Hendra virus confirmed in flying foxes in broad region of Australia
Scientists at CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, have uncovered a new type of Hendra virus in flying foxes, confirming the virus can be found across a broad region of the country. A paper detailing the findings has been published just days after the new genetic type (HeV-g2) was detected in a horse near Newcastle in New South Wales, the most southern case of Hendra yet recorded.
James Sullivan honoured
Liz Lawrence. The Sullivan name has been synonymous with Australian football in Narrandera for decades and now one of its favourite sons James Sullivan has been honoured for his commitment to the game as a teacher at St Francis de Sales Regional College. James, son of Barry and Debbie Sullivan of Narrandera, has been named as a NSW/ACT Secondary School Ambassador for the game in the NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards.
A tale of two cockatoos
John Anderson. White-tailed black cockatoos have one of the most evocative and haunting bird calls in Australia. Around Denmark, they can often be seen and heard in the evening flying in small groups to their roosting sites. Occasionally, massive flocks of hundreds of birds converge on a favoured watering hole or swamp to drink, such as Yanchep National Park, north of Perth.
Latest gallery exhibitions build the natural connection
Two exhibitions open at the Caloundra Regional Gallery Friday October, 15, exploring our connection to the ocean and the many ways nature sustains our wellbeing. I Sea U and Healing Garden are on display until December 5.
Segregation week
Any person who is over 16 years of age and who is not fully vaccinated with the provisionally approved COVID-19 vaccine has been excluded from many NSW businesses this week. Despite our regional areas having limited to no COVID-19 cases and willing uptakes exceeding 80% in LGAs like Murray River Council, the state government pushed forward to rip the last shreds of medical sovereignty from people living in our supposed democracy. The mandates have turned friends into enforcers and loyal customers into the unclean, and in turn, the unwelcome.
River folk
Tuesday Browell describes herself as a river guardian. “It’s a tricky disposition, one of whinging nana, or that of wishing she had superhero river powers” ... “Miles and miles of Paterson’s curse, looking like the lavender fields of France, are a beautiful, yet shameful reminder of how rampant invasive weeds are along the Murray River. The native species of understory are dissipated and scant.” The river is a special place, one worth protecting for future generations, ‘living art’ as Tuesday describes it.
Iconic Copmanhurst property on the market
Emma Pritchard. The Church of the Holy Apostles in Copmanhurst is widely admired and loved by many, having served the Copmanhurst community and surrounding districts for more than a century. Strong family connections and lifelong memories have been formed, along with an intense interest in its history and preservation. And it has also generated plenty of interest in the property market.
Get along to the 74th Gidge Show, 30 October 2021!
The Country Show on the City Doorstep! The Gidgegannup Agricultural Society holds a very popular, traditional Country Show each year on the last Saturday in October which attracts visitors and exhibitors from all over the hills, metropolitan areas and beyond.
The 2021 Westbury Show welcomes you on November 6th!
Westbury Show is Tasmania’s third-oldest agricultural show. We like to say that we are the family variety show of the north. Our show has something for every family member, from horse competitions, kids’ entertainment, dog shows to a fantastic array of home industries creations.
New rate peg methodology includes population growth
Geoff Helisma. NSW Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock has “endorsed the new rate peg methodology and has asked IPART to give effect to it in setting the rate peg from the 2022-23 financial year” ... Clarence Valley Council’s (CVC) general manager, Ashley Lindsay, said he didn’t foresee any “significant increase in its revenue”, because of the changes.
Fighting on our own
Deaths and high hospitalisation rates from COVID-19 will be the harsh reality for Cape residents if the state and federal governments do not act immediately to improve vaccination rates. The numbers in some communities are frighteningly low.
Yet the state and federal leaders have been absent ... The Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service has tried its best to service the vast region in a timely manner, however they are working in a flawed system. Some communities – Coen, for example – have only been able to access the vaccine on a handful of days this year.
Tennis SA State League All Stars kick off 2021/22 Tennis SA State League season in style
The 2021/22 Tennis SA State League season has been officially launched by the Tennis SA State League All Stars on the Eyre Peninsula ... The state’s highest level competition visited regional South Australia for the first time, with eight Tennis SA State League players joining six local tennis players to create Team Red and Team Blue.
Review – Walkabout to Wisdom
In many ways this captivating book describes the relationship between the author, Lachlan Hughson, and his much loved Australian Outback. In travels rivalling those of Odysseus in extent, the author takes us across the vast expanse of the ancient Australian continent, mixing geological insights, historical background, and personal experiences with vivid descriptions of nature in all its forms.
State invited to co-invest in SA tourism with Tumby Bay jetty refurbishment
South Australian Premier Steven Marshall has been presented with a ground-breaking opportunity for the State to work with the District Council of Tumby Bay on significantly refurbishing the Tumby Bay Jetty to benefit cruise ship tourism on Eyre Peninsula, as well as tourism and the community at large.
Training more doctors in the bush to benefit more rural communities
A program that provides young doctors with the experience of training in a rural general practice or Aboriginal Medical Services and provides more medical care to regional, rural and remote communities is being extended by the Federal Coalition Government. Federal Regional Health Minister, Dr David Gillespie said extending the Rural Junior Doctor Training Innovation Fund (RJDTIF) for another year will mean 60 fulltime-equivalent rurally based interns and postgraduate doctors can undertake training in country practices.
Dunoon Preschool news
Kate Scanlon. Due to COVID lockdown we haven't had many preschoolers coming to play ... but we have still been connected! Through regular emails, Class Dojo, phone calls and Zoom group times we have been able to continue our connection with children and their families.
Outback Lifesavers are back!
The overwhelming success of the State’s first Outback Lifesaver program last summer will see the concept return to Wagga Wagga early next year. Wagga Wagga City Council and Royal Life Saving NSW will again partner in the delivery of the program which gives youngsters the chance to learn lifesaving water safety skills at pools and inland waterways.
Strategy to increase angling participation in Tasmania
Tasmania’s lakes and waterways are enjoyed by thousands of recreational anglers and their families and friends and the Tasmanian Government wants to encourage more Tasmanians to take up angling. The Government has released its Strategy to Increase Participation in Tasmania's Inland Recreational Fishery 2021-28 on national Gone Fishing Day.
North Coast communities fighting to control cane toads
Local Land Services has joined forces with landholders on the North Coast and is achieving phenomenal results in the fight against cane toads. Recent cane toad control efforts in northern NSW have resulted in the control of over 10,000 adult and juvenile toads on 62 private properties affected by this invasive pest species.
BlazeAid Tumbarumba closes
BlazeAid Tumbarumba camp returned in July this year with a plan to assist fire affected farmers in the southern region of the Snowy Valleys. Despite the rain interruptions and the state-wide lockdown for Covid, the camp remained operating, even when, at one stage, they were down to two volunteers ... The small crew in Tumbarumba put in the equivalent of 287 days helping farmers since July. The work included over 11km of fence removed, averaging 63 m per day. The camp also rebuilt a total of 18kms of new fencing.
Come along to the Cleve Show! 16 October 2021
The 113th Cleve Annual Show will be held on Saturday October 16th ... There will be horse events, shearing, side shows and the Whyalla Car Club bringing 20 plus classic cars to be paraded before being displayed.
Fears about future of town’s only gym
News that Tennant Creek’s only gym is set to close at the end of the year has local fitness and wellbeing fans up in arms. Anyinginyi Health Aboriginal Corporation’s Sports and Recreation Centre announced it will shut its doors permanently on 24 December ... “Anyinginyi has been at the heart of sport and recreation in Tennant Creek for most of its 37-year history”: CEO Barb Shaw.
