Eyes in the skies – what it’s like to be a spotter pilot
Helping spot fires is the job of dreams for Parks and Wildlife Service Senior Spotter Pilot Bronwen Prinsloo. This Manjimup-based pilot loves taking to the skies to spot and report on fires, monitor prescribed burns and do her bit to help keep our communities safe.
For the love of cars
The people who love cars are like a family, of sorts. “Once you’ve been bitten by the bug,” said Greg, “it stays with you for life.” And for Greg, Leanne, and Andrew, this love of cars has been the driving factor in them deciding to host Charlton’s very own (and very first) Show ‘N’ Shine, coming up on April 29-30.
Rain and cold didn’t deter fans from the pull of Quamby
Despite the rain and arctic conditions, Tractor Pull enthusiasts headed to the birthplace of Tractor Pulling in Australia, Quambatook, for the Annual Easter Tractor Pull. With two lanes available at Quambatook, a mini sled was held on one side for smaller vehicles, while the other hosted the executioner sled for the larger vehicles.
Northern Grampians Shire Council submits a firm response to energy transmission report
Northern Grampians Shire Council has called on governments and energy agencies to respond directly to the concerns of farmers and local landowners before it develops new power transmission infrastructure ... "At the forum most of these questions were left unanswered. Rather than decide and defend, the government needs to ensure that meaningful consultation and direct negotiation is offered": Cr Kevin Erwin.
Community rally as agency to close
Community members across Murray River and Gannawarra local government areas continue to express their dismay at the Bendigo Bank’s decision to close the Barham, Cohuna and Pyramid Hill agencies. The bank claims the closures, along with 13 others, are due to the number and value of over-the-counter transactions falling as more customers choose to do their banking online ... This week, a meeting was held between Bendigo Bank executives, Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh and a representative of the Gannawarra Shire Council.
Housing expectations killing the bush
Despite the cheap price of land in the Wheatbelt, and the abundance of jobs, country towns are not being bowled over by ï¬rst home buyers, so what’s going on? ... We are following the route that the rust belt States across America have experienced for the past 50 years as cities like Detroit has collapsed from 1.7m people in the 1950s to 700,000 today ... for the beneï¬t of the National Party, Liberals and Labor if listening, here is a policy idea which you could run with at the next election.
Honey exporters to benefit from digital reforms: DAFF
Australian honey exporters will benefit from new digital reforms that streamline the export certification process to Great Britain and the EU. On 30 March 2023, certification for honey and apiculture exports for human consumption became available via NEXDOC for Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) and the European Union.
Festival moves with the times
This year’s Man From Snowy River Bush Festival may well be the most successful in terms of numbers judging by the early arrivals in town this week. "We have managed to overcome several turbulent years to be genuinely excited with what we have in front of us in delivering the 2023 festival," said board chair, Cameron Jackson.
Wild dog data kept securely
Pastoralists and land managers can have complete confidence the information they record about wild dog activity, control and livestock attacks entered on FeralScan ® (including WildDogScan ®) is kept confidential and managed securely.
VNI West and Western Renewables Link: VFF
“The Victorian Government must answer questions why it is fast-tracking a project experts say could triple electricity transmission costs, whilst steam rolling our state’s farmers in the process ... The Victorian Government must explain to farmers why they are being forced to endure needless anxiety and fear over having their land carved up by power lines that may provide no benefit to the state": VFF President, Emma Germano.
Calls to incentivise aged care industry
More needs to be done to incentivize the aged care industry in the Limestone Coast region and make it more appealing, says Shadow Minister for Ageing Penny Pratt. Ms Pratt says as the population in the regional towns continues to grow, with that must come an expansion of services, including aged care ... “More and more people want to age well at home or be assured that their quality of life will be enhanced in aged care facilities”: Shadow Minister for Ageing Penny Pratt.
Housing crisis
The federal, state, and local governments have a role to play in curbing the housing crisis in Naracoorte and its surrounding towns. That’s the word from Shadow Minister for Regional South Australia, Nicola Centofanti, who revealed a state migration strategy was being developed to tackle the housing crisis in the regional towns. Ms Centofanti told The News that the strategy would be made public once it was ready.
Glengallan Homestead’s paranormal activity
Glengallan Homestead these days thrives with visitors, however its long and storied past, including many decades when it was abandoned, has led to some believing it may be haunted ... "People come back to the Heritage Centre after going through the house and tell us stories of how they felt a chill or how they saw someone at a window," Donna Fraser, Chair, Glengallan Homestead Trust explained.
Emu greeting visitors and locals to Yamba
Visitors to Yamba this Easter may be greeted with the same inquisitive looks that have been exciting locals over the past couple of months from a Coastal Emu that has taken up residence in paddocks near Wynyabbie House at Palmers Channel. Social media has been abuzz with sightings and photos of the critically endangered, world’s second tallest bird, which is only found on the NSW North Coast.
Nhill Service Access Roundtable addresses rural healthcare workforce shortages
The Rural Workforce Agency Victoria (RWAV) facilitated a Service Access Round Table in response to the challenges faced in recruiting and retaining healthcare professionals in Nhill and surrounding areas ... The workshop was held in response to the difficulties faced in recruiting and retaining healthcare professionals in rural areas, with challenges including limited access to housing, childcare, and supervision.
Step forward to resolve barley dispute with China: Wong, Farrell, Watt
The Australian Government has reached an agreement with China that creates a pathway towards resolving the dispute over Australian barley. Since 2020, China’s 80.5 per cent duties on Australian barley have effectively blocked exports to that market ... Following recent constructive dialogue at all levels, we welcome China’s agreement to undertake an expedited review of the duties over a three-month period, which may extend to a fourth if required.
Hololens expanding virtual care in regional Victoria: Thomas
Residents across East Gippsland can now access care through the rollout of the HoloLens - which provides virtual care to rural and regional Victorians in their own communities. Worn as a headset by a nurse and virtually guided by a doctor in a separate location, HoloLens is a mixed-reality holographic computer that gives patients a level of care much closer to an in-person examination than a regular telehealth appointment.
Sometimes it helps to listen! Susi Tegen on Brainstorm
National Rural Health Alliance Chief Executive Susi Tegen said mental health in women is 'an enormous issue in rural and remote Australia' and called for action to improve rural healthcare accessibility. Ms Tegan was a guest on the first episode of Brainstorm, the new mental health podcast hosted by Guy Rowlison and produced by Plus Communications.
PS Oscar W is back on the water, to launch the SA Wooden Boat Festival’s program
We are thrilled to announce one of the SA Wooden Boat Festival's most iconic vessels, the PS Oscar W is back on the water this week and just in time for the launch of the festival’s official program. The final count-down is on towards the 29-30 April South Australian Wooden Boat Festival (SAWBF) weekend.
Local winery winning hearts at Harvest Festival
A slice of paradise nestled in Welshman’s Reef on Dja Dja Wurrung country is home to magical panoramas and a charming winery that’s perfect for families and their furry friends. Panacea Estate is a recent addition to the thriving wine industry in the region and celebrated its harvest season with a family-friendly festival over the weekend.
Getting Inland Rail back on track: King, Gallagher
The independent review of Inland Rail led by Dr Kerry Schott AO found major deficiencies in the governance and delivery of Inland Rail. It confirmed that Inland Rail is an important project to meet Australia’s growing freight task, improve road safety and to help decarbonise our economy. However, it also confirmed that the project is running significantly over budget and significantly behind schedule with just over 16% of the 1700km of track completed so far.
Determining the WA timber yield: Jack Bradshaw
Despite evidence to the contrary, the WA Minister for Forests (Jacki Jarvis) continues to argue that the WA timber industry had to close because it has run out of wood as a result of reduced growth rate due to climate change, quoting reports from CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology as evidence. Neither of these organisations has any involvement in the determination of timber yield.
