Trainees for Naracoorte and Millicent
Chris Oldfield. Naracoorte and Millicent have welcomed three new paramedic trainees to their dedicated SA Ambulance Service (SAAS) teams. Jasmine White has joined Naracoorte, while Ben Merchant and Amy-Lee Hay have teamed up with Millicent's SAAS.
Gust takes on Upper House
Gabrielle Duykers. An Apsley farmer and community advocate is running as a candidate for the state Legislative Council in the upcoming election. Paula Gust has joined the Advance SA Party in the hopes of securing a seat in the Upper House at the State Election on March 19.
Armidale & New England Show, 4-5 March 2022
Despite lingering COVID restrictions, the Armidale Show Committee has worked hard to develop a full schedule for the public to enter and compete in, and a jam-packed entertainment program over two nights.
Government agrees to Maldon Hospital amalgamation
The Victorian Government has approved the proposal put forward by the Maldon Hospital and Castlemaine Health boards to come together as one organisation ... The new health service will officially commence on 1 March 2022. The integration follows more than 42 years of strong collaboration and partnership between the two health services.
Commemorating the 39th anniversary of Ash Wednesday
Daryl Walker, from the Maldon Vintage Machinery and Museum, has spent months putting together a tribute to those that lost their lives in the Ash Wednesday fires on 16 February 1983. The exhibition, consisting of newspaper articles and photographs, is informative and moving.
Migration to regional Australia more than double pre-COVID
The numbers are in on the accelerated escape from the city trend, with quarterly migration from capital cities to regional areas over the past two years up 15% on the two years prior to the global pandemic. According to the latest Regional Movers Index, produced in partnership by the Commonwealth Bank and the Regional Australia Institute (RAI), the December quarter index showed net migration to the country’s regions is more than double what it was in the two years pre-COVID.
Support ‘humbling’
Patricia Gill. Rob and Sally Seminara tell of how a ‘ï¬rey’, overcome with emotion, had wept while presenting them with a cake after the couple had returned to their burnt out house. The show of emotion and gesture touched the hearts of the devastated couple whose home of 30 years at Parryville was razed overnight on February 4.
Car theft – vehicle stolen following crash
Kirstin Nicholson. Ben Timms, of the Barham Licenced Post Office, was out on his delivery run when he came across another driver in need of help at around 10am ... Rushing to assist, he grabbed the fire extinguisher from his own vehicle to prevent the fire from spreading. While performing his good deed, the driver of the burning vehicle fled in Ben’s utility, driving east along Barham Road.
So who is this Sidney Reid?
Kirstin Nicholson. Let us introduce you to Sidney CP Reid JP. Sidney Reid was born in 1889 in Grafton. He came to Koondrook to manage Arbuthnot Sawmills in 1918 ... instrumental in establishing the Barham-Koondrook Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital ... operated a dairy farm ... "possessed a tremendous capacity for getting things done."
New release – Sydney Royal, celebrating 200 Years of the Royal Agricultural Society of New South Wales
The Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS) has launched a new commemorative book, at a function held at Government House in Sydney, honouring the bicentenary of the organisation in July this year.
134th Gulgong Show – a huge success!
On the 19th February, Gulgong Show Society hosted its 134th Gulgong Show. It was a huge success and we were pleased to host a fun packed show for the local families and the visitors that came with over 3,500 visitors coming through the gate.
Painting a mural with joy as Casino water tower gets its first colours
It’s not until you’re up close to the mural drawn onto Casino’s water tower that you can really know the scale of the artwork. It is huge. Mural painters Steve Falco and Jordan Bruce are aware of the impact the mural will have on the town’s residents. The water tower can be seen from nearly everywhere.
Breakfast meeting offers plenty of food for thought
Emma Pritchard. The Grafton Chamber of Commerce hosted its first breakfast meeting of the year at the Clocktower Hotel last week ... In assuming his new role with the Chamber, Mr Jablonski, a passionate advocate for local youths, spoke to the crowd about encouraging mentorships for young people and getting them actively involved in entrepreneurships and business.
Domestic violence is no laughing matter
Geoff Helisma. ‘Not out’ septuagenarian Bob Walker came to comedy relatively late. “It saved my life. I was deeply depressed when I took it up – it’s changed how I think about myself and my outlook on life.” ... the Tucabia man is back with a stellar line-up of comedians at the Maclean Bowling Club – and all of the money from ticket sales will be used to potentially save lives.
New research aims to end the refrigeration of vaccines
Researchers at Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, have developed a technique that addresses the challenge of transporting temperature-dependent vaccines, which researchers hope may increase access in rural and remote communities in Australia and developing countries.
Life on the land can be tough, but an online tool helps farmers cope with factors beyond their control
A website launched in 2018 to give farmers practical strategies to cope with factors beyond their control has proved so successful with rural communities that it has now been expanded. With further input from farmers and generous funding from multiple philanthropic organisations, ifarmwell has updated its content and features and broadened its reach and expertise.
Keith Hospital model unveiled
Gabrielle Duykers. A newly proposed healthcare model for Keith and District Hospital would see it move into the public local health network, but 24/7 care has been excluded from the plan ... As part of the transition, the current Keith and District Hospital Governing Board could potentially morph into a Health Advisory Council (HAC), a consultative body which works with SA Health to provide advice on health service needs and priorities for the community.
TEYS – the canary in the coalmine
Sheryl Lowe. "What followed ‘saddened” me, Member for MacKillop Nick McBride MP said on 5THE FM radio. “I realise there is a lot of fear around covid but Teys employees were refused service at businesses in Naracoorte and there was even a threat of the Woolworths Fuel outlet closing so staff wouldn’t have to serve them. The media continued to connect the outbreak to Teys but, Teys was the ‘canary in the coal mine,’ if you like. They detected covid in Naracoorte but were not responsible for bringing it to Naracoorte. It was already there.”
New principal for Naracoorte
Gabrielle Duykers. Naracoorte High School has gained a new principal, Lynette Corletto, who says she is passionate about inclusive education and helping students link their learning to future pathways.
Foster & District Agricultural Show, 26 February 2022
Sammy Spark. The Foster & District Agricultural Show is back at the beautiful Foster Showground for 2022. Saturday 26 February 2022 will bring our community back together again to celebrate the region’s hard work during tough times and showcase agriculture in our region.
Pigs, pumpkins and ponies – 152nd Milton Show – 4-5 March 2022
There is excitement in the air, with preparations for the show well underway. Show President, Ken Leslie, reports that, despite having to cancel last year's show due to the COVID pandemic, the enquiries and entries for this year's show are coming in and people are keen to get involved.
Mozzie Mob helping Tennant eliminate dengue mosquito
A dengue mosquito elimination program is gaining traction in Tennant Creek, a year since the dengue mosquito, Aedes aegypti, was found in the town. A team of five NT Health staff, known to the locals as the Mozzie Mob, are conducting property inspections to review backyard items that can hold water to treat them for mosquito eggs or larvae.
