Council raises concerns over Warracknabeal Energy Park
Horsham Rural City Council (HRCC) is concerned about the potential impacts of this major renewable energy project on housing, the local workforce, and roads. Councillors last night endorsed the HRCC submission to the Environment Effect Statement (EES) Inquiry into the proposed Warracknabeal Energy Park.
Visitors sing Les’s praises online
Helen Hobbs. While many locals already know how much time and care Les Millikin puts into maintaining the Serviceton Railway Station, it's clear that visitors from across Australia — and even overseas — have noticed too. Online reviews tell a story of a man whose quiet dedication has left a lasting impression on hundreds of travellers who've stopped in at the historic station.
Collaboration is our greatest strength: Blue Economy Cooperative Research Centre
The 2024 - 2025 Blue Economy CRC Annual Report is now available. As we enter the final half of our 10-year journey, our measure of success is no longer knowledge generation alone, but how that knowledge is applied and adopted. Â
Rural productivity tipped to drop due to labour shortages: NFF
The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has stated that tackling regional worker shortages is the key to unlocking productivity growth in Australian agriculture. In a recent report, the NFF stated that more planning is needed to safeguard the sector’s future.
Bureau of Meteorology’s new website needs review: Littleproud
Leader of The Nationals and Federal Member for Maranoa David Littleproud is calling for a review of the Bureau of Meteorology’s (BOM) new website, following a flood of complaints from locals. Mr Littleproud said it was clear Maranoa locals were not given the information they needed after the recent rain event...
Productivity Commission inquiry into regional airfares: Chalmers, King
...the Albanese Government released the terms of reference for the Productivity Commission Inquiry into key factors that determine regional airfares.
The impact AI has on critical thinking: A leader’s new dilemma
As AI becomes a daily business partner, leaders face a new challenge — ensuring technology enhances, rather than replaces, human judgment, intuition, and critical thinking.
Australian farmer sentiment lifts: Rabobank
Confidence in Australia’s farming sector has lifted, as the nation’s farmers hang their hopes on continuing strong commodity prices – particularly in livestock sectors – and better seasonal conditions in a number of regions, the latest Rabobank Rural Confidence Survey has found.
Maddison tops SA at Nationals
Austinn Lane. Maitland showjumper Maddison Wissell has maintained her strong form in the 2025 season, delivering standout performances on the national stage. She competed at the Australian Interschool Equestrian Championships in Sydney at the end of September, placing third and fifth overall in the intermediate 90cm jumping class, riding two different horses.Â
Ocean advocate: Marine biologist, Kat Mason
Marine biologist Kat Mason may have only been in Australia a matter of months, but her connection to the ocean runs deep. Raised in Bournemouth, a coastal town in the south of England, Kat’s early years were filled with an appreciation of the ocean but it was a childhood stint in Florida that truly sparked her curiosity about marine life.
A Spartan and two Growlers visit Pearce air base for Amarok reach
Originally from Perth, Flight Lieutenant Hayden Krammer was back at Pearce air base this week at the controls of a C-27J Spartan ... The C-27J, which bridges the gap between army helicopters and bigger air force aircraft, was in Perth taking part in flying activities as part of the preparedness and integration exercise Amarok reach ... WGCDR Porche ... said Defence was getting back to pre-Covid 19 coverage.
From tobacco fields to red earth: Jacqui Portch’s journey to peace
The woman behind the counter at White Cliffs' only shop moves with quiet efficiency, her smile genuine as she serves customers who've become friends. At 53, Jacqui Portch radiates a contentment that comes from having weathered life's worst storms and emerged not just intact, but flourishing ... Jacqui's story begins in the tobacco fields of Rhodesia, where her father's farm stretched across rich red earth just outside Salisbury.
National Thoroughbred Week opens the gates to Australia and New Zealand’s rural horse industry
From the thunder of The Everest to the tradition of the Melbourne Cup, Thoroughbreds dominate headlines every spring. But beyond the racetrack lies a vast rural industry - one built on land, livestock, and the dedicated care of thousands of regional Australians and New Zealanders. This November, the public is being invited to see that world for themselves.
Port Pirie Youth Festival backed by Drought Relief Funding
Port Pirie Regional Council is delighted to announce that the State Government, through the South Australian Tourism Commission’s (SATC) Drought Relief Regional Event Fund, has committed support for Our Youth / Our Festival, a brand-new community celebration designed and delivered by young people in Port Pirie.
Fatal flaws: what regional Australians need to know about cash plan
There are fatal flaws in the Federal Government’s draft cash mandate regulations and they can be traced back to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's refusal to respond to Senate recommendations to fix the banking crisis in regional Australia.
All hail the Duke! Cobber crowns Australia’s hardest working dog for 2025
After a gruelling 21-day competition that saw working dogs battle it out on farms across Australia, the winner of the 2025 Cobber Challenge has officially been crowned ... Taking out the highly coveted title of Australia’s hardest working dog is Duke, a tall leggy collie, and his owner Beck Smith based in Stonehenge, a remote town in Central Queensland with a population of 58.
New job platform aims to expand rural access to justice: Law Society of New South Wales
Law practices in country NSW have embraced a new ‘regional jobs board’ for the state’s legal profession seeking to attract solicitors wanting a tree-change and brighter career opportunities.
Artificial insemination program introduces new genetics to herd: NT DAF
The Northern Territory Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (NT DAF) Livestock Industries team together with farm staff at the Old Man Plains (OMP) Research Station, are running an Artificial Insemination (AI) program to introduce new genetics to the OMP research cattle herd.
Neoen inaugurates its 412 MW Goyder South Wind Farm, the largest in South Australia: Neoen
Neoen, one of the world’s leading producers of exclusively renewable energy, is today celebrating the inauguration of its 412 MW Goyder South Wind Farm in South Australia. Located on the lands of the Ngadjuri Nation near the town of Burra in SA’s Mid North region, Goyder South is the largest wind farm in the State and in Neoen’s portfolio.
Mallee Root Rounds ’em Up! Brilliant Birchip B ‘n’ S Ball
The Mallee Root Round Up has once again proven that country people know how to celebrate, with 750 guests exuding enthusiasm and a strong sense of fun and excitement all weekend. Marking 20 years since its re-birth, the Ball, which ceased in 1997 and was revived in 2005, drew people from all across Victoria and as far away as the middle of New South Wales.
Together time at the Hillclimb
it's almost a picnic atmosphere," according to motor enthusiast Bob, who loved the camaraderie of the Mount Tarrengower Historic Hillclimb on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 October in Maldon. "It's not terribly commercial," Bob told the TT [Tarrangower Times], while peering into the engine of Doug's 1949 MG. "And everybody knows everybody."
Ikara-Flinders Ranges and Outback named in world’s top places: Bettison
South Australia’s Ikara-Flinders Ranges and Outback has been named one of the world’s top travel destinations for the year ahead; the only Australian place to make the list. Global travel authority, Lonely Planet, unveiled its top destinations with the release of its Best in Travel list for 2026 today with the Flinders Ranges & Outback listed among globally renowned tourist destinations...

