera Argus -
Firsthealth Limited who delivers the Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network, is celebrating 30 years of the organisation’s role in primary healthcare. The organisation’s history dates back to July 1993 ... Firsthealth Limited Board Chair Dr Jodi Culbert said the longevity of the organisation demonstrated its commitment to primary health in the Murrumbidgee region and a willingness to adapt to an everchanging environment.

Health - Barkly

Health

New general manager helms rehab service

Tash Adams, Tennant & District Times -
Bradaag welcomed its new General Manager Natalie McCabe recently. Ms McCabe brings a wealth of experience within the public sector and Indigenous organisations in regional Australia.

Nursing

Health

Barkly nurse a finalist in prestigious awards

Tash Adams, Tennant & District Times -
A Barkly registered nurse has been announced as a finalist in the 2024 Nursing and Midwifery Awards. Annette (Nettie) Hodgson-Taylor is one of three finalists in the Excellence in Aboriginal Health category.

Health - SA

Council

Mayor calls for phone to be reinstated

Chris Oldfield, Naracoorte Community News -
Reconnecting the telephone at Lucindale’s Health Centre would be a first step towards healing a rift between the community and the $243 million Limestone Coast Local Health Network (LCLHN) which slashed its services. Naracoorte Lucindale mayor Patrick Ross hoped the phone line would be reinstated by the end of last week, or early this week.

Rural doctors

Driving doctors to train in regional posts

Yorke Peninsula Country Times -
Sarah Herrmann. Yorke and Northern Local Health Network has announced its new Rural Doctors Program, which offers medical graduates three-to-five-year training contracts in the region, with the aim to empower junior doctors to became rural generalists. YNLHN executive director of medical services Hendrika Meyer said the network is making a long-term investment to grow its medical workforce by allowing junior doctors to train in the country earlier in their careers and to complete their entire training in the region.

Property

News

Breaking national price rise records

Yorke Peninsula Country Times -
Shaun Hollis. Combined, the Yorke Peninsula, Barossa and Mid North regions have recorded the largest annual home price rise of any regional area in Australia in the past year, new data has revealed ... Housing Industry Association SA regional director Stephen Knight said home affordability and availability are two of the state’s most critical challenges.

Property

Business

Done deal

Nasik Swami, Naracoorte Community News -
Naracoorte’s former Morris Bakery has been sold to a local buyer. The value of the sale was not disclosed to The [Naracoorte Community] News because of legal agreements ... Good news for food lovers, as the new owner intends to run the business as a “food place”.

Rentals

Rentals up 13 per cent

Ted Rogers, On Our Selection News -
From April 2023 to April 2024, the average rent increased by 18 per cent in the Cambooya-Wyreema area, higher than the 10 per cent average increase across Queensland. The latest Suburbtrends "Rental Pain Index" for April 2024 shows that for the Cambooya-Wyreema area, which also includes Hodgson Vale, Mount Rascal, Top Camp, Vale View and Finnie, the vacancy rate is just 1.04 per cent.

Health

The right to healthcare for all

The Buloke Times -
Everyone needs a GP, and the Australian Government must build the country’s health workforce so everyone can get the care they need today, and in the future, says the Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) ... RACGP vice-president, Associate Professor Michael Clements, said: “Australia has a world class health system, but investment in building our health workforce to meet growing patient needs is critical. 

Housing

Building & Construction

Donald 2000 to tackle shortage of housing

The Buloke Times -
Donald 2000 has taken a big step towards reducing the shortage of housing in the town ... Donald Housing Innovations Pty Ltd (DHIP) ... will ask the local community and local employers to invest in housing as a way to overcome a lack of property developers undertaking housing projects in small rural towns. 

Bureaucracy

Visa bungle threatens the cakes they make and the future they’re building

Susanna Freymark, indyNR.com -
Reto and Heike Bodenburg have been through a lot to get to the point where they are stable, have a thriving cafe, and are part of the Coraki community ... All that is on hold, with an immigration tribunal looming and the threat of Heike being forced to return to Switzerland and leave all they have built behind.

War

What will you plant in your garden during troubled times?

Pavel Kuliuk, ARR.News -
Gardening in extreme conditions is not an educational program anywhere. Ukrainians in the combat zone are learning this from their own personal experience. Many people in other countries believe that this is a useful experience that should be taught to the population in peacetime ... Read Pavel's life hack for gardening in a war zone.

Infrastructure - Vic

Minister’s response on Shepparton Bypass provides no hope: Lovell

During a recent sitting of parliament Wendy Lovell, Liberal Member for Northern Victoria, highlighted the Labor government’s continuing failure to act on the Shepparton Bypass. Following the release of the Shepparton South East Precinct Structure Plan, Ms Lovell urged the State Government to commit to funding at least Stage 1 of the Shepparton Bypass in the 24/25 Budget.

Police - NT

Business

Secret police

Erwin Chlanda, Alice Springs News -
The media releases from the police spin doctors are frequently short of salient information and phone calls from journalists to fill in the yawning gaps are not returned. Law-and-order problems go right to the top, says Independent MLA for Araluen, Robyn Lambley, referring to the “backflipping on a monumental scale” about curfews by Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Chansey Paech.

Governance

Agriculture

APVMA review a welcome opportunity: GrainGrowers

The government’s response to the Matthews Review into the governance of the AVPMA is a welcome opportunity to ensure the regulator can operate in the best interests of Australian agriculture. GrainGrowers CEO, Shona Gawel said the report was an important step in maintaining our strong, independent, evidence-based regulatory system.

Review

Agriculture

NFF backs the government’s response to the APVMA review

The National Farmers’ Federation welcomes the Federal Government’s well-considered response to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) review. NFF Chief Executive Officer Tony Mahar said it was imperative to the farm sector the APVMA gets back on track and empowering Ken Matthews AO’s review into the Authority’s future structure and governance was a step in the right direction. 

Supermarkets

Agriculture

Emerson’s interim report backs farmers’ call for mandatory code: NFF

The National Farmers’ Federation welcomes the interim report reviewing the adequacy of the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct, saying the recommendations would help give the Code the teeth it needs. NFF President David Jochinke said the report backed farmers’ call for the Code to be made mandatory and be bolstered with greater penalties for breaches.
Agriculture

Release of Food and Grocery Code Review interim report: Chalmers, Leigh

"Today we have released the interim report of the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct independent review, commissioned by the Albanese Government. We want a fair go for families and a fair go for farmers. This work is all about making our supermarkets as competitive as they can be so Australians get the best prices possible": Jim Chalmers, Andrew Leigh.
Agriculture

Exploitive powers of supermarkets confirmed, with growers forced to foot the bill, while Bunnings gets a free pass: NFF

The NFF Horticulture Council strongly supports the key recommendations detailed in the interim Independent Review of the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct ... The Council is particularly encouraged to see recommendations for the enforcement of the mandatory code, and the possibility of increased fines reaching up to 10 per cent of turnover, potentially amounting to billions.

Council - SA

Debt-ridden properties

Nasik Swami, Naracoorte Community News -
Three debt-ridden properties in the district were auctioned by the Naracoorte-Lucindale Council last week to recoup unpaid rates and legal costs of up to $100,000. The council says it had to put the properties under the hammer as it had exhausted all other options to recover the debts, which date back to 15 years in some cases. The properties, two in Kybybolite and one in Naracoorte, were auctioned by a local real estate company.

Parliamentary inquiry - Qld

Agriculture

The sham we knew it would be: Katter

When the Government approached me to chair the Supermarket inquiry, it only took a minute to realise it was doomed for failure, Katter’s Australian Party Leader, and Member for Traeger, Robbie Katter said. “The Committee was only recently established, yet submissions are already about to close!” Mr Katter said.

Church

History & heritage

The close of an era – Cambooya Uniting Church’s final service

Ted Rogers, On Our Selection News -
There was not a spare seat in sight for the closure service of the Cambooya Uniting Church ... over 70 people filled the church, to hear the Passion of Christ and give thanks for this tiny church’s contribution to Cambooya and the surrounding districts ... Rev. John said there was no more appropriate day in the Christian Calendar than Good Friday to allow ourselves to grieve.

Public transport - Vic

Media Release

Fairer fares deliver huge savings in first year: Williams

Minister for Public and Active Transport Gabrielle Williams was in Geelong today, to mark one year of making regional public transport more affordable by capping the daily regional fare at the same price as the daily metropolitan fare. Passengers have been showing their enthusiasm for cheaper regional travel, with more than 22 million trips taken since the fare cap commenced.

Parliament - Vic

Council

Excitement building in Campaspe ahead of legislative Council’s arrival

“The team from Parliament has made several visits to Echuca in preparation for the events that are happening for this special regional sitting of the Legislative Council. Together with the council staff and local contractors, they will be transforming the library into the Upper House chamber for the day": Mayor Rob Amos.

Council - Vic

Thirty years on

Contributor, Tarrangower Times -
Thanks to ex-Shire Engineer Bill Moore for this article about the old Shire of Maldon, which was swallowed up by Mount Alexander Shire 30 years ago ... This year is the 30th anniversary of the demise of the Shire of Maldon. Yes, it’s 30 years since we were ‘Jeffed’ by the newly elected Liberal government led by Jeff Kennett. Who can remember what this previous Shire was like before it was amalgamated with the Shires of Newstead and Metcalfe and the City of Castlemaine?

Cattle

Agriculture

Top breeding, top honour

Kirstin Nicholson, The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper -
Seeing your name in gold print on an honour roll is something special, but something not many of us achieve. For Greg and Kris Goulding from Johville Park Aussie Reds at Leitchville, it’s their outstanding genetics that have helped them reach that status. The Gouldings were inducted to the Genetics Australia Breeder Honour Roll...

Emergency services

Fire

Dunoon Rural Fire Service

Dunoon and District Gazette -
Mike Berry. It is with sadness that members of Dunoon RFS acknowledge the recent passing of past member Neville Watts age 98 ... In 2023, the brigade introduced a new annual training award posthumously named in honour of past member, Aline Feebrey. ... Our inaugural winner is Alison Wilson.

Aboriginal cultural heritage

Farming

Letter to The Riverine Grazier editor

Contributor, The Riverine Grazier -
... Upon discovering the ovens on his property Mick Cattanach along with local Waradgery man, John ‘Gubba’ Woods decided to fence off approximately six acres of land to protect it from stock degradation and to make it a private reserve for the generations to come ... What happened next is an example of how everyday Australians can voluntarily help the ‘Close the Gap’ initiative with practical and sustainable outcomes, with the use of volunteer labour.

Indigenous - NT

First remote Local Decision Making Agreement in Central Australia to strengthen community development: Uibo

The first remote Local Decision Making Agreement in Central Australia, highlights the Territory Labor Government’s continued support of remote communities in the Ngurratjuta Region west of Alice Springs. Cultural leaders from a cluster of communities and homelands across the Ngurratjuta Region ... signed a Local Decision Making (LDM) Agreement, with Stage 1 focused on pathways for the community led development and economic boost for Papunya, Haasts Bluff and Mt Liebig and surrounding homelands.

Indigenous - Vic

Indigenous

Race based taxation…what’s next?: Bev McArthur

Media reports have revealed that the Allan Labor Government is considering a request to give Aboriginal people land tax exemptions on the basis of their race, as proposed by Aunty Dr Jill Gallagher AO ... Dr Gallagher laid out a list of 10 reforms which she said “must be part of a statewide treaty”... includes exempting Aboriginal people from land tax, stamp duty and council rates, providing Aboriginal people with interest-free loans to purchase homes, completely free university tuition and creating “designated seats” on local councils.

Indigenous - SA

Peter Malinauskas must explain Treaty and Truth: Speirs, Teague

The Opposition is calling on Peter Malinauskas to explain how he plans on delivering his election commitments of Treaty and Truth following the recent state-based Voice to Parliament elections. The Malinauskas Labor Government’s election commitment says: 'SA Labor has already committed to a state-based implementation of the Uluru Statement from the Heart that includes Voice, Treaty and Truth.' The recent SA Voice to Parliament elections saw less than 10 per cent of the eligible population turn out to vote with some of the 46 successful candidates elected with as few as six votes.

Southern Downs

Mayor Melissa Hamilton inducted

Council Mim Rogers, Allora Advertiser -
In her opening address, Mayor Melissa Hamilton promised to foster a team environment with the new Council for the benefit of the region "... To the press. Not many places in regional Australia have managed to maintain local press. I hope our newspapers and radio stations continue to thrive and provide the accountability that we as a chamber benefit from as well as our democracy generally."

Infrastructure

Federal politics

Bridges still an area to cross in the upcoming budget: GrainGrowers

Bridges remain an issue for the federal government to cross in the upcoming budget, with GrainGrowers calling for additional urgent targeted funding to address current safety and efficiency issues. The call follows the recent announcement by the federal government of $45 million for regional safety upgrades.

Event

Event

Mulloon Rehydration Conference 2024

Only three weeks to go until we present our inaugural Mulloon Rehydration Conference showcasing the pioneering work of the Mulloon Institute and our dedicated partners within the Mulloon Rehydration Initiative (MRI). This 2-day event will deliver our game-changing journey of nature repair through evidence-based landscape rehydration methods and why it matters.

Charity

Quilt display at Lowana

Emily Gladdis, Nhill Free Press & Kaniva Times -
Broughton's local craft group that meet Thursday fortnightly at the Salvation Army have been very busy and have put a collection of beautiful quilts together ... made from mostly donated fabric and are available to purchase with all proceeds going to the local Days for Girls group.

Festival

Highland Fling: Maclean’s good time gathering!

Contributor, Clarence Valley Independent -
Large crowds were greeted by an amazing display of pipe band music, Highland dancing, and traditional Scottish sports at the Maclean Showgrounds on March 29 and 30 during the 119th Maclean Highland Gathering. With the traditional Street Parade consisting of 23 bands also drawing enthusiastic spectators to River Street...

Tourism

Marine

QLD Music Trails and CamperMate join forces on unforgettable reef experience giveaway

QLD Music Trails is a first of its kind tourism experience, inviting participants to embark on musical journeys that showcase the rich tapestry of Queensland's musical culture. CamperMate is a leading platform for travellers seeking camping and outdoor travel experiences. The partnership will leverage the strengths and synergies of both organisations ...

Leadership & You

Education & training

Don’t pursue a career and forget to live a life

David Stewart, RYP International -
Far too many people come to the realisation of the importance of regular breaks too late in life. It seems one of the false measures of personal success is busy-ness. Too often people boast at how busy they are at work, or how they have had no time for themselves, or how they just have not had the time to reply to a close friend's call. The measure of success in life is not how busy you are, but how fulfilled and contented you are.

Circus

Spaghetti Circus Open Day, 27 April 2024

In celebration of World Circus Day, Spaghetti Circus is throwing open the doors and welcoming everyone in for a day of circus fun! The Spaghetti Circus Open Day ... is jam packed with free 'taster' classes for kids and adults from 9am-12:30pm, followed by a community picnic.

Exhibition

State Library’s Cameleers exhibition explores forgotten histories: Templeman

A new exhibition at the State Library of Western Australia follows the trail of cameleers who left a significant cultural and economic legacy in Western Australia. Camels and those who cared for them were a familiar sight along the tracks connecting Australia's outback to the coast 150 years ago.

Debutantes - Vic

Debutantes sparkle at Charlton Ball

Contributor, The Buloke Times -
Jenny Pollard. A sparkling array of white tulle, classic dresses, debonair partners and two adorable attendants were the highlights of the 2024 Charlton Deb Ball held last Friday night as nine couples were formally presented against a striking Art Deco-inspired setting at the Charlton Hall.

Biography

Fletcher Griffin biography receives top award

Mim Rogers, Allora Advertiser -
Fletcher, who is a student at the Allora P-10 State School completed a biography on Aunty Flo Watson (OAM) in the "Yarning with our Elders" competition ... Over the 2023 Christmas holidays, QATSIF and their partners at the Australian Catholic University invited Queensland’s First Nation secondary students to have a yarn with an Elder and Fletcher selected Aunty Flo ... Fletcher’s biography was awarded first place ...

Play

Write time and pace for local playwright

Emma Pritchard, Clarence Valley Independent -
Steve North said it was fate after a play he wrote a couple of years ago was recently announced as one of eight winners in the nationwide Sage Age Playwriting Competition. Entitled The Last Rehearsal, Mr North’s play is based on a theatre group who are preparing to rehearse ahead of an upcoming performance, but unbeknownst to their director ...

Dance - NT

Duprada Dance Company 40th Anniversary Gala

The 40th Anniversary performance of Duprada Dance Company at the Araluen Arts Centre will be a spectacular event showcasing the best of the best inspired from the past 40 years. Music that Moves is a story of movement, migration and music.

Circus - NSW

NORPA to take audiences on a wild ride to Lismore Showgrounds with Wildskin: 12-28 September 2024

Dunoon and District Gazette -
NORPA is taking audiences on an adventure outside the theatre once again, announcing it will stage its original work Wildskin in a warehouse space at the Lismore Showgrounds. A sensory, destination-theatre experience, Wildskin inhabits an outrageous and unpredictable world that’s part bush-thriller, part road-trip and a whole lot of NORPA’s signature theatrical style.

Letters from Home

Letters from Home: Battle of the Mynah birds vs Fran

Fran Cleland, ARR.News -
I read in the local Facebook forum that there was this you beaut marvellous bird trap that could catch up to a dozen birds at a time.... As they have been bloody pests in the barbeque area where my husband feeds the dogs - stealing food and pooping copiously everywhere ...

Review

Book review – Crawling Through the Darkness

Contributor, The Riverine Grazier -
Kimberly Grabham. Linda Goldspink Lord is a name many would know and remember. Linda and her family used to live in Hay, and left the town when Linda was a teenager ... She wrote a book, Crawling Through the Darkness. 

New release

You called an ambulance for what?

Contributor, The Riverine Grazier -
Kimberly Grabham. Tim Booth is the son of Lyn and Ken Booth, formerly of Hay. Tim has written a book, titled, You Called an Ambulance for What? ... details the crazy and curious reasons for people calling emergency services, and are situations he experienced while working as a paramedic in Sydney. 

Quiz

Quiz #12

Tom Trifonoff -

Letters from Home

Letters from Home: So many ifs

Fran Cleland, ARR.News -
Easter used to be fun in our family, but not any more. It's the hardest time of year for our family, it's when our darling granddaughter took her life. When we lost our Jessica to suicide the police knew just where to look: her phone and laptop.

Interview

Author interview – Pip Fioretti

Aedeen Cremin, ARR.News -
Having read Pip Fioretti's Bone Lands in a sitting and finding it an "extraordinary work", Australian Rural & Regional News contributor, Dr Aedeen Cremin was keen to find out more about this "cracker of a book", its origins and its author.

Review

Review – Bone Lands

Aedeen Cremin, ARR.News -
This is a cracker of a book. I literally could not put it down and read it at a sitting. From the very first page we are plunged into the mind of the main character—we can hardly call him a ‘hero’, though he has performed heroic deeds. A former army officer, badly wounded and literally scarred by his time in the second ‘Boer War’ (1899-1902), Gus Hawkins is by 1911 a policeman, a mounted trooper, stationed in the far west of NSW on the Darling River between Bourke and Wilcannia.

Review

Review – What’s For Dinner?

Serena Kirby, ARR.News -
I’ve read a number of books that delve into issues surrounding Australian food production and it’s fair to say that I found Jill Griffiths’ book What’s For Dinner? the easiest one to digest (pun intended). Jill is a biologist and journalist who’s been writing about the environment and agriculture for more than three decades and her book is a blend of science, history and lived experience.

New release

New release – Outback Court Reporter

From the case of the stolen cat flap, to missing lollipops and exploding chocolate milk in a country supermarket, to a custody dispute over a camel - Jamelle Wells has seen the lighter and quirky side of outback courts but has also witnessed the harsh, dark, and petty side of outback life - including the high rates of Indigenous incarceration, alcohol-related and domestic violence.

Review

Review – Salt River Road

Serena Kirby, ARR.News -
It’s easy to see why Molly Schmidt’s debut novel, Salt River Road, won the City of Fremantle’s Hungerford Award and I feel there will be many awards to follow. Salt River Road is set in the late 1970s in southern WA and while it’s a work of fiction it resonates with truth about loss, grief and navigating teenage-hood after the death of a parent.

Interview

Author interview – Molly Schmidt

Serena Kirby, ARR.News -
Salt River Road, by WA award winning author Molly Schmidt, is definitely a book with a difference.  Written with a mixture of prose and poetry, it tells the story of the rurally-based Tetley family in the aftermath of the loss of their mother ... Australian Regional and Rural News interviewer, Serena Kirby, chatted with Molly to find out more about the unique and beautiful techniques she used in the book and the personal experiences that shaped her writing. 

Book launch

Allora local launches novel

Mim Rogers, Allora Advertiser -
Georgia Harper invites you to delve into her fascinating journey from psychologist to debut author. From her paddock in Allora and under the watchful supervision of her horse, Georgia penned her first novel What I Would Do to You.

History

Mount Lindesay quest uncovers local link

Denmark Bulletin -
Alasdair Millar. Naval surgeon Dr T.B. Wilson explored the Denmark area in 1829 and named several landmarks. These included the Denmark River, after Alexander Denmark, another naval surgeon, and the brooding hill to our north, after Sir Patrick Lindesay (1778-1839) ‘in compliment to the officers of the 39th regiment’.

Festival

Visual displays inspired visitors

Mark Collins, Corryong Courier -
Honor Auchinleck. The opening of the MFSR Bush Festival’s Art and Photography Exhibition last Thursday evening was memorable for the opening speech of Dr Jonathan King OAM. Dr King organised the first modern bush festival in 1995 ... talented local artists and photographers set a high standard and impressed the exhibition patrons.

History & heritage

ANZAC Day walk

Contributor, Tarrangower Times -
Lee Mead. Interested in Maldon's history? Friends of Maldon Historic Reserve are hosting a stroll in the Maldon Historic Reserve in the afternoon on ANZAC Day. Learn about the history of ANZAC Hill and discover some of our unique gold-mining landscapes.

History & heritage

Family history looking for a writer

Viv Markham, Tarrangower Times -
It has taken her three years to stitch it all together: former Maldon resident Leigh Jacobs has meticulously compiled an album of photos and documents that tell the story of her father Keith Laity’s life. The [Tarrangower] Times had the privilege of looking through Leigh’s tribute to her father ... In demolishing the old building on Bank corner and building a new garage, Keith changed the face of Maldon forever.

Exhibition

Philip Adams, Craig Barrett and Jackie Gorring

Contributor, Tarrangower Times -
Philip Adams. Central Goldfields Art Gallery has a new exhibition ... The impact of place is the theme that unites Jackie Gorring, Philip Adams and Craig Barrett who are contemporary artists living in Central Victoria on Dja Dja Wurrung country. 

Sydney Royal

Equestrian

Best of the breeds put on right royal display at Sydney

Fran Cleland, The Regional -
The Sydney Royal Easter Show’s breed classes have again provided a highlight for spectators as the best of the best go under the judges’ eyes.

Pony racing

Equestrian

Naracoorte High School student racing at Royal Randwick

Contributor, Naracoorte Community News -
Nicki Barnet. Three of South Australia’s up and coming riders and their ponies have set off on the journey of a lifetime to the National Pony Racing Series Finals, which takes place at Royal Randwick in Sydney on All Aged Stakes Day on April 20. Supported by Racing SA, Cheyenne Crane and her pony Phoenix will represent SA in the large pony category...

Mountain biking

Cycling

It’s all downhill in Denmark for WA’s top riders

Denmark Bulletin -
Denmark Mountain Bike Club hosted two rounds of the WA State Downhill Series attracting more than 150 riders over two days. Among the top riders was a big contingent of Denmark and Albany riders who battled rough terrain, rock drops and gap jumps to be the fastest down the hill.

Equestrian

Equestrian

Webb wins

Mark Collins, Corryong Courier -
The 2024 Man From Snowy River Bush Festival attracted record crowds on Friday and Saturday night in a celebration of Australian bush heritage ... The live concert on Friday night drew an estimated crowd of 8000 while the Wrangler Xtreme Broncs Australia rodeo on Saturday night was attended by a record 10,000 people.

Cycling

Business

Murray to Moyne keeps pedalling on

Kirstin Nicholson, The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper -
The return of the Cohuna Murray to Moyne cycling team after a seven-year break was a positive and successful one, with 15 riders completing the 510km course over two days. From flat open roads to winding hills, from calm and sunny weather to wind and coastal rains, the Cohuna District Hospital’s Murray to Moyne cycle relay team had it all...

AFL

AFL

Blues chase back-to-back flags

Mark Collins, Corryong Courier -
Defending premiers Cudgewa will start as favourites when the 2024 Upper Murray season starts on Saturday. The Blues have retained the bulk of last year’s team that went undefeated through the 2023 season including a 94-point demolition of Bullioh in the grand final.

Rugby league

News

Yenda Blueheelers trounce Hay Magpies in tough day at Hay Park

Krista Schade, The Riverine Grazier -
Yenda Blueheelers first grade side ran away in the second half to cap off a tough day for Hay Magpies at Hay Park on Sunday. The visitors defeated Hay in all four grades.

Athletics

Athletics

National record for Matthew

Mim Rogers, Allora Advertiser -
Matthew Denny thrilled the crowds at the Australian Athletics Championships held in Adelaide over the weekend. Producing his best effort, Matthew threw a huge 69.35 metres which added over one metre to his previous top throw and creating a National Record.

Fishing

Fishing

Big turnout for Ganmain vs Grong Grong anglers competition

Narrandera Argus -
It was an amazing turnout for the Ganmain versus Grong Grong anglers competition. Between the two clubs there were 15 boats on the water and about 50 people, with 64 Cod, four trout cod, one yellow belly, one silver perch and only four carp caught for the day.

Fishing

Aquaculture & fishing

10 million reasons to love fishing in Victoria

The Buloke Times -
The State Government’s record-breaking fish stocking program has again hit a high-water mark with 10 million fish stocked this year, so more recreational fishers can wet a line close to home across the state. Minister for Outdoor Recreation Steve Dimopoulos, last week stocked more brown trout at Lake Wendouree in Ballarat and announced the major milestone for Victorians.

Ballooning

Festival

Global Ballooning soars into Mildura for Big Balloon Bash 2024

Global Ballooning, renowned for its captivating hot air balloon experiences in Melbourne and Yarra Valley, is thrilled to announce its participation in the upcoming Big Balloon Bash competition event in Mildura. From 29th June to 7th July, 2024, Global Ballooning invites you to experience a breathtaking display of hot air balloons soaring through Mildura's picturesque landscapes while being part of thrilling competitions.

Masters

Aging

Gold medal quest begins

Yorke Peninsula Country Times -
Will Hunter. More than 1000 competitors will be hoping to take home the chocolates from the Copper Coast 2024 SA Masters Games this Thursday to Sunday, April 11 to 14. It is the third time in four years the Copper Coast has hosted the games, and venues across Kadina, Wallaroo and Moonta will host a total 20 sports.

Pony racing

Equestrian

Exciting finale set for 2023 National Pony Racing Series at Royal Randwick Racecourse: Pony Club Australia

Pony Club Australia -
The 2023/24 National Pony Racing Series reaches its peak with a thrilling final at Sydney’s Royal Randwick Racecourse ... Young riders, aged 9 to 15 years, representing Pony Clubs nationwide, will vie for victory ...

Masters

News

Games hat trick ends on a high

Yorke Peninsula Country Times -
Michelle Daw. The third Masters Games in a row held on the Copper Coast has wrapped, with plaudits from organisers and the more than 1000 competitors who took part. The Copper Coast 2024 Masters Games, held from Thursday to Sunday ... attracted 1043 registered competitors.

Swimming

News

Swimming to victory with the nation’s best

Susanna Freymark, indyNR.com -
Clayton Wilkinson and Harry Kilburn will be swimming for victory this week in the 2024 Australian Age Swimming Championships at the Gold Coast. The boys train seven times a week with coach Shannon Comerford as part of the Casino Swimming Club.

Harness racing

Equestrian

Djaara Cup race day at Charlton

Contributor, The Buloke Times -
Peter Hibberd. The Charlton Harness Racing Club in conjunction with the Djaara people ran its annual race day at Charlton on Wednesday. Being the traditional owners of Country across central Victoria, the land on which the harness racing training centre is based was granted to the Charlton Club in 2012. Every year since, the Club has a special day to celebrate this important event.

Pony club

Equestrian

Galloping in the hoof prints of champions at Emu Creek

Fran Cleland, The Regional -
If ever a pony club could lay a claim to having produced famous riders, it’s Emu Creek. Four former members of the Victorian Western District club — Wayne, Barry and Clarke Roycroft and Phillipa Glennen — have become Olympians ... Pony club parents don’t seem to mind travelling, and the event drew competitors from across the state.

Surf life saving

Aquaculture & fishing

Yanchep Surf Life Saving Club patrols on abalone fishing days

Contributor, Yanchep News Online -
On the last day of abalone fishing this season reporter Chris Van Der Merwe visited Yanchep Lagoon while the Yanchep Surf Life Saving Club was patrolling the beach. As well as keeping people safe the club performs rescues and educates the community.

Rugby league

News

Magpies: Reserve grade back in the paddock with a win

Krista Schade, The Riverine Grazier -
Any rugby league reserve grade side that boasts the return of talented players such as Moe Clune and Brad Pocock was always going to be hard to beat, and the Hay Magpies side put on a show for home ground fans ... The league tag game started off the action on Sunday ... Many players were on debut including Wendy Gonevulavula who quickly became a crowd favourite ...

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