Personal information of 3000 people shared to AI in flood authority data breach
More than 3000 people may have had their personal information comprised in a data breach of applications made to the Northern Rivers Resilient Homes Program. The breach happened when a former contractor of the NSW Reconstruction Authority uploaded data containing personal information to an unsecured AI tool which was not authorised by the department.
Barrel Farm – A labour of love and family
Barrel Farm is one of Albany’s newest food and beverage venues and its creation was just a labour of love and very much a family affair. Owned and operated by the Buxton family, Barrel Farm has been the decades-long dream of parents, Peter and Peg Buxton ... Situated on one of Albany’s old dairy farms, it is a creative blend of old and new.
Winning the race for talent
Regional businesses can win the race for talent by pairing lifestyle advantages with authentic storytelling and people-first workplace cultures that make the move irresistible.
Heatwave sparks bushfire preparedness warning
This week's unseasonably hot weather and fast-moving fires in neighbouring council areas are a timely reminder to Scenic Rim residents to prepare their properties and develop a Bushfire Survival Plan.
Fire hazard property inspections begin
As part of efforts to prepare the Gannawarra for the fire season, Gannawarra Shire Council’s annual fire hazard property inspections have started. Council’s Local Laws team are travelling throughout the municipality, identifying properties which need to be cleared of fire risks and issuing Fire Prevention Notices to landowners, instructing them to carry out works to reduce fire risks.
Lismore buyback homes auction ramps up: Saffin
The Minns Labor Government aims to release a further 42 homes for sale across the Northern Rivers by Christmas, following an overwhelming community response to the first four home relocation auctions. To date, 83 flood-affected properties, bought by the Government through the $880 million Resilient Homes Program, have been offered for sale to be relocated to flood-free land by the new owner.
Ken Weeks, Australia’s oldest man ever, celebrates 112th birthday in Grafton
Ken holds the current titles of Australia’s oldest living person and the oldest man ever, as verified by the global authority on supercentenarians, LongeviQuest. He’s lived through two World Wars, the Great Depression, five global pandemics, the arrival of television, the internet, and even AI—and now Kenneth (Ken) Weeks is set to celebrate his 112th birthday on Sunday, 5 October 2025.
Hon Tanya Plibersek visit to the island
"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 ..."
First for Allora – Pets invited to church
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.
Important milestone for Nobby Gaol
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.
Third classic show floats everyone’s boat
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.
Visiting caravans bringing thousands to local 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...
$250,000 health plan endorsed
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 ...
“Inappropriate and insensitive”
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.
Crime wave worsening under Labor as regional communities left exposed: Cleeland
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 ...
Crowds flock to YP Field Days
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 ...
LifeFlight airlifts boy after ATV crash
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.
Paralysed by neglect: the road council won’t fix until 2029
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...
Chest beating
"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.
Hughenden celebrates official opening of Country Universities Centre and launch of 4821 Learning Lab
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.
New home for horse trough
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.
A small community with a big voice calls for rethink on Bendigo Bank agency closure: Wycheproof asks, “Why?”
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.
