Life

Weipa Town Authority chairman Michael Rowland says he was blown away by the response to the town’s new sports facility at Saturday’s official opening. Hundreds flocked to the Weipa Aquatic Sports Precinct for the festivities, which saw tennis legend Evonne Goolagong Cawley cut the ribbon with Rio Tinto Weipa boss Michelle Elvy.

From Broken Hill to Inverell, Corrective Services NSW staff across the state have been whittling, welding and painting blue trees in the name of mental health awareness ... Staff and inmates have been involved in creating their distinctive blue trees – from murals and collages to welded sculptures and painted tree trunks.

Nancy Schmidt, who was fondly known as Aunty Nancy because she was such a lovely mumma to everyone, leaves a legacy of kindness and compassion, and a trail of goodwill. Nancy’s story began in the Central Desert, west of Alice Springs where she lived with her Aboriginal family until she was taken away by authorities and sent to the Bungalow in Alice Springs. When the Government handed over care of all Aboriginal children to missionaries, Nancy was transferred to the Methodist Mission on Goulburn Island and then on to Croker Island along with other children who were members of what has become the Stolen Generation.

One of the Sunshine Coast’s most picturesque locations is in the spotlight with Sunshine Coast Council embarking on a study to understand how much we love the area and how we use it.

Port Hedland Council has endorsed a proposal from Aviair to provide financial support to continue operating four return weekly inter-regional flights from Port Hedland, connecting the port city with Karratha, Newman and Broome over the next five years.

Kirstin Nicholson. Fondly known as ‘The Village’, the Respect Cohuna Village is the retirement home of 45 of the district’s elderly residents. Don’t let the terms ‘elderly’ or ‘retirement’ put you off, their lifestyle is by no means sedentary. The village is a hive of activity with visiting family and friends, health professionals and volunteers who attend to treat, entertain, care for the residents and enhance their life. That was until COVID-19 came on the scene.

Kookaburra, along with many other Australians, is very weary of listening to pontificating doctors, health professionals, epidemiologists, chief medical officers and the whole array of health 'industry' persons talking down to the population about what we should or should not be doing. These people never ever seem able to accept that they often get things wrong. Indeed, they have made some horrid mistakes.

As the state prepares for the anticipated relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions over the coming months, the release today of the 2021 NSW Coastal Safety Report by Surf Life Saving NSW has highlighted the need for hyper-vigilance on our beaches, with a spike in coastal visitation expected following large-scale lockdowns.

Roz Knights is so excited she can’t keep stop smiling as an old aviation building on Bloore St is being transformed into the new Kyogle Community Food Pantry ... "This is my way – through the Lions Club and my Christian beliefs – to give back to people,” Roz said. “In the past I’ve been helped by so many people.” For a moment, Roz’s eyes fill with tears and then she smiles again as she looks up at the grey building and gushes about the local philanthropist who offered the site at a “phenomenally low rent”, she said.

Geoff Helisma. A small team of Lower Clarence women have found a great way to do charitable work while they exercise among the waves. ‘Swell Sisters’ – Clair Morton, Shannon Grainger, Emy Alexander and Georgie Smith – are on a mission to raise funds for  SurfAid ¸  which provides “a hand up, rather than a handout, to people in remote communities connected to us through surfing,” says Clair.

Emma Pritchard. Sitting dutifully at his computer with a copy of his study guide in his hand, Duncan Gray focuses intently on his work ... When asked how he is adjusting to learning from home, Duncan said one of the biggest challenges he is experiencing is waiting for a response from some of his teachers after he asks a question. Sometimes, he has to wait until the next class before he receives a reply.

The Tasmanian Liberal Government has agreed to  continue its landmark quarantine arrangement with Victoria which sees Tasmania quarantine seasonal workers from the Pacific Islands, in return for the Victorian Government assuming responsibility for Tasmania’s commitment to assisting Australians returning from overseas.

Surf Life Saving WA's (SLSWA) shark mitigation services begin for another season this weekend - with the McGowan Government providing longer term certainty for the program with funding in the State Budget until 2024-25.

A new exhibition that pays tribute to the resilience of the Scenic Rim region following the devastating bushfires that raged across the region during the Black Summer of 2019-2020 has opened at The Centre in Beaudesert.

Gabrielle Duykers. After relentlessly advocating on behalf of cross-border residents for more than a year, Apsley farmer Paula Gust is still fighting for the health and social wellbeing of her community. Mrs Gust, who has a farm straddling the SA/VIC border, began the Cross Border Call Out (CBCO) page in August 2020 ... She said she spends between 20 and 30 hours per week advocating for the cross-border community, taking time away from her own business.

The amazing astrophotography competition, Capture the Cosmos, is back and this year it is expected to attract some out of this world entries!    

Now is the time to ask the people in your world how they are really going, with R U OK Day officially taking place on Thursday, 9 September ... “This year’s theme is ‘Are they really ok?’, encouraging people to ask the question, but also ask the question again.”

Anyinginyi Health Aboriginal Corporation is now offering supermarket vouchers for all Aboriginal community members who are double jabbed against COVID-19. The $25 IGA Supermarket food vouchers are now available to collect for eligible residents one day after they receive their second dose.