Business

The Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association (TFGA) has expressed concern over the latest federal budget, claiming that it will exacerbate existing cost-of-living pressures faced by Australians. The TFGA has criticised the budget for failing to address several pressing issues, including regional skilled labour shortages, the ongoing housing crisis, and increasing supply chain costs.  

Women in the region will have access to extra maternity care following the launch of Cohuna District Hospital’s Midwifery Group Practice (MGP) service. The MGP was launched at the hospital on Friday, May 5 – the International Day of the Midwife – to an audience of community members, officials and hospital staff.

Sunday, May 7 saw a strong crowd gather at Myall for the unveiling of the Myall Historical Timeline and Myall Remembers service personnel honour board. The day was the fifth attempt to hold the event since 2019. With the pandemic behind us and the flood water receded, attendees braved the frigid conditions to soak up the rich recent history and live music.  

On Sunday the Upper Murray Historical Society conducted a Corryong Pioneer Cemetery Walk, the first since 2018. The society was well-pleased with the community support with attendance estimated in the high 40s. Six early pioneers were remembered on the walk. The first grave visited was that of Elizabeth Playle, one of the founding members of Corryong.

Many years of day in, day out toil by Evan and Gayle Jones and their team at Rudd’s Pub in Nobby was highlighted last Wednesday at an all-day event celebrating the opening of a new outdoor area and Steele Rudd Memorial.

Jordan Bryon has won a British Academy Film Award for the documentary ‘Children of The Taliban’. The documentary follows the lives of four children growing up in Kabul under Taliban rule and was recognised for the unique story telling as well as for its cinematography.

CWA Narrandera Evening Branch was delighted with the huge success of its International Food Fair at the Marie Bashir Park on Saturday ... "It was fabulous to see so many people there, enjoying the entertainment, purchasing food and items from the stalls and the children having fun with the activities/amusements": branch spokesperson Josie Marks.

The Classic is being held at the Toowoomba Aerodrome on Sunday 21 May ... The day attracts some 400 vehicles and 30 to 40 aircrafts with some 4,000 people attending. The mix of classic vehicles and warbirds make for a unique atmosphere and this year the Jensen Car Club will hold its Club National Rally.

West Wimmera Shire Council is pleased to announce that construction has commenced on the new cabins for the Kaniva Caravan Park. The new cabins are part of the 'Cabins Across the Wimmera Mallee: Strengthening the Visitor Economy' initiative, a collaboration between Council, the Wimmera Development Association, and Hindmarsh, Buloke, and Yarriambiack shires.

John Hasell, President, WAFarmers. I write on behalf of the Western Australian farmers and service businesses that rely on the live sheep trade to support their families and communities. A trade that for purely political reasons your government has decided to end on the logic that it has lost its social licence to operate.

The global avocado trade will continue to grow in the next few years, but the market will be more competitive, forcing operators to be not only more efficient, but also increasingly sustainable, according to a new report by agribusiness banking specialist Rabobank. In the report Global Avocado Growth Far From Over, Rabobank says world avocado production expanded by a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately seven per cent over the past decade.

Clarence Valley pharmacist Michael Troy from Southside Pharmacy has voiced his concerns surrounding the Federal Government’s proposed changes to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), which will allow Australians to purchase two months’ worth of medications for the price of a single prescription from September 1 ... “There is nothing about this proposal which makes logical sense for our local community, or for us as a small regional business”: Clarence Valley pharmacist Michael Troy.

As the cost-of-living crisis hits Clarence Valley families and individuals hard, people across the region are still pouring their money into gaming machines, with the latest data revealing pokie profits have increased by $1.5 billion in NSW on pre-pandemic levels with locals contributing more than $20 million ... In clubs across the Clarence Valley LGA between June 1 and November 30, 2022, 465 gaming machines across 11 clubs in the Local Government Area LGA generated a profit of $12,925,359.00.

NSW Farmers’ Association is disappointed the federal government has missed key opportunities in the federal budget to strengthen Australian agriculture and rural communities. President of NSW Farmers Xavier Martin said the federal budget has “fallen short” of expectations, particularly around the significant biosecurity threats Australian farmers face.

Tonight’s ‘cost of living’ budget is a missed opportunity to address food price inflation, according to Australia’s peak farm body. National Farmers’ Federation President, Fiona Simson, said the budget does nothing to get to the heart of rampant food price inflation – which NFF polling shows is weighing on the minds of 8 in 10 Australians.

Alyssa Walker. The Charlton Show ‘N’ Shine started with a sound. A low roaring, a rumbling you could feel in your chest, reverberated throughout the community, as the Ford Coupe Club of Australia drove down the highway. It was one of those whims of chance that Craig, the Ford Club president, had chosen to stop in at the Charlton bakery; and it was even more coincidental that Greg had happened to be in said bakery when he heard the thrum of the engines.

Prime Ministers Albanese and Sunak met in London on 5 May 2023 and announced the long-awaited entry into force date of midnight 31 May 2023 for the Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement (A-UK FTA), following the expected completion of UK domestic processes ... The A-UK FTA, which was agreed in principle in June 2021 and signed on 17 December 2021, will see Australian beef and sheepmeat/goat meat access to the UK liberalised over a transition period.

Over 220 kilograms of  Margaret River Produce  has been enjoyed by the world’s best surfers and the World Surf League crew during the opening days of the Western Australia Margaret River Pro. Margaret River Produce, the newly formed brand of the Margaret River Producers Association, manned a tasting station that featured over 25 producers and local farmers, all from within a 50-kilometre radius of the competition site, Surfers Point.