Life

Serena Kirby. Garden lovers can wander through two of Denmark’s biggest private gardens ... one of the garden owners, Geoff Osborne, said he was opening his garden to raise funds for the Albany Community Hospice. Geoff’s garden spans 4ha and was the creation of him and his wife of 50 years Ruby. She died in June 2021 after spending her final days in the Albany Hospice.

Sean Cunningham. The added attraction of former Hawthorn Australian footballer Robert “Dipper” DiPierdomenico helped to draw a crowd of about 350 people at the recent Mirrool Silo Kick competition ... “About 30 blokes had a kick,” Silo Kick competition President Jason Bryce said. “Only three got to the grand final ..."

It’s well known that one of the best way to fight mental illness is to begin the conversation and the Westbrook Truck Drivers Association is doing exactly that with a get-together on 16th November at Nobby’s iconic Rudd’s Pub. Spokesperson for the group, Darren Eyers said truck drivers in particular are reluctant to talk about any form of mental illness and hopes that the day at Rudd’s Pub will provide an avenue for discussion.

A compelling feature film that seeks to initiate and deepen conversations around mental health particularly within the agricultural community, was screened to nearly 100 people at the Corryong Youth Club Hall last Friday evening. Leila McDougall, scriptwriter, lead actress and co-producer of ‘Just a Farmer’ - based around the community of a farming family who lose husband and father to suicide - spoke afterwards...

Despite a number of delays caused by the Corryong streetscape project, the re-opening of the Youth Space in Hanson Street will go ahead tomorrow. In 2021, Upper Murray Innovation Foundation (UMIF) - the Corryong Neighbourhood Centre (CNC) Community Foundation - received a federal Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grant to refurbish and re-equip the Youth Space at 42 Hanson Street.

Drew Chislett. In an exhilarating display of skill and determination, young motocross rider Judd Chislett has made headlines by clinching two titles in his first year competing in the Victorian Senior motocross titles. The 16-year-old talent achieved a clean sweep, dominating all four rounds of the Senior Victorian Titles (C Grade) held at Portland, Shepparton, Albury and the final round at Blue Rock near Moe.

The 61st Barham Koondrook Show dodged the rain on Friday to put on two days of fun-filled action for the community. Thrilling rides, live music, great food and impressive displays enticed the crowds to brave the wind and menacing clouds for the first show of the new committee.

The Centre for Population has published two publications on Deaths of Despair and our submission to the Excess mortality inquiry. This short guide prepared by the Centre for Population compares deaths related to suicide, drug and alcohol induced deaths in Australia, the UK and the US.

The Hay Shire Council Aged Care Roundtable was held last Monday and was organised by the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care Local Network. More than 25 people attended, representing Council, Haydays, Hay Multi-Purpose Service, and aged care providers and support services.

As a person in his nineties and born in the past Holicene Age with the prospect of leaving it in the current Anthropocene Era, I have started wondering when the world is going to put humanity back into our sense of true original humanity. This question has been uppermost in my mind as I realise my life so far has also spanned two deadly world wars and 96 serious military actions between countries and states with a total estimated death toll of well over 120 million often innocent people.

Sarah Herrmann. Following five previous unsuccessful attempts since 2000, the Lutheran Church of Australia has made the historic decision to allow women to serve as pastors ... The ordination of women had been a major thread throughout her life, Copper Coast Anglican Community priest The Reverend Sheridan Brand said, adding she was pleased to see the LCA take this direction.

I am not a fan of protests.  I really don’t see the point of marching up and down, blocking streets and shouting, especially when recently a TV reporter asked a group of young women the reason they were protesting and they really couldn’t give an answer. Even so, way back -  I did... just once...

There’s many elements that go into creating a good wine and it’s the winemaker’s job to blend them together to create the perfect drop.   WA’s Rosenthal Wines’ winemakers are themselves a special blend because they’re not just winemakers and business partners - they’re also best friends. Coby Ladwig and Luke Eckersley first met 25 years ago when they were at Uni.  

Kate Hill. The night is young, the wine is flowing and drifting out from the main stage of the Coonawarra Soldiers Memorial Hall is the sound of twelve singers belting out the classic Let’s Put the Rooster in the Stew. "We’re pretty rough and ready - definitely one of a kind," said Coonawarra Community Choir Leader and Joanna resident Anne Woodard, with a laugh.

Jenny Pollard. “Life is better in the garden”. How many gardeners would agree with that?! From the attendance at last Sunday’s North Central Garden Club’s (NCGC) Charlton Open Gardens Day, the lure of that precious space you call your own resonates with a lot of people!

To take a walk through the magnificent and wellkept garden of Gary and Dale Gwynne it is easy to see why they regularly pick up awards in the Warwick Horticultural Society’s Spring Garden Competition. This year their garden at 269 Hendon/ Goomburra Road Allora was awarded the Warwick Horticultural Society’s Shield for the best Large Home Garden…

Rev heads and interested motoring enthusiasts are welcome to visit Nathan’s Allora Barbershop to check out the motoring memorabilia on display for the next three weeks. Three local blokes have been gathering anything and everything to do with motoring over the years and now want to share their collection with other like-minded people.

Sean Cunningham. Coolamon man Andrew Veigel has returned with a swag of medals from one of Australia’s most inspirational sporting events. Veigel won six medals, representing NSW in four different sports, during this year’s 17th Australian Transplant Games ...

Cycling Without Age Kerang is seeking to expand its services to other nursing homes, but they require more volunteer cyclists to do so ... The TriBike, a trike bike, is electronically assisted, providing an effortless pedal for the cyclist and a safe and enjoyable ride for up to two passengers.

Hundreds of attendees admired the 107 vehicles on display at the Moulamein Car Club’s annual Show and Shine. Owners and their prized possessions had travelled from as far as Melton to be a part of the unique event that offers free attractions for the kids and live music courtesy of ‘Dementia’.

Madison Eastmond. Riverlanders, rosarians, and visitors can now ‘stop and smell the roses’ for the month of October, with celebrations for the 30th Rose and Garden Festival beginning this week. With the region now in bloom, the 2024 program will kick off on Friday with a number of popular returning components ... including the Renmark Institute floral display, the Festival Fair...