Rabobank commentary: Food price inflation creeps up in latest quarterly CPI
Inflation ticked higher across the majority of food categories the latest quarterly Consumer Price Index (CPI) data, from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, has shown. On a year-on-year basis, food and beverage inflation rose 3.2 per cent in the March 2025 quarter data...
Yet again! Council meeting disrupted
Ordinary and Extraordinary Meetings of Clarence Valley Council (CVC) could proceed in the future with limited public attendance after CVC Mayor Ray Smith spoke of his plans to contact the Office of Local Government this week ... The decision was made at the conclusion of another 15-minute adjournment while members of the public and Clarence Valley Independent journalist Emma Pritchard were outside the Grafton Council Chambers.
Clarence Valley residents come together to pay their respects on ANZAC Day
Standing proudly alongside one another, thousands of Clarence Valley residents attended Dawn Services and Commemoration Services across the region on Anzac Day to pay tribute on the 110th anniversary of the landing at Gallipoli in 1915 during WWI while also remembering the countless Australians who served, and sadly lost their lives, in wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations through the years.
Nhill community honours ANZAC Day
The Nhill community came together in strong numbers to commemorate ANZAC Day, with around 300 people attending the Dawn Service and approximately 200 at the 11am service. The Dawn Service began with a reflection on the Gallipoli campaign and the spirit of the ANZACs, delivered by Nhill RSL President John Dunbar.
Western Victoria’s largest natural disaster followed by significant levy increase
On 19 March 2025, over 120 concerned community members attended a public meeting at the Winiam Hall. Several motions were moved during this meeting, leading to the formation of the West Wimmera Action Group Inc. to address local concerns regarding the discussed issues.
2025 Federal Election
When we vote, we vote for 2 things. 1. Someone to speak for our electorate. (House of Representatives - small green paper) 2. People to speak for NSW. (Senate - the long piece of paper). The person voted in represents our local area in Federal Parliament … the Wilcannia News talked about the PARKES electorate. It’s big. It looks like this….
ANZAC Day 2025
In what is now custom, the Dawn Service began with the War Memorial highlighted by 21 candles, one for each of the Wilcannia men who died during the World War One ... There were between 50-60 at the morning service, including a larger than normal number of tourists, many commenting that it is the small country towns who seem to put on the most moving and meaningful services and are the most welcoming.
“The Forgotten War” Korean 1950-53
Wilcannia born Hughie Woodberry volunteered for this war, this is his story ... He grew up when things were very tough for families. He had seen his father go off to the 2nd WW and told he was a prisoner of war for four years in Changi camp. ... Dad was in the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment ... He was a stretcher bearer whilst in the war.
From Hay to Darwin – an ANZAC Day trek
When Savannah and Lane Mohr lived in Darwin they attended ANZAC Day services to represent their schools in Humpty Doo and Darwin. They also attended Adelaide River's dawn service before beginning their education ... This year they did something special ...
Weight-loss drugs and our dinner plates: How they could re-shape farming
A quiet revolution is brewing in the world of food, and it's not happening in the paddocks – it's in the pharmacies. New weight-loss drugs, like the much-talked-about Ozempic, are not only helping individuals shed pounds but are also prompting experts to consider a seismic shift in our food systems, potentially even more significant than the impacts of climate change.
Barmera and Berri pause to remember
Riverlanders gathered across the Berri Barmera district to commemorate Anzac Day ... “It is always very moving having the Anzac Dawn Service at the Barmera Upper Murray Garden of Memory, which is the final resting place for over 600 servicemen and women": Berri Barmera Mayor Ella Winnall.
Personal memories inspire Charlton ANZAC address
Jenny Pollard. Reflections on past acts of service formed the core messages of ANZAC Day addresses at the 2025 Charlton commemoration which took place between the High Street cenotaph and the Charlton Hall last Friday.
Local historian donates framed “Death Penny”
In a heartfelt act of remembrance, Glen Ireland of Boort has painstakingly assembled a stunning framed tribute to World War I soldier Hugh Grace, incorporating a rare and poignant artefact, the original “Death Penny” awarded to Grace’s family after his death.
ANZAC coverage on Yorke Peninsula
Trevor Clerke. The alarm went off early on Friday, April 25, and another ANZAC Day was underway for the volunteers and members of the RSL Port Vincent sub-branch. After a quick coffee, it was time to start dropping off flags at their locations, delivering raffle prizes to the clubrooms, and heading down to the memorial.
Hundreds commemorate ANZAC Day in Kyogle
Hundreds came to Anzac Day commemorations in Kyogle ... First to the Dawn Service and then for the Anzac Day March along the main street. Young and old, schools, clubs and community groups remembered and acknowledged those who served.
Remembering the ANZACs – ANZAC nurses
Tony Rowlands. During the First World War, eight Australian nurses were awarded the Military Medal, the highest Imperial award that was available to them ... Sister Alice and Sister Janet of the AANS were amongst the first twenty-five nurses to sail with the troopships in the convoy with the First Expeditionary Force.
The intricate art of Millefiori
At first glance it's easy to presume that Melanie Allan’s polymer clay jewellery is made by painting on pictures or sticking on patterns. Nothing could be further from the truth. Melanie’s highly detailed works are actually made using an ancient technique known as ‘Millefiori’ ...
Letters from Home: Damn birds
... and open doors. Readers might recall that the column was absent for a while last year because I had a fall and broke bits of me. Well, I nearly broke myself again this morning. As I ask myself - who? left the back door open?
Fifth-generation Maldon beekeeper elected president of state association
Warral Maldon's owner, Lindsay Callaway, has been elected President of the Victorian Apiarists Association (VAA), the state's peak body for beekeepers. Lindsay is a fifth-generation apiarist and the managing director of Warral Maldon, a beekeeping business founded by his great-great-grandfather, Edward Teague Penglase, in 1896.
CFA smashes appeal milestone
Victorians have dug deep this year in support of the Good Friday Appeal, helping CFA reach a historic milestone and raising our grand total of contributions to $41 million. CFA has been a major fundraiser of the Good Friday Appeal for the past 74 years and this year, with the help of generous local community members, our volunteers were able to raise $1,888,912.
Jade to wrestle for Australia
Jade Smith, a 30-year-old athlete originally from Birchip, is set to represent Australia in her first international wrestling competition – the South East Asian Championships this May. What began as an after-work hobby has transformed into a life-changing journey of grit, growth, and gold.
Community healthcare concerns
The community has called for better access to specialist healthcare services and further development of local health infrastructure within the district. This was strongly voiced during the Limestone Coast Local Health Network (LCLHN) public consultation for the development of the clinical services plan ... The goal of the consultation was to engage the community in identifying what matters most in advancing local healthcare services.
