CATEGORY

News

This little piggy did not want to go to market…

Kirstin Nicholson. It was a moment of mayham that had people looking on in disbelief – a pig waltzing down King George Street, Cohuna. Well, it wasn’t quite that glamourous, but it was definitely a pig.

‘Floating Cities’ Project supports Lake Eildon houseboat industry

Murrindindi Shire Council is thrilled to announce the completion of the Lake Eildon ‘Floating Cities’ Project. The project has delivered important upgrades to the entrance road to the Lake Eildon Marina, off Sugarloaf Road, which will make access for houseboats much easier. It has also delivered a new, environmentally-friendly wash-bay facility, which will accommodate minor houseboat maintenance, mandatory houseboat inspections and allow easier access for larger houseboats.

Federal Government exacerbates farm labour shortage with new visa rules

Growcom and AgForce have come together today to slam changes to the Working Holiday Maker visa conditions which only suggest the Federal Government is totally divorced from farming reality. Growcom Chief Executive Stephen Barnard said the change defied logic and ran counter to all available evidence, including analysis from the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries which found the Queensland horticulture sector is currently short up to 9,000 workers.

Tourism set to return to Lismore and its Villages

Lismore City Council and Rous County Council today signed a three-year lease for Rous to rent the Lismore Visitor Information Centre on Molesworth Street. Lismore City Council’s Director of Partnerships, Planning and Engagement Eber Butron said Lismore Council will work with Rous in delivering tourist information, and environmental and cultural services.

Hawke’s backpacker visa changes a cruel blow to farmers battling to find workers

The National Farmers' Federation is angered by a move by Federal Immigration Minister Alex Hawke that will likely reduce the workforce available to northern and remote farmers. The permanent changes announced by Minister Hawke are effective immediately and have the potential to particularly impact northern Australia cattle station operators, who rely on UK and European backpackers, and the northern horticulture industry.

New affordable housing just months away from opening

Eight units are under construction at 115 Centre St in Casino through Momentum Collective ... Across the region, there is a chronic shortage of affordable housing, said Mark Edwards from Momentum Collective. “This is a positive move to support local people and key workers who may not be able to access safe, affordable housing.”

Whiteface bull sets a record

A hereford bull smashed a Northern Rivers Livestock Exchange sales record last week. The bull fetched $16,000 at the annual Ramsey & Bulmer Bull and Female auction. The price was $7000 more than last year’s top-priced seller.

Tower gets a look from Brightsiders

The artists who will transform Casino’s water tower have been decided. The Brightsiders are working on a project in the far south-western Queensland town of Thargomindah and will be in Casino mid-July to start painting the tower.

Mining exploration kicks off in earnest

Geoff Helisma. Corazon Mining announced on the Australian Stock Exchange on June 17 that it has “commenced drilling at the Mt Gilmore Copper Cobalt Gold Project”, which is 25km northwest of Grafton. “Drilling will target the priority 8km-long Gordonbrook Hill – May Queen copper-cobalt/silver-gold anomaly, within the greater 20km long Mt Gilmore Trend,” the announcement states.

Designed to tell a story

Emma Pritchard. Featuring a colourful and symbolic representation of Maclean and its place on Yaegl land, and the importance of connection to country and culture, Frances Belle Parker’s stunning design printed on the Maclean Public School uniforms also incorporates the powerful message of Angwirri, her artwork which featured prominently on the Sydney Opera House.

Making a splash for a good cause

Emma Pritchard. Blessed with beautiful winter weather and clear skies, more than 80 rowers and paddlers in 31 boats took to the waters of the Clarence River on June 26 to participate in the Grafton Rowing Club’s annual Rowathon to raise funds for the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter ... eager participants traveled from Maclean, Iluka, Coffs Harbour, Murwillumbah, Lismore, Ballina, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Byron Bay and Port Macquarie, with Grafton Rowing Club seniors and rowers from Grafton and South Grafton High Schools also joining in.

Up, up and away! Derby to Broome flights to commence in August

The Shire of Derby/West Kimberley is delighted at the announcement today that local flights linking Derby and Broome will be available three times per week by Aviair from 16 August 2021 for a 12-month trial. Shire President Geoff Haerewa has welcomed the news as it has been a long-term priority for the Shire to have affordable and accessible flights from Derby to Perth.

Greater Shepparton welcomes Hockey Victoria for the first regionally hosted Junior State Championships

Greater Shepparton City Council is excited to welcome Hockey Victoria for the prestigious Junior Boys State Championships (JSC). “It is a wonderful opportunity for Greater Shepparton to be able to host a high-profile event in our region and we thank Hockey Victoria for their hard work and dedication to delivering hockey in this very competitive and challenging environment,” Cr Kim O’Keeffe said.

Commodity price boom rubbing off on wool

The commodity price boom – which has seen some agricultural commodities rise to seven-year highs in recent months – has “rubbed off” on the wool market with prices recovering from last year’s lows, albeit not to the same heady highs, according to agribusiness banking specialist Rabobank.

Miles off the mark

Queensland Deputy Premier Steven Miles has shown scant regard for the residents of Weipa, completely ignoring questions regarding normalisation. Mr Miles, who is also the Local Government Minister, didn’t even bother to address the questions put to him by Cape York Weekly.

Kidney unit snubs the Cape

A political decision to build a kidney transplant unit at Townsville instead of Cairns has riled medical experts in the Far North. The state government held bids from both Cairns and Townsville hospitals for the new renal transplant unit, but opted for the more southern hospital, despite evidence suggesting more patients would benefit if it was in Cairns.

Wigness to lead Australia

Torres Strait basketball prodigy Tamuri Wigness has been named as the captain of the Australian Emus team ahead of the upcoming FIBA U19 World Cup.

All categories