Life

Renowned printmaker and Castlemaine-based artist David Frazer identifies with rock n’ roll. He even tried to be a musician before realising his strengths were more in fine art than music ... he’s created a very small run of handmade books titled More than Flesh and Bone featuring his signature wood engraved prints inspired by the lyrics of three of his favourite Tom Waits songs.

Narrandera reinsman Blake Jones has been a dominant force in the Riverina for quite some time and in the final race at Wagga last week the talented horseman achieved a significant goal in his driving career. Jones brought up his 1000th winner aboard the Bernie Kelly-trained Waratah Lou.

"Saving Men’s lives" is the catchcry of the Rotary Men’s health education rule van. MHERV is an initiative of the Rotary Club of Warners Bay in collaboration with local Rotary clubs and other community groups in each area it visits. With the support of the Royal Freemasons Benevolent Institution (RFBI) a registered nurse undertakes free basic check-ups for ‘blokes’ to come in and have a free health check.

Gwen Colwill. 27 April 1973 a meeting was held in Bordertown chaired by Mr Colin Pitcher where it was decided to form a field Naturalist Group ... Walt was presented with a tree seedling by Gwen Colwill which he planted in the reserve to commemorate our 50 years.

Toowoomba patients in crisis now have access to enhanced mental health services in their own home, thanks to the joint efforts of the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) and Queensland Health. The Toowoomba Mental Health Co-Responder Service, which became operational last Wednesday, pairs a QAS senior paramedic with a senior mental health clinician from Darling Downs Health in order to deliver fast, collaborative specialist care.

Helen and Gerard Nolan. The extended Nolan family and friends celebrated 70 years since John and Rita (nee McGahan) moved to "Fairfield" Ellinthorp with two small boys and a six week old baby ... The farm at Ellinthorp was bought in May 1953 on a walk-in walk-out basis with plant, livestock and some furniture.

Colin Newport. Although Norman Brian Clarke was not born in Allora, his connections to the town ran deep. Following his recent death and funeral service in Brisbane, his body was brought to Allora to be buried alongside the graves of his grandparents Joseph and Sarah Eleanor Clarke. The plot had been long- time reserved and Norman had asked that Father Rod McGinley conduct the burial service.

On 23 May 2023, the Premier Daniel Andrews said: “We’re doing everything we promised Victorians we’d do – and we’re not wasting a moment getting on with it”. What he perhaps should have said was: “We promised some things – we even promised to govern for all Victorians – but we will deliver only some things, dump plenty of others, and govern for a few.” For me there’s only one headline from this budget: Victoria is broke.

Fin Hansen. Austin McDonald has already built consistent form just a few months into his powerboating career. The 26-year-old adrenaline junkie, who lives in Wallaroo, has joined the Australian Formula Powerboat Grand Prix circuit for 2023.

The wait is finally over. Truffle Kerfuffle has unveiled a delectable program and an incredible line up of chefs and culinary talent for Western Australia’s most decadent food festival held in the heart of Australian truffle country, Manjimup, from 23 to 25 June 2023.

Michelle Daw. The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Foundation has slammed the state government and Yorke and Northern Local Health Network for its lack of urgency in responding to security concerns at Wallaroo Hospital. The ANMF SA branch is calling for 24/7 restraint-trained guards to be employed at Wallaroo and Port Pirie hospitals, following recent "code black" incidents.

Michelle Daw. Barunga West Council appears to have backed down on plans to immediately tackle the issue of unauthorised fences around homes at Fisherman Bay ...The Papps family had erected a fenced enclosure at the rear of their property to keep [retired greyhound] Max safe, and are awaiting more information about fencing requirements from Barunga West Council.

During [National Volunteer Week] Two Rocks Yanchep Assisted Cancer Travels, (TRYACT), Two Rocks Yanchep Culture & Arts Network (TRYCAN), Two Rocks & Yanchep Residents Association, Yanchep Community Men’s Shed, Yanchep Two Rocks RSL, Liam James McLaughlin Memorial Hospice, Yanchep Two Rocks Probus Club and Story Dogs have all had stalls in the old Westpac space.

“I choose a small number of items and play with their placement over a number of weeks, even months,” Samantha explains. “I observe them as the light changes and swap things in and out until I’m happy with the result. I’m seeking balance, in space and shape..."

Two friends, one white, one black. Two film makers, one white, one black. A couple more than 30 years together, one white, one black. Signs of hope for Alice Springs at a time when there isn’t much. The film maker is Penny McDonald and her co-producer is Audrey Napanangka, who also gives the new movie her name.

Blake Lee. National Volunteer Week acknowledges the people who generously give up their time to support and benefit their communities. From May 15 to 21, National Volunteer Week is celebrated right across Australia. In 2023 the theme is “The change makers” to recognise the millions of volunteers who play a vital role in creating positive change in their communities and beyond.

Long-time local Damien Ha was in good spirits as he recovered from surgery after a vicious attack by a group of teenagers in the early hours ... "I get the stitches out in two weeks so I should be right to play." Damien has ranked four in the Territory for the Masters, and travels each year to represent Tennant in the Australian Titles. "I told them I know your face, and he told me he had a machete, grabbed it out of the bush and hit me with it."

Kevin Moloney. So anticipation built when news broke that a new food offer was to open in the same building as its antecedents ... We also learned the restaurant would be called Franco’s, so we started Googling to check the pedigree of the new kid on our food block.

During this National Volunteer Week both the CFA and SES have publicly thanked their members for their dedication and selflessness. In the Upper Murray, the local CFA and SES units go "above and beyond" for their communities and have a long history of service however, similar to other volunteer organisations, their numbers have been dwindling.

Patricia Gill. Merninger Elder Lynette Knapp feels for her country the same way as her family does: "Which is the way I taught them". A DNA test conducted through the Esperance Aboriginal Group 12 years ago showed her as having a 75,000-year ‘proper’ connection to Country, other Noongars tested being African or Asian-related.

The Great Southern and Denmark is emerging as a grower and producer region of black Perigord truffle, which can retail for up to $3000 a kilogram. And WA accounts for 90 per cent of Australia’s truffle exports with most producer farms in the South West. In the past five years Denmark has expanded from just one truffle producer to six farms with the yield growing rapidly.