Life

The Harcourt Applefest sets out to showcase local produce – in particular, with a name like Applefest (DRUM ROLL)... yes, apples ... At the recent Applefest, one of Maldon’s-own was also showcased … The award-winning Gluten-free Poached Apple Tea Cake will be available at Maldon Rose over Easter.

I was taken by a news item over the weekend with the head of the Ferrari F1 Racing team, Frédéric Vasseur, where he said the spirit of Enzo Ferrari still lives on, highlighting any successful team must have a sense of confidence. Which got me thinking. People only perform at their best when they are confident. Likewise, people are motivated when they achieve something and are recognised for it. This builds self esteem and belief in one’s own abilities.

With the Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) Good Friday Appeal being held ... we have brought you the story of young Frank Skratulja, whose family has utilised the services of the hospital since June 2022 as well as the Mercy and Sunshine hospitals. Frank was born just before his identical twin brother Luka on May 25, 2022 at the Mercy Hospital.

Lucindale's Cheryl “Fitzy” Fitzgerald has only praise for the Lucindale nurse who three years ago saved her leg, and possibly her life ... So Ms Fitzgerald was shocked recently when she tried to make an appointment for a blood test at Lucindale.

At this time of the year we see the tumbling grass-seed heads rolling into fences and garden beds - especially if the garden is surrounded by pasture land. This will be a different type of visit for the Allora and District Garden Circle when they gather for their garden tour next Tuesday 2nd April.

Join us on Sunday 7 April 2024 for a fun filled day with activities tailored for dachshunds, small dogs, locals, and visitors alike. Day of the Dackel is in its 5th year of running with visitors and hounds coming from as far as Queensland and Tasmania. Set against the picturesque backdrop of Henley Park, on the banks of Lake Wallace, Edenhope, the festivities kick off at 9 am with our market offering an array of dog and human merchandise.

As if all the promise to see a Grumman Avenger, a Delorian, or Paul Bennet performing his acrobatics is not enough, the Airshow Committee are pleased to announce yet another exciting surprise for those planning to attend. Jane Bunn the popular, Channel 7 weather forecaster, has agreed to be the ‘Guest of Honour’ on the day.

Approximately 100 people of various cultural backgrounds attended the 2024 Harmony Day celebrations held at the Nhill Memorial Community Centre on Thursday 21 March 2024, marking it as one of the largest Harmony Day celebrations in Hindmarsh to date. Attendees were treated to a range of entertainment and performances including singing, dancing, demonstrations and talks that were provided by local and visiting artists.

Legislation for the Albanese Government’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard being introduced ... will be good for the hip pocket and good for the environment.  This will reduce emissions from new passenger vehicles by more than 60 per cent by 2030, and roughly halve the emissions of new light commercial vehicles over the same period.

Holding signs high above their heads, a large crowd gathered in Bailey Park, Ulmarra ... to officially launch a petition demanding the NSW Labor Government abandon plans to close the Ulmarra to Southgate ferry service ... “It’s vitally important that we tell the NSW Labor Government how much this iconic ferry means to the community”: Member for Clarence Richie Williamson.

Two new tools ... rural health experts from the UniSA have launched a new online resource to help farmers build and maintain a healthy relationship with their partner ... Rural based entrepreneur Mia Ryan hails from the Hunter Region and when she found trouble finding love using traditional dating apps, she developed her own, 'Howdy' ...

Three cricketers who have played more games than they care to remember have enjoyed representing Vic Country at the annual Echuca over-60s carnival last week. For those old enough to remember, Shane Noonan played for Charlton, particularly during the 1980s, after debuting for Wychitella.

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The NSW Government is urging NSW residents to choose local fresh seafood this Easter and not only enjoy the best fish and prawns from the state’s top producers but support the economy as they sit down for a seasonal feast ... North Coast residents and visitors to the region in particular are encouraged to support the Clarence seafood industry by choosing local prawns and seafood this Easter.

Bruce Stewart. The "Wonderland Walk" is short but steep in places and for many of us the best way to  recover and relax after walking to the Pinnacle is to visit  the nearby Halls Gap ice  creamery next to Stony Creek ... Thinking of "ice cream" and "grateful thanks" reminds me of an old story told by a dad who said, "Last week, I  took my children to a restaurant.

Kerry Munns, whose happy abstract art adorns people as well as walls, moved with her family to Cowalla from Beacon about 10 years ago ... As well as turning her paintings into wearable art, Mrs Munns sells her original artworks, opens up her art studio for abstract painting workshops and holds plein air painting classes on her property, alongside the Moore River.

You could easily say that Leanne McKenzie is a high flyer - but not in the traditional sense of the word.   Leanne is a pilot but she’s also President of her local aero club in Albany WA and she’s one of less than a handful of females to hold such a position. But Leanne has another venture underway and it’s one that her aero club is actually famous for as the Albany Aero Club was once a global hub for self-built planes.

The Nationals WA have opposed Labor’s contentious Firearms Bill 2024 as the full impact on WA’s health system and individual licence holders was revealed during debate this week. Nationals Leader Shane Love MLA said a months-old briefing note from WA Police, which was only provided to Parliament this week, laid bare the scope of the new mandatory health assessments which WA’s 90,000 licensed firearms holders will soon be subject to.

Remember that old saying, “You can take the girl out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the girl”?  Peta Credlin AO, host of the “Credlin” program on Sky News Australia, columnist with News Corp, and former Australian Liberal Party dynamo, amongst many other accolades, made a flying visit to Wycheproof over the recent long weekend.

The recent weather conditions in Tennant Creek have led to multiple road closures which may cause concerns about potential food shortages. To address this issue, Tennant Creek IGA is taking proactive measures to ensure that food supplies remain stable.

A group of gardening enthusiasts is giving Tennant Creek’s community garden a new lease on life. Situated on the main street next to Barkly Quality Butchers, the green thumbs have launched a new initiative to rejuvenate the garden and make it productive once again.

East Wimmera Health Service and Flying Doctor Wellbeing have partnered to bring increased mental health support to Wycheproof. Starting in March, Pat Boyer, an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker, will be seeing clients face-to-face at East Wimmera Health Service, and delivering telehealth services across the catchment in partnership with Flying Doctor Wellbeing.