Business

A top racing official has given thumbs up to Mt. Wycheproof and District Racing Club (Mt. WDRC). Deputy chairman of the Australian Racecourse Managers Association, Mr Martin Synan, provided advice and praise post a recent walk and inspection of the racetrack. Alongside the Wycheproof Golf Club (WGC) – the precinct forms an integral and impressive landscape in the community as part of the Mt. Wycheproof Recreation Reserve.

SunCable has achieved another major regulatory milestone, receiving approval from the Commonwealth Government for the Australian component of its flagship project, Australia-Asia Power Link (AAPowerLink) ... "SunCable will now focus its efforts on the next stage of planning to advance the project towards a Final Investment Decision targeted by 2027" ... SunCable will be investing further in communities in the Northern Territory, Singapore and Indonesia to progress the next phase.

Researchers warn the animals we eat could be the gateway for a pandemic in the form of antimicrobial resistance, unleashing a wave of deadly superbugs ... The researchers analysed this public health and food security challenge in the food animal industry in Southeast Asia for the International Journal of Food Science and Technology.

As the industrial sprawl of green energy marches across the government-identified Renewable Energy Zones (REZ), Gannawarra Shire Councillor Garner Smith has renewed his call for negotiating lasting benefits from the VNI West project and renewable developments for Gannawarra residents. “Personally, I do not see an overall long-term benefit for communities like Gannawarra, out of either the VNI West power line or the renewable projects. Little to no long-term employment, unattractive infrastructure on a scale that the community does not comprehend and a benefits package that lacks detail and sounds more like welfare than an opportunity.

We all know Woodside, Australia’s biggest gas producer, but many might not realise it is also one of the country’s biggest CO2 emitters ... the Australian energy sector has been all too willing to overpromise on what is achievable in reducing their CO2 footprint, as a result they are now desperately searching for solutions. This, unfortunately, is where WA farmland comes into play ... That win-win plan is to plant trees – lots of trees – on productive farmland and then lock that land up for the next 100 years so it no longer produces food or fibre.

Camellia lovers will gather in Narrandera later this month to celebrate the Narrandera Garden Club’s 50th annual Camellia show in conjunction with the Camellia Australia National Show. The very first Narrandera show began in 1974 and besides the two years when Covid was at its peak, the show has been held every year and has seen great growth since its inception.

Researchers from the University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) are taking the idea of "try before you buy" straight to the bank to make it easier for farmers to utilise ag tech. The $3.7 million research project … investigates how to better utilise existing and emerging ag technologies to improve drought resilience for grain farmers.

Volunteers have been kept busy at the Nhill Aviation Heritage Centre (NAHC) ... During the week members of the NAHC Board entertained the Governor of Victoria, Her Excellency Professor Margaret Gardner AC and her entourage.

Situated on Harwood Island, overlooking prime agricultural land and the majestic Clarence River, is one of the oldest continuously operating sugar mills in the country. The Harwood Sugar Mill and Refinery has been crushing cane since 1874, and is one of three facilities in the state owned and managed by Sunshine Sugar … In 2024, the Harwood Sugar Mill and Refinery is proud to celebrate its 150th anniversary.

Data collated by the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) has found that Australians living outside of metropolitan hubs are experiencing significant issues with their telcos. Between 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2024, the TIO received 51,854 phone and internet complaints from consumers living in regional, rural and remote Australia about faults, poor service quality, poor mobile service coverage, outages and accessibility barriers.

Turns out this year is a unique year for the world. Over half the global population will be going to the polls in over 60 countries to elect their next leader ... When it comes to voting, it gets down to a decision of character. Who you trust. It is the same when you are recruiting people.

Kimberly Grabham. Constable Mauricio Guimares, Constable Luke James and Sargeant Nick Moulds are the friendly new faces we can turn to when we need the help of the police ... All coming from different areas, they are enjoying the relaxed and quiet country life ... Brazil ... Ku-ring-gai ... Forster Tuncurry ...

Though only in the second year of her hairdressing apprenticeship, Riverland talent, Maiya Rice, has taken definitive steps in the Australian hair industry. Earlier this year Ms Rice, apprentice of Berri Salon Jarahs Hair, was named the Regional Cut and Colour Winner at the 2024 CURATE Awards.

One of Australia’s longest running and most prestigious music festivals, the iconic Byron Bay Bluesfest will have its final curtain call at the 2025 festival. Since the first East Coast Annual Blues Festival in 1990, which was headlined by American performers Charlie Musselwhite and Canned Heat at the Byron Bay Arts Factory, Bluesfest has been held every year at Easter in the Byron Bay area, except for 2 years during the Covid pandemic.

Joanna Tucker. Yorke Peninsula hospitals are falling behind the community’s expectations. That’s the grim outlook from Member for Narungga, Fraser Ellis. "The government is there to serve the community, and currently, I don’t think any hospital on YP is providing the services the community expects," Mr Ellis said.

Community engagement efforts in the Buloke Shire have highlighted the significant role online gaming plays in the lives of our residents, particularly among young people. Gaming is more than a pastime – it’s vital for community cohesion and recovery, as shown by the successful Level Up event at Sea Lake Neighbourhood House on Monday, with over 40 attendees, and another event set for Wycheproof on Sunday.

The Albanese Government acknowledges the decision of Telstra and Optus to delay their 3G switchover from late August to 28 October to give Australian customers and businesses more time to prepare ... The public media campaign is expected to reach more than 90 per cent of Australians and emphasise the impact on both traditional handsets and other devices that rely on the 3G network…

The Albanese Labor Government is continuing to strengthen our illegal logging regime with the Illegal Logging Prohibition Amendment (Strengthening Measures to Prevent Illegal Timber Trade) Bill 2024 currently before the Senate.  This legislation will be supported by new rules to replace the current Illegal Logging Prohibition Regulation 2012 when it expires on 1 April 2025 which are now open for comment.  

Don Fuller. In my view Blair McFarland’s policies are short on policy suggestions – besides they need more funding for the Basics Card. It is dependence on government to provide failing solutions again! There is no mention of the essential importance of education and the need for employment to reduce the devastating impact of a welfare-based society and how these vital areas can be improved.