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Our four visiting surgeons - Drs Rob Padbury, Bill McLeay, Andrew Hunter and Tom Wilson – were the stars of a small farewell planned recently. But the farewell soon snowballed into a dinner meeting: ‘Some Thank yous, Farewells and Welcomes’ for 40 doctors who had contributed to our region’s health-care for 30-50 years.

There is more to a career in the visual arts than meets the eye! The National Summer Art Scholarship is an immersive and comprehensive arts program for young people interested in a career in visual arts ... one of the 16 recipients from around Australia is Meg Miles.

Jeff Hanson. The thrills and spills of the time-honoured Narrandera rodeo returned on Saturday night, with thousands of locals on hand to witness some of the best bronc bucking, bull riding, and rodeoing seen in years. The premier event on the program was the open saddle bronc, and cowboy Tom Kerr returned from a broken back to win on the well-performed mare, Secret Sister.

Shane’s lucky break came as a result of his carer Samantha De Jersey’s encouragement for Shane to apply for a stable hand position with Clear Mountain Fairview Thoroughbred Horse Stud at Greenmount ... Mick liked the boy’s enthusiasm, respectful nature and willingness to learn and he soon became an important team member.

"We feed an average of 80 people every week but we’ve also had nights when we’ve fed more than a 100 ... What I get out of it is far more than I give. It’s not a business; it’s a sense of service and with that comes incredible nourishment”: Lindsey Sesin, Denmark Soupy.  

Big skies, free of light pollution were major factors that led quietly passionate amateur astronomer John Stevenson and his wife, Tracy to move to Ardlethan from Bribie Island a couple of years ago. And now he is sharing his interest and knowledge in Ardlethan Astronomy nights, with the first held last Saturday.

Nadia Mills came to teach at Central School last year, and this year she accepted the position of Principal ... Nadia has been teaching Aboriginal kids all her life ... her first teaching position was in an Aboriginal community called Alekarenge, 400 km north of Alice Springs. 'I love teaching bush Aboriginal kids. They're so resilient, creative and engaged.'

Sister Elizabeth Young, who belongs to the Sisters of Mercy, is arriving on the 20th of this month, and will be living where Sister Maureen used to live and have her second-hand shop ... There has been a long tradition of Sisters of Mercy living and working in Wilcannia, and after much prayer and conversation, she is delighted to be sent here by the Bishop and her Mercy leadership.

Miss Melissa has joined the teaching staff at St. Therese’s, where she is teaching Kurrika class ... Since coming out here Melissa has also indulged in one of her passions, photography ... She said they could not believe the colour and beauty of the local natural environment, especially the river.

George Grant of Neergabby has been recognised for his years of volunteer firefighting and his mentoring of other bushfire brigade volunteers with an Australian fire service medal. Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson said Mr Grant joined the Gingin West Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade in 1963, clocking up 60 years of firefighting and along the way using his knowledge to mentor those around him.

Brenda Renison and her Fjord pony, Irene, attract attention whenever they go to competitions ... Brenda has four Fjords. She fell in love with the breed many years ago when there was a fire in Kinglake in Victoria and her family opened up their property for people to bring their horses to a safe area.

Serena Kirby. Renowned surfboard shaper, big wave rider and local identity, Warren (Wazza) Thompson was farewelled with a heartfelt tribute at Ocean Beach last month ... Organised by long time friend and fellow board shaper, Patrick McCarthy, the tribute included a paddle-out and the forming of a circle of surfers in the water.

It’s the little things that count: A plate of food for someone lonely, new in town, from the other side of the world. A volunteer giving an English lesson. Singing together. Men chatting about crafts in their former homes. Leonamedes Bowey, Leony to her many friends, and declared Centralian Citizen of the Year on Thursday, has practised the art of making people welcome to Alice Springs for 40 years ... on Australia Day politics takes a back-seat in Alice Springs.

Karen Giles. Rodney Giles (Gerry) passed away peacefully at home on Friday 20th, January ... Rod’s working life on Lord Howe included unloading the ship (from age 15 to age 60), the Lord Howe Island Board and many island lodges but his passion was Ned’s Beach shed.

A community leader, a teacher and an SES Unit Commander have been recognised for their decades of dedication to the region in the annual Australia Day Awards honours list. Three Clarence Valley residents, Mr Peter Dougherty, Mrs Meghanne Wellard and Mrs Susan Chapple were respectively awarded the prestigious honours of Medal of the Order of Australia, Public Service Medal and Emergency Services Medal.

Donna Layton knows a thing or two about the true meaning of loyalty, commitment, and devotion. As the General Manager of J Notaras and Sons Sawmill proudly reflects on 45 years with the local business, where she is well respected by her friends and colleagues, she said she can’t imagine being anywhere else.

About 650 breakfasts – cooked and served by volunteers – were consumed at the 2023 Australia Day event in Two Rocks ... Yanchep resident Sharon Conley, who is a member of the Yanchep Netball Club, received the YTRCRA citizen award.

Despite some major setbacks, life was back on track for this Victorian rider before the unthinkable happened ... Mietta Innes-Irons is a remarkable young woman who has faced more obstacles in her life than anyone should, but still aims for the future ... “I am aiming to get onto the Australian Para Dressage High Performance Squad and qualify for the 2024 Paris Paralympics."

A staunch advocate of women in agriculture, long-time Landcare supporter, strong community proponent and anti-cancer fighter has received an Order of Australia (OAM) in today’s honours list. Julie De Hennin of Talgarno was recognised for her service to the North East community and is well known in the Upper Murray.

There’s something very special about country doctors; they rarely work in the places they were born and raised and often bring with them a wealth of knowledge and life experience. Alex Sleeman is one country GP who had a big life before he became a small town GP.

If you’re aged between 3 and 60 and grew up in the district, chances are you were taught to swim by Geoff Dale. Geoff has celebrated 30 years of his Geoffswim program, which has seen him teach swimming and water safety to the youth of Cohuna since 1992. But his swimming teaching goes back much further – to 1967.

An emergency services leader and a passionate musician have taken out Gannawarra Shire Council’s 2023 Australia Day Awards. Kerang Fire Brigade captain Ramon Steel was named Gannawarra Shire Council’s Citizen of the Year, and Deaken Fawcett presented with Council’s Young Citizen of the Year Award.