Council seeks help to honour Her Majesty
How do you honour the incredible life and memory of our late Sovereign, Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II? That is the question Toowoomba Region Mayor Paul Antonio would like to ask residents as the Council seeks community engagement to consider memorial options for Queen Elizabeth II.
Ukraine endorsement for Aussie grain initiative: Grain Producers Australia
Ukraine’s ambassador to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, has endorsed the efforts of Australian grain producers to help Ukraine farmers and rural communities with their recovery from the war. Mr Myroshnychenko met with members of Grain Producers Australia’s farmer sub-committee recently to discuss the #GRAIN4UKRAINE initiative and thank them for supporting his people.
Xavier makes a name for himself as Beacho2700
At just 16 years of age Narrandera’s Xavier Beauchamp is a young talented up-and-coming professional rap artist from the Western Riverina who goes by Beacho2700 and whose original tracks are available through Spotify, Apple Music, Instagram, Youtube and Sound Cloud. Beacho2700 is a combination of Xavier Beauchamp’s nickname and the postcode for Narrandera NSW where he comes from.
Detour distress
On any given day, the streets of Moulamein would see the odd fisherman or ute laden with dogs trundling by, but not last week. Moulamein was the highway of detour distress ... From road trains to hot rods, race cars to caravans, Moulamein exploded with Sturt Highway traffic desperately trying to find their way without the traditional Sydney to Adelaide route.
Food industry warns government of long-term food supply chain disruptions: National Food Supply Chain Alliance
The National Food Supply Chain Alliance, made up of nine influential national food industry associations, says long term supply chain issues, including ongoing natural disasters and labour shortages, are set to increase food prices for the foreseeable future ... The Alliance has, over the past two days, met with government and the opposition to explain the risks to the economy and Australians’ wellbeing should a National Plan not be developed and implemented as a matter of urgency.
Visitor numbers to fly high at Clarenza
Emma Pritchard. The Grafton Model Aircraft Club is hosting its annual flying weekend on November 26 and 27, and they are cordially inviting Clarence Valley residents, and visitors in the region, to journey to the Tancreds Lane Flying Field at Clarenza, for two days of spectacular aerobatics and flying demonstrations. Visitors will also have the opportunity to learn more about model aircrafts and get up close with some phenomenal displays...
Stop. Think. Vote! Australia’s peak animal welfare body says Victorian politics needs your vote to count: Animal Care Australia
Australia’s peak animal welfare body, Animal Care Australia, has published a score card of how each Victorian Political Party performed in supporting or opposing sound Animal Welfare initiatives for companion animals in this last term. Animal Care Australia painstakingly trawled through the last 3 years of Hansard (the official record of the Minutes of Victoria’s Parliament) to find how often each party spoke in favour of improving animal welfare and supporting companion animals, and those who blocked, or spoke against, those motions.
SA River Murray update
Notice of community meetings, flood information, SES status, advice and links provided by Alexandrina Shire in South Australia, where the River Murray meets the sea and flooding is predicted.
Royal recognition for trailblazers
Sarah Martin. A group of Indigenous women rangers, led by Cape York environmental warrior Larissa Hale, has been named as the first Australian finalist for Prince William’s prestigious Earthshot Prize ... “To be showcasing these amazing projects right across the world is a powerful way for First Nations women to see and imagine their futures in conservation management": Larissa Hale.
Ukrainian family is thankful for support
With the support of the Cape community, Ukrainian refugees Tatiana and Victor Malysha have returned to their home in war-ravaged Zaporizhzhia. Coordinated by Cooktown couple Eric and Jola George, the community has fundraised to give Tatiana and her son Victor, who has special needs, a monthly allowance while they were forced to live apart from her husband to escape fighting in Zaporizhzhia.
Quest for safe pony began life long mission to save rare livestock breeds
After Katy Brown notched up her fourth broken bone at the tender age of 10, her mum decided that if she couldn’t buy her daughter a safe pony she had better breed one ... it was the choice of the Highland that set in motion an association that would become a life’s work for the young animal lover – saving livestock breeds facing extinction.
McBride backs more research for medicinal cannabis
Chris Oldfield. In a bid to help control many conditions including juvenile epilepsy, endometriosis and chronic pain, the use and further research of medicinal cannabis has been backed by the State Member for MacKillop, Nick McBride. Mr McBride gained permission from Lucindale’s much loved and highly respected resident Meredith Pomery to help explain in State Parliament the important benefits of medicinal cannabis.
Emotional campaign launched on farm safety
On 16 October, SA Power Networks launched an emotional farm safety campaign featuring Bradley Richardson, a victim of a terrible electric shock incident. Bradley’s story is a reminder of the horrific consequences of electric shock and the importance of safety around powerlines. Bradley is incredibly lucky to be alive, but the cost was the loss of both of his legs, 35 per cent burns to his body, organ damage, and about 25 major operations.
Every face has a place
Nic Duncan’s photography work is not the glamorous kind. Far from it. Nic travels to the back of beyond to capture her subjects within their natural habitat. There’s no fictitious backdrops, no wardrobe assistant and certainly no makeup artist. It’s all about reflecting a person’s natural state. Raw and real, regional and rural she seeks the opposite of city and suburban.
Lions Club celebrates 55-year anniversary
The Tennant Creek Lions Club celebrated its 55th anniversary with a stunning sunset dinner on Saturday evening. The first ever Australian Lions Club was formed in Lismore in 1947, with the Tennant Creek branch forming two decades later.
Victorian Goldfields Railway
2022 has been a busy year for the staff and volunteers of the Victorian Goldfields Railway. Â In addition to operating trains every Wednesday and Sunday throughout the year, 2022 has seen a very popular program of special trains operated, including Murder on the Orient Express Driver Experiences and the ever-popular Ales on Rails trains.
Roo Fest
Stephen Cranby. What is Roo Fest? Both Donna [Publican] and Mandy Connell [Organiser] agree. Roo Fest is about bringing artists together from around this region of Victoria to provide a venue for musicians who haven’t necessarily been heard or been up this way before. Â
Thank you to our Cactus Warriors
Lee Mead. Most of our local properties, roadsides and Maldon Historic Reserve are now free of large Wheel Cactus infestations. Â This is thanks to many volunteers, landowners and contractors who have all been helping to destroy this noxious weed.
Floods impact businesses as supplies run short
Major flooding of the Murrumbidgee River at Narrandera is having such a detrimental effect on local business that some have been forced to close their doors. One of the main problems these businesses are facing is delivery trucks being unable to access the town due to flood-affected roads being closed. One business which has been badly affected this week was the Early Opener, which could have temporarily changed its name to the Early Closer on Monday.
Upwards trend in airport travellers
There has been a positive trend of increasing Regional Express passenger numbers at Narrandera-Leeton Airport since the beginning of 2022. Narrandera Shire Council’s General Manager George Cowan advised that positive comments continue to be received from Regional Express that the Sydney – Narrandera/Leeton – Griffith route was one of their most profitable routes flown.
Local product ready to make mark in Group 9
Jeff Hanson. The word prodigious can get thrown around a lot these days, but it’s really the only way to describe 21-year-old athlete and rugby league star, Tristan Eldridge ... After choosing rugby league as his sport of choice, the talented outside back was nurtured in the Canberra Raiders system, playing Harold Matthews Cup, SG Ball Cup and Jersey Flegg Cup for the Green Machine.
Unveiling
The latest two additions to the Koondrook Barham Red Gum Statue Walk were publicly revealed on Sunday, November 13. The Roy Higgins and Sidney Reid statues brings the Red Gum Statue Walk to a total of 20 features capturing the twin towns’ history, ecology and pioneering spirit ... “This walk is a very unique feature of our towns and highlights the versatility and magnificence of sustainable red gum timber": Tom Chick, KDC chairman.

