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Tax shock for farm trailblazers: NSW Farmers Association

Farmers with cellar doors and fruit stands should beware of huge new bills being slapped on them by the state government, NSW Farmers says. Reports have spiked of family farmers being forced to pay up to $300,000 in land taxes to the NSW Government for diversifying their businesses with small farmgate sales and agritourism experiences.

Three-day childcare guarantee now in effect for all families

Every child is now guaranteed three days of subsidised childcare, but there's a catch for rural families. The three-day childcare guarantee now in effect for all families. A new federal subsidy removes work test, but access to centres remains challenge in Barwon electorate, according to the local MP.

Starstruck Liesl couldn’t believe Keith Potger from The Seekers sang on stage with her

Liesl Pederson was starstruck when she went on stage to sing I am Australian at the Kyogle Australia Day ceremony at the KMI Hall. Liesl is well known at Kyogle events often singing the national anthem at the Kyogle Show and performing on Anzac Day.

Tailoring carbon farming can realise greater co-benefits: Matthew Harrison

Without agriculture, hundreds of millions of people would go hungry every day. Yet modern agriculture is increasingly judged not just on how much food it produces — but on how well it stores carbon, protects biodiversity, and reduces emissions. Farmers are being asked to deliver food, climate solutions and conservation outcomes, while still running profitable businesses.

Working together to strengthen the regional agricultural workforce: AgriFutures Australia

New research will help deepen understanding of the dynamics that influence agricultural labour and skills shortages in five of Australia’s important agricultural regions. AgriFutures Australia, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), has launched a new initiative to help tackle one of the biggest challenges facing Australian agriculture: building a stronger, more sustainable regional workforce.

Mayor Hill to abstain from council’s Australia Day function

The Town Council ... (19.1.2026) announced its "special Australia Day ceremony" and ... (20.1.2026) Mayor Asta Hill announced that she won't be taking part. "It is my personal view that the 26 January is not the right date to celebrate our national day," she said in a statement.

New champions crowned at NSW Country surf titles

Cudgen Headland SLSC has almost returned to the summit of Country surf sports but there's still plenty of racing to go after a day in which competitors of all ages earned a slew of medals at the 2026 NSW Country Championships at South West Rocks.

West Coast shark fishers caught up in demersal ban

A Lancelin based shark fisher says there has been no commercial fishing in the West Coast bioregion between Lancelin and Tims Thicket (south of Mandurah) for nearly 20 years ... Mr Stokke, who also partners with his brother in a western rock lobster boat, said he thought the ban was probably targeting the wet liners but they (the shark fishers) were thrown under the bus with them.

Show Society confidence in games bid

Allora Show Society is moving ahead with an attempt to become involved in the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games after discussing the potential for a multi-function stables complex at the showgrounds. It is anticipated that the complex would cost around $1.5 million and would become a valuable asset at the showgrounds beyond the Olympics.

Hole lot of drama on Armidale Road

Several vehicles have had tyres damaged, and rims broken as they’ve travelled along a notoriously dangerous 22km section of Armidale Road between Coutts Crossing and Nymboida in recent months, with one social media user likening it to the Mariana Trench. With countless potholes, some measuring 16cm deep and 40cm wide, creating a hazardous obstacle course on the bitumen, many locals and business representatives ... have shared various warnings online...

MANet relocates – guest artist Kate Stedman

Nancy Whittaker. A group exhibition of art works by Fionna Madigan, Liadaan, Carol De Graauw, Geoff Hocking, Paul Ryan, Eleni Rivers and Catherine Tait, will also include guest artist Kate Stedman ... Kate is a travel sketcher, historian, Francophile, and Italophile, who hosts sketching and travel Journalling Tours ...

Are insurers unfair on farmers? – Spoiler, Yes.

Great show live from Tamworth today! And Patsy and Dave drop in for a chat. We talk about how much of a punish insurance is for folks on the land (Patsy is a Lawyer in her day job). They also talk about how much their instruments mean to them plus James talks about harmonising with James Reyne on Way Out West.

Tarrangower Times, 23 January 2026

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Local hay helping heal fire wounds

The generosity of locals has been on display over the past week as truckloads of hay have been donated, stockpiled and delivered to fire-affected regions within Victoria.

QHWMA’s harvest days, January 2026

The Quambatook Heritage Working Machinery Association will once again stage its Harvest Working Days and Vintage Tractor-pull on this Australia Day weekend. Club members have been working to prepare items from their extensive collection of tractors, harvesting machinery and old trucks.

Fire fuel load reaching critical levels: TasFarmers

Farmers across the north of the state are increasingly worried by the huge fuel load on the roadside, especially in the Meander Valley, Northern Midlands and Latrobe Municipalities and on roads controlled by the state government. “The risk of a catastrophic fire caused by too much long grass and weeds on the edges of the roads is increasing by the day,” said TasFarmers CEO Nathan Calman.

A better lifestyle through a stronger economy – Crisafulli Government delivers aviation academy for North Queensland’s defence workforce: Bates

The Crisafulli Government is delivering skilled jobs and long-term training pathways for Queenslanders, with the Townsville Aviation Training Academy opening its doors and welcoming its first group of defence aviation apprentices this week. Delivered through Aviation Australia the academy will provide specialist training to support Boeing Defence Australia’s new maintenance workforce for the Australian Army’s AH-64E Apache helicopters, alongside the expanding CH-47F Chinook program. 

Warning from Koolewong bushfire survivor

When bushfires roared through Koolewong on December 6, Katie Greene's home was the only one left standing in a row of six houses. She has issued a stark reminder to other home owners to make sure their houses are bushfire safe.

Value of Murray-Darling conference lauded by councillor

The Murray-Darling Association 2025 National Conference saw its new Strategic Plan unveiled, building on the direction of Vision 2025. Narrandera Shire Council was represented by Cr Jenny Clarke, who presented a report to the Council recently.

Record cohort of medical interns set to care for Darling Downs communities

Darling Downs Health has welcomed a record 61 medical interns this year, marking the largest intake since the program began ... Included in this diverse group is Dr Reuben Burrough, whose journey to medicine began in the paddocks of western New South Wales.

Powering up

Ausnet repair crews have been acknowledged by the community for the rapid response in rebuilding the electricity network in the wake of the Walwa-River Road bushfire despite facing tough terrain, high temperatures and even lightning and hailstorms.

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