Greers and their gear
Members of the Greer family, a familiar sight at the Cambooya Rural Fire Station, had a stall at the recent Pittsworth Women’s Shed open day. Nathan and Emma Greer of Felton’s Coral Tree Lavender and Cattle Farm were selling lavender products.
Revamped Coolamon Hotel now open for business
Coolamon Hotel has now reopened with a cocktail bar, glasshouse dining area and terrace after being out of action for five years. New owner Craig Patterson said the end result was worth the challenge.
Water workers edge closer to 4 day work week
Continued bargaining dispute proceedings have brought Riverina Water workers one step closer to trialling a four-day work week if they accept their employer's proposal. A "rigorous" long-running dispute process involving Riverina Water and its employees aligned with the United Services Union (USU) and Electrical Trades Union (ETU) is slowly beginning to de-escalate after "dramatic" moments of industrial action.
The great regional disconnect: Why the only towers getting funded are the ones that don’t make calls
The brutal truth? We’ve hit the wall on new mobile towers in the bush ... If the government wants to be taken seriously on regional development—and on spreading the half-million migrants arriving each year beyond our major cities—then it must stop treating mobile connectivity as a private-sector problem. It’s time to treat it like the essential service it is.
Yamba’s iconic Norfolk Pines
John McNamara. Reported in DISTRICT NEWS in 28 December 1907 C&RE: Visitors to Yamba during the Christmas holidays have commented upon the constant diminution in the number of available shade trees, and at the same time Mr. J. H. Malden suggests, in the ''Agricultural Gazette," that the Norfolk Island pine should be more freely planted along the coastal areas than it is.
Coles Yamba top fundraising for MND Big Freeze
What began with an Ice Bucket Challenge aimed at Coles Yamba Manager Jack Gibb has turned into a powerful community fundraising effort for Motor Neurone Disease (MND).
Iconic Australian brand Rosella celebrates 130 years by supporting 130 community events
A crispy meat pie or hot sausage roll smothered in Rosella tomato sauce, or a cheese platter with fruit chutney on the side are as Aussie as kangaroos and Holden cars. For 130 years, Rosella has been a beloved staple in Australian kitchens, adding a rich burst of flavour to meals and snacks.
Council confirms support for wind farm despite strong opposition at hearing
Hay Shire Council has formally expressed its support for Pottinger Wind Farm at the conclusion of a four-hour long hearing with the NSW Government Independent Planning Commission last Thursday, amid some vehement opposition from concerned locals, lobby groups and chair of Nuclear for Australia, Adi Paterson.
Channel 7-AFL Riverland free-to-air bombshell… Please reconsider
Madison Eastmond and Hugh Schuitemaker. WIN and Channel 7 will be urged to reconsider a decision that – from July 1 – will rob Riverland free-to-air TV viewers from seeing AFL, cricket and a raft of other popular programs. In a bombshell announcement this week, WIN said it would cease broadcasting Channel 7 signals into the regional SA markets of Loxton and Mount Gambier, plus Griffith (NSW).
Ending the Banrock Station legacy
An iconic Riverland cellar door is set to close its doors to local patrons at the end of the month. Though wetland management and operations are set to continue as normal, access to the wetlands and cellar door will be stopped after a recent decision to close the Kingston-on-Murray site.
State plans leave the Riverland behind?
Madison Eastmond. A local council has responded to a long-term state plan for the region through to 2051, outlining key issues within the proposal that are set to limit the Riverland's "ability to grow and thrive". Found within the council's May agenda, a formal response made by the Berri Barmera administration has been submitted to the Draft Murray Mallee Regional Plan, highlighting key issues ...
A very different career track – Ivanna Hearn, train driver
Ivanna Hearn had been working in England as a nurse when she decided to give it all away and return home to Australia. Bureaucracy and disillusionment with nursing had gotten the better of her and once back in Australia she saw an ad for an unusual job in a country newspaper that made her feel optimistic about what sort of work she could do.
Time of sowing trials equip WA growers to adapt to variable seasons: GRDC
Western Australian grain growers are set to benefit from a series of targeted projects focused on time of sowing in response to increasing seasonal variability. Delivered through the Grains Research and Development Corporation’s (GRDC) National Grower Network (NGN), the local projects are designed to support growers in making more informed sowing decisions...
Drones trialled to enhance NSW Ambulance aeromedical and special operations: Park
NSW Ambulance has trialled the use of drones to enhance its aeromedical and special operations capabilities during search and rescue missions. The two-month Remotely Piloted Aeromedical Clinical Systems (RPACS) trial, utilised cutting-edge technology to enhance patient care, operational safety and efficiency ... This initiative was made possible through the NSW Ambulance partnership with Toll Aviation ...
“No Go Cubico” rally
Woomelang was a sight to behold last Thursday June 12, as vehicles, farm machinery, fire trucks and an extensive range of protest signs and banners lined the streets to mark Cubico Sustainable Investments’ first public visit to the district. The “No Go Cubico” rally, organised by dozens of unwilling neighbours to the proposed Curyo Wind Farm…
Skills and enthusiasm at early learning centre
Blake Lee. The Birchip Early Learning Centre has expanded its workforce in recent years, welcoming new staff who contribute fresh skills and enthusiasm at a time when Australia faces a major shortage of early childhood educators. Jobs and Skills Australia reports a current shortfall of around 21,000 qualified Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) professionals across the country.
‘Our worst fears’: oyster farms remain closed
Sarah Herrmann. if it goes on for another month, I don't know that we'll still be in business." That's the sentiment of Stansbury oyster farmer Steve Bowley. Mr Bowley's farm, Pacific Estate Oysters, is one of several in the area closed due to the level of brevetoxin present.
Dementia support here to stay on YP
Yorke Peninsula dementia support program, Memory Lane Cafe, has been saved by several small community groups which have generously donated funding to keep not one, but two cafe programs running for another year ... the group has grown from just 10 people to about 60 regular attendees who visit the travelling cafe each month.
Why regional and rural leaders must cultivate a mindset of progress
To move beyond crisis and inspire lasting hope, regional and rural leaders must shift from reactive problem-solving to a mindset of progress.
SA premium produce on show at World Expo: Szakacs
The state’s food, wine and beverages have been showcased to international retail, food and hospitality business leaders at a special event hosted by South Australian Trade and Investment Minister Joe Szakacs in Japan earlier this week.
Government budget cuts ‘By Five’, abandoning rural child health: McArthur
The Allan Labor Government has cut critical health support for rural children in Western Victoria, axing the award-winning By Five Early Years Initiative in the latest state budget. Member for Western Victoria, Bev McArthur MP, condemned the decision as a direct attack on families already battling limited access to paediatric care.
Northern Rivers Rail almost a reality
Lydia Kindred. Bringing low-emission, passenger train services back to the Northern Rivers railway line is the closest it will ever be, right now. The required reports have been lodged with UGL Regional Linx and Transport for NSW and we now must raise sufficient funds for a licence to be granted. Northern Rivers Rail Ltd, local community-based railway company ...
