Guiding Aboriginal bushfood businesses to success
Two new guides, 'Setting up for success: Bushfoods' and 'Protection of Indigenous Ecological Knowledge for Bushfood Businesses', highlight the risks and opportunities for Aboriginal businesses, as well as promoting best practices for industry.
International rural women local celebrations
Sheryl Lowe. International Rural Woman’s Day was celebrated on October 15th by women around the Limestone Coast. Rural and regional women and men from a variety of business backgrounds gathered in the Barrel Room of Hollick Estate to connect, share stories and collaborate in their businesses.
Jacaranda President resigns
Emma Pritchard. While she stands proudly amongst the blossoming purple trees in Grafton’s See Park, the cost of keeping Jacaranda Jill safe from vandals while on public display has led to the resignation of Jacaranda Festival President Nicholas Buckler. Mr Buckler confirmed his resignation via email late last week, citing issues regarding finances spent on 24-hour security for the 6m tall kewpie doll.
Local performers orchestrating their talents online
Emma Pritchard. More than 40 members of the Maclean Music Academy will feature alongside bands, choirs and musicians from across Australia as part of the AMEB Online Orchestra this week ... To participate, the academy filmed and submitted footage of several of their members performing segments from the specially commissioned song, 'Morning Star and Evening Star'.
The Basket Range Sandstone Uraidla & Summertown Country Show, 7 November 2021
As the Spring temperatures rise and plants bud and grow it’s time to come up to Uraidla to visit a traditional agricultural show in the Adelaide Hills.
Eudunda Show is ON! 14 November 2021
The Eudunda Show is all systems go! Albeit with some variations on the norm due to COVID regulations.
New registration laws for short-term rental accommodation in NSW
From 1 November 2021, owners of short-term rental accommodation (STRA) will be required to register their properties with the NSW Government and will no longer require Council planning approval.
Stay alert and slow down for cattle when driving around the Central Highlands stock routes
Did you know Queensland stock routes cover around 72,000 km and 48 local government areas? Drovers are herding cattle along the stock routes passing through the Central Highlands at Yan Yan Road through to Lilyvale Road, Gregory Highway and Capricornia Highway through to Springsure and Rolleston areas. These roads are subject to change depending on conditions and motorists are urged to be patient and vigilant whenever they are driving along a stock route.
Slow down, koalas are about
Lismore City Council will install temporary signage to reduce the number of koalas being hit by vehicles at six identified koala-strike hot spots around Lismore. “Since the beginning of this year 33 koalas were killed on roads in the Lismore Local Government Area – this is 33 too many,” said Council’s Environmental Strategies Officer Angie Brace.
Bank access concerns build
Sheryl Lowe. Banking is challenging in Millicent and Districts for some members of the community since the ANZ Bank reduced their business hours last year. With this week’s announcement the Naracoorte ANZ will close in November, the future of the ‘big banks’ is being questioned by customers. The Millicent ANZ Bank now only opens on weekdays from 9.30 am to 12.30pm which leaves little opportunity for businesses to bank the days takings ... When Banks announce they are reducing their trading hours or closure they often encourage clients to use the local Post Office for their banking needs, but this can be problematic too.
Blue Light Camp in desperate need of funds
The iconic Maldon Blue Light Youth Camp is at risk of closure due to funding losses from COVID-19. The camp has a 30-year legacy in the Maldon community, running school camps and education programs ... Due to COVID-19 restrictions camps are unable to run at present, leaving the camp without any form of revenue.
Wheel Cactus field day in Maldon Historic Reserve
Lea Mead. The Cactus Warriors invite you to join us on Sunday 31 October at 10.30am along Mount Back Road where we will be assisting Parks Victoria to remove Wheel Cactus plants from our sensational Maldon Historic Reserve. We’ll be armed with digging hoes and buckets and will concentrate on digging up small wheel cactus plants in an area along Mount Back Road.
Know your local – Garry Leung
On interviewing Gary I realised he isn’t, in technical terms, a resident of Maldon. However, I think given Gary has given each of us advice on coughs and colds, sores and nappy rash for quite a few years, we can make an exception. Gary bought the pharmacy on April Fools’ Day in 2009. He found out about the sale of the pharmacy through his networks and came up to have a look during the Folk Festival in 2008.
Gunbower bush bash
Kirstin Nicholson. Cohuna Neighbourhood House treated 28 people to a ‘Bush Bash Tour’ as part of the Victorian Seniors Festival ... Local Aboriginal elder, Aunty Esther Kirby, explained the historical significance of the Gunbower Forest to the local Aboriginal people and discussed items of cultural significance.
Horse healing power to be harnessed
Serena Kirby. A new exercise therapy will soon be available for Denmark children and adults recovering from serious injury or living with physical disabilities and illnesses. The name of the therapeutic practice, hippotherapy, comes from the Greek word ‘hippos’ meaning horse and roughly translates as ‘treatment with help of a horse’.
Storm watcher turns hobby into hugely popular weather page
For 17 years Robert Hackett has checked the skies. His interest in all things weather related is a hobby. Living in the Kyogle area for many years, Robert has been caught in some dramatic situations while updating weather warnings out in the field. “As storms gets closer, you see and feel the energy of Mother Nature,” Robert said.
Anti-mining debate finishes in a ‘draw’
Geoff Helisma. Debate about the Clarence Catchment Alliance’s (CCA) petition calling for the cessation of mineral mining and exploration in the Clarence River catchment took place in the NSW Legislative Assembly on Thursday October 14 ... The petition was lodged by Lismore MP Janelle Saffin (Labor) ... Speaking against the petition was Member for Clarence Chris Gulaptis (Nationals).
Illuminated jacarandas a sight to see
Emma Pritchard. From sundown until 10:30pm between October 21 and 24, one of Grafton’s most popular recreational areas lit up the exuberance of Clarence Valley residents and visitors to the region, with a dazzling display of lights, colour, and natural beauty. Created as an additional attraction during the 2021 Jacaranda Festival, the blossoming jacaranda trees in See Park were stylishly illuminated to showcase their exquisite purple radiance, allowing them to be admired during the day and night.
No bull! Run returns
Modesty went out the window and the PC brigade was turned away as the world-famous Running of the Bulls was revived in true Weipa style on Sunday morning ... Lit up by the moon and a few streetlights, the eager herd carried plastic bags and buckets, hopeful that enough residents had stayed up past 1am to make a charitable donation to the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
Laws to enshrine safe and clear pandemic responses: Daniel Andrews
Delivering on our commitment to crossbench Members of Parliament, a new pandemic-specific part of the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 will be legislated to embed lessons learnt managing COVID-19, incorporate best practice public health administration from other jurisdictions like New Zealand, and introduce greater transparency and accountability around decision-making.
Banners put a taboo topic in forefront of community
A brainchild of Weipa Community Care, the banners on Central Avenue were erected to send a message about domestic violence and sexual violence ... Weipa Community Care support worker Lucy Waugh said domestic and family violence, as well as sexual violence, was too high in Cape York. “We need to change the thinking about what a healthy relationship is,” she said.
Key rural health workforce program extended to get more medicos in the bush
A key rural health workforce program that enables nursing and dental students and trainee doctors to train in regional and rural Australia is being extended for another three years by the Morrison Joyce Government. Federal Regional Health Minister, Dr David Gillespie said the Rural Health Multidisciplinary Training (RHMT) program provides high-quality clinical rural training experiences for students in a range of career paths, including GPs, nurses, dentists and allied health professionals.
