Community

Geoff Reid is in his 70s and he’s walking from Ballina to Myall Creek to visit massacre sites along the way. It’s a long walk – 474km with a lot to think about on the way. Geoff started at East Ballina Cemetery and then went on to Goanna Headland at Evans Head.

Michelle Daw. Moonta Mines heritage volunteers say about $100,000 has been lost since National Trust of South Australia shut local sites in February, as they continue to fight the closure on multiple fronts.

Bass Coast Shire Council has officially opened the Sunset Strip Bike Jump Park delivering an exciting new space for riders of all ages and abilities on Phillip Island. The track was officially opened today, with local students, Councillors, members of the Bass Coast Mountain Bike Association, contractors and Council staff coming together to celebrate the milestone...

The Ivanhoe painted water tower project has been completed and it is already capturing the imagination of local residents and visitors to the region. The artist, Krimsone, has been working hard over several weeks to successfully create the stand-out project.

How do you improve your painting skills if there's no one providing positive feedback? And how do you develop routine and rhythm to your art practice when life is a brilliant distractor? For emerging artist, Kat Lamb, the answer came in the form of a plein air painting group.

As part of National Volunteer Week, Dhelkaya Health is preparing to launch a new volunteering role in residential aged care. The new role is called Meal Mate ... "eating can remind them of times when meals were shared with family and friends."

Iluka Public School alumni Glen Braz has risen through the ranks of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) over the past 39 years and last Friday he was appointed Defence Force Chief of Joint Capabilities. Born at Grafton Base Hospital, Glen’s mother Sue told the Clarence Valley Independent her son says he had “the ideal childhood” growing up at Iluka with his elder brother Mark.

Murrindindi Shire Council has released a video highlighting the scale of devastation from the January 2026 bushfires, reinforcing its call for a more equitable and impact-based disaster recovery funding model that better reflects the needs of affected communities.

Residents looking to clear out unwanted household items are being reminded that there are practical alternatives to illegal dumping, with the annual Garage Sale Trail continuing to provide Whyalla households with an opportunity to reuse, recycle and earn extra money from pre-loved goods each year.

National Volunteer Week (May 18-24) is Australia's largest annual celebration of civic support and the Upper Murray community is a leading example of selflessness. National Volunteer Week recognises the contribution of millions of volunteers across the country and invites everyone to discover how giving their time and talents can create connection, purpose and stronger communities.

In proud partnership with the Buloke Shire Council, the Wycheproof Community Resource Centre was delighted to facilitate the grand opening of the Wycheproof Library on May 3. Albeit a chilly morning forty-five participants gathered, and as the rain stopped, a blue sky welcomed guests to the beautifully painted doors of the new library for a ribbon cutting ceremony...

Three days a week, Janet Becker drives 30 minutes from her home to the ac.care Berri Community Centre, where she helps run cooking groups, supports art sessions and welcomes people into the space with warmth and humour. While she now volunteers regularly at the centre, Janet first connected with ac.care during a difficult period in her life when she was experiencing homelessness and social isolation.

...Pictured is one of Kathy Koop’s amazing sunrises, captured during the week. National Volunteer Week is being celebrated this week, with the 2026 theme, Your Year To Volunteer.

Ned Thomas. The Southern Yorke Peninsula Show will pause in 2026 as organisers restructure the growing event behind the scenes and prepare for a more sustainable future. After several years of rapid expansion following the show's 2022 rebrand, SYP Agricultural Society president Kristy May said the workload had become too large for a small volunteer committee to manage sustainably.

In April 2026, Peter Garrett AM took over as chair of Landcare Australia from Doug Humann AM, marking another significant chapter in a notable career. Australian Rural & Regional News was interested to learn how Peter sees the potential of this enduring community environmental organisation and his role in it.

The Commonwealth Government has formally issued a Native Title Determination for the White Cliffs opal fields, bringing to an end a period of administrative gridlock that had threatened the economic viability of the historic mining outpost. The declaration of the White Cliffs Main Field as an "Approved Opal or Gem Mining Area" under Section 26C of the Native Title Act 1993 now provides a legal framework for the granting and renewal of mineral claims.

Rhiannon Govier. Every property owner has a story. That is just one of the reasons why Lyn and Stan Rasmussen became coordinators for Blaze Aid. During the four months of coordinating the Blaze Aid camp in Maldon to support those impacted by the Harcourt fires, the camp has spent $11,000 in groceries and $6,000 in fuel...

It was certainly not an average Mother's Day in Maldon, with fluttering gold hearts, music on and off the train, a brass band and even a bespoke song. That's because it was the Maldon Notable Day Out on Sunday 10 May, held in honour of the National Trust's 1966 declaration of Maldon as Australia's first Notable Town.

“The real test with the Budget is whether the dollars announced reach rural people, First Nations communities and primary care in thin markets where healthcare access is hardest”" Susi Tegen, NRHA Chief Executive.

Students in grade 6 at Greenmount State School will be interviewing past students, and writing their biographies as part of the school's 125th Anniversary celebrations this year and members of one family, the Stenzels, have been attending Greenmount State School since the 1940s.