Life

The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) has reacted with concern following recent comments from Victorian Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio, warning that the State Government’s energy transition risks alienating the very communities it needs most.

The Barkly Regional Council today issued a strong call to action, urging the Northern Territory Government, Infrastructure Australia, and all stakeholders to reinstate Tennant Creek as a core component of the Territory Energy Link (TEL) corridor. The Council asserts that bypassing Tennant Creek risks squandering decades of strategic planning and undermining critical regional development.

Launch of ground-breaking new first aid app, the All Hands Lifesaver app. “We wanted to put access to immediate help in every parents' pocket across Australia, removing some of the barriers rural and regional people face when it comes to both first aid education and access to emergency healthcare”:  Grace Larson, co-founder of charity The Sisterhood Project and paediatric intensive care nurse.

Mount Alexander Shire Council (MASC) has been keeping play a priority; it has featured as a key agenda item at its recent council meeting and in the recently released budget. It comes as school starts back again, after a holiday period that saw local children and visitors looking for wintry activities in regional small towns.

The final days of the Maldon in Winter Festival and the school holidays resulted in some interesting sights around Maldon ... On Thursday 17 July, the mythical Knight in Shining Armour became a reality for participants in a drawing session with Greg Nash, who is a professional jouster from Kryall Castle (one of only two in Australia, guess where the other one works?).

The comments today from the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA) Acting CEO, Anthony Beven, are not only irresponsible, they are utterly absurd. To suggest that the Commonwealth should pull funding from the NT Police Force until a meeting takes place is reckless and inflammatory. These kinds of outbursts do nothing but create confusion and fear in remote communities who rely on police for safety and protection.

Towong Council workers have launched historic industrial action over what they consider an "unfair" pay offer and rising charges for residents. For the first time in the council's history, its workers have commenced are taking protected industrial action in response to a wage proposal that workers say fails both staff and the local community.

Corryong's 150th anniversary celebrations began on Sunday with a well attended Proclamation High Tea with many guests decked out in period dress. Corryong & District Memorial Hall committee member, Sheril Wilson, reports on the event...

Families in Barham now have greater access to quality care for their school-aged children, with the launch of a new Out of School Hours (OOSH) service at Barham Public School. Driven by strong community feedback about the lack of childcare options in the region, the service has been established by Intereach in partnership with Barham Public School and its Parents & Citizens Association.

Territory Mangoes, NT beef, local barramundi and Kakadu plums are among the Northern Territory’s major exports – but once they’re on the plate, how many people ponder the origin of these products? A new PhD project at Charles Darwin University (CDU) will help the Northern Territory become synonymous with its food produce, providing much needed marketing support for food NT producers and manufacturers. 

Narrandera District Community Radio Spirit FM 91.1 prides itself on prioritising community needs and strong connections ensuring listeners are well-entertained and are up-to-date and informed about district and community events. Spirit FM volunteers, for nearly 21 years, have enjoyed working hard to deliver quality uninterrupted radio listening. 91.1 is on-air 24-hours and can be streamed from anywhere in the world playing tunes from an over 80,000 song library.

Sebastian Calderon. A local country music artist will embark on a world-wide journey through the United States and Europe, after being nominated for more than 19 industry awards. Loxton's Christine Clifford has continued to showcase the Riverland's country music heritage, being named a finalist in numerous categories at three major international awards…

Sebastian Calderon. A Loxton-born news presenter has been awarded one of the most important journalism accolades in Australia, for his work on the true-crime podcast 'Just Married: The Anthea Bradshaw Mystery'. 9News Adelaide's Ben Avery has been named the Journalist of the Year at the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance 2025 South Australian Media Awards.

Police officer Ashley Sterchow, from Hay Police Station, stars in the most recent social media campaign of Country Change. Country Change is a project of Riverina RDA (Regional Development Australia).

We're cousins Jonas and Olive, and together with Clint, our dad/uncle, we're travelling to Fiji in December with the Wanderers Australia Under 14's Hockey team. We'll be playing a series of test matches against the Fiji National Under 14 team on tour....a first for a team from Australia...

Nhill's Mervyn Schneider – fondly known as Merv – marked an extraordinary milestone last week, celebrating his 100th birthday surrounded by family, friends, and well-wishers. A celebration was held at the Nhill Bowling Club on Saturday, with more than 150 people in attendance.

The first group of new Ambulance Victoria (AV) recruits for 2025/26 are hitting the road to help meet rising winter demand. AV Chief Executive Officer Jordan Emery today welcomed 59 new graduate ambulance paramedics who are starting their careers with AV.

A minimum of two Town Hall meetings a year will be held in the upper and lower Clarence Valley after a motion to introduce the concept was carried in a split vote at the July Council meeting ... Cr Yager said the motion was aimed at holding a forum for open dialogue and community connection.

The Grafton Chamber of Commerce welcomed 200 guests to the Grafton District Golf Club on July 19 when they hosted the 2025 Clarence Valley Business Awards ... “You are awarded in public for what you practice in private,” Hayley Talbot said to the finalists in acknowledgement of the “many late nights and overflowing inboxes” many business owners and their teams experience on a weekly basis, describing their commitment to their professionalism as being encoded in the DNA of their businesses.

Wandering around the Wilcannia cemetery, you would have seen the unique mosaic headstones. Colourful and creative, they give special tribute to our loved ones who have passed away. It takes care and time to make each headstone, and the work continues on with Uncle Steven (Stevie) Harris.