Regional leaders ready to embrace net zero – but information void still a major hurdle: RAI
“The net zero transition will deliver a fundamental change to the way regional economies operate. Our research has found there is a deep thirst for information specific to how a low-carbon future will play out in a regional context”: Regional Australia Institute CEO, Liz Ritchie.
Cowalla resident turns her paintings into wearable art
Kerry Munns, whose happy abstract art adorns people as well as walls, moved with her family to Cowalla from Beacon about 10 years ago ... As well as turning her paintings into wearable art, Mrs Munns sells her original artworks, opens up her art studio for abstract painting workshops and holds plein air painting classes on her property, alongside the Moore River.
Smiles in the miles as Casino to Bentley Rail Trail opens
It’s been 10 years in the making – the rail trail is complete and you can ride, walk, take a trishaw, take the dog or run the Casino to Bentley Rail Trail. It is more than 13 km tracking through farmland with cows grazing against a backdrop of soft, green hills.
Building opportunities for East Gippsland timber workers: Spence
Newmerella-based businesses Dahlsens Steel Truss and Frame and partners Built QA have received a $500,000 Forestry Transition Fund grant to expand their operations and directly employ up to 16 local native timber workers. The business has begun employing former sawmill workers, with the grant supporting new roles in steel truss and frame manufacturing, fabrication, labouring and administration.
Australian livestock genetics to strengthen Pakistan cattle herds: DAFF
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (the department) has successfully negotiated new technical market access into Pakistan for bovine semen and embryos. Head of Trade at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Matthew Koval said this was a huge accomplishment for Australia’s germplasm industry.
High flyer – Pilot and plane builder, Leanne McKenzie
You could easily say that Leanne McKenzie is a high flyer - but not in the traditional sense of the word. Leanne is a pilot but she’s also President of her local aero club in Albany WA and she’s one of less than a handful of females to hold such a position. But Leanne has another venture underway and it’s one that her aero club is actually famous for as the Albany Aero Club was once a global hub for self-built planes.
Rural Commodities Index continues its steady climb north: NAB
Rising prices for a range of rural commodities including cattle, cotton and dairy have seen the NAB Rural Commodities Index* increase for the fourth month in a row. NAB’s March Rural Commodities Wrap ... reports the Index increased 2.2 per cent month-on-month in February and is back up around levels last seen in April 2023.
Firearms Bill to burden health system with over 1,500 assessments a month: Love
The Nationals WA have opposed Labor’s contentious Firearms Bill 2024 as the full impact on WA’s health system and individual licence holders was revealed during debate this week. Nationals Leader Shane Love MLA said a months-old briefing note from WA Police, which was only provided to Parliament this week, laid bare the scope of the new mandatory health assessments which WA’s 90,000 licensed firearms holders will soon be subject to.
Peta Credlin – proud of where she comes from
Remember that old saying, “You can take the girl out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the girl”? Peta Credlin AO, host of the “Credlin” program on Sky News Australia, columnist with News Corp, and former Australian Liberal Party dynamo, amongst many other accolades, made a flying visit to Wycheproof over the recent long weekend.
IGA works to keep food security high during road closures
The recent weather conditions in Tennant Creek have led to multiple road closures which may cause concerns about potential food shortages. To address this issue, Tennant Creek IGA is taking proactive measures to ensure that food supplies remain stable.
Partnership launched . . . wellbeing “flies””ˆinto Wycheproof
East Wimmera Health Service and Flying Doctor Wellbeing have partnered to bring increased mental health support to Wycheproof. Starting in March, Pat Boyer, an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker, will be seeing clients face-to-face at East Wimmera Health Service, and delivering telehealth services across the catchment in partnership with Flying Doctor Wellbeing.
Know Your Local – Janet Mulholland
Kerry Cain. From community support to culinary apprentice. Many readers would know Janet Mullholland from her five years managing the IGA Supermarket in Maldon or from Porcupine Village, where she is in the second year of a Commercial Cookery - Level 3 apprenticeship at the Golden Nugget Restaurant.
Maldon March Swap Meet
Mark Blythe. It was a Goldilocks day for a Swap Meet, ‘not too hot, not too cold, it was just right’. And a smidge over 2,000 people made the effort to trek over to Maldon, and enjoy the March Maldon Swap meet along with the 300-plus sites that stalled up and made the valiant ... The classic car owners totally filled the classic car ‘space’ to capacity...
Rural lifestyle attracted new doctor
Corryong Health announced the appointment of Dr Catherine Porter as a permanent General Practitioner (GP) at the service. Dr Porter is a UK-trained GP qualifying in 2023 ... In 2018, Dr Porter moved to Australia to gain further experience in emergency medicine and rural general practice ...
US pull back on vehicle emissions timings should sound warning in Australia: NFF
The National Farmers’ Federation says news overnight the United States Environmental Protection Agency has altered the timelines of its vehicle emission standards because of impacts on consumers and manufacturers should serve as a caution to the Australian Government about the potential impacts of the proposed New Vehicle Efficiency Standards (NVES).
REX Interline agreement with Etihad takes flight
REX last week unveiled its new interline partnership with one of the world’s leading airlines, Etihad Airways. This exciting partnership between Rex and Etihad, the UAE’s national carrier, provides passengers on Rex’s domestic routes convenient connections with Etihad’s global network.
cluBarham to host World Champion of Champions
World Bowls has announced that cluBarham will be hosting the 2025 and 2026 World Bowls Champion of Champion events. World Bowls CEO, Neil Dalrymple advised that the Board of World Bowls had made its decision last week following an expression of interest process.
Group calls for new ads to provide Basin balance
Ongoing community outrage at misleading Australian Government advertisements has led to official complaints by a leading rural organisation. The Murray Regional Strategy Group (MRSG) has submitted formal complaints to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACC) and the Commonwealth Ombudsman. Its complaint relates to Murray-Darling Basin Plan advertisements, amid numerous claims they are inaccurate and misleading.
Dairy Co-op takes stock of farmer mental health with grassroots support
Norco, Australia’s largest and oldest dairy co-operative has announced the expansion of its ‘Farmer Army’ with new mental health recruit and dairy farmer veteran, Craig Waddell ... Michael Hampson, Norco Chief Executive Officer said the newly created position of Mental Health Support Officer will provide support exclusively to their farmer members who may need to talk to someone during challenging times or simply want to have a chat with another farmer.
Celebrating International Day of Forests 2024: VFPA
“Under the bark of trees are powerful solutions”. This year’s International Day of Forests celebrates the role of trees in providing powerful solutions for a better world.
Half a million PET bottles of drinking water avoided in NSW schools: SOURCE Global
In the lead up to World Water Day on March 22, SOURCE Global has reported on the success of its partnership with the NSW Department of Education, which installed 100 SOURCE ®Hydropanels across 10 drought-impacted schools to provide accessible drinking water for children and teachers, in compliance with Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.
Farmers call for increased dairy code transparency: VFF
The Victorian Farmers Federation United Dairyfarmers of Victoria (VFF UDV) is stepping up calls for increased transparency as the ACCC’s Dairy Code of Conduct review continues ... “The Dairy Industry Code review has had an overwhelmingly positive impact for Victorian dairy farmers, but strengthening the Code ... will assist farmers in ensuring long term profitability”: VFF UDV President Bernie Free.
