From tobacco fields to red earth: Jacqui Portch’s journey to peace
The woman behind the counter at White Cliffs' only shop moves with quiet efficiency, her smile genuine as she serves customers who've become friends. At 53, Jacqui Portch radiates a contentment that comes from having weathered life's worst storms and emerged not just intact, but flourishing ... Jacqui's story begins in the tobacco fields of Rhodesia, where her father's farm stretched across rich red earth just outside Salisbury.
National Thoroughbred Week opens the gates to Australia and New Zealand’s rural horse industry
From the thunder of The Everest to the tradition of the Melbourne Cup, Thoroughbreds dominate headlines every spring. But beyond the racetrack lies a vast rural industry - one built on land, livestock, and the dedicated care of thousands of regional Australians and New Zealanders. This November, the public is being invited to see that world for themselves.
Neoen inaugurates its 412 MW Goyder South Wind Farm, the largest in South Australia: Neoen
Neoen, one of the world’s leading producers of exclusively renewable energy, is today celebrating the inauguration of its 412 MW Goyder South Wind Farm in South Australia. Located on the lands of the Ngadjuri Nation near the town of Burra in SA’s Mid North region, Goyder South is the largest wind farm in the State and in Neoen’s portfolio.
Ikara-Flinders Ranges and Outback named in world’s top places: Bettison
South Australia’s Ikara-Flinders Ranges and Outback has been named one of the world’s top travel destinations for the year ahead; the only Australian place to make the list. Global travel authority, Lonely Planet, unveiled its top destinations with the release of its Best in Travel list for 2026 today with the Flinders Ranges & Outback listed among globally renowned tourist destinations...
Resuscitated Rex must deliver service, not same old failures: Katter
Gulf and North West deserve service, not continued failures, Katter’s Australian Party (KAP) Leader and Member for Traeger Robbie Katter has said. Mr Katter reiterated his call for genuine reform to air transport services in the region, noting that the fleet that the new American owners have acquired is not fit for purpose in the Gulf.
Statement on Air T intention to purchase Rex: King
On 21 October 2025, a Sale and Implementation Deed to purchase Regional Express Holdings Limited (Rex) was entered into by US corporation Air T, Inc. (Air T) and the Rex Voluntary Administrators. The Australian Government welcomes these announcements, which mark a positive step towards bringing Rex out of voluntary administration. Â
Oval Office boost for mine in Centre
Anthony Albanese and Donald Trump this morning signed a USD$100m equity investment in the Arafura Nolans rare earths project at Aileron, 135 km north of Alice Springs. "Once operational, this project will produce 5 per cent of global rare earths - essential for energy security and defence," says a statement from the Prime Minister.
Where might animal cloning lead us?
Animal cloning never became a popular or profitable business. However, this industry has made human cloning a reality. For better or worse, all that remains is to legalise it. The first animals that were cloned in Australia were a sheep named Matilda ...
Seas the Day rowers arrive in Cairns after record-breaking Pacific crossing
After 165 days at sea, British adventurers Jess Rowe (28) and Miriam Payne (26) arrived in Cairns last night, completing their extraordinary non-stop, unsupported 8,000-plus-mile (15,200 km) Pacific Ocean crossing from Lima, Peru to Cairns, Australia. Their 9-metre rowing boat, Velocity, crossed the finish line off Cairns Yacht Club at 6.42 pm (local time in Cairns, Australia)...
Staying safe in Ukraine
Patricia Gill. You hear the air raid siren, see the window shudder and rumble and it (the sound) hits you in the chest, then all of a sudden there's this smoke coming up." While serving as a media security adviser in Ukraine, Jesse McNeilly watched through his hotel window as a rocket hit in the city of Kharkiv.
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.
Beef, bananas and Australia’s biosecurity
Whether the risks posed by imports from Australia's trading partners are being sufficiently assessed and addressed, whether we really need to or should import certain products at all, and whether Australia is becoming complacent, resigned, or courting disaster for political Brownie points - such questions are being asked more often. ... This last week, Australia's biosecurity around beef and banana imports was called into question by David Littleproud, Leader of The Nationals and Shadow Agriculture Minister. ARR.News sought a response from Julie Collins, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry ...
British women rowers on final stretch of record-breaking Pacific crossing – Cairns arrival imminent
With less than 350 nautical miles to row, and the lure of hot pizza on their minds, British adventurers Jess Rowe (28) and Miriam Payne (25) are closing in on the finish line of their extraordinary 8,000-mile, non-stop and unsupported Pacific Ocean crossing.
How will AI change farming and rural life?
Artificial Intelligence is part of the fourth industrial revolution. The previous three industrial revolutions turned rural life upside down and the fourth revolution will be no exception. The only difference will be in the scale and speed of change ... To make sure this is not a useless test, rural voters will have to actively work with politicians.
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.
Australia’s first free trade agreement with the Middle East enters into force: AustradeÂ
The Australia-United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) entered into force on 1 October. CEPA is Australia’s first free trade agreement in the Middle East and first trade agreement with a dedicated chapter covering First Nations trade.
Vietnam the latest destination for Australian blueberries: Collins
The Albanese Labor Government is delivering new opportunities for Australia’s blueberry producers with a new agreement securing market access to export the fruit to Vietnam, with trade expected to be worth approximately $22 million over 5 years. The agreement, which came into effect this week, is another major win for Australian producers and will also create access to Vietnamese pomelos for Australian consumers.
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.
Johanna to feature on global stage
Kate Fowles. Former Donald resident Johanna Clark’s bucket list is about to become shorter, as she tackles two world title events within three weeks. The Torquay triathlete will compete in the Surf Coast Shire Council-supported UCI Gran Fondo World Cycling Championships in Lorne from October 16 to 19. She will then fly to Spain for the Ironman 70.3 World Championship in November.
Local lad snares Snoop Dogg
Regular readers of the Tarrangower Times do not expect reportage about the AFL Grand Final or an international rap star but it turns out that there is an unexpected link. Local resident Helen Butcher has advised that her son managed to contact Snoop Dogg — here to perform at the biggest footy game of the year — and arrange a meeting and recording session on Friday 26 September.
Consumers pay more while farmers are crushed by cheap imports: TasFarmers
Tasmanian potato growers are turning the spotlight on multinational food giants as anger builds over price cuts being forced on farmers and the dumping of foreign produce into the Australian market. Farmers are set to rally today in Deloraine to draw the public’s attention and that of the broader commercial community to the way food processors, supermarkets, and fast-food chains are impacting Tasmania’s farming industry.
Burnout master wins on USA track
Narrandera's Burnout Master Jake Myers Sicko machine has had great success in the United States of America over the past four months. Narrandera's Burnout Master Jake Myers has finished a very successful four months with a WIN at Ice Cream Cruise USA 2025, an achievement he said he will never forget.

