Tennant Creek Transport ceases operations, citing insurmountable challenges
The Board of Tennant Creek Transport announced this week that all their services, including the door-to-door service, town bus, and the Greyhound Connect service, will cease operations effective from Sunday. Despite being financially stable, the service has encountered persistent issues that finally rendered its continuation impossible, chiefly the ongoing struggle to recruit and retain an adequate number of drivers.
Baby it’s cold outside, and inside
The recent frosty mornings in our area might inspire us to cosy up inside by a fire or with a loved one, but university studies have found that Australians have colder houses than people in similar climates around the world. Experts from RMIT commented last week about the phenomenon in which Australians have lower standards for warmth in their homes, leading to health risks.
Goodness, gracious, great night of fire
Maldon in Winter Festival started last Friday with a full moon, a rush of steam and sparks flying from the enormous bonfire hosted by the Maldon Lions Club ... The bonfire was planned to coincide with the winter solstice, but a full moon on the same night only happens every 20 years.
Ninox Robotics to count koalas with new ultra-compact hi-res infrared camera
Australian drone operator Ninox Robotics has boosted its capability for capturing aerial intelligence to be used for conservation efforts with the acquisition of the Sierra-Olympia Vayu HD longwave infrared (LWIR) camera. Ninox Robotics will put this high resolution compact camera to the test for the first time this month in the second phase of its koala spotting program ... ARR.News asked Daniel Vogelnest of Ninox Robotics more about drone monitoring of koalas.
Local pub does its bit for hospice
The local pub at Greenmount, which sports the unusual name Get Chopped, threw its hat into the ring to help raise funds for the Toowoomba Hospice during this year’s Hang Ya Boss Out To Dry event. Publican Brendon Quirey volunteered to be hoisted skywards and became part of a highly successful event for 2024.
Whisky barrels roll up at Karri Mia
Serena Kirby. The recent arrival of nearly 60 barrels of premium whisky marks major progress in the development of a new distillery on Mt Shadforth. The establishment of Nullaki Distillery has been the long-term dream of Michael Tomasz and his business partner who did not wish to be named that’s taken a decade to come to fruition.
Curtains close on Rockin’ on East
Narrandera's Rockin’ on East Festival has unfortunately been discontinued following the sudden disbandment of its organising committee. The festival has been attracting visitors from far and wide to Narrandera during the October long weekend since its inception a little over nine years ago ... Ultimately, it was decided that the festival could not proceed.
Telstra helping customers say goodbye to 3G
Telstra is giving some customers complimentary handsets to ensure they stay connected after the 3G network closure on 31 August 2024. Around 12,000 complimentary mobile devices will be given to some customers who are in difficult situations, live rurally or are elderly.
End in sight for shooting of ‘When the House is Empty’
After a year of filming When the House is Empty: The Journey of Four Seasons is finally nearing its long-awaited completion. The film comprises over 200 hours of footage, spanning three locations, four major shoots and twenty-seven additional ones, telling a story of desire, love, loss and humour.
AMTA launches “Check my Device” tool to help Aussies prepare for 3G networks shutdown
The Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA) today announced the launch of a new web-based tool, Check my Device to help Australians determine if their mobile device will be fully supported on Australian mobile networks after 3G networks close, including the ability to make emergency calls to Triple 0. Check my Device can be found on the website, www.3Gclosure.com.au, is available to all Australians, on any mobile network…
Cyber safety – Do you like me?
Tick the box for Yes or No. The handwritten note we would have our friends pass on to those we were sussing out as potential ‘boyfriends and/or girlfriends’ when we were at school ... With the introduction of smart phones and other handheld devices, social media and a whole lot of angry, jealous, nasty, cruel and self-indulgent sick human beings, we are now faced with a new type of bullying called ‘sexploitation’.
By the book – New database collates Australian Ag sustainability regulations: DAFF
A new online database has been launched to assist Australian agricultural stakeholders, including farmers and agribusiness operators, in identifying sustainability and environmental, social and governance (ESG) regulations relevant to their business. The Sustainability-related Regulations Database (SR-Database) collates and explains current Australian laws relating to agricultural sustainability.
Genetics and AI approaches to power-up pulses: GRDC
Chickpea, lentil and faba bean growers across Australia can expect significantly more productive crops within the next decade thanks to a new collaborative, international research project to improve crop yields ... Project leader Professor Rajeev Varshney FRS ... said chickpea, lentil and faba bean production is currently hamstrung due to limited genetic diversity, resulting in meagre yield improvement of less than 0.5 per cent each year.
Concern at Climate Change Authority announcement: NSW Farmers
NSW Farmers is urging the new head of the Climate Change Authority not to forget the critical importance of agriculture in feeding the future. This week Prime Minister Anthony Albanese revealed that Matt Kean, former NSW treasurer and energy minister, would now head the Climate Change Authority. NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin said the announcement was concerning to those in rural communities who were still dealing with the consequences of Mr Kean’s decisions as minister.
Gentle giants holiday in Queensland: Healy
The whale watching season in Queensland is now officially open with 40,000 gentle giants holidaying on Queensland’s coastline from June to November. Queensland’s east coast, also known as the humpback highway, is expected to attract more than 127,000 domestic visitors. Queensland has a high association as a destination with world-class nature and wildlife experiences...
Member for Farrer Sussan Ley calls for nuclear power stations
Member for Farrer Sussan Ley has backed the call for nuclear power in Australia ... “So they're trying to do everything with renewables, which is why it's not working. We're saying, take the time to keep gas in the system while we need it. It's not nearly as detrimental as coal. Then build nuclear, because, while expensive to build, it's very cheap to operate, and nuclear is zero emissions."
Confirmed – GBH redevelopment to go ahead
Almost $15 million will be allocated towards the $263.8 million Grafton Base Hospital (GBH) redevelopment over the next 12 months after NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey handed down the NSW State Budget for 2024-25 last week. Member for Clarence Richie Williamson said the Budget papers "lock in the redevelopment with $14.7 million in the coming financial year, and $222.2 million over the next four years."
Cashing in on Thunderbolt
South Australian sprinting sensation Cash On Delivery overcame a difficult start from box 3 to record a sensational win in the $75000 Thunderbolt, the richest race in the world over 350m, hosted by the Grafton Greyhound Racing Club on June 22. After qualifying for the feature event following an impressive win and placing in the Thunderbolt heats and semi-finals run on the track ... Cash On Delivery was well supported by punters as the eight finalists headed onto the track.
An extra-oar-dinary Saturday row
Alexandra Bull. A foggy and chilly Saturday morning did not dampen the spirits of all 201 rowers rowing in the annual Renmark Rowing Club Wharf to Woolshed Long Row. With 44 crews on the water, slightly challenging conditions marked the start of the 36km row ... Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson also jumped into the Renmark Rowing Club eight for the last 10km
Dr Rosenthal’s Riverland journey
Hugh Schuitemaker. Progressing the quality of medical care in the Riverland has been a career-long goal for a local doctor who is set to retire. Renmark-based GP David Rosenthal will today retire after 50 years of practising medicine in the community.
WA’s first non-stop Singapore to Broome service takes off: Carey
Western Australia's first non-stop seasonal service between Singapore and Broome launched today, marking the first international route to fly directly into regional WA since the State's borders reopened ... Jetstar Asia's seasonal service will bring almost 6,500 inbound seats to Broome in its first year and reduce travel time between the two destinations by over five hours.
Demand for agritourism growing five per cent each year
Rachel Hagan. The value of agritourism in Australia is expected to reach about $18 billion by 2023, and Yorke Peninsula residents have shown they are ready to learn all the tricks of the trade ... "People are doing it a lot in Europe, spending time on a European farm eating French food, on a French farm, and people are loving that very authentic cultural experience all over the world": Susan Lee.
