Life

We're proud to announce Marnpi Festival, a significant First Nations-led arts and community festival co-designed by Badger Bates and Slag Heap Projects with Anthony Hayward and Nancy Bates, in partnership with The Old Vic Gallery Studio and Premier Automotive Tyres.

The Centre for Population’s analysis of the National, state and territory population, December 2024; National, state and territory population, September 2024; Regional Population, 2023–24 is now available on the Centre for Population website.

Birchip P-12 School is setting a powerful example for how rural schools can successfully prepare their students for life beyond the classroom, with a growing focus on career pathways, hands-on opportunities, and direct links with tertiary institutions.

It’s 23 years since Woodenbong has had a rodeo. Renai Pearce and John O’Reilly changed that by putting on a rodeo at Woodenbong Showground yesterday, Saturday, July 20.

It’s Millie Trustum’s 14th birthday on Saturday, July 26. After being cancer-free for six years, Millie has been diagnosed with an incurable high grade glioma ... Millie’s parents Erica and Kevin said they weren’t sure what to get her for her birthday.

Farmsafe Australia ... launched its 2025 National Farm Safety Week campaign, centred around the theme “Second Chances – Who Knows How Many You’ll Get?” with a national call to action: if you’ve had a near miss on farm, don’t just move on; learn from it, share it safely, and use it to protect those around you.

INEOS Automotive has announced a new partnership with independent charity, Rural Aid, that is set to bolster the organisation’s critical support capability in regional Australia ... Through the partnership, INEOS will offer financial assistance and provide a fleet of nine (9) of its Quartermaster utes to Rural Aid’s counsellors and disaster support personnel...

It’s here again! After another year of dedicated planning and hard work, the Flower and Garden Committee has once again delivered an engaging and educational event. With generous support from sponsors, key speakers, and community partners, the committee continues to grow the event’s impact and appeal each year.

Battle-ground engagement raged in Charlton last weekend, but it was more bonhomie than bloodshed as the 5th Mallee Melee unfolded at the Charlton RSL Clubrooms … the miniature wargaming weekend – likened by one participant to "chess on steroids" – saw visitors from Berwick, Nunawading and the Mornington Peninsula gear up for a weekend of the Napoleonic "General d’ Armee 2 Campaign Game".

For the next ten days visitors can absorb the magic of Bridal Wear, worn by well known Allora ladies, and now on show at the Allora Historical Museum. Visitors will be amazed by the skills of the dressmaker, Mrs Masters (mother of Keith Masters) who created these three stylish outfits for the wedding.

Birchip’s long-running steel fabrication business, Mallee Steel, has entered a new chapter, with former apprentice Blair Hogan taking over the business from inaugural and long-serving owner Robert "Cozo" Cozens. Blair said, "Customers won’t notice any major changes to how Mallee Steel operates. It’s still Mallee Steel, running the same as always; same name, same quality work".

As the housing crisis hits our community hard, the appeal of the Tiny Home on Wheels (THOW) has risen. The My Home Network Tiny Homes On Wheels working group have developed a confidential survey ... to improve appropriate uptake of THOW as affordable housing in our Shire and elsewhere.

Ross & Trevor Neale. This is a Penny-farthing or high wheeler bicycle made by Rouges & Co Limited as model No. 2 with a 54inch (137cm) front wheel diameter. It is an example of an early type of bicycle which was popular during the 1880s.

Jerilderie's proposed new medical centre is a step closer, with Murrumbidgee Council formally accepting a $5 million contribution from Origin Energy through a Voluntary Planning Agreement (VPA) linked to the Yanco Delta wind development. The contribution was marked by the official handover of a cheque from Origin representatives to council.

Two men are planning to undertake separate journeys down Australia's longest river to raise funds for charity ... In April 2026, Tony Pearce, the former Inspector-General for Emergency Management and current chair of the Emergency Services Foundation (ESF), will embark from Bringenbrong Bridge on an unsupported paddle to raise awareness of the mental health...

Towong Shire Council is encouraging the community to rally in Corryong next month to oppose the planned redevelopment of the current Albury hospital instead of building on a new greenfield site. "Council remains gravely concerned at the current plans to redevelop the existing hospital site as it will lead to insufficient capacity to meet the future demands of the region for the future," said Towong mayor, Cr Andrew Whitehead.

Transforming a dairy paddock into a new Garden Nursery at Cohuna, Ruth and Russ Robins have embarked on an exciting new venture. Set on the 120-hectare dairy, the Robins Nest Nursery Garden will follow Ruth’s passion for plants and commitment to creating a welcoming space for locals to fill a gap left by the closure of other nurseries, such as Elm Tree, run by Christine Morris.

If you don’t hear God's call, there’s a fair chance you’ll hear the bell, in Cohuna at least! The 1915 brass beauty produced by John Danks and son belts out a solid sound that could be heard for miles. Danks bells were known for being aboard Navy vessels, and as in this case, were used for calling in the Sunday Flock.

One of the region’s most popular recreation facilities is moving forward thanks to the installation of new solar powered automatic opening gate. Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson said Tamworth’s mountain bike track was a must visit destination for mountain bike fanatics and recreational users getting out and staying active.

Last week, Shire of Broome councillors and executive staff wrapped up a two-day visit to the Dampier Peninsula, meeting with community leaders, tourism operators and residents in Ardyaloon, Middle Lagoon and Lombadina to hear their priorities and feedback firsthand.