NSW

Dr Clare Bottcher has departed the clinic where she has treated local patients for over 26 years. In an emotional farewell with clinic staff, Dr Bottcher recalled her time serving the locals of her own hometown, alongside “great mentors” and “wonderful custodians of this town”.

Cassie Fikri from The Yard Narrandera won the women’s all round half marathon at Batemans Bay at the weekend. Her time was one hour and 39 minutes, which is a personal best for her.

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The NSW Government has continued to take a hardline approach to the threat of imported red fire ants, as the Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty announced the successful results of Operation Victa over the past weekend … Operation Victa activated another wave of security checks on heavy vehicles at the border between NSW and Qld, turning back any non-compliant vehicles.

Yamba has earned the unenviable reputation as the state’s hotspot for sharks after the NSW Department of Primary Industries shark tagging program recorded 17,501 detections of Great White, Tiger, and Bull Sharks off local beaches last year.

Thousands of rainbow lorikeets throughout the Clarence Valley have been taken into care during the past week, suffering from a mysterious condition which is continuing to baffle scientists, researchers, and Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Services (WIRES) volunteers. Referred to as Lorikeet Paralysis Syndrome (LPS), the main symptoms include lethargy, , an inability to fly, walking with a wobbly action, impaired vision, and being unable to swallow.

The Grafton Ngerrie Local Aboriginal Land Council is set to take over about half of the historic Grafton Gaol site after a landmark agreement with the NSW Government ... “This site will be used to serve the wider community and provide much-needed job and training opportunities for local Aboriginal people and the broader Clarence Valley community”: Grafton Ngerrie LALC Chairperson Roslyn Kennedy.

There is cause to celebrate in the Southern Highlands with the completion of an international standard Arena in Bundanoon, and everyone is invited to the Grand Opening at 11am on Saturday 17 February ... And this is another feather in the cap of the Carriage Club, which was awarded the 2023 International Carriage Club of the Year by the British Carriage Driving Society.

Supporters advocating for the protection of Lots 512 and 513, DP727686, identified as part of Kariong Sacred Lands along Woy Woy Road, express shock and dismay over the lack of transparency and fairness during the Community Consultation Phase for the contentious rezoning proposal ... "We estimate over 3,000 public submissions opposing this unpopular planning proposal. It is impossible to contact every person to resubmit their views": Lisa Bellamy.

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What do the scientists say about the fire ants at Wardell? Will they spread? How worried should we be? Originally from South America, the fire ants are considered one of the world’s most invasive pests.

Surfer Callum Robson has done it again. At the World Surf League Series Lexus Pipe Pro in Hawaii, Robson scored 9 points in his heat ... The 23 year old Evans Head surfer described what the winning wave at Oahu was like.

Yet again another strike on the wharfs ends in a cave in by the stevedores. Last week DP World, which is owned by the Dubai Royal Family, agreed to increase wages by 25 per cent over the next four years to end a rolling series of stoppages that has gone on for months. That works out about double the predicted inflation rate with almost no productivity trade offs ... Welcome back to the thinking of the 1970s.

As Australians were stocking fridges and checking gas bottles before Australia Day, local farmers were receiving word that the towering transmission lines would carve through their properties. One farmer said it was the first contact they had from the company, stating “no personal contact” before receiving the news that left them feeling “side swiped.”

As Australian politicians take aim at globally dictated emissions targets, are everyday Australians left to carry the burden of the ‘green dream’? ... There were an estimated 100 million individual solar photovoltaic (PV) panels in Australia at the end of 2022, and it is estimated 2 billion solar panels will be required if we are to meet the 2050 emissions targets.

After an incredible almost 100 years in the same family, the historic Gunbower Estate has been sold ... The Gunbower run of 180,000 acres was originally taken up by James Rowan in 1845...

After learning that the Need for Feed Australia convey of donated hay was heading to Ardlethan Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke made a special diversion from her scheduled route to meet up with the inspiring team ... the 26-truck convoy ...

Australia Day celebrations in Grong Grong started with a flag raising in the park followed by festivities at the Royal Hotel Grong Grong. Yabby races were held and this year Royal Hotel Grong Grong donated a $100 voucher as prizemoney and Grong Grong Anglers Club bought a Trophy to stay at the pub.

Australia Day is a time for all Australians to reflect, respect and celebrate. What today means to each of us here depends on who we are, where we come from, and how we came to be Australian, said Narrandera’s Australia Day Ambassador Doug Hawkins.

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