Business

The Nationals Member for Mildura, Jade Benham, says with regional Victoria’s dangerously below par ambulance response times, it is essential people make submissions to the parliamentary inquiry into the performance, workplace culture, and procurement practices of Ambulance Victoria. Ms Benham says with the Victorian health system in crisis, our overworked and undermanned ambos are reaching breaking point.

The Australian Lot Feeders’ Association (ALFA) presented David Brown with the ALFA Outstanding service to the Australia Lot Feeding Sector Award, at the BeefEx Conference held in Brisbane last week. Dr David Brown owns and operates the West Talgai Feedlot near Allora.

Ian Riley. One of the best things about the museum, other than the exhibits, is the people you meet there. I have always been a history tragic, but on my last visit to the museum, I met Michelle Ross. Michelle has a YouTube channel with 9,000 followers and a website called Goldfields Guide ...

The annual Mallee Root Round Up B’n’S Ball brought rural spirit and good fun to the fore this past weekend, drawing 637 attendees from across Victoria to the Birchip Trotting Track. With an exuberant crowd, fantastic music and plenty of country hospitality and camaraderie, this year's event was a resounding success, raising $100,000 in ticket and merchandise sales.

Oh glorious springtime Saturday in October, the air around Mount Tarrengower filled with the sound of bees and pobblebonks and roaring, revving engines. It was the Historic Hill Climb on Saturday 19 October, so motor-heads from miles around converged at Butts Reserve to admire each other’s chassis and race up and down the hill, as has been the tradition since 1928.

Hooray for the 160th Maldon and Baringhup Show on 20 October. It was a winner of a day under blue skies at the Maldon Racecourse and Recreation Reserve, where folks gathered to appreciate the achievements of growers, breeders, makers, doers and animals of our region. There was something for everyone to enjoy.

The proposed Cooba Solar Project will cover a massive 665 hectares of some of the best wine country in Victoria with 740,000 solar panels and 300 batteries the size of shipping containers. There are over 30 wineries along the Heathcote-Rochester Road that bring a constant stream of tourists to the area ... The area is prime agricultural land, with high-quality soil that is particularly suited to grape-growing ...

Sean Cunningham. The added attraction of former Hawthorn Australian footballer Robert “Dipper” DiPierdomenico helped to draw a crowd of about 350 people at the recent Mirrool Silo Kick competition ... “About 30 blokes had a kick,” Silo Kick competition President Jason Bryce said. “Only three got to the grand final ..."

How many adults would know where to start if asked to program a robot? But that’s exactly what a bunch of students from our local primary schools did at the First Lego League Competition held in the Clifton State High School Hall last Friday.

Following the arrest of a man alleged to have scammed 12 buyers in South-East Queensland, police are urging the public to assess sellers diligently when purchasing livestock ... Police identified 12 buyers who deposited more than $7,500 to the alleged seller, who never delivered the animals or feed.

It’s well known that one of the best way to fight mental illness is to begin the conversation and the Westbrook Truck Drivers Association is doing exactly that with a get-together on 16th November at Nobby’s iconic Rudd’s Pub. Spokesperson for the group, Darren Eyers said truck drivers in particular are reluctant to talk about any form of mental illness and hopes that the day at Rudd’s Pub will provide an avenue for discussion.

A compelling feature film that seeks to initiate and deepen conversations around mental health particularly within the agricultural community, was screened to nearly 100 people at the Corryong Youth Club Hall last Friday evening. Leila McDougall, scriptwriter, lead actress and co-producer of ‘Just a Farmer’ - based around the community of a farming family who lose husband and father to suicide - spoke afterwards...

Around 70 people attended the Gannawarra Shire Council’s (GSC) renewable energy day. The day commenced in the Kerang Memorial Hall … According to the figure produced by Gannawarra Shire Council, 80 farming businesses are involved in energy projects…

The 61st Barham Koondrook Show dodged the rain on Friday to put on two days of fun-filled action for the community. Thrilling rides, live music, great food and impressive displays enticed the crowds to brave the wind and menacing clouds for the first show of the new committee.

Grain handlers at  GrainCorp sites across NSW have voted to stop work as part of protected industrial action, said the Australian Workers’ Union which represents the workers. The 200+ workers will commence their action with a month of random 1 hour stoppages at grain handling sites throughout the state beginning next Tuesday the 29th.

The Riverine Grazier walked away with five awards at the 2024 Country Press NSW Annual Conference and Awards Dinner in Dubbo last week. Our commemorative edition celebrating the 150th anniversary of The Riverine Grazier was judged Best Special Publication...

The Hay Shire Council Aged Care Roundtable was held last Monday and was organised by the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care Local Network. More than 25 people attended, representing Council, Haydays, Hay Multi-Purpose Service, and aged care providers and support services.

Hugh Schuitemaker. A 5c on the dollar return for unsecured creditors of Salena Estate, in the wake of the winery’s sale, is "another devastating blow" for the Riverland wine industry according to senior local politicians. Salena Estate creditors last week approved a sale of the vineyards, winery properties and equipment to an entity associated with China’s Tianyu Wool.

Since the inaugural Grafton Jacaranda Festival was held in 1935 and attracted an estimated 4000 attendees to the region, it has become Australia’s foremost floral celebration … thousands of visitors from across the country and overseas journey to the Clarence Valley to share in the history of the time honoured annual festivity while immersing themselves amongst local attractions, characters, and traditions…

This November 2-3, the charming town of Natimuk will transform into a hub of creativity with a series of exciting art events presented by local arts organisation ACT Natimuk. The Natimuk Open Studios Art Trail invites the public to explore local artists’ studios, engage with their work, and discover the diverse visual arts scene that Natimuk has to offer.

The ABARES National Wood Processing Survey 2021–22 shows that in 2021-22 there were a total of 252 mills operating. This is a fall of 47 mills since 2016-17, continuing a downward trend in the number of sawmills operating over the past 30 years.