Zoo thankful for community support
In the wake of the tragic incident that saw a woman lose her arm from a lion attack the weekend before last, Darling Downs Zoo owner Steve Robinson has been overwhelmed by local community support ... Mr Robinson told On Our Selection News his sister-in-law Stephanie, a teacher from New South Wales, is a regular visitor to the zoo, visiting during the school holidays over the past 20 years for a total of over 80 visits.
Fisheries vessel to inspect harmful algal bloom: Close, Scriven
South Australia’s flagship fisheries patrol vessel Southern Ranger will be operating in the Gulf of St Vincent tomorrow to conduct underwater observations of the harmful algal … State Government agencies are also taking weekly water samples at 17 sites across West Lakes, the Port River, the Patawalonga River and the end of four jetties at Largs Bay, Grange, Glenelg and Port Noarlunga.
Could cost rate payers millions claims owners group
Council could be up for millions in legal fees to defend NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal NCAT proceedings against more than 100 semi-permanent caravan owners, claims the group. Owners of 136 holiday vans at 4 Council managed caravan parks situated on Crown Land at Brooms Head, Iluka, Minnie Water, and Wooli were sent letters in early March advising of the termination of long-term (casual occupation) agreements on June 30, 2025.
New leadership team for Nhill Brigade
During Nhill Fire Brigade's changeover event held last week, we welcomed a new Brigade Management Team. This team will support the running of the brigade for the next 2 years ... We would like to extend a huge thank you to Rob Schneider for his efforts as Captain over the past 6 years.
Our voices remain silenced
A petition that gained almost 20,000 signatures before being presented to state parliament over 12 months ago remains hamstrung by the state government and the parliamentary committee process, says chair of the Limestone Coast Radiation Treatment Working Party, Lachlan Haynes. The petition, which was addressed to the members of the House of Assembly triggered a Legislative Review Committee inquiry to which the working group made a written submission and presented in person. The bipartisan, joint parliamentary committee then referred the matter to the Health Committee where it sat stagnant ever since.
New Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) provider for West Wimmera
West Wimmera Health Service (WWHS) is delighted to announce that it has officially started delivering home support services to recipients of the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) living in West Wimmera Shire. This transition, effective from 1 July 2025, allows WWHS to extend vital health and aged care services to communities in Kaniva, Goroke, Edenhope, Apsley, Harrow…
Hope, leadership and possibility: Wimmera Grampians’ changemakers return inspired from National leadership gathering
Four Grampians' Wimmera women have returned from a powerful and inspiring three-day National Changemaker Gathering in Cairns, hosted by the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation under the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund initiative.
Mayor talk with Louie Zaffina: Everything’s ticking along well
Balranald Shire moving forward with key projects and community initiatives. Mayor Louie Zaffina has been keeping busy since taking office, with significant progress on several fronts across the Balranald Shire. From major infrastructure projects to community health initiatives, Council is delivering on multiple priorities while actively seeking solutions to regional challenges.
A thousand lives lived: the chameleon Sean Griffiths
The boy who left Hay all those years ago has travelled further than most people could imagine - not just geographically, but through depths of human experience that would break many people ... At 80 metres below the surface, hand-feeding apex predators with a failing heart, he's found something that eluded him for decades; peace.
Historic church falling down
Joanna Tucker. Copper Coast Council is set to buy an historic church near the tentatively listed UNESCO World Heritage Moonta Mines site which is continuing to deteriorate. The East Moonta Methodist Church, at the corner of Verran Terrace and Deeble Street, had another wall collapse last week.
New muralist in town
Ian Wickham. An emerging mural on the side of the Hemp embassy alerted me that a new muralist has arrived in town, Marta Kimberley. I was working next door in the Embassy watching it go up – thinking this deserves a story. So I talked to her about the highs and lows of the task.
Tired of being put in a box
Rachel Hagan. A Point Pearce educator is reflecting on her personal journey with education and how the space needs to move forward as we recognise the next generation of young Aboriginal leaders for NAIDOC Week ... "From my own personal experience, I feel like I'm made to fit into someone else's box and be what they think I should or should not be as an Aboriginal woman": Tshara Rigney, Aboriginal Community Education Officer and Point Pearce Aboriginal Corporation director.
Record numbers for 2025 Somerset Rail Trail Classic
The Brisbane Valley Rail Trail was a buzz of excitement on Sunday morning, 13 July with perfect weather and record numbers at the 22nd annual Somerset Rail Trail Classic. Somerset Regional Council’s 2025 event broke the 2021 record with 978 registrations across categories – the 3km and 8km walk or run, and the 20km and 44km bike rides.
One man’s legacy provides new premises for men’s shed
Many years ago, no one is quite sure how many, men would gather at Jimmy Byrne’s property on Bruxner Road near Drake ... Because of the gap in time since the men came together, the members are regrouping and inviting past and new members to rejoin the Drake Men’s Shed.
The scissors and the wound
Frank Baarda. Living in Yuendumu and having followed the Death in Custody saga, I was looking forward to the Coroner's report. I was not disappointed. A friend forwarded me the pdf, all 683 pages of it … In case you missed it, here are photos of the edged weapon and the stab-wound.
Dinner Party at the End of the World: NORPA
Announcing the launch of Dinner Party at the End of the World — NORPA's ambitious new multi-artform program exploring stories of community, resilience and hope in a time of crisis. We've engaged a remarkable team of artists, each leading a creative development project in collaboration with Northern Rivers residents.
Invest in small batch mobile olive processor
Small scale olive growers often struggle to harvest the minimum amount for processing by commercial contractors, so Bendigo-based The Long Road Olive Co-op is looking to solve this problem by purchasing a mobile processing line. A steering committee, driven by community advocate and passionate olive oil producer Ceilidh Meo, is forming the co-operative to foster community benefits for both olive producers and consumers.
Deep listening in nature
Michelle Dorian. A special event presented as part of the Maldon in Winter Festival program, ‘Deep Listening in Nature’ was an eloquent and persuasive talk by Andrew Skeoch ... Describing his field of Acoustic Ecology as being about a personal relationship with nature, Andrew said that while he had listened to birds since childhood, it wasn’t until later in life that it occurred to him to really start listening to them ...
New tourism campaign calls on locals: “YOU” are the reason
A new campaign is calling on locals across the Grampians and Wimmera Mallee to help support the region's bushfire recovery by doing something simple but powerful – inviting their friends and family to visit. Launched on July 6, the YOU campaign reminds locals that, sometimes, the most impactful thing you can do is extend a personal invitation.
Agricultural society achievers recognised
In February of this year, Ben Krause from Donald participated in the Wimmera group final of the Junior Show Ambassador Award. Representing both the Donald Show and his community, Ben showcased his pride and enthusiasm, embodying the spirit of a young man deeply connected to his community.
Skateboarders roll into school holidays
Young people and families in Birchip and Wycheproof kicked off the school holidays in action-packed style with two energetic skateboarding workshops, facilitated by Richard Flude from Skateboarding Victoria and Own Life … they all embraced the chance to learn new skills, under the guidance of Richard with many mastering their first ollie or kick turn.
Foundation gift to homestead
Last Week The Allora Homestead was presented with a syringe driver by Rod Kelly on behalf of the Belinda McGowan Foundation. Syringe drivers are small battery-powered pumps that deliver a steady flow of medication through a small tube just under the skin.
