50 new local jobs
The reopening of Naracoorte’s Kincraig Hotel this December under new ownership is set to bring a much-needed boost to the local economy with the creation of 50 new jobs for the community. Development works on the multimillion-dollar, five-star accommodation are advancing, with the project’s completion anticipated to rejuvenate the local economy through its diverse offerings.
The old Oldsmobile
Hidden in sheds, under tarps and out of sight in Maldon, are some amazing things. This is a 1925 Oldsmobile Tourer, which obviously means it’s now 100 years old. Here’s a fun fact: it was Oldsmobile that pioneered the production line, not Henry Ford, although he certainly picked up the idea and ran with it with his Model T.
Regional view: State budget
The Victorian Treasurer Jaclyn Symes MP handed down the State Budget on Tuesday 20 May and it is now available for public scrutiny — it is presented more like an illustrated, online brochure than a spreadsheet. It came after the government sent a flurry of announcement emails to the media (evidently scheduled one-per-minute over the Tuesday lunchtime period).
Charlton Club ticks off 125 years
In 1900 Australia was still a number of individual colonies, the Boer War was still taking place, and in China the Boxer Rebellion was drawing nations across the world into that conflict. In Charlton ten members of the community from different walks of life met in a small room behind a shop, and with the taking of minutes, banking and a constitution the Charlton Club was born on May 21st...
Dairy farmers disappointed with opening milk prices: VFF
The United Dairyfarmers of Victoria (UDV) has expressed disappointment in Fonterra’s opening milk price of $8.60/kgMS for the 2025–26 season, saying it falls short of what is needed to sustain Victorian dairy farmers through one of the toughest periods in recent memory.
Australia’s cotton capital struggles to buy underwear
Narrabri launches a cheeky new campaign calling for major retailers to close the regional retail gap ... Watch the saucy short video and read the ARR.News interview with Narrabri Shire Mayor, Darrell Tiemens and Narrabri Shire General Manager, Eloise Chaplain.
Australia Post works behind scenes on Narrandera Post Office location
Australia Post is working to establish ongoing arrangements for its Post Office in Narrandera and is grateful to locals for their patience and understanding.
Free caravan and weighing day at Narrandera
Caravanners in Narrandera will be offered road safety and caravanning advice at free caravan weighing days on Saturday 31 May and Sunday 1 June. Narrandera Shire Council and Transport for NSW will co-host the caravan weighing days with "Your Weigh - Mobile Vehicle Weighing" to educate caravanners about correctly calculating their caravan’s weight...
Murrumbidgee Council leads new chapter at Darlington Point Riverside Caravan Park
Murrumbidgee Council has taken over the reins of one of the area's most-loved holiday spots - the Darlington Point Riverside Caravan Park, a popular destination nestled on the picturesque banks of the Murrumbidgee River.
Wind farm to boost output
Patricia Gill. Denmark Community Windfarm has plans to double the size of the facility with approval received for four turbines on Wilson Head. The current turbines would be replaced by more powerful ones and two more turbines would be erected on the Wilson Head site.
Fast, fierce competition in dragon boats regatta
Mo Cowdell. The Mandurah Vikings claimed first and second place at the Wings on the Water Dragonboat Regatta ... The race was fiercely competitive, with only 15-seconds between the first and last teams.
Hospital beds are needed now
Member for Benambra, Bill Tilley has called on the Victorian Health Minister to fully fund the short stay hospital beds at Albury Base during a constituency question in the Victorian Parliament on Tuesday. "The Labor government announced funding for the beds in last week’s state budget but what they didn’t say was that they will only fund nine of the sixteen beds," Mr Tilley alleged.
Park pioneer returns for launch
A former Cudgewa man responsible for the early development of the Bluff Falls tourist area had the honour of re-opening the facility on Sunday after restoration work following the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires. Bill Carkeek (90) travelled from Numurkah for the event and spoke of his memories of those early works.
Rural patients are treated unfairly
Inequitable treatment of rural patients in Victorian hospitals was a hot topic at the recent Victorian Rural Health Conference (VRHC) in Wodonga. Doctors from across Victoria put the pivotal issue of conversion of rural Emergency Departments (EDs) to Urgent Care Facilities front and centre at the conference.
Rocket man
Born in Cohuna and with family dotted throughout the district, Freddy McLoughlan is now a student at Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) and the newest member of the RMIT High Velocity Rocketry club that will be making their way to Texas, in the United States, to compete on an international level with teams from all over the globe.
VNI West loses social license
Despite our vast natural resources, Australia now has some of the highest electricity prices in the world and the road to “renewables” seems bumpier than ever. The Gannawarra Shire Council meeting last week, saw a motion to oppose the VNI West electricity transmission project planned to pass through the municipality, approved. (April fools image)
Regional Australia still waiting on bank reforms outlined in senate report
One of the most important Federal Government inquiries into welfare issues specific to regional Australia in decades handed down its final report a year ago this week ... the recommendations are still languishing in a no-man’s-land of neither being accepted or rejected.
Birdsong Yamba celebrates outstanding success with over 5,000 attendees
The streets of Yamba came alive on Saturday 24 May with the vibrant celebration of Birdsong Yamba, a free family-friendly street festival that drew an estimated crowd of over 5,000 people throughout the day.
Risks in record China wine exports?
Hugh Schuitemaker. The Riverland's State MP says returning to an "over-reliance" on exports to China is creating further risks for the local wine industry. Recent ABS trade data revealed South Australia exported $855 million of wine to China in the year to March 2025 – a 200-fold increase on the previous year.
Leap forward for Nhill Renewable Energy Facility
Construction of a new solar farm and battery at Nhill is now complete and has successfully connected to the electricity grid – supplying cheap renewable energy to power operations at Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water (GWMWater).
The grit factor: Why regional leaders must role model determination and resilience
In regional Australia, it's not titles or talent that inspire — it's the quiet grit of leaders who show up and carry their communities forward.
Community given a voice on proposed wind farm: Bleijie
Following a thorough assessment led by the Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning, the proposed Moonlight Range Wind Farm 40 kilometres north west of Rockhampton, will not proceed. The project included plans for up to 88 wind turbines, a battery energy storage system, and related infrastructure covering 1,269 hectares in total, including 434 hectares of vegetation that would need to be cleared.
