Life

Rural Aid is encouraging farmers across Outback Queensland to register early for assistance, as locust outbreaks continue to damage pasture and raise serious concerns about the potential for a major plague - the first in Queensland in more than two decades. Millions of locusts have already been reported across parts of western Queensland.

Lara Leahy. The first in a series of public lectures at Evans Head Living Museum kicked off with the Marjory Henderson Lecture on Wednesday, August 20. Marjory died aged 64. Five of her nine children were at the museum for the lecture. Three of them – Scott, Andrew and Margaret shared their stories.

I’ve had the annual White Cliffs Camel Cup and Bikehana in my calendar for many weeks, and as life got busier and busier, I found myself yearning to hit the road and head north ... as coffee brewed and bacon sizzled, we heard the unmistakeable buzz of the motorbikes, warming up, ready for the bikehana.

The best young beef cattle judges in Australia have been announced by Agricultural Shows Australia and will compete in the prestigious national finals this September. Meet the seven finalists in the Beef Cattle Judging final ...

Rural Australians are missing out on $1,090.47 in healthcare funding per person every year, compared to city residents – a funding gap the National Rural Health Alliance warns is costing lives. "The Forgotten Health Spend: A Report on the Expenditure Deficit in Rural Australia" tells a story of how we starve our rural Australians of healthcare access," said Susi Tegen, NRHA Chief Executive.

Bendigo Bank has pulled out of fundraising partnerships with community groups that have been drumming up business for corporate branches since 2004 ... The bank told community groups however, that it had reviewed this part of its business and determined the contributions were “not sustainable” ... Bendigo Bank has announced a $514.6 million profit.

The Mundi Mundi Plains were shaking today as 6,779 festival-goers lined up in formation for the final ever Nutbush Dance World Record Attempt at the Broken Hill Mundi Mundi Bash – smashing the previous record - held by the event - of 6,594 dancers.

The Wedderburn Historical Engine and Machinery Society is busy getting ready for its annual rally. The rally is held over two days and welcomes exhibitors from all over Victoria and Interstate.

Hundreds of farmers at Marnoo today are telling the Victorian Labor Government they do not want VNI West, they do not want WRL and they don't want their farmland made into renewable infrastructure," said Dr Anne Webster MP, Member for Mallee and Shadow Minister for Regional Development, Local Government, Territories and Regional Communications.

One of Southern Downs most iconic scenic vistas has been elevated, with Carr's Lookout undergoing a major restoration that enhances accessibility, safety and the region's tourism charm. Perched just outside Killarney and offering sweeping views of Mt Superbus, the lookout has long been a go-to stop for both locals and visitors, and it's ready to impress again.

Southern Downs Regional Council held a well attended community information session last Thursday in the Allora Community Hall, where residents had the opportunity to meet face to face with Councillors and town planning staff regarding how the Council's Draft Planning Scheme will affect Allora.

August 18 marked almost 60 years since the Battle of Long Tan, reported as one of the most horrific conflicts by Australian soldiers in the Vietnam War. The date is now being acknowledged as so much more than the battle itself, with greater focus on the sacrifices made by all who fought in Vietnam.

The Upper Murray community gathered in solidarity at the Corryong Events Centre on Friday night to support one another and those who have suffered loss and hardships since the 2019-20 bushfires. The fourth Corryong Spirit event carried the message of 'Shining a Light into the Darkness' and the guest speakers reinforced that sentiment.

"People in our region have stopped calling 000 altogether, instead driving loved ones with seizures, chest pain or trauma to hospital themselves because they simply do not believe an ambulance will get there in time. Directly because of this lack of beds, we have seen elderly patients from Corryong discharged from Albury Wodonga Health in the middle of the night with no transport, no money and no plan": Stan Stavros, Better Border Health.

The Queensland Police Service is reminding road users of their shared responsibility in helping to reduce the number of lives lost on local roads as part of this year's Queensland Road Safety Week. This year has been one of the worst in living memory for the local area, with crashes at Greenmount, Cambooya, Vale View and Wyreema tragically claiming lives.

Narrandera's community choir With One Voice Riverina had a successful night at the Leeton Eisteddfod, taking out first place in two categories, Open Choral Ensemble and Open Choral Australian Ballade, and once again taking home the prestigious Marion McAuslan Trophy.

Patricia Gill. Sarabande Early Music Ensemble explored the Baroque period of Italy in a rousing concert at a sun-bathed St Leonard's Anglican Church on Saturday afternoon.

Serena Kirby. The eagerly-awaited community piano has arrived in Denmark. The pre-loved piano was donated to the Denmark community earlier this year as part of the ABC's nationwide Pop-Up Piano Project.

A Chickenpox alert has been issued for the Northern Rivers region after several cases of the viral infection, which can reappear as Shingles, were detected at local hospitals. Chickenpox is a viral illness caused by the herpes zoster virus, and it was very common until routine vaccination began in November 2005.

The Jeparit Uniting Church community celebrated the centenary of the laying of the foundation stone of their current building as well as the closure of their doors on Sunday. On August 16, 1925, Mr. James Menzies, a local civic leader and former trustee of the church, unveiled the foundation stone for the new building in the presence of a large gathering of local and district residents.

Nhill's Wayne Batson has turned his passion for football and storytelling into a newly published book, The Ring-Ins. The comedy follows a ragtag group of ageing footballers who decide to drag themselves off the couch and back onto the field.