A cut for community cricket
Newstead Cricket Club’s latest fundraiser involves a clever combination of resources, skills and time, all working together to support the community club. Committee member Adam Sewell says that locals have teamed up to create some highly desirable prizes for an upcoming online raffle: firewood.
Our Wallaby retires: Kane Douglas hangs up his boots
Former Yamba Buccaneers forward and Wallabies representative Kane Douglas is coming home after announcing his retirement from professional rugby union aged 37 ... “Today marks the end of a chapter that has shaped our family’s life for over a decade.”
Aerodrome cleared for take-off
Patrick Tucker. After more than a decade of planning, lobbying and volunteer effort, Cohuna’s upgraded aerodrome will officially open on July 7. Driven by community volunteers and later overseen by the Cohuna Lions Club, the project has delivered a longer runway, new lighting, a terminal building and improved facilities for emergency services and visiting aircraft.
Farmers question VicGrid process
Carey Brennan. Tuesday night’s VicGrid Community Reference Group meeting of impacted farmers, council officers and VicGrid employees was disrupted by around 60 farmers and concerned community members at Charlton Park. Claire Flanagan-Smith, of RMG Consulting, chairing the meeting, called a halt to proceedings and refused to let it continue with the farmers present.
Campfire sparks big, bright idea
Patricia Gill. Renowned Denmark photographer Nic Duncan and Menang – Gnudju Elder and WA Women’s Hall of Fame inductee, Aunty Carol Pettersen, had a brilliant idea while camping two years ago. At the time, expressions of interest were called for projects to mark Albany’s bicentenary of white settlement.
Swimmer aims for ultimate success
Despite missing out on selection for the Paris Olympics in 2024 as a 17-year-old, Molly Walker has taken the first steps to representing Australia at the LA Games in 2 years time. Molly started swimming lessons at 6 months of age at the Corryong pool and then joined the Corryong Crocs swim club...
Darling Downs Health celebrates third international accolade for stroke services
Toowoomba Hospital’s Geriatric, Adult Rehabilitation and Stroke Service (GARSS) has celebrated a major achievement during a special reunion with a former stroke patient. GARSS was recently awarded its third World Stroke Organization (WSO) Angels Gold Award, after first achieving gold status in 2025.
Unique youth program for those without direction
Co-founder and director of The Youth Regiment, Ryan Fox said the organisation was presently preparing the next Fortified Futures program, a fully immersive nine-day youth development experience designed to act as a circuit breaker for young people and families who feel they are running out of options.
Australian-first battery powers up near Balranald
Energy Minister Penny Sharpe has cut the ribbon on Australia's first eight-hour battery near Balranald, with RWE's Limondale storage system promising steadier power, local jobs and money back into the community. A property on the outskirts of Balranald is now home to a national first.
Run the election
Naracoorte Lucindale mayor Patrick Ross has blasted a push to delay South Australia’s local government elections, warning councils, candidates, and communities should not be left in limbo after years of preparation, months of planning, and public resources already committed to delivering a November vote.
Does paraquat cause Parkinson’s? Here’s what the evidence says about this common weed killer
Ian Musgrave. Paraquat is one of the world’s most widely used herbicides. It’s also highly toxic and some research points to a link with Parkinson’s disease ... Let’s see what the evidence says about paraquat’s toxicity and any link with Parkinson’s disease.
LECC find police failed in their duty in the death of Lindy Lucena – Police reject all recommendations: Higginson
A Law Enforcement Conduct Commission’s Operation Almas has criticised the police response to the violent death of Ballina woman Lindy Lucena at the hands of her partner in 2023. NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon has opposed all recommendations made by the LECC aimed at improving police responses to incidents of domestic violence in future.
Lisamore Italian Festival returns for 2026
The much-loved LisAmore Italian Festival is set to return in 2026, bringing a vibrant celebration of Italian culture, food and music to the Northern Rivers. This year's event will be held on Sunday, 5 July 2026, with an exciting new home at the Lismore Showgrounds, reflecting the festival's continued growth and popularity.
Opinion piece – Five Eyes Law Enforcement Group to target serious online harms: Krissy Barrett
Krissy Barrett. When I became AFP Commissioner last year, I said I would have candid conversations with Australians to inform them about the threats they face ... But parents and caregivers now need to be aware of entrenched and emerging criminal threats because of rapidly-evolving technology.
Five Eyes Law Enforcement Group to target serious online harms: AFP, ACIC
Australian Federal Police (AFP) Commissioner Krissy Barrett and Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) CEO Heather Cook will help spearhead new tech partnerships and AI solutions at a meeting with Five Eyes Law Enforcement Group (FELEG) agencies in London this week, amid growing online threats seriously impacting youth and vulnerable communities.
Fuel crisis forces Little Wings to cut flights for sick country kids
Soaring aviation fuel costs are forcing the children's charity flight service Little Wings to cut back, with consequences for some of the most vulnerable families in the far west. The organisation has had to reduce its number of flights, limiting access to vital developmental assessments and therapy for children in Broken Hill and other remote communities.
New licence supports SeaStock to scale up seaweed production: Jarvis
The Cook Labor Government has granted an aquaculture licence to Fremantle-based company SeaStock Pty Ltd for Western Australia's first commercial scale, land-based seaweed production facility, now under construction in Oakford. In recent years, algae aquaculture markets have developed significantly both locally and abroad for a type of red algae known as Asparagopsis.
Puppy farm withdrawn after online campaign
An application was lodged on Tuesday 14 April to Mount Alexander Shire Council (MASC), for the establishment of a ‘Domestic dog breeding centre and rural worker’s accommodation’ in Elphinstone. The MASC’s online Public Planning Register shows that a determination was made relating to the matter on Wednesday 3 June and the decision shows as: ‘Withdrawn’.
Dogs to the rescue
Some of us, in the aftermath of the Covid crisis, were subjected to a deep dive into the music tastes of preteens, which included a song about the lockdown experience called 'I'm Good?' by the Hilltop Hoods ... It's a neat echo of the experience of many people whose canine family member joined them through an adoption program or from the pound, shelter or foster system.
Thousands embrace Clarence Harvest Celebration
Thousands of people from around the region descended on Maclean for three-day Clarence Harvest Celebration embracing the beef, sugar cane, and seafood industries of the valley. The premier weekend of the 2026 celebration followed the Clarence Kids Colour Run and Crowning Carnival and the Cane Harvest Ball, held in the preceding weeks.
Pies pinched!
Shari and Wes Hughes have been shocked by the brazen robbery, saying it's unprecedented for the small community of Greenmount. The offender was clad in a cardigan and beanie, with a torch and an accomplice in the form of a very well behaved dog.
Community champion recognised
At most emergencies in the Upper Murray in the past 40 years you would find Mary Hoodless, pitching in to help wherever it was needed. The Jingellic resident's lifelong commitment to the wellbeing of her community has now been recognised with an award in the King's Birthday Honours List.
