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Law & order - NT
Alice mourns death of Kumanjayi Little Baby
The town's embracing of the family struck by tragedy came to its culmination at a sunset vigil yesterday to say farewell to Kumanjayi Little Baby, dead at just five years old. There were no less than 1500 locals on Anzac Oval, the 20-80 black-white mix about the same as the whole town’s. The pain of the recent events had united them.
Regional migration
Ten million Australians chose the regions – The Iran oil shock is already pricing the next move: Find a Mover
As the country reaches a regional population milestone, Find a Mover’s decade of platform data shows what the diesel surge means for movers booking now — and what the structural floor reset means for the regional migration flow long-term ... For the regional Australians making the move right now, the window to do it at anything close to last year’s price is closing fast.
Bookselling
How I turned an empty supermarket window into a minimalist book display
My son sent me a link to an unusual bookshop in Japan known as the most minimal bookstore in the world. It sparked an idea to take the bookshop’s one room-one book approach to set up a display of my own book in the window of an abandoned supermarket in Kyogle.
WA Budget
Scant detail for proposed Yanchep Police station relocation
Two days before the State Budget the Cook Government announced it was investing in providing the Yanchep Police station a new home ... Mr Whitby’s joint pre-budget statement with Butler MLA Lorna Clarke said the Yanchep Police station would move from its current location ... Under new initiatives the State Budget papers one item is listed for the Yanchep Police station.
The Pirate Queen and the sinking department
Last week I wrote that Budget Number Ten would tell us everything we needed to know ... it’s worse than expected. For all the Government’s talk about farm resilience, diversification and food security, when it came time to fund the department that actually underpins those things, the treasure chest was empty.
Critical minerals
GCM launches Fingerboards live weather monitoring to East Gippsland community: Gippsland Critical Minerals
Gippsland Critical Minerals has launched live weather monitoring on its website, giving the East Gippsland community real-time access to on-site conditions at the Fingerboards Project. Available now via the Monitoring and Studies page, the live feed draws data from two on-site weather stations: one south-west of the Fingerboards intersection and a second on the Mitchell River plateau, installed in response to feedback from landholders and community.
Cuppa for a cure
Australia gears up for its biggest cuppa yet!
Cancer Council is calling on Aussies to rally their family, friends, and especially their workmates, for Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea, the nation’s iconic fundraiser hoping to turn a cuppa into a cure! ... Cancer fighter Jessica Giddens is organising Nannup's Biggest Morning Tea.
Calendar
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Leadership
Exclusive interview with cricket legend Nathan Lyon
Cricket legend Nathan Lyon talks about the “Have You Got What It Takes Tour” ... "it’s a coordinated effort to influence leadership at every level of the community. By bringing together elite sport, leadership principles, and grassroots development, David and I want to support leaders across regional Australia to tackle their most important challenges. This isn’t just about building better athletes or better leaders, it’s about building stronger communities that can thrive."
Renewables - power imbalance
Fast-tracking renewable energy approvals risks sidelining farmers: NSW Farmers
NSW Farmers is calling on the NSW Government to pause plans to fast-track renewable energy projects in regional NSW, warning that rushing approvals will deepen community distress, entrench an unfair power imbalance between large developers and landholders, and generate more objections and conflict.
Ag adaptation
New roadmap to help primary producers navigate energy transition: AgriFutures Australia
Australia’s primary producers have new guidance to navigate the shift in energy systems, with national research outlining both the challenges ahead and the practical pathways available. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Energy Transition Roadmap (2026–2036), released by AgriFutures Australia, provides a system-wide view of how agriculture, fisheries and forestry can adapt to changing energy markets and technologies while maintaining productivity.
Water skier
Our world record holder
Naracoorte’s Ben Copping is not only a familiar face at Woolworths - he is now officially a world record holder, defying a lifetime of challenges with grit, resilience, and an unshakable love for sport. The 42-year-old, who grew up on a small farm outside Lucindale, has turned what many would see as limitations into a story of extraordinary determination - culminating in a world-record performance on the water last month.
Inspiring new artist
BNW a debut for artist Obi
Patricia Gill. Obi Manuel wants to be an artist when he grows up. The 14-year-old made his debut into the art world at the Brave New Works Festival at the end of March. Obi lives with Down syndrome and attends the Albany Secondary Education Support Centre and started drawing and colouring in on bus trips...
Apprenticeships
From classroom to career: Local students get a head start
The North Central LLEN is celebrating a major milestone since partnering with the Department of Education to support sixty local students to commence school-based apprenticeships and traineeships through the Head Start program over the past three years.
Detection dog
Sniffing out savings: Danny the detection dog to target hidden water leaks
Danny the leak detection dog and his handler set to arrive in the region this May, bringing technology typically used in major city networks to remote communities. “This is the kind of technology you’d usually see in large urban networks, and we’re now trialling it here in Cook Shire,” Mayor Holmes said.
Nuclear Test medallist
Samuel Darke held a unique position
A Grafton man thought to be the last surviving link to an undercover British nuclear operation has passed away. Samuel Darke was a teenager when he enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and was subsequently given orders to participate in a top-secret mission known as Operation Totem where a pair of British atmospheric nuclear tests were conducted in the South Australian outback in October 1953.
Farrer by election
Murray-Darling
Murray-Darling Basin Plan review
Bushfire inquiry - Vic
Inquiry hears some of us out
Following considerable community pressure and lobbying by Towong Shire Council, the Victorian Parliament’s summer fires inquiry decided to hold a dedicated ‘open mic’ session for Towong residents. "While this session will be held online and not physically in the shire, it will at least provide an opportunity for the inquiry to hear the voices of our communities directly," said Towong mayor, Cr Peter Tolsher.
Homelessness - Central Coast
Rough sleepers continue to cause concern
Denice Barnes. Central Coast Councillor Doug Eaton has called on the State Government to help with the growing problem of people camping illegally at public parks and reserves. His call comes as Toukley and Norah Head residents continue to raise concerns over people camped illegally at Wallarah Point Peace Park at Gorokan...
Inland Rail - Qld
Inland Rail - New England
Inland Rail decision
Record investment in the freight rail network and consolidating Inland Rail: King
The Albanese Government is today announcing a further $1.75 billion investment to improve the productivity, resilience and reliability of Australia’s freight rail network, alongside a $55 million incentive scheme to get more freight moving by rail and sea ... The Government has taken the decision to consolidate the Inland Rail project...
Regional health - Wilcannia
RFDS 90 years of service
Chris Elliott. To help the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) celebrate their 90th Anniversary, local member Roy Butler rode a small motor bike, towing a message board trailer from Sydney, via Bourke to Broken Hill. Roy was in Wilcannia on Friday 1st for lunch in the park to catch up with locals and get them to write a message on the trailer.
Regional life
Innovative industry
All about alpacas this National Alpaca Week, 2-10 May 2026
Alpaca studs across Australia are opening their gates to show their flocks and share their wisdom about all things alpaca. Still a comparatively young industry in Australia, the Australian Alpaca Association, founded in 1990, organises National Alpaca Week to promote their favourite farm animal and its diversity of uses ... Learn a lot about alpacas by listening to the ARR.News interview with Taryan Mathews from Precision Alpaca Group.
Listen
Fiona Fox from Australian Rural & Regional News learnt a great deal about alpacas from Taryan Mathews from Precision Alpaca Group:
Winter weather
Pests
Locusts land in SA
Caitlin Menadue. Recent reports from farmers during the early stages of seeding have indicated an increase in locust activity across several cropping regions in South Australia, Grain Producers South Australia has warned. GPSA chief executive Brad Perry said producers from Yorke Peninsula, the Riverland, Eyre Peninsula and Flinders Ranges had reported locusts on farms.
After the rain
Tropical low: Rewards and risks
Mike Gillam. On March 3 the Bureau of Meteorology recorded an impressive monsoon trough containing four tropical lows each with the potential to develop into a cyclone, hugging the coast of northern Australia ... Moths and butterflies are everywhere and I don’t believe it’s an exaggeration to say that every genus of plants is supporting at least one distinctive species of caterpillar.
Infrastructure - museum
Concern for historic artefacts
The sudden structural emergency that necessitated the closure of Maldon Museum has left the tenant organisation concerned about the building’s contents. The Maldon Museum and Archives Association says it was not given any notice that the building would be closed ... calling for a meeting with Council to discuss protecting the museum collection.
Travelling museum
A museum in a caravan: Tweed brings world-class learning to remote NSW classrooms
A vintage caravan packed with interactive exhibits, real historical objects and immersive storytelling is setting off from Murwillumbah ... bound for some of the most remote classrooms in NSW. Connected: Signal to the Stars, created by Tweed Regional Museum...
Algal bloom language - SA
Labor’s algae spin exposed: Centofanti
An investigation by the State Opposition has uncovered multiple examples of Government spin doctors banning the words ‘outbreak’ and ‘harmful’ from communications about the algal bloom. The Freedom of Information documents reveal instructions coming from staff within the Premier’s own department, as well as the Environment Department’s PR team.
Coastal erosion - WA
Shane Love says there is no clear plan to beat Lancelin’s coastal erosion
Hayley Primmer & Seth Carter. Foreshore erosion in Lancelin is becoming an increasing concern for the Shire of Gingin, with the Opposition warning ongoing changes to the coastline threaten the future of several businesses in the town, as well as the long-term safety of some residents’ homes. Lancelin Sands Hotel owner Glen Trebilcock said he had lost 40m of land in 12 months due to Lancelin’s increasing coastal erosion.
Leadership
Despair is easy, hope requires effort
Despair is easy, but hope requires effort—real leadership means choosing action, connection, and progress, especially when times are toughest ... Leaders in regional areas don’t have the luxury of hiding behind corporate layers or distant decision-making structures.
Seedbed Conditioner
New machine improves soil fertility and increases crop yields
A new machine designed and exhaustively tested at a field-scale over 15 years and 32 sites in Western Australia, Queensland and Pakistan has been shown to increase crop yields by 25 per cent, on average (range 10 to 40 per cent).
Indigenous - SA
SA Liberals move to repeal Voice to Parliament: Hurn, Teague
The State Liberals will introduce legislation to repeal the First Nations Voice when Parliament resumes this week. The First Nations Voice Repeal Bill will make way for its replacement - practical, targeted support for Indigenous South Australians and a revived Aboriginal Lands Committee.
Meat exports
New market access to Indonesia for five export meat establishments: Collins
... the approval of five additional export beef establishments for exports to Indonesia, including one establishment also receiving approval for sheep and goat meat ... is a boost for Australia’s trade relationship with Indonesia where more high-quality Australian halal red meat will now be available.
Gas reserve
National park - NT
Foreign investment
Fuel security - Vic
Energy security
Strengthening energy security with Japan: Albanese, Wong, Bowen
Australia and Japan have reached an agreement to further strengthen energy security in our region ... will work together to support the flow of essential goods – including fuel and gas – between our countries.
Energy - WA
Review
Review – Hot Ground
Set in Western Australia's goldfields, Hot Ground is the second crime fiction novel by author Lisa Ellery ... "Hot Ground" is a well-paced police crime novel that blends a clever plot with a vivid outback setting. If you enjoy crime fiction that mixes outback grit with gold fever and buried secrets, "Hot Ground" could be just the read you’re looking for.
Online dating
Finding love in the country
Anyone who’s ventured into the world of online dating is sure to have countless stories of mismatches, mishaps, misconceptions and misunderstandings ... Dawn LaPuma was just one of those ‘over 60s’ living beyond the city lights who dipped her toe in the waters of online dating and it didn't take long for her to start keeping a journal of the various characters she encountered...
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If you like a story on Australian Rural & Regional News, if you think this is a news platform worth a look, worth keeping in touch with, share it with your network.
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Central Coast
Strong turnout for ANZAC Day
Thousands of residents and visitors flocked to dawn and morning services all over the region on Anzac Day, April 25 ... "Anzac Day reminds us that individuals sticking together, bound by mateship and a common cause, can move mountains."
Mount Wycheproof
Reflection and remembrance on the Mount
The lives of twenty-five World War I soldiers were honoured at Mount Wycheproof on ANZAC Day with the re-dedication of its "forgotten" Avenue of Honour. As a result, Wycheproof's Anzac Day services were very well attended, from the dawn service through to the special event on the side of the mount...
Corryong
Our fallen will never be forgotten
On a wet and cold day - 29th August 1918 - a large gathering of members of the community attended the official opening of the Corryong and District Avenue of Honour ... On Anzac Day 2026, community members again gathered at the Avenue of Honour to officially open a new memorial.
A selection only of the
ANZAC Day stories and photos from contributing publishers is presented here.
Be assured you will find much more when you explore each of the issues.
Moonta
Dawn of honour
Lest we forget. Uniting Church pastor Brenton Smith and RSL Moonta sub-branch president Don Skarstrom finalise the order of service as first light breaks on ANZAC Day, ahead of the Moonta dawn service.
Hay
ANZAC Day provides opportunity to pause for reflection
As dawn broke across Lachlan Street, the evocative notes of bagpipes rang out, marking the start of ANZAC Day commemorations in Hay ... "ANZAC Day is a day of commemoration and deep reflection, when the true human cost of preserving our freedoms and way of life are brought into sharp focus": Major Ben Jarratt.
Infrastructure - education
Students gain insight into engineering careers
Regional high school students have been given a hands-on look at the future of engineering, with a long-running Riverina program continuing to be a potential pathway to careers in the field ... Working in teams, they tackled problem-solving, applied engineering theory and gained first-hand insight into industry practices to construct a fully functional bridge...
Narungga MP
Narungga to benefit from ‘real power’
Michelle Daw. New Member for Narungga Chantelle Thomas says she will harness the "real power" of One Nation in state parliament to win a better deal for the electorate. Speaking in her electorate office in Kadina, Ms Thomas said she was busy interviewing staff and setting up ahead of being sworn in early in May.
Communications
Not a luxury: Isolated Children’s Parents’ Association challenges ‘universal’ mobile coverage at Senate inquiry: ICPA
“Mobile connectivity in the regions is not a luxury; it is a critical and essential service.” That was the tone set at the Senate inquiry into the Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation) Bill 2025 where the Isolated Children’s Parents’ Association (ICPA) gave evidence on behalf of remote families.
Farming in a time of war
Epic Fury and Ukrainian farmers: Who will win?
Since the beginning of Operation Epic Fury in the Persian Gulf, the price of diesel fuel and gas for cars in Ukraine has increased by almost 30 per cent. The price of the cheapest gasoline has risen by almost 15 per cent ... What do farmers do? What is the Ukrainian government doing?
Opinion - fuel and fertiliser crisis
When ideology meets the fuel tank
In the 1930s, Winston Churchill warned that Europe was sleepwalking into danger. Across the chamber, Neville Chamberlain insisted all would be well. “Peace in our time,” he said—a comforting line, right up until Hitler crossed into Poland. We are seeing a modern version of that same delusion play out today.
Inflation
Rabobank commentary: food price inflation remains entrenched above three per cent
While headline annual inflation rose sharply in the March 2026 Consumer Price Index (CPI), the re-acceleration in inflation was not, at this point, food led, with food price inflation remaining similar to levels recorded since mid-2025.
Koala monitoring - Vic
Koala observations triple in just one year after tree planting: Koala Clancy Foundation
Koala monitoring on a tree planting site beside the Moorabool River, Victoria has shown an unexpected growth in koala observations in just one year. More than 11,300 koala trees and shrubs were planted on the site by Koala Clancy Foundation and the International Fund for Animal Welfare in the winter of 2023 and 2024 ... audio recorders were set up to monitor the koala population ... See the super video of the koalas nearby.
An icon of LHI’s birdlife gets a helping hand and is listed on CMS Appendix II
In early-April 2024, the Sable Shearwater (formerly known as the Flesh-footed Shearwater) was added to Appendix II of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS; also known as the Bonn Convention).
Treaty - Vic
Bushfire response - SA
Banking - fossil fuels
Coming up
Upcoming webinar – What’s it take to develop offshore wind in Australia? Blue Economy CRC
This webinar will present the findings of the project ‘Pre-conditions for the Development of Offshore Wind Energy in Australia’ in three work packages, outlining what it takes to build an offshore wind industry in Australia ... Monday 4 May 2026, 3-4pm (AEST)
Regional development - WA
Talking rural and regional
ANZAC Special, plus we get the debrief on Buddy suiting up for Dowerin with Tracy Jones!
A great ANZAC show today! We caught up with Tracy Jones from the Dowerin Footy Club for a full debrief after Buddy Franklin pulled on the boots for the Tigers! Plus your rural news (fuel and fertiliser update) with Fiona L Fox from ARR.News...
Flora
Rare native lilies spotted flowering on stock reserve north of Deniliquin
A striking patch of native Garland lilies has been found flowering on a Travelling Stock Reserve north of Deniliquin, discovered by a NSW Government Murray LLS staff member during routine work in the area. The lilies, known scientifically as Calostemma purpureum and also referred to as Wilcannia lilies, are a native species...
Media
Editor is Lismore Local Woman of the Year
State MP Janelle Saffin visited Mallanganee on Friday, April 24 to present local writer and online editor of IndyNR.com Susanna Freymark with her Lismore Electorate Local Woman of the Year Award.
Gun buybacks
Gun buyback hits wall as majority of states refuse to sign up
A national gun buyback scheme introduced in the wake of a terrorist attack at Bondi Beach has stalled, with a majority of Australian states and territories declining to join the program by the March 2026 deadline set by the federal government. The buyback was announced by Prime Minister Albanese in December 2025, days after a shooting at a Hanukkah celebration...
Critical minerals - Vic
Work begins at Fingerboards demo pit following mobilisation by local contractors: Gippsland Critical Minerals
Work has begun at the Fingerboards Project Mining and Rehabilitation Demonstration Pit, following local contractors successfully completing site mobilisation and pre-start inspections. Six additional East Gippsland businesses have now been engaged to support activities at the MRDP, with more than 20 local contractors sharing in procurement contracts now valued at more than $1.4m.
Beach safety
SLSNSW distributes publicly accessible shark bite kits to all NSW surf clubs: SLSNSW
129 new publicly accessible Shark Bite Trauma Kits will be installed at each of the state’s surf clubs as part of Surf Life Saving NSW’s continued focus on increased community safety. The trauma kits will be affixed to the external wall of each NSW surf club where, in the event of a reported shark incident...
History & heritage - dinosaurs
Queensland Dinosaur Week 2026 roars into Hughenden and Flinders Shire
Queensland Dinosaur Week 2026 (4-10 May) will shine a spotlight on Hughenden and the Flinders Shire, celebrating the region’s extraordinary dinosaur heritage and its proud place in Australia’s palaeontological history. As the home of Queensland’s fossil emblem, the Muttaburrasaurus, Hughenden holds a special connection to one of Australia’s most iconic dinosaurs.
Cavies
Right royal award for a guinea pig lover
Bateau Bay's Michelle Parker was named the 2026 Champion of the Royal Agricultural Society (RAS) at the recent Royal Easter Show in recognition of her decades of breeding, showing and judging guinea pigs.
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