Business

A Charles Sturt University academic has led multiple research projects that have produced new artificial intelligence (AI) technologies that will save lives, homes and livelihoods by reducing bushfires. The research was conducted between 2018 and 2022 and can assist in fire management and reduction, including disaster management for a range of natural disasters and events related to climate change.

Titilua Ikenasio. A new child-friendly eating place ‘The Yard’ Cafe has officially opened on East Street Narrandera, bringing with it new flavours and a new look ... Owners Cass and Oz Fikri are no strangers to the world of hospitality ...

A portal to the past is opening in Ganmain on March 18 with the annual Ganmain Historical Society Open Day ... ‘Step Back in Time’ and be transported and immersed in history that includes static displays and working demonstrations of machinery, tractors, home appliances and farming equipment.

The founder of a new regional-based architectural firm has been recognised for her innovative work in the field with a coveted national award ... Sarah Lebner returned to the area last year and started Cooee Architecture, a new regional practice based near Bringenbrong focusing on energy-efficient and low-carbon homes.

The 2023 River Daze festival thrilled attendees with talented musicians, great food and reasonable prices. “It’s such an intimate setting to have over 1,000 people in here, the river in the background and a family friendly atmosphere,” said Paul, who had travelled from Melbourne for the event.

HM Woodhouse-Herrick. The first day of Autumn was a beautiful cool day for our day out for the Volunteers who man the Visitors Information Centre Nhill one day a month. With thanks to the Hindmarsh Shire, we filled the bus with those who were able to come along and familiarised ourselves with places such as the grand old Church at Pella out of Rainbow, the painted Silo at Albacutya ...

There’s an outbreak of a famous book in Woodburn. Samuel Allis who opened Hemlocks Books and Coffee three weeks ago has been recommending one of his favourites to customers.

West Wimmera Health Service recently released new Community Health and Wellbeing Profiles, providing the first detailed snapshots of the health, wellbeing and liveability of nine towns across the Wimmera and southern Mallee ... "The exciting thing about this project is that we now, for the first time, have access to solid benchmarking data, which means from this year forward, we will be able to track the health and wellbeing of these small communities over time": Health Promotion Manager, Dorothy McLaren.

The markets are back in their home at Coronation Park, eager to bring the community back together to create the famous iconic event. Held on the second Sunday of the month since 1976, the market is renowned for its colour and atmosphere.

After years of careful planning, interrupted by bushfire, floods and a global pandemic, the Bago State Forest Nature-Based Tourism Enhancement program was launched with reveal of its long-awaited Masterplan ... the Masterplan aims to deliver growth in the local and regional tourism economy through improved forest-based visitor experiences incorporating art, health and wellness, and environmental projects.

Now in its sixth year, Donald’s annual Esoteric Festival continues to evolve and grow, with this year’s event, to be held over over 5 days from Friday, March 10 through to Tuesday, March 14, having the potential to attract an estimated attendance of 7,000 patrons. Speaking to the "[Buloke] Times" on Monday, with final preparations being carried out at the site, off Harris Road, promoter Sam Goldsmith said everything was in readiness for the region’s biggest event.

More and more people are rediscovering South Australia’s natural beauty with visits to some national parks skyrocketing 35 per cent over the past year. Naracoorte Caves saw a 35 per cent increase in visitors in the past 12 months while Seal Bay had a 33 per cent increase over the same period as tourists and locals head back out to explore our unique national parks.

Victorian regional communities are being delt the brunt of brutal job and skills losses since the timber supply issues stemming from a Supreme Court order in November 2022 locking up Victoria’s native forests causing mills to close down. It was announced in 2019 by the State Government that the native timber industry would be phased out by 2030 and since then activists have been relentless in attempting to speed up the process by taking out court injunctions stopping timber harvesting operations leading to short supply.

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has fined 14 furniture importers over $186,000 last week because they didn’t act to minimise the risk of importing illegally harvested timber. Head of Compliance and Enforcement at the department, Peter Timson said Australia has strict requirements for importing timber and it is essential to hold importers to account.

February is always a busy month, and even more so this year with the Lord Howe Island Festival happening - including Discovery Day, which was held on the 16th of February ... The tourist incentive to visit Lord Howe continues to be high with many visitors struggling to find seats on QantasLink and Eastern flights or accommodation on the Island.

Last week’s power outages in Maldon affected several homes and businesses, including the Maldon Rose Cafe, which suffered a loss of earnings for a day. Arriving on Wednesday morning with a fully booked house, the discovery was made that the fridges were not running at the correct temperature due to a power outage from 4am to 9am in the morning.