Business

"Without continual growth and progress, words such as improvement, achievement and success have no meaning" said Benjamin Franklin. Of all the things that can boost team morale, the number one is progress (and the feeling it generates). A sense of progress requires deliberate intent by a leader, not platitudes.

The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) is calling on Victorians to pledge their support to grow and protect the State’s prime farmland by signing a new petition as part of the new ‘Help protect Victorian farmland’ campaign. VFF President Brett Hosking said Victoria’s farmland represents a huge asset that needs protecting.  

Jenny Pollard. The engines roared, tyres smoked and the volume soared as the first North Central Victorian Drag Racing event sped across the Charlton airstrip for three days last week ... die-hard drivers with classic machines showed that responsible drag racing can be a fun, controlled and family orientated sport – far removed from the concept of hoons doing burnouts on city streets.

AMA (NSW) supports the Rural Health Action Plan put forward by Dr Joe McGirr MP today and is calling on the NSW Government to take immediate action. The April to June 2025 Bureau of Health Information report showed only 65.1 per cent of elective surgeries at Wagga Wagga Base Hospital were completed on time, a fall of 15.8 percentage points from the previous year.

Plans announced by Westpac today are little more than “tokenistic and cosmetic” and do nothing to address the fundamental crisis facing bank branches in regional and remote communities, says the Regional Banking Investment Alliance (RBIA).

Westpac has announced it will extend its moratorium on regional branch closures and pilot a new way to deliver banking services to regional communities through a new Community Banking Service. Westpac first implemented a pause on regional branch closures in 2023 which was extended earlier this year until mid-2027.

After a decade of Labor “modernisation,” the federal wage system now comes with a hidden tripwire buried deep in the fine print — and it’s farmers who keep stepping on it. Under the Pastoral Award 2020, a harvester driver on a base machine operators’ rate of $32.90 an hour can suddenly cost you $48.50 once the 152-hour overtime cliff kicks in. That’s not rational economics; it’s central planning with double penalty rates.

The recently expanded Allora Regional Sports Museum has on show a rare display of footy memorabilia of Bronco and local hero Shane Webcke. This photo was taken on Shane's final NRL Premiership Game on 3rd September 2006 in round 26 against the NZ Warriors.

Locals will be surprised at what's happening at the Allora Regional Sports Museum. Each week there's something new and fascinating. The foyer now has a TV running with continuous sporting games and clips. You can even pull up a comfortable chair watch the TV and read a sports book...

The global agricultural landscape has entered a new phase where geopolitics – not only traditional market forces – will dictate trade flows, prices, and production decisions, according to Rabobank’s Agri Commodity Outlook 2026. The report describes a world increasingly divided between two spheres of influence – the United States and China – where agricultural commodity exports have become "pawns on a geopolitical chessboard."

The Royal Geelong Show continues to offer a gold-standard horse program, presenting a traditional range of classes for every interest over the four-day event. As well as the popular saddle horse section, there are breed, heavy horse, harness and pony club events, plus a district category that makes sure everyone gets to compete and have fun at what is also the “local show” for the area.

Community members are being reminded about the danger of bats after a boy was scratched by a flying fox near Crows Nest while attempting to rescue it. William, aged 14, was scratched by the flying fox while attempting to free it from a barbed wire fence on the family's property near Crows Nest, on 10 October.

Two Corryong locals were celebrated at the recent Ambulance Victoria (AV) Hume Staff Recognition Awards, taking home official recognition for their years of outstanding service providing pre-hospital health care and education to the community.

Terry Collins. The NSW Government has come in for strong criticism for allowing just three days extra for public comment on its controversial Draft Central Coast Strategic Conservation Plan ... "The Plan proposes 14,000 new residential lots; it outlines how our unique biodiversity will be managed for the next 30 years and it describes how the NSW Government will deliver its housing targets by unlocking new lands for development": Acting Mayor John Mouland.

Almost 400 people filed through the impressive displays and stalls at the Mid Murray Industry Expo. 32 site holders showcased a range of services, products and expertise available in the local community. From forestry, to milled timber products, veterinary services, fires and ambulance services, real estate, garden supplies, plumbing, education, and so much more.

Samuel Freeman, Justin Walsh and Adam Nikitins of EY Parthenon as Joint and Several Voluntary Administrators of Regional Express Holdings Limited (Administrators Appointed) and a number of its subsidiaries (together ‘the Rex Group), announced creditors voted in favour of a Deed of Company Arrangement (DOCA) proposed by Air T at the Second Meeting of Creditors for the Rex Group.

Michael Balderstone, Legalise Cannabis Party President. Firstly, congratulations Albo and thank you for Labor preferences on the Senate tickets ... Fair to say we were disappointed by our result, even though we got more than half a million first preference votes. The Legalise Cannabis Party grew out of the Nimbin HEMP Embassy, which in truth grew out of the Nimbin community.

Sebastian Calderon. Members of the Riverland's wine grape growing community last week gathered to discuss the potential economic viability of olive crops in the region. ... Sanoop Varughese, transformation and innovation officer at CCW, said the olive sector presents a unique opportunity for growers ready to diversify and future-proof their operations.

The state government has no plans to restore 24-hour police station operations in Naracoorte or other Limestone Coast towns, despite growing frustration from regional communities over slow response times and reduced police visibility. Police minister Blair Boyer told The [Naracoorte] News that reopening stations around the clock would “mean someone has to be at the station at all times in case someone attends,” arguing the current model kept officers on the road rather than behind a counter.

West Wimmera Health Service is proud to announce the completion of a major redevelopment project at Iona Gardens, bringing new life, colour, and purpose to the facility's outdoor spaces. What was once a plain and impractical environment has been reimagined into a welcoming, accessible, and engaging area designed to enhance the wellbeing and quality of life for all residents.

Yamba was abuzz over the weekend as thousands of people enjoyed the 32nd Borderline Street Rodders Yamba Rod Run and the record 511 entrants who came from as far as Tasmania and Cairns to be a part of the fun. Saturday morning saw the traditional Show and Shine at Ford Park where almost 500 cars wowed the huge crowds from 9am until midday.