Riverina Express starts journeys
Riverina Express ran through the Narrandera area at the weekend. The Express is a full time tourist train to service the Riverina-Murray area. It is regarded as superstar in passenger train evolution, offering speed, comfort and air-conditioning.
Important milestone for local business
The Greenridge Group, printer of On Our Selection News, last week celebrated 30 years since its founding ... The company’s printing expertise has been acknowledged on a national level, recently winning multiple awards at the 39th National Print Awards in Melbourne, the highest recognition you can receive in the industry.
Dynamic dentist duo are thrilled to be in the bush
Alice Melita. Dentist Renae Philp and her dental assistant Melanie Villella believe they have one of the best jobs in Australia as they travel to remote communities across Queensland. This week, the Royal Flying Doctor Service duo will finish working in Dajarra before a trip to Boulia from August 23 ... “Meeting amazing country folks who are so excited to have us in their community and being able to service the community at no cost to them.”
Lockhart baker scholarships
Lockhart baker Steve Peters has awarded the first of his Blue Bird Cafe Restaurant scholarships to nursing student Holly Louise Fordham. Mr Peters is giving something back to the community by offering university students from Lockhart Shire the chance to receive some money from the scholarship incentive he is offering.
Branching out – Part two of forestry conversations
With more than 110,000 hectares of red gum forests now put into National Parks, red gum reserves or Indigenous protected areas across the state, open dialogue can ensure active management remains to manage the aggressive regeneration of these red gum forests and balance the social, economic, cultural and ecological aspects.
Yaegl Elder’s portrait defaced
Geoff Helisma. A mural of Yaegl Elder Uncle Ron Herron, painted as part of NAIDOC Week celebrations, was vandalised over the weekend. “It’s unacceptable and a kick the guts for our mob as we try to raise our profile in Yaegl Country, following our successful native title claims,”: Yaegl Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation’s CEO, William (Billy) Walker
Chapter one of Burra’s World Heritage journey
On the 16th of August local, state and international heritage experts will come together at the Burra Town Hall to involve the community in a conversation about Burra's World Heritage bid. The panel will include renowned UK world heritage consultant Mr Barry Gamble who will be working with the Regional Council of Goyder, Copper Coast Council and National Trust on a joint World Heritage bid of the Cornish Mining sites in Burra and Moonta.
NSW Flood Inquiry final report – Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals reaction
"Local response plans cannot be effectively formulated bureaucratically and remotely from the disaster epicentres. For this reason, the BCCM has strongly advocated the establishment of a National Co-operative Disaster Recovery Centre of Excellence, with Lismore the stand-out candidate for its location" : Melina Morrison, CEO, BCCM.
El Caballo means horse in Spanish
So what has this to do with Allora? The answer - El Caballo is the name of a brand new shop opened by Karren and Jeff Hoare in Herbert Street. Karren comes from a Rodeo family and always wanted to have her own Western Clothing store.
Ugly fruit earns Lachlan a pretty penny
Have you ever reached for a bright yellow bunch of bananas over bruised ones? Or perhaps you’ve tossed a half-full packet of spinach into the trash to free up fridge space. Chances are at some point in your life, you’ve contributed to the global food wastage problem. And you’re not alone ... In his final year studying a Bachelor of Property at Bond University, Mr Creese launched Dehydrated Co, a business which transforms fruit bound for the bin into a dried garnish with a long shelf life.
Net zero targets won’t last long
This story is about the impossible challenge of feeding a growing world population while staying true to net zero emissions targets ... Something strange happened in June this year when two of the world's most bullish emissions reduction advocates, Germany and Britain, panicked at the huge spike in grain prices and called for temporary waivers on biofuels mandates to combat soaring food prices.
A tale of the Goldfields Woodlands where ideology triumphs over professionalism, experience and history: Robert Onfray
When I first visited Kalgoorlie last October, I read about the Great Western Woodlands. Based on their distribution and extent, they certainly are “Great”. The Woodlands cover nearly 16 million hectares south and west of Kalgoorlie ... Until recently, though, the woodlands were known as the Goldfields Woodlands. Why the name change?
Chinese meat market “still firing” despite lockdowns and slowing economy: Rabobank
Australia's beef and sheepmeat sectors can expect continuing demand from China despite its slowing economy and continued lockdowns impacting how the country consumes animal proteins. Speaking on a newly-released podcast, Is the Chinese meat market still firing?, Rabobank's Hong Kong-based senior animal protein analyst Chenjun Pan said China's lockdown policies have affected the population's protein consumption habits, with the major short-term change being where people are consuming food.
Much-anticipated Barunga Festival back this month: Kirby
The Territory’s iconic Barunga Festival is set to take place from 12-14 August, with thousands of attendees from across the Territory and Australia set to descend upon the remote community for the three-day cultural extravaganza.
Legislation to protect forestry workers passed: Tierney
The Sustainable Forests Timber Amendment (Timber Harvesting Safety Zones) Bill 2022, brings stronger penalties to deter dangerous protest activities that puts the safety of both forestry workers and people who illegally enter dangerous work sites at risk. The new legislation introduces offences and updates existing penalties to deter dangerous protest activities in Timber Harvesting Safety Zones and prevent harm.
Australia on cusp of regional revolution: Daniel Moloney, Regional Capitals Australia
In media comments recently, the Business Council of Australia said that in order to achieve lasting nation-changing reform, we had to ‘unleash the regions’. These are interesting comments given that in years past, the common perception of regions was that they were laggards – sleepy hollows where time stands still and blowflies outnumber people.
Festival of Small Halls coming to Whyalla
For one night only - Sunday 28 August - the Whyalla Left Hand Club will come to life, hosting visiting and local music acts as part of the Festival of Small Halls Winter Tour.
Gear up for an influx of events at our new Multisport Cycling Complex
Demand for the facilities at Wagga Wagga’s new $12 million Multisport Cycling Complex at Pomingalarna Reserve is growing, with several events on the calendar for August. The 2022 AusCycling Mountain Bike Marathon National Championships will be held at the facility next weekend (13–14 August), followed by the Wagga Wagga Trail Marathon on Saturday 20 August.
Bloom time in Mullewa
There has never been a better time to visit Mullewa than right now. As the bush blooms all eyes are on the flourishing heart of wildflower country ... “Mullewa really is the place to be this time of year and it is not just about the wildflowers,”: City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn
Port of Mackay powering good jobs through record exports: Qld Gov
The Port of Mackay has broken a decade-long record to post its greatest trade year by volume. Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick said the 3.6 million tonne throughput for 2021-22 beat the previous record for 2012-13.
Council to object to Willatook Wind Farm
Moyne Shire Council will make a submission to the Minister for Planning objecting to the planning permit for the Willatook Wind Farm. Councillors voted unanimously to object to permit application for the development following a community consultation process, where 62 members shared their views.
Australia’s best of the best – Halliday Wine Companion Awards 2023
Boutique Hunter Valley winery, Briar Ridge Vineyard, wins “Other White (& Blends) Wine of the Year” with the 2021 Limited Release Albariño by winemaker Alex Beckett ... Winemaker Alex Beckett also recently took out the Riedel 2022 Hunter Valley Young Achiever of the Year award that recognises exceptional talent and contribution to the wine industry by winemakers under the age of 35.

