Community

A new report from the Food Connect Foundation reveals how community-owned food infrastructure can build resilience into Australia’s food system at a time of rising climate, health and supply chain pressures. Co-authors Rose and Pekin, alongside social impact expert Elise Parups, will discuss the report and potential impact in a national launch webinar at 11:30am AEST, Thursday 27 November.

Country racing is absolutely vital to the entire racing industry, according to Michael Bailey, and events like the Hay Cup play a role that extends far beyond a single day's entertainment. Bailey, who has spent nearly 40 years working in country racing across multiple clubs, believes rural race meetings are essential to the fabric of regional communities and the future of thoroughbred racing in Australia.

Last Friday night the Minns Labor Government voted down NSW Nationals amendments to strengthen laws for repeat youth offenders. While the Government’s Bill essentially adopts the Victorian position - the machete capital of Australia - our amendment would’ve seen NSW adopt the Queensland position that has been in place since 1899 ... ARR.News asked a further question of Mr Kemp.

The Crisafulli Government currently subsidises and regulates seven air routes to ensure Queenslanders living in regional and remote communities can continue to have access to essential medical, educational, social, and business services. Over the coming weeks, 22 consultation sessions will be hosted across regional Queensland to hear directly from locals about how future air services can better meet community needs.

Saturday morning saw vintage car enthusiasts arrive in Herbert Street for a show and tell ... Mary Poppins House - the perfect backdrop for Lester Diggles with his Model A Ford 1928 on the left and Alwin Chalk with his 1928 Chevrolet on the right.

Quill. On Sunday, November 16, Donald and District Racing Club hosted its annual Cup Day celebrations in challenging four-seasons-in-one-day conditions ... Despite the wind and rain later on in the day, a supportive crowd arrived dressed in their finest in cup day fashion, or otherwise comfortably cosy for the conditions.

Member for Mallee Dr Anne Webster has released the views of over 5,300 Mallee voters showing strong opposition to Labor’s energy policies and highlighting that her advocacy is consistently in harmony with what Mallee voters believe ... Mallee’s Biggest Survey was circulated within Mallee to every letterbox and online in the wake of the May election and took months to receive, manually process and analyse over 5,300 responses.

If you’re still on the hunt for an Ag Day plan for tomorrow, fear not! We’ve picked some of the juiciest public Ag Day events … From seedling giveaways, to farm tours, nation-wide meditations, to entire towns painting themselves green, there is something for everyone this Friday!

If you've noticed trees wrapped in bright, colourful yarn around Kibble Park, Gosford, or down by The Village Green at Toukley, you've spotted Zonta Central Coast's latest yarn bomb – a community art project with a powerful message. The installations are part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence…

'Winhanganha-yanhi – We Remember' Exhibition which opened at Narrandera Arts Centre last week will continue until Sunday 7 December. Indigenous war veterans, even after many years in the public eye, still have not been fully and rightfully honoured across the nation.

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.

Over 100 regional artists, gourmet producers and hand crafters from Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia will showcase their talents at this year’s Bush Christmas Exhibition in Toowoomba, Queensland.

This summer, everyone — young, old or less mobile — will have a chance to enjoy the sparkling waters of Naracoorte Swimming Lake, thanks to a community-driven project that has transformed accessibility at one of the town’s most beloved landmarks.

"Is your Rego finish? (sic) Need to transfer registration from one state to another? Need an Unseen Pink Slip, Blue Slip Or Roadworthy Certificate? We've Got You Covered! Is your vehicle due for its annual safety check or registration? Don't stress—we make the process quick and hassle-free!" That is how one scammer sets the scene to prey on unsuspecting vehicle owners, in just another fraudulent business that effortlessly slips through Facebook's community guidelines.

Jenny Pollard. The engines roared, tyres smoked and the volume soared as the first North Central Victorian Drag Racing event sped across the Charlton airstrip for three days last week ... die-hard drivers with classic machines showed that responsible drag racing can be a fun, controlled and family orientated sport – far removed from the concept of hoons doing burnouts on city streets.

On this week's No Drama Farmer, James fresh off the back of having the number 1 Country Album in Australia (ARIA Charts) we caught up with Owen Catto from the Regional Mens Health Initiative who gives us the 5 top tips for beating depression in the bush.

Extensive flood resilience works to protect communities in Mount Sylvia and Woodbine from future flood damage are now complete. The $1.8 million rehabilitation project, led by Resilient Rivers SEQ, involved major creek bank stabilisation and revegetation works at three priority sites along Blackfellow Creek, and was officially unveiled today.

AMA (NSW) supports the Rural Health Action Plan put forward by Dr Joe McGirr MP today and is calling on the NSW Government to take immediate action. The April to June 2025 Bureau of Health Information report showed only 65.1 per cent of elective surgeries at Wagga Wagga Base Hospital were completed on time, a fall of 15.8 percentage points from the previous year.

It was always going to be a difficult decision. Councillors had to vote for or against the current development application for the Kyogle Memorial Rec Centre. Sounds simple — it was anything but. Approving the current DA meant the Youthie building would be demolished to make way for the new rec centre. Not approving it puts the $4.5million government funding in peril.

Plans announced by Westpac today are little more than “tokenistic and cosmetic” and do nothing to address the fundamental crisis facing bank branches in regional and remote communities, says the Regional Banking Investment Alliance (RBIA).

Westpac has announced it will extend its moratorium on regional branch closures and pilot a new way to deliver banking services to regional communities through a new Community Banking Service. Westpac first implemented a pause on regional branch closures in 2023 which was extended earlier this year until mid-2027.