Welcome Baby to Country
Members of the local Aboriginal community gathered on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River at Koori Beach Narrandera for a Welcome Baby to Country celebration on Wiradjuri land. Around 20 babies from Narrandera and Leeton aged 0–12 months and their families attended the ceremony.
Back Road Artists on show at Goombungee
Inspired by motherhood, rural living, and community care, the Back Road Artists' Eclectic Harmony exhibition will be on display at Rosalie Gallery in Goombungee from Wednesday, 12 November to Sunday, 14 December.
Young people get behind ‘fire ready’ drive
Almost 500 Victorians have put their hands up to join CFA between 3 and 29 October on the back of the Get Fire Ready initiative. The figure represents an 11 per cent increase on new applicants during the same period last year. ... "To also see so many people wanting to take the next step and join their local brigade shows the strong sense of volunteerism that runs through this state": CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan.
Letter to the Editor – Concerns for the Victorian Government’s push for critical minerals: Mine Free Glenaladale
The Victorian Labor Government is claiming critical minerals will develop jobs and regional growth and boost local economies. Mine Free Glenaladale and the community it represents in East Gippsland disputes this claim by the Government, as there is a high probability existing jobs and industries would be adversely affected by a proposal of a mineral sands mine 25 kilometres west of Bairnsdale.
Hospital strike out
Madison Eastmond. Riverland medical staff will join hundreds of nurses as they reject the State Government's most recent pay offer, which they claim still "leaves SA nurses and midwifes as the lowest paid in Australia".
The wrong ratio headcount issue
Madison Eastmond. Riverland medical staff are claiming new ratio laws that have been recently passed by the State Government to improve medical care and safety are failing to alleviate the "high pressure working conditions" of rural and regional healthcare. Alongside an offer of a 13 per cent pay rise over four years, with bonus payments totalling $4500 … the State Government also announced the passing of new patient ratio laws, which are said to ensure "safer nursing".
Freight services return to Wadeye: Edgington
The Northern Territory Government welcomes confirmation that Top End Barge Services will commence barge operations between Darwin and Wadeye from mid-November, ensuring freight deliveries to the West Daly region ... “This is a great result for Wadeye, the community came together, identified what it needed, and found a commercial solution": Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Steve Edgington.
MiniJumbuk: 50 years of wool, warmth and community spirit
Naracoorte's much-loved woollen bedding manufacturer, MiniJumbuk, is celebrating an extraordinary milestone — 50 years in business. From humble beginnings, the woollen bedding company’s story is woven with innovation, resilience, and an enduring connection to our community. With a $30 million annual turnover, no debt, 70 employees, and a new expansion underway in Naracoorte ...
Another small step towards closing the gap on childcare
Negotiations initiated by Hay Shire Council are continuing with Homes NSW and NSW Police in a bid to improve childcare availability in the community. Hay has one early childcare provider, Hay Children's Services (HCS), with space for 24 children/day. There is a current wait list of over 90 spaces...
Rallying for respect
Michelle Daw. Wallaroo nurses, midwives and their supporters were among hundreds who rallied across South Australia last week in support of a union pay claim. The rallies, held on Wednesday, October 30, were organised by the South Australian branch of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation as part of its RESPECT campaign.
Completion of mountain bike trails sets wheels in motion: Swinbourn, Dawson, Stojkovski
Construction is complete and Stage 2 of the Dwellingup Mountain Bike Trail network is now officially open for riding. The multimillion-dollar Dwellingup Adventure Trails project has now delivered a world-class 108-kilometre mountain bike trail network and contributed to establishing Dwellingup as a leading trails destination.
The man who ran 1,132km on a fractured hip: Mitch McKinney’s extraordinary marathon for angel kids
Mitch McKinney isn't a professional runner ... by his own admission, he's not particularly a runner at all. Yet this 38-y/o ordinary Australian achieved something extraordinary; running 1,132 km from the red dust of Broken Hill to the sea breeze of Newcastle, completing a marathon every single day for 29 days straight.
When a crazy idea becomes a reality and a ‘38 Dodge ambulance returns to town
Never has a ‘38 Dodge had such applause on its arrival. When Mark and Sue Butler pulled into town with the 1938 Dodge Kyogle ambulance on the back of their tilt tray truck, everyone wanted to see it ... The Kyogle ambulance has been returned for three months to be part of the Kyogle Memorial Hospital centenary celebrations on November 15.
Beehive Chimney: inside info
A small number of local stakeholders were invited by Parks Victoria to climb the scaffolding around Maldon’s Beehive Chimney and inspect the remedial works project on Monday 27 October. It was terrifying and informative, but some members of the community took the opportunity to express discontentment about how the process has been communicated.
It’s time for connecting with culture: dancing, drumming – and defibrillators!
Though the weather was as wet and grey as predicted, the inside of the Memorial Hall was the complete opposite; bright, warm, and full of colour for the Donald Multicultural Festival! ... Enjoyed by all, and an event that tries to get bigger and better year after year, this year’s festival showcased how every community is built by so many people.
Alan McCulloch
Brendan Atkins. "On a knoll commanding a wide view of peaceful mountain, reef and sea, there stands a monolith, erected to the memory of Allan McCulloch, naturalist, an outstanding figure in the history of the island", says cinematographer Frank Hurley in Jewel of the Pacific, his 1932 travelogue about Lord Howe Island.
Amazing feat by two local Dads
Two Allora families have returned from a successful 11 day cycling adventure through France and the UK. Mark Mason and James Turner completed the 1200km ride from Lourdes France to Lords Cricket Ground in London to raise funds and awareness for type 1 diabetes research.
Puppies in purple for Jacaranda Festival
This year, for the first time, Assistance Dogs Australia pups will be featuring in the Grafton Jacaranda Festival Parade on Saturday 1 November, resplendent in purple crowns and accompanied by the ADA team, their community carers and Serco staff.
Local family business joins a national family
After two decades of independent operation in Barham, New South Wales real estate gun Lauren Polkinghorne has joined the Ray White network. The Ray White Barham principal is eager to bring together local expertise with national backing in a move that promises exciting opportunities for the Murray River community.
“Damning” – Council controversy raised in NSW parliament: “When will Clarence Valley Council be held to account…”
The controversy enveloping Clarence Valley Council was raised in the NSW Legislative Council last week, when Dr Amanda Cohn unleashed her opinion under parliamentary privilege, putting local Government Minister Ron Hoenig on notice. The statement follows the polarising “Wrecking Ball” leaked internal Clarence Valley Council email concerning a ‘suggested’ Council staff skit in the award-winning Jacaranda Festival.
Serviceton’s Les Millikin recognised as Senior Citizen of the Year
West Wimmera Shire Council has named Serviceton's Les Millikin as the 2025 Senior Citizen of the Year ... Since moving to Serviceton in 2002, Mr Millikin has made an enormous contribution to the local community through his volunteer work at the historic Serviceton Railway Station.
Visitors sing Les’s praises online
Helen Hobbs. While many locals already know how much time and care Les Millikin puts into maintaining the Serviceton Railway Station, it's clear that visitors from across Australia — and even overseas — have noticed too. Online reviews tell a story of a man whose quiet dedication has left a lasting impression on hundreds of travellers who've stopped in at the historic station.
