Honouring Australia’s first First Nations police officer this Reconciliation Week
Dr Colin Dillon AM, APM, a proud Kombumerri man of the Yugambeh Nation, made history when he joined the Queensland Police Service (QPS) at just 20 years old in 1965. As Australia marked National Reconciliation Week (which ran from the 27th of May to Wednesday of this week, the 3rd of June), the QPS acknowledged the contributions and legacy of the nation’s first, First Nations police officer, Dr Colin Dillon AM, APM.
Riverfront celebration marks PS Canally’s return to service
Christine Webster. The recommissioning of the PS Canally will be celebrated with the return of the Morgan Living River Festival, on Saturday and Sunday, at the town's riverfront reserve. A team of dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers spent 16 years restoring the 119-year-old paddle steamer.
Nhill’s pliable plastic factory
John Williams. At the Nhill Plastic Factory, staff once found themselves unable to unclasp their own fingers no matter how hard they tried, while another employee slept upright in a chair for half an hour - wide awake inside her head but unable to move a muscle. No, it wasn’t a typical Monday morning. Hypnotist Bud Flanagan Junior was in town, using the factory workers to promote his 1949 show.
One man walking 474km to visit six massacre sites from Ballina to Myall Creek
Geoff Reid is in his 70s and he’s walking from Ballina to Myall Creek to visit massacre sites along the way. It’s a long walk – 474km with a lot to think about on the way. Geoff started at East Ballina Cemetery and then went on to Goanna Headland at Evans Head.
Moonta heritage shutdown fallout tops $100k
Michelle Daw. Moonta Mines heritage volunteers say about $100,000 has been lost since National Trust of South Australia shut local sites in February, as they continue to fight the closure on multiple fronts.
Brick by Brick exhibition celebrates local heritage landmarks
The Living Arts Space is delighted to present Brick by Brick: 10 Years of Building Bendigo, a new exhibition celebrating a decade of creativity from the Bendigo LEGO® User Group. Founded in 2014, the Bendigo LEGO® User Group has grown to more than 100 members across central Victoria.
Children’s book series was inspired by Kariong
Long before Bottersnikes and Gumbles became a beloved Australian children's book series and animated television show, the strange little bush creatures first came to life among the rocks and scrub of Kariong.
AI rewriting history – don’t get me started
Harry Gumboot. It was ANZAC Day when the algorithm suggested I watch an AI generated documentary on Australian troops in Vietnam. It concerned the way Diggers had a far better success rate in the jungle than the Yanks*, due to factors that included moving slowly, using hand signals rather than speech, and failing to use aftershave (sic). Pretty basic stuff if you want to avoid alerting the enemy. The thing that irked me was the diggers appeared to be wearing WWI vintage French helmets.
A notable day indeed
It was certainly not an average Mother's Day in Maldon, with fluttering gold hearts, music on and off the train, a brass band and even a bespoke song. That's because it was the Maldon Notable Day Out on Sunday 10 May, held in honour of the National Trust's 1966 declaration of Maldon as Australia's first Notable Town.
Four generations at Greenmount State School
Students in grade 6 at Greenmount State School will be interviewing past students, and writing their biographies as part of the school's 125th Anniversary celebrations this year and members of one family, the Stenzels, have been attending Greenmount State School since the 1940s.
Forgotten Australians stories brought to life through new awareness resources
More than 500,000 Australian children were placed into institutional or out-of-home care during the last century, with many experiencing neglect, abuse and a loss of identity that continues to shape their lives today. Often referred to as Forgotten Australians and Care Leavers, this cohort includes Stolen Generations, former child migrants, and former Wards of the State, including more than 400,000 non-Indigenous children.
Samuel Darke held a unique position
A Grafton man thought to be the last surviving link to an undercover British nuclear operation has passed away. Samuel Darke was a teenager when he enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and was subsequently given orders to participate in a top-secret mission known as Operation Totem where a pair of British atmospheric nuclear tests were conducted in the South Australian outback in October 1953.
Concern for historic artefacts
The sudden structural emergency that necessitated the closure of Maldon Museum has left the tenant organisation concerned about the building’s contents. The Maldon Museum and Archives Association says it was not given any notice that the building would be closed ... calling for a meeting with Council to discuss protecting the museum collection.
Celebrating 150 years of AFL in Hay
On May 24, 1876, fourteen men sat down together at the Royal Hotel in Hay and formed a football club. The Riverine Grazier reported it the following week with quiet confidence; the new club had been duly formed, it noted, with "hearty prospects of play this present season."
A museum in a caravan: Tweed brings world-class learning to remote NSW classrooms
A vintage caravan packed with interactive exhibits, real historical objects and immersive storytelling is setting off from Murwillumbah ... bound for some of the most remote classrooms in NSW. Connected: Signal to the Stars, created by Tweed Regional Museum...
Allora’s ANZAC services strongly supported
The community was out in force on Saturday to recognise the brave men and women who served and continue to serve Australia in defence of our freedom.
ANZAC Day tribute at 2026 Grafton Show
A respectful silence fell across the Grafton Showground on the weekend as the Grafton Show Society commemorated Anzac Day with a small ceremony in the main arena ... a moving tribute to the Northern Rivers Lancers 15th Light Horse Regiment and the unique bonds shared between soldiers and their horses...
Nuggetty Peace Cairn ANZAC Service 2026
Brian Fitzgerald. This year was the 20th anniversary of the ANZAC Day Service at the Nuggetty Peace Cairn in Nuggetty School Road ... The Peace Cairn was erected on the site of the old Nuggetty School by the Moss family to celebrate the end of World War I and their son’s safe return from the Western Front.
Westbrook ANZAC service still growing
The remarkable growth in numbers attending the Westbrook ANZAC Dawn Service continued to grow in 2026.
Strong turnout for ANZAC Day
Thousands of residents and visitors flocked to dawn and morning services all over the region on Anzac Day, April 25 ... "Anzac Day reminds us that individuals sticking together, bound by mateship and a common cause, can move mountains."
Reflection and remembrance on the Mount
The lives of twenty-five World War I soldiers were honoured at Mount Wycheproof on ANZAC Day with the re-dedication of its "forgotten" Avenue of Honour. As a result, Wycheproof's Anzac Day services were very well attended, from the dawn service through to the special event on the side of the mount...
Cadets honoured with memorial role
After many years of dedicated community support and tireless advocacy by local volunteers, the Australian Army Cadets has officially established a permanent presence in Corryong ... "In a remarkable show of community confidence, the newly formed detachment was entrusted with a significant ceremonial responsibility - emceeing for the official opening of the new memorial on the Corryong Avenue of Honour on Anzac Day," said Captain ACC, Dale Manley.
