North-Central is Netball Association of the Year
The winners of Netball Victoria’s 2024 Community Awards were announced last week, celebrating the contributions of individuals, clubs, and associations to the sport across the state ... The prestigious accolade was accepted by NCNA’s 2024 Board of Management President, Kylie Walsh, on behalf of the Board and its members.
CFA smashes appeal milestone
Victorians have dug deep this year in support of the Good Friday Appeal, helping CFA reach a historic milestone and raising our grand total of contributions to $41 million. CFA has been a major fundraiser of the Good Friday Appeal for the past 74 years and this year, with the help of generous local community members, our volunteers were able to raise $1,888,912.
Calling all cocky counters
BirdLife Australia. BirdLife Australia, in partnership with the Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo Recovery Team, is calling for volunteers to join the annual count of the endangered South-eastern Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo on Saturday, May 3 ... Volunteers will be assigned one of approximately 60 survey sites in the cockatoo’s range ...
‘You’re asking people to leave their homes’
Leadership during a bushfire is a complicated and multifaceted undertaking, something that CFA Goroke Group Officer Justin Batson came to understand firsthand this fire season. Not only are you preoccupied with ensuring resources are where they need to be, trucks in position, crews supported and plans in place, you're also carrying the weight of decisions that can affect an entire community.
What a day for changing the game
Hugh Schuitemaker. Riverland sporting volunteers had the chance to learn new skills and hear from an Olympic gold medallist in Renmark. More than 100 local sporting enthusiasts and local government representatives attended last Saturday’s Gamechanger event, held at St Francis of Assisi College, in Renmark.
BlazeAid sets up camp in Nhill
BlazeAid is a volunteer-based organisation that works with families and individuals in rural Australia after natural disasters such as fires, cyclones, droughts and floods. Working alongside the rural families, our volunteers help to rebuild fences and other structures that have been damaged or destroyed.
Brad’s bravery recognised: Firefighters win national medals
“Without the actions of Captain Burke, the driver of truck would have perished in the fire. His actions on this day were courageous, selfless and in the finest traditions of CFA volunteer firefighting. The CFA is pleased to award Captain Burke the Chief Officer’s Commendation for Courage.”
Volunteering difficulty
Encouraging volunteerism in regional areas is becoming increasingly difficult, according to Nick McBride, the independent member for MacKillop. Earlier this month, Mr McBride informed the House of Assembly that his MacKillop electorate office, based in Naracoorte, was contacted by constituents suggesting providing concessions for community contributors could help boost volunteer participation.
‘Amazing’ race against time to save little miracles
As extreme weather threatened our coastline, TurtleCare volunteers worked tirelessly to safeguard the future of endangered baby turtles. Wildlife Conservation Team Leader Kate Hofmeister said their quick action and commitment ensured many nests were relocated to safer areas, giving hatchlings a better chance of survival.
Show Society under threat
Peter Mahoney. Narrandera Show Society committee is in jeopardy as it tries to recruit new members to its ranks. Until these members are recruited the society will have no option but to close. For an organisation that has survived since the 1880s it would be a great pity for the town to lose the society and worst of all the Narrandera Show.
Narrandera Landcare Clean Up
Clean Up Australia Day celebrated 35 years of improving and conserving our environment one piece of litter at a time at Narrandera and surrounding towns on Sunday.
“Labor’s state tax disguised as a local charge” – the ESVF is the latest blow to rural communities: McArthur
The Labor Government’s Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund levy will increase the financial strain on ratepayers during a cost-of-living crisis, particularly in rural and regional communities. The new tax is set to be collected by local councils on 1 July 2025.
Archiving history at the Athenaeum
Lynda Achren. Behind closed doors on Monday mornings, a team of Athenaeum Library volunteers is busy archiving our historic documents. For the past six months, with input from an experienced archivist, we’ve been meeting to sort, organise and catalogue such things as ...
Tragedies bring hazards into sharp focus
Serena Kirby. Five drowning tragedies along WA’s southern coastline this summer have again highlighted the ever-present danger our coastline presents. Two people lost their lives in waters off Esperance, two at Conspicuous Cliffs ... and one at Bremer Bay.
New farm fence signs raise awareness of wheel cactus threat
The Tarrangower Cactus Control Group (TCCG) has relaunched its Farm Fence Sign initiative to combat the ongoing Wheel Cactus problem in the region. Residents and visitors may have noticed updated Farm Fence Signs appearing across the area, reminding the community of the persistent threat posed by this invasive species.
Fire report
The local CFA teams are incredible: knowledgeable, brave and hardworking. The community is so fortunate to have them on standby during this period of extended hot weather, which is expected to continue for at least the next week.
Allora Show Patron, Dorothy Rubie
2025 marks the 62nd Allora Show for our Patron and Life Member, Mrs Dorothy Rubie. Dorothy commenced her journey as a volunteer with the Allora Show Society when she, her husband Harry and daughter Del, moved from Warwick to their new home in Allora in 1964.
New vehicle for CERTified legends!
Ambulance Victoria’s (AV) Maldon Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) has received a significant boost with the arrival of a new response vehicle. The updated 2024 Nissan XTrail 4x4 Hybrid reflects AV’s commitment to supplying its CERT teams with the latest equipment to support their critical work in local communities and environmental sustainability.
One more time: How do you motivate people? It is not rocket science!
The ability to motivate others is the never-ending issue for every parent, leader, manager, coach, teacher, or farmer since the dawn of time. Yet it remains one of the most misunderstood aspects of leadership.
Three cheers for Greer
Longstanding Cambooya Rural Fire Brigade volunteer Garry Greer was honoured as the Cambooya Citizen of the Year at this year’s Cambooya Australia Day festivities. An emotional Mr Greer was presented the award by Toowoomba Region Councillor Carol Taylor, alongside the Junior Sports, Community Group of the Year and Community Event of the Year awards.
Wendy’s netball legacy earns an OAM
Berri woman Wendy Gambling has been recognised for a lifetime of service to Riverland netball, with her commitment to the sport and its players as an administrator and volunteer earning her a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) as part of the 2025 Australia Day Honours.
All she wants to do is give back to the town that welcomed her – Roz Knights receives Australia Day OAM
Roz Knights was cutting onions this morning for Kyogle’s Australia Day barbecue when State MP Janelle Saffin popped in to congratulate her. Roz has been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for her public service.
