News

Sebastian Calderon. "In a country town, if you can play piano, you get asked to do a lot of things... " - Karyn Skewes ... Community contribution through music, mentorship and quiet leadership has earned Loxton's Karyn Skewes the District Council of Loxton Waikerie Citizen of the Year award – recognising more than three decades of shaping the region's cultural life and strengthening local connections.

The fully refurbished John Houston Memorial Swimming Pool is more than a safe place to swim. It is more than being the largest capital project in Council history. In her official address during the opening ceremony on December 19, Hay Mayor, Carol Oataway said the pool complex was a community hub, a place where families gather, friendships are forged, and active, healthy lifestyles are encouraged.

The Nhill & District Racing Club celebrated a wonderful day on Boxing Day at the DMD Nhill Cup ... Just over 1100 people flocked to the Nhill Racecourse for the annual Boxing Day race meeting. The Paul Preusker trained Sirius Black won the feature race of the day, the DMD Nhill Cup with Harry Grace riding.

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While growers are wishing for the perfect weather conditions to push the size of their pumpkins to the max, festival organisers are preparing for Saturday, January 17 — the day of the Giant Pumpkin and Watermelon Festival. If you’ve never been before you are in for a treat.

Michelle Daw. Stansbury oyster growers have cautiously welcomed the reopening of their harvesting area, which had been shut since early May. Growers were informed of the reopening mid-afternoon on Wednesday, December 31 — too late for them to sell for the lucrative Christmas and New Year's Eve markets.

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In a marathon pre-Christmas session that stretched into the early hours of December 24, 2025, the NSW Parliament passed the most significant tightening of firearm legislation since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre. The Terrorism and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 was fast-tracked by the Minns Government following the horrific Bondi Beach terrorist attack earlier that month.

The debate about buffel needs to be broadened to take account of the weed's current and future commercial as well as social consequences. The pastoral industry, in love with the irresponsibly introduced plant, has leases over half of the NT, land that is owned by the people of the NT. From 31 December they will have just 43 days to comment on how the government should be dealing with the scourge, declared a weed in 2024, yet still expanding in the region's prime tourism areas.

Ian Hutton. Throughout 2025, the Lord Howe Historical Society has been working on a project to enhance the Island cultural history – a Place Names Map. Since the Island's discovery in 1788, a few place names have remained constant whilst others have changed depending on the era.

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This edition we offer you a look at the stunning art work submitted by graduate Tahlarah Lawson for her HSC Art folio. Tahlarah’s art appeared in the Broken Hill Art Gallery’s 2025 HSC Art Show held at the Albert Kersten Mining and Mineral Museum (Geo Centre) in Broken Hill.

Narrandera mayor Neville Kschenka has returned from a visit to the site of the Western Sydney International Airport convinced that while regional shires struggle to receive funding for important road infrastructure to provide access to markets and ports, city projects appear to have almost unlimited funding ... "Premier Chris Minns spoke about affordable housing, but the conversation was mainly centred around Sydney and suburbs. He did not take any questions on the day," Cr Kschenka said.

A Riverland MP is urging locals and visitors to show their support for the region's wine industry while enjoying the summer holiday season. Member for Chaffey Tim Whetstone launched his Local Labels campaign last week, highlighting the range of Riverland wines available from wineries, liquor stores and venues like hotels, clubs, cafés and restaurants. "This summer is the perfect time to celebrate and the exceptional wines that our region produces, while also sending a clear message that this is an industry worth fighting for," Mr Whetstone said.

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When the Anglican Church time capsule was cracked open, there was excitement in the air, and then dust, and then the first letter was drawn. It was addressed to the future children of Anthony Bradford ... Inside the year 2000-time capsule opened in Hay was a letter his grandfather, Jim Bradford Senior, had written to him back in 1972, a letter he’d completely forgotten about.