Move it or lose it
Rachel Hagan. Minlaton Family Centre is moving towards becoming the wellbeing hub of the lower Yorke Peninsula. However, these dreams may fall short if the community does not start using the new health services already available ... the family centre hosts GP Gaurang Prajapati and dietitian Bonnie Sanderson, who are currently not being utilised to their full capacity.
Generous donations of generators in the Far West area
Automotive company Lovells Automotive Systems donated and provided generators to communities such as Menindee RFS to keep essential power, communications and services running during the recent Far West power outages. "We're honored to support the resilient communities of Far West NSW during these challenging times."
Specific ‘forever chemical’ found at unexpected levels in firefighting foam: UNSW Sydney
A new study has revealed there may be a significant underestimation of a specific type of PFAS ‘forever chemical’ in the environment. Researchers from UNSW Sydney found that branched perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was more prevalent than expected in firefighting foam.
Communications Legislation Amendment (Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation) Bill 2024: Rowland
Based on public statements and engagements with Senators, it is clear that there is no pathway to legislate this proposal through the Senate. The Government will not proceed with the Communications Legislation Amendment (Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation) Bill 2024. The Government invites all Parliamentarians to work with us on other proposals to strengthen democratic institutions and keep Australians safe online, while safeguarding values like freedom of expression.
Good manners cost nothing – bad manners can cost you your reputation
Recently I attended a family wedding in country Victoria. It was a magical evening with a perfect sunset. Mother Nature really turned on a show! An observation several of us made at the recovery the next day was that a few family members did not leave a wedding gift or simple card, nor did they say goodbye to the bride and groom when they made an early departure. This got us talking about manners, and whether they are diminishing.
Closing the gap in connectivity
With election season upon us and rural mobile networks pushed to their limits during harvest, it’s an ideal moment to examine the persistent gaps and dropouts in mobile coverage. Before diving into the political and economic factors shaping mobile connectivity, let’s take a step back and explore the history of Australia’s mobile network rollout. By tracing its development, we might uncover how so much of the bush was left behind.
Bringing them in by baring all at the Bowlo
When is a bowlo more than a bowlo – when it’s at Bonalbo and the bowling club is a place to meet, eat, have a drink and even get your kit off. Bonalbo Bowling & Recreation Club is making sure it’s doing what it can to thrive. Club board president David Whitney ... quoted a shocking statistic that one bowling club a week is closing.
Gallery on half the ANZAC oval carpark
The Aboriginal art gallery, now known as ATSIAGA, will be placed on about half of the present Anzac Oval car park ... ATSIAGA stands for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Gallery of Australia, suggesting the plan still has ambitions for national status ... there was no mention of the assertive campaign by traditional custodians who want the gallery to be built south of The Gap.
Overhaul needed in truck wash biosecurity gaps: VFF
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) is urging the Victorian Government to consider a complete overhaul of the state’s truck wash network to plug major gaps in Victoria’s biosecurity preparedness safety net. VFF Livestock President Scott Young said the recent closure of the truck wash facility at the Pakenham saleyards has exposed how fragile the state network is.
Allora’s Heritage Weekend celebrates 30 years
As has been the case for over three decades, the 2025 Heritage Weekend will see all roads leading to Allora on the Australia Day weekend, 25 and 26 January with a stream of historical vehicles and machinery converging on the Allora township and picturesque Showgrounds ... Having been featured in British historical machinery magazines, the Allora Heritage Weekend can be said to be known internationally.
$4m increase queried
Health Minister Chris Picton has defended the increase in budget allocation of $4million to the Limestone Coast Local Health Network (LCLHN) last financial year ... “The fee-for-service expenditure for the Limestone Coast Local Health Network last financial year was $28,164,000, an increase of $4million from 2023. Can the minister explain exactly what fee-for-service relates to and whether that is the amount spent on employing locum doctors?” asked Independent Member for MacKillop Nick McBride.
Seven hundred thousand
Two salaried doctors in the region, employed by the Limestone Coast Local Health Network, are paid yearly salaries of around $700,000 each. But why, Independent Member for MacKillop Nick McBride questioned Health Minister Chris Picton in the House of Assembly last month. Mr McBride quizzed the minister about what these roles were that were paying that amount and where they were based.
Tchum Lake Aquatic Club: New leadership
The Tchum Lake Aquatic Club has ushered in a new era of leadership, with Alex Noonan taking the helm as president following Andrew Lee’s dedicated eight-year tenure ... One of the first challenges facing the new executive team is tackling the lake’s significant weed problem.
Energy Breakthrough this weekend: “Stand by for a start!”
Excitement was palpable at Donald High School last week as members of the Energy Breakthrough (EBT) team gathered alongside sponsors and family to unveil their new vehicle and receive their official team gear. The event marked the final preparations ahead of this weekend’s highly anticipated challenge in Maryborough, Victoria.
New sea container strategy to boost biosecurity in the Pacific: DAFF
A workshop in Fiji this month will seek to strengthen biosecurity in the Pacific by developing a new strategy to manage risks associated with sea container movements. The strategy aims to reduce the global spread of hitchhiker pests across the Pacific region via the sea container pathway.
Rail sale: Council and VicTrack respond
A property leased by the Victorian Goldfields Railway (VGR) is being sold by the Victorian Government, raising questions about zoning and community consultation around the sale of a heritage asset that has been a green buffer around Maldon Station since the gold rush era. The Tarrangower Times ... requested information from Mount Alexander Shire Council (MASC) to ask about the zoning for 14 Reef Street, which was understood to have been changed to make way for the sale ...
Holiday levy from January: Stress for BnBs
The Victorian State Parliament has passed the contentious ‘AirBnB Tax’ law to impose a 7.5 per cent levy on short-stay accommodation platforms ... Michele Waddington, owner of Fairbank House holiday home rental, believes the levy will have an impact on local accommodation providers and beyond: "The legislation, which taken with other recent taxes, has significantly impacted Maldon’s economic recovery."
Leadership opportunities at Maldon Inc.
The local traders association Maldon Inc. held its annual general meeting (AGM) ... but has yet to attract a new president or secretary. Barry Robinson has served as president of the organisation since 2022 and Lindsay Calloway from Warral Maldon has been serving as secretary ... Barry acknowledged that there is reduced enthusiasm for joining committees in 2024 but said the organisation is considering the creation of an advisory board, so people can contribute to certain topics or on certain projects in which they specialise.
Growth opportunities for Australian beef exports into South-East Asian markets – Rabobank
Australia has the opportunity to cement itself as one of the key beef suppliers into South- East Asian markets – as the appetite for beef continues to grow among the region’s consumers, according to agribusiness specialist Rabobank.
Fire training boosted on land and in the air
The CFA is enhancing its driver training capability across Victoria thanks to 10 new driver training trucks along with additional driving educators. Deputy Chief Officer Operational Doctrine and Training, Rohan Luke, said the new custom designed driver training trucks will be delivered to CFA training grounds across the state ... The CFA has also created a world-first mixed reality fire aviation simulator ...
Brolgas return to Towong
The last of four largescale artwork pieces was installed at Towong ... as part of Stage 2 of the Great River Road touring route project. The newest sculpture depicts two brolgas in a Brolgas return to Towong courtship dance on the Towong Walking Trail.
Brown wins Supercars Championship
Toowoomba’s Will Brown has taken out the 2024 Repco Supercars Championship with a win at the Adelaide 500. Brown said he couldn’t have been happier to finish off the year with a win. "I was pretty stoked to finish off the year with a win to be honest," Brown said.
