News

Last week, I supported a motion by the Liberal Democrats’ David Limbrick to end COVID-19 mandates in Victoria, sending the matter to the new ALP-fortified ‘independent’ body to review Pandemic Bill impacts. Quite simply, it went to the heart of freedom of choice, liberty and the right of individuals to be individuals.

The mosquito-borne disease Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus has been detected in a commercial South Australian piggery. The disease has also been confirmed in piggeries in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.

For International Women's Day, Pennie Scott, independent candidate for the federal seat of Riverina, outlines her policies on key issues affecting women and answers some questions on this from Australian Rural & Regional News.

After almost two years since the Tennant Creek IGA was destroyed by juvenile arsonists, the new and improved store was unveiled to eager shoppers yesterday morning. And what an impression it made!

Former Tennant Creek rockers – Unbroken Expanse (UBX) – have released what they call a “killer” new single and music video. Bootstrap Billy tells the tale of this mythical character who knows how to spin a yarn, keen for a good time and loves a drink and a laugh.

The Jenkins family celebrated their 74th family reunion at the Castlemaine Botanical Gardens last Sunday. The family scroll created by Ray Maxfield in the 1960s measures 25 metres and is proudly displayed on the grass as new babies are added to the historical document.

The Game Management Authority (GMA) has announced the arrangements for the 2022 duck season, including changes to the start times, daily bag limit and hunted species ... State Member for Bendigo, Maree Edwards told the Times that she has read the GMA’s release regarding the decision to open duck hunting this year and feels it is imperative that the Government takes significant advice from the GMA.

You may have noticed the Victorian Blue Light Youth Camp (VBLYC) in Maldon is back in action, with trails of kids in high-vis vests riding their bikes along the streets of Maldon ... “We’re now starting a new program for 16 to 24-year-olds which will work with young people who are disengaged from education, training, community or employment" : Jonathon Mitchell, Executive GM.

ABARES Executive Director Jared Greenville said the latest ABARES Insights report: Snapshot of Australian Agriculture 2022 demonstrated that while there have been fluctuations, the agriculture sector was still on an upward trajectory.

The Morrison Government has granted Major Project Status to a $560 million cobalt project near Broken Hill. Cobalt Blue Holdings’ Broken Hill Cobalt Project will produce 16,700 tonnes of high purity cobalt sulphate per year – a highly sought after form of this critical mineral, used in the manufacture of lithium ion batteries.

A 678-hectare landholding in the Booborowie District in South Australia has entered the market. Sitting in South Australia’s renowned Mid-North region, the mixed-use farm is being offered in one line or as two or three separate land parcels, making use of the five certificates of title.

Gabrielle Duykers. Members of the public can now step foot inside the Naracoorte library following the opening of its doors last week. The $2.38 million library, located at 93 Smith Street, has seen the former Naracoorte Herald building transform into a much-needed central community space.

Gabrielle Duykers. The unveiling of a long-awaited phone tower in Keilira last week should have seen the community celebrating, but some residents remain concerned about a lack of coverage ... "There has been concern from the community, particularly those that were affected by the fire, that their coverage hadn't really improved all that much or they're not getting any coverage at all”: Kay Rasheed, Kingston DC Mayor.

Gabrielle Duykers. A unique Kingston art project will see participants fashion miniature lobsters out of ocean rubbish, in the hopes of increasing public understanding on the dangers of plastic pollution. The project is part of the Fringe on Tour Festival which will visit the coastal community from March 4 to March 6.

Storms which hit Narrandera in January remain vivid in the minds of locals, with flooding still the hot topic of conversation among many who had a first hand experience of the storm disaster ... residents talked about the same things happening back in 2012 and said nothing had changed.

The Combined Churches of Narrandera with St John’s Uniting Church as the hosts will be holding the World Day of Prayer at the CRC Church in Bolton Street ... The World Day of Prayer is an annual global ecumenical event of informed prayer and action which began in the 19th century.

Alesha Millard. In its 52nd year, one of the world’s longest paddling races, the Massive Murray Paddle, was held last week ... The paddle commenced in Yarrawonga on February 21 and headed to Tocumwal for the first night – a 93km paddle. Paddlers also passed through Picnic Point, Moama, Torrumbarry and Murrabit, before finishing in Swan Hill on the 25th. The five-day event saw paddlers completing a 404km set course.

Joan de Bondt. Over the weekend, anglers descended upon Barham to participate in the annual fishing competition, which has been running for 13 years. The number of entries is capped at 300 for adults, and there is no limit on the number of children ... The financial and tourist benefit to the town is considerable.

Kirstin Nicholson. The now church building once belonged to Geoff and Shirley Bruns and became the temporary home of the Anglican Church in Cohuna when its original church building was no longer fit to use 10 years ago. As time went by, it became clear that the shed was becoming more than just a shed, and with walls insulated, windows and doors added, and heating and cooling installed, it is now a fully functioning church building.