Transport

Shaun Hollis. A decorated RAAF officer who commissioned a painting to commemorate the moment which inspired his naming of the iconic Boeing E-7A Wedgetail defence force aeroplane said he could not be happier with the result. The painting, by Minlaton artist Mark Short, depicts a wedge-tailed eagle taking flight.

You could easily say that Leanne McKenzie is a high flyer - but not in the traditional sense of the word.   Leanne is a pilot but she’s also President of her local aero club in Albany WA and she’s one of less than a handful of females to hold such a position. But Leanne has another venture underway and it’s one that her aero club is actually famous for as the Albany Aero Club was once a global hub for self-built planes.

REX last week unveiled its new interline partnership with one of the world’s leading airlines, Etihad Airways. This exciting partnership between Rex and Etihad, the UAE’s national carrier, provides passengers on Rex’s domestic routes convenient connections with Etihad’s global network.

The Pacific Belles will perform at the Nhill Airshow on April 13. Swing to their dulcet tones as they sing these war-time classics. Their vintage repertoire includes songs like "Don't sit under the Apple Tree" and "We'll Meet Again." The Pacific Belles are Australia’s hottest retro-style singing trio, inspired by the music of the 1940‘s and have been referred to as "Melbourne's very own Andrew Sisters'.

City of Coffs Harbour is rolling ahead with a free bus travel plan to bolster community connection and to shine a light on the ease and benefits of public transport ... Council resolved to back an initiative by Mayor Paul Amos for a four-month trial of free bus travel on weekends in Coffs Harbour, stretching out to Bellingen and as far south as Macksville.  

Kerry Cain. Last Saturday, the Newstead Fire Brigade impressed attendees at the Newstead Pool Party by showcasing its latest addition, the Field Command Vehicle (FCV).  With this specially equipped vehicle, the brigade can now respond more effectively and decisively to emergencies of all kinds and direct and deploy its appliances and personnel, as well as those of other services, as required.

Winnebago owners from four states converged on the Anchorage Holiday Park at Iluka last week, united by social media the group collectively travelled tens of thousands of kilometres to enjoy their motorhomes in the town the models were named after – Iluka ... last year’s inaugural Winnebago Iluka pilgrimage saw 21 motorhome owners from around Australia visit Iluka for an annual event that continues to grow.

Thanks go to Maldon resident Barry Murfett, who read last week’s article in the [Tarrangower] Times about a postcard (c. 1907) which pictures an early motorbike. Barry put the [Tarrangower] Times in touch with Greg Smith, the owner of an antique motorbike which is almost certainly the machine pictured on the old postcard.

Mark Blythe. Tomorrow (Saturday 2 March) at the Maldon Progress Hall you can attend the third biannual Maldon Classic Bike Show ... You will be privileged to see possibly the biggest and best display of classic pre-2000 road racing bikes anywhere in Australia.

This week I thought I would join the lack of EV charging stations across regional WA together with the Australian government's adoption of the strict new Euro 6d emissions standards and give you my views on what this is likely to mean politically and its potential to redefine Australia.

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.

Do you know what it costs to fill up an EV with a fast charger -  $30, $40, $50? Do you even know what it costs to run your house each night? ... If EVs are the future then we need to be frank about their pros and cons.

Did anyone notice the announcement dropped just before Christmas of the new emissions rules that will impact sales of most of the popular utes SUVs and 4WDs farmers and tradies rely on? ... For those who know their cars, the days are numbered for the number series 75s, 80s, 300s, 150s,   300s, not to mention the Raptors, Rams or even the bog standard Hilux, Triton and Nivara.

Yet again another strike on the wharfs ends in a cave in by the stevedores. Last week DP World, which is owned by the Dubai Royal Family, agreed to increase wages by 25 per cent over the next four years to end a rolling series of stoppages that has gone on for months. That works out about double the predicted inflation rate with almost no productivity trade offs ... Welcome back to the thinking of the 1970s.

Australia’s only independent low-cost carrier Bonza is celebrating a year since taking to Aussie skies to democratise air travel across the country. Bonza revealed that during the past year it has saved Aussie travellers over $125 million by delivering upon its mission of making air travel more affordable and accessible to travellers…

This year’s Heritage Weekend was another huge success with an impressive collection of vintage cars, trucks, historical tractors and machinery, stationary engines and motorcycles on show along with well supported swap meets. One of many highlights was the celebration of recognising 50 years of Versatile tractors sold and delivered in Australia.

John Williams. "Hang on, we are going to crash, look out", was the dramatic warning given to the driver of the second engine of the Adelaide-bound Express a few seconds before one of the biggest railway smashes in the history of Victoria. On the foggy night of September 7th 1951, Kaniva and Nhill fire brigades rushed to a reported train wreck involving two Expresses at Serviceton, just near the South Australian border.

Any conversation about the livability of Alice Springs will quickly hit on atrociously priced air fares making personal contact with loved ones interstate a nightmare. The touchdown of Bonza is bringing significant relief. But why can’t it fly to Sydney?

Suzie Christensen. The first summer helicopter winch operation has concluded, with the Helitreck helicopter departing the Island Sunday, 10 December ... LHIB staff and external contractors successfully completed over 2,000 person hours of priority Weed Eradication Program...

Federal Member for Indi Helen Haines has backed recommendations for the federal government to review its funding to local government on road maintenance to improve rural roads following natural disasters.