Six irrefutable truths when managing people
No matter how you cut it, every leader must manage people. Whether you are an employer, farmer, leader of a sporting club, or head a volunteer organisation, if you oversee just one person or thousands of people, you are in the people management game ... Let’s face it, some people are easier to manage than others, but that should not be an excuse for not trying to engage, inspire, and develop someone.
The old mobile phones providing a lifeline for domestic violence victims as demand surges
Devastatingly, new data from domestic violence support charity shows demand for help is showing no signs of slowing down, with a 29 per cent increase in people helped by their services since this time last year. In this digitally dependent society, sadly technology is often used to control and manipulate victims of domestic violence, with mobile phones commonly misused by perpetrators for tracking via spyware or location services.
Donkey, mule and camel teams compete for coveted trophy in authentic pioneering spectacle
Camels, donkeys and mules in harness pulling an array of wagons and a Cobb & Co coach will compete for the prestigious teamster’s trophies in a spectacle rarely seen in modern Australia at The Good Old Days Festival at Barellan ... Organised by the Barellan Working Clydesdales committee, the festival will comprise a full program of authentic heritage events...
Ergon service fee increase explained
Energy Minister Mick de Brenni has explained why Ergon customers have been handed a 13.4 per cent service fee increase on their latest power bill. Mr de Brenni’s explanation was in response to a Question on Notice in parliament asked by local Member for Condamine Pat Weir, who wanted to know why the service fee increased from $1.09521 on 30 June 2024 to $1.2424 on 28 July 2024 …
A fiery fiesta
The second Cohuna Chilli Festival was held on Friday night and organisers say it was a huge success. Held on the public holiday of the AFL grand final weekend, it drew visitors from across the state. With weather to wow, food to feast on, and an atmosphere to applaud, the chilli festival had something for everyone and kept patrons entertained into the night.
Barmah firewood collection
Peter Walsh MP. All roads led to Barmah at the weekend as hundreds of people scrambled for access to hundreds of tonnes of flood-damaged fallen trees rescued for use as firewood. Coming out of the Barmah Forest, the wood was originally pushed into 70 large piles and was going to be burnt by Parks Victoria staff.
Westbrook and Wyreema gardens impress
Westbrook and Wyreema are not typically known as tourist hotspots, however five strong entries in the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers have attracted thousands of visitors to the two towns over the past few weeks.
Yamba Distilling Co’s Champion Traditional Gin
Yamba Distilling Co took on the titans of the brewing and distilling industry at the Sydney Royal Distilled Spirits Show last month taking out the title of Champion Traditional Gin award for their Duke Dry Gin. The inaugural 2024 Sydney Royal Distilled Spirits Show, which is destined to be an annual showcase of some of the best spirits across Australia, is hosted by the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW.
Electricity charges
Suzie Christensen. Operationally, based on those averages, electricity generation and supply for the Island is 43 per cent more expensive than prior to the solar installation, even with the grant from [the Australian Renewable Energy Agency] ARENA. The Board’s electricity charges have only increased 10 per cent from 2021 to 2024 in that time.
LHI Distillery award
Anthony and Christian were thrilled to be awarded Champion, at the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW, Sydney Royal Distilled Spirits Show, for their Wolfe Rock Gin. The RAS of NSW has been judging Australian produce annually for an amazing 202 years! “This was an incredible accolade to receive, really putting Lord Howe Island Distilling Co on the map as a leader in Australian spirits, with our unique endemic botanicals.”
Groundwater reserves being examined for irrigation
Sebastian Calderon. An innovative project based in the Riverland is aiming to improve the potential use and benefits of groundwater. Last month, a small reverse-osmosis (RO) plant was installed on Century Orchards, in Loxton, with the objective of identifying different pathways to diversify water sources and relieve resource pressure on the Murray River.
Gone: Riverland Wine pair resign amidst wine crisis
Two leading figures at Riverland Wine – which was criticised by several members earlier in 2024, amid a disastrous year for many growers – resigned last week. Executive officer Lyndall Rowe and grower engagement officer Charles Matheson ended their paid roles with the advocacy body last Thursday. Representing over 900 local growers and around 30 wineries, Riverland Wine had been accused of a lack of action during the current industry crisis...
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.
