Time to trial fire vehicles: NSW Farmers Association
Farmers are urged to take part in a trial of Farm Fire Units in NSW as unprecedented bushfires continue to burn in the United States. Under a NSW Government trial in place until 31 March, private farm vehicles used for firefighting purposes known as Farm Fire Units – or Farm Fire Fighting Vehicles (FFFVs) – can be used unregistered under certain conditions.
Experienced pilot killed in Palmers Island plane crash
Family and friends are mourning the loss of an experienced pilot and real estate agent whose son was seriously injured when their light aircraft crashed after take-off from McIntyres Airfield at Palmers Island. It is understood Coffs Harbour real estate agent James ‘Jim’ Auld, 67, and his son Robert, aged 32, took off from South Grafton airport … on Sunday, December 29.
Concrete railway sleepers – a growing blight on the environment: Roger Underwood
Roger Underwood. I had an email from a Queensland mate the other day. “I recently took a train trip from Brisbane to Charleville” he told me, “and there were huge piles of concrete sleepers beside the line to the Toowoomba Range and elsewhere.” I knew exactly what he was talking about. In September 2024 I travelled by train from Perth to Adelaide, from Ballarat to Melbourne and from Melbourne to Sydney. Alongside every railway line along this trip were piles of “used” concrete sleepers.
Trump holds the keys to right to repair
As a second Trump presidency looms on the horizon, one pressing issue for America's and Australian farmers remains unresolved: the unfettered right to repair their own agricultural machinery. With both groups at loggerheads with the big farm machinery manufacturers over who gets the right to access software locks to repair complex tractors and headers, what happens under Trump could impact where this long running debate finally settles.
Worth a try: rides for residents
The group of riders known as Maldon Cycling has raised funds to purchase a trishaw for the residents of Mountview Nursing Home at Maldon Hospital, who are enjoying the opportunity to view the local neighbourhood at cycling pace … The residents, who simply nominate to have a ride and take turns each Thursday afternoon, are loving the trishaw.
RFDS garden party
Robyn Schinckel. Fact: At least twice a day a RFDS crew will land in the Limestone Coast to airlift a patient. Fact: Today, the RFDS deliver more than 380,000 episodes of care across Australia every year - equivalent to assisting someone every two minutes. The Foster Street Garden Party was an absolute triumph – a collective effort that raised $21,830. hese vital funds will help keep the RFDS flying.
Driving change – CANEGROWERS unveils new transport guide
CANEGROWERS has today launched the 2024 Sugarcane Transport Load Restraint Guide, an essential tool created in partnership with the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR). This industry-specific guide aims to enhance road transport safety and streamline compliance for sugarcane growers and transport operators.
Australia’s top 10 most-visited destinations revealed: Greyhound Australia
Greyhound Australia reveals its top ten locations for travellers in 2024. Brisbane has retained its crown as the most-visited destination in Australia for coach travellers in 2024, highlighting the River City's appeal and popularity among tourists from around the world.
Buloke Times editorial: For Northwest and Central Victoria Rail … an absolute game changer
As communities throughout Victoria, and beyond, lament the downgrading of the Melbourne to Mildura rail line, a report has come to light at the “Buloke Times” office. It was more than two years ago (on September 21, 2022) by the not-for-profit Ouyen Inc. In common with towns including Birchip, Donald and St. Arnaud, Ouyen is located on the Melbourne-Mildura line, and the media release from there at the time was as follows, under the heading, For Northwest and Central Victoria Rail ... An Absolute Game Changer ...
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 ...
The Queen’s Loxton arrival
Sebastian Calderon. Loxton has become the Murray River Queen's (MRQ) new home after the boat’s successful voyage from Renmark ... The Paringa Bridge crossing was one of the highlights during her trip, as cars and people gathered to see the bridge go up and give way to Donna Neale and her team steaming the MRQ.
Locals rally to assist in fatal helicopter crash at One Tree
Tribute has been paid for the efforts of local community members and volunteers in the search and rescue of a fatal helicopter crash near One Tree ... Retired paramedic, Robert Marmont said locals rallied to render assistance after an official alert went out to all aircraft in the area … A man in his 40s died at the scene. The 29-year-old pilot sustained serious injuries and is being treated in Melbourne Hospital.
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."
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.
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 ...
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 ...
Berri to Bute
Hugh Schuitemaker. An unused train previously sitting on a Riverland property has been relocated to its historical home on the Yorke Peninsula. The 406 Red Hen train that had previously been located near the Big Orange, between Berri and Renmark was on Monday re-located to Bute, as part of the ‘Get the 406 to Bute’ community project.
Little movement at the station
Little movement at the station Local Member for Groom Garth Hamilton is deeply concerned with the progress of the Toowoomba to Brisbane Passenger Rail business case project … "It is damning that after nearly two and a half years, we still cannot confirm whether the Minister has been briefed on such an important report and that the full report has not been released."
Albanese Government backs regional aviation: King, Watt
Rex’s administration process is progressing, with the recent sale of Pel-Air Aviation Pty Limited to Helicorp Pty Ltd, part of Toll Aviation, with proceeds from the sale being used to repay secured creditors. The financing will support the business to continue offering critical services for regional communities, with Rex’s administrators intending … to extend the Voluntary Administration to 30 June 2025.
