Paraquat, ploughs and perils: The future of global grain
This year, global grain production will be somewhere between 2.5 and 3.0 billion tonnes, of that around 500 million tonnes will be available for export ... Take your pick as to the impact of going organic, but on average, between a third and half the world starves. But what about just taking out paraquat and glyphosate—the foundation chemicals for no-till farming?
50th anniversary of the airstrip at Lord Howe Island
During the week beginning 9th September, there were celebrations on the Island to mark the completion of the Lord Howe Island airstrip in September, 1974. Around 50 members of the Australian army and navy, with family members, who were part of the project, visited to mark the anniversary.
Murrindindi Shire Council letter to Mary-Anne Thomas MP regarding the withdrawal of patient transport services
Council wrote to Mary-Anne Thomas MP, Minister for Health, Health Infrastructure and Ambulance Services, seeking urgent clarification regarding community concerns about the withdrawal of transport services for patients requiring dialysis, cancer treatment and other critical care. This follows feedback that transport to Seymour, for dialysis treatment – a lifeline for patients-, is being discontinued as of 30 September 2024.
Join the Gannawarra Energy bus tour
Residents wanting to learn about key proposed and completed energy infrastructure in the Gannawarra are encouraged to join Gannawarra Shire Council and various agencies for a free information morning and bus tour. Council, Edify Energy, VicGrid, Transmission Company Victoria and the Australian Energy Market Operator have united to host this special event, beginning at the Kerang Memorial Hall...
Why these 10 regional property hotspots are driving the investor boom: Buyers Agent
The ongoing lack of housing supply and affordability in Australia’s capital cities is driving more homebuyers to explore regional property markets. Buyers Agent has identified 10 regional hotspots to watch, based on investor activity (including sales and inquiries) over the past 12 months, along with capital growth and rental yields.
Planting underway for Australian cotton with above average crops expected: Cotton Australia
Planting is underway across much of Australia’s cotton growing regions with some crops already out of the ground in warmer climates, some growers holding back for warmer weather while some in tropical areas won’t be planting until rain begins to fall. Cotton Australia General Manager Michael Murray said the signs for this season are positive with Australia’s 1500 cotton growers, 90 per cent of them family farmers...
Western Australia hosts first Chinese wine mission since tariffs lift: Punch
Regional Development Minister Don Punch has welcomed the first inbound Chinese wine trade mission to Western Australia since the lifting of wine tariffs earlier this year, with delegates set to tour the Great Southern and Margaret River wine regions this week ... WA will host 11 premium wine buyers from 10 Chinese companies from 29 September to 6 October 2024, with a focus on premium wines, and specific interest in wines of WA provenance.
Flinders Shire Council embraces new proposed energy partnerships
Flinders Shire Council is excited to announce its participation in the Central Western Queensland Remote Area Planning and Development Board (RAPAD) Energy and Economic Forum, held in Barcaldine last week. The event attracted a full house of stakeholders from across Queensland, all united by a shared vision for the future of energy and economic development in the region.
Viterra set to buy Maitland grain site
Michelle Daw. The GrainFlow site at Maitland is one of five storage and handling sites in South Australia and western Victoria to be bought by Viterra from Cargill. The other sites are at Crystal Brook, Mallala, Pinnaroo and Dimboola. Viterra has also announced it will buy Cargill’s mobile ship loader at Port Adelaide.
Copper Coast Cup comes to a windy end
Joanna Tucker. The Copper Coast Cup, part of the 2024 Cervelo Super Series cycling event, was held on the weekend, Saturday and Sunday, September 28-29 ... However, the first day’s road races at the Copper Coast Airport were cancelled after the first three categories due to the strong wind.
Letters from Home: A tale of two Falcons
It's a simple truth that our family has always been Ford fans. For as far back as I recall the cars have been descendants of the original Henry... I recall driving off in a new model way back and hating leaving my treasured XC at the dealership ... My son has told the person who is taking him that Yuri is indestructible, surviving the 2014 bushfires and saving our dogs ...
Birth of the forest products industry in Queensland: Gary Bacon
Dr Gary Bacon AM. Rare it is to have a definitive historical date and place for the discovery of a natural renewable resource that is the foundation of an industry which prospers to the present day. Tuesday 21 September 1824 is that note-worthy date and we have a precise record of that discovery on the banks of the Brisbane River.
Helen’s water victory
Independent Member for Murray, Helen Dalton, says a new Water Register she has convinced the NSW Government to introduce will help stop money laundering as well as the secret purchase of Australian water by foreign governments. She introduced the bill to parliament late last year, with the aim to force NSW politicians to declare their water interests on our conflict-of-interest form.
Teddy & Me closes
Earlier this month, Teddy & Me’s owner Marilyn Kennedy made the difficult decision to close her shop, which had been operating in Maldon since 1997. The [Tarrangower] Times caught up with Marilyn last week to talk about her time as a retailer ... While building up a loyal customer base, she also made some changes to her stock, including specialising in collectable toys that appealed to adults as well as children.
Whole town turns to shopping
The whole town garage sale ... turned the town of Donald into a busy shopping centre for astute bargain hunters, and allowed many residents to make a dollar or two from selling unwanted items. As the saying goes: "One man’s trash is another man’s treasure," and the numerous garage sales held in Donald at the weekend seemed like a great big, marvelous treasure hunt...
From Naracoorte, with love
It’s an unusual story—one we hardly get to hear or read about in Naracoorte. It’s a story of our small community and our people coming together to help raise funds to alleviate the sufferings of women and children in a community and country not part of Australia—Mengaumenau, PNG. Imagine finding yourself in a place where there is no one at all to help you deliver your baby.
SA’s first country trained doctors to boost rural medical services
In a state first, medical students can now undertake their entire training in rural South Australia, in a bold new initiative by Flinders University to tackle the critical shortage of doctors in rural and regional areas. Starting in 2025, the South Australia Rural Medical (SARM) Program is the first degree of its kind in South Australia, offering medical students the opportunity to study Flinders’ renowned medical program outside the metropolitan area.
Radiotherapy group lodges complaint
A complaint has been lodged against the Adelaide-based chairman of Limestone Coast Local Health Network (LCLHN), Dr Andrew Saies, over his alleged conduct towards SE cancer patients. Among claims against Dr Saies are allegations he comes from a position of privilege by suggesting financial issues confronting SE cancer patients travelling to Adelaide and unable to work for many weeks or months could easily be nullified if they took out income insurance.
This Show ’n’ Shine lived up to its name
Buloke Collectable Vehicle Club annual Show 'n' Shine event brought together car enthusiasts from all over the region this past weekend, transforming the George Cartwright oval in Birchip into a dazzling display of automotive craftsmanship. With almost 150 vehicles on display, the event celebrated everything from classic cars to modern muscle, trucks and motorbikes, and it drew a diverse crowd of spectators and participants alike.
Heritage meeting
There was a time when Maldon was at the forefront of heritage planning in Australia. But has the town lost its way, in terms of conserving its built and natural landscapes? Many believe that the short answer is: yes.
Volunteers save Lockhart airfield from closure
Sean Cunningham. The decision to keep Lockhart Airstrip opened has proved to be a good one with a group of workers regularly toiling hard to maintain it. Early last year, Lockhart Shire Council was considering closing the airstrip, however after many submissions were received requesting council to reconsider its proposal, council agreed by resolution to continue with the lease of the airstrip.
Carnival of Flowers reaches Singapore
Singapore horticultural show garden, Gardens by the Bay’s first Australian-themed floral display Carnival of Flowers, inspired by Toowoomba’s ongoing event, opened this week with a mini “floral float” parade. The iconic Singapore attraction, which was recently named Number 8 in the world by Tripadvisor, showcases plants from all over the world in thematic floral displays.
