News

Birchip’s long-running steel fabrication business, Mallee Steel, has entered a new chapter, with former apprentice Blair Hogan taking over the business from inaugural and long-serving owner Robert "Cozo" Cozens. Blair said, "Customers won’t notice any major changes to how Mallee Steel operates. It’s still Mallee Steel, running the same as always; same name, same quality work".

The Inspire Festival, a collaboration between the Shire of Ashburton and Rio Tinto, will bring a week of activations and events for all ages. Starting off with the 2025 Ashburton Art Awards Exhibition, followed by a culinary experience under the Pilbara stars with a degustation by Fervor, Ladies Night and then the final hoorah...Inspire Festival at the Village Green!

As the housing crisis hits our community hard, the appeal of the Tiny Home on Wheels (THOW) has risen. The My Home Network Tiny Homes On Wheels working group have developed a confidential survey ... to improve appropriate uptake of THOW as affordable housing in our Shire and elsewhere.

As excitement grows for the opening of Maldon’s Porcupine Village tourist attraction, the managers are looking forward to sharing the results of their hard work and they have surprises in store for future visitors. Managers Doug and Deb Baird have been toiling for four years developing, renovating and documenting in order to bring the passion project to life...

There was a blue sky, low temperatures and a cool breeze for Cairn Curran Sailing Club on Saturday 6 July, when this glorious photo was taken. The reservoir was aflutter with local sails for its Winter Series Club Race, which also included members of the Impulse Sailing Association who were visiting for a two-day training session.

Ross & Trevor Neale. This is a Penny-farthing or high wheeler bicycle made by Rouges & Co Limited as model No. 2 with a 54inch (137cm) front wheel diameter. It is an example of an early type of bicycle which was popular during the 1880s.

We are now seeing cotton being grown at Nobby and in the Lockyer Valley so is cotton a crop for the future? These questions could be answered at the 2025 Cotton Collective event to be held in Toowoomba from 5 to 7 August.

Winter is the time of year when many hug their fireplaces with a book and warm lap rug but it’s also when breeders of horses and ponies like to brave the cool breezes and join together at shows to compare their youngstock. There were all sizes, breeds and colours at the NSW All Breeds Foal, Youngstock, Winter Hack, Hunter and Newcomer Show at Hawkesbury, with Buckskins well to the fore in the Welsh rings.

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The Albanese Labor Government ... announcing further details of the $139.7 million sheep industry transition assistance package to support the phase out of live sheep exports by sea. The release of this detailed assistance package follows a series of industry co-design workshops held in Western Australia earlier this year.

Sean Cunningham. Canberra trainer Luke Pepper combined with jockey Rebecca Bronett Prag to emerge triumphant with Hot Bandit ($4.60) in last Sunday's Community Bank - Big Dance Eligibility Narrandera Showcase Cup race.

Jerilderie's proposed new medical centre is a step closer, with Murrumbidgee Council formally accepting a $5 million contribution from Origin Energy through a Voluntary Planning Agreement (VPA) linked to the Yanco Delta wind development. The contribution was marked by the official handover of a cheque from Origin representatives to council.

The work done on rehabilitating the Upper Murray waterways following the 2019-2020 Black Summer bushfires has been an inspiring story of devastation to regeneration.

Two men are planning to undertake separate journeys down Australia's longest river to raise funds for charity ... In April 2026, Tony Pearce, the former Inspector-General for Emergency Management and current chair of the Emergency Services Foundation (ESF), will embark from Bringenbrong Bridge on an unsupported paddle to raise awareness of the mental health...

Towong Shire Council is encouraging the community to rally in Corryong next month to oppose the planned redevelopment of the current Albury hospital instead of building on a new greenfield site. "Council remains gravely concerned at the current plans to redevelop the existing hospital site as it will lead to insufficient capacity to meet the future demands of the region for the future," said Towong mayor, Cr Andrew Whitehead.

CluBarham hosted the 2025 Murray Mallee Junior Triples Lawn Bowls Tournament last week on Wednesday and Thursday, attracting competitors from across the state. Despite the cold weather, a lively celebration of emerging talent, community spirit, and the sport of lawn bowls unfolded as 18 teams competed at the Riverdome.

Transforming a dairy paddock into a new Garden Nursery at Cohuna, Ruth and Russ Robins have embarked on an exciting new venture. Set on the 120-hectare dairy, the Robins Nest Nursery Garden will follow Ruth’s passion for plants and commitment to creating a welcoming space for locals to fill a gap left by the closure of other nurseries, such as Elm Tree, run by Christine Morris.

If you don’t hear God's call, there’s a fair chance you’ll hear the bell, in Cohuna at least! The 1915 brass beauty produced by John Danks and son belts out a solid sound that could be heard for miles. Danks bells were known for being aboard Navy vessels, and as in this case, were used for calling in the Sunday Flock.