Life

On this week's No Drama Farmer, James fresh off the back of having the number 1 Country Album in Australia (ARIA Charts) we caught up with Owen Catto from the Regional Mens Health Initiative who gives us the 5 top tips for beating depression in the bush.

Extensive flood resilience works to protect communities in Mount Sylvia and Woodbine from future flood damage are now complete. The $1.8 million rehabilitation project, led by Resilient Rivers SEQ, involved major creek bank stabilisation and revegetation works at three priority sites along Blackfellow Creek, and was officially unveiled today.

AMA (NSW) supports the Rural Health Action Plan put forward by Dr Joe McGirr MP today and is calling on the NSW Government to take immediate action. The April to June 2025 Bureau of Health Information report showed only 65.1 per cent of elective surgeries at Wagga Wagga Base Hospital were completed on time, a fall of 15.8 percentage points from the previous year.

It was always going to be a difficult decision. Councillors had to vote for or against the current development application for the Kyogle Memorial Rec Centre. Sounds simple — it was anything but. Approving the current DA meant the Youthie building would be demolished to make way for the new rec centre. Not approving it puts the $4.5million government funding in peril.

Plans announced by Westpac today are little more than “tokenistic and cosmetic” and do nothing to address the fundamental crisis facing bank branches in regional and remote communities, says the Regional Banking Investment Alliance (RBIA).

Westpac has announced it will extend its moratorium on regional branch closures and pilot a new way to deliver banking services to regional communities through a new Community Banking Service. Westpac first implemented a pause on regional branch closures in 2023 which was extended earlier this year until mid-2027.

Joy Leneaux-Gale has the best rose garden in Maldon* and has been enjoying the full flush of colour over the past few weeks. She’s very humble when talking about it but she created it from scratch.

Gardeners are an optimistic bunch, aren’t they, dealing with unpredictable weather, temperamental plants and invaders of all sorts (weeds, insects, nosy photographers from the local newspaper). They know that with a bit of patience and perseverance, they will be rewarded with pleasant aromas and delightful displays of colour.

Connecting the past to the present in a meaningful way was the context of the Charlton RSL Sub-Branch’s commemoration of the 107th Remembrance Day marking the cessation of hostilities of World War 1.

The recently expanded Allora Regional Sports Museum has on show a rare display of footy memorabilia of Bronco and local hero Shane Webcke. This photo was taken on Shane's final NRL Premiership Game on 3rd September 2006 in round 26 against the NZ Warriors.

While the Victorian Government is moving to ban pet crocodiles, the Finocchiaro CLP Government is backing them - with 63 Territorians already licensed to keep 123 crocs, it's proof our unique Territory lifestyle is alive and thriving. Now, the CLP Government is inviting Territorians to have their say on new safety and welfare guidelines to make owning a pet croc simpler and safer than ever.

Tocal College Foundation Day, an annual celebration honouring the College's opening and the legacy of the CB Alexander Foundation, was observed last week. This year's Foundation Day held special significance, as Tocal College proudly celebrates 60 years of operation, a milestone reached earlier in 2025.

Mat Dalby. "if one person takes one lesson from any of this and adds to their own preparedness, then the effort is worth it." Shire of Denmark Bushfire Ready lead facilitator Murray Brooker asks everyone to 'be prepared and not regretful after the fact'.

Community members are being reminded about the danger of bats after a boy was scratched by a flying fox near Crows Nest while attempting to rescue it. William, aged 14, was scratched by the flying fox while attempting to free it from a barbed wire fence on the family's property near Crows Nest, on 10 October.

Two Corryong locals were celebrated at the recent Ambulance Victoria (AV) Hume Staff Recognition Awards, taking home official recognition for their years of outstanding service providing pre-hospital health care and education to the community.

Almost 400 people filed through the impressive displays and stalls at the Mid Murray Industry Expo. 32 site holders showcased a range of services, products and expertise available in the local community. From forestry, to milled timber products, veterinary services, fires and ambulance services, real estate, garden supplies, plumbing, education, and so much more.

Following community consultation held in 2024 on the Castlereagh Country Drought Plans, the Gilgandra and Warrumbungle Shire Councils, supported by the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund and the NSW Government, are pleased to announce the launch of an innovative free event aimed at building resilience, empowering communities and showcasing opportunities.

Michael Balderstone, Legalise Cannabis Party President. Firstly, congratulations Albo and thank you for Labor preferences on the Senate tickets ... Fair to say we were disappointed by our result, even though we got more than half a million first preference votes. The Legalise Cannabis Party grew out of the Nimbin HEMP Embassy, which in truth grew out of the Nimbin community.

The small gathering at the War Memorial were showered in jacaranda flowers from one of the last remaining trees planted in memory of the 21 Wilcannia and District men who did not return from WWI during this morning Remembrance Day service. The subject of this year's address was Christie Walter Allison Jones. Christie left his home and family in Hood Street in April 1916 ... Central School students Myla and Zhayle laid the school's wreath...

Sebastian Calderon. Members of the Riverland's wine grape growing community last week gathered to discuss the potential economic viability of olive crops in the region. ... Sanoop Varughese, transformation and innovation officer at CCW, said the olive sector presents a unique opportunity for growers ready to diversify and future-proof their operations.

West Wimmera Health Service is proud to announce the completion of a major redevelopment project at Iona Gardens, bringing new life, colour, and purpose to the facility's outdoor spaces. What was once a plain and impractical environment has been reimagined into a welcoming, accessible, and engaging area designed to enhance the wellbeing and quality of life for all residents.