The bridge that turned to let the river through: Hay’s swing bridge
There’s a piece of industrial archaeology sitting in the river bend just north of where Hay’s bridge crosses the Murrumbidgee. It looks like debris, like something that should have been cleared away decades ago. But that rusting turntable is actually a remnant of an era when the river was a highway, when paddle steamers were the primary means of moving wool and supplies, and when a bridge had to accommodate both road traffic and river commerce.
Into the inferno: Jarrod Mohr on battling Victoria’s unprecedented blazes
"I have never experienced fire behaviour like it on the ground," Jarrod said, and the weight of those decades of experience makes the statement hit harder. "The first day we experienced temperatures of about 62 degrees on the top of the hill, 108 kilometre an hour winds."
A little slice of paradise: Old Kentucky Animal Farm brings joy across NSW
We see them every year; the friendly, happy, patient people who bring with them the adorable menagerie of cute and cuddly animals. Year after year, they travel over to the Hay Show, so the community's children can enjoy animals they might not always get to see and pat up close.
Changes to the aviation system called for
The tragic death of a 53-year-old Hatfield man in a recreational aircraft crash near Balranald has renewed calls for reform. The incident exposes a concerning divide in how Australia responds to aviation fatalities ... Despite the fatal outcome, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) will not investigate.
Meet the new post office building owners
Listen out for the chime of the town clock in the coming months. A new era, including a fixed timepiece, is to come for local iconic building, Hay Post Office. Catherine and Trent Cox (pictured) have bought the heritage-listed building and significant historical landmark.
Massive wind farm gets green light despite local opposition
A 1,300-megawatt wind farm between Hay and Deniliquin has been approved by planning authorities, promising to power more than half a million homes ... The Pottinger Wind Farm, stretching across farmland 60 kilometres south of Hay, will be one of Australia's largest wind energy projects when completed. But the decision hasn't come without controversy – more than 50 public objections forced the project to independent assessment rather than departmental approval.
A thousand lives lived: the chameleon Sean Griffiths
The boy who left Hay all those years ago has travelled further than most people could imagine - not just geographically, but through depths of human experience that would break many people ... At 80 metres below the surface, hand-feeding apex predators with a failing heart, he's found something that eluded him for decades; peace.
Endlessly stoic: the journey of David O’Brien
David O'Brien sits quietly in his Hay home, a small magnet clipped to his belt—a lifeline that could stop a seizure in its tracks ... Despite the challenges, David has found meaningful ways to contribute to his community and the broader epilepsy community.
Runners unite: Daniel meets a new hero
Hay's local superstar and running aficionado, Daniel Green, was overjoyed recently to run with William Goodge from the UK, a man who is running to break a record ... "He is so cool, he has run across Japan, America, and has completed many desert runs."
Hay’s humble asset: The versatile Carol Oataway
The silent heroes of a town are the ones who put their hands up to volunteer. "If you want something done, ask a busy person," as the old cliché says. So, as we celebrate National Volunteer Week, let's look into the many undertakings of our Mayor, Carol Oataway.
