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We know the Melbourne Cup is visiting Allora on Wednesday 14th September but what we didn’t know is the Melbourne Cup will be here for the whole day - not just an hour or so. This is wonderful news as everyone will get a chance to see and maybe have a photo taken with the Cup ... Touring with the Cup will be well-known Champion Jockey John Letts who rode two winners in the Melbourne Cup.

Emma Pritchard. Oliver Waite from Grafton was thrilled to win first place in the Quilts Across Australia section at EKKA earlier this month with a stunning creation he has been working on for the past eight months. Measuring 180cm x 200cm, the perfect size for his single bed, Oliver’s award-winning masterpiece encapsulates the bright colours of fire and heat and caught the attention of the judges with his precision and skill.

Artworks from three Indigenous artists are featured in the latest exhibition, Our Stories, Our Culture, Our Country, which is on display at Crows Nest Gallery until September 18, 2022. The exhibition explores narratives relating to spiritual connectivity, place-making, traditional knowledge, healing and teachings of the participating artists, Cheryl Moggs (from the Bigambul First Nation people), Barbara Walker (from the Wiradjuri First Nation people) and Aaron Blades (from the Mandandanji First Nation people).

Chris Oldfield. Patrick Ross stands aloft in the world of leadership, decision making, procedure and uniting people during challenging and complicated times ... After much lobbying by various sections of the Naracoorte Lucindale community and beyond, Mr Ross has finally tipped his hat and said: “Yes, I will stand for mayor” in the November 2022 council elections.

Chris Oldfield. The birds, bats and frogs of Ramsar-listed Bool Lagoon have their own calls and stories. Those stories will be shared when Bool Lagoon and Hacks Lagoon (currently dry) next have water. ... “So, finding a way of sharing that site with people – it's important to me. It seemed like a good fit to be doing environmental eco tours at Bool Lagoon to share that wonderful site with people”: Dr Abigail Goodman.

A Tennant Creek nurse has won a major category in the NT Health Professional of the Year Awards. Tennant Creek Primary School Nurse Rebecca (Beck) Way was awarded Nurse of the Year for her efforts in preventative care and positive health messaging which have helped raise health literacy in the next generation around mental health, drugs and alcohol issues, sexual health and respectful relationships.

Bob Rees knows only too well that life can change in an instant. And that instant hit him hard when he was on a motorbike trip through Africa with his wife Chris. A reckless driver slammed head on into Chris and Bob’s bike and the result was catastrophic. Chris lost her life, Bob lost his wife and also lost the use of his legs ... it is not just the lack of access to the NDIS that has led Bob to speak out, it's also the obstacles that people with disabilities have to deal with when moving around in public places; especially in country towns.

... We’ve received so much positive feedback on John’s story; many readers know this amazing, flamboyant man from around town and were excited to hear more about his life. If you are one of those people who has been fortunate enough to encounter John, you will know he is so incredibly full of life. He brings joy to those around him with his varied accents, his mannerisms and his larger-than-life personality.

Days don’t get much better for a trainer than last Thursday for someone like Tanya Parry. The Julia Creek trainer had a career-best day, producing four winners on the TAB program in front of a national audience.

Jeff Hanson. It was a day of firsts for Teighan Wornsop at Narrandera on Saturday, with the young jockey riding her first winning double. Teaming up with Cowra trainer Maree Hopkins - who was coincidently celebrating her birthday - the 22-year-old booted home a double, winning the 1200m Benchmark 50 Handicap aboard Mystic Flame ($2.90) and the 1400m Benchmark 50 Handicap aboard Gloraya ($17).

Samuel Davis. Megastar athletes are nice but meat pies, roadhouse burgers and hugs from daughter Talei are what really fuel this truckie ... The hardest working man in Australian basketball is finally taking a break ... Junior Virantuleo, the Cooktown truckie, who swapped the cabin for courtside at some of the biggest arenas in the world, returned home this month.

Following George Walker is inspired by the life of Adelaide actor Rory Walker’s great grandfather George W Walker: a vaudevillian and impresario who toured Australia in the early 20th century, including the Limestone Coast, alongside some of the biggest theatrical stars of the day. It is a story of family, community, love and legacy – and laughter.

Mount Isa might be the rodeo capital of the southern hemisphere, but Donovan Rutherfurd has his heart set on conquering the north in the not-too-distant future. The Australian champion is in superb form, having ridden time in two of his three rides at the Curry Merry Muster on the weekend and is well placed to pick up a buckle at his hometown event.

The Greenridge Group, printer of On Our Selection News, last week celebrated 30 years since its founding ... The company’s printing expertise has been acknowledged on a national level, recently winning multiple awards at the 39th National Print Awards in Melbourne, the highest recognition you can receive in the industry.

Alice Melita. Dentist Renae Philp and her dental assistant Melanie Villella believe they have one of the best jobs in Australia as they travel to remote communities across Queensland. This week, the Royal Flying Doctor Service duo will finish working in Dajarra before a trip to Boulia from August 23 ... “Meeting amazing country folks who are so excited to have us in their community and being able to service the community at no cost to them.”

Kirstin Nicholson. The 2022 Commonwealth Games might have wrapped up, but for 20-year-old Kye Mason, his athletic journey has just taken off. Kye has secured a scholarship in the US that will enable him to develop and strengthen his prowess in the 400m event and steer him towards reaching his goal of competing in the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist and local hero Matthew Denny never forgets his home town of Allora. During an interview on Channel 7 Matthew said “Hello to everyone back in Allora. Thank you Allora for supporting me” and to John - “Dad we got it done, Mate!” During one interview he made reference to the Welcome Home Parade after Tokyo when he came 4th so maybe this time Allora will be given a public holiday?

Rodney Stevens. The sporting talent of Yamba was on show on the international stage over the weekend with former Buccaneer’s junior Jed Holloway earning his first Wallabies cap, plus Cameron Pilley and cousin Donna Lobban playing for bronze in the mixed doubles squash.

Vanilla is an emerging rural industry in Australia with huge potential. There is one major roadblock which is preventing the spice from really taking off. The orchid relies on hand-pollination and it’s labour intensive. Julie Sosso has a plan to change this.

For one night only - Sunday 28 August - the Whyalla Left Hand Club will come to life, hosting visiting and local music acts as part of the Festival of Small Halls Winter Tour.

It’s not often that locals get the chance to rub shoulders with footballing legends, but this is what happened when ex-Geelong players Matthew Scarlett and Darren Milburn came to MFNC training last Thursday night.  They were generous with their time and gave sound advice to both junior and senior footballers. Both defenders, Matthew and Darren were outstanding players at a time when Geelong was one of the best teams in the competition.