Life

The community is much safer thanks to the tireless efforts of the Clifton Local Ambulance Committee (LAC), which has installed automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in Greenmount and Nobby. Anne Glasheen, President of Clifton LAC, said the defibrillators have been paid for by not-for-profit organisations and businesses.

Lillardia Briggs-Houston, a Wiradjuri, Gangulu and Yorta Yorta multidisciplinary artist and fashion designer based in Narrandera, has won a 12-month mentorship with Country Road fashion label. Lillardia says her practice is more than a business, it’s a culmination of cultural identity, expression and cultural heritage with fashion and art as the by-product.

Three men who have experienced conflict first hand have banded together to kayak the length of the Murray River to raise awareness of Soldier On and MatesHeroHelp, two charities supporting current and former defence personnel.

What a great way to start the year; Active, healthy, singing, a good feed and cooling off in the pool ... It was a very sporty pool party at the end of the first long weekend of the year.

Services are now being provided from Wilcannia’s Health and Wellbeing Centre in Bonney St, off Ross Street, following a move to the new facility over the past three days ... Services provided at the Wilcannia Health and Wellbeing Centre will be the same as those provided at the previous health service.

The grim reality of the shortage of available housing in Hay hit home to one young family recently. After a career change which saw Mick and Gabby Flattery and six-year-old Connor leave employer-supplied housing, they faced the disheartening search for a rental property in Hay ... “There isn’t even small one-bedroom unit to rent, let alone family houses."

Rotary Club of Maitland is again selling straw bales for garden mulch. This season pea straw has been difficult to acquire, so vice-president Hugh Wearing sourced alternative options, namely wheat, lentil and bean straws.

Janelle Saffin. The Northern Rivers will benefit from a major boost to its local medical workforce – with 28 medical graduate interns starting work in local public hospitals this month ... Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said the new doctors will be entering a training program with networked hospitals throughout the state, providing formal and on-the-job training.

The latest government alcohol control effort, now a year old, has resulted in a dramatic drop in bottle shop and online transactions, but how much we drink hasn’t gone down by a lot ... Bill Yan, Member for Namatjira and Shadow Minister for Health, says alcohol abuse measures should have received more funding: “We’ve yet to see much of the $250m promised [by the Prime Minister] last year."

We all get life has its ups and downs. We all go through stages when we feel flat, negative, or disengaged. That is life. But we need work through this and try not drag others down with our own negative energy or mindset. It requires us to be self-aware of the energy we are giving out.

Nadia Bish, of Wycheproof, is preparing to utilise her newly developed leadership skills to implement a natural tourism innovation project in 2024. The Loddon Murray Community Leadership Program (LMCLP), also often referred to as LEAD Loddon Murray, is well regarded across Australia, an initiative building the capacity of individuals to drive change and foster the growth of vibrant and sustainable rural/regional communities.

Gen Barlow. Newstead's major auspicing organisation, Newstead 2021 Inc, has contracted two community development workers for six months. Local residents Joni Fitzgerald and Gen Barlow will work with Newstead groups and people on projects and find and match would-be volunteers with projects and micro-tasks.

Maldon resident and Advanced Life Support paramedic Barry Curtain is one of five Ambulance Victoria workers who have been awarded Ambulance Service Medals, as part of the 2024 national honours list.  The Australian honours list acknowledges Australians for achievements, service and contribution to community above and beyond the call of duty.  

This week's quiz will have you wondering whether you really should stop playing Sudoku and read a bit more.

When Matt McCarthy took over the family farm, Ascot Park at Budgee, from father Steve in April 2022, he probably didn’t realise how quickly the new direction he had for the farm would evolve ... The rich black soil of the Darling Downs produces excellent pastures ... Matt and Karla began selling their meat to family and friends.

In 1958, the Athenaeum Hall site was completely cleared except for the front concrete steps leading up to the main entrance and prepared for the construction of the present edifice, the Corryong & District Public Memorial Hall ... When plans were approved this building was the biggest single community hall (in floor area) in rural Victoria.

Regional Express Airlines will prolong the suspension of some of its flights for another seven months, blaming sustained supply chain challenges. Rex cut flights on seven of its NSW routes in September including from Sydney to Albury, Coffs Harbour, Griffith, Narrandera, Orange, Parkes and Port Macquarie.

A recent tender by Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) for the provision of medical services at Barham Hospital has gone unawarded, with MLHD stating, “This tender process has now been completed and, as a result, it is not sustainable to continue the provision of medical services in their current format.”

Dr Clare Bottcher has departed the clinic where she has treated local patients for over 26 years. In an emotional farewell with clinic staff, Dr Bottcher recalled her time serving the locals of her own hometown, alongside “great mentors” and “wonderful custodians of this town”.

Toowoomba’s RACQ LifeFlight Rescue and LifeFlight Surat Gas Aeromedical Service crews have recorded the highest number of aeromedical missions in Queensland completing 959 missions – a 46 per cent increase on the previous year. RACQ LifeFlight Rescue and LifeFlight Surat Gas Aeromedical Service (SGAS) helicopters are based at the Clive Berghofer LifeFlight Centre and Roma.