Bonza statement: Tim Jordan, CEO
Bonza has temporarily suspended services due to be operated today (Tuesday 30th April), as discussions are currently underway regarding the ongoing viability of the business. We apologise to our customers who are impacted by this and we’re working as quickly as possible to determine a way forward that ensures there is ongoing competition in the Australian domestic aviation market.
Night drive
Mike Gillam. Travelling south, I leave Alice Springs before first light and I’m rewarded and indeed frustrated by a brilliant meteor plummeting to earth in the south west. The heavenly body is primarily bright green with an orange tail and I fail to capture it even though the camera sits on the seat beside me ready for such moments.
Now boarding from Bendigo Airport’s new terminal: Allan, King, Tierney, Edwards, Chesters, Metcalf
Bendigo Airport's new terminal and business park officially opens today, providing an economic boost to the region ... The terminal-which is approximately four times larger than the previous building-includes new check-in facilities and departure lounge, upgraded restrooms, provision for future security screening, and an indoor arrival area and baggage collection.
Musical performance at Homestead
On Monday guests at The Homestead in Allora were treated to an unexpected performance by two accomplished musicians who were visiting the town. It all started just outside Allora when the caravanning couple from South Australia had car trouble ... While this is unfortunate for the visitors it has been a bonus for Allora.
What car is Australia driving?
According to vehicle marketplace Car Sales, 1,216,780 vehicles were purchased in Australia in 2023, breaking the previous record of 1,189,116, set in 2017. But what is the most popular?
Stein follows in mum’s footsteps
In September 1995 a shy young Norwegian girl, Ingvill Backman, came to work on the Campbell farm, “Springbank” at Corack. For eight months she helped Trevor and Adam with all types of agricultural activities ... Now, almost twenty-nine years later her elder son, Stein Sira, has paid a visit to the Campbells.
ANZAC Day walk
Lee Mead. Interested in Maldon's history? Friends of Maldon Historic Reserve are hosting a stroll in the Maldon Historic Reserve in the afternoon on ANZAC Day. Learn about the history of ANZAC Hill and discover some of our unique gold-mining landscapes.
Flight reductions under watch
Narrandera and Leeton Shire Councils will be keeping their eyes open and continuing dialogue with Regional Express executives in relation to flight reductions and timing of flight schedules being resumed at the Narrandera Airport. An overview of the continued Regional Express flight reductions through until at least the end of October 2024 was considered by the joint airport management committee.
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...
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 ...
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.
Minister’s response on Shepparton Bypass provides no hope: Lovell
During a recent sitting of parliament Wendy Lovell, Liberal Member for Northern Victoria, highlighted the Labor government’s continuing failure to act on the Shepparton Bypass. Following the release of the Shepparton South East Precinct Structure Plan, Ms Lovell urged the State Government to commit to funding at least Stage 1 of the Shepparton Bypass in the 24/25 Budget.
Labor breaks regional Victorian rail commitments: Cleeland
Regional communities continue to pay the price of Labor’s mismanagement as key rail upgrades for lines across regional Victoria remain undelivered. Train lines in Shepparton, Warrnambool, and Gippsland were promised upgrades by the end of 2023, but the Allan Labor Government’s mismanagement of Victoria’s infrastructure pipeline has seen all three projects suffer delays and result in cost blowouts.
Still Water ‘Quince Fair’, Penola – open garden, 13-14 April
Di Michalk. Still Water is a beautiful, sprawling country garden built around towering natural red gums. Designed by Mary Skene-Kidman in 1959, the older parts of the garden strongly reflect her design, plant selections and colour schemes with Edna Walling influences at play in The Shrubbery.
Not the usual cyclist’s story
Coming back from Newcastle a couple of weeks ago we passed him somewhere between Nyngan and Cobar. Just poking along, and we thought, another person with time on their hands to cycle, not drive ... Mic Whitty’s story is not the usual push bike rider's adventure story ... he hatched a plan to cycle and follow his grandfather's footsteps around the Western Front in France.
School holidays see the start of the 2024 Great Dunny Hunt: Continence Foundation of Australia
Calling all Australians to add new details on public toilets to the National Public Toilet Map. The much-loved Great Dunny Hunt is back and better than ever with the Continence Foundation of Australia calling all Australians to update the National Public Toilet Map website or app with new public toilet facility details they discover while out and about these school holidays.
A New Vehicle Efficiency Standard tailored for Australia: King, Bowen
Legislation for the Albanese Government’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard being introduced ... will be good for the hip pocket and good for the environment. This will reduce emissions from new passenger vehicles by more than 60 per cent by 2030, and roughly halve the emissions of new light commercial vehicles over the same period.
Community send ferry clear message
Holding signs high above their heads, a large crowd gathered in Bailey Park, Ulmarra ... to officially launch a petition demanding the NSW Labor Government abandon plans to close the Ulmarra to Southgate ferry service ... “It’s vitally important that we tell the NSW Labor Government how much this iconic ferry means to the community”: Member for Clarence Richie Williamson.
Thanks for the ice cream
Bruce Stewart. The "Wonderland Walk" is short but steep in places and for many of us the best way to recover and relax after walking to the Pinnacle is to visit the nearby Halls Gap ice creamery next to Stony Creek ... Thinking of "ice cream" and "grateful thanks" reminds me of an old story told by a dad who said, "Last week, I took my children to a restaurant.
REX Interline agreement with Etihad takes flight
REX last week unveiled its new interline partnership with one of the world’s leading airlines, Etihad Airways. This exciting partnership between Rex and Etihad, the UAE’s national carrier, provides passengers on Rex’s domestic routes convenient connections with Etihad’s global network.
“In the Mood” to “Boogie Woogie”?
The Pacific Belles will perform at the Nhill Airshow on April 13. Swing to their dulcet tones as they sing these war-time classics. Their vintage repertoire includes songs like "Don't sit under the Apple Tree" and "We'll Meet Again." The Pacific Belles are Australia’s hottest retro-style singing trio, inspired by the music of the 1940‘s and have been referred to as "Melbourne's very own Andrew Sisters'.
WalkOn, RideOn, Maldon
After the MaldON WalkON booklet was launched mid last year, all printed copies ran out the door. Friends of Maldon Historic Reserve Group Spokesperson Lee Mead said, “Due to the booklet’s popularity and value to Maldon, we have been successful in gaining a community grant from Mount Alexander Shire Council to reprint lots more copies.”
