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Koala genetics
Koala numbers crashed across Australia 100,000 years ago. Global glacial cycles are likely to blame
Toby Kovacs. As my new study published in the journal Molecular Biology and Evolution shows, koalas experienced a population crash about 100,000 years ago. This finding rewrites our understanding of the genetic history of koalas in Australia – and overturns previous theories about what caused their decline in ancient times.
Genetic bottlenecks: Vic Jurskis
Another study of koalas’ genetics has been published but a key result flowing from this research was not clearly identified by the authors ... The crashes in unsustainably high numbers of koalas, consequent to the Federation Drought but attributed to shooting for pelts, didn’t cause genetic bottlenecks.
Koalas - Yanchep
Young Yanchep koala gets his first health check
The first koala to be born at Yanchep National Park in 15 years has passed his first full health check with flying colours. In May the Parks and Wildlife Service at the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) said Djilba, who was born in February last year, weighed a healthy 4.5kg.
New release
Celebrating a new book honouring May Gibbs, Nutcote and wild koalas: Australian Koala Foundation
The Australian Koala Foundation is delighted to have sponsored a new enchanting book celebrating the life of May Gibbs and her love of wild koalas ... Written by Fiona Starr and created for Nutcote’s centenary, this stunning 100-page book brings together May’s own words, artwork, and rich imagery to tell the story of the place she called home.
Wildlife - NT
Bilby baby boom brings extra cuteness to Central Australia: Boothby, Burgoyne
It’s all smiles and melted hearts as three baby bilbies emerge from their mothers’ pouches at the Alice Springs Desert Park. Under the careful watch of Alice Springs Desert Park staff and researchers, the three bilby joeys will remain with their mothers on display in the Nocturnal House, just in time for the school holidays.
Industrial hemp
Murray Industrial Hemp – $10 million to build in Barham
Murray Industrial Hemp (MIH) is thrilled with news the NSW Government has granted $10 million for a new hemp manufacturing business in Barham ... MIH will use the government funding, along with investments from local and national shareholders, to build industrial hemp processing and block manufacturing facilities in Barham.
Housing - NT
Housing costs: Half the story
"The latest housing market figures highlight growing confidence in the Northern Territory economy and property sector," trumpet Joshua Burgoyne and Bill Yan in a media release. The Ministers for Land and Housing Construction, respectively, clearly consider the Northern Territory to consist exclusively of Darwin.
Opinion piece – Five Eyes Law Enforcement Group to target serious online harms: Krissy Barrett
Krissy Barrett. When I became AFP Commissioner last year, I said I would have candid conversations with Australians to inform them about the threats they face ... But parents and caregivers now need to be aware of entrenched and emerging criminal threats because of rapidly-evolving technology.
Property rights
Critical Minerals Bill raises questions about agriculture’s future: Property Rights Australia
Queensland farmers are warning that the State’s quick-fire series of legislation amendments aimed to facilitate projects considered strategically important to Queensland have the potential to provide negative consequences to the future protection of agricultural land and regional communities.
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Industry festival
Thousands embrace Clarence Harvest Celebration
Thousands of people from around the region descended on Maclean for three-day Clarence Harvest Celebration embracing the beef, sugar cane, and seafood industries of the valley. The premier weekend of the 2026 celebration followed the Clarence Kids Colour Run and Crowning Carnival and the Cane Harvest Ball, held in the preceding weeks.
Seedbed Conditioner
Grain growers can increase drought and waterlogging resilience by 300 per cent
The new practice of Seedbed Conditioning not only improves the physical, biological and chemical properties of the root zone of cropping soils, it also produces very large and near-permanent improvements in the drought and waterlogging resilience of cropping soils.
Best friends
Dogs to the rescue
Some of us, in the aftermath of the Covid crisis, were subjected to a deep dive into the music tastes of preteens, which included a song about the lockdown experience called 'I'm Good?' by the Hilltop Hoods ... It's a neat echo of the experience of many people whose canine family member joined them through an adoption program or from the pound, shelter or foster system.
Puppy farm protest
Regional broadcasting - Northern Rivers
Central Coast
Call to action over sad state of war memorial
The heartbreaking story of one family losing three sons in WW1 and WW2 prompted family history and military buff Joe Laws to join the call for the 103-year-old Erina District War Memorial to be restored and better maintained. After researching his family's history, Mr Laws came across the sad story of the Weiss brothers – Frederick, Erle and Harry – who all lost their lives in service for their country.
King's Birthday Honours
Community champion recognised
At most emergencies in the Upper Murray in the past 40 years you would find Mary Hoodless, pitching in to help wherever it was needed. The Jingellic resident's lifelong commitment to the wellbeing of her community has now been recognised with an award in the King's Birthday Honours List.
Prestigious military honour for Brendan
Ex-Donald local, Brendan Allen, son of Leo and the late Fay Allen, has been recognised in the 2026 King's Birthday Honours, receiving the Conspicuous Service Cross (CSC). Lieutenant Colonel Brendan Patrick Allen was awarded the prestigious military decoration for outstanding devotion to duty and leadership during his service as Commanding Officer of the 5th/6th Battalion, Royal Victoria Regiment, Australian Army.
Robbery
Pies pinched!
Shari and Wes Hughes have been shocked by the brazen robbery, saying it's unprecedented for the small community of Greenmount. The offender was clad in a cardigan and beanie, with a torch and an accomplice in the form of a very well behaved dog.
National Trust SA
Fragile buildings, precious items locked away
For 12 years, Marie Heesemans has cleaned and cared for the buildings housing some of Moonta's much-loved heritage attractions - the Moonta Mines Museum, Miner's Cottage and Family History and Resource Centre in the former School of Mines. Now all she can do is hope the buildings - and the precious items they house - are not falling into disrepair.
South West REZ
Regional development - Barham
Development approval for Barham Lakes
The highly anticipated Barham Lakes lifestyle resort has officially received Development Approval from Murray River Council and is now one step closer to becoming a reality. The CluBarham Riverina project, a 236-home over-55s land lease community in collaboration with Villawood Properties, will offer resort living unmatched for its pristine lake systems, proximity to the Murray River and range of facilities on offer.
Asparagopsis - WA
New licence supports SeaStock to scale up seaweed production: Jarvis
The Cook Labor Government has granted an aquaculture licence to Fremantle-based company SeaStock Pty Ltd for Western Australia's first commercial scale, land-based seaweed production facility, now under construction in Oakford. In recent years, algae aquaculture markets have developed significantly both locally and abroad for a type of red algae known as Asparagopsis.
Risk
The next fuel and fertiliser shock is coming
On writing this, urea had slipped back below $1,000 a tonne and oil had fallen under US$90 a barrel. The headlines had moved on, the politicians were congratulating themselves, and the market was once again telling us that everything was under control. Problem solved. Move along. Nothing to see here. Except that is exactly what people said after the last fertiliser shock, and the one before that, and the one before that.
Irrigation
Indian delegation studying the Riverland’s irrigation industry
International attention has turned to the Riverland's irrigation industry, with senior Indian government officials visiting the region to study how growers are adapting to changing markets through crop diversification and agricultural transformation.
Forestry - Tas, NSW, WA
Negotiations underway for sustainable Tasmanian forestry: Watt, Collins, Ellis
The Albanese and Rockliff Governments have officially committed to work together towards a bilateral agreement to support sustainable forestry in Tasmania into the future. From July 1 2027, the Albanese Government’s historic environmental law reforms will bring forestry operations covered by Regional Forest Agreements (RFA) under Federal environmental regulation.
Tribology
AgForce partnership aims to help producers reduce operating costs: Lowes Petroleum
Queensland producers will gain access to discounts on ground and aviation fuels, and lubricant services through a new partnership between AgForce and Lowes Petroleum aimed at helping reduce operating costs and improve on-farm efficiency.
Paraquat
National Farmers Federation responds on paraquat
National Farmers Federation President, Hamish McIntyre, responds to questions from Australian Rural & Regional News asked in the light of the pending decision on paraquat by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority and recent media drawing a connection between paraquat and Parkinson’s disease.
NSW Red fleet ownership
Investing in regional jobs and RFS fleet management: Dib, Hoenig
The Minns Labor Government is backing regional communities with a $470 million investment in the 2026-27 NSW Budget to modernise management of the NSW RFS fleet ... The Minns Labor Government will also introduce legislation to transfer ownership of the State’s ‘red fleet’ of more than 6,000 firefighting vehicles from councils to the RFS.
AUKUS questions
Mute on nuke subs
The voice of Territorians in Canberra is barely a whisper: just four NT pollies are in the national Parliament. Only one of them, Labor Senator Malarndirri McCarthy, is on the Government front bench. We asked her for an interview on June 2 or 3 about Territorians likely to have a very specific take on the $368b AUKUS fiasco.
Sports infrastructure - Broken Hill
A century of racing under threat: the fight to save Broken Hill’s greyhound track
Greyhound racing has been part of Broken Hill for more than a century. On 30 June 2026, Greyhound Racing NSW intends to end it. The decision to close the Broken Hill Greyhounds Club was made earlier this year as part of a broader restructure recommended by an independent Deloitte report, which advised GRNSW to reduce the state's racing footprint to a sustainable number of tracks.
History & heritage
Nhill’s Butcher’s Corner
John Williams. The prominent corner of Victoria and MacPherson Streets has worn many names over nearly 150 years: Butcher’s Corner, Buzz’s Corner, McLennan’s Corner, and a few since including Clohesy and Gurry. Its story begins in the 1880s, when Richard Rigewell built Nhill’s first butchery on the site.
Leadership & You
Exhibition - Casino
From the Louvre to Casino – Yuin artist part of new exhibition
Therese Schier. There’s a new exhibition coming to the Casino Art Gallery featuring internationally acclaimed Yuin artist Lloyd Gawura Hornsby from Glenn Innes and Galibul Elder Noel Caldwell (Uncle Charlie). The Celebrating NAIDOC exhibition opens on Saturday June 13 with artworks by local and regional First Nations artists.
Pony club eventing
Pony club eventers converge on Colac for state championships
The Pony Club Association of Victoria’s inter-branch horse trials competition has evolved from the days when it catered for top-level riders only into an inclusive, fun and highly competitive event that is a highlight of the pony club calendar for riders across all grades.
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Brumbies
NSW Government’s new brumby estimates don’t pass the pub test
Colleen Krestensen. New estimates of brumby numbers in Kosciuszko National Park imply a dramatic and biologically impossible increase of up to 315 per cent over a 12 month period ... The concern for the community is the government is accepting this alleged increase without question as a basis to resume aerial culling of brumbies, commencing in the coming days.
Koalas
Indigenous-led conservation confirms return of guraban (koala) across Wadbilliga National Park: Firesticks
On the far South Coast of New South Wales, Gadhu Bagan, the Southern-Yuin Firesticks team, is celebrating the persistent presence of Guraban (koala) across multiple locations in Wadbilliga National Park, following on-Country survey and monitoring work undertaken in partnership with the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW).
New scientific review confirms native forestry can deliver wood, biodiversity and environmental outcomes: FWCA
Forest and Wood Communities Australia has welcomed the publication of a major peer-reviewed scientific review that concludes Australia's native forests can be sustainably managed for timber production while protecting biodiversity, carbon values, water resources and other environmental outcomes.
Farm life
Hospitality
McNamaras make their mark
Blake Lee. Justin McNamara never thought he'd own a pub. On Saturday, he and his husband Jayden will reopen the Watchem Hotel after a three-year closure ... the venue will launch as the first-ever permanent Driver Reviver site.
Innovation
Compost invention
It seems that compost is a subject that is exercising the minds of many across the shire, and Maldon resident Oliver Messenger is one of them. He has invented a composting system that has been granted an Australian patent with an international patent in the works.
Cash mandate
Cash mandate exemption requests piling up at regulator
Supermarkets and fuel retailers are trying to get out of obligations to accept cash payments under new industry codes introduced by the Federal Government, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has confirmed. The commission (ACCC) says “multiple” applications for exceptional circumstances exemptions have been received from retailers in both regional and metropolitan areas, but none have yet been accepted or rejected.
Data, water and energy
How much water and power will AI data centres use in Australia? Ironically, we don’t have the data to know
Michael Vardon. Australia’s data centre rush now rivals the mining boom. OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman last week said Australia could become a “data centre capital of the world”. This would come at an environmental cost ... Before committing fully, we need granular detail on how much water and energy these centres use.
Water - Narrandera
Housing and occupancy - WA
Regional health - Vic
Disaster management
Testing Australia’s national disaster response and resilience capabilities: McBain
Key government and private sector organisations have come together to test how they respond to crisis scenarios, such as natural disasters, health and biosecurity incidents, supply chain shortages and disruptions to critical infrastructure.
Wage increase
Wage decision hits hard: NSW Farmers
NSW Farmers says today's Fair Work Commission Annual Wage Review decision will place significant additional pressure on farm employers, with some horticulture operations facing the full 6 per cent increase to their wages bill.
Power prices
Power bill fear for single mum
For Naracoorte single mother Michaela Dalton, every power bill brings the same fear - that one day she won't be able to keep the lights on for her daughter. With bills piling up and electricity prices set to rise, the 24-year-old says she feels like she's drowning.
Food security
Export success hides domestic pain for growers – food security needs action: QFVG
Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers (QFVG) is warning against complacency on Australia's food security following the release of the ABARES June 2026 Agricultural Commodities Report, which shows export growth is increasingly obscuring challenges facing domestic fruit and vegetable production.
Drought preparation
Negative forecast for the season
"It's quite negative out there," were the opening remarks of NSW Drought Co-ordinator, Ray Willis when he spoke at the landholder support day at Booroorban last week. "I'm hearing people who say they cannot do it again. They don't want to go through what they did in 2019."
Regional GP
Kevin’s lasting legacy of care
Sebastian Calderon. Riverland families are set to farewell one of the region's longest-serving doctors, who is retiring after almost 38 years of caring and supporting local patients ... Dr Kevin Stanton said being a true country GP meant far more than clinic consultations, with doctors heavily involved in hospital care, emergency treatment and palliative support throughout the region.
Charity
Nhill community raises $4,319 for Cancer Council
The Nhill and district community has raised $4,319 for the Cancer Council through four days of fundraising organised by the Nhill Cancer Group. The group thanked everyone who supported the effort, which included a raffle, donations and the sale of Cancer Council merchandise at Nhill IGA over three days.
Indigenous education
Acknowledging 20 years of service in the education of our children
Uncle Sunno, a proud Paakantji man, has been working tirelessly for 20 years, to support the learning of children and young people in Wilcannia ... His deep knowledge of Paakantji culture supports the school staff to develop the cultural competence required to be effective educators.
Indigenous police officer
Honouring Australia’s first First Nations police officer this Reconciliation Week
Dr Colin Dillon AM, APM, a proud Kombumerri man of the Yugambeh Nation, made history when he joined the Queensland Police Service (QPS) at just 20 years old in 1965. As Australia marked National Reconciliation Week (which ran from the 27th of May to Wednesday of this week, the 3rd of June), the QPS acknowledged the contributions and legacy of the nation’s first, First Nations police officer, Dr Colin Dillon AM, APM.
Indigenous language
Three generations helping to recover Nharangga language
For decades, much of Nharangga warra Narungga language existed in fragments. Today, those fragments are being put back together. Across three generations of the Wanganeen family, the language is being recovered, taught and spoken once again, with a growing focus on returning it to everyday life.
Word Fest - Chinchilla
Enjoy cosy, bookish vibes this June as Words Out West returns
The local festival, which has gained immense popularity over recent years, continues to celebrate creativity, community, and connection through the love of words. Shifting the event to June invites bibliophiles to indulge in the cosy winter pastime: stay indoors, keep warm with a cuppa, and be inspired by some of their favourite authors.
Exhibition
World Press Photo
The Art Gallery of Ballarat brings World Press Photo to regional Victoria for the first time this August. Each year, the contest highlights the outstanding work of photojournalists and documentary photographers from across the globe.
Street piano
A piano transformed by art and Joy(ce) will be in the street for everyone to play
It has been more than a labour of love – artist Sally Joyce has transformed an upright piano into a work of art … “I wanted this piano to be a gift of unexpected beauty and a work beyond what was expected of me,” Sally said.
Tourism
Dark skies shine through the clouds at the 2026 Dark Sky Festival
Danielle Nicolson, Amy Reed and Tim Burke. Despite some 'less than ideal' weather conditions, the 2026 Lord Howe Island Dark Sky Festival proved once again that a little cloud cover is no match for great company, fun events and a shared passion for the wonders of the night.
Retiree tourism
Retirees on the River to boost Echuca Moama’s shoulder season
A new and exciting tourism initiative, Retirees on the River – Seniors' Celebrations Echuca Moama, will bring a vibrant 12-day program of offers and activities to the Echuca Moama region from Monday 7 to Friday 18 September 2026.
Rural property analysis
DAS (Digital Agriculture Services) first quarterly report into regional land values
Agri-fintech company DAS (Digital Agriculture Services) has developed a Rural Sales Dashboard, an interactive tool for interrogating the data behind rural property sales across Australia's mainland states and the NT. DAS has now released its first quarterly report using findings from the dashboard. "Australian farmland remains one of the country's most important asset classes, but we're seeing greater variation in performance between regions": Sarah Gormon, DAS cofounder.
Dingoes - Vic
Rare earths - NT
$1.6 billion Nolans Project declared NT’s first Significant Project: Finocchiaro
The nation-building Arafura Rare Earths Nolans Project has been declared the first Significant Project under the Territory Coordinator Act, supporting the coordinated delivery of the $1.6 billion development. Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said the project highlighted the critical role the Northern Territory is playing in supporting Australia's economy and national security.
Critical minerals - Vic
Design of the Mining and Rehabilitation Demonstration Pit: Gippsland Critical Minerals
Michelle Wood. The Mining and Rehabilitation Demonstration Pit is designed to test GCM’s approach to mining and measure impacts across a number of key areas including how land can be rehabilitated. It enables evidence to be gathered in-situ and to gather data that informs better design for the broader project.
Paraquat
When journalism picks a side
One of the more interesting developments in modern journalism is that reporters increasingly seem to know the answer before they begin asking the questions ... The problem with Ros Thomas's recent Weekend Australian feature on paraquat and Parkinson's disease is that by the time you reach the end, you are left with the feeling that the destination was already known before the journey began.
Paraquat
The use of paraquat use in Australian agriculture – industry responses
In light of the pending decision on paraquat by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority and recent media drawing a connection between paraquat and Parkinson's disease, Australian Rural & Regional News has sought responses from industry bodies.
Arts administration
New GM no stranger to local arts scene
Patricia Gill. Denmark Arts' new general manager Annette Drenth has worked with the organisation for the past eight months in a ‘passion project' as a mentor ... "I have also engaged with Denmark Arts and its programs for more than two decades, as a visitor regularly holidaying in Denmark with my small family," Annette said.
Safe hands in tough times for the arts
Patricia Gill. Abbie Pedersen hands over the directorship of Denmark Arts to Annette Drenth confident in the future of the organisation.
Anglican church
Bishop Venables visits St David’s Allora
A special confirmation service was held at St David’s Anglican Church on Sunday with Bishop Cam Venables attending. Fifteen people were confirmed with the Bishop believing this may be very close to a record in the Anglican Church Southern Queensland Diocese!
Rugby Union
Festival of Rugby showcases community sport
Round 7 of the Central Coast Rugby Union season delivered one of the most memorable weekends in recent memory, with the inaugural Festival of Rugby taking centre stage at Tuggerah Sports Complex on May 30. Despite wet weather causing widespread sporting disruptions across the region, CCRU stood alone as the only major sporting competition on the Central Coast to complete its full schedule.
Eventing
Currency Creek Horse Trials raises the bar with expanded course
The Currency Creek Horse Trials has delivered another chapter in the event’s growing reputation for excellence on the South Australian eventing calendar. With 94 horse and rider combinations competing across eight classes, the May 30-31 event offered something for every level of combination...
The Cup
The people’s Cup hits the road again – Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour reveals 37 destinations for 2026 journey
The 2026 Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour is back with one of its most exciting journeys yet, with 37 destinations across Australia and the world revealed today at an official launch event at Flemington Racecourse.
Triathlete
Pixie earns spot at World Championships
Islander and 7th generation Pinetree's kid, Pixie Hanson, just had her first international race.
Pedal power
Yanchep to host WA Pedal Prix Perth events
The Splendid Park criterium track will transform into a fast-paced arena of pedal-powered prowess on Saturday, June 13 as the WA Pedal Prix series moves to the start of the Perth based events. Students, riders, teams, and spectators will come together for one of Western Australia’s most exhilarating human-powered vehicle events.
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