New facility enhances accessibility and inclusivity for all community members
Rockhampton Regional Council, in partnership with the Queensland Government, has officially opened a new Changing Places facility at Southside Pool, ensuring more people in our community can enjoy a day out with dignity and ease ... provides essential amenities for people with extra support needs, including a ceiling hoist, an adult-sized change table, and additional space to improve safety and comfort.
Police look behind violent crimes
Local police intelligence personnel track known regional grievances, according to a spokesman, replying to questions from the Alice Springs News whether initiatives are in place to prevent criminal payback after alleged events such as last Thursday’s in Gregory Terrace ... “As part of preparedness and prevention, Alice Springs police [act] to ensure possible flare ups are managed, for example [by considering] court appearances or community source information."
Roy Butler MP action leads new guide for councils
A new guide for NSW councils is set to strengthen consultation practices with regional, rural and remote communities. The guide is designed to build stronger regional communities by delivering solutions tailored to local communities and informed by local knowledge and follows the introduction of the Regional Communities (Consultation Standards) Act 2024, by Independent Member for Barwon, Roy Butler.
Queensland’s coercive control laws now in force: Frecklington, Camm
Domestic violence perpetrators in Queensland who repeatedly use violence or abuse to control others in relationships can now be charged with the new offence of coercive control. The new criminal offence applies to acts of violence or abuse forming a course of conduct committed from today (26 May) and carries a maximum penalty of 14 years’ imprisonment.
Gannawarra Shire Council formalises Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund stance
Gannawarra Shire Council has formalised its opposition to the State Government’s implementation of the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund. Councillors approved an urgent item motion at last week’s Council meeting opposing the fund, which will come into effect in July to support VICSES, Triple Zero Victoria, the State Control Centre, Forest Fire Management Victoria and Emergency Recovery Victoria, as well as the Country Fire Authority (CFA) and Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV).
Vale – Hedley Paul Simons AM
Our dear friend and comrade, Paul Simons, passed away peacefully on 20th May 2025, aged 97 years. A grand age for a grand man.
Local celebrity in our midst
Anyone who banks with the Warwick Credit Union in Allora will know Rae as the friendly young lady who works behind the counter. But did you know that Rae-Louise Wright is also the 2024 Warwick Rodeo Queen?
Allora Show Society fundraising success
On Sunday, 11th May, the Allora Showgrounds was a sea of purple as 58 riders and 76 beautifully presented horses gathered to support a truly meaningful cause. Across both Showjumping and Dressage, there was a total of 159 entries. Funds raised went to Protea Place.
Volunteers get things done
The cover stars of the Tarrangower Times this week are the perfect exemplars of what this bumper edition of the paper is all about: celebrating the many volunteers who get things done in our small towns and caring communities.
The message could not have been clearer: “Scrap the Tax”
Blake Lee. Thousands of firefighters, farmers and regional Victorians rallied on the steps of State Parliament ... Producing a cacophony of sirens through Melbourne streets during peak hour, fire trucks and volunteer firefighters made the journey from all corners of the state, bringing an estimated 300 fire trucks into the city.
Time to step up and act
This is the Hansard version of a speech delivered in the Upper House by shadow minister for Regional South Australia, Nicola Centofanti, in which she read a letter from Abby Miller of Naracoorte to the South Australian premier, Peter Malinauskas, concerning the drought situation affecting farmers in the region.
Mayor’s heartfelt appeal
“This is an emergency”. That is the urgent message from Naracoorte Lucindale mayor Patrick Ross, who has issued a heartfelt appeal to the government for immediate support for farmers grappling with severe drought in the area.
Naracoorte 4WD Club cruises Robe to Beachport
Hayley Braendler. On Saturday, May 10, the local Naracoorte SA 4WD Club explored Robe to Beachport as one of their monthly trips. We had a seven vehicle turn out, with only one vehicle needing to be recovered a couple of times, which made the day more interesting.
Letters from Home: Amazing
I heard somewhere the other day, that today's amazing is tomorrow's normal and it got me thinking...I have lived in an amazing time.
Big plans to promote Narrandera businesses
The Narrandera Business Group (NBG) had a strong turnout for its May meeting last week ... Members also openly assessed the group's strengths and weaknesses, sparking discussion which set the stage for future growth.
State budget insults regional communities
The Victorian government has sacrificed regional and rural communities on the altar of budget repair, according to Rural Councils Victoria (RCV). "The budget is propped up by hundreds of millions of dollars that will be ripped from the state's rural communities through the unfair Emergency Services Volunteers Fund levy," RCV chair, Rob Amos said.
The Nationals forge their own path for regional Australia: Littleproud
After careful consideration, The Nationals have agreed that now is not the right time to enter a federal Coalition Agreement with the Liberal Party. During the last term of Parliament, The Nationals fought hard for a package of sensible and important policies that will benefit regional Australia and the future of our nation.
Mountains group celebrates milestone
The re-opening of the Bluff Falls tourist area on Sunday after restoration works is a huge feather in the cap for the 'Friends of Murray Mountain Parks' group, which is celebrating 25 years of volunteerism. The occasion was marked in December when Parks Victoria Ranger, Scott Thompson, presented several members with a 25 Years Recognition of Service pin...
Unique photography exhibition to open at Narrandera
Exhibition Curator Ozan Fikri said he recently had the pleasure of meeting with fellow Narrandera resident Mark Wilkie and their conversation took an unexpected turn when he mentioned his roots in Cyprus ... Mark is set to share his work with the community in a special exhibition featuring 14 of his voyeur pictures.
Critical need for better education to help our soil thrive
“We’re really excited about partnering with talented artist Claus Stangl and believe the portraits he’s created bring to life the hidden creatures in our soil in a really fun, educational and unique way”: Alicia Doherty, Kellogg's ANZ.
Northern Grampians Shire joins call to scrap ‘outrageous’ Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund
Northern Grampians Shire Council is standing behind its residents – particularly its farmers – by joining an overwhelming call for the State Government to ‘scrap’ its unjust new Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund, ESVF ... "I haven’t spoken to one person in favour of this new levy. We are very concerned about how people will cope with this on top of everything else": Mayor Karen Hyslop.
‘We’ll dump tax hike’
The Liberals and Nationals will scrap Labor’s Emergency Services Property Levy (ESVF), Member for Benambra, Bill Tilley, vowed at a rally on the steps of Parliament House ... “Labor’s new levy has doubled or even tripled charges for property owners across the state with primary producers hit hardest and facing rate hikes of up to 150 per cent."
