Vale Ian Dawes
There has been a long line of editors in the 157-years of the [Tarrangower] Times. But Ian Dawes, who died last week, must be the standout editor, in terms of his experience and skills as a wordsmith. He had a long and distinguished writing career that took him all over the world.
Living Lab Northern Rivers looks ahead with exciting future scenarios for Lismore
A revitalised floodplain that includes cultural land management, recreational trails, gardens and markets; commercial flood resilient retrofits in the Lismore CBD; new urban villages created above the floodplain; and a naturalised Brown’s Creek forming the spine of a new greenway connecting the CBD and urban villages. These are just some of the innovative ideas that Living Lab Northern Rivers presented to the local community...
60 new GPs
The government has announced a new plan that will see the addition of 60 new general practitioners in regional South Australia, including the Limestone Coast. The new Single Employer Model (SEM) will support up to 60 additional GP and rural generalist registrars training in the community at any one time – potentially quadrupling the state’s existing cohort as the program scales up over time.
Elective surgery chopped
Stakeholders: What’s going on with health services? Booked for an elective surgery at a public hospital, you might have to look for other options. Elective surgery has been cancelled at all hospitals across the state, including the Naracoorte Hospital. Reason, the health system is heaving under an illness load, with a large number of Covid and flu cases in the community resulting in staff shortages...
Labyrinth leads to reflection
The Playle’s Hill Project Group continues to make further upgrades to the community facility and the latest addition is The Labyrinth. The project originated through the Black Summer bushfire recovery process ... It is a reflective healing space to walk solo, with a partner, with family or friends.
Heartfelt addition to hotel’s community meat tray raffle night
The newly re-opened Bidgee Hotel at Narrandera is proud to host a special charity event ... A beautiful artwork print by the talented Lesley Jane and a very special one-of-a-kind art piece by Stewart James, the artist behind Carlton's Indigenous guernsey will be raffled.
Australia’s first crowdfunded solar farm powers up at Grong Grong
The Grong Grong solar farm powered up last week and is now operational, providing proof that community-owned renewables projects can get off the ground. The 1.5 megawatt (MW) project was officially launched a month ago, a celebration of a four year endeavour by Komo Energy to build the country’s first crowdfunded solar farm.
Bushfire response defended
The head of the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) has responded to claims by a former group captain about a lack of communication and red tape, particularly surrounding the Green Valley blaze during the 2029-20 Black Summer bushfires. John Hawkins recently tendered his resignation as Group 7 Captain, claiming that he had been told by his RFS manager that his group vehicle was to be taken off him, with no replacement available.
Legend of the Ironman World
It is official – Scott Foreman is a legend. A legend in the ironman world. Scott was awarded 20-year legend status at the annual Ironman Australia event held in Port Macquarie on May 5, and he’s pretty stoked about it.
Demand for fodder still high, despite rain: Rural Aid
Rain across four states has failed to dampen demand for fodder to feed drought affected livestock. Australia’s most trusted rural charity, Rural Aid, said the sigh of relief from farmers who received rain in the past week was almost audible such was the desperation of some; none more so than producers in south-western West Australia where the region had experienced its driest conditions on record.
Celebrating 250 senior games: Joel Wagg and Sam Hawker
Joel Wagg, affectionately known as Waggy, has reached the milestone of 250 senior games with KLUFNC. Debuting in the senior ranks in 2007, Joel has many memorable moments, including kicking seven goals in Padthaway during a hailstorm in 2018.
There’s action at the station!
After successfully campaigning the Victorian State Govt. to continue funding the Overland until 2027, many of us were devastated to see the sudden appearance of the cyclone fence being erected at the Nhill Station on July 18th, 2023, preventing access to the veranda, when waiting to board the Overland or greet folks arriving ... it is pleasing to see Stage 1 of the renovations, has finally begun.
Heated pool gets the nod
It was D-Day for Hay’s proposed hydrotherapy pool last Tuesday, the culmination of a 30-year effort by the Hay community. The pendulum was swinging between the need for a heated pool and Council’s deliberation on replacing the ageing John Houston Memorial Swimming Pool.
Susan Close keeps blue-green algae sludge secret despite health warning for River Murray: Centofanti, Whetstone
Blue-green algae sludge – which poses health risks to humans and livestock – has begun trickling down the River Murray from New South Wales after Susan Close agreed to accept the concerning bacteria in South Australia without warning communities ... the NSW Government recognising “not only is the foul smell and colour of the water extremely distressing for the local community, blue-green algae can also pose potential health risks to humans and livestock”.
New era for state emergency and marine rescue services starts today: Ryan, Boyd
A new era in Queensland’s disaster and emergency management begins today as some of the most significant changes to how the state responds to natural disasters and emergencies takes effect. The State Emergency Service (SES) is now formally established with its own legislation, the State Emergency Service Act 2024 ... And for the first time, Marine Rescue Queensland (MRQ) is established as the state’s first integrated marine rescue service ...
From rich Avon schoolboy to legendary broadcaster
"With a voice like yours, you’ll never be an announcer," predicted the sister of young Bob Rogers, almost 80 years ago. Last Wednesday, the veteran radio presenter, whose broadcasting career spanned 78 years, died at his home in Mosman. Born to British parents, and raised at Rich Avon and Donald, during hard times ...
For rural patients and doctors – “blatantly unfair” deal on urgent care
The Rural Doctors Association of Victoria (RDAV) has called for a better deal for Victoria’s rural patients and rural doctors when it comes to how emergency care is funded in Victoria’s Urgent Care Centres (UCCs), saying the current system is "blatantly unfair" to both patients and doctors.
Expanded bus network to link new Yanchep line stations
An extended bus network for the northern suburb corridor will start when the Yanchep rail extension opens in July ... The new routes will improve network coverage with expanded services in Catalina Estate (Tamala Park); Eden Beach Estate (Jindalee), Trinity, Shorehaven and Alkimos Beach Estates (Alkimos), Amberton Estate (Eglinton) and Capricorn Beach Estate (Yanchep).
Save our SOS
Joanna Tucker. Suicide awareness organisation SOS Yorkes is on the brink of collapse unless more volunteers can be found immediately ... Chair Ann Clothier said, if SOS Yorkes — which was founded in 2015 and stands for Stamp Out Suicide — cannot find a new secretary and treasurer in the next few weeks, the service will cease at the end of this month.
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Drivers urged to look out for koalas this long weekend after iconic animal falls victim to record-high vehicle strikes: Friends of the Koala
Koala conservation organisation, Friends of the Koala, say there’s been a 15 per cent increase in koalas being hit by vehicles in the Northern Rivers region this past year, calling for extra vigilance from motorists ... Between May 2023 and May 2024, Friends of the Koala received reports of 71 koalas who were hit by vehicles, of which only 13 were able to be rehabilitated and released back to the wild.
Six determined people bring new life to village community centre
If only these walls could talk… organisers of the official reopening of the Cawongla Community Centre were thrilled with the turnout ... No one quite knows the age of the timber cottage next to Cawongla Preschool in the heart of the village ... For years the community centre sat empty ...
