Nation’s teamsters set to break world record horse hitch
The world record of a 50-horse hitch set 30 years ago will be broken in Australia at the 2025 Good Old Days Festival at Barellan by the greatest horse teamsters of the modern-day era. Bruce Bandy, Barellan, Steve Johnson, Lake Cargelligo, and Aleks Berzins, Exeter, will combine their Clydesdale, Australian Draught and Suffolk Punch horses to create a mega team of more than 50 horses pulling an historic Bennett wagon ...
Eccentric, politically dangerous, ‘that bloody woman’ – Lecture on Marj Henderson shows how she shaped Evans Head
Lara Leahy. The first in a series of public lectures at Evans Head Living Museum kicked off with the Marjory Henderson Lecture on Wednesday, August 20. Marjory died aged 64. Five of her nine children were at the museum for the lecture. Three of them – Scott, Andrew and Margaret shared their stories.
Moonta Mines on path to World Heritage
The World Heritage bid for the Australian Cornish Mining Sites: Burra and Moonta is on track, with hopes of achieving recognition by July 2029. UK-based world heritage consultant Barry Gamble visited Moonta Mines last week and gave an update on the bid to National Trust of South Australia Moonta branch volunteers at the Moonta School of Mines.
Celebrate tradition and adventure at the 2025 Mountain Cattlemen’s Annual Get Together: MCAV
Victoria’s High Country comes alive again this spring for the Mountain Cattlemen’s Association of Victoria’s Annual Get Together. Held in Molyullah from October 17 to 19, 2025, this vibrant three-day festival is a spectacular celebration of heritage, horsemanship, and high country spirit.
Memories of Vietnam at Veterans’ Day
A small and dedicated crowd attended a ceremony at Maldon Cenotaph on Monday 18 August to mark Vietnam Veterans' Day, which takes place on the anniversary of the 1966 Battle of Long Tan ... Around 60,000 Australians served in the Vietnam War between 1962 and 1973, of which over 500 died and thousands were injured.
Historical engines and machinery: Wedderburn Society prepares for rally
The Wedderburn Historical Engine and Machinery Society is busy getting ready for its annual rally. The rally is held over two days and welcomes exhibitors from all over Victoria and Interstate.
Sharp’s Bakery triumphs – again!
Sharp’s Bakery in Birchip has once again claimed top honours at the prestigious Great Australian Vanilla Slice Triumph, held in Merbein on Saturday. The family-run bakery is no stranger to success, having now won the title six times since their first win in 2000.
Planning Scheme recognises Allora’s heritage values
Southern Downs Regional Council held a well attended community information session last Thursday in the Allora Community Hall, where residents had the opportunity to meet face to face with Councillors and town planning staff regarding how the Council's Draft Planning Scheme will affect Allora.
Cohuna remembers our Vietnam Vets
August 18 marked almost 60 years since the Battle of Long Tan, reported as one of the most horrific conflicts by Australian soldiers in the Vietnam War. The date is now being acknowledged as so much more than the battle itself, with greater focus on the sacrifices made by all who fought in Vietnam.
Jeparit church final service
The Jeparit Uniting Church community celebrated the centenary of the laying of the foundation stone of their current building as well as the closure of their doors on Sunday. On August 16, 1925, Mr. James Menzies, a local civic leader and former trustee of the church, unveiled the foundation stone for the new building in the presence of a large gathering of local and district residents.
Book captures former local school history
A descendant of the first settlers at Lowbank, east of Waikerie, has written a book on the history of the former local school, providing an insight into education in the area from 1913 to 1942. The book, titled 'Low Bank School History', was published last month, and is Cheryl Paschke's fifth book about the history of the area.
Huey helicopter visits Hay
A restored Huey helicopter visited Hay last week. Crewed by two veterans of the Vietnam War, the RAAF Huey 703 flew 1000 kilometres from Nowra to the Yorke Peninsula to mark the launch of a memorial walk. The Vietnam War Memorial Walk at Edithburgh will open next Monday, on Vietnam Veterans Day...
Mutawintji Blockade September 1983
In 1983, the local Aboriginal people set up a blockade at Mutawintji. Why: Aboriginal people wanted control over their own heritage. They wanted respect for Aboriginal culture.
A day to remember
Joanna Tucker. Hundreds gathered in Edithburgh on Vietnam Veterans' Day to honour the bravery of Australians who served throughout the Vietnam War and to officially open the Vietnam War Memorial Walk. The opening drew more than 700 people, making it one of the bigger events in southern Yorke Peninsula's history.
From Dapto to Dunoon – the Dorrough family story
Peter Dorrough. In the 1860's both John and James Dorrough took up land grants on the plateau above Illawarra escarpment, and commenced, once again, land clearing, which was part of the condition of the grant ... in 1867, Matthew leased the property "Kalmar" at Dapto, and took Martha to live with his son James, Mary Ann and children at Kangaloon.
Babinda Quarters for sale
Babinda’s beloved heritage guesthouse, Babinda Quarters, is officially on the market, offering a rare opportunity for a creative visionary or entrepreneurial spirit to take command of one of Far North Queensland’s most unique and historic properties. With its misty rainforest mountain backdrop and rich architectural charm, Babinda Quarters is more than a guesthouse…
Brooks Grain Store
Tucked away from Maldon's main drag is the old grain store facing Templeton Street, built in 1866 and run by the Maldon Co-operative Store Trading Company until its sale to John Brooks in 1872. It's a striking building, perched high on the corner of Edwards St, retaining a multitude of historic details, including advertising and patina.
Rolls-Royce enthusiasts roll into Maldon
The Rolls-Royce name is imbued with suggestion and symbolism, not all of which is really to do with cars or mechanicals. We live in changing times, and the group of Rolls-Royce (and Bentley) owners who visited Maldon on the weekend were just another bunch of car enthusiasts who were happily chatting about bearings and gearboxes...
Sunday drivers
Every vintage vehicle enthusiast rolled out on the right side of bed on Sunday 10 August, it seemed, and decided to hit the road. It was the right weather for Sunday Driving, with markets and cafes drawing visitors, so the streets of Maldon were lined with cars of all kinds.
A “Cannonball Run” through Nhill
John Williams. Nhill was the halfway marker for outlandish speed records set in the 1950's by car drivers who took enormous risks. Risk of death and risk of arrest, but all survived. The test was who could drive from Melbourne to Adelaide in the fastest time in highly illegal speed runs on the Western and Dukes Highways, which at the time were rubbish roads.
Ann refusing new National Trust revenue fee
Hugh Schuitemaker. The chairman of Renmark's Olivewood museum says she is "fed up" with a lack of support and consultation from National Trust SA ... "It's almost as if they are trying to bleed the branches dry." Ann Ryan said volunteers had been directly responsible for raising money to purchase, and maintaining, many of Olivewood's major exhibits.
“Tchum Lake – An Apex project that keeps on giving, from 1975”
Maureen Donnellon. Brian Lea, Birchip Probus president was guest speaker on the role played by Birchip Apex Club, from 1975, without whom, the Tchum Lake we know and love, may never have been created. Brian was the original treasurer of Apex at that time and has had an interest ever since in the story of the development of the lake.
