Profile

Dr Colin Dillon AM, APM, a proud Kombumerri man of the Yugambeh Nation, made history when he joined the Queensland Police Service (QPS) at just 20 years old in 1965. As Australia marked National Reconciliation Week (which ran from the 27th of May to Wednesday of this week, the 3rd of June), the QPS acknowledged the contributions and legacy of the nation’s first, First Nations police officer, Dr Colin Dillon AM, APM.

Patricia Gill. Denmark Arts' new general manager Annette Drenth has worked with the organisation for the past eight months in a ‘passion project' as a mentor ... "I have also engaged with Denmark Arts and its programs for more than two decades, as a visitor regularly holidaying in Denmark with my small family," Annette said.

Patricia Gill. Abbie Pedersen hands over the directorship of Denmark Arts to Annette Drenth confident in the future of the organisation.

Sebastian Calderon. Riverland families are set to farewell one of the region's longest-serving doctors, who is retiring after almost 38 years of caring and supporting local patients ... Dr Kevin Stanton said being a true country GP meant far more than clinic consultations, with doctors heavily involved in hospital care, emergency treatment and palliative support throughout the region.

Milly Hooper. My name is Milly Hooper. I'm a Ngiyampaa, Murrawarri woman ... I started my photography up in Alice in 2016. For me, there were plenty of mainstream photographers, but I didn't see too many mob behind the camera.

Adair Dunsford. Country Arts SA is bringing Adelaide artist Dan Withey and his exhibition to Naracoorte this Friday, featuring bold colours, a strong graphic aesthetic, and subtle humour. Called “Finite Bounty”, the touring exhibition dives into the concept of animism the belief that all things in the universe, not just humans possess a spiritual essence.

Iluka Public School alumni Glen Braz has risen through the ranks of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) over the past 39 years and last Friday he was appointed Defence Force Chief of Joint Capabilities. Born at Grafton Base Hospital, Glen’s mother Sue told the Clarence Valley Independent her son says he had “the ideal childhood” growing up at Iluka with his elder brother Mark.

2026 Winter Olympics aerial skier Abbey Willcox returned to her graduating high school Henry Kendall to inspire students by sharing stories of her professional athlete journey so far, and the importance of never giving up.

Three days a week, Janet Becker drives 30 minutes from her home to the ac.care Berri Community Centre, where she helps run cooking groups, supports art sessions and welcomes people into the space with warmth and humour. While she now volunteers regularly at the centre, Janet first connected with ac.care during a difficult period in her life when she was experiencing homelessness and social isolation.

At 21 years old, Luke Foggo is the youngest SES member across several units in the region, but you would never know it from the way he carries himself. He did not join the conventional way.

He flawlessly captures everyday life and nostalgic scenes of domestic and social euphoria perfectly in a variety of colours. And as he celebrated his 100th birthday on May 5, renowned Australian artist John Beeman is continuing to paint his own story.

Sean Cunningham. The One Nation bandwagon continued to roll on with a landslide victory for Narrandera local David Farley in last Saturday's Farrer By-Election. On the back of One Nation's rise during the recent SA elections, the seat of Farrer became the party's latest conquest as voters chose to abandon the Liberals and Nationals and place their faith in Mr Farley.

A Grafton man thought to be the last surviving link to an undercover British nuclear operation has passed away. Samuel Darke was a teenager when he enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and was subsequently given orders to participate in a top-secret mission known as Operation Totem where a pair of British atmospheric nuclear tests were conducted in the South Australian outback in October 1953.

Naracoorte’s Ben Copping is not only a familiar face at Woolworths - he is now officially a world record holder, defying a lifetime of challenges with grit, resilience, and an unshakable love for sport. The 42-year-old, who grew up on a small farm outside Lucindale, has turned what many would see as limitations into a story of extraordinary determination - culminating in a world-record performance on the water last month.

Bateau Bay's Michelle Parker was named the 2026 Champion of the Royal Agricultural Society (RAS) at the recent Royal Easter Show in recognition of her decades of breeding, showing and judging guinea pigs.

Michelle Daw. New Member for Narungga Chantelle Thomas says she will harness the "real power" of One Nation in state parliament to win a better deal for the electorate. Speaking in her electorate office in Kadina, Ms Thomas said she was busy interviewing staff and setting up ahead of being sworn in early in May.

State MP Janelle Saffin visited Mallanganee on Friday, April 24 to present local writer and online editor of IndyNR.com Susanna Freymark with her Lismore Electorate Local Woman of the Year Award.

Lismore Regional Gallery presents a major exhibition by acclaimed Australian artist Marian Tubbs, bringing together a dynamic body of work that interrogates the intersections of digital culture, materiality and ecological thought, from 8 May until 9 August 2026.

Patricia Gill. Henri Bellanger faces giant challenges this year to take part in two international youth sailing championships. Henri will have turned 18 when he and crew, Mia Waters, 16, from Esperance, face the competition in Portsmouth, England in July and the other event in Portugal in December.

As a medical physicist, specialising in radiotherapy cancer care, Newstead Fire Brigade member Anne Perkins decided she wanted to help her community further when she joined CFA in 2009. Anne and her husband George first joined Newstead Fire Brigade over 17 years ago in response to the February 2009 bushfires, having just moved there three years earlier.

Mount Alexander Shire Council is excited to announce a public art commission by local artist Kirsten Moegerlein ... “Kirsten is a wonderful artist and brings great skills in collaborating with the community. We look forward to seeing how she commemorates the transformation of a degraded river habitat into an oasis of plant and animal life": Mayor Toby Heydon.

Leadership, determination, and the courage to step outside one’s comfort zone propelled Jack Barker to a major regional honour. The 17-year-old Naracoorte High School Year 12 student and 2026 school captain has been named the Upper South East Lions Youth of the Year, a recognition that celebrates academic excellence, leadership, and public speaking ability among young people.