Council responds to pay dispute
Towong Shire Council has expressed disappointment that some of its outdoor staff have chosen to engage in industrial action regarding the current Enterprise Agreement (EA) negotiations. In response to last week's industrial action, council said in a statement that it had made a two-stage pay offer to staff which would see them on average get a 4.23 per cent increase on current hourly rates and applicable allowances.
Interruption to Council services due to industrial action
Scenic Rim Regional Council is taking all possible steps to minimise disruption to the community during industrial action planned by three unions this week. Council CEO David Keenan has received notices of protected industrial action ... from three of the six unions representing Council employees...
Katamatite welcomes new live-in police officer – son of Bill Ryall
So, after more than a year without a resident police officer, Katamatite's single-member station is about to spring back to life. Detective Senior Constable Charles Ryall is trading his role with Cobram's Crime Investigation Unit for something entirely different – becoming Katamatite's first live-in police officer in about 12 months.
Council staff down tools
Towong Council workers have launched historic industrial action over what they consider an "unfair" pay offer and rising charges for residents. For the first time in the council's history, its workers have commenced are taking protected industrial action in response to a wage proposal that workers say fails both staff and the local community.
Hay Police’s Ashley stars in tree change campaign
Police officer Ashley Sterchow, from Hay Police Station, stars in the most recent social media campaign of Country Change. Country Change is a project of Riverina RDA (Regional Development Australia).
New paramedic recruits on the road as winter demand rises
The first group of new Ambulance Victoria (AV) recruits for 2025/26 are hitting the road to help meet rising winter demand. AV Chief Executive Officer Jordan Emery today welcomed 59 new graduate ambulance paramedics who are starting their careers with AV.
Birchip school sets the example
Birchip P-12 School is setting a powerful example for how rural schools can successfully prepare their students for life beyond the classroom, with a growing focus on career pathways, hands-on opportunities, and direct links with tertiary institutions.
Steelworks administration benefiting community
Mayor Phill Stone and Whyalla City Council CEO Justin Commons met with steelworks and mining administrators KordaMentha at this week’s OneWhyalla community meeting, receiving an update on the administration process and the flow-on benefits it’s providing for the local community.
How much does a gardener cost in war?
In Ukraine, even in a war zone, there is a demand for agricultural workers. In this unique labor market, legal guarantees are rare. But very often, wages are paid in cash every day!
Merger will not restore deleted emergency capability
Victorian Fisheries Media Centre. On May 20, 2025, the fisheries authority (VFA) finalised an organisational restructure, under which it has since shed 30 (44 per cent) of the state's 69 Fisheries Officers; leaving just 39 officers to patrol Victoria's 2,512 km coastline, 10,000 square km of ocean waters and 170,000 km of inland water frontage along 85,000 km of rivers and creeks. Then in a separate decision, on Friday, June 13, 2025, the VFA stripped the remaining officers of their duties to "respond to any emergency" by deleting these duties from their Position Descriptions ...
Outdated career myths holding Ag back, says TasFarmers
TasFarmers is calling on all political parties in the upcoming state election to support a $500,000 investment into funding an independent Agricultural Career Coach, designed to connect young Tasmanians with fulfilling careers in agriculture regardless of their background.
Long-term potential
Madison Eastmond. A Riverland ecology site has received more than $400,000 worth of state funding to complete the first stage of a five-point masterplan to secure a sustainable future ... Providing a learning environment facilitated by ecologists and a dedicated ranger team just outside of Renmark, Calperum Station is comprised of prominently open Mallee bushland and Murray River flood plains, and hosts opportunities for educational and training programs, and nature-based recreational activities.
Bendigo Bank ends local banking in five regional communities as it announces the closure of 10 local branches: Finance Sector Union
In a move which calls into question its positioning as the “better big bank”, Bendigo Bank has announced the closure of 10 branches - five in regional communities where they are the last remaining bank branch ... Only a full reversal of this move will protect the 32 full time equivalent roles and the essential service they undertake in their local communities ... including Queenstown in Tasmania, home to the West Coast Wilderness Railway.
Stockinbingal workers accommodation site starts to take shape: Inland Rail
Work has started in Stockinbingal on building an accommodation camp for workers on the Illabo to Stockinbingal (I2S) section of Inland Rail. The accommodation camp will provide a home away from home for 350 workers who will be helping build the 39km of new track over the next two years.
Great teamwork at Wilcannia Post Office
It's always nice to drop in at the Wilcannia Post Office because the staff are so warm hearted, friendly and helpful. There's often time between customers for a quick chat and a joke so it's a cheery atmosphere as well as being an efficient service for our community ... I've been working here for coming up to five years… - Team leader Charles Vu.
CLP targets trade and investment growth in Malaysia: Cahill
As part of the Finocchiaro CLP Government’s Rebuilding the Economy: NT Economy Strategy 2025, Minister for Trade, Business and Asian Relations Robyn Cahill will lead a delegation to Malaysia to strengthen government-to-government ties and promote new trade and investment opportunities for the Northern Territory.
Regional migration – Time for action: Peter van Vliet, Migration Institute of Australia
Australia runs a reasonably large migration program by international standards but getting migrants out of the big cities - particularly Melbourne and Sydney - and into the regions has always been a challenge ... Australia’s regions need strengthened incentives and concessions to encourage migrants to settle in regional areas, fill regional labour shortages, and in turn strengthen our regions and ease population pressures on our big cities. It’s time for action.
Water workers edge closer to 4 day work week
Continued bargaining dispute proceedings have brought Riverina Water workers one step closer to trialling a four-day work week if they accept their employer's proposal. A "rigorous" long-running dispute process involving Riverina Water and its employees aligned with the United Services Union (USU) and Electrical Trades Union (ETU) is slowly beginning to de-escalate after "dramatic" moments of industrial action.
A very different career track – Ivanna Hearn, train driver
Ivanna Hearn had been working in England as a nurse when she decided to give it all away and return home to Australia. Bureaucracy and disillusionment with nursing had gotten the better of her and once back in Australia she saw an ad for an unusual job in a country newspaper that made her feel optimistic about what sort of work she could do.
Skills and enthusiasm at early learning centre
Blake Lee. The Birchip Early Learning Centre has expanded its workforce in recent years, welcoming new staff who contribute fresh skills and enthusiasm at a time when Australia faces a major shortage of early childhood educators. Jobs and Skills Australia reports a current shortfall of around 21,000 qualified Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) professionals across the country.
Aged care takeover claims 17 positions in Far West NSW regional aged care provider faces staff cuts as Queensland organisation completes acquisition
Seventeen workers at Southern Cross Care facilities in Broken Hill have lost their jobs following the organisation's acquisition by its Queensland counterpart, with the takeover finalised this month. Southern Cross Care Queensland confirmed the completion of its buyout of Southern Cross Care Broken Hill operations, with affected positions described as administrative…
NFF says wage growth must be matched by productivity gains
“As price takers, farm businesses have limited capacity to absorb higher labour costs without a corresponding uplift in productivity. Without this link, wage growth risks undermining the viability of many small and family-run farm operations”: Troy Williams, NFF.
