News

The installation of Maldon Community Battery has been finalised, complete with its bold surface design by Dja Dja Wurrung artist Daikota Nelson. The TT [Tarrangower Times] has been in touch with Federal Member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters, who was a key champion of the project, to find out what she thought about the outcome.

The Scottish town in Australia will come alive this weekend when the Lower Clarence Scottish Association presents the 121st Maclean Highland Gathering. On April 3 and 4, the sights and sounds of pipe bands and solo piping featuring some of Australia’s and the world’s best, will be complimented by the beauty and grace of highland dancing and the spectacular athleticism of the highland games.

Families who use childcare and early education centres run by Central Coast Council are furious with the plan to raise fees by 10% and worried about what it means for their working future. One called it a cash grab, another said it was a rip off ... "disgusting cash grab from Council"...

At the Toowoomba Royal Show on Saturday afternoon, judges selected the entrant who will represent the Darling Downs at the State judging during this year's Ekka in Brisbane. The winner is Bridgette Langton, who is the Goombungee-Haden Showgirl for 2026.

Oliver Jacques. A 77-year-old farmer has lost his last-ditch legal fight to win back two family farms worth around $4.8 million near Narrandera from his own son, ending a seven-year courtroom battle that he said has left him fearing homelessness. Colin Protheroe launched legal action against his son Brian, seeking to overturn a 2023 judgment which found that Brian was entitled to the farms under a court-imposed arrangement.

A wanted man - now confirmed as Desmond Freeman - was shot dead after a standoff at a rural property in Thologolong on Monday as part of the operation to locate the fugitive after seven months at large. The shooting occurred at the property shortly after 8.30am following an impasse with police including members of the Special Operations Group and detectives from Taskforce Summit.

Gus van Hart. The Murrabit rodeo is fast becoming one of the district's standout community events, with organisers saying this year's crowd and support pushed the annual show to a new level ... "It was just all about the rodeo on the night, and the vibe was awesome. Everyone had an absolute blast."

The first major project unveiled by the Australasian Space Innovation Institute, the National Digital Twin for Australian Agriculture holds immense potential for the agricultural industry to harness existing national datasets and observation systems to model scenarios, test options and inform discussions and decisions, including at scale. Australian Rural & Regional News found out a good deal through an in depth interview with Andrew Beveridge, Director of the National Digital Twin for Australian Agriculture.

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Harmony Day was celebrated in Nhill on Saturday at Jaypex Park, with a number of countries represented through stalls and performances, including the Karen community, Samoan, New Zealand, Karen, Nepalese and Philippino. There were plenty of craft activities, including Samoan Lolly Lai necklace making, Maori Poi making for the Poi dance, pot painting, and free popcorn, all helping celebrate the rich cultural diversity within the shire.

Scenic Rim Regional Council has reaffirmed its support and commitment to agritourism across the region with a focus on community safety, responsible land use and long-term sustainability. A report presented at yesterday's Ordinary Meeting outlined significant progress made over the past year - including stakeholder engagement, compliance activities and collaboration with industry and government partners - concerning camping-related short-term accommodation.

TasFarmers welcomes the Tasmanian Government’s decision to update its gene technology policy, enabling farmers to access advanced plant breeding technology. TasFarmers CEO Nathan Calman said the decision reflects a practical, evidence-based step forward for the state’s agricultural sector.

Madison Eastmond. Radio station 5RM has performed an Easter miracle, with the broadcaster coming to the rescue of Berri’s iconic long weekend carnival.

A push to increase the mayor’s pay has split Naracoorte Lucindale Council, with councillors clashing over rising demands of the role - and whether ratepayers should foot the bill. At the March council meeting, chaired by deputy mayor Cr Abigail Goodman in the absence of mayor Patrick Ross, elected members voted to formally lobby the Remuneration Tribunal of South Australia to review and potentially increase mayoral allowance - and to “delink” the mayor’s allowance from the councillors.