Community chimes in on World Heritage bid
Sarah Herrmann. Calls for increased local consultation as part of the progressing Moonta Mines World Heritage bid were made at a community forum last week. The forum gave those interested the opportunity to quiz UK-based World Heritage consultant Barry Gamble, who had travelled to the Copper Coast for the official celebration of the tentative listing...
Global dairy market – Further milk supply growth and farmer margin gains expected in 2025: Rabobank
A new RaboResearch report expects milk supply growth from the biggest exporting regions in the second half of 2024. Growth is expected to continue into 2025, with gains anticipated in all major regions for the first time since 2020.
Building community and town pride
Rachel Hagan. Price is a town with a deep history and has been a key part of Yorke Peninsula, but one key feature it has been missing is a museum — that is until now. By mid to late January, the Price Museum will be structurally ready to go ... Price Progress Association secretary Karen Newbold says it all needs to be finished by April 20, 2025, and she is confident all the work can be achieved by that deadline.
Drug and alcohol-related deaths in Western NSW tackled by new group of specialists
The Rural Applied Drug and Alcohol Research group (RADAR) will tackle the prevalence of drug and alcohol abuse in Western NSW, which is higher than most other parts of NSW ... Core priorities of RADAR include addressing the specific, geographical issues those afflicted by substance misuse in western NSW often experience.
Mailing a letter set to rise to $1.70
Australia Post has lodged a draft notification with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), proposing an increase to the Basic Postage Rate (BPR) of $0.20 for small letters, from $1.50 to $1.70, and to the prices for ordinary large letters, delivered at the regular timetable – to take effect from July 2025.
One butcher shop + six moustaches = $5000
The butchers at Metcalf Quality Meats in Evans Head, Tom Karry, Jacob Lane, Mark Simeoni, Riley Stothard, Nathan Scully and Wade Goldthorpe, grew moustaches to raise money for men’s mental health. Wade said the young fellas didn’t stand a chance in the moustache-growing race.
DIY welfare group puts numbers to its proud record
The Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Women’s Council is a bit of a mouthful, so just call them NPY and be amazed at its achievements since 1980, spreading across 350,000 square kilometres in the south-west of the NT, the Top End of SA and a big patch of eastern WA ... As the airwaves are full of talking from politicians, activists and coroners, mostly about dollar figures with lots of zeros, Alice Springs based NPY is putting real numbers to its accomplishments in 2024.
Community unites against rare earth mining threat
A coalition of regional agricultural and business leaders has launched a new advocacy group focussed on protecting the Limestone Coast’s high value agricultural resource, finite water assets and cultural heritage from the imminent threat of mining activities. The Limestone Coast Sustainable Futures Association has launched an awareness campaign to inform the community about the invasive nature of rare earth strip mining which it believes will threaten the economic viability of the food and fibre sector and jeopardise biodiverse value including underground water resources.
It’s a very Goode thing – Donald trike team holds its own
Karen Medlyn. That’s a wrap! The 2024 Donald High School Energy Breakthrough Team and “It’s a Goode Thing!”, completed an impressive 485 laps, covering a total distance of 766.3 kilometres. The 24-hour endurance has students pedalling over a specific circuit, through the streets of Maryborough.The debut of the new trike was thrilling ...
2025 Australian of the Year for Queensland
Allora born and bred Geoffrey Smith, was named Queensland Australian of the Year at the recent awards ceremony held in Brisbane. Proud parents Debbie and Alan Smith said Geoffrey was born in 1989 and went to Allora Kindergarten, Allora Pre-School and Allora P-10 School until Year 7 when he moved to Toowoomba Grammar.
Newstead solar: so far, so good
The Newstead solar project that was launched in August is rolling out and has been holding regular information sessions at the Newstead Rural Transfer Centre. The project, a partnership between Renewable Newstead and retailer Flow Power, centres around the newly operational Newstead Solar Farm.
MS Australia launches major EBV research platform to combat MS
MS Australia is bringing together the nation's top researchers to unlock the complex link between Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and multiple sclerosis (MS); with the potential to revolutionise how we treat, prevent, and ultimately cure MS. The EBV in MS National Collaborative Platform, launched today at MS Australia's inaugural Frontiers in MS Research Symposium at the University of Sydney, aims to unify and strengthen Australian research efforts into EBV and MS.
Global award for local architect
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!"
Official trailer released for NT film, Kangaroo
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.
Suspected farm worker exploitation under investigation in Gatton
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.
Enjoy a winter wonderland at the Lockyer Valley Christmas Carnival!
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.
“These were not vaccines; these were horrible gene therapies”
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 has wheely good time
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.
Planting seeds for an ag-tastic future
Agricultural producers on the inner Darling Downs are set to benefit from the new Agri-Connect Pilot Initiative that bridges the gap between employers and the skilled workforce they need, creating opportunities for the region’s producers and talent pool of skilled migrants living locally. The program has already been used by a business with a site at Cambooya ... Agri-Connect serves as a platform for employers and skilled migrants to engage with one another.
Dedicated crew ensures ship runs smoothly
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.
Massive Murray Paddle concludes
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.
On-farm information series highlights grower passion for responsible land stewardship: GrainGrowers
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.
