Business

Hugh Schuitemaker. Further federal government support measures will be needed to overcome current local wine industry challenges, according to two senior Riverland politicians. The Federal Government last week announced a $3.5m Grape and Wine Sector Long-term Viability Support Package, aimed at assisting the wine industry to respond to the oversupply of red wine.

While the Riverland wine industry is battling through some of its darkest days, a local vineyard has offered a glimmer of light with a prestigious award win. Starrs Reach Vineyard, based at New Residence, won Innovative Vineyard of the Year at the Young Gun of Wine Annual Vineyard of the Year Awards last week, returning the trophy back to the Riverland after Ricca Terra won it in 2020.

The NSW Assistant Branch Secretary for the Australian Workers' Union (AWU) Ron Cowdrey has slammed farm owners and managers that he describes as ‘cowboy operators.’ “If cowboy operators want to come here and roll out modern slavery like practices, or bully and underpay staff, or flout our customs laws and import pests and endanger our entire industry, then they can think again,” he said.

The race is on to get Mossman’s cane crush underway, following confirmation the State Government would chip in up to $6 million towards the cost of transporting the cane 100kms south to MSF’s Mulgrave Mill ... the local Douglas Shire Council, Douglas Chamber of Commerce, MSF Sugar and the Queensland Government, Premier Steven Miles announced the government would cover nearly half of the  transport costs.

Emily Wan. For country cop Constable Bailey Edgerton there’s no greater reward than making a difference in the community where you live."I feel that special connection with my locals, because they’re the same people I come across on the job and at community functions, and that helps me build trust and rapport with them," Const Edgerton said.

The iconic Club Hotel, renowned for its feature on Selling Houses Australia in 2019 with its striking Porky Hawker beer garden mural, has once again changed hands. This time, it’s under the local ownership of husband and wife team, Steve and Michelle Martin.

Naomi Shine. Beautiful old homes, made from incredibly sturdy Big Scrub timbers, are being boarded up across the flood zone in Lismore and left to moulder. People needing shelter are moving in, and NSW Reconstruction Authority doesn’t know how to deal with the situation.

Warwick Fry. 'Talking' to some (but not all) AI bots can be like talking to salespersons, call centres, MBAs and marketing executives ... The evolution of AI is leading thinkers (and novelists like Gibson) to revisit philosophical questions like what is consciousness, free will, identity? These are fields of enquiry which have been lacking since the commercialisation of academia ...

Thousands of people were welcomed through the gates of the South Grafton Aerodrome on June 16 as the Grafton Aero Club hosted its popular annual attraction Wings and Wheels for 2024 ... the historic line up of classic and touring cars, hot rods, motorcycles, go-karts, tractors, and vintage engines, with a collection of aircraft including helicopters, gyros, and warbirds...

The National Farmers' Federation (NFF) President David Jochinke and CEO Tony Mahar, along with the Special Representative for Australian Agriculture (SRAA) Su McCluskey, are championing the vital message of Australia’s trade and sustainability credentials in Europe. The delegation has been showcasing the Australian Agriculture Sustainability Framework (AASF), an industry-led initiative that highlights Australia's dedication to sustainable agriculture.  

The winning architectural designs for the Darling Downs and West Moreton region were celebrated at the Australian Institute of Architects awards evening on Friday 14 June. The diversity of projects - a mental health facility, a museum, a home for a family of six, to a propagation shed - selected by the Awards Jury demonstrated the incredible range of talent and skill of architects throughout the region.

Does RSPCA approved extend to King Charles? Last week the RSPCA spent some of its donor’s money plus a share of the funds given to them by the taxpayers of WA to continue their long running anti-farming campaign by publishing a letter to the community in the West Australian. The paid advertisement reads like it was written by radical university animal activists, rather than what was once a highly respected animal welfare organisation.

A dedicated healthcare advocate working to help people die with dignity has been named the 2024 Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section) Queensland Hero ... Jodi Hamilton, the Cairns region Local Hero, is the overall Queensland Hero for 2024 for her exceptional work in enhancing palliative care services.

Large scale gold mining will recommence in Tennant Creek, as Tennant Mining commences construction on its Nobles Gold Mine Project – a project expected to be worth $69.9 million to the Northern Territory economy each year. Civil works are getting underway at the Nobles Gold Mine Project ...

At midday on Sunday, June 15 1924, electricity from the new Yallourn Power Station first reached Melbourne when the State Electricity Commission switched on the high voltage transmission line linking Morwell and the Yarraville distribution terminal. It was then the greatest single public infrastructure project Australia had seen, but it passed without fanfare or public ceremony.

Put your voice forward and let the Commonwealth Department of Defence know about why it is important to you, your family, your business or organisation for the Wagga Wagga Airport to the remain in the community's hands. Council is pleading with local and surrounding communities to keep their submissions coming in support of the fight to secure the future of the airport...

As part of a series on businesses, community groups and sporting clubs for Yanchep News Online, Betheney A’Vard visited a Carabooda tomato grower. Steve Dimitrovich from Mitri Hydroponics talks about the differences between hydroponic and traditional growing.

“We probably came at the right time. We’ve been here seven weeks. Prior to us coming there was an extra reinforcement with the law. With this being in place we see everything good and settled. We’re quite happy with the way things are happening”: Suresh Millar, North East Group.

Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli is calling on the Queensland Government to address the wide-reaching impacts felt through the loss of Bonza Airlines ... Those affected include the airline’s 150 staff, as well as suppliers, cleaning, catering and support services and the many accommodation providers, restaurants, retailers, car rental and attractions, who had benefited from the record numbers of visitors brought in by Bonza.

At a media event to release the latest Regional Movers Index data, Commonwealth Bank representative Paul Fowler and Regional Australia Institute chief executive Liz Ritchie were asked three times why the branch was closing the same day as the Sunshine Coast was being celebrated as a rapidly-growing centre ... In 2021, acting RAI CEO Kim Houghton put in a submission to a taskforce that had more bankers on it than MPs but there was nothing from Ms Ritchie during the recent senate inquiry ...