PS Melbourne steams upstream
Setting off at dawn October 3, the Paddle Steamer Melbourne chuffed away from Mildura's wharf; her wooden hull slicing through the Murray River's sluggish flow. It had been over a century since her birth in Koondrook, and now, under the stewardship of owner Adam Auditori, she is steaming for Echuca.
Wheatsheaf turns over new leaf
Local couple Isaac Anderson and fiancé Matilda Moore have taken over the reins at East Greenmount's Wheatsheaf Hotel and have bold new plans for the historic establishment. Isaac and Matilda officially took over the pub and the adjoining café The Wheatsheaf Store on Sunday, 28 September and it has been closed ahead of a grand re-opening taking place this Saturday, 18 October from 11am until late.
Riverland Vietnam Veterans salute War Widows on their special day
War Widows Day on 19 October is now an official National Day of Commemoration first initiated in 2024 by the Commonwealth Department of Defence in collaboration with the Australian War Widows Inc. and Families of Veterans Guild. This is a special day of tribute dedicated to acknowledging and honouring the service and sacrifices of Australian war widows.
Indigenous Culture and Intellectual Property
Back in the August 19th edition, we talked about Intellectual Property rights (IP) in relation to quandongs and ensuring that if anyone wants to start a business using quandongs, any benefits are shared with the Indigenous people of the area from which the quandongs come from. This week Create NSW has announced they are sending out a roadshow to tour the state to talk about Indigenous Culture and Intellectual Property (ICIP). This information is focused on the Arts however, the facts are the same.
A purple reign in an Australian spring
As October arrives, so too does the first flush of mauve from Australia’s beloved jacaranda trees. I trace the jacaranda’s journey from the dry slopes of the Andes to its spectacular springtime display in towns like Grafton, where more than 1,700 trees transform the streets into rivers of purple. With the bloom set to reach its dazzling peak in just a fortnight, it’s the perfect moment to celebrate this fleeting spring spectacle.
Sweet stopovers put Birchip on the map
Sharp's country baking excellence and their recent win in Australia's Best Vanilla Slice competition is proving a winning recipe for Birchip's tourism economy, with recent visitors arriving by rail, road and even by air to sample the town's famous treat.
Beehive Chimney: a case study
Historian and President of Maldon Museum and Archives Association Derek Reid delivered a paper at the Australasian Mining History Association conference in Broken Hill on Wednesday 3 September. His presentation, called 'The Beehive Mine Chimney: Maldon's Mining Memorial' was reportedly well received by attendees and delegates, who expressed concern about heritage and maintenance in relation to the chimney.
Heavy horses set world record at Barellan Good Old Days Festival
A team of 62 heavy horses was harnessed to pull an antique wagon in a record-breaking event at the Barellan Good Old Days Festival at the weekend. It outnumbered the previous Australian record of 50, set in Queensland in the 1980s and a 50-horse hitch in Canada in 1995.
It has been a long road back… but Yamba icon is on track to reopen
When the ferocious winds and torrential rain of former tropical cyclone Alfred hit town in March 2025, a Yamba icon was left battered and sodden. Now, through community generosity, and the determination to continue the family’s legacy, the Yamba Cinema will reopen before Christmas.
The Swan River mahogany paves an empire
Deep in the forests of Western Australia, jarrah has left a remarkable legacy. In the late 1800s, this mighty hardwood—then called Swan River mahogany—revolutionised city life. The noise on London's streets changed from the familiar harsh clang of hooves on cobblestones to the softer clippity-clop of horses trotting over wooden blocks. Those blocks were made from jarrah, and soon that timber paved an empire.
Important milestone for Nobby Gaol
Ahead of its complete restoration, an event will be held on Saturday, 11 October to acknowledge the move of the Nobby Gaol to its new site in the centre of town ... Over the past six years, Rudd’s Pub owners Evan and Gayle Jones with the help of the community have been on a mission to move and restore the gaol.
Third classic show floats everyone’s boat
David Cliff. Denmark Classic Boat Show on Sunday was a big community success with locals and visitors enjoying the boat displays and the on-water activities despite the showers. Denmark Rowers volunteers pulled off their third biennial Classic Boat Show with a laid-back atmosphere that offered something for boating enthusiasts and the community.
When the “Battle of Britain” came to Nhill
John Williams. During the Battle of Britain Luftwaffe pilot Heinz Grabow was shot down on 5 September 1940, making a good forced landing near Wichling, Kent ... Grabow’s damaged Messerschmitt 109 (Yellow7) was to become a story in itself, transported to Australia as a "prize" to be put on show at various locations including Nhill where it was exhibited on the 4th of August 1941 in the Williams Garage next to the theatre.
New home for horse trough
Maldon Heritage Network has found a new home for the horse trough that sat for many years in front of what is now the hardware shop ... trough is marked 'Donated by Annis & George Bills Australia' which means it has an interesting history. The Bills were successful in business in the late 1800s and ahead of their time as compassionate campaigners for animal rights.
140 years of Freemasonry
On Saturday 20 September 2025 a special event occurred. To celebrate 140 years of Freemasonry in Nhill, The Lowan Lodge 107 reenacted the consecration of the cornerstone of the Nhill Post Office. The program followed the 29 October 1887 event with a march to the Post Office by all local Freemasons.
Nhill Uniting Church centenary celebrations
100 years of worship in the Nhill Uniting Church was celebrated in style ... People travelled from across the State, and interstate, to enjoy a morning of music, messages and memorabilia.
Marine history under water
An important part of Spencer Gulf’s maritime heritage may be lost with the sinking of the Mary Anne Simms in Port Lincoln. The vessel went down at Snook’s Landing on the weekend of September 6 and 7, possibly due to earlier hull damage from a barge collision and the theft of solar panels that powered its automatic bilge pump.
Warhol heading to Mudgee as Sharing the National Collection celebrates one million: Burke
Over a million people have experienced the wonder of the national collection closer to home since it launched in 2023, and now it’s Mudgee’s turn. A collection of works by some of the 20th century’s most notable artists will travel to Mudgee Arts Precinct as part of the Albanese Labor Government’s Sharing the National Collection program.
Damian Callinan returns to the Gannawarra with Hall Stories
Renowned Australian comedian and actor, Damian Callinan returns to the Gannawarra next month as part of his tour celebrating the iconic community icon – the town hall. As part of his Hall Stories tour, the creator of the hit Netflix movie, The Merger will celebrate the importance of the Lake Charm and Murrabit halls with each community during two shows supported by Gannawarra Shire Council.
Two blokes on the porch have a grave talk
Two blokes sit on the porch, each cradling a stubby of beer as the sun goes down, talking about times gone by. John Cousins and Frank Fletcher live close to each other out near Pagans Flat. “We were talking about graves,” John said. Frank is 89 years old and lives at Ewingar. He has been pushing to preserve Peter Pagan’s grave at a property on Pagans Flat Road.
Machinery galore at National Rally
The 19th NHMA National Machinery Rally, Australia’s largest display of working heritage equipment, and the Steaming Under the Southern Cross event took place at Kingsthorpe last week.
A coup for the Nhill Book Fair
The next Nhill Book Fair will be held on September 7, from 10-2 at 44 Victoria St (next to Lowana), in conjunction with the second birthday celebrations at LOL next door. At this book fair there will be a large selection of Walkabout magazines available.
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