Carnival of Flowers begins tomorrow
The 75th anniversary staging of the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers kicks off tomorrow, 13 September and will continue for a few action-packed weeks until 7 October. This four-week celebration showcases Spring gardens in full bloom, exciting foodie experiences that’ll make your palate blossom, kids’ entertainment that will plant smiles all around and music that will have your spirits flowering with joy.
Menang elders lead festival river tours
Menang elder Aunty Vernice Gillies and Menang man Larry Blight will lead guided walking tours along the Kwoorabup riverbanks at the Kwoorabup River Festival [on Saturday 21 September] ... This cultural and environmental experience aims to help everyone better appreciate the Kwoorabup River and the Wilson/Nullaki inlet as they paddle, row and swim through the events of the day.
Committee charged with drafting town e-van plan
Serena Kirby. A committee has been formed to help secure an electric commuter van. The move is to reduce social isolation, created by Denmark’s lack of community transport. This commuter van will offer a green transportation option for community groups and residents.
Farmers unite to fight stress
Serena Kirby. David Wright was named as the Inaugural Denmark Cattle Farmer of the Year at the recent Drought Muster Buster held at The Dam ... The award was part of a broader event organised by Raintree Farm owner Steve Birkbeck, who wanted to create ‘a reason to celebrate in a time of stress and trouble for the farming industry’ ... An integral part of the event was the discussion of issues surrounding bushï¬res by a panel of local experts.
Festival thrives through tough times
The outstanding success of the 2024 Man From Snowy Bush Festival has been a testament to the dedication of board members and volunteers over a challenging period, chairman Cameron Jackson highlighted at the recent annual general meeting. "The past two years once again were not without their challenges and of course change can often be the hardest thing to manage," he said.
Golden Girl Alexa Leary breaks world records, wins 2 gold and 1 silver
When Alexa Leary, who grew up in Yamba, was fighting for life in intensive care after an extremely serious 2021 cycling crash that almost claimed her life, her parents engaged a fortune teller who predicted she would survive and compete at the Paralympics. But the fortune teller didn't predict Alexa would become the golden girl of the 2024 Paris Paralympics by breaking the world record and taking home two gold medals...
Fatherhood – the most challenging and difficult yet rewarding leadership role of them all
Over the Father's Day weekend I was out having a family lunch at a restaurant full of families celebrating father’s day, recognising their fathers and grandfathers. It got me thinking about my dear Dad, and how I have fathered my children and now grandchildren. Being a dad is the most rewarding – challenging – difficult – all-consuming leadership role any father undertakes - There is no rule book. There is no greater leadership challenge than parenting.
Riding an eBike around Australia to promote renewables in the bush
When I sat down with Gregory Andrews in the cool of the New Crown Hotel in Hay’s main street, it was following an incredibly blustery trek of 170 kilometres across the Hay Plains. On the day he arrived in Hay, the strong September winds and a flat tyre had delayed his arrival from Balranald by several hours ... Travelling solo, on an eBike, Mr Andrews spoke passionately about his trip around Australia and the reasons behind it.
Mayoral chain returns to Hay
A mayoral chain worn by the late OJ Smith has been returned to Hay. “It needed to come back home,” former Hay resident Noelene Martin said ... Noelene and her husband, Rod brought the chain to Hay over the weekend after having it framed, and presented it to Council on Monday morning.
Portrait project Uniting Caroona Yamba community
An innovative portrait project at Uniting Caroona Yamba by renowned local artist Harry Westera is uniting residents and staff, fostering a friendly community and preserving precious memories ... When his wife Grace, a Pastoral Carer at Caroona Yamba suggested he volunteer he took up the opportunity, and in 2 years he has hand drawn 91 portraits of residents, 52 of which adorn the walls of Caroona, with more being added regularly.
Support for those with prostate cancer on YP
Rachel Hagan. With improved detection and diagnosis, the number of men surviving prostate cancer is thankfully increasing, however, this means the psychosocial impact is expected to affect more people as the population grows and ages. Yorke Peninsula Prostate Cancer Support Group leader Robert Kidd knows first-hand how secretive some men can be about diagnosis, after his own father kept his troubles with the disease to himself.
Kyogle chef and councillor bring home the frypan trophy
Kyogle chef Shelly Snadden cooked her heart out at the Sample Food Festival in Bangalow ... Kyogle councillor Danielle Mulholland was by her side in the My Mayor Rules cook-off. Kyogle mayor Kylie Webster was unable to attend so former mayor Danielle stepped up.
Letters from Home: Will of the wasp
Once again, it was a case of act first, think later... If there were medals to be won for that trait, I could compete for Australia. It’s been a failing all my life and has, many times, got me into hot water. A nest of wasps appeared, the little European devils imported along with sparrows, rabbits, foxes and prickly pear from other places to be total pests to us Aussies ...
Dawn delivers first aid skills – Be prepared
Having up-to-date first aid training could mean the difference between life and death for your family, friends and neighbours in an emergency situation ... Last week, Dawn Ferrier from TalkSmart Training was in Birchip to provide community members, childcare workers and sports trainers with the skills and knowledge required to keep their certification relevant.
Ultimate free travel companion
Exploring the Southern Downs through the free official Southern Downs & Granite Belt Visitor App is easier than ever with new upgrades that make it a breeze to experience everything there is to see, do and discover in our region. The new version of the app #SeeSouthernDowns can be used 100 per cent offline, putting essential information about the region’s towns...
Old time travellers
They’re not old time-travellers, they’re old-timers, travelling! The largest vintage car tour in Victoria, and possibly Australia, travelled through Muckleford and Maldon last week as part of the 2024 Golden Oldies Tour. It was a marvellous sight to see all these Roaring Twenties transporters...
From community pharmacy comes cheaper medicines
“It’s now clear that lowering the maximum Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) co-payment is the best way to make medicines cheaper and support Australians challenged by the cost of living to meet their healthcare needs,” Pharmacy Guild of Australia President Professor Trent Twomey said ... “The lowering of the maximum co-payment from $42.50 to $30 has saved patients a total of $346 million on medicines, as opposed to the $30 million from 60-day dispensing."
2024 Pet Expo will get tails wagging
Get ready for a paw-some day at the inaugural 2024 Pet Expo this weekend. The expo features 35 pet-related stalls, free kids’ activities, plus plenty of fun for dogs, and is held at the Robert Schwarten Outdoor Pavilion from 9am to 3pm...
A true bush battler: Bree Wakefield
Bree Wakefield was on the panel of speakers who appeared at the recent event, Hatfield Happenings. Her story is one of varied hardships, and the beauty of overcoming these hardships and elevating yourself.
Hard Talk! Issue one: Food prices
The [Naracoorte Community] News is introducing a new series called Hard Talk, focusing on in-depth interviews with hard-hitting questions on issues relating to communities like ours ... In our first issue, we questioned Premier Peter Malinauskas and newly appointed Opposition Leader Vincent Tarzia.
Induction of Reverend Rudi Schwartz
Stuart McLean. St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church Naracoorte would like to invite the community to attend the induction of the Reverend Rudi Schwartz who is returning with his wife Heila. Rudi and Heila lived in Naracoorte for many years from 2000 taking an active part in the community as well as the church.
Trevor Smart retires
Chris Oldfield and Nasik Swami. Naracoorte Lucindale Council CEO Trevor Smart has resigned after six years in the top job and is looking forward to spending more time with his family. Mr Smart has spent 41 years in local government and six years with Naracoorte Lucindale Council.
