Heritage hijacked – Moonta National Trust volunteers “locked out”
Michelle Daw. Moonta's beloved heritage attractions have been shut down for five weeks and its many local volunteers say they are banned from entering the premises. This follows a shock decision by the head office of the National Trust of South Australia to disband its Moonta branch and assume full management responsibility for the Moonta Mines State Heritage Precinct...
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.
Save Fort Queenscliff: McArthur
Having taken the matter to the Victorian Parliament, Member for Western Victoria Region, Bev McArthur, is demanding answers over the federal government's plan to permanently close 68 defence locations across the nation - including the historic Fort Queenscliff … Mrs McArthur joined around 200 residents at a community rally organised by Senator Sarah Henderson, opposing the federal government’s plan to sell this nationally significant heritage site.
World premiere announced for 2026 Hughenden Festival of Outback Skies thanks to Government funding boost
Flinders Shire Council is proud to announce that the 2026 Hughenden Festival of Outback Skies has received a major funding boost ... to support a landmark Festival Finale performance featuring the Townsville Great Barrier Reef Orchestra performing alongside internationally renowned didgeridoo virtuoso and composer William Barton.
Last year’s cattle tick issue sorted as the 100th show is ready to roll
Here’s some good news about Bonalbo’s 100th Show — it’s on. The show committee is pleased to inform competitors, exhibitors and sponsors that the Bonalbo Showgrounds are no longer under restrictions as an adjoining holding for cattle tick ... Remember the date — Friday, April 17 and Saturday, April 18.
A one-metre error that has locked residents out of insurance and off their own land for years
For years, residents of Wilcannia and Menindee say they have been living with the consequences of a government mapping error they had no part in creating. A one-metre inaccuracy in state-provided flood mapping has incorrectly placed large sections of both towns inside flood-prone zones, with consequences that have quietly devastated the ability of ordinary people to insure their homes and develop their land.
Australia Day awards – Mike Berry
Congratulations to Mike Berry who was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the Australia Day Honour List. His medal was awarded for his 40 years of service to the Dunoon community. This honour is well deserved.
Powerful documentary on the Menindee fish kill screens in UK
Barkindji representatives travelled to the United Kingdom to share the Menindee fish kills film with international audiences and connect with cultural items. In the summer of 2018-2019, a million dead fish floated to the surface of the Baaka (Darling River) near the town of Menindee. The shocking sight was the result of a mass fish kill.
Bundaberg Region advocates for fairer airfares
Bundaberg Regional Council and Bundaberg Tourism are advocating for fairer regional airfares, with the community invited to add their input to the joint submission.
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.
The Bass Coast Sustainability Festival is back!
If you’re in Bass Coast for the Labour Day long weekend — or lucky enough to call it home — there’s one place to be: the 2026 Bass Coast Sustainability Festival, a free, family-friendly celebration of community, creativity and caring for our environment ... At its heart, the Sustainability Festival is about making big ideas feel simple, practical and fun.
Who will pay? A decade on, sewerage and water budget for three villages has blown to $36million
A feasibility study in 2014 looked at the cost of bringing a sewerage system to three of Kyogle’s villages — Tabulam, Wiangaree and Mallanganee. The Three Villages Water/Sewer Update report is back on the Kyogle Council agenda ... Mayor Danielle Mulholland said, “We’ve been talking about this for a long time.”
Restore the Freedman mural – Australian history should not be covered up: McArthur
Raising the matter in Parliament, Mrs McArthur said the significant public artwork, commissioned by the State of Victoria in 1977, had been rendered inaccessible to the public without justification ... Harold Freedman’s Geelong Regional History mosaic mural “is a heritage-listed public artwork depicting the changing lifestyle of the region’s people and key moments in Victoria’s early history.”
AI. Friend or foe? An insider’s perspective
The rapid expansion of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across society in the past few years has both its benefits, and downfalls, which could change the way our communities are today. The Clarence Valley Independent spoke to a Northern River’s based tech expert, who is a husband, father, and computer programmer, about the explosion in society of AI.
Reflecting on the Gannawarra’s recovery from the 2022 floods
Residents and visitors are now able to view a photographic display highlighting the Gannawarra’s recovery from the 2022 floods. The Gannawarra Reflect & Connect – A Celebration of Community exhibition, located within Kerang’s Patchell Plaza, marks the end of the recovery from the 2022 flood with the Emergency Recovery Victoria supported Gannawarra Flood Recovery Program officially ending on 31 January 2026.
Action from the Allora Show
Let's take a stroll around the 148th Allora Show.
South Mildura Wetlands the focus of Clean Up Australia Day 2026
Mildura Rural City Council is putting the call out to residents to help clean up the Mildura South Wetlands – Dunnings area as part of Clean Up Australia Day 2026. Anyone and everyone can get involved, with the event to take place on Sunday 1 March from 10 am to 11 am.
The housing crisis: could tiny homes be the solution?
Ivona Rose. Interest in tiny homes is increasing on the Central Coast and across Australia, driven by soaring house prices, lack of housing availability, shifts toward sustainable living, downsizing, dwindling available land, and the growth of short-stay rentals like Airbnb ... Can tiny homes play a meaningful role in affordable housing, and where can people locate them?
Friends of Two Rocks Yanchep Coastal Bushland – Letter to the Yanchep News Online Editor
Friends of Two Rocks Yanchep Coastal Bushland is a group of locals who love living here and are concerned about the potential destruction of the Two Rocks Rd coastal bushland between Capricorn Coastal Village structure plan area and Two Rocks marina.
Whipcracking entertainment at Kaniva
The sharp crack of a stockwhip echoed across Kaniva Recreation Reserve on Wednesday night as crowds gathered for world-record whipcracker Nathan "Whippy" Griggs. The free event, hosted by West Wimmera Shire Council, included a fast-paced show featuring precision tricks, comedy and demonstrations of different types of whips.
Where’s the childcare centre?
Big promises, no build as Naracoorte waits on old TAFE site project. A grand on-site announcement, artist impressions, and firm timelines promised a solution to Naracoorte’s long-running childcare shortage — but almost two years on, the proposed early learning and childcare centre at the former TAFE site has yet to take physical shape.
Kingston community still waiting on jetty insurance
Following severe storms in May 2025, the Kingston Jetty was severely damaged and then three weeks later in June, after more storm surge events and seven metres swells, the Jetty was destroyed. An engineering report estimated the extent of damage at $11.2 million and a claim was submitted to the State Government, which self-insures its assets.
