News

Current flow is 1,120 ML/day with a level of exactly one metre. (It was running at 15,259 ML/day in January.) The salt level is at 309 uS/cm which is still OK for gardens. Both filtered and raw water are being sourced from the river.

The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has welcomed today’s announcement that the Federal Government has committed to introducing a Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation (UOMO). If enshrined by legislation, the world-first proposal means telecommunications companies will be legally bound to guarantee basic, outdoor voice and text mobile coverage across every corner of Australia.  

The Labor Government’s Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund levy will increase the financial strain on ratepayers during a cost-of-living crisis, particularly in rural and regional communities. The new tax is set to be collected by local councils on 1 July 2025.

As mentioned on page one, Leroy Johnson and the Waterbag band played the Culture on Country Survival Day concert last January. The original plan had Leroy and band opening the stage for Uncle Vic Simms. Uncle Vic wasn’t feeling so good so he swapped the playing order.

Community might know that local man, Kyle Whyman is the bass player for The Black Shadows, but did you know he is also the bass player for Leroy Johnson and Waterbag band.

AFL legend Robert ‘Dipper’ DiPierdomenico is among those encouraging Australians aged 50 years and over to be aware of their risk of the disease during shingles awareness week, which runs from February 24 to March 2. Mr DiPierdomenico and fellow shingles awareness week ambassadors journalist Shelly Horton and news presenter Deborah Knight have all experienced first-hand the pain and impact of shingles.

The final art installations for the Men’s Sheds Biodiversity Trail have now been installed in Nandaly, Watchem, and Nullawil, completing this unique community-led project in ten towns across Buloke Shire. Featuring handcrafted avian and insect homes, the trail has been a collaborative effort between the Men’s Sheds in Birchip, Charlton, Donald, Wycheproof and Sea Lake, local artists and community members, Landcare and Buloke Shire Council.

GWMWater has received a critical planning approval which will allow work to commence in zone four of the East Grampians Rural Pipeline Project. Zone four will extend rural water supply to landholders in Willaura and Moyston.

Birchip Cricket Club had the pleasure of presenting a Sportsman Night with Jason "Dizzy" Gillespie at the Birchip Leisure Centre ... 60 attendees listened to an enjoyable night of his experiences within the Australian and International cricket communities.

Out now! Subscribe here!

The recent decision in the Tony Maddox case is yet another example of how Western Australia's Aboriginal heritage laws have become a legal minefield for private property owners. What was once a well-defined, albeit imperfect, piece of legislation largely aimed at the mining sector has evolved into a tool for increasingly ambiguous and arbitrary interpretations of cultural heritage.

Out now!

Out now!Buy here! I Subscribe here!

Agriculture, fisheries and forestry is well placed to take on future challenges and opportunities, according to the latest ABARES Snapshot of Australian agriculture. Sector value and production have continued to grow over the past 20 years with another strong performance expected in 2024-25.

Compassion in World Farming (CIWF), a leading animal welfare organisation, has released its APAC EggTrack 2024 Spotlight. As the 2025 deadline for numerous global, regional, and local commitments approaches, the Spotlight highlights Australia’s standout leadership in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region for advancing cage-free egg commitments.

A new terminal line of beef genetics which produces maximum productivity, efficiency, and sustainability has been successfully bred in Australia for the first time. Queensland cattle producers Nick and Kate Boshammer of NB Genetics reached a milestone over the weekend, confirming the birth of Australia’s first NuEra T14 calves...

People caught abusing, neglecting or mistreating animals will face tough new penalties after new animal welfare laws were passed in State Parliament this week. Those found guilty of animal cruelty now face maximum fines of up to $250,000, and/or 10 years jail, for the aggravated ill-treatment of an animal, up from $50,000 and/or four years in jail.

From blank canvas in unforgiving dirt to a garden haven for all the family. A blank canvas for your new garden, boasting two lone mature trees (a Cedar in the vegetable garden and further away, a Peppercorn) and a few gums along the perimeter, red soil and the prospect of less than 300mm rainfall for the whole year.

For 18 months the kiosk at Casino Memorial Hospital was closed ... Now Kellie and Geoffrey Clarke from Evans Head have taken over the kiosk.

The artwork for the Un-Real exhibition was arriving at the Cassino Gallery ... Artists were dropping off their work and gallery volunteers were deciding how best to display it. The Un-Real exhibition is about thinking outside the box, being radical, innovative, provocative — so anything goes from an artistic point of view.