Business

Warren Chamber Music Festival's Education Week takes place 3-7 May 2022 in Warren.    Education Week aims to create an immersive and inspiring environment, providing no less than 12 opportunities for music making and learning.

Peter Rutherford. The article published in The Age and Sydney Morning Herald on 15 March once again highlights how activist networking paints native forest harvesting as THE threat to the sustainability of NSW native forests. Like many reports advocating for the closure of the native forest industry, the article contains a mix of academic opinion, anti-native forest harvesting rhetoric from a green politician, creative accounting, words to trigger outrage, such as "woodchip exports," and opinions from an activist non-government organisation, that monetise the outrage to generate more outrage and a reporter to join the dots.

When the Maldon Historic Bakery business went up for sale last month, landlords Mark and Valentina Tansley decided to do some research into the bakery’s history. “We know that the bakery was established on this site in 1854 and that the wood-fired brick scotch oven is one of the oldest brick buildings in town,” said Valentina.

Steve Cole. The Peter Turner memorial Show and Shine will allow the Guildford Grumpies Car Club Inc. and visitors to pay their respects to their cherished former President. The Show and Shine will feature a huge range of veteran and vintage cars and motorbikes, along with an array of community stalls, live bands, displays and raffles ... at John Powell Reserve in Guildford on Sunday 27 March.

The Jolly Swagman Hotel Motel on the NSW and Queensland border is the latest regional venue to change hands. Affectionately known as ‘The Jolly’, the venue has been operated for over 20 years by local Jim Brown, who cited the buoyed market as the catalyst to sell the asset. More than $2 billion of hotels changed hands in 2021, and the market momentum has carried over into the new year.

New Agribusiness Australia analysis shows a rapidly evolving global trading environment, with profound, radical implications for grains production and markets. Major consumers of grains and oilseeds are in urgent need of supply and are being forced to compromise to maintain food security.

Mark Allison, Chair of Agribusiness Australia, analyses the state of play for Russian-Australian trade and what the Ukrainian conflict may mean for key global commodities.

Gabrielle Duykers. A unique piece of artwork showcasing the natural features of Kingston has been crowned the best mural in the nation. Commissioned by Kingston District Council in the wake of the Keilira Bushfire, ‘Wind Dance’ received the Gold Award for the Best External Mural at the 2021 Australian Street Art Awards announced last week. In a collective statement, the judges said the mural was vibrant, creative and would entice visitors to explore more of the region.

A contingent of around 30 local residents travelled by coach, sponsored by TAFE CLC at Narrandera, to the Avonlie Solar Farm at Sandigo last Thursday to be part of what is claimed to be the beginning of the largest project the town has ever seen ... Managing Director (CEO) of the company behind the project in Australia Ross Rolfe said the Iberdrola was the third largest producer of wind and solar power in the world.

Narranders High School 2021 HSC Industrial Technology and Design and Technology students Amelia Gillespie and Lauren Wickes have won accolades for their work in the Student Category Maker of the Year awards presented by Carbatec.

Kendall Jennings. The Wakool Show once again entertained locals on Saturday, March 12, an iconic rural agricultural show that has continued during the COVID-19 pandemic, promoting community spirit in an area that has suffered from drought and water restrictions.

Again, a successful northern Victorian Triple Golfanza held at Cohuna on Saturday, Barham on Sunday and Kerang on Monday, over the Labour Day long weekend. This was the 49th edition of the Triple Golfanza with plans for a big 50th anniversary next year. All the courses were in great shape and near capacity fields at each venue with 133 at Cohuna, 160 at Barham and 130 at Kerang.

Cattle farmers like Rachel Bell at Coraki need help. Having just experienced their worst flood ever, they need to rebuild and the flood recovery grants are supposed to make that rebuilding easier. Unfortunately, Rachel has found herself in the position where she doesn’t qualify for the flood recovery grants because she doesn’t fit the eligibility criteria for a farmer or as a small business owner.

Geoff Helisma. The Northern Region Planning Panel (NRPP) has deferred its decision to approve (or not) a 136 multi-dwelling proposal in Yamba, pending the development of a draft flood evacuation plan ... As well as calling for an evacuation plan, councillors Tiley and Clancy were concerned that managing stormwater during an extreme weather event, such as the recent Yamba flooding, would be more than the design could handle.

The Clarence Valley will welcome Stuart Easton, one of the worlds leading exponents of the Great Highland Bagpipe and the finest New Zealand piper of his generation, to the 117th Maclean Highland Gathering on April 15 and 16 ... He has been a prolific prizewinner throughout his homeland, Australia, France and Scotland.

Central Queensland workers stand to benefit with a number of jobs soon to be up for grabs as part of the $367.2 million Rookwood Weir project ... Water from the weir will be available for sale later this year as part of the second stage of the tender process.

Housing Minister John Carey has announced the second tranche of homes to be delivered through the McGowan Government's social housing Modular Build Program. 21 homes will be delivered in the second tranche with contracts worth $9 million signed with multiple modular building companies.

Record breaking fuel prices are already starting to have an impact on Cape York residents and businesses but there are concerns the real pain will be felt during the tourist season ... “If these prices stay this high then I’m sure there will be many people reconsidering their travel plans. And if they do still travel, they are likely to have less money to spend on tours, souvenirs and eating out": Dave Donald, Western Cape Chamber of Commerce VP.

Hitting the pause button on a fuel excise tax would provide instant relief for motorists as the federal government faces pressure to act on soaring prices ... Queensland LNP Senator Susan McDonald said the government had to do something, and the fuel excise was the “bluntest instrument” available.

An online forum of 90 local government Mayors, Councillors, Chief Executive Officers, key staff, Co-Patrons The Hon Denis Napthine AO and The Hon John Brumby AO, as well as representatives from regional tourism bodies and Heritage Victoria have heard how the bid will serve as a catalyst to transform the region, delivering a crucial post-pandemic economic lifeline to the Central Victorian Goldfields region.