Gina Rinehart commits $200 million to tackle veteran homelessnessÂ
Hancock Prospecting. In a move to recognise a national crisis and national disgrace, Gina Rinehart’s Hancock Prospecting is contributing $200m to buy properties to help Australia’s homeless veterans and war heroes, the biggest ever private commitment for Australian veterans.Â
Prison-grown veggie boxes support local charities: Erdogan
Victorians doing it tough are getting fresh food on the table thanks to produce grown by Marngoneet Correctional Centre. Participants in Marngoneet’s horticulture program grow and donate more than 30 vegetable boxes each week to help Victorians experiencing food insecurity.
In its 75th year – CFA raises $2.1 million for sick kids
In CFA's 75th year supporting the Good Friday Appeal, the generosity of Victorians right across the state has exceeded expectations, helping us raise an incredible $2,150,000 for The Royal Children's Hospital. Once again, CFA volunteers were out in force both on their fire trucks and on foot, making their way around local streets rattling tins all morning to raise vital funds in their communities for a much-loved and well-respected cause.
Ava’s fight highlights value of Good Friday Appeal
A young Nhill girl who has endured repeated rounds of cancer treatment, major surgery and life-threatening complications is now marking a year in remission, with her family using her story to highlight the importance of the Good Friday Appeal and work of the Melbourne Royal Children's Hospital.
Murrabit rodeo rides high after another bumper year
Gus van Hart. The Murrabit rodeo is fast becoming one of the district's standout community events, with organisers saying this year's crowd and support pushed the annual show to a new level ... "It was just all about the rodeo on the night, and the vibe was awesome. Everyone had an absolute blast."
Cancer fundraising ride a family affair
Ivona Rose. On Monday, March 16, Terrigal prostate cancer advocate Steve Keil took to the saddle with his daughter, Courtney Keil, for a five-day fundraising and awareness horse ride, tracing the trail of The Man From Snowy River across Victoria’s high country.
Tour has a positive local impact
More than 200 riders and support crew hit the road last Friday on the annual Tour de Cure Signature Tour, a nine-day cycling event aiming to raise $2 million for cancer research, support programs and prevention projects Australia-wide.
Rural Aid calls for volunteers to roll up their sleeves for 2026 Farm Recovery Events
Rural Aid has released its 2026 Farm Recovery Event (FRE) program, delivering practical, hands-on support to farming communities impacted by floods, fires, cyclones and ongoing drought. These week-long events bring together volunteers from across the country to help restore damaged farm infrastructure, improve productivity and support the wellbeing of farming families doing it tough.
Community co-operation
In the last couple of weeks, there have been two incidents where people required assistance. The community immediately stepped up because outside resources are just too far away ... It is proof that when you are concerned with the way things are, the best action is to take action. If we continue to up-skill ourselves and to share the knowledge, we can take care of our own. The fact that we are at least two hours from other resources highlights the importance that we know our town and we know each other.
Kaniva Pink Stumps Day
Kaniva Cricket Club donned pink on Saturday to raise funds for breast cancer support through the McGrath Foundation, marking the event's third year in Kaniva. A crowd of close to 80 people came along to cheer on the team and help raise funds for the cause. Club representative Jock Maddern said $5,033 was raised on the day.
100 per cent for the families: how a ‘Redneck’ idea raised $4.38 million for Country Hope
How Tammy and Gavin Gilbert turned a simple idea into $4.38 million for Country Hope, and why, ten years on, it's still going strong. It started with a conversation. Gavin Gilbert had been on a couple of car rallies, loved them, genuinely loved them, but something about the way they were set up nagged at him ...
Local hay helping heal fire wounds
The generosity of locals has been on display over the past week as truckloads of hay have been donated, stockpiled and delivered to fire-affected regions within Victoria.
The Ryans’ 1939 Austin 10 leaves the paddock and is up for auction – with no reserve
In 1990, Graham and Margaret Ryan bought a 1939 Austin 10 at an auction in Woodburn. They paid $2400 for it ... As part of the Australia Day celebrations at Bonalbo this year, the vintage car will be auctioned at noon at the Bowlo – and there is no reserve price on it.
Bushfire crisis – Australians called to support Victorian farmers: VFF
The Australian public is being called upon to unite and lend a helping hand to our farmers in need, as they battle the Victorian bushfire crisis - one of the worst in years ... In response to the crisis, Victorian Farmers’ Federation (VFF) - the state’s peak farmer advocacy body - has activated its Disaster Relief Fund...
A plea for Christmas
This Christmas, Naracoorte father and leukemia survivor Remo Herron has one heartfelt wish: that people give a gift that truly matters — a gift that helps save lives and keeps families together when everything feels like it’s falling apart.
Appeals launched to help victims
Family members and friends of some of the victims of the Koolewong fires have started gofundme appeals to help them get back on their feet ... Elyse, her boyfriend, her mother, her one-year-old son and their greyhound luckily escaped the flames but have lost their home and every belonging inside it.
Toy and Tucker’s 2025 record
Madison Eastmond. A record total of donations has been counted from last weekend's Toy and Tucker Run, with the annual drive ensuring a brighter Christmas for Riverland families ... Using the annual December ride to collect toys, non-perishable foods, and cash donations for the Riverland Christmas Appeal, the Ulysses Club Mallee Branch's 23rd Riverland Toy and Tucker Run raised $7937 last Sunday for locals in-need.
FRRR awards vital funding for 78 locally-led initiatives across Australia
Remote, rural and regional communities across Australia will share $981,100 in grants through FRRR’s Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC) program, empowering them to create vibrant and sustainable places to live, work and thrive. This funding will support 78 locally-led projects that foster resilience, social connection and greater capacity in regional communities.
Rural Aid’s 2024/25 Impact Report reveals growing need and enduring commitment to rural Australia
Rural Aid has released its 2024/25 Impact Report, revealing a year where practical assistance, mental health and wellbeing and community-led recovery helped thousands of farming families withstand worsening pressures across rural Australia.
The latest on Op Shop and Ukraine appeal
...There are now 18 volunteers contributing to the work of running the Op Shop, each person has unique skills and creative talents to contribute ... Overseas donations have been sent to Indonesia, supporting a child who has been able to attend school and receive helpful items, and to Ukraine and Niger with boxes of jumpers, beanies, scarves, bandages.
Hike to Heal winding up
Hike to Heal Australia Inc., which organises the annual Hike to Heal Scavenger Hike at Mount Peel, has announced its attention to wind up its operations ... "This decision comes as a result of challenges in finding volunteers and committee members to continue managing the charity on a permanent basis," Mrs Barton said ... A highlight for Hike to Heal was being named as the recipient of the prestigious Jude Bugeja - Peer Experience Award at the Queensland Mental Health Achievement Awards in 2023.
Shane Webcke’s special collection
The recently expanded Allora Regional Sports Museum has on show a rare display of footy memorabilia of Bronco and local hero Shane Webcke. This photo was taken on Shane's final NRL Premiership Game on 3rd September 2006 in round 26 against the NZ Warriors.
