Big block for Big Project
Land has been secured on which to build two modular homes as part of a partnership project to provide affordable housing in Maldon. Members of Mount Alexander Shire Council (MASC) and the Community Bank Maldon & District (CBMD) met on the newly purchased High Street block of land on Tuesday 10 March to announce the latest step of the bank’s Big Project.
Extending the life of well-loved items: WD-40
As more Australians are choosing to repair not replace, a renewed pride in practical skills is reshaping how we care for the things we own. From small household fixes to ambitious restorations, repair culture is gaining momentum as people look to save money, develop skills, reduce waste and extend the life of well-loved items.
Lightning Ridge Easter Festival
One of outback NSW's most beloved events is just around the corner, and this year's Lightning Ridge Easter Festival is shaping up to be bigger and better than ever. The program is now available online, so you can start planning your long weekend before you even pack the car.
Ripple Fest and Rochester Mural Festival bring creativity to Rochester
Rochester will come alive with colour, creativity and community spirit this March as Campaspe Shire Council presents a week of artistic activity as part of Ripple Fest in partnership with Rochester Mural Festival. From 25-28 March, locals and visitors are invited to take part...
More than art on walls: Tweed Regional Gallery delivers almost $20 million to local economy
A new independent study has confirmed what the Tweed community already knows – the Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre is one of regional Australia’s most remarkable cultural assets, contributing almost $20 million each year to the local economy.
Candidates come forward
The Farrer by-election is set for May 9, and two more candidates have been confirmed: Brad Robertson for the Nationals and David Farley for One Nation. One Nation shocked the polls this week with a clear majority at 28.7 per cent according to the AusPoll, closely followed by independent candidate Michelle Milthorpe on 23.3 per cent.
Adult time, adult crime laws expanded
Member for Condamine and Speaker in the Queensland Parliament, Pat Weir has welcomed the strengthening of the State's Adult Time, Adult Crime legislation. Mr Weir points out that the Queensland Government is expanding its landmark Adult Crime, Adult Time laws to now cover 45 youth crime offences... Since the passing of the Making Queensland Safer Laws, more than 4,000 youth offenders have been charged with over 19,000 Adult Time offences...
Art and culture shine at Mali Heart Festival
Birchip came alive with creativity, colour and music as the Mali Heart Art and Music Festival on Saturday, setting the scene for Birchip’s Big Weekend of family friendly activities. Established in 2022, the Mali Heart Art and Music Festival was created to showcase art and music in the community, and it continues to grow each year.
Tiny homes project changing lives of young students
There is something quite extraordinary happening at Hay War Memorial High School. In the school grounds, a tiny home is taking shape. It is being built not by tradies, not by developers, but by local kids with tools in their hands, pride in their work, and a future full of possibility.
Gallery Central featured artist: Peter’s pottery
Peter Colbert has lived all his life in the Wimmera, farming west of Nhill. He has been a potter for many years, and now that he is retired from the family farm, he is enjoying being able to dedicate more time to his hobby.
In memory of Professor MaryAnn Bin-Sallik
We acknowledge the passing of Professor MaryAnn Bin-Sallik, a Djura elder from the East Kimberly. We acknowledge her work and dedication in the fields of nursing and Aboriginal education and for her advocacy for equity for Aboriginal people.
You don’t know the life of a Showgirl
Seven girls line up for the announcement of this year’s Group 1 Junior Teen Showgirl on Saturday, March 7. The girls are showgirls from their hometowns of Bangalow, Maclean, Grafton, Lismore, (absent), Tweed River, Bonalbo, Kyogle and Casino.
Fuel, food and your family: What the Middle East war could mean for rural NSW right now
... in the practical, everyday ways that matter most to country families, what is happening right now in the Middle East is worth understanding clearly and calmly.
Barossa turns up the volume with Barossa Food & Wine Village
When the final siren sounds at Barossa Park on Saturday, 11 April, the party is just getting started as Tanunda’s main street transforms into the ultimate post-match destination with food, wine and entertainment. A hallmark event on the Festival of Footy calendar, the Barossa Food & Wine Village, returns for Gather Round 2026, reimagined on a bigger scale.
Rochester flood barrier training exercise a success
Following the successful completion of last week’s flood barrier installation exercise in Rochester, Campaspe Shire Council is reinforcing the importance of maintaining strong flood preparedness measures to protect critical community assets in the town’s civic precinct. The exercise ... involved the full deployment and pack-down of the AquaFence flood barrier system around the Town Hall, Community House, Council service centre and library.
Flood that cost over $3.7 billion
Four years on from one of the biggest floods in living memory across the Northern Rivers region that was also Australia’s biggest natural disaster, people, homes and businesses are still feeling the impact ... On the four-year anniversary of the floods, Deputy Leader of the Federal Nationals, Member for Page Kevin Hogan slammed what had been done to help Lismore recover and rebuild.
North East Rail passengers set to be locked out of Sunshine transport hub: Cleeland
The Nationals Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland MP, has raised concerns in State Parliament this week about the redevelopment of Sunshine Station, warning the current design risks locking north-east Victorian passengers out of one of the state’s most important transport interchanges.
Bulk billing benefits locals
In a major boost for the Upper Murray community, Corryong Health has transitioned to a bulk billed medical practice as of of March 2nd under a recently launched Australian government Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program (BBPIP). The program has expanded eligibility for Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) bulk billing incentives.
Fastest Wiener in the West to win $200 at Day of the Dackel 2026
Henley Park, Edenhope, VIC Dachshund fever is set to return when the much-loved Day of the Dackel trots back into Edenhope on Sunday, 29 March 2026 - and the fastest wiener in the west will take home a $200 cash prize in the Dackel Dash final. Hosted by the Edenhope Dachshund Museum, the popular celebration will once again transform Henley Park into a dachshund paradise...
Radiotherapy wins backing from MacKillop candidates
All five candidates contesting the seat of MacKillop have declared support for establishing radiotherapy services in the Limestone Coast, according to written responses provided to the Limestone Coast Radiation Treatment Working Group ahead of this month's state election ... Ahead of the meeting, candidates were invited to provide written responses to a series of questions regarding the provision of radiotherapy services...
Moonta Mines shutdown sparks local outcry – Dis-trust
Michelle Daw. Locals are rallying behind volunteers locked out of the Moonta Mines heritage site, demanding answers over the National Trust of South Australia's shock decision. More than 300 people gathered outside the Sweet Shop — one of the site's most popular attractions — on Friday, February 27, to protest the NTSA's move earlier in the week to disband its Moonta branch committee.
Regional growth without rail is a hollow promise: Siri Gamage
Dr Siri Gamage. We keep hearing about regional growth. We hear about decentralisation, productivity, housing pressures in capital cities and the promise of thriving regional communities. But here is the uncomfortable truth: growth without proper public transport is not a strategy. It is rhetoric.
