News

Ian Wickham. An emerging mural on the side of the Hemp embassy alerted me that a new muralist has arrived in town, Marta Kimberley. I was working next door in the Embassy watching it go up – thinking this deserves a story. So I talked to her about the highs and lows of the task.

Local Government NSW released a new report on ‘cost shifting’ last week and the Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA) has reiterated their frustrations and the fact that the impacts are more deeply felt in rural, regional and remote communities. Cost shifting is the terms given to the offloading of cost burdens by State and Federal Governments onto already cash starved Local Government.

Forestry Corporation firefighters from Tumut and Deniliquin will deploy to Canada this week to reinforce local and international crews battling ongoing wildfires, where close to five million hectares have been burnt, approximately 150 wildfires remain active, and multiple communities have been evacuated.

Have you noticed any sick magpies in the northern suburbs in the City of Wanneroo or the Shire of Gingin or have the magpies in your area just disappeared? Wildlife centres record spike in bird paralysis disease (Echo News, March 13) reported on a Perth Hills resident who took two sick magpies to her vet and was told about a spike in a paralysis disease they called black-and-white bird disease.

Good news for small-scale growers is that there’s been a surge in the popularity of roadside produce stalls in recent years as more people seek-out fresh, seasonal produce that’s locally grown. This model of direct-to-customer selling lets consumers actually see where their food comes from, while also bypassing the middle man.

Rachel Hagan. A Point Pearce educator is reflecting on her personal journey with education and how the space needs to move forward as we recognise the next generation of young Aboriginal leaders for NAIDOC Week ... "From my own personal experience, I feel like I'm made to fit into someone else's box and be what they think I should or should not be as an Aboriginal woman": Tshara Rigney, Aboriginal Community Education Officer and Point Pearce Aboriginal Corporation director.

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Australia's brightest emerging agricultural leaders are gearing up for the National Rural Ambassador Award finals in September where the future of rural leadership will take centre stage at the Royal Adelaide Show - and they'll be doing it in style thanks to R.M. Williams, the official national uniform sponsor. 

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There’s been movement on the stalemate between WaterNSW and Kyogle Fishing Club with a formal interim licence to be issued next week. The gates to Bells Bay Campground are still locked despite initial reports they would be opened last Wednesday, July 9.

The Brisbane Valley Rail Trail was a buzz of excitement on Sunday morning, 13 July with perfect weather and record numbers at the 22nd annual Somerset Rail Trail Classic. Somerset Regional Council’s 2025 event broke the 2021 record with 978 registrations across categories – the 3km and 8km walk or run, and the 20km and 44km bike rides.

The Albanese Labor Government acknowledges the release of Dr Craig Emerson’s independent impact analysis of trade and competition dynamics in the grape and wine sector. The report, released today by Wine Australia, examines fair trading, competitive relationships, contracting practices and risk allocation between grape growers, winemakers and retailers.

A peach ride from Glenn Cahill aboard Chilling highlighted a successful day of thoroughbred action on Fisher’s Plumbing Plus Race Day at Port Macquarie on Saturday. Cahill commenced his riding career at Coffs Harbour under the watchful eye of Jim and Kris Jarvis before relocating to the southern districts and this has resulted in great success in honing his skills and confidence.

If your kids or grandkids love books, then the Byron Writers Festival’s Kids Program is the ultimate event to nurture their love of storytelling, while having a blast at the same time! Hosted by comedian Peter Helliar, budding bookworms will be entertained by writers including Tony Armstong in his exclusive Byron Writers Festival appearance...

Cheap volcanic rock that languishes in open cut mines and quarries could transform Australia’s farming sector as a natural fertiliser, boosting crop yields and removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. It turns out that crushed basalt – a common rock used to make roads, houses, schools and hospitals – may address two very critical issues of our time: climate change and acidic soils.

Many years ago, no one is quite sure how many, men would gather at Jimmy Byrne’s property on Bruxner Road near Drake ... Because of the gap in time since the men came together, the members are regrouping and inviting past and new members to rejoin the Drake Men’s Shed.

Frank Baarda. Living in Yuendumu and having followed the Death in Custody saga, I was looking forward to the Coroner's report. I was not disappointed. A friend forwarded me the pdf, all 683 pages of it … In case you missed it, here are photos of the edged weapon and the stab-wound.

Local stock agent Steve Gaff says the price at the Alice Springs Show cattle sale was much the same as last year or a little better. The Donald Trump tariffs "had no effect at all," probably because the Australian market is affected in a different way – 10 per cent tariffs – compared to other countries.

Estimates is meant to be the opposition’s one decent swing at the government’s budget—the rare chance to force ministers to justify the billions in taxpayer cash they merrily shovel around like chook feed. Instead, it’s turned into the legislative equivalent of asking a sulky teenager to explain where last week’s allowance went ... when ministers start throwing up emotional smokescreens instead of facts, it’s usually a sign they’ve got something to hide.

Announcing the launch of Dinner Party at the End of the World — NORPA's ambitious new multi-artform program exploring stories of community, resilience and hope in a time of crisis. We've engaged a remarkable team of artists, each leading a creative development project in collaboration with Northern Rivers residents.

This July, the inaugural Keys of Gold festival invites audiences on a month-long exploration of Central Victoria’s rich musical tapestry. Presented by Bendigo Fine Music, the festival offers 10 concerts across 7 historic venues in Bendigo, Castlemaine, Inglewood, and Maldon...