Air service transition: QantasLink to Skytrans
In October last year, Transport New South Wales announced that Skytrans had been awarded the RPT Air route from Sydney to Lord Howe Island as a replacement for the QantasLink service which had operated since June, 1991 ... Lord Howe Island Board invited members of the public to join a "virtual" QA session with Skytrans CEO, Alan Milne ...
A celestial celebration comes to Lord Howe Island – Dark Sky Festival
Lord Howe Island residents are invited to experience an unforgettable week of stargazing, unique dining and immersive science experiences at the inaugural Dark Sky Festival, running from 26th April to 1st May, 2025.
Stars & Bars Festival returns to Heathcote this April!
Stars & Bars Festival rides again with a 2 day event in Heathcote coinciding with the Anzac day long weekend Friday 25th April & Saturday 26th April, 2025. The Trail Blazin', Star Gazin', Hell Raisin' Countrified Music Festival Concept, part magical mystery music bus tour part winery/brewery tour returns with the promise of some new innovations for this year’s Fourth edition.
Pony Club trials and combined training day
Midland Zone Pony Club held a trials and combined training day at the Charlton Pony Club grounds on Sunday, March 30. With low rider numbers at the Charlton Pony Club, it was excellent to see the grounds and wonderful facilities being used by roughly sixty entrants from within the Midland catchment zone.
The nature of art
Visiting an art gallery might seem like something that only tourists do, but there’s nothing stopping locals from enjoying art in their own town. Indeed, the current exhibition at Cascade Art Gallery, featuring etchings and paintings by John Wolseley, suggests that art and local galleries are part of an ecosystem to which we all belong.
Rugby heavyweights ruck n’ roll into Coffs Harbour
NSW Rugby reps have started rolling into the area ahead of the inaugural Coffs Coast Festival of Rugby that is set to light up the City of Coffs Harbour ... Some 2,000 tickets to the extravaganza at the C.ex Coffs International Stadium on Saturday 5 April have already been snapped up.
National rally moves to FarmFest site
The 19th National Heritage Machinery Rally, to be held from 23 to 25 August 2025, has been moved from the Jondaryan Woolshed to Kingsthorpe Park, the home of FarmFest. This year's Steaming Under the Southern Cross event, taking place from 25 to 31 August, will incorporate the National Historical Machinery Association's rally.
Wakool Sheep Races bleating successful
Crowds flocked to Wakool for the Annual Sheep Races on Saturday night. Frocks, fleeces and fine attire all made their way onto the ground to watch the sold-out races. Track conditions were favourable, the firm but forgiving ground boded well for competitive racing action.
‘Clarkie’ Memorial Statue officially unveiled at Ganmain
The official opening of the ‘Clarkie" statue in Ganmain was held last Saturday in conjunction with the Ganmain Historical Museum’s open day. Renowned artist Andrew Whitehead designed and constructed the statue, which is named after Ganmain identity the late Kelvin ‘Clarkie’ Clarke as a tribute to the farmers and farm labourers who worked in Ganmain’s sheath hay industry.
Cattle ticks found on property next to showground prompts committee to cancel show
Cattle ticks have been found on cattle at a property next to the Bonalbo Showground. It was during a routine inspection of the cattle that the ticks were discovered and the relevant authorities notified the managers of the showground.
Wilcannia declared an RV Friendly Town
Central Darling Shire Council has announced that the Campervan and Motorhome Club of Australia Limited (CMCA) has declared Wilcannia an RV Friendly Town. The CMCA has grown since 1986 to become the largest recreational vehicle (RV) club in the southern hemisphere, now boasting over 68,000 members and a fleet of more than 34,000 vehicles.
Horse groups have grounds for complaint over planning schemozzle
The Bendigo Showgrounds – home of the Victorian Agricultural Shows Saddle Horse Championships and many other state and national equestrian events – is to have the size of its arena cut significantly under a Victorian Government redevelopment of the site.
Gentle giants delight crowds
Allora was home to the annual Darling Downs Heavy Horse Festival at the weekend. Competitors and spectators arrived from northern New South Wales and western areas of Queensland as well as many from the local region.
Parade traffic management: change of direction
Preparation for the Maldon Easter Fair and the 148th Easter Parade are underway ... on Thursday 13 March the organisers used social media to share their concern that a traffic management company had informed them that it would no longer provide its services to the parade ...
Equine excellence
If it takes a village to raise a child then it also takes a massive team effort from the Cambooya Campdraft Association, Cambooya Pony Club, other local pony clubs, local businesses and politicians to successfully redevelop the Cambooya Recreation Ground into a first class equine facility.
fabALICE to bring the razzle dazzle of drag to Alice Springs
The glitz and glamour of drag queens and kings returns to the Red Centre when fabALICE takes over Alice Springs from Thursday 27 to Sunday 30 March. fabALICE is a vibrant four-day festival of colour, creativity, celebration and inclusivity featuring talented drag queens and kings...
Have you got the fastest Wiener Dog in the West?
Henley Park, Edenhope, Vic – Get ready for a tail-wagging celebration as the much-loved Day of the Dackel returns in 2025! Dachshund lovers from near and far will gather in Edenhope to honour these adorable long-bodied companions with a day full of fun, festivities, and furry friends.
Warriors bring medieval glory to the Riverland
Madison Eastmond. More than 30 armoured local and visiting warriors went to battle at the Mallee Dragons’ newest Barmera ‘Lair’ last weekend. Hosting 25 medieval fights between five Buhurt teams from around Australia, the Mallee Dragons have officially held their first rookie tournament, Mallee Mayhem, since establishing the sport in the Riverland less than a year ago.
“Country” theme headlines Pacing Cup: Ladies’ dress codes among the winners
Jenny Pollard. The dress code was “Relaxed Country” and the marketing called on race-goers to kit up in “Akubras and boots”. The 2025 Charlton Pacing Cup homed in on all things rural with the theme “We’re All Country” as patrons responded with gusto at last Sunday’s premier meet of the year.
Visions to Tram-sform Donald’s Railway Precinct
Donald is known as a hub for innovation, and this spirit was on full display as the Donald 2000 committee brought the community together for its recent “Tram-sformation” event ... a wave of fresh ideas and creative visions for the newly positioned tram at the Donald Railway Station...
The show must go on
Michelle Daw. The Maitland community and many others pulled together to ensure the town's annual show went ahead on Saturday, March 15, despite sweltering heat, hot winds, and an extensive power outage across Yorke Peninsula the previous day.
Home Ground Sounds
The Cohuna Kangas hosted the inaugural Cohuna Home Ground Sounds music festival at Cohuna Recreation Reserve on Sunday and it was a big success ... Special guest artist, Shannon Noll, was a surprise bonus for the festival goers as he performed with his Australian Idol compatriot Rob Mills.
