Life

A four-day charity walk from Bonegilla to Corryong last week has raised more than $25,000 to date to promote awareness of veterans’ mental health isssues. Corryong cafè owner, Stuart Spratt, started the ‘March On’ walk three years ago and was accompanied by nine supporters who finished the trek with him at the Corryong cenotaph last Friday afternoon.

A Garden Party celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Queensland Country Women’s Association (QCWA) at "Marinya", the former home of Mrs Ruth Fairfax, the founding president of the organisation, drew a large crowd of branch members from a wide area along with local and visiting dignitaries.

The Narrandera District Community Radio Spirit FM hosted a wonderful community celebration at the Narrandera Golf Club and Function Centre ... to celebrate its 18th year of broadcasting in 2023 ... Spokesperson for Spirit FM, Sue Ruffles commented that the organisation of the party provided an opportunity to delve into some history of the station which has not previously been captured.

Local residents are encouraged to come along to Echuca Library this Saturday for the annual Echuca Moama Discovery Day. The event will showcase over 50 groups from Echuca Moama and surrounds, ranging from local service and sporting clubs, to singing, art, craft, history groups and many other community organisations.

A huge crowd of members, friends and invited guests attended the celebrations at the historic homstead, Marinya, Cambooya on Saturday. Marinya was the home of founding president Ruth Fairfax who hosted meetings and garden parties for the QCWA.

Yamba locals Cheryl and Bill Randall hit the road for the greater good when Variety – the Children’s Charity NSW/ACT’s feel-good 4WD Adventure kicked off in Coffs Harbour on Sunday ... Variety’s feel-good 4WD Adventure raises funds for children who are sick, experiencing disadvantage or living with a disability.

A wide-ranging program of activities is planned to engage young people across the Toowoomba Region for Queensland Youth Week 2023. Held from 11 to 17 April, Queensland Youth Week is an annual celebration of young people aged 12–25, and an opportunity to recognise the positive contributions they make across our Region.

Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) has confirmed an impeccable line up of 15 Indigenous fashion designers and wearable art makers from across Queensland whose collective response to the 2023 theme ‘Woven’ will tell a powerful story marking 10 years of fashion performances.

Last week, Harmony celebrations all over Australia reminded us that everyone is different, everyone belongs and we all bring something unique to our communities.

NT Health is urging Northern Territory (NT) residents and visitors to protect themselves from mosquito bites, following detection of the potentially fatal Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE) and Japanese encephalitis (JE) viruses in mosquitoes. Mosquito numbers are currently high in the Barkly region due to the recent rains, and are expected to increase in the Top End, with numbers already at high levels in areas close to swamps, creeks and wetlands.

Traditionally in small rural communities there is very limited opportunities for people to be physically active outside of mainstream sports and this is particularly problematic for women and girls.

In an event like the famous Garryowen, where every tiny detail is important – from the quality and cut of the coat and breeches, to the stock, gloves and even the position of the spurs – the leather top boots need to be immaculate. And it’s not an easy task. Well known show horse competitor and judge Claire Uren has always been meticulous in the appearance of her horses and in correct turnout wear, including boots.

The Federal Labor Government has been forced to admit it won’t reach its target of 24/7 Registered Nurses in all Aged Care homes, which is an acknowledgement for battling smaller regional aged care facilities. Earlier this week, Minister for Aged Care Anika Wells, revealed to media not every facility would be fully staffed by July 1, following months of pressure and advocacy from the Coalition on behalf of smaller aged care facilities.

Founder and CEO of Balanced Choice Adam Drake has been in Tennant Creek presenting his program to participants thanks to funding by RN Employment. Adam has a long connection with Tennant Creek and the Balanced Choice program aims to use his experience in many fields to connect mind body and spirit to help participants be the best version of themselves.

Unruly youths have struck Tennant Creek’s most vulnerable again, this time a much-respected volunteer of the community. Adrian Calyun is well-known around Tennant Creek as a volunteer, teacher and youth worker, and last Friday night he was victim to theft and vandalism.

Shannon Uren, the General Manager and Director of Nursing at Maldon Hospital, had a problem last year when in the process of replacing Hospital beds & what to do with the old beds ... One group, Melbourne-based FESIDEV (Federation of International Seniors for Development), was very interested in the beds...

The Newstead Community Garden began in 2009   and has evolved into a peaceful and joyful venture for keen and eager gardeners ... The garden produces fruit and vegetables, which are used by the members, and the excess is dried, used for chutneys, fed to the chooks and/or donated to community groups.

You will most likely know Alexander McCall Smith as the ingenious and inexhaustible author of the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series or any number of his more than 80 other titles, but it was art that brought McCall Smith to Maldon last weekend. The cherished Cascade Gallery is currently showing the work of the entrancing and prolific artist Robert Maclaurin ... McCall Smith is an avid admirer - but they were yet to meet.

Childcare users in regional Queensland have waited more than 12 months to access services, according to a new study released by the Regional Australia Institute (RAI). The RAI Childcare Study ... focused on accessibility, availability, affordability and quality of childcare and its impact on workforce participation, liveability, population attraction and retention of staff in the Maranoa and Western Downs regions...

The recently released Toowoomba Region Growth Plan shows Westbrook is anticipated to grow by more than 4,800 people by 2051, taking the total population to just over 9,200 ... The Toowoomba Region Growth Plan, presented to Toowoomba Regional Council last week, is intended to act as the long-term population and employment growth strategy for the Region to 2051.

Professional dog breeder Kay Humphry has started 2023 on a high. Kay headed to Rochester with her precious cargo of three Golden Retrievers, Bonnie, Adel and Regina, to the first Rochester Show in three years – held off from two years of Covid-19 and the recent flood event.

“I just like to depict life,” said artist Brian Williams as we discussed his upcoming Cohuna art exhibition ... From landscapes to seascapes, Brian’s work captures the beauty of the Australian environment, the animals and people.