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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.

The expression ‘laughter is the best medicine’ is no joke. Countless studies confirm the healing properties and mental health benefits of a good giggle ... “I was given three years to live and that was 20-plus years ago so I’ve survived way past my expiry date,” says Laughter Yoga facilitator, Kim O'Meara, laughing.

A defining moment in Birchip's history now stands proudly above the town, with the remarkable story of Ray Neville and Rimfire brought to life on the Birchip silos. The project, driven by Birchip Community Forum, was first initiated by the late Joan Glen in 2023 and has been passionately carried forward by her husband Rod.

"Moderation in everything," Mary Cartwright says is the key to living 100 years, a milestone she will reach on May 28. "I've never driven a car so walk everywhere and keep my mind active – knitting, crocheting and reading," she says.

Kimberly Grabham and Tertia Butcher. One Nation's candidate for Farrer, David Farley, firmly denied he falsely claimed to have a degree from prestigious Harvard University. In response to a question from The Riverine Grazier during his visit to Hay last week, Mr Farley said he attended Harvard University three times to deliver a course, not as a student.

At this year's Heavy Horse Festival, an equestrian division for those with disabilities was held for the first time. Katy Driver was the driving force behind the inclusion of the event which was well received by the competitors and the crowd. Here is Katy's story.

Reflecting on her recent consecration as the Assistant Bishop of the Diocese of Grafton, the Right Reverand Tiffany Sparks said while her heart is bursting with joy, she feels incredibly humbled and blessed to work within the ministry while sharing inspiring and uplifting messages of love, friendship and faith, with communities within the Diocese of Grafton, which stretches between the state border and Port Macquarie.

Some of rural and regional Victoria's finest editors, photographers and journalists will be recognised at the Rural Press Club of Victoria's diamond anniversary celebrations later this month, and Donald's own Robin Letts is one of them.

The birth and growth of one of the Riverina’s most successful stories – Whitton Malt House – comes down to one word: opportunistic ... “It was the classic country mindset: if it’s to be, it’s up to me,” Whitton Malt House General Manager, Kaitlin Leonard said when she addressed the recent AgriWomen Connect conference at Whitton.

The inaugural Women of the Clarence Awards were held at the Crown Hotel Motel in Grafton ... The evening provided a formal platform to celebrate local women and shine a light on their extraordinary achievements across their respective fields.

The Farrer by-election is set for May 9, and two more candidates have been confirmed: Brad Robertson for the Nationals and David Farley for One Nation. One Nation shocked the polls this week with a clear majority at 28.7 per cent according to the AusPoll, closely followed by independent candidate Michelle Milthorpe on 23.3 per cent.