More accessible tourism for Top End parks: Bowden, Ah Kit, Uibo
A tender has been released to improve disability access for the lower plunge pool at Edith Falls, to supply and install a hoist to provide visitors in wheelchairs safe access into the plunge pool. The hoist will be designed to fit in with the natural landscape and will be fitted with a mechanism so the person in the wheelchair can operate it in a safe manner.
Growing Wallaroo
Joanna Tucker. Privately owned rural land on the outskirts of Wallaroo is in the process of being rezoned, with new housing and an industrial estate looking increasingly likely to be built there in coming years ... Wallaroo’s population has increased by more than a quarter in the past decade and continues to grow rapidly.
RDA back in the saddle
Joanna Tucker. Riding for the Disabled’s Yorke Peninsula centre is on the comeback trail after last year being near the brink of collapse. The RDA’s Kadina base was in danger of closing due to a lack of volunteers after the Covid-19 pandemic.
Drawn to her passion for arts
Jess Liddy. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. And Moonta Bay’s Bev Dry sees beauty in almost everything and anything in order to create magical pieces of artwork.
Like father, like grandfather
It’s most likely the most celebrated number in Donald’s list for current and past players. First, number 7 was on the guernsey of Gary Young, winner of North-Central’s Feeny Medal. In the next generation, Gary’s son, Ross, won both the Feeny Medal and the Sandover Medal, the latter as the best player in the Western Australian Football League.
Letters from Home: Smile, you’re on candid camera
Well, sooner or later – usually later in life, your plumbing will act up, and your doctor will tell you that you will need a colonoscopy. It’s a word to put fear into your heart, and sympathetic expressions ( or evil chuckles) on the faces of friends and family who have endured the procedure. In case you’ve never had it done, I will share my firsthand experience.
Donald Deb set dazzles
Donald Memorial Hall was at capacity on Friday, June 28, as what seemed to be the whole town and district gathered to witness the return of the Debutante Ball. Sixteen debutantes, plus their partners filled the stage, enhanced by the addition Pippa Pearse and Renner Tait in the traditional roles of flower girl and page boy...
The secret of Barefoot Bowls in Maldon
There are two immediately important things to convey about the Maldon in Winter edition of Barefoot Bowls. One is that, surprisingly, it is not actually expected that participants remove their shoes ... The second is that Maldon Bowls Club has emerged since Covid as a thriving community hub … So, why is it called Barefoot Bowling if it is not actually a toes-out situation?
Disfigured trees distress residents
Occupants of heritage houses on Templeton Street, between Adair and Parker Streets, were distressed to discover that electricity supplier Powercor had pruned trees outside their homes last week. They were upset at the severity of the works and the resulting shape of the trees.
Norco Co-operative drives industry innovation with first-to-market ice cream technology and new Cape Byron sticks range
For Norco, Australia’s oldest and largest dairy co-operative, its great tasting ice cream has always been crafted for indulgence, but the latest innovation from the 100 per cent farmer owned co-operative is set to take its premium portfolio to the next level ... Housed at its iconic ice cream factory in Lismore, Norco Co-operative is the first company in Australia to invest in a new machine which produces up to two centimetre inclusions in ice cream: taking ice cream decadence to the next level.
Harry’s Charity de Wheels
Who could have not noticed the two Clydesdales and immaculate wagon weaving around the streets of the town last week and grazing on the front lawn of the Golf Club. Harry Vidal sits in the drivers seat of his wagon, idling along behind Henry and George on their trip from Morgan SA to Cunnamulla, Qld.
1883 – 2024 St James Anglican Church closes its doors
141 years after being built, and 80 years and one week after being first consecrated (that is a separate story) Bishop for the Riverina Don Kirk undertook the solemn duty of deconsecrating St James Church ... "We pray that they will be comforted by the knowledge that the presence of God is not tied to any place or building": Bishop Kirk.
Nhill’s golden girl off to Paris
Nhills Lucy Stephan, daughter of Mandy and Gus Stephan, will appear at the upcoming Olympians to be held in Paris for her 3rd Olympic appearance to compete in the Women’s Eight team. In 2021, Nhill’s Lucy Stephan won a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics and became the first Nhill Olympian and gold medal and put Nhill on the map.
Dedicated to the Flying Doctors
Hugh Schuitemaker. A well-known Riverlander who has overseen the expansion of the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) in the region is set to retire from his senior role. Current RFDS Riverland Support Group president Alan Eckermann will retire from the position at the end of this month.
The three churches
Clive Wilson. As a small community, Lord Howe Island has had individuals or families who have made outstanding contributions to the wellbeing of the Island. Charlie Thomas Retmock and his wife, formerly Amelia Dignam, and their family have played a great part in the wellbeing of this community.
Sparks from the Past – Community Commons – Island entertainment and social get-togethers post World War II, Part 14
This special edition of “Sparks from the Past” – is written in appreciation of Jim Whistler, founder of The [Lord Howe Island] Signal ... Sally looked through every [Lord Howe Island] Signal in the LHI Historical Society collection - all 1157 of them! ... Her high regard for Jim, and extensive use of the Signal for research purposes, clearly illustrate the contribution both have made to our precious Island archives.
Kookaburra’s Donald arrival draws near
Jenni and Trevor Campbell. On our way home from our holiday in Northern New South Wales, we called in to meet Chris Fussell, the sculptor who is making Donald’s giant kookaburra ... Chris has our kookaburra well on the way and hopes to be able to bring it to Donald in the spring.
He’s done it again, boys!
As reported in the previous issue of the [Buloke] “Times”, Donald’s Jacob Donnellon had a big weekend ahead of him. After having been selected as a state finalist in the 2024 Junior Rural Ambassador program, he was headed to Kaniva for the VAS deciding round ... Say congratulations to the 2024 Victorian Junior Rural Ambassador champion!
Rabobank partners with George the Farmer to celebrate National Book Week
Rabobank’s Rabo Community Fund has partnered with the ‘edu-tainment’ brand ‘George the Farmer’ for the third year to help educate children about where their food and fibre comes from in a fun and engaging way during this year’s National Book Week – August 17 to 23.
Yanchep line station – access maps released
Metronet has released maps showing the preferred access to the three stations on the Yanchep rail line. A Metronet spokeswoman said preferred access to Yanchep station was along Marmion Ave and then via a new road called Botanical Blvd leading to parking facilities.
Steve Sun can see after doctors diagnose loss of sight in brain tumour op
When Steve Sun set off from Casino in his Sunseeker 4WD in October 2021, his mission was to see as much of Australia before he lost his sight. Steve had a brain tumour and needed an operation. Doctors told him the op would save his life but it would leave him blind.
Letters from Home: Being personal with a pig
God was so unfair to pigs when he made them so tasty... they are as intelligent as any dog, make great companions, and if only roast crackling wasn’t so delicious, they might have a far happier life. Nigel did ... Nigel was a little black piglet that arrived in a little box, a gift from my father supposedly to be fattened up and dispatched for Christmas dinner.
