Disappointing start to 2025 for local racing team, Kermit Racing
After much anticipation, preparation and travelling more than ten hours to One Raceway near Goulburn in NSW, Kermit Racing’s weekend finished just 5 hours after the race start. Kermit Racing’s driver team for this event was Graeme Ussing, David Morrison, Paul Newcombe and Brady Newcombe.
West Wimmera Australia Day awards
Kaniva resident Kaye Bothe is West Wimmera Shire’s Australia Day Citizen of the Year. The award will be presented to Mrs Bothe at Kaniva’s Australia Day celebrations on Sunday, January 26.
Haydays under new management
Hay’s haven for senior citizens has gained two new people at the helm. Martyn Quinn is to be the new Facility Manager of Haydays Retirement Hostel, with Kim Gibbs on board as the new Assistant Facility Manager.
Meet the moving church – one hundred years on
This story starts in about 1880 when the residents of the small rural community of East Laen, about 10km southwest of Donald, decided to build themselves a Methodist Church. Not much is known about this Church, but we can assume that it was a small wooden building, probably with a galvanised iron roof.
33rd Mardigrass planning meetings start
Michael Balderstone ... Thirty-three years is a long time saying the same message over and over again. Who would have believed when we started MardiGrass that weed would get legal but through a doctor and coming from Canada? It’s like a bad joke.
Cancer and exercise, my story
Derek Skingle. Many of us will encounter cancer during our lifetime, either through affected friends, relatives, loved ones or personally ... This is my story of how I dealt with a cancer diagnosis using the exercises I had seen in the Catalyst program ... Early in 2024 I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma ...
Construction of new cannabis farm starts in March
A medicinal cannabis farm will start production at a new farm in Caniaba, between Casino and Lismore, in September this year. Biortica Agrimed through its subsidiary Green Farmers is increasing its cultivation capacity fivefold over the next 12 months. Â
Volunteers needed for the Allora Show
President of the Allora Show Society has put a call out for volunteers to help as this year’s Allora Show. It takes a dedicated team to bring this amazing event to life so any time you could help at the Show would be appreciated.
Summer timetable: On track!
It is a sensational time of year to enjoy a trip on the heritage train between Maldon and Castlemaine and adjustments have been made to ensure maximum safety for passengers and residents ... Dolphina Truter and Paul Carnes from Ballarat enjoyed a ride in First Class last weekend as a spur-of-the-moment outing and both were full of praise for the experience.
Ganmain Show bucks the trend of declining agricultural shows
Many country agricultural shows remain in doubt for 2025. However some country shows bucked the trend and drew a large crowd. Ganmain Show was one of them, attracting more than 2500 people in 2024.
Myers family Summernats fundraiser
Well known Summernats competitors Jake Myers, Amy Myers, Deby and Gary Myers and their team raised $4500.80 for the Neuroblastoma Foundation at this year’s Summernats car festival in Canberra ACT. Jake Myers owns the famous S1CKO 1966 Mustang which he had white vinyl wrapped for his wedding back in October 2024 and decided after the wedding to leave the white on and let people sign it at Summernats with a twist.
Centre faces funding shortfall
Two unforeseen acts just prior to Christmas have placed the future of the Corryong Neighbourhood Centre (CNC) and the community bakery in financial jeopardy. Firstly, the Australian government delayed providing $85,000 of grant funding, which had already been spent, until May 2025.
Cohuna Vet Clinic returns
It has been a little more than 12 months since Karen Rogers closed the Cohuna Vet Clinic following the tragic death of her husband Paul. However, there is great news for Cohuna and surrounding districts with the practice reopening just last week on January 6 with Dr Carly Brownlow and Dr Adrian Coghill joining forces to reestablish the clinic.
500 animals, fire and feed. Life for the Treweek family
Bushfires are stressful enough, but having a zoo of 500 animals and 23 staff adds a whole new level for the Treweek family. Former Wakool family Mark and Lisa Treweek and their kids Cooper and William have finally been able to open their 52-acre Halls Gap Zoo after the challenges of the Grampians bushfire. Their second fire in 12 months.
Clarence Valley hospitals experience high activity in recent months
The Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) continued to improve planned surgery performance during the July to September 2024 quarter, despite hospitals with the locality experiencing some of the highest activity levels on record.
Brooms Head foreshore to return to the community
Clarence Valley Council has announced the Brooms Head foreshore will be returned to the community with sites adjacent to the beach no longer available to families who have camped there for more than 50 years, across generations.
Strengthening Hindmarsh Holiday Parks
In September 2024, Hindmarsh Shire Council resumed management of the Nhill Holiday Park, bringing operation of all four parks across the Shire back in-house, as well as Four Mile Beach Camping area ... Hindmarsh Holiday Parks play a crucial role in the Shire’s tourism and economic development strategy, driving increased visitation and longer stays in our region.
Bush Bursary students enjoying the calm and friendliness of Hay
Hay Shire Council is continuing its efforts in attracting medical staff to Hay with a commitment to the Bush Bursary program.  Current recipients are Zali Beuzeville and Charlie Jackson, pictured with Lyla Quinn during their placement at Japp’s Pharmacy last week. Â
Sarah’s long ride to healing
The loss of a parent is devastating. Losing both is unimaginable, but photographer and horse lover Sarah Wheeler is turning her grief into hope for others suffering from liver, pancreatic, stomach, bile duct and oesophageal cancers.
National accolades for Jasmine
Madison Eastmond. After more than two decades of teaching a second language to Renmark High School students, Jasmine Sotiroulis has received national recognition for her contributions in Riverland classrooms and the broader South Australian teaching community.
Pet owner urges council to rethink scare guns
Christine Webster. A Waikerie pet owner is calling on Loxton Waikerie council to review its use of scare guns to control corellas after her dog went missing for several hours when becoming startled by noise ... a canoeist contacted police after noticing a dog on a ledge of a cliff, upstream from the Waikerie ferry.
Police thank Loxton ‘lifesavers’ Paul and Craig
Placing their own safety at risk, Paul Mitchell – previous editor of The Murray Pioneer – and Craig Lueth immediately approached the burning vehicle, removing the injured driver just moments before the vehicle became fully engulfed.
