Life

Emma Pritchard. Twelve of the state’s most inspiring and motivational leaders of the future have been appointed to the 2021-2022 Youth Advisory Council. Among them, is 13-year-old Mae Carroll from Grafton ... Deeply passionate about social justice issues and the vital importance of support for mental health services in regional communities, Miss Carroll said recognising the opportunity to speak openly about topics close to her heart motivated her to apply again.

A Mummulgum mother-of-two hasn’t seen her four-year-old daughter for three weeks. Sharnee Van Mourik said the lockdown and border restrictions mean Haven-Rose is unable to come home. Sharnee has a one-week-on, one-week-off arrangement with her daughter’s father who lives in Queensland ... “It’s a joke, I’m so angry,” Sharnee said.

Former local and NRL Burleigh Bears prospect Shallin Fuller is set to join the Gold Coast Titans next year. Shallin is from Muli Muli, attended Woodenbong Central School and played for the Turkeys.

As the Parliament of Victoria remains empty – again - questions remain unanswered. 430 unanswered questions asked in the Legislative Council  alone  relate directly to the Health portfolio during a pandemic ... Member for Western Victoria, Bev McArthur, said it represents a reckless and a belligerent snubbing of democracy.

Chris Murray. Mary Marlowe’s novel, Psalmist of the Dawn (published in 1934 but probably written in 1931) is set on Lord Howe and populated with real places, activities and people – that latter only slightly disguised behind pseudonyms ... Garfishing was an important part of the Islanders’ semi-subsistence lifestyle before World War II. Large quantities of gars were caught not only for local consumption but also for sale to passing vessels.

Illiam is a young Walmajarri Custodian. He describes the familial connection and spiritual sacredness of Martuwarra.

This week there was an amazing demonstration of kindness and selflessness from Tennant Creek youth which deserves to be widely acknowledged. Three young girls, Nichole Konedaris, Kirra Carse and Kamryn Piper surprised the Barkly Veterinary Practice with a huge donation of pet supplies, including food, toys, treats, blankets and bedding for animals undergoing veterinary care in town.

After listening to a presentation on the importance of getting vaccinated against COVID-19 by Syed Jan from Anyinginyi Health Aboriginal Corporation, the Elders enjoyed a delicious lunch sponsored by local MLA Steve Edgington.

Gabrielle Duykers. Local residents have planted more than 2000 native tree species across Avenue Range to help rejuvenate land affected by the Blackford fire. Titled ‘green is the new black’, the revitalisation project has been organised by the newly-formed Avenue Tree Group.

Gabrielle Duykers. A Naracoorte family has been reunited with a 70-year-old WWII medal, after months of effort from RSL volunteers ... After extensive research across VIC and SA war registers, he discovered the medal was in fact a Returned from Active Service badge, originally issued in WWI and again in WWII ... Bill Leitch said receiving the badge was like having another “piece to the puzzle” of his ancestry.

National Indigenous Radio Service. The shadow minister for Indigenous Australians says the federal government is ill-equipped to deal with the level of food insecurity in COVID hit First Nations communities.

A dedicated regional quarantine facility will be built at Wellcamp, Toowoomba under a joint agreement between the Palaszczuk Government and the landowner, Wagner Corporation.  

Progress continues to be made on Western Australia’s Centre for National Resilience, with global construction company Multiplex today selected to deliver the project. Following the finalisation of various independent feasibility studies and negotiations, the centre will be built at a site on Commonwealth-owned land within the Bullsbrook Training Area.

Red meat producers are featuring in a series of new videos, sharing their stories to inform consumers on how red meat is produced in Australia.

Deckhand Thomas Breeze has worked on an octopus fishing boat operating out of the Two Rocks marina for about nine months now. It is physically demanding work because even though the pots used to catch octopus are smaller than the ones used to catch western rock lobster they still weigh 30kg each.

Angie Day. Grafton Hockey Association recently hosted a highly successful “Doin’ it for Holly” Round on  Saturday August 14. The day is named in honour of Holly Butcher, a local Graftonian and hockey player who sadly passed away in 2018 at the age of 27 after a battle with Ewings Sarcoma. In her final days, Holly wrote a very moving letter titled “A bit of life advice from Hol” ... One of Holly’s final requests in her letter was to encourage people to become blood donors, so one of the big focuses of the “Doin’ it for Holly” day was the “100 lives Challenge”.

Geoff Helisma. Not too long ago, the space behind the Anglican church building in  Wharf Street, Maclean, was used as a place for vehicles to turn  around; nowadays it’s a vibrant vegie garden, with each raised bed’s  name inspired by ‘Gifts of the Spirit’ (Galatians 5:22-23) and the  garden, itself, christened ‘Fruits of the Spirit’ ... “It’s worthwhile, viable, beneficial to the community and marvellous for those of any age who want to get out and share life with others.”

When a 4-year-old girl, Natasha, makes a serious allegation against a politician’s 9-year-old son, an attempt by the  children’s parents to tackle the issue in a cooperative way soon degenerates into a vicious confrontation.

In a major milestone for Torres Strait Islanders, Queensland has progressed legal recognition of Torres Strait Islander traditional child rearing practice with the opening of the Office of the Commissioner (Meriba Omasker Kaziw Kazipa) in Cairns ... Meriba Omasker Kaziw Kazipa Commissioner C’Zarke Maza said the office would support life-long aspirations among many Torres Strait Islanders by improving access to support, services and opportunities.