Life

We all cheered as the Australian men’s pursuit team cycled to a gold medal at the Paris Olympics ... What many of us didn’t realise is that the team is coached by Tim Decker, brother and brother-in-law to Donald’s Carolyn and Charles Wheeler.

The emergency department at Naracoorte Hospital is being fixed to make it “fit for purpose”. Health Minister Chris Picton says the community deserves to have a hospital they are proud of and can provide a high quality of care. Mr Picton was part of a delegation from the Health Ministry that visited the hospital on August 7 to see the progress of $8million upgrade work supported by the government.

Matthew Denny is Australia’s first male discus thrower to win a medal at the Olympics. Matthew is also the only Olympian to come from Allora.

As the community eagerly awaits the arrival of the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour visit to Mt. Wycheproof, it’s timely to shine a spotlight on the incredible volunteers at the local community hub – the Wycheproof Op-Shop. These dedicated individuals are often the backbone of our community, working tirelessly to raise funds for vital initiatives that make a real difference in our town.

Sculptor/artist Josie Dillon Lowerson is a former local who grew up on the farm at Narraport and attended school in both Wycheproof and Birchip. She is currently preparing a major exhibition of her artworks which have been transported 3,000 km from her studio on the Atherton Tablelands in far north Queensland, to Fortyfivedownstairs Gallery in Flinders Lane, Melbourne.

Patricia Gill. The Orenda Trio says a house concert is their favourite performance venue to share musical experience and communicate with the audience. As flautist Michael Howell told the audience gathered at a Weedon Hill home... an audience through interaction with the performers, plays a big role in how music is interpreted.

This week, we share the story of Cohuna Vietnam Veteran, Bob Maud ... as Corporal in 30 Terminal Squadron (nicknamed Termites), Royal Australian Engineers, he began a 12-month posting at Middle Head in Sydney ... “You’ve got to be trained like a stevedore,” he said, saying you had to know how to stack, pack and use things, especially munitions ...

Critically ill patients are being denied a hospital bed and waiting lists for public surgery continue to rise as the Victorian government sits on its hands, according to the Member for Benambra, Bill Tilley. On Tuesday afternoon, Mr Tilley called on the Minister for Health to explain the backflip on plans to use 20 beds at Mercy Health as a safety valve to the critical shortage.

Firefighting capabilities and support to better protect residents in south-western NSW and the food bowl in the Riverina have received a $3.9 million boost. NSW Rural Fire Service Chief Superintendent Kelwyn White officially opened two new brigade stations and upgraded training facilities, handed over five firefighting trucks and recognised more than 160 volunteers in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area (MIA) this week.

The Nhill Coastbusters hosted a successful event on Sunday ... as part of their Coastrek walk to raise funds for the Heart Foundation. The event featured locally grown foods and talents, with Chef Cat Clarke from Dimboola providing delicious meals to all attendees—an exciting first for many.

It doesn’t just affect those without a roof over their head. It also affects entire communities. As this article went to print, there are over 120000 people experiencing homelessness across Australia ... "It’s important that people know support services are available within their local community."

Hugh Schuitemaker. Thinking outside the box with its offerings has seen a Riverland butcher distinguished with major state awards. Riverland Country Style Meats, based in Renmark, received two gold medals at the recent 2024 Regional and State Sausage King Awards.

Red Imported Fire Ant detections have increased around the NSW border since the highly invasive pests were found at Tallebudgera, 6km across the border into Queensland, in July 2023, with 7 additional sites resulting in an Emergency Biosecurity Order that has just been extended. Implemented on July 17, 2024, the Biosecurity (Fire Ant) Emergency Order made by Chief Invasive Species Officer, Scott Charlton, was extended on August 6 for another 6 months.

Troubling figures released today show many illnesses among rural, regional and remote Australians could have been prevented or treated better with accessible primary care, thus avoiding the need for hospitalisation. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), many parts of rural Australia have higher rates of potentially preventable hospitalisations, highlighting the need for early interventions and ongoing care, particularly for non-communicable diseases.

As countries including Australia embrace renewable energy production, a recent study sheds light on some overlooked impacts of this transition. While the benefits of renewable energy are well-established, researchers are also examining the less discussed economic and social impacts of the move towards ‘green’ energy.

Shaun Hollis. Yorke Peninsula poker machine players lost over $3 million more in the past financial year than any other 12-month period in the region’s history, setting an alarming new record high. The steep rise in losses in the YP region was more than triple the state average increase.

The Woodburn Bowling Club could be turned into a medical centre if the development application currently on public exhibition is approved ... The project has letters of  support  from Federal MP Kevin Hogan, State MP Richie Williamson, the Woodburn Pharmacy, Healthy North Coast and an anonymous letter in favour of Woodburn getting doctors again.

For seven years, Frontier Pets grew its pet food business from a warehouse in Evans Head. That expansion has been so successful, the business has moved to larger premises in Brisbane.

Wilson McShane. Corey Taylor, a young surfer from Marion Bay, is facing the unique challenge of balancing his ambitions with the isolation of his hometown on the Yorke Peninsula. At just 19, Taylor is striving to become South Australia’s sole professional surfer on the World Surf League Championship Tour, but the geographical and financial obstacles are significant.