Sharing the shopping
Bev’s Baubles and Jewellery continues to be the lead trader in the newly established Donald Shared Shop, and has been joined by Snowy’s Vintage Homewares, Benson’s Bow Ties and Bandanas, Horizons Vintage and Antique Furniture, Ask for Art, local author S.L. Davies and 1mile2 go Photography. There are extra craft, brica-brac and hobby-type products being sold on consignment through the shop and on behalf of additional smaller businesses.
Market failure and middle men
Long, long ago, in the early 1980s, a group of Western Australian farmers decided they had had enough of the growing spread in tractor prices between what was on offer at their local dealer and what American farmers were paying. So, they decided to bypass the local dealer network and order directly from the land of the free, thereby proving that middlemen exist only if you allow them.
Teddy & Me closes
Earlier this month, Teddy & Me’s owner Marilyn Kennedy made the difficult decision to close her shop, which had been operating in Maldon since 1997. The [Tarrangower] Times caught up with Marilyn last week to talk about her time as a retailer ... While building up a loyal customer base, she also made some changes to her stock, including specialising in collectable toys that appealed to adults as well as children.
Raided
Police have raided the newly opened ‘Quick Stop Convenience Store’ in King George Street, Cohuna, seizing illicit tobacco products and arresting a woman. Police officers from Kerang, Cohuna and Koondrook executed a warrant at the tobacconist, which sells children’s toys front of house...
Early market hits the target
The earlier than usual start to the series of Upper Murray Farmers Markets was well received with many locals and visitors getting out and about on Saturday morning. There was plenty of variety on offer with 17 stalls operating and the live entertainment provided by talented musician Riff added to the carnival atmosphere.
Hard Talk! Issue one: Food prices
The [Naracoorte Community] News is introducing a new series called Hard Talk, focusing on in-depth interviews with hard-hitting questions on issues relating to communities like ours ... In our first issue, we questioned Premier Peter Malinauskas and newly appointed Opposition Leader Vincent Tarzia.
Fill up your senses at new dress shop in the centre of town
Walking through the doorway of Casino’s newest dress shop is an assault on the senses – in a good way. As you walk in, there is the soft wafting scent of the candles on sale, the cool refreshing air and the colours – oh my, patterns of colours on the clothes hanging on the walls like material artworks.
The Fruity Farmer: Custard apples
"Custard apples come lumpy, Quite seedy and bumpy, When added to fruit salad, They rhyme like a ballad." In case anyone hasn’t noticed we are well into custard apple season until probably October when the Qld fruit fly will start to get active with the warmer weather and sting the fruit.
Supermarkets to record super profits during cost-of-living crisis: NFF
The NFF Horticulture Council has today reaffirmed its call for tighter government controls on supermarket trading practices as annual profits are reported by the major listed companies. Council chair, Jolyon Burnett said the results would speak for themselves, and that not even a cost-of-living crisis had dampened the supermarket drive for profits above all else.
Celebrating 30 years in business as a new chapter awaits
For Carmell Sanne, it hasn’t just been about selling quality lingerie, sleepwear, and hosiery throughout the past 30 years, it’s also been about working closely with Clarence Valley women who have undergone lumpectomies, unilateral, and double mastectomies, offering professional advice and guidance as they navigate life post-surgery, and helping them restore their confidence and rediscover their identities.
Duopolies draining the bush: NSW Farmers Association
Farmers have renewed calls for meaningful competition reform as experts warn the aviation sector faces similar problems to the supermarket sector ... While Rex’s regional routes were still in operation, NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin said the similarities between aviation and supermarket concentration were too big to ignore.
Grocer goes preservative free
Cam and Dee Harmer are taking the first few steps to only stocking items that do not contain any kind of artificial ingredients at their Providore in Khancoban. The idea to only use preservative free items has long been a vested dream for the couple.
Small store of the year
The Local Grocer IGA Westbrook has been chosen from over 400 stores Australia-wide as the IGA National Small Store of the Year. The award was presented on Monday, 15 July, at an awards night attended by staff members including owners Shane and Tracy Smith who also run the IGA Pittsworth store.
Shared Shop is up and running
Donald Shared Shop is now up and running after a formal morning tea launch ... Pat Timmons, Executive Officer for Rural Business & Community ... highlighted the potential durability of the model for difficult times ahead such as drought, and the importance of the business and social connectedness being built now.
Strengthening the Food and Grocery Code to get a fair go for families and farmers: Chalmers, Watt, Leigh
The Albanese Government will strengthen the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct, accepting all recommendations of a recent independent review into the Code as part of a wide‑ranging cost‑of‑living crackdown on anti‑competitive behaviour in the food and grocery sector ... The Review found that the current voluntary Code is failing to address the imbalance of bargaining power between supermarkets and their suppliers, including farmers.
The best place to sell gold pans is at the Gateway to the Rocky River
More than two years ago Mike Schill and Karen Johnson opened a rustic looking shop on their property at Drake ... For the tourists in search of gold, the store sells gold pans, portable, foldable spades, glass vials to put all the gold you find and other gold panning equipment.
Merchant building makeover
A prominent feature of the CBD streetscape is being refreshed, but heritage buffs can rest assured that it will be a respectful rejuvenation. Starting in April and continuing in stages, the façade of the shop built in 1859 as Dabb and Co Merchants and which now houses the IGA supermarket, is being painted in familiar shades of cream, brown and green.
New car dealership as Kittles reported sold
“We probably came at the right time. We’ve been here seven weeks. Prior to us coming there was an extra reinforcement with the law. With this being in place we see everything good and settled. We’re quite happy with the way things are happening”:
Suresh Millar, North East Group.
Paddock to plate: IGA visits Vishwa Farm
Kimberly Grabham. In areas like Hay retailers are lucky enough to benefit from the freshest produce. So lucky in fact, that Harrison’s IGA Fruit and Vegetable Department Manager Brandon Burns and worker David Osmond got to travel to Vishwa Farm to help pack broccoli, before picking up their order for the local supermarket.
Op shop’s benefits reach far and wide
Look First Op Shop appreciates the patronage of many local customers, alongside the visitors from out of town ... The theme behind the name is that we look beyond the “four walls” of our homes, our town, our country as we contribute into our local organisations and overseas – Ukraine, Niger, Indonesia and Timor Leste.
BCCM says Fonterra sale another blow for Australian dairy farmers
Melina Morrison. "The announcement by Fonterra that it intends to sell its Australian dairy processing assets is yet another blow to dairy farmers and a reminder about the precarious nature of our food security when staples like milk are passed around like commodities. This move, if it results in greater concentration of ownership of Australian dairy assets, will impact not only farmers but also consumers at the supermarket checkout."
Letters from Home: Eleanor Rigby
Self service checkouts. Like most of the population I dislike them. There are many reasons, of course doing people out of jobs is the main one, and pandering to the world's current do it fast and run attitude another. But speaking as one who way back worked as a part time checkout chick, I have other reasons.

