Life

"Thank you for making my recent visit to your very special island such a pleasurable and memorable experience. Beginning with Rachael who greeted us on the tarmac to take us to our accommodation, it was like returning to see old friends, catching up on Island life in the three years since I last visited. After dropping off our luggage, we walked down to Campbell’s bike hire then cycled on to the school ..."

Join the Allora-Clifton Anglican Parish this Sunday 5th October to celebrate St. Francis and bless the animals that bring so much joy and comfort. St. Francis lived a simple, loving, and peaceful life by serving God and God’s Creation - let’s follow in his footsteps.

Ahead of its complete restoration, an event will be held on Saturday, 11 October to acknowledge the move of the Nobby Gaol to its new site in the centre of town ... Over the past six years, Rudd’s Pub owners Evan and Gayle Jones with the help of the community have been on a mission to move and restore the gaol.

David Cliff. Denmark Classic Boat Show on Sunday was a big community success with locals and visitors enjoying the boat displays and the on-water activities despite the showers. Denmark Rowers volunteers pulled off their third biennial Classic Boat Show with a laid-back atmosphere that offered something for boating enthusiasts and the community.

Madison Eastmond. A large group of Australian-outback explorers made their way to the Riverland last week, with more than 140 caravan enthusiasts spending their time enjoying the region and donating locally where it is needed most. The Bushtracker Owners Groups arrived at the Barmera Field Days site, last Friday, for their annual general meeting — the National Muster...

The South East is set for its most ambitious health overhaul in a generation, with the Limestone Coast Local Health Network endorsing a 10-year, $250 million clinical services plan designed to transform care across the region. The 65-page Draft Clinical Services Plan 2025 2035 charts a course for hospitals and community health across eight locations ...

Rodney Stevens and Emma Pritchard. A leaked internal Clarence Valley Council email concerning the award-winning Jacaranda Festival and the eviction of 136 semi-permanent caravans from Council managed caravan parks has been labelled ‘inappropriate’ and ‘insensitive’ by both the Mayor and a Jacaranda Festival Committee member.

The Nationals’ Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland, has slammed the Allan Labor Government for failing to address the worsening crime wave across regional Victoria ... Fresh figures ... reveal substantial increases in criminal incidents, offender rates, and family violence ...

Michelle Daw. Thousands of people began pouring through the gates at the Yorke Peninsula Field Days site near Paskeville ... not only one of the region's largest events but also Australia's oldest field days, dating back to trials held near Bute in 1895. This year's event is expected to inject between $5 million and $8 million into the local economy ...

The Roma-based LifeFlight Surat Gas Aeromedical Service (SGAS) aeromedical crew yesterday airlifted a boy after an ATV crash in the Western Downs region. The LifeFlight helicopter was tasked by Retrieval Services Queensland at 3.40pm to a private property and landed near the scene.

When does the cost of human life and injury tip the scales and become the first priority? John Hanckel used to start his mornings with a jog, breathing in the fresh country air around Hay ... All of that changed on one terrible day in October 2008...

"The Finocchiaro CLP Government" – this is how almost all of its chest-beating media handouts start – claims it is "delivering real results for tourism" ... So far as Alice Springs and MacDonnell are concerned, Tourism Research Australia tells a different story.

Flinders Shire marked a milestone in local education yesterday (24 September) with the official opening of the Country Universities Centre (CUC) Hughenden, which already has 17 students enrolled and studying locally.

Maldon Heritage Network has found a new home for the horse trough that sat for many years in front of what is now the hardware shop ... trough is marked 'Donated by Annis & George Bills Australia' which means it has an interesting history. The Bills were successful in business in the late 1800s and ahead of their time as compassionate campaigners for animal rights.

The people of Wycheproof are deeply concerned by the recent announcement that Bendigo Bank will fully close its agency in the town. This decision, made without broad community consultation, has significant implications for residents, local businesses, and the liveability of the rural community.

You are invited to livestream this year’s Disaster Challenge Final from Hobart! The three finalist teams are perfecting their pitches and Natural Hazards Research Australia would love you to join us to hear how these could revolutionise infrastructure to strengthen disaster resilience. Are you based in Hobart? Join us at the RACV Hobart Hotel...

The Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers Floral Parade weekend saw hundreds of visitors pass through Wyreema and Westbrook to see some beautiful Garden Competition entries and Succulent Fest. Reigning Carnival of Flowers Garden Competition Regional Grand Champion winner Narelle Hurse of 4 Cashmore Street, Wyreema defended her title.

A field of 75 trail runners competed in the second annual Run Upper Murray in the Thowgla Valley on Saturday. It was another unforgettable day of trail running, community celebration and high-country hospitality. With runners taking on either the 33km ‘Ultimate Challenge’ or the 16km ‘Summit Dash’, the event launched from the iconic Thowgla Hall...

The Pyramid Hill was a hive of activity on Sunday as community members from Loddon and Gannawarra Shires gathered to discuss industrial renewable developments openly. The meeting hosted by Loddon Valley Renewables Awareness Group provided an open community forum, something that is avoided at all costs for transmission line and renewable developments, as one speaker framed it, "divide and conquer" is the standard modus operandi.

Every day in Australia, 58 people are diagnosed with breast cancer ... conversations about breast cancer are often avoided, leaving many women to face their fears in silence. A new national campaign from tea brand Tetley in support of Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) aims to change that, by transforming something as simple as a chat over a cup of tea into what could be a life changing conversation.

"I will be writing personally to the Federal Health Minister." That was the promise made by Member for Farrer and leader of the Liberal Party, Sussan Ley when she visited Haydays last week. Ms Ley toured the aged care facility with chair Lisa Bowen and staff members Martyn Quinn and Julie Weymouth, to see for herself the upgrades needed for Haydays to retain its accreditation.

The future of travel for Central Highlands residents is in focus, with the Draft Emerald Airport Master Plan 2025 now open for public consultation. As the region’s key gateway, Emerald Airport doesn’t just connect people to destinations; it connects families, businesses, and opportunities across Queensland and beyond.