Virtual fencing one step closer to reality for Victorian farmers: VFF
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) has welcomed the partnership between Agriculture Victoria and Halter in trialling the use of virtual fencing technology at the government’s Ellinbank Smartfarm. VFF President Emma Germano said the move was a forward step towards making the technology accessible to Victorian farmers.
Coast to cave via ice, quakes and fault
Caves aren’t just a hole in the ground it seems. Of interest is where they are, how they formed and why they exist ... As a cave diver and geologist, Ian is the “eyes” underwater and underground for geologists as he looks at caves and their structure.
Council hit by cyber attack
The Wattle Range Council is investigating a cyber incident, where data has been accessed and taken from its IT environment. The council confirmed that the cyber attack involved access to some of its file drives by an unauthorised third party ... Council said a priority of their investigation was to determine exactly what information was involved, and who it related to.
Southern Downs small home survey
Southern Downs Regional Council is inviting feedback from the community, the local building and development industry and community service organisations with a survey regarding the potential of small homes in the region. The survey aims to gather valuable feedback to guide Council’s decision-making process concerning minimum dwelling sizes and related policies.
New social and affordable homes for Tennant Creek
Thanks to a $6.9 million partnership between the Northern Territory Government, the Australian Government, Housing Australia, and Venture Housing Company, people needing safe, secure, and affordable housing in Tennant Creek will benefit from the construction of 12 new social and affordable homes. The homes will be delivered across three adjoining sites and comprise five social and seven affordable homes.
Health system must find more funding
John Malham, patient. Recently I spent two weeks in a semi-major regional hospital that caters for its town population of twenty thousand and the surrounding areas 70 thousand population. I had no intention of writing this article but having witnessed the forceful nature of the hospital’s discharge team, I began taking notes and interviewing people involved in all aspects of the hospital’s running.
Castlemaine Festival emerges from administration
The Board of Castlemaine State Festival announced last week that it will commence planning for a 2026 festival and expects to appoint a new artistic director later this year. In March the board had stated that it was entering voluntary administration and that specialists from Deloitte Financial Advisory had been appointed to "assess the options available to restructure the operations, preserve the legacy of the festival and determine a path forward."
Quality of care at Quantum’s focus
On Friday ... guests and staff gathered to officially open Quantum Medical Centre Barham. The opening of the facility under new management was a celebration of the work and dedication to retain medical services in the Barham facility and a positive step towards a bright future with a team dedicated to quality care.
Daylight saving and wild dogs up for debate: NSW Farmers Association
Wild dogs, shortening daylight saving and improving the renewable energy rollout were just some of agriculture’s hot topics up for debate as NSW Farmers returned for the final day of its 2024 Annual Conference yesterday. NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin said while Australia needed strong farms to feed the future, the sector was facing a wide range of challenges that delegates were keen to address...
Mobile coverage extended
Residents and visitors to the Upper Murray are now enjoying improved mobile phone coverage and connectivity, with the recent construction of three new Telstra mobile base stations in the region. Two towers have been built at Koetong and Burrowye and a new small-cell base station has been activated south-west of Cudgewa under the federal government’s Mobile Black Spot Program.
Narrandera’s Destination and Discovery Hub officially opened
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke was on hand to help celebrate the official opening of the Destination and Discovery Hub in Narrandera late last week. Ms Cooke joined with Narrandera Mayor Cr Neville Kschenka and community members for the highly anticipated occasion.
A league of their own
AFL Victoria – which operates under the all-powerful AFL umbrella – is in the business of sport. Getting people to play it, and watch it. Only, AFL Victoria doesn’t want to play with anyone unless everything goes its way. If it doesn’t, AFL Victoria picks up its ball and goes home.
Ganmain Bakery crowned best in Riverina for seventh year running
The Ganmain Bakery has reclaimed the title of Best Bakery in the Riverina for the seventh year in a row. The award is part of the Triple M Riverina MIA Best Awards that spotlight the best of the Riverina in 12 different categories.
The Empire launches festival program
The Empire’s popular family festival Thrive on Arts will return from September 26-29, celebrating all things nature and the environment. Sponsored by C&K Childcare and Kindergarten, Thrive on Arts is an annual four-day festival celebrating play, imagination, creativity and storytelling, held during the spring school holidays alongside the iconic Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers.
Alliance prepares for fire season
The Softwoods Working Group has engaged major stakeholders to develop a strategy to safeguard the softwood forestry industry in the Murray Region Hub ahead of the upcoming bushfire season. A $13M forestry funding package from the NSW government is aimed at protecting essential timber supplies in the region and will support key fire prevention, detection and response initiatives.
Small store of the year
The Local Grocer IGA Westbrook has been chosen from over 400 stores Australia-wide as the IGA National Small Store of the Year. The award was presented on Monday, 15 July, at an awards night attended by staff members including owners Shane and Tracy Smith who also run the IGA Pittsworth store.
New $260,000 package for wine industry
Extra funding will be allocated to help Riverland grape growers address the oversupply of red wine. The State Government last week announced an extra $260,000 for CCW Co-operative, aimed at supporting members to diversify into alternate crops and improve access to information for new revenue streams ... The support package will also see an implementation officer appointed by Riverland Wine to assist with rolling out the Riverland Wine Industry Blueprint.
Riverland chances in Accolade merger
Hugh Schuitmaker. The Riverland’s State MP is optimistic a merge of Accolade Wines with another large industry giant will provide positive opportunities for the region. Australian Wine Holdco Limited (AWL) last week announced Accolade Wines would be merged with Pernod Ricard’s Australian, New Zealand and Spanish wine businesses. Chaffey MP Tim Whetstone said the decision reflected pressure facing the commercial wine sector.
Fisheries expert shares UK lessons on how offshore wind and fishing can co-exist: BMM
Australia’s fledgling offshore wind farm sector can learn from the successes and mistakes of the UK, says an expert with a quarter century of hands-on experience in fishing and the last dozen advising offshore oil, gas and renewables industries. John Watt, Brown and May Marine’s Senior Fisheries Expert, was invited as a keynote speaker at this month’s Offshore Windtech Summit1 in Melbourne, the Asia Pacific’s largest wind energy gathering.
Koolkhan not included in coalition’s proposed nuclear sites
If a nuclear power plant that has long been touted to be constructed at Koolkhan, north of Grafton, is to proceed, the state or federal government would have to overrule a Council decision declaring the Clarence Valley a nuclear free zone. Debate about implementing nuclear power plants in Australia ignited in June when federal opposition leader, Peter Dutton said the coalition would go into the next election promising to build 7 nuclear power stations...
Racing to rave reviews at conclusion of carnival
The Clarence River Jockey Club (CRJC) have declared the 2024 XXXX July Racing Carnival an overall success ... many took advantage of the clear conditions and headed trackside as more than 460 thoroughbreds competed across 40 races ... "It’s a great time to get dressed up and head out to have some fun," Ms Dennis added.
No denying emphatic cup win
She may have been suspect at the staying distance, but Irish bred mare Deny Knowledge (IRE) proved too strong for the rest of the field in the Westlawn Finance Grafton Cup ... Racing over 2350m for the first time in her 34 start career, the European import was aided by a brilliant ride by Group 1 winning jockey Blake Shinn in his only race during the 2024 XXXX July Racing Carnival.
