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Come by Chance Picnic Race Club

A drop in session was held at Baker Park last Thursday to inform the community of the progress of the proposed new bore to supplement the town water supply. Interestingly, the presenters, Maddy, Chris and Shaun, were able to explain a few details that probably have not been conveyed properly to the community.

Kyogle chef Shelly Snadden cooked her heart out at the Sample Food Festival in Bangalow ... Kyogle councillor Danielle Mulholland was by her side in the My Mayor Rules cook-off. Kyogle mayor Kylie Webster was unable to attend so former mayor Danielle stepped up.

Lara Leahy. There is a sign on Bruxner Highway between Lismore and Casino that says five koalas died in August … A koala fence is about to be installed at that spot to help prevent further koalas deaths. Lismore City Council has hired contractors Ecoteam to install 1.5km of fencing along both sides of the Bruxner Highway, starting at Pelican Creek Bridge…

Many of Australia’s oldest, running cars and motorbikes will visit South Australia in September, when the town of Naracoorte plays host to the sixth, annual Pre-1905 Pioneer’s Run ... "From Friday 13th to Sunday 15th September, 30 cars and motorcycles from all over Australia, the oldest an 1899 Peugeot, will be defying the years and visiting the Naracoorte Caves, Penola and Frances," says Rally Organiser, Julian McNeil from the Veteran Car Club of SA.

The Victorian Public Service Enterprise Agreement includes $300m one-off cost-of-living payments for public servants while Victorian families and businesses struggle with increased taxes and no sign of relief from cost-of-living pressures ... Member for Western Victoria, Bev McArthur said, "the $5600 cost-of-living bonus for all public servants is more than 7 per cent this year for an average employee!"

Just when it seemed ANZ’s attempts to justify the closure of a regional NSW branch in defiance of a condition of the Suncorp acquisition deal not to close any regional sites for three years could not get any more farcical, the bank has upped the ante. In a letter to a customer complaining about the planned closure of the Katoomba branch next month, ANZ claimed that although it had triggered regional branch closure protocols (established as a direct result of two federal government inquiries into regional bank closures), the protocol was not about regional branches.

The more than half a billion dollars which the just launched Aboriginal Investment NT will be extracting from Canberra bureaucrats over five years should be spent mostly on infrastructure “on the ground, in communities,” says Lingiari MP Marion Scrymgour ... “The AINT will ensure the money is spent in the right areas and in line with Aboriginal aspirations,” says Ms Scrymgour. And it may well be time for the Aboriginal land councils “to let go”.

Golf NSW Western Region Manager Gary Begg thought it would be a good idea to bring Senior Regional Manager for Jack Newton Junior Golf, Mark Ingrey to Wilcannia to show him the world of golf in the far west, and the struggles the Club has in maintaining the course, particularly in wet periods. They conducted four clinics … for students from both schools.

Out now!

We had a whopping 96 entries for the Wild About Shellharbour photography competition and received some truly incredible images. We’re very excited to announce the winners of the Over 18, Under 18 and People’s Choice categories.

The National Feral Cat and Fox Management Coordination Program is proud to announce the upcoming launch of its new website on Threatened Species Day, 7 September. This significant day marks the anniversary of the death of the last known Tasmanian tiger in 1936 and serves as a reminder of the ongoing threats to Australia’s unique wildlife.

"Another sad day for dairy processing in Australia. Every time we lose food and beverage processing infrastructure in Australia, we move closer to being net importers of manufactured products even in staples like dairy ... Whatever the fate of the cheese factory, it’s timely to think about whether it’s in the long-term interests of Australian farmers and farm communities to have so much processing ownership held offshore": Melina Morrison.

Having up-to-date first aid training could mean the difference between life and death for your family, friends and neighbours in an emergency situation ... Last week, Dawn Ferrier from TalkSmart Training was in Birchip to provide community members, childcare workers and sports trainers with the skills and knowledge required to keep their certification relevant.

Exploring the Southern Downs through the free official Southern Downs & Granite Belt Visitor App is easier than ever with new upgrades that make it a breeze to experience everything there is to see, do and discover in our region. The new version of the app #SeeSouthernDowns can be used 100 per cent offline, putting essential information about the region’s towns...

They’re not old time-travellers, they’re old-timers, travelling! The largest vintage car tour in Victoria, and possibly Australia, travelled through Muckleford and Maldon last week as part of the 2024 Golden Oldies Tour. It was a marvellous sight to see all these Roaring Twenties transporters...

Luz Restrepo. Our small towns are brimming with untapped potential and as business owners, we are the driving force behind our local economies ... In these challenging times, when the economy is under pressure, it is crucial to think creatively and seize new opportunities. The Village Business Expo is one such opportunity.

In the Uniting Church under-fourteens’ second semi-final match it was the young Tigers who got the grand final spot with a win over the Boort Magpies. The under-14s played a very good game and kicking with the wind in the first quarter, the Tigers took a handy lead, which was cut to 6 points at half-time.

Get ready for a paw-some day at the inaugural 2024 Pet Expo this weekend. The expo features 35 pet-related stalls, free kids’ activities, plus plenty of fun for dogs, and is held at the Robert Schwarten Outdoor Pavilion from 9am to 3pm...