Media Release

Shire of Ashburton are thrilled that the Neil and Judy Baker Shell Museum opens this week in Onslow ... “Council has supported and worked hard to be able to showcase the impressive shell collection from residents Neil and Judy Baker so that it can be enjoyed by tourists and the community for decades to come”, said Councillor White. “Accumulated for over 60 years, most of the shells have been collected from the waters and islands surrounding Onslow, with others coming from Europe as collector items.

Council’s push for an improved planning approach to renewable energy developments has received a boost after gaining support from the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV). In a motion put to Friday’s MAV State Council, Moyne Shire Council called on the MAV to advocate to the Planning Minister and Energy and Environment Minister for a strategic approach to be taken on renewable energy projects and transmission lines.

National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is almost here and this year’s theme ‘More than a word, Reconciliation takes action’ is all about Australians making impactful social change. Events are happening throughout Geraldton as well as online from Wednesday 26 May to Thursday 3 June, and most of them are free.

The community of Newhaven will soon be the custodians of a significant sculpture, created by renowned Australian artist, Geoffrey Bartlett ... “My proposal for the sculpture draws a connection between the past and present of the Newhaven precinct, through the poetic interpretation of the local maritime history,” Mr Bartlett said.

'Paintings you probably haven’t seen' is a brilliant and surprising new touring exhibition from Ken Done, one of Australia’s best-known artists and 'Pen, Print, Paint & Pixel' an exhibition from Stephen Michael King, the award-winning author and illustrator whose career has spanned over thirty years.

The State of Queensland’s 162nd birthday is coming up and to celebrate Scenic Rim Regional Council will host events in Beaudesert, Boonah and Tamborine Mountain for the whole family to enjoy.

Australian Regional Tourism and convention partner, City of Ballarat, is pleased to announce that Ballarat, Victoria will be hosting the 2021 Australian Regional Tourism Convention (ARTC) to be held 11-13 October 2021 ... The ART Convention is a must-attend event for local councils, regional tourism organisations, tourism professionals and businesses, and government personnel wanting to contribute to the future of regional tourism in Australia, with the 2021 Convention theme ‘A Robust Visitor Economy – navigating our new future’

Central Goldfields Shire Council is one of forty-six Victorian Councils to sign on to VECO, the Victorian Energy Collaboration, the largest ever emissions reduction project by local government in Australia. VECO, led by Darebin City Council in Melbourne’s north, will provide 45 per cent of all Victorian Councils’ electricity requirements with 100 per cent renewables, reducing greenhouse emissions by 260,000 tonnes of C02-e every year.

Rockhampton Regional Council is excited to host the national touring exhibition Submerged – Stories of Australia’s Shipwrecks at the Northside Library from 24 May - 4 June and from 7 June - 30 June at Rockhampton Regional Library on the south side ... “68 shipwreck stories were nominated by 46 maritime museums and heritage institutions from around Australia with 14 of the most compelling stories selected to feature in the exhibition,” Communities and Heritage Councillor Drew Wickerson said.

Rural Aid Volunteer Army is headed to Walgett - help us give them a warm Walgett Welcome. The whole town is welcome for the free BBQ, bring the family.

The Kwinana Recquatic Centre is now a ‘Gold’ Waterwise Aquatic Centre, recognised by Water Corporation for demonstrating best practice water management ... Mayor Carol Adams said the City’s aim was to be a water sensitive and climate resilient community.

Residents will be able to view the works from some of Australia’s top astrophotographers when a travelling exhibition will be based at Kerang’s Sir John Gorton Library this June and July. Presented by the Central West Astronomical Society, the Museum of Applied Arts and Science and the CSIRO, the 2020 David Malin Awards Winning Sky Photos Exhibition features the top entries from this renowned astrophotography exhibition.

It is a common, but complex question for grain growers: Do I grow my farming business by purchasing more land, or by improving the hectares I already own? The answer may come from an innovative co-investment by the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC), the University of Southern Queensland and the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) endeavouring to provide growers with the cost benefits of improving or ameliorating soil to boost both farm productivity and long-term land value.

New research from CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency shows how Australia's mining and manufacturing sectors can work together to turn critical minerals resources such as lithium and silicon into much needed products for renewable energy, like electric vehicles, solar panels and wind turbines.

The global meat sector will be holding a Food Systems Dialogue on Wednesday 26 May (AEST) to inform the first-ever United Nations Food Systems Summit which will take place in New York in September. The inaugural Food Systems Summit is drawing on the input of global experts to identify sustainable solutions for the future of food.

"The NFF values the close relationship we have with our counterparts in the UK National Farmers Union," President Fiona Simson said. "The NFF was warmly welcomed to the UK in 2019 by NFU President Minette Batters and despite the distance and geographical differences our farmers share many of the same issues and challenges as our UK peers."

Farmers are being urged to touch base with a Rural Aid counsellor for a mental wellbeing check-in, as mouse plagues continue to ravage rural communities. Rural Aid CEO John Warlters has urged primary producers to get in touch with Rural Aid. “Rural Aid can help farmers with a range of measures including financial, fodder and mental wellbeing assistance,” Mr Warlters said.

Whyalla turned out in droves on Sunday to celebrate the 80th Anniversary of the HMAS Whyalla’s launch. Whyalla City Council organised a free open day at the Whyalla Maritime Museum, packed full of family activities and plenty of the history of the city’s most famous landmark. The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) heavily supported the occasion, taking part in a number of activities, including a ceremonial flag raising performed by the TS Whyalla Navy Cadets.

The first IRB (Inflatable Rescue Boat) racing event in two years kicked off in perfect conditions at Terrigal over the weekend. Over 300 surf lifesavers from 17 clubs travelled to the Central Coast location for the first round of the 2021 Sharkskin NSW IRB Premiership Series.

Designed to support local councils and their communities in delivering live music micro-festivals, the Live and Local Strategic Initiative will bring together musicians from across the Toowoomba Region for a series of workshops and performances from May until the end of 2021.

"Now, more than ever, Australia needs to look further west and seriously consider the expanding opportunities presented by its allies in the Middle East. There is an abundance of opportunity not only for Australian exporters but also for strategic investment in sectors such as Australian infrastructure which will greatly assist the recovery of the Australian economy with no strings attached," AACCI President and National Chairman, James Harb.