Toy run delights as much needed funds raised
83 bikes and 52 cars rumbled, rattled and rolled their way around the Gannawarra Shire and over the border into Barham ... “We were given a lovely lot of toys, which is very appreciated and will put a smile on many littlies’ faces Christmas morning": Event organiser, John Webb.
Australia’s largest weir since World War 2 now complete: Dick, Butcher
Construction on Australia’s newest major water infrastructure asset is now complete. The $568.9 million Rookwood Weir, west of Rockhampton, will yield 86,000 megalitres each year to boost economic growth, agricultural production and industry in Central Queensland.
Yamba CAN take council to NCAT
Concerned about the number of staff vacancies impacting the effectiveness of council operations, the Yamba Community Action Network Yamba CAN Inc has taken Clarence Valley Council to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal NCAT ... Yamba CAN Inc’s solicitor alleged there are high staff vacancy rates and turnover at Clarence Valley Council...
The digital age: Are we ready to go cashless?
As the fallout from the Optus outage … continues to be felt across the country, the push to transition Australia into a cashless society has come under scrutiny … several local businesses have reported an increase in cash payments, with hundreds of customers opting to hand over notes and coins in lieu of tapping their cards.
A brief history of the original old Nhill Mill
John Williams. By the middle of the nineteenth century, the growing of wheat and its conversion to flour had become major industries in the colony of Victoria. Steam-driven mills were set up in major cereal-growing areas and Nhill’s future prosperity was built upon the growing of wheat and the establishment of a steam grinding mill.
Nhill residents’ petition leads to withdrawal of service station plan
In recent months, a petition by Nhill residents has successfully halted the development of a new unmanned service station at 67-69 Nelson Street. This community-driven initiative arose from concerns over the proposed station's location within the central business district and potential safety issues.
New telehealth trolleys bring great benefits to WWHS’ aged care residents
New telehealth trolleys, offering greater access to health professionals without the need for travel, have been rolled out across all West Wimmera Health Service’s ten residential aged care facilities ... these trolleys are now being wheeled around our aged care facilities...
Live X, government, courts and the activists
Here we go again, yet another example of a live export case in the courts that has fallen over because the emotional rhetoric does not match up to the facts.This is what happens when animal activists and activist ministers come together and attempt to use the legal system to end a legitimate trade.
Despicable and warped moral compass
Occasionally I come across a speech in parliament by one of our elected representatives that needs to be shared loud and wide. The following was made by Western Australian Liberal Senator Slade Brockman, President of the Senate, ex farmer, lawyer, PGA staffer and tireless defender of the people who make their income from primary industries. All those who oppose the live export trade should take the time to read what he has to say.
Spray drift: not on our watch
Michelle Daw. Prompted by its investigation into 26 reports of off-target impacts of the herbicide Overwatch on Yorke Peninsula, Primary Industries and Regions South Australia says it will crackdown on non-compliant use of agricultural chemicals ... PIRSA has referred the reports to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority but has not yet received feedback. Manufactured by FMC Australia, Overwatch is a pre-emergent herbicide which is applied during seeding time in April/May to control annual ryegrass and some broadleaf weeds in broadacre crops.
Wurrumiyanga remote power project underway: Manison
A renewables future is one step closer for the Tiwi Islands, with construction underway at the Wurrumiyanga Solar Infill and Energy Storage Pilot Project. Wurrumiyanga is home to over 2000 people, and soon it will be powered by 50 per cent renewable energy.
John grows a gourd champ for giant pumpkin festival
John Leadbeatter has been growing giant pumpkins for so long he can’t remember when he started. He has several pumpkin patches in his garden in Rukenvale … to increase the chances of growing the heaviest pumpkin to enter at the Summerland Giant Pumpkin and Watermelon Festival...
It’s Mallee Bull calendar time
Once again “Big Red”, Birchip’s famous Mallee Bull, adorns the cover of the annual calendar, prepared for his yearly trip to places and countries around the world, while showing off the many aspects of life in Birchip and district.
Fixing GP crisis
Why is our general practitioner system broken, and how do we fix it? Rural communities in the South East continue to face GP shortages, and the closure of many small-town medical clinics because of our failure to attract and retain specialist doctors is putting rural patients at risk.
Vintage gem unearthed
Back in July, David Walsh of Stringline Retaining Walls in Ferntree Gully was visiting the Maldon Vintage Machinery & Museum. After seeing the vintage cars on display there, he started to talk about a 1926 Essex Tourer...
Parkinson’s disease research collaboration to improve lives in regional, rural, and remote Australia: Charles Sturt University
A collaborative research project led by Charles Sturt University in Port Macquarie has the potential to improve the health and care services for people living with Parkinson’s disease in rural, regional, and remote Australia ... Parkinson’s disease is the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder globally, after Alzheimer’s disease...
FOI provided no real information on native forestry
Page after page of blacked-out documents and no real information - that was the result of Wellington Shire Council's attempts over almost four years to find out why state government decided to close the native forest industry ... "After almost four years, interventions by the Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner (OVIC) and considerable investment, a heavily redacted document was finally received": Cr Ian Bye, Wellington Shire Mayor.
Ombudsman urges councils to consider the human story
This story of a 72-year-old widow, who has spent the last six years entangled in a bureaucratic nightmare with two local councils – Mitchell Shire Council and Yarra Ranges Shire Council – serves as a reminder to all councils of why the most basic hallmarks of good complaint handling are important, says Victorian Ombudsman Deborah Glass.
Agri commodity markets research 2024 outlook: Rabobank
Global food commodity prices are set for respite in 2024 after three years of record highs caused by war, adverse weather and rising energy and input costs, according to Rabobank’s annual Agri Commodity Markets Outlook report. The specialist food and agribusiness bank predicts that global prices of key food staples sugar, coffee, corn and soybeans will fall...
Queenslanders left confused by health department statistics
The Queensland Government has recently released positive statistical information on Health Department outcomes on the Darling Downs, while this week the Opposition’s M.P. and Shadow Minister for Health and Ambulance Services, Ros Bates has released statistical data showing negative Health Services outcomes for the twelve months to the end of June across the state.
Sawmill closure hits hard
Walkers’ timber mill in Corryong powered down for the last time on Monday, putting 24 employees out of work and severely impacting the local economy ... It is the end of an era for the mill after 87 years of operation under three generations of the family.
Park is a testament to resilience
The culmination of hundreds of hours of volunteer contributions was recognised at the official opening of Playles Park in Corryong on Sunday. Project co-ordinator, Cathy Ross, acknowledged everyone who has played a part in the project which was a collaboration of many organisations and individuals.
