Business

Given the presence of the disease in Indonesia, positive results in Australian cattle post arrival are not unexpected ... Importantly, trade is and can continue to Indonesia from 28 Australian export establishments, however, there are 4 export establishments in Northern Australia who are working with the government to further ensure they are disease free.

“I was really interested in wood fired kilns so I needed space and wood - lots of it.   WA’s Great Southern region was the ideal place and I was drawn to the area’s beautiful landscape. I was, and still am,   inspired by it and I believe the energy of the landscape permeates through me and comes out in what I create”: Jonathon Hook.

Western Australia's regional energy provider Horizon Power has purchased a vanadium redox flow battery for a long-duration energy storage pilot in Kununurra. The 78-kilowatt/220kWh battery will enable Horizon Power to test the capabilities of providing long periods of 100 per cent renewable energy, with the potential for it to be used across WA.

Rural Fire Service (RFS) aerial firefighting capabilities received a significant boost with the arrival of a $9 million high-capacity waterbombing helicopter at Richmond. The new helicopter will allow for aerial firefighting at night and expand on existing air capabilities.

A leader has a responsibility to role model a resilient mindset to overcome difficult times. Nothing goes to plan. Especially living in regional Australia there are always challenges ... Optimistic people are more resilient than pessimistic people. As Henry Ford famously quoted: “If you think you can - you are absolutely right! …. If you think you cannot – you are absolutely right!”

Pharmacies in regional, rural and remote Australia (known as areas 2 to 7 under the Modified Monash classification method) with average script volumes equalling dispensing income of under $1 million in the 12 months to 1 April 2023, will be eligible to receive a new Regional Pharmacy Transition Allowance (RPTA) ... The new allowance is  in addition to  the doubling of the budget for the Regional Pharmacy Maintenance Allowance (RPMA), which came into effect on 1 July.

Thoughts are turning to the return of Spring in Wingecarribee with Tulip Time Tickets now on sale. Entry to the daytime event is free for residents who need only book tickets to see Tulips After Dark.

Port Kembla is now home to Australia's first commercial hydrogen refuelling station for zero emissions heavy road vehicles, in a major breakthrough towards de-carbonising the region’s 7,000 heavy vehicles ... "The H2Station will be the first practical piece of enabling infrastructure towards de-carbonising the region’s 7,000 heavy vehicles as we move towards a cleaner, greener future": Minister for Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty.

Kate Foran. Barkly Vet has been operating here in Tennant Creek for 10 years this year! One of the key goals of the business has always been to assist clients in the best animal welfare for their pets, despite this remote location. We are very proud of the degree to which we have grown the number of Aboriginal clients in the business.

Viv Markham. Maldon Bakery owner Rebecca Barnett is pretty chuffed that her business has been selected as the National Bakery Industry of Australia’s bakery of the month for July. Her business has only been open for nine months, but under her guidance, it has been going from strength to strength.

Narrandera film director Tim Hills and his crew of 47 are working hard to bring together their second lot of filming for ‘When the house is empty'... "We’ve got about eight to 12 weeks to really get the next winter shoot sorted out because its outside and you can’t fake it… it’s just better to still shoot in the real seasons": Narrandera film director Tim Hills.

Commonwealth Bank (CBA) has entered a strategic alliance with plant nutrition company RLF AgTech, financing an innovative pilot program that aims to generate soil carbon credits ... RLF AgTech, a specialist in plant nutrition, has launched a soil carbon pilot program with Australian farmers who will utilise its Accumulating Carbon in Soil System (ACSS) technology.

With Year 12 students soon to begin their university applications, we thought we’d take a look at the success of one of Kerang’s former students, Glenn Thomas ... is a graphic designer in Melbourne, and he shared his graphic design journey with us, proving that kids from the country can chase and realise their dreams.

With the Bendigo Bank’s departures, Barham will be left with the post office as an alternative and Cohuna having a NAB on limited hours and a post office. One shop owner expressed shock that services the agency performed for free (with no reimbursement by the bank) would now cost $8 at Australia Post.  

Narrandera Shire Council Deputy Mayor Cameron Lander has reported on some of the many issues discussed at the 2023 Australian Local Government Association National Assembly that he felt were of particular interest to Narrandera Shire Council ... The 2023 NGA theme was "Our Communities, Our Future" and looked at ideas on new federal programs and policies that would support councils to build stronger communities in the future.

Campaspe Shire Mayor Cr Rob Amos said the Council’s first Economic Development and Tourism Summit held on Friday, 21 July 2023 was an outstanding success. More than 150 business, industry and community leaders attended the summit which was a key plank of the council’s engagement process to develop a new five-year Economic Development and Tourism Strategy for the shire.

The latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, released on 26 July 2023, shows food inflation slowing in the June quarter. Rabobank senior food retail analyst Michael Harvey said “Food inflation is at 1.6 per cent for March to June (unchanged from the last quarter), and 7.5 per cent year-on-year – slowing down from last quarter at 8 per cent”.

Clarence Valley Council (CVC) staff have labelled three tenders for the redevelopment of the Treelands Drive Community Precinct as ‘higher than anticipated’ leaving councillors to vote on whether or not to reject the quotes and delegate to the General Manager to negotiate. The storied process of the Treelands Drive Community Precinct TDCP dates back to 2006, when council first identified the project.

Glyn Rees. The Stillwater Pastoral Company Wattles Warriors emerged from a torrid TRL Round 14 top grade clash with the Warwick Cowboys at Clifton’s Platz Oval on Sunday 14 – 12 victors in a match that lived up the spirited contest expected in a Southern Downs local derby. The result could have gone either way between the two top end of the premiership ladder clubs, but it was Wattles that eventually took the honours in the three try to two outcome.

Last week the community of Nhill was surprised to find the Nhill Railway Station fenced off and out of bounds to the community, without any consultation, after being deemed unsafe for public use by the Australian Rail Track Corporation. Local resident Margaret Millington said it was a sad situation and that "Sadly, the Nhill station is now inaccessible to passengers wishing to travel on the Overland.