Tourism

Jenny Pollard. After four days of full-on activity, Charlton has surely earned a place in the spotlight for community endeavour as both a host and in partnership with the burgeoning OK Motels Contemporary Music and Arts Small Town Festival, which played out last weekend ... with the fun and innovative  activities like “Marry Your Friends – A Celebration of Holy Mate-rimony”...

Robin Letts. It was 1948, the year after I had left the Royal Australian Naval College at HMAS “Cerberus”, to take up a position with the family newspaper, “The Donald Times” ... During an informal chat prior to the running of the 1948 Melbourne Cup, Howard had told me of a small wager he had made on a horse called Rimfire, to be ridden by Birchip jockey, Ray Neville.

Blake Lee. In just 15 days’ time, Birchip’s main street will become a vibrant, action packed site for locals and tourists alike as the community comes together to host the Mali Heart Street Art Festival.  The March long weekend is set to be an eventful one for Birchip, with travellers from all across the state choosing to spend their weekend in the area to enjoy the hospitality and activities on offer with the locals.

The 67th Narrandera Rodeo on Saturday attracted competitors and visitors from all over Australia ... A wide range of activities was available for competitors to participate in, including all the usual favourites of Bull Rides...

The Grafton Greyhound Racing Club hosted a 12-race program ... with the running of The Clarence heats over 660m taking centre stage on the night as trainers looked to qualify their talented stayers for the $25000 final this weekend. Trained on the Central Coast by Gary Stewart, Off The Richter began only fairly from box 1...

The Maldon footy ground is looking good and green, all 125 stallholder sites are booked out, good weather for the weekend was booked in advance, and around 3,500 visitors are eager to experience a warm Maldon welcome. Gates open to the public from 8am tomorrow (Saturday) to around 2pm Sunday for this weekend’s mighty Maldon Antique Fair.

Questions have been raised about the future ownership of 32 hectares of Twelve Apostles land at the centre of the Labor Government’s compulsory acquisition campaign. Despite the current owners being willing and able to develop and privately fund a magnificent visitor centre, the state government is proceeding with its plan to waste at least $108 million of taxpayers’ money on a publicly funded precinct.

The shortage of lodging options in Narrandera has presented a challenge for the Earlies Rod Run committee, with attendees facing difficulties in securing lodging. With only one hotel, a handful of motels, and a few powered campsites, the lack of accommodation is not a new issue for Narrandera.

Narrandera's Lake Talbot was again the venue for round 5 of the 2024 Malibu Tournament Series over the weekend ... This tournament caters for three event skiers in tricks, slalom and jump and is a favourite venue for many of the water skiers.

The Allora Show Society is happy with the success of the 2024 Show, which produced strong numbers in many sections. President Shirley Cornhill said the show was well supported from far and wide.

Patrick Goldsmith. Yorke Peninsula Council deputy mayor Richard Carruthers has joined the increasingly loud chorus calling for the state government to take greater action on much-needed regional jetty maintenance. Mr Carruthers, of Ardrossan, said he has been approached by roughly 50 locals concerned about the future of the jetty within the past few months.

During a visit to Sun City Yacht Club reporter Betheney A’vard talked to club members about their focus on introducing people to sailing but also found out about the Two Rocks community rallying together to seek heritage status for the area.

Nadia Bish, of Wycheproof, is preparing to utilise her newly developed leadership skills to implement a natural tourism innovation project in 2024. The Loddon Murray Community Leadership Program (LMCLP), also often referred to as LEAD Loddon Murray, is well regarded across Australia, an initiative building the capacity of individuals to drive change and foster the growth of vibrant and sustainable rural/regional communities.

The Charlton Neighbourhood House was proud to represent all the community involved with the Nyernila Art Trail project at the recent Victorian Community History Awards held in Melbourne at the Arts Centre. Presented by Public Record Office Victoria in partnership with the Royal Historical Society of Victoria...

Maureen Andrews. The Kingston Museum has a fascinating collection of exhibits which tells the story of how transport played a key role in the development of Kingston from an isolated settlement of approximately 140 people in 1860, to a bustling service hub in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century.

Regional Express Airlines will prolong the suspension of some of its flights for another seven months, blaming sustained supply chain challenges. Rex cut flights on seven of its NSW routes in September including from Sydney to Albury, Coffs Harbour, Griffith, Narrandera, Orange, Parkes and Port Macquarie.

Patrick Goldsmith. South Australians are emphatically urging the state government to take more responsibility for much-needed jetty maintenance, the Local Government Association’s recently released Value of Jetties report shows. An LGA survey of more than 2400 people found 80 per cent believe the government should take financial responsibility for jetty maintenance.

New research shows the South Australian economy could lose over $103 million every year if jetties along our coastlines ceased to exist, supporting calls for the State Government to increase funding for repairs and maintenance. Released by the Local Government Association, the Value of Jetties report for the first time places a dollar figure on just how much jetties are worth to SA communities and the economy.

The Northern Territory Government has opened consultation for the Draft Saltwater Crocodile Management Program 2024-2034, which will allow for the public to have input on how crocodiles are managed in the Territory. There are currently more than 100,000 crocodiles in the Territory.

Towong Shire Council is encouraging residents and visitors to discover the newly installed large-scale artworks along the Great River Road, which were unveiled in late December. Towong mayor, Cr Andrew Whitehead, emphasised council’s commitment to the project, providing an enjoyable experience for travellers, allowing them to appreciate the scenery of shire.

Motoring enthusiasts and the plain curious gathered at the former netball courts at the Corryong Recreation Reserve following the Australia Day ceremony to inspect a fleet of restored Ansair Flxible Clipper buses that was visiting the region.