Business

The [Naracoorte Community] News is introducing a new series called Hard Talk, focusing on in-depth interviews with hard-hitting questions on issues relating to communities like ours ... In our first issue, we questioned Premier Peter Malinauskas and newly appointed Opposition Leader Vincent Tarzia.

A history of Camellia Shows, Camellia Festivals and the Narrandera District Garden Club (last updated 1996) has been provided to the Narrandera Argus. Narrandera’s reputation for the production of top quality camellia blooms has been growing over a period of 23 years ... It began in 1973 when the ladies of the St John’s P.W.A. changed from their traditional Annual Fete to an afternoon of "Flowers and Fashion"...

If you’ve ever shouted, “Are we there yet?” in a fit of boredom, then a tractor trek may not be for you. For the members of the Harry Ferguson Tractor Club of Australia, tractor trekking offers them a chance to see the countryside in unique red, grey and even gold style! The procession of Masseys rolled into Barham last week on their biennial trek, snaking the Murray River with a start in Corryong…

Council leaders from Gannawarra, Swan Hill, Mildura, Loddon, Campaspe and Moira shires visited Canberra and Bendigo over the last two weeks, speaking to politicians and advisors on water management, renewable energy, housing and the funding of local government ... The latest round of buybacks was a pressing issue for the group.

There is an old saying “not a lot of sense is common!” There are things that should be taken as a given in life. Things such as manners, not talking over people, being polite, saying please and thank you, looking at people who are talking to you, and assuming best intentions when dealing with colleagues. To be respected you must first be respectful. So, when our elected Members of Parliament require a code of conduct on how to act and behave to prevent bullying, sexual harassment, and inappropriate behaviour, you have to ask what happened to common sense?

Almost a dozen power poles have been lost in the past few months due to fires from what’s thought to have been a series of separate hazard reduction burns across the state. Energy Queensland Chief Operating Officer Paul Jordon said while hazard reduction burning is an essential tool for managing vegetation and reducing fire risks, it is crucial to exercise caution to prevent unintended electrical infrastructure damage.

Environment Minister Leanne Linard has announced 54,000 hectares of greater glider habitat in South East Queensland state forest will be transitioned to a new natural capital tenure ... Of the 54,000 hectares, 7,500 hectares are set to be placed into Natural Capital Reserve as a potential strategic advance offset for the critical Borumba Pumped Hydro project.

Hay Plains Livestock is excited to announce a new partnership with Te Mania Angus, a leading name in Australian Angus genetics. This collaboration has begun with the arrival of 20 Te Mania Angus spring bulls in Hay.  These bulls are known for their excellent carcass traits, ease of calving, impressive marbling...

Clean Peak Energy has officially commenced construction of its Hay Solar Farm, adjacent to Hay Cemetery, east of Hay township. The advancement of the project was marked with an on-site sod turning, which brought together Clean Peak Energy executives and staff, Hay Shire Council and host landholders.

Sebastian Calderon. Houseboats traveling along a section of the Murray River are facing challenges, due to low water levels, forcing operators to limit mobility through the Riverland. Changes in the river’s water flow following environmental conditions have recently seen a group of boats unable to travel between towns like Renmark and Berri.

Corazon Mining has begun exploratory drilling at the May Queen target on Mount Gilmore for gold and copper in the Clarence River catchment northwest of Grafton and the Clarence Catchment Alliance are calling on locals to get involved to stop a mining licence being granted.

Michelle Daw. The Ardrossan community is taking health care into its own hands by helping secure more services after the local private hospital closed earlier this year. A new International Medical Graduate, Dr Sajini Abeysekera, has arrived from Sri Lanka with the support of the Ardrossan Community Op Shop and started taking patients at Medical HQ Ardrossan...

Rachel Hagan. Minlaton's time to celebrate arrived with the official opening of the long-awaited Minlaton Family Centre ...The ribbon was cut by Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey, and the three women who started it all: Katie Hughes, Anna Phasey and Amy Honner ... The centre has created 120 childcare places in the region, which is an incredible increase from a few years earlier when there were only 14.

Australian agriculture is set to benefit this financial year, as the gross value of agricultural production is forecast to increase by 4 per cent. ​The ABARES Agricultural Commodities and Crop Reports show a significant growth in the sector, from $82.5 billion in 2023-24 to $86.2 billion in 2024-25.

The “People’s Cup” arrived in Wycheproof on Friday morning in a High Rail V-Line vehicle on the infamous railway tracks that bisect the main street, and it spent the day touring around town with VRC officials and local racing legends. Wycheproof was the 25th stop, of the 39 destinations across six countries that have hosted the prestigious tour in 2024, showcasing the global appeal of the Lexus Melbourne Cup.

In celebration of spring racing and securing naming rights for next month’s Cairns Amateurs Carnival’s two-day Fashions on the Field contest, Cairns Central has unveiled a retrospective exhibition showcasing the elegance and creativity of past winners and their stunning outfits … Cairns Central will inspire racegoers to dress for the springtime occasion with its abundance of new season, head-to-toe, race-ready looks …

Walking through the doorway of Casino’s newest dress shop is an assault on the senses – in a good way. As you walk in, there is the soft wafting scent of the candles on sale, the cool refreshing air and the colours – oh my, patterns of colours on the clothes hanging on the walls like material artworks.

Chris Murray. The loss of Qantas Catalina VH-EAX at Lord Howe Island – Sabotage or misadventure? ... Hudson Fysh – Qantas: “On the 23rd June, 1949, our Catalina and one of Trans Oceanic Airways were riding at their moorings on the lagoon when in a ‘blow’ our flying boat broke her moorings and went ashore."

"Custard apples come lumpy, Quite seedy and bumpy, When added to fruit salad, They rhyme like a ballad." In case anyone hasn’t noticed we are well into custard apple season until probably October when the Qld fruit fly will start to get active with the warmer weather and sting the fruit.

ANZ chief executive Shayne Elliott made frequent mentions of “reputational risk” while giving evidence to the house standing committee investigating the big four banks in Canberra on Friday ... it is surprising that when asked about regional bank closures by commitee chairman Daniel Mulino he chose to withhold information about two branches in regional Australia that ANZ plans to close later this year.