Life

Paul Mitchell. From a dirt-poor, domestic violence-impacted home in Fiji, where food on the table was never guaranteed, to the Naracoorte News. Nasik Swami’s unique journey to our town – and onto our pages every Wednesday – is an unlikely, but inspiring reminder that determination and aspiration remain the most valuable resources for anyone craving a better life.

On Saturday night The Toowoomba-based LifeFlight aeromedical crew airlifted a boy to hospital after he fell into a fire at a Goomburra campground. The helicopter was tasked at 5.20pm to the Southern Downs region and landed near the campground.

Ready for a night that's equal parts glamorous and meaningful? Come to Wagga Wagga for a masquerade charity ball for a mighty cause - to raise $100,000 for a special x-ray machine that will be a big help for breast and prostate cancer patients.

Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) is removing the after-hours, drop-off box facility at Toowoomba’s Anzac Avenue Animal Management Centre effective from tomorrow, Friday, February 28. Residents are instead being called upon to help with looking after animals and finding their owners.

An exhibition highlighting the exquisite skill of master wood engraver Sir Lionel Lindsay will be on display at Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery until Sunday, May 18. The exhibition, Alchemy: Works by Sir Lionel Lindsay, distills the artist’s life, work and legacy through the lens of what Sir Lionel called ‘the strange alchemy of Fate’.

The US’s trade surplus with Australia has so far helped keep Australian food and agri exports off the ‘wheel of misfortune’ when it comes to the new wave of US tariffs, Rabobank says in a newly-released global report.

A property near Clifton is hosting Sunflower Sunday from 10am to 3pm giving visitors the chance for spectacular photographs and to take home their own sunflowers. Sunflower Sunday is a fundraiser for Clifton Community Health Services (CCHS).

A worker inside Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) has responded to Member for Murray Helen Dalton’s calls to split the district in two. Ms Dalton raised the issue in NSW parliament recently, proposing a new Western health district for the townships of Deniliquin, Jerilderie, Berrigan, Finley, Leeton, Griffith, Hay, Hillston, Lake Cargelligo, Balranald, Barham, Moulamein and Tocumwal.

There are times when paramedics from Yamba Ambulance Station are called away from the Lower Clarence, that they are told they are the only ambulance available between Ballina and Coffs Harbour.

Christine Webster. The Australia-wide problem of being unable to attract enough doctors to rural areas is impacting heavily on the Waikerie Medical Centre and local community ... Dr Wanguhu said young doctors often preferred to take up posts at medical centres in Barmera, Berri and Renmark where they were not required to work in an emergency hospital.

Sarah Herrmann. Community consultation is now open on the draft Yorke Peninsula Coastal Access Strategy 2025-2035, with members of the public invited to share their feedback via a survey ... Consultation sessions have already been held with local landholders and progress associations, 4WD representatives and the tourism sector.

The Labor Government’s Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund levy will increase the financial strain on ratepayers during a cost-of-living crisis, particularly in rural and regional communities. The new tax is set to be collected by local councils on 1 July 2025.

As mentioned on page one, Leroy Johnson and the Waterbag band played the Culture on Country Survival Day concert last January. The original plan had Leroy and band opening the stage for Uncle Vic Simms. Uncle Vic wasn’t feeling so good so he swapped the playing order.

Community might know that local man, Kyle Whyman is the bass player for The Black Shadows, but did you know he is also the bass player for Leroy Johnson and Waterbag band.

AFL legend Robert ‘Dipper’ DiPierdomenico is among those encouraging Australians aged 50 years and over to be aware of their risk of the disease during shingles awareness week, which runs from February 24 to March 2. Mr DiPierdomenico and fellow shingles awareness week ambassadors journalist Shelly Horton and news presenter Deborah Knight have all experienced first-hand the pain and impact of shingles.

The final art installations for the Men’s Sheds Biodiversity Trail have now been installed in Nandaly, Watchem, and Nullawil, completing this unique community-led project in ten towns across Buloke Shire. Featuring handcrafted avian and insect homes, the trail has been a collaborative effort between the Men’s Sheds in Birchip, Charlton, Donald, Wycheproof and Sea Lake, local artists and community members, Landcare and Buloke Shire Council.

People caught abusing, neglecting or mistreating animals will face tough new penalties after new animal welfare laws were passed in State Parliament this week. Those found guilty of animal cruelty now face maximum fines of up to $250,000, and/or 10 years jail, for the aggravated ill-treatment of an animal, up from $50,000 and/or four years in jail.

From blank canvas in unforgiving dirt to a garden haven for all the family. A blank canvas for your new garden, boasting two lone mature trees (a Cedar in the vegetable garden and further away, a Peppercorn) and a few gums along the perimeter, red soil and the prospect of less than 300mm rainfall for the whole year.

For 18 months the kiosk at Casino Memorial Hospital was closed ... Now Kellie and Geoffrey Clarke from Evans Head have taken over the kiosk.