Securing the future of the iconic Overland service: Carroll
Minister for Public Transport Ben Carroll confirmed the Labor Government has entered a new $11.5 million three-year agreement to fund the historic service, guaranteeing a future for the Overland train, which has run between Melbourne and Adelaide since 1887. This Government investment will ensure the twice weekly service – which stops at Murray Bridge, Bordertown, Nhill, Dimboola, Horsham, Stawell, Ararat and Geelong will continue to run for the next three years.
IAHA gives students a glimpse into allied health work
IAHA is a national organisation that enhances the allied health sector in Australia by providing support, training, and maintaining networks ... On Thursday morning, a team from IAHA was at Battery Hill to give senior high school students a glimpse into the work of allied health workers.
Strangulation of women
Strangulation of women has emerged as a new trend among perpetrators of domestic violence in Naracoorte and its surrounding towns. The revelation was made by the Limestone Coast Domestic Violence Service (LCDVS), which noted an increase in reports of women being strangled by their intimate partners in the last six months.
More GPs, specialists needed
A new strategy is being looked at to attract and retain general practitioners and specialists in Naracoorte. Limestone Coast Local Health Network Board chairman Grant King says the strategy will focus on retaining medical graduates in the region.
Lavender legacy: The Henle Gardens story
Henle Gardens is a lavender farm and garden business that resides on a stunning 17 acres just on the outskirts of Maldon, and its blossoming life sprung from a brush with death. Just three years ago, farm founder Joshua Ruff peered beyond the veil of mortality and returned with some hard-to-come-by wisdom.
Denmark plan to offer respite for veterans
Serena Kirby. Members of the Denmark RSL are calling on locals to help support a new returned veterans’ respite program. Known as Albany At Ease, the initiative is designed to assist Australian Defence Force members and veterans who are experiencing mental and physical health challenges as a result of military service.
Students reclaim mining void
Denmark Senior High School students have woven rugs from discarded fabrics to be stitched together in a vast dot replica painting to fill mining craters in the Goldfields. Denmark woman Vivienne Robertson created the Reclaim the Void project in collaboration with Ngalia cultural custodian Kado Muir.
Outdoors made possible
Cohuna District Hospital was the recipient of a donation from the Cohuna Bridge to Bridge Committee ... The money was raised from the 30th annual Bridge to Bridge event held in March, and will go towards improving the outdoor area of the aged care home ... looking at options to enclose the area so that it can be used any time of the day and throughout the year.
Inspiring group of riders finding their place in the sun
It’s been a long road for people with disabilities to gain recognition as riders. At the turn of this century, England recognised riding for the disabled as a beneficial form of therapy and offered riding therapy for wounded soldiers at the Oxford Hospital during WWI ... Now, para competitions are a part of almost every senior dressage competition world-wide and there is a strong focus on the riders and horses.
Lifeguards increase public safety practices in 2023: Surf Life Saving NSW
New figures to come out of the 2022/23 season show a near-25 per cent increase year on year in beach attendances, keeping Australian Lifeguard Service (ALS) lifeguards on their toes along the NSW coastline.
Introducing Megan Rauchle Principal – Allora P-10
Megan has been appointed the new Principal of the Allora P-10 State School after the retirement of Shaun Kanowski at the end of last term. Megan Rauchle took over the reins of Allora P-10 State School at the start of this term. She is a passionate teacher and believes in an all inclusive school where students, staff and teachers are successful and reach their capability.
Allora Homestead celebrates 40 years
An extra special celebration will take place at Allora Homestead on Friday, 21 July at 10.30am as residents, guests and staff gather to celebrate the aged care home’s 40th anniversary. Allora Homestead has supported families across the generations to age-in-place where they have established connection and belonging. Southern Cross Care Queensland (SCCQ) Residential Manager Majella Baker has served at Allora Homestead for 38 years and has supported individuals and their families at one of the most significant times of a person’s life.
Angourie locals’ anger over stranded yacht
Angry Angourie locals have taken it upon themselves to clean up kilos and kilos of debris from the 15-metre steel ketch Chinook that ran aground on Saturday July 8, on rocks near Spooky Beach, after the boat’s owner abandoned the vessel ... Angourie local Kim said as the yacht was left scattering debris for six days in the ocean and surrounds.
Coldstream Street medical centre in limbo
Yamba residents will continue to endure wait times of up to a month to see a doctor with the news the development of a medical centre, pharmacy and four units on Coldstream Street is in limbo, with no anticipated start date. A Development Application DA to build the medical centre, chemist and four residential units in the Yamba CBD was lodged by Brisbane based Go Ahead Enterprises Pty Ltd with Clarence Valley Council CVC in March 2021 and was approved by council in August 2021.
Visit of Lions Youth Exchange from Germany and Switzerland
Over the past week, two delightful Lions Exchange Students have been making their home in Nhill as part of their month-long visit to Australia ... although it is a privilege to show visitors such as Alia Mostert and Sara Kuntner our country, it is actually a "double blessing" ... It has been a joy to learn about their home countries, but it is especially rewarding to view our homeland through new eyes.
Support for Overland Rail Service
Last week the Member for Western Victoria Jacinta Ermacora and Member for Ripon Martha Haylett wrote a letter to Minister for Public Transport Ben Carroll calling for continued support of The Overland rail service. Both MPs are calling for continued Government support to ensure the twice-weekly service – which also stops at Murray Bridge, Bordertown, Nhill, Dimboola, Horsham, Stawell, Ararat, and Geelong’s North Shore – is funded beyond 2023.
Mothers’ group scales up CaFHS campaign
A southern Yorke Peninsula mothers’ group has had to buy its own scales to weigh newborn babies because of what members say is a lack of local services provided by Child and Family Health Services ... "The wait time for a face-to-face appointment was three months. We have had babies up to 7 months old coming to the group who had only been seen by a CaFHS nurse once as a newborn": Katie Hughes, facilitator of Yorketown's new Mama Meet Up group.
Roger that, instant home two years after house fire
Roger bought a house in Mallanganee in 2003. Two years ago, the house was burned to the ground ... Roger said he has been homeless since the fire. That changed with the delivery of a self contained small house costing about $77,000. The house has a kitchenette, shower and basin and somewhere to sleep. Roger is “stoked” about the help he is getting from his mates to make the small house a home.
Rural Queensland family host unique fundraiser event at The Ekka
There are 20,800 Australians currently living with spinal cord injuries, so no matter where you come from, it’s likely you know someone affected. A beef producing family from north-west Queensland who have experienced the impacts of a spinal injury first hand, are hosting a unique fundraising event during this year’s Ekka featuring a luncheon and invitational bull ride.
Bad medicine for regional Australia
Trent Twomey. Sixty-day dispensing may sound good, but dig a little deeper and it’s rural and regional Australia that will pay ... “You don’t know what you got ‘til it’s gone.” It may as well be the theme song for 60-day dispensing, where pharmacists will be required to dispense two months’ worth of medicine for the price of one month.
Parents re-take dinner time, for your children’s sake
Regional townships have a huge advantage over big cities in an ability to authentically inject a sense of connection and inclusion into the community ... when people know their family history, you will hear stories of enterprise, resilience, perseverance and bravery, which help fuel a sense of pride and family identity ... the research is quite clear. Children who know their family history have a sense of belonging, and in turn are more resilient.
Bonza pens an open letter to customers to announce its refreshed route map
Bonza has shared an open letter to customers communicating changes it will be making in order to “earn the respect of Aussie travellers”. The letter, shared on the airline’s social media channels, outlines changes to its route map and schedule that are designed to set the airline up for long-term success and reduce the likelihood of cancellations.
