Contributor, ARR.News

More than 500,000 Australian children were placed into institutional or out-of-home care during the last century, with many experiencing neglect, abuse and a loss of identity that continues to shape their lives today. Often referred to as Forgotten Australians and Care Leavers, this cohort includes Stolen Generations, former child migrants, and former Wards of the State, including more than 400,000 non-Indigenous children.

Mark Banasiak MLC has slammed the Minns Labor Government’s $39.3 million Firearms Registry announcement as a taxpayer-funded bailout for a system collapsing under the weight of Labor’s own bureaucracy. “This is not reform. It is damage control,” Mr Banasiak said. “Labor created the mess, buried the Registry in red tape, and now hardworking taxpayers are being forced to pay $39 million to keep the system afloat.

Ten new trainee Fisheries and Marine Officers (FMOs) are now on deck to help boost fisheries compliance efforts across Western Australia. The new officers graduated this month after completing a comprehensive four-month training program with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and will join more than 100 fisheries officers across the State.

More than 2,700 delegates including 730 travel buyers from 32 countries have converged in Adelaide this week for the nation’s largest ever tourism tradeshow - the Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE26). Attendees have been meeting with 1,400 Australian industry representatives from more than 700 tourism organisations at the vibrant event held in the Adelaide Convention Centre.

The 11 influential importers and buyers from China and Hong Kong last week visited South Australia to experience the state’s world-class wines first-hand and to agree to new export deals. The four-day program, hosted by renowned wine experts Tony Love and Kate Spain, saw the diverse group of wine buyers take part in an immersive experience of South Australia’s world-class wine...

Residents are invited to take part in an upcoming Fire Wise Planting Bus Tour Workshop, designed to provide practical tips on landscaping in fire-prone areas. The workshop is one of four initiatives being delivered by Council in partnership with community organisations, funded through the Victorian Government’s Safer Together Program – Strengthening Local Government Partnerships.

Bendigo Bank Agribusiness’ latest Monthly Commodity Update reports tightening supply and a shift away from synthetic ‘fast fashion’ is driving a surge in the Australian wool market while avocado supply is bracing for a dive.

The Gatton Library will host this year’s 26th National Simultaneous Storytime – and you’re invited to come along. National Simultaneous Storytime will once again see a picture book – written and illustrated by an Australian author – read simultaneously in libraries, schools, homes, children’s facilities and early childhood education and care services all over the country. 

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.

Two iconic Outback Queensland towns are celebrating after being named in Australian Traveller’s 100 Best Towns To Travel To. Longreach in the heart of Outback Queensland was recognised for its iconic tourism attractions ... Winton was acknowledged for its unique cultural experiences, thriving events calendar and an atmosphere...