Rex regional pilots agree on new enterprise agreement
Rex announced its regional pilots have overwhelmingly endorsed a new industrial agreement with the airline, the third key workforce group to have done so in the last two months. A staggering 86% of the pilots, who operate Rex’s fleet of 61 Saab 340 turboprop aircraft to 58 regional destinations Australia-wide, voted in favour of the new four-year agreement.
Community really does give a dam: Bowen River Utilities
‘Overwhelming relief’ was the reaction from locals this week when the proponents of the Urannah Dam travelled to personally speak with them and reassure them that the Urannah project was still going ahead ... The job creation opportunities and the enormous boost that the project will bring to struggling businesses when construction finally commences, was also a big topic when talking about the many benefits of the Urannah Dam.
New evening experiences for tourists coming soon: Manison
Four tourism operators across the Northern Territory are creating new evening experiences for visitors, to enhance their attractions and encourage more tourists to visit the NT ... “These new evening experiences enhance our tourism offerings in the NT, which in turn helps to generate positive reviews and attract more visitors to explore our regions"; Minister for Tourism and Hospitality, Nicole Manison
Local businesses tired of waiting to get paid by mining company
The first shipment of magnetite from the revitalised Peko Rehabilitation Project was heralded by media across the Territory but the news didn’t go down well with Tennant Creek locals. The announcement angered local businesses after the good news coverage of Elmore Limited’s maiden shipment because they are waiting to get paid for services provided to the company.
Blast from the Past – The Hospital Rules
Following the opening, the Tarrangower Times published the Hospital’s rules. The first rule required the Hospital to provide medical and surgical aid to poor persons ‘irrespective of their creed, country or colour’, and for casualties. It went on however to say that any person found able to afford medical aid would be liable for all expenses incurred for their treatment.
Maldon Folk Festival
Beth Knights. The wet and cold weather did not deter more than a thousand delighted music lovers from their pilgrimage to Maldon for the 47th year of the Maldon Folk Festival. This year saw the addition of a Welcome to Country smoking ceremony, and an opening party to celebrate the volunteers; the very backbone of the festival.
Not so high but healthy and growing
Wayne Hawthorne. Mick Anderson from Good Country Hemp at Bordertown created high interest as he outlined to Probus the benefits of industrial hemp and his processing company. Industrial hemp with its low THC (<0.3%) must never be confused with cannabis (25-40% THC) and its highs. Industrial hemp seed products tick most health “boxes”.
Industry confidence ‘undermined’: VFPA
Timber processors at Heyfield and Yarram may lose more wood supply after the state government announced a halving of the native timber supplied by VicForests by 2024 under the Victorian Forestry Plan ... The chief executive of the Victorian Forest Products Association, Deb Kerr, said the government's actions were totally undermining any industry confidence that it would be able to guarantee supply timber until 2030, as promised.
Federal Minister talks with locals at skills and jobs forum
Federal Minister for Skills and Training Brendan O’Connor visited Tennant Creek last week to meet local employers, service providers and learners at a jobs and skills forum. The forum was hosted by Member for Lingiari Marion Scrymgour and Charles Darwin University.
Dialogue to help Gippsland’s forests
Scott McArdle is blunt. “Gippsland’s forests need our help. Fire, floods, storms, drought, pests, weeds, neglect, exploitation and the changing climate are all taking a huge toll – but if we all work together, the future can be different.” Mr McArdle is the executive officer of a new group, the Gippsland Forest Dialogue (GFD), that aims to do just that – meet the challenges facing the region’s forests and find ways to move forward.
Ag Speak – Budget must grow and protect agriculture
Kristin Murdock. NFF President Fiona Simson said the 43 recommendations in the peak farming body’s Pre-Budget Submission were built around its 2030 Roadmap and high on the list was the missing link in Australia’s defence against looming and existing biosecurity threats like Foot and Mouth Disease, Lumpy Skin Disease and Varroa Mite.
Photography competition features in Jacaranda Day
Winners of the annual Gomaren & Doctor’s Creek Focus on Farms photography competition will be announced at the Jacaranda Day festival in Goombungee this Saturday, 5 November. “No matter where you live, the connection to farming is an important part of our identity as Australians”: competition coordinator Jean Gundry ... the primary school category within the competition has a focus on insects.
The good and bad of the budget
Last week’s Federal Budget held a few incentives for Narrandera and other centres covered by the Narrandera Argus, including funding for key health worker accommodation across the Murrumbidgee Local Health District, a Leeton hospital upgrade, Griffith Hospital redevelopment plus Stronger Country Communities funding for Lockhart and The Rock swimming pools and continuation of the NSW Koala Strategy aimed at doubling koala numbers in NSW by 2050 ... However ...
Kalyx Australia expands research capacity and acquires Staphyt’s New Zealand business
Kalyx Australia, a national agricultural business, announced it has completed its acquisition of Staphyt Research Limited’s New Zealand business; a move that sees the company grow its presence for the first time beyond Australian shores. For over two decades now, Kalyx has been leading independent agricultural research in Australia with their national presence and operational excellence.
Littleproud’s Budget reaction
The Nationals leader and member for Maranoa David Littleproud says Labor has broken the hearts of Maranoa locals in its ï¬rst Budget ... "in Labor’s ï¬rst Budget, Maranoa locals have been held back and left behind in three key areas - cost of living, childcare and infrastructure.
A royal moment in history
Emma Pritchard. A member of the LGBTIQA+ community and a proud Indigenous woman from Gubbi Gubbi Country, Amanda Daffey is the first candidate to assume the title of Jacaranda Ambassador in the 88-year history of the Grafton Jacaranda Festival after the Jacaranda Festival Committee announced in February that Australia’s oldest floral festival would become a gender-neutral event in 2022.
Retrofest 2022 a rocking success
Emma Pritchard. An exuberant crowd turned back the clock to the 1950s and 1960s at Market Square on October 30 as Retrofest 2022 rocked Grafton’s popular recreational area beneath the blossoming jacaranda trees. A vivid celebration of vintage fashions, classic cars and all things rock ‘n’ roll, the annual event is one of the most popular festivities during the Grafton Jacaranda Festival...
Co-op carves its way to top business spot with diverse workforce
Casino’s largest business has plenty to celebrate. The Casino Food Co-op is the winner of the Northern Rivers 2022 Regional Business of the Year ... The win for the Co-op wasn’t only about the meat industry. Earlier this month, the Coâ€op launched a Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan.
Record heat wave hits the Cape
Sarah Martin. It was a hot and frustrating week for Cape York residents and Ergon Energy crews, with record temperatures and multiple power outages impacting the region. At Weipa, the mercury hit 40 degrees on Saturday for the first time in recorded history, with gauges measuring 40.4 at both the airport and RAAF Scherger.
Great Western Highway upgrade
The Hartley District Progress Association (HDPA) and the community of Hartley welcome the Federal Government’s decision to pause funding on the NSW State Government’s proposed Great Western Highway “upgrade” from Katoomba to Lithgow. Stopping the “upgrade” provides a critical opportunity to reconsider how best to improve travel times across the Blue Mountains and how best to direct infrastructure funding.
Flood damaged culvert replaced with concrete bridge
Lismore City Mayor Steve Krieg and Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Premier Gurmesh Singh have opened the new Keerrong Road Bridge ... specialist Bridge Crew replaced the damaged culvert with a new 16.1m x 7.2m single span concrete structure. This new structure founded on steel driven piles has been designed and constructed to achieve a 100-year design life while improving its flood immunity and safety for local farmers and truck drivers.
Lord Howe in the media
Explore TV ... Trevor Cochrane and the crew of Guru Productions filmed an entire episode on Lord Howe Island ... The crew had a great time on the island in early October meeting local businesses and constantly finding more stories to include in the show ... Melissa Leong ... Australian Traveller ... Qantas Magazine ...
