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Yamba hosts Bowls State Pennant Finals

Bowlers from across the state battled it out for glory on the greens at Yamba over the weekend in the Bowls NSW Grade 3 Open Pennant Final Series. Yamba Bowling Club Bowls Director Jayson Pinnock said the club played host to 240 male and female bowlers and their teams from the state’s top 16 Grade 3 clubs.

Pool redevelopment remains on time and on budget

The John Houston Memorial Pool remains on track to re-open on budget by mid-December. Work is progressing well with the redevelopment of the pool, with all piers completed for the 50m pool and earthworks and piering currently underway for the Learn to Swim and toddler's pool.

Nothing in the budget for Hay

The NSW Government handed down its state budget last week, but there was little targeted funding for the townships of Hay or Balranald. Instead, the region may benefit from a two-year spend of $6 million to support asset and infrastructure works in Central Darling Shire – including Ivanhoe – as the shire moves out of administration.

Hay farmers take centre stage in national MLA initiatives

Farmers and graziers from the Hay region have recently featured at the forefront of national outreach efforts by Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA), demonstrating how local expertise is shaping broader industry knowledge and showcasing regional resilience to a national audience ... Recent features by MLA highlight the work of Jess Armstrong, and Jack and Annabel Hanna.

Dinner bill enquiry

A recent enquiry from a Naracoorte Lucindale councillor has shed light on the cost of council-funded meals, raising questions about the ongoing expenses tied to post-meeting dinners. Via questions on notice, Cr Craig McGuire asked the council administration to provide cost details for ratepayer-funded meals post-monthly council meetings and estimated costs for paid consultants and public consultations.

Rate rise endorsed – but NLC will help those in drought or having tough times

An average 5 per cent rate rise for the 2025-26 financial year was cemented at Naracoorte Lucindale Council’s June 24 meeting following a unanimous vote. As a result of community consultation, the council endorsed three major changes to its draft budget. It decided not to spend $361,550 on the Leicester St playground.

Landmark excessive self-defence reforms passed

Landmark reforms to South Australia’s excessive self-defence laws that were developed in the wake of the tragic killing of Mount Gambier woman Synamin Bell have passed the state parliament. Ms Bell was killed in 2022 by her partner after he consumed hallucinogenic drugs that brought on a paranoid psychosis. Although he was initially charged with murder, under previous laws he was able to plead guilty to manslaughter through reliance on the partial defence of excessive self-defence.

Troy gets a Riverland tour

Hugh Schuitemaker. Finding beneficial compromises between Riverland water resource users and those in other states will be necessary for the future success of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, according to a top water management figure. Inspector-General Of Water Compliance Troy Grant last week visited the Riverland as part of a tour through South Australia.

Long-term potential

Madison Eastmond. A Riverland ecology site has received more than $400,000 worth of state funding to complete the first stage of a five-point masterplan to secure a sustainable future ... Providing a learning environment facilitated by ecologists and a dedicated ranger team just outside of Renmark, Calperum Station is comprised of prominently open Mallee bushland and Murray River flood plains, and hosts opportunities for educational and training programs, and nature-based recreational activities.

The wine warning

Hugh Schuitemaker. Riverland wine grape growers have been advised by their peak representative body, and senior local politicians, that realistic expectations and business decisions are required before the next vintage. Riverland Wine today released a statement asking members to "carefully consider their business models and make balanced, financially viable decisions heading into vintage 2026".

Williamson welcomes support package for commercial fishers but says long-term solution needed

Clarence Nationals MP Richie Williamson has welcomed the NSW Government’s $1.34 million support package for commercial fishers affected by the ongoing White Spot biosecurity restrictions but says the Minns Labor Government must now focus on getting fishers back to work.

Williamson takes Clarence fishers’ fight to Parliament

Clarence Nationals MP Richie Williamson has again taken the fight for local fishing families to Macquarie Street, delivering a Private Member’s Statement in the NSW Parliament on Tuesday night, calling on the Minns Labor Government to provide immediate financial support for Clarence River and Evans Head commercial fishers impacted by the extended white spot biosecurity orders.

Fun Fly Weekend

It wasn’t just an impressive variety of model aircrafts which were flying high over the Clarence Valley in recent days with the enthusiasm and enthralment of spectators at the Grafton Model Aircraft Club’s annual Fun Fly Weekend also soaring to new heights.

Bendigo Bank ends local banking in five regional communities as it announces the closure of 10 local branches: Finance Sector Union

In a move which calls into question its positioning as the “better big bank”, Bendigo Bank has announced the closure of 10 branches - five in regional communities where they are the last remaining bank branch ... Only a full reversal of this move will protect the 32 full time equivalent roles and the essential service they undertake in their local communities ... including Queenstown in Tasmania, home to the West Coast Wilderness Railway.

Murray Pioneer, 2 July 2025

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The Naracoorte News, 2 July 2025

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Twelve hours for one appointment

Sarah Herrmann. Amid a state government review of regional public transport, a Stansbury resident has shared her travel challenges following two surgeries ... Cheryl Waldron, 68 ... made the trip using Care In Motion's health bus, a not-for-profit transport service ... "I caught it from Stansbury at 6.10 in the morning and got home at 6.30 at night."

“Ridiculous” wait times for blood tests on SYP

Joanna Tucker. Residents in Yorketown and Minlaton have raised concerns about long wait times for blood tests. Stephanie Parsons, of Minlaton, said that, although she did not often need a blood test, she thought the delays others regularly faced were bizarre.

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