New paramedic recruits on the road as winter demand rises
The first group of new Ambulance Victoria (AV) recruits for 2025/26 are hitting the road to help meet rising winter demand. AV Chief Executive Officer Jordan Emery today welcomed 59 new graduate ambulance paramedics who are starting their careers with AV.
Birchip school sets the example
Birchip P-12 School is setting a powerful example for how rural schools can successfully prepare their students for life beyond the classroom, with a growing focus on career pathways, hands-on opportunities, and direct links with tertiary institutions.
Dear Taylor Swift, can you send a birthday message to our Millie?
It’s Millie Trustum’s 14th birthday on Saturday, July 26. After being cancer-free for six years, Millie has been diagnosed with an incurable high grade glioma ... Millie’s parents Erica and Kevin said they weren’t sure what to get her for her birthday.
Farmsafe Australia launches 2025 National Farm Safety Week and Safer Farms Report
Farmsafe Australia ... launched its 2025 National Farm Safety Week campaign, centred around the theme “Second Chances – Who Knows How Many You’ll Get?” with a national call to action: if you’ve had a near miss on farm, don’t just move on; learn from it, share it safely, and use it to protect those around you.
“Nothing in town other than us” – Rural pharmacists’ role in oral health
Pharmacists are stepping in as frontline providers of oral healthcare advice in rural Victorian towns without dental practitioners, offering oral hygiene advice, managing dental pain inquiries and promoting preventative care, according to a new study by La Trobe University. Eleven rural pharmacists shouldering health responsibilities far beyond traditional dispensing roles participated in the study...
Cheque handover marks a major step forward for Jerilderie Medical Centre
Jerilderie's proposed new medical centre is a step closer, with Murrumbidgee Council formally accepting a $5 million contribution from Origin Energy through a Voluntary Planning Agreement (VPA) linked to the Yanco Delta wind development. The contribution was marked by the official handover of a cheque from Origin representatives to council.
Two paddlers tackle the mighty Murray
Two men are planning to undertake separate journeys down Australia's longest river to raise funds for charity ... In April 2026, Tony Pearce, the former Inspector-General for Emergency Management and current chair of the Emergency Services Foundation (ESF), will embark from Bringenbrong Bridge on an unsupported paddle to raise awareness of the mental health...
Listen up! Council drives hospital protest
Towong Shire Council is encouraging the community to rally in Corryong next month to oppose the planned redevelopment of the current Albury hospital instead of building on a new greenfield site. "Council remains gravely concerned at the current plans to redevelop the existing hospital site as it will lead to insufficient capacity to meet the future demands of the region for the future," said Towong mayor, Cr Andrew Whitehead.
Fisheries vessel to inspect harmful algal bloom: Close, Scriven
South Australia’s flagship fisheries patrol vessel Southern Ranger will be operating in the Gulf of St Vincent tomorrow to conduct underwater observations of the harmful algal … State Government agencies are also taking weekly water samples at 17 sites across West Lakes, the Port River, the Patawalonga River and the end of four jetties at Largs Bay, Grange, Glenelg and Port Noarlunga.
Our voices remain silenced
A petition that gained almost 20,000 signatures before being presented to state parliament over 12 months ago remains hamstrung by the state government and the parliamentary committee process, says chair of the Limestone Coast Radiation Treatment Working Party, Lachlan Haynes. The petition, which was addressed to the members of the House of Assembly triggered a Legislative Review Committee inquiry to which the working group made a written submission and presented in person. The bipartisan, joint parliamentary committee then referred the matter to the Health Committee where it sat stagnant ever since.
New Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) provider for West Wimmera
West Wimmera Health Service (WWHS) is delighted to announce that it has officially started delivering home support services to recipients of the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) living in West Wimmera Shire. This transition, effective from 1 July 2025, allows WWHS to extend vital health and aged care services to communities in Kaniva, Goroke, Edenhope, Apsley, Harrow…
Mayor talk with Louie Zaffina: Everything’s ticking along well
Balranald Shire moving forward with key projects and community initiatives. Mayor Louie Zaffina has been keeping busy since taking office, with significant progress on several fronts across the Balranald Shire. From major infrastructure projects to community health initiatives, Council is delivering on multiple priorities while actively seeking solutions to regional challenges.
A thousand lives lived: the chameleon Sean Griffiths
The boy who left Hay all those years ago has travelled further than most people could imagine - not just geographically, but through depths of human experience that would break many people ... At 80 metres below the surface, hand-feeding apex predators with a failing heart, he's found something that eluded him for decades; peace.
Foundation gift to homestead
Last Week The Allora Homestead was presented with a syringe driver by Rod Kelly on behalf of the Belinda McGowan Foundation. Syringe drivers are small battery-powered pumps that deliver a steady flow of medication through a small tube just under the skin.
Walking plan for Allora
Allora is set to take a major step toward a more walkable and connected future, with Southern Downs Regional Council securing $20,000 in funding to develop a walking network plan that will support healthier, more active lifestyles in the community.
Lion attack at zoo
Pilton's Darling Downs Zoo made national headlines last Sunday following an attack by a lion that saw a woman lose her arm. In a statement posted on social media later that day, the zoo said that at approximately 8.30am the woman, aged in her 50s, was watching keepers working in the carnivore precinct.
Covid concerns at community meeting
The adverse effects of Covid vaccines and concerns about how the process was administrated by the government were heard at a community meeting at Maclean on Sunday ... Ms O’Hearn said close to 100 people attended the meeting at the former Maclean RSL Club to hear a presentation from former Barrister, prominent anti-vaccination advocate, Julian Gillespie and discuss their experiences.
SA first: All hours ambos
Copper Coast is set to become the first regional area in South Australia to host a 24-hour ambulance crew. A team of 12 SA Ambulance Service career paramedics will begin operating from Moonta from Monday, July 14, before relocating to the Wallaroo Ambulance Station later this year once major upgrades at that site are complete.
‘Tough cookie’ masters walk
Michelle Daw. An 84-year-old Sydneysider has taken on the Walk the Yorke trail unassisted and completed all 500 kilometres in just 29 days, including seven rest days. Don Andrews started in Port Wakefield on June 4 and walked along the eastern and western coasts of Yorke Peninsula via all 10 stages of the trail to arrive in Moonta Bay on July 2.
Kevin joins the centenarians
Keeping busy and avoiding alcohol might be among the keys to a St Arnaud man’s longevity. Kevin Allen turned 100 on Thursday, June 19, celebrating with a few cups of his favourite black tea ... Mr Allen now enjoys being outside in his garden, which is immaculate, and still cuts his own firewood.
Local team tackles 2025 Great Aussie Hike
Recently, a group of keen locals; Emma Dickinson, Ashley Dickinson, Jo Ussing, Graeme Ussing, Craig Deckert, and Mikala Deckert, as team DUDs, participated in the Great Aussie Hike. The Hike is an extremely challenging two-day, 100-kilometre adventure through Daylesford & Wombat State Forest.
Twelve hours for one appointment
Sarah Herrmann. Amid a state government review of regional public transport, a Stansbury resident has shared her travel challenges following two surgeries ... Cheryl Waldron, 68 ... made the trip using Care In Motion's health bus, a not-for-profit transport service ... "I caught it from Stansbury at 6.10 in the morning and got home at 6.30 at night."
