All aboard for a free ticket to ride
City of Coffs Harbour’s bold free bus travel initiative aims to help all members of the community, including people who don’t drive. The free bus travel trial starts on Friday 19 April, and Mayor Paul Amos said it would particularly support older people who no longer drive and unlicensed teenagers...
Spaghetti Circus Open Day, 27 April 2024
In celebration of World Circus Day, Spaghetti Circus is throwing open the doors and welcoming everyone in for a day of circus fun! The Spaghetti Circus Open Day ... is jam packed with free 'taster' classes for kids and adults from 9am-12:30pm, followed by a community picnic.
Letters from Home: So many ifs
Easter used to be fun in our family, but not any more. It's the hardest time of year for our family, it's when our darling granddaughter took her life. When we lost our Jessica to suicide the police knew just where to look: her phone and laptop.
A superfood renaissance down under: AgriFutures Australia announces new research plan for the quinoa industry
Known for its ancient origins and impressive nutritional profile, quinoa has not only captured the attention of health-conscious consumers globally, but also some entrepreneurial Australian farmers. Quinoa fuelled ancient Andean civilisations in South America for more than 7,000 years … along with high protein levels and essential amino acids has earned it the “superfood” title.
Barkly nurse a finalist in prestigious awards
A Barkly registered nurse has been announced as a finalist in the 2024 Nursing and Midwifery Awards. Annette (Nettie) Hodgson-Taylor is one of three finalists in the Excellence in Aboriginal Health category.
QLD Music Trails and CamperMate join forces on unforgettable reef experience giveaway
QLD Music Trails is a first of its kind tourism experience, inviting participants to embark on musical journeys that showcase the rich tapestry of Queensland's musical culture. CamperMate is a leading platform for travellers seeking camping and outdoor travel experiences. The partnership will leverage the strengths and synergies of both organisations ...
The close of an era – Cambooya Uniting Church’s final service
There was not a spare seat in sight for the closure service of the Cambooya Uniting Church ... over 70 people filled the church, to hear the Passion of Christ and give thanks for this tiny church’s contribution to Cambooya and the surrounding districts ... Rev. John said there was no more appropriate day in the Christian Calendar than Good Friday to allow ourselves to grieve.
30 year celebrations for Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network
Firsthealth Limited who delivers the Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network, is celebrating 30 years of the organisation’s role in primary healthcare. The organisation’s history dates back to July 1993 ... Firsthealth Limited Board Chair Dr Jodi Culbert said the longevity of the organisation demonstrated its commitment to primary health in the Murrumbidgee region and a willingness to adapt to an everchanging environment.
Mayor calls for phone to be reinstated
Reconnecting the telephone at Lucindale’s Health Centre would be a first step towards healing a rift between the community and the $243 million Limestone Coast Local Health Network (LCLHN) which slashed its services. Naracoorte Lucindale mayor Patrick Ross hoped the phone line would be reinstated by the end of last week, or early this week.
Clancy looms large as racing industry icon and mentor across six decades
Kim Woods. Peter Clancy will cut the 80th anniversary cake at the CopRice Leeton Cup ... and mark eight decades of involvement with the club. Octogenarian Peter Clancy is simply "Mr Racing" – the racehorse trainer and breeder has been the mainstay and face of the industry in the Leeton area for more than 60 years.
Ochre to go – opportunity knocks?
Ochre Health announced its intention to withdraw from Barham in a press release last week, and a hunt is underway to find a new operator for the facility. The Barham Local Health Medical Trust, which owns the facility, acknowledged Ochre Health’s commitment to the community and its excellent provision of medical services over the past 15 years.
Goomburra now has a helipad
After three years of fundraising by Brad and Teresa Badgery a helipad has been built for emergency use at the Goomburra Valley Campground. It ensures visitors enjoying the picturesque Goomburra Valley Campground and surrounding campsites will now have easy access to the RACQ LifeFlight Rescue helicopter services, if needed.
Don’t pursue a career and forget to live a life
Far too many people come to the realisation of the importance of regular breaks too late in life. It seems one of the false measures of personal success is busy-ness. Too often people boast at how busy they are at work, or how they have had no time for themselves, or how they just have not had the time to reply to a close friend's call. The measure of success in life is not how busy you are, but how fulfilled and contented you are.
Quilt display at Lowana
Broughton's local craft group that meet Thursday fortnightly at the Salvation Army have been very busy and have put a collection of beautiful quilts together ... made from mostly donated fabric and are available to purchase with all proceeds going to the local Days for Girls group.
Gold medal quest begins
Will Hunter. More than 1000 competitors will be hoping to take home the chocolates from the Copper Coast 2024 SA Masters Games this Thursday to Sunday, April 11 to 14. It is the third time in four years the Copper Coast has hosted the games, and venues across Kadina, Wallaroo and Moonta will host a total 20 sports.
Driving doctors to train in regional posts
Sarah Herrmann. Yorke and Northern Local Health Network has announced its new Rural Doctors Program, which offers medical graduates three-to-five-year training contracts in the region, with the aim to empower junior doctors to became rural generalists. YNLHN executive director of medical services Hendrika Meyer said the network is making a long-term investment to grow its medical workforce by allowing junior doctors to train in the country earlier in their careers and to complete their entire training in the region.
The right to healthcare for all
Everyone needs a GP, and the Australian Government must build the country’s health workforce so everyone can get the care they need today, and in the future, says the Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) ... RACGP vice-president, Associate Professor Michael Clements, said: “Australia has a world class health system, but investment in building our health workforce to meet growing patient needs is critical.
Fairer fares deliver huge savings in first year: Williams
Minister for Public and Active Transport Gabrielle Williams was in Geelong today, to mark one year of making regional public transport more affordable by capping the daily regional fare at the same price as the daily metropolitan fare. Passengers have been showing their enthusiasm for cheaper regional travel, with more than 22 million trips taken since the fare cap commenced.
What will you plant in your garden during troubled times?
Gardening in extreme conditions is not an educational program anywhere. Ukrainians in the combat zone are learning this from their own personal experience. Many people in other countries believe that this is a useful experience that should be taught to the population in peacetime ... Read Pavel's life hack for gardening in a war zone.
Letters from Home: Battle of the Mynah birds vs Fran
I read in the local Facebook forum that there was this you beaut marvellous bird trap that could catch up to a dozen birds at a time.... As they have been bloody pests in the barbeque area where my husband feeds the dogs - stealing food and pooping copiously everywhere ...

