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Charging ahead on Yorke Peninsula

Michelle Daw. The RAA is set to install its second electric vehicle charging station on Yorke Peninsula, part of a planned total of eight within the region. Barunga West Council has accepted an offer by the RAA to replace its two existing Teslabranded chargers on Harvey Street, next to the Port Broughton council chambers by the end of the year.

Land sale puts history in jeopardy

Will Hunter. It is feared a historic crane located on an allotment listed for sale as part of a Department for Infrastructure and Transport land disposal in Port Wakefield may be at risk. The allotments … were listed for sale with Ray White Yorke Peninsula after Wakefield Regional Council advised DIT it had no interest in acquiring any of the land identified for disposal.

From push to mighty mower

Who will ever forget the image of the Allora Golf Course voluntary groundsman Hethe Ramus mowing the first fairway by hand back in March 2022 ... Those days will be a distant memory for Hethe with the Golf Club today taking delivery of a brand new Kubota Baroness Gang Mower ...

New season of podcast featuring stories of rural locals is here!

With three captivating seasons firmly under its belt, full of candid stories from farmers and rural locals across the Wimmera and Southern Mallee, a new season of podcast series ‘Farmer Wants a Healthy Life’ is here.

VicForests audit 2022 – 96 per cent compliance

The 2022 official audit of VicForests has found an average 96 per cent compliance with the state's forestry environmental standards ... This audit was conducted according to four themes: environmental values in State forests, conservation of biodiversity, operational planning and record keeping, and coupe infrastructure for timber harvesting operations.

A “mountain of supply” – counting numbers in Australia’s livestock market: Rabobank

Australia’s sheep, cattle and goat markets are being impacted by very high production numbers, compounded by already large volumes of meat in congested supply chains, according to agricultural analysts at Rabobank. For the sheep sector particularly, there is effectively a "mountain of supply at the moment" following two "extremely good seasons"...

Teamsters shine in the nation’s most authentic pioneering festival at Barellan

Known as the biggest gathering of teamsters in the nation, the 2023 Good Old Days Festival drew 6000 visitors for the unique working heritage display of blade shearing, chaff cutting, harvesting, ploughing, log snigging, log obstacle course, shoeing, blacksmithing, butter churning, Furphy rebarrelling, working yard dogs, whip cracking, dog jumping, billy boiling and the Australia Light Horse display.

Immigration – Something is not right

Imagine building half of Perth in three years because that's what's needed to accommodate the nearly one million people that are expected to arrive between 2022 and 2025 ... No doubt, some will trek inland to the smaller country towns but don't expect them to stay long as the Federal government has recently moved to introduce new visa rights making it easier for migrants who have taken one of the regional work visas to bail from the bush and retreat to the big cities, leaving the businesses that sponsored them in the lurch.

Sponsorship to catalogue museum artefacts on eHive

Ian Hutton. Since 1978 the Lord Howe Island Museum has acquired many valuable artefacts reflecting the long human history story of the Island ... Libby Baker, regular visitor to the Island and the Museum, has arranged for her family foundation the KEDJE Foundation to sponsor an Island resident to carry out this project putting the LHI Museum artefacts on eHive Lord Howe Island Museum.

Innovative project aims to deliver region’s first community battery

The Mildura region could soon boast its first community battery following the launch of an innovative regional project. The Regional Greenhouse Alliance Neighbourhood Battery Investigation Project aims to develop investment-ready business cases for single community batteries at 18 locations across regional Victoria, including Mildura.

Roper Gulf Regional Council triumphs with mitigating community health risks

In an impressive feat, Roper Gulf Regional Council has successfully lead a ground breaking feral pig management and removal program in the communities of Numbulwar and Ngukurr last month. This initiative underscores the solid commitment to the health and well-being of all residents, particularly in addressing the significant health risks associated with feral pigs, including the threat of Japanese encephalitis.

With El Nino declared – This will test a leader’s ability to role model resilience!

The Bureau of Meteorology has declared that an El Nino is underway for most of regional and rural Australia, which will lead to a warmer and drier Spring and Summer, increasing the risk of extreme temperature shifts. This will test all of us, as drought, bushfires, and sustained hot weather will impact many communities. Importantly this will also be a leadership moment of truth for parents, employers, and community groups.

Mark McHenry – Putting energy into things that matter

Mark McHenry is a physicist, an innovator and an explorer of clean energy solutions. He’s worked on research projects in America, the Philippines and Mozambique and is an Associate Professor at Murdoch Uni’s Harry Butler Institute ... Mark is currently putting his physics knowledge into numerous food and energy projects and one of his studies involves truffles.

Historic end to native logging a step closer: Jarvis, Whitby

Western Australia will soon become one of the first States in Australia to end commercial logging of native forests ... The Cook Government is investing a record $350 million dollars in WA's softwood pine plantations ... committed to an $80 million Native Forest Transition Plan that included significant industry restructure payments, which have now been made to all eligible sawmills.

Robust, simple and low maintenance spreader debuted at Henty

With a move to animal manures as natural soil conditioners, the increased demand for reliable manure spreaders was in the spotlight at the 2023 Henty Machinery Field Days. The E-Series Manure Spreader was launched to the Australian market at the field days by Canadian manufacturer JBS Equipment and Australian importer Atlas Ag on September 20.

Creatures feature at  art market: BCAM

The  Ballina Contemporary Art Market (BCAM)  is a free, one-day, fun-filled arts and cultural event taking place on Saturday 14 October ... come and meet the Australovenatordinosaur, baby Muttaburra dinosaurs, and help the deep-sea diver discover treasure!

Farmers losing confidence as government risks Middle Eastern gaffe: NFF  

In a letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, farming groups have expressed frustration and warned of irreversible harm to the agricultural sector and to Australia’s trade and diplomatic partnerships in the Middle East. Calling on the Prime Minister and Minister Watt to reverse its policy on the phase out of live sheep by sea, the groups said the ban was pointless, expensive and disruptive.  

Ask for 1000 homes

Naracoorte-Lucindale mayor Patrick Ross is ready to engage with the Country Cabinet when it holds its seventh meeting in Naracoorte next month. And Mr Ross says at the top of his list of things to be discussed with the Premier and his ministers will be the “region’s desperate need for an extra 1,000 homes”.

Our Judy – Australia’s oldest checkout chick?

One of Australia’s oldest checkout chicks is our own sprightly 81 year old, Judy Biggins of Naracoorte. “I love my job!” says Judy, while packing and sorting groceries as they pass through her checkout, and her customers love her.

Excitement grows for Murtoa’s Big Weekend

Murtoa’s Big Weekend will bring the region new and exciting elements in the 3-day event during October 6 to 8, 2023. A stunning line-up will offer the local community and visitors to Murtoa an opportunity to come together and enjoy a large variety of features to suit every age.  

Mt Tarrengower Hill Climb revs up once more

Mark your calendars as the renowned Mt Tarrengower Hill Climb makes its thrilling return 14 to 15 October. This much-anticipated event, known for its exhilarating showcase of classic vehicles and motorcycles, holds the record as Australia’s oldest and lengthiest uphill climb.

Local architect joins Greater Bendigo Heritage Advisory Committee

Maldon’s own Andrew Fedorowicz was last week formally appointed to the Greater Bendigo Heritage Advisory Committee. He will join one other architect, as well as the Greater Bendigo councillors, heritage advisors and town planners who make up the committee of around 10 members.  

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