Community

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.

The Upper Murray community gathered in solidarity at the Corryong Events Centre on Friday night to support one another and those who have suffered loss and hardships since the 2019-20 bushfires. The fourth Corryong Spirit event carried the message of 'Shining a Light into the Darkness' and the guest speakers reinforced that sentiment.

The Queensland Police Service is reminding road users of their shared responsibility in helping to reduce the number of lives lost on local roads as part of this year's Queensland Road Safety Week. This year has been one of the worst in living memory for the local area, with crashes at Greenmount, Cambooya, Vale View and Wyreema tragically claiming lives.

Narrandera's community choir With One Voice Riverina had a successful night at the Leeton Eisteddfod, taking out first place in two categories, Open Choral Ensemble and Open Choral Australian Ballade, and once again taking home the prestigious Marion McAuslan Trophy.

Serena Kirby. The eagerly-awaited community piano has arrived in Denmark. The pre-loved piano was donated to the Denmark community earlier this year as part of the ABC's nationwide Pop-Up Piano Project.

At the last home game for the season, the Nhill & District Sporting Club hosted the 2025 Amy Pilgrim Memorial Round. Held in front of a strong home crowd, the event honoured Amy's lasting legacy in the club and community.

“This motion is fundamentally about the mental health of our children, it’s about the emotional stability of our children. It is about their cognitive and physical development. It is about their social development. This motion is about PLAY.”

VicGrid recently released a long-term strategic plan for the development of Victoria’s renewable energy zones designed to deliver certainty and fairness for communities and industry and keep the lights on as coal-fired power closes down.

Sarah Herrmann. An Ardrossan commercial fisherman gave state government representatives a piece of his mind at a government-run algal bloom community forum in Minlaton last week, criticising their grant eligibility criteria and calling for action on fish stocks.

Copper Coast Show chair Natasha Westbrook says the 2025 event was one of the most vibrant and community-driven the committee has seen in years, with record crowds, incredible participation, and all run by volunteers. The show was held over the weekend, August 16 and 17, and the Schools Livestock Day on Friday, August 15, had seven schools and 135 students participating with cattle, goats and sheep.

NSW Ambulance is considering establishing a groundbreaking Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) pilot program in Hay, marking the first time such an initiative would operate in a NSW town that already has an existing ambulance centre.

Many hands make light work – and strong families. Just ask Moss Vale’s Harkness family, which with the help of TAFE NSW, is in the midst of an extraordinary bricklaying dynasty. All three brothers in the family – Bruce, 20, Barry, 18, and Max, 15 – are third-generation bricklayers and work under the guidance of their dad, Jobe, in the family business, J&S Harkness Bricklaying.

Carolyn Wheeler. What an incredible journey I have had on our Excel Farms regional tour with the Blue Tree Project, focusing on mental health awareness and support! ... Over the course of the tour last week, we travelled more than 1,700km, painted 5 trees blue on farm and in the communities, and hosted two sold out community quiz nights.

Angourie residents came together on Sunday as they traditionally have a family to discuss serious concerns about the escalation of crime in the village. The meeting at the Blue Pools carpark was convened by resident of 30 years, Lindsay Hunter, who said the situation escalated last month when carloads containing 12 people came to the town and threatened residents.

It was a busy weekend for members of the Rotary Club of Nhill and the A&P Society with 107 cars and 350 crew from the Variety Bash visiting Nhill. The Rotary Club has been communicating and planning with event organisers for the past few months in readiness for the arrival of the 'Bash'.

A wave of concern has swept through the Naracoorte community following a shooting incident that occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, August 6. South Australia Police (SAPOL) is actively investigating the event, which unfolded around 2.40am on Dorset Street, leaving residents stunned and seeking answers.

Australian health promotion charity, Gotcha4Life Foundation, has today launched a powerful new podcast series centred on First Nations voices, exploring what truly shapes and sustains mental fitness – in culture, in community, and in individuals. The inaugural series is hosted by award-winning Indigenous businesswoman and Gotcha4Life Board Member Mundanara Bayles and produced in partnership with award-winning Black Magic Woman podcast. 

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.

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.