Business

Andrew Fedorowicz has won another award for his work on the stunning rejuvenation of the Fernery at Ballarat Botanical Gardens. Andrew’s company, Balance Architecture, has been awarded a First Award at the 2024 Global Architecture & Design Awards ... A picnic in the gardens makes a lovely day out. Andrew hopes for many visitors to the Fernery; "I want the world to know about it!"

STUDIOCANAL has unveiled the first trailer for Kangaroo, a heartwarming family comedy filmed in the breathtaking Red Centre earlier this year ... The Northern Territory Government contributed $900,000 to the production through Screen Territory’s Production Attraction Incentive Program (PAIP), creating significant opportunities for the local community.

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO), Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) and Department of Home Affairs have joined forces under the Shadow Economy Taskforce to investigate labour hire providers suspected of unlawful conduct in the agriculture industry through surprise visits in the Gatton region in Southeast Queensland.

Set aside Friday 20 December – the annual Lockyer Valley Christmas Carnival is back! Gatton’s North Street is set to resemble a winter wonderland for the beloved event, which is set to be a fun-filled family night … “The Winter Wonderland theme was so well received in 2022, we simply knew we had to bring it back.

Emeritus Professor of Oncology at St Georges, University of London and Principal of The Institute for Cancer Vaccines and Immunotherapy (ICVI) Professor Angus Dalgleish didn’t mince his words this week in response to Australia’s response to Covid. “Why on earth did they do this?” said Professor Dalgleish in an interview on Sky this week.

Greenmount was the place to be last Saturday as those magnificent billy cart drivers and their rolling machines took on the Ramsay Street downhill course in front of a packed crowd who enjoyed every moment of juniors and seniors races. Drivers and their carts came from as far away as Byron Bay and the Gold Coast to participate in the Greenmount Billy Cart Challenge in a sure sign that this event is a winner for the town.

The president of the Corryong Show committee reported to the recent annual general meeting that an enthusastic band of helpers and improvements to the show site have ensured the future of a great community event. "We have ticked the boxes with what we had aimed and hoped to achieve with our Spring Show," Evan Nicholas said, "with great attendance from our community and also from afar.

The 55th Massive Murray Paddle finished on Friday in Koondrook having started four days earlier in Yarrawonga on Monday, November 18. Top athletes from all over Australia, New Zealand and the USA competed, along with at risk Indigenous youth paddling in teams following the Dungalayin Mileka Team model.

The passion of grain growers for the responsible stewardship of the land is a clear message farmers are sharing with Australian consumers in a new information series for the community.  The information series promoted by GrainGrowers highlights a modern, high-technology approach that allows growers to maximise available growing conditions, delivering high-quality, safe food to consumers while protecting the land.  

Sebastian Calderon. Loxton has become the Murray River Queen's (MRQ) new home after the boat’s successful voyage from Renmark ... The Paringa Bridge crossing was one of the highlights during her trip, as cars and people gathered to see the bridge go up and give way to Donna Neale and her team steaming the MRQ.

In his latest attempt to channel Australia’s wealth into government-approved projects, Chalmers announced plans to steer the Future Fund toward housing and renewables, claiming these priorities will secure both national prosperity and a moral high ground. But if the Treasurer is serious about backing industries with real potential, it’s time to herd the Future Fund into the sheep yards of Western Australia, where $200 million could establish a state-of-the-art abattoir to breathe life into a sector gasping under the weight of Canberra’s policy redirection.  

Labour shortages in the horticulture sector have eased slightly, according to a report from the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES). ABARES executive director Dr Jared Greenville said the report, based on a survey of over 2,000 horticulture farms across Australia, showed a fall in the number of farms struggling to find workers.

An important milestone in constructing Lismore’s new $3.9 million Lismore Skatepark was reached this week, with the pouring of 2400m2 of concrete set to begin ... The facility includes both ‘street’ and ‘park’ (bowl) sections and a covered mini ramp, which is eagerly anticipated by the local skater community.

The Albanese Labor Government’s Aged Care Bill has today passed Parliament, ensuring once-in-a-generation reforms to aged care ... Starting from 1 July 2025, the new Act will deliver a range of improvements including a tougher regulatory model, strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards and a Statement of Rights to ensure older people and their needs are at the centre of the new aged care system.

In a major win for connectivity and economic growth, Sunshine Coast Council will partner with Google, NEXTDC and others on Australia Connect, an initiative to further the reach, reliability and resilience of digital connectivity in Australia and the Indo-Pacific. Australia Connect will deliver new subsea cable systems and build on the Pacific Connect initiative.

Wilson McShane. Six-year-old Harry Rendell, from Moonta, is following in the footsteps of his running idols. Supported by his parents Kara and Nick, he is training for a five-kilometre event in Melbourne ... Throughout November, he and his running team RUNNEZ have been participating in Stride 4 Stroke, a fundraiser for the Stroke Foundation.