State Ag Show Convention success at Kaniva
This weekend Kaniva welcomed delegates from 47 shows across the state. This year’s convention was deemed a success by all. Participants travelled from right across Victoria; from Seymour to Mildura, Dandenong and Cohuna. The Kaniva A&P Society was announced as the host of the annual State Victorian Agricultural Shows Convention at Geelong last year.
Power pole transition plan sparks concerns
A decision by an electricity network which covers more than 90 per cent of the state to phase out hardwood power poles in favour of composite poles made from resin and fibreglass has sparked community concerns amidst allegations the transition will increase power bills, further exacerbating financial pressures during the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, as well as compromise the timber industry.
Dedicated to the Flying Doctors
Hugh Schuitemaker. A well-known Riverlander who has overseen the expansion of the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) in the region is set to retire from his senior role. Current RFDS Riverland Support Group president Alan Eckermann will retire from the position at the end of this month.
Growers to exit with only their dignity?
Jason Perrin. "What scraps do we grape growers get from you? Just $3.5m. I guess it’s obvious the future security and survival of the Riverland, the Riverina and areas of the Murray Valley are not as important as a new rugby team in Papua New Guinea."
Golden glow to mine plans
Rachel Hagan. The wait is over as Rex hits road Rex Minerals is about to begin construction on the preliminary stages of the Pine Point Road realignment in preparation for full scale copper and gold production at the Hillside Project ... Rex has big plans to prioritise local jobs, and has already begun training interested students through its school immersion program.
Lord Howe Island Tourism Association (LHITA) News, July 2024
Pia Funch & Trina Shepherd. Here is the latest news from the travel industry and the LHITA. Australians have accumulated significant amounts of annual leave due to the pandemic, with the average standing at 14.1 days per year ... This "pent-up demand" has led to a more competitive travel space and a notable increase in marketing spend.
Sparks from the Past – Community Commons – Island entertainment and social get-togethers post World War II, Part 14
This special edition of “Sparks from the Past” – is written in appreciation of Jim Whistler, founder of The [Lord Howe Island] Signal ... Sally looked through every [Lord Howe Island] Signal in the LHI Historical Society collection - all 1157 of them! ... Her high regard for Jim, and extensive use of the Signal for research purposes, clearly illustrate the contribution both have made to our precious Island archives.
Kookaburra’s Donald arrival draws near
Jenni and Trevor Campbell. On our way home from our holiday in Northern New South Wales, we called in to meet Chris Fussell, the sculptor who is making Donald’s giant kookaburra ... Chris has our kookaburra well on the way and hopes to be able to bring it to Donald in the spring.
Loy Yang identified for power play
A nuclear power station at Loy Yang would create cheaper zero emissions electricity and generate regional economic development, according to the federal Opposition's nuclear energy policy ... Loy Yang is one of seven identified locations at a power station that has closed or is scheduled to close, around Australia ... "Each of these locations offer important technical attributes needed for a zero-emissions nuclear plant..."
A win for the people as Australia’s banks finally go too far
Unable to turn their backs on disgraceful behaviour by the major banks over regional closures, a senate inquiry has lit a bomb under them. The pressure is now on the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his Minister for Financial Services Stephen Jones to accept all recommendations in full.
Keep the Sheep + Live export inquiry: Littleproud, McKenzie
Well, thanks for coming today. It's important we've got Keep the Sheep Movement here. They have come from Western Australia. They're showing respect to this Parliament by coming in and trying to talk to Senators and give them the opportunity to learn of their lived experience of their livelihoods that are going to take to be taken away.
ANZ proposal to acquire Suncorp Bank: Chalmers
Today [29 June 2024] I’m announcing that ANZ Group Holdings Ltd’s (ANZ) proposal to acquire full ownership of Suncorp Bank (Suncorp) from Suncorp Group can proceed subject to enforceable conditions ... To ensure the transaction is in the national interest, I have decided to approve this proposal subject to strict conditions. The conditions I have imposed are legally‑binding ... The Commonwealth’s conditions prohibit regional branch closures for three years ...
Government drops Henley on Todd
The NT Government has reduced its minor subsidy for the iconic tourist attraction Henley on Todd to an extent where the event cannot take place this year, according to MLA for Braitling, Josh Burgoyne ... “The dry river boat races have been occurring in Alice Springs since the 1960s with locals and tourists racing against one another.”
Rabobank partners with George the Farmer to celebrate National Book Week
Rabobank’s Rabo Community Fund has partnered with the ‘edu-tainment’ brand ‘George the Farmer’ for the third year to help educate children about where their food and fibre comes from in a fun and engaging way during this year’s National Book Week – August 17 to 23.
Yanchep line station – access maps released
Metronet has released maps showing the preferred access to the three stations on the Yanchep rail line. A Metronet spokeswoman said preferred access to Yanchep station was along Marmion Ave and then via a new road called Botanical Blvd leading to parking facilities.
Steve Sun can see after doctors diagnose loss of sight in brain tumour op
When Steve Sun set off from Casino in his Sunseeker 4WD in October 2021, his mission was to see as much of Australia before he lost his sight. Steve had a brain tumour and needed an operation. Doctors told him the op would save his life but it would leave him blind.
All aboard for vintage train trips from Casino
Lachlan Valley Railway is bringing a 1960s vintage train to Casino next month. LVR is a rail preservation society in Cowra that was established in 1974. The society aims to preserve and operate former NSW Government Railways locomotives and rolling stock.
Weedkilling Gunbower Creek drone trial: Stage one complete
A trial using a drone to tackle invasive weeds clogging Gunbower Creek is looking promising. A $100,000 Victorian Government investment allowed North Central CMA and Goulburn Murray Water to trial drone spraying technology alongside conventional boat based spraying to tackle the highly invasive pale yellow water lily in a section of the creek over summer.
Expansion one step closer – community precinct to be created
Last Wednesday’s meeting of the Southern Downs Regional Council decided unanimously to remove the old Allora Fire Station building from the site and go ahead with the future redevelopment of the Allora Community Precinct. This leaves the way open for the Sports Museum and the Allora Library to make a move.
Kooka’s welcomes cookers
A great deal of activity is happening at the new factory site of Kooka’s Country Cookies. Along with earthworks preparing the ground outside of the building, on the inside, the multimillion dollar factory fit out has commenced. Brand new equipment stands wrapped and ready for installation under the guidance of Raffaele De Fazio, who is staying for a month to oversee the furnishing of the production line.
Being a tourist in our own hometown
Wayne Hawthorne. It was a case of previously not having been there, not having done that, or at least in recent times. Touring one of the town’s lesser-known tourist attractions was a first for some Naracoorte Men’s Probus members and their wives. Narracoorte Homestead is a gem amongst us.
Investigation reveals Westpac’s serious breaches of banking code of practice in closing Tennant branch
After a thorough investigation, the Banking Code Compliance Committee (BCCC) has found that Westpac breached its obligations under the Banking Code of Practice over its handling of its Tennant Creek branch closure in September 2022. The BCCC has determined that Westpac failed to comply with the ABA Branch Closure Protocol and did not provide adequate support to affected customers in the remote Tennant Creek community during the transition period.
