Mum thrilled with the rise of Talk About It Tuesdays
One year after losing her son, Coen grandmother Jackie Perry opens up on why she helped start a movement called Talk About It Tuesday. So far it has drawn support from a cross-section of Cape York, including big organisations.
‘We deserve better.’ A mother and medical student’s mission to improve regional health services
A mother-of-two from Parkes has made the move to Orange to pursue a career in medicine to help address the doctor shortage in rural Australia. Ms Hannah Hawker tells of how she balances study and home life with two children as the University celebrates all its mothers ahead of Mother’s Day on Sunday 8 May.
Childcare for coast
Gabrielle Duykers. Kingston has been promised a new $1.8 million childcare centre under a re-elected Morrison government, just months after the local council was denied funding to establish the facility. Childcare shortages in the small coastal town have been an issue for more than 30 years.
117th Maclean Highland Gathering
Lynne Mowbray. The last couple of years have proved to be a trying time for anyone attempting to hold an event and organisers of the 117th Maclean Highland Gathering, were keen to make this year’s event, a great one. Maclean Highland Gathering Chief Peter Smith said that they were expecting a particularly good gathering this year and it did not disappoint.
Bringing COUNTRYMAN back home
After sold-out previews at the Croatian Film Festival in Sydney, a locally filmed documentary – Countryman – will make its cinema release with screenings that bring the film back home to where the Australian story began. Tennant Creek’s Joseph Williams is the co-producer and artist of the doco and he is excited to screen it in town next Wednesday at Nyinkka Nyunyu from 5.30pm.
Lack of child care at Kingston hits federal parliament
Chris Oldfield. The lack of child care for around 50 families on a waiting list at Kingston has been raised in the Australian Federal Parliament. “Those in this chamber have heard me speak about Kingston South East and a lack of childcare services before,” Member for Barker Tony Pasin told parliament ... “A farming region devastated by fire, and parents unable to earn off-farm income because there was no childcare service available."
Grace follows in great grandmother’s footsteps
Over 30 years ago Lockhart resident Jean Urquhart competed in the final of the State Rich Fruit Cake Competition held at Sydney’s Royal Easter Show and now this year her great granddaughter Grace Cox is following in her great grandmother’s footsteps.
Edenhope childcare in high demand
Gabrielle Duykers. A new childcare program in Edenhope is one step closer to commencing after an expression of interest process showed significant demand for the service. Over the past few weeks families took advantage of an opportunity to indicate their interest in enrolling their children in a pilot childcare program facilitated by West Wimmera Shire Council.
Legacy bowls tournament comes to an end after 55 years
Joan de Bondt. When the Legacy Bowls Tournament was initiated in Barham 55 years ago in 1967, it attracted four greens of bowlers, drawn from surrounding areas as far away as Bendigo. The event was established as a fundraiser to assist war widows and their families.
Sea change for Farm 253
Alesha Millard. Nicole and Laurie Ryan and their two teenage daughters, Elly and Molly, are now enjoying freedom on the road in a fully restored bus ... Maybe the Ryans will inspire you to step out of your comfort zone and make some new adventures this year ... As someone recently said, “It’s like a whole community of travelling families out there!”
74th family reunion
The Jenkins family celebrated their 74th family reunion at the Castlemaine Botanical Gardens last Sunday. The family scroll created by Ray Maxfield in the 1960s measures 25 metres and is proudly displayed on the grass as new babies are added to the historical document.
Domestic violence is no laughing matter
Geoff Helisma. ‘Not out’ septuagenarian Bob Walker came to comedy relatively late. “It saved my life. I was deeply depressed when I took it up – it’s changed how I think about myself and my outlook on life.” ... the Tucabia man is back with a stellar line-up of comedians at the Maclean Bowling Club – and all of the money from ticket sales will be used to potentially save lives.
Wiradjuri sisters shared love of landscape forms art exhibition
The Wiradjuri Sisters exhibition is an exciting collection of works in acrylics, collage and printmaking by Indigenous artists Naomi Grant and Krishna Heffernan. The show is a combination of the creative passion of sisters who live on opposite sides of the country.
Courageous teen dreams of seeing the world
Emma Pritchard. Cohen Daly has a dream. It’s a dream which he is determined to see come true. And nothing, not even a battle against aggressive bone cancer, will prevent the strong-willed teenager with the beautiful smile from fulfilling his ambition.
Common sense required for birthing restrictions: Malinauskas and Picton
Labor is calling for a common sense approach to current COVID-19 birthing restrictions in hospitals so the father, partner or a designated support person who tests negative on a RAT can be present for the entire labour and for the mother and baby’s stay in hospital.
Weipa one step closer to getting new birthing unit
A Midwifery Group Practice is up and running at the Weipa Hospital in preparation for the new birthing service due to open later this year. Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said three new midwives were already in place at Weipa, with recruitment under way for a fourth.
Lockyer Valley to welcome Bruce and Denise Morcombe as 2022 Australia Day Ambassadors
The Lockyer Valley will welcome child safety advocates Bruce Morcombe OAM and Denise Morcombe OAM to the region as the 2022 Australia Day Ambassadors. Co-founders of the Daniel Morcombe Foundation, the couple are committed to making communities a safer place for children.
Christmas Carols in Maldon
The sun was still burning hot as the annual Christmas Carols began at 7pm last Saturday at the Bill Woodfull Reserve. Families watched with anticipation as the shadows across the oval became longer, bringing relief from the heat as they settled on the their picnic rugs to enjoy the festivities.
At long last: Mapoon church opened after years of lobbying
The spirit of Mapoon’s old people could be felt as the community opened its long-awaited church last Thursday. In an emotional ceremony, community leaders spoke of the long battle to have a church built in Mapoon after the state government ripped down the last one in 1963 when it forced all residents to leave the Mission.
We’ve got to save our kids from COVID: NLC Chairman
Samuel Bush-Blanasi. The Northern Land Council supports the call by AMSANT that urgent steps are needed to contain the COVID-19 outbreak in Katherine and the Big Rivers region of the NT. For everyone in the Katherine and Big Rivers region the CHO has given us all clear messages – get vaccinated; use the Territory Check In App; if you feel no good, stay away from work and other people and get tested for COVID-19; wash your hands and use hand sanitiser regularly and maintain social distancing where possible.
All Abilities official opening
Tuesday, December 14 saw the official opening of the Koondrook All Abilities Playground. A dream of former councillor, Steve Tasker, to provide joy for children with limited mobility has resulted in the $592,000 Koondrook All Abilities Playground.
The Headstone Project delivers recognition for WWI veterans
South Australian based group ‘The Headstone Project’ recently dedicated the graves of 18 veterans of WWI who lay in the Port Pirie cemetery in unmarked graves with a dedication ceremony held on 20 November 2021.
