Graziers want high country opened up
Jeff Bourman of the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party of Victoria and Member for the Eastern Region, has called for a pilot project for the reintroduction of grazing cattle to the High Country ... "The Mountain Cattlemen's Association has been looking after the high country for more than 150 years and they know the area like the back of their hand."
State-of-the-art new hospital to open at Griffith
The new $250 million Griffith Base Hospital is set to open its doors to visitors, patients and staff from today Thursday 26 June 2025. Final preparations are under way for the opening of the new hospital, which will provide state-of-the-art healthcare services to people in Griffith and surrounding communities.
Griffith Saleyards smash national record with $431 for heavy lambs
Friday the 13th may be unlucky for some, but it turned out to be a record-breaking day for the Griffith Saleyards recently. A new national record price was set for heavy lambs when prices surged to $431 per head, exceeding the previous record set just a day earlier at Wagga.
Queensland’s country shows secure lifeline with $600K government boost
Agricultural shows across Queensland have received a welcome funding boost, with the Queensland Government announcing an additional $600,000 to support these iconic events that play a vital role in regional life ... Queensland Ag Shows President David Wilson said the support comes at a critical time for many rural and regional shows.
Dimboola Trading co. expands to Nhill, defying retail trends
In a bold move that defies the downward trend of regional retail, Dimboola Trading Co. is proud to announce the opening of its second store in Nhill. Building on the strong support from the Wimmera community, this expansion brings Dimboola Trading Co.'s signature mix of quality men's fashion and unbeatable basics to a new location.
Great teamwork at Wilcannia Post Office
It's always nice to drop in at the Wilcannia Post Office because the staff are so warm hearted, friendly and helpful. There's often time between customers for a quick chat and a joke so it's a cheery atmosphere as well as being an efficient service for our community ... I've been working here for coming up to five years… - Team leader Charles Vu.
An oar-inspiring weekend on the water
Lachlan Dand. A cold Saturday morning failed to dampen the spirits of more than 200 rowers in 44 crews who hit the water for the annual Renmark Rowing Club’s Wharf to Woolshed Long Row. Completing its eighth year ... the Long Row had competitors from all over Australia take on the 36km journey.
Finance access dries up for regional producers
Sebastian Calderon. A local finance expert says drought-induced debt, combined with tightening lender risk appetites, are making it increasingly difficult for growers to access the finance needed to keep their businesses running … recent Grain Producers SA (GPSA) survey revealed that one-in-two South Australian grain producers are currently facing difficulties accessing finance or credit during the drought.
Tennis club recognition for world-wide tournament organiser
Tony Callaghan. Steve Longworth won this week's Foodworks, Hay Services and Fitness Club and AFF weekly awards for his continued success managing tournaments worldwide. Steve continues to manage and run tournaments with his invented tennis tournament computer system known as C.A.T., the system also used in other countries around the world.
Nhill’s winged wedding
John Williams. In 1952, two members of the Wimmera Aero Club were off to a flying start to their marriage when an aerial wedding was staged over Nhill, followed by a reception in the hanger at the aerodrome. The wedding was a club gift to Jeparit's Norm Crittenden and his fiancée Barbara Mackenzie.
Beast of a win in Thunderbolt
A rags to riches story with a special Clarence Valley connection wrote itself into local sporting folklore in less than 20 seconds on June 21 at the Grafton Greyhound Racing Club when speed sensation Badger’s Beast set a new race record and dominated his rivals to win the $40000 Ladbrokes Thunderbolt, the richest short course race in the world over 350m.
Trucking big mess: causes community concerns
Close to 50 names are inscribed on the Truck Driver’s Memorial Wall in South Grafton, a local monument situated alongside the Big River Way ... many expressing their horror via social media at the shocking volumes of rubbish including discarded shopping trolleys, dirty clothing, and general household waste, littering the site.
Bioplastic breakthrough – sustainable cooling film could slash building energy use by 20 per cent: UniSA
An international team of scientists has developed a biodegradable material that could slash global energy consumption without using any electricity, according to a new study published today. The bioplastic metafilm – that can be applied to buildings, equipment and other surfaces – passively cools temperatures by as much as 9.2°C during peak sunlight and reflects almost 99 per cent of the sun’s rays.
Endlessly stoic: the journey of David O’Brien
David O'Brien sits quietly in his Hay home, a small magnet clipped to his belt—a lifeline that could stop a seizure in its tracks ... Despite the challenges, David has found meaningful ways to contribute to his community and the broader epilepsy community.
Delivering for Queensland – The foundation for a fresh start for Queensland: Crisafulli, Janetzki, Bates
The Crisafulli Government’s 2025-26 Budget lays the foundation for the fresh start Queenslanders voted for, addressing Labor’s youth crime, health, housing and cost of living crises. The Budget focuses on making Queensland safer, delivering a place to call home for more Queenslanders, driving down cost of living pressures for families…
Whyalla Airport cleared for take-off after vital upgrade completion: Malinauskas, King, Stone
An investment of more than $30 million to upgrade one of South Australia’s most important airports has been completed, allowing vital services to the Whyalla region to continue.
CLP targets trade and investment growth in Malaysia: Cahill
As part of the Finocchiaro CLP Government’s Rebuilding the Economy: NT Economy Strategy 2025, Minister for Trade, Business and Asian Relations Robyn Cahill will lead a delegation to Malaysia to strengthen government-to-government ties and promote new trade and investment opportunities for the Northern Territory.
“No show” from transmission company: Farmers rally at Wycheproof
Carey Brennan. Around 200 farmers rallied at Wycheproof on Friday, June 20, outside the Buloke Shire Offices ready to greet TCV staff when they arrived to meet with Councillors … Shortly before the meeting, TCV notified Cr Getley that they had concerns for their safety after receiving advice from Vic. Police and would no longer be attending…
Tourism blues as bloom remains, spreads
Businesses on southern Yorke Peninsula have been hit by a tourism downturn amid the ongoing algal bloom. Stansbury has been affected by brevetoxin, closing the town's oyster farms for over six weeks, which Dalrymple Hotel owner Rob Rankine said had influenced visitation to the town.
Regional migration – Time for action: Peter van Vliet, Migration Institute of Australia
Australia runs a reasonably large migration program by international standards but getting migrants out of the big cities - particularly Melbourne and Sydney - and into the regions has always been a challenge ... Australia’s regions need strengthened incentives and concessions to encourage migrants to settle in regional areas, fill regional labour shortages, and in turn strengthen our regions and ease population pressures on our big cities. It’s time for action.
Cooktown Discovery Festival unites community in celebration of history and culture
Hundreds of locals and visitors gathered in Cooktown over the weekend for the 46th annual Cooktown Discovery Festival, celebrating the region’s rich culture, community spirit, and place in Australian history as the site of the first recorded act of reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.
UK defence mission to power WA’s economy into the future: Cook, Papalia
Premier Roger Cook and Defence Industries Minister Paul Papalia are travelling to the UK for strategic talks about WA's internationally sought-after defence sector ... WA companies already manufacture vital parts of Australia's submarines and are working to enter the US Virginia-class supply chain. By strengthening ties with the UK, it's hoped they will also break into the Astute-class supply chain.

