NSW

A new series of NSW Government funded geophysical surveys will take place in the state’s Central West, New England and Far West to gather detailed information that will help to uncover valuable critical minerals buried deep underground ... “Exploration programs today may lead to a critical minerals project in five to ten years that employs locals and plays a vital role in the manufacturing supply chain for products such as batteries, electric vehicles, and renewables" : Paul Toole.

A species of Gondwana era tree is being translocated for the first time, with 20 seedlings being planted across four secret sites in a NSW Government initiative to save the species. Minister for Environment James Griffin said the endangered Nightcap Oak tree is only found in one region and was severely affected by the 2019/2020 bushfires.

The only the Indigenous-Aboriginal Party of Australia (IAPA) will be standing candidates for the NSW and Queensland Senate, and three candidates for the House of Representatives, including Brett Duroux for the Division of Page. Duroux a proud Yaegl, Bundjalung and Gumbaynggirr man, is excited to stand up for his community. Brett is a fantastic communicator, with a genuine interest and concern for people and the environment, is campaigning to give his community a strong voice and leadership, and to promote respect for the land and encourage unity and equality. Brett says, “The locals of this area, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, are not being heard.”

Derek Hardman, a proud Baarkindji man of Broken Hill, will represent the Indigenous-Aboriginal Party of Australia (IAPA) as he stands for the Division of Parkes in the 2022 federal election ... Derek has been a prolific leader and advocate for Aboriginal people for most of his adult life. An example of Derek’s down to earth, generous, and practical nature was demonstrated recently as Derek, with some other Indigenous Party executives organised the ‘Deliver-roo’ initiative during Covid lockdowns at Wilcannia.

A mother-of-two from Parkes has made the move to Orange to pursue a career in medicine to help address the doctor shortage in rural Australia. Ms Hannah Hawker tells of how she balances study and home life with two children as the University celebrates all its mothers ahead of Mother’s Day on Sunday 8 May.

"There are a number of opportunities for the team at Narrandera’s Koala Reserve to seek financial support and I have actively encouraged them to do so" : Federal Minister for the Environment, Sussan Ley ... With no sightings in the Narrandera area for decades, koalas were re-introduced to the area in the early 1970s and have increased their population from 19 to more than 200 in that location ... "Reading between the lines I'm confident they don't have an overall strategy" : Australian Koala Foundation CEO, Deborah Tabart.

The new clubhouse and changerooms at the Narrandera Sportsground were officially opened on Saturday with the Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke joining the Member for Farrer Sussan Ley, Narrandera Shire Council Mayor Neville Kschenka and members of the local community for the big event.

A stunning possum skin cloak will be a centrepiece of Yorta Yorta artist Treahna Hamm’s new exhibition “For the Love of Art” ... Treahna has developed this exhibition after receiving the Joyce Spencer Textiles Fellowship in 2020, established ... to remember the life of Narrandera artist Joyce Spencer (1928-2019).

Kirstin Nicholson. There has been a buzz of activity amongst the Cohuna Lions Club’s Leos and Cubs. The Leos and Cubs, which comprise children aged 9 to 18, have been busy sewing items for children in flood-affected Lismore, New South Wales.

Joan de Bondt. Each year, the Agricultural Societies Council of NSW (ASC) recognises the excellence, dedication, resilience and innovation of agricultural show volunteers across the state. The joint winners of the ASC Dedication Award for 2022 are June Lowry and George Rathbone from Wakool Show.

Four minutes. That was the time people had to tell their story at the flood inquiry in Lismore on May 3. It was clear from the emotion in people’s voices that telling their story wasn’t easy ... For two hours, people used their four minutes on the microphone to tell the auditorium audience and the convenors who sat on stage what the flood meant to them.

Reason 1: The books. Whenever I go to a writer’s festival, I choose one book to buy. This is a budgetary decision, not a choice. I’d happily buy every book from every author at the festival. Before I even get to the Kyogle Writers Festival I have my eye on a few after perusing the program.

Emma Pritchard. While discussing how they could help locals affected by the recent floods during the past several weeks, members of the Clarence Valley Community Church and the Lower Clarence Presbyterian Church embraced the idea of opening a community kitchen in Maclean. The two congregations promptly started researching and organising recipes, scouting for a suitable location within the township, and drawing up a roster of volunteer cooks.  

Geoff Helisma. Clarence Valley Council (CVC) has signed up to the Australian Local Government Association’s campaign – Don’t Leave Local Communities Behind – to be conducted during the weeks leading up to the May 21 federal election. Councillors unanimously supported Cr Ian Tiley’s mayoral minute, to “support the national funding priorities of the ALGA, which would contribute an estimated $6.46 billion per year to Australia’s GDP and create 43,444 jobs” if successful.

Emma Pritchard. Chief Steward of the Pavilion Yvonne Robards said an average of 15 volunteers worked tirelessly together in The Barn for upwards of eight hours a day in the fortnight leading up to the 2022 Grafton Show, and their wonderful contributions help to make the event a success year after year. “They all work very hard,” she said.

Lismore City Council has released a discussion paper that presents some broad brushstrokes for how Lismore can build back better ... Lismore City Council’s General Manager John Walker said now is the time for the community to have their say in how we plan for Lismore’s future.

Rising inflation has sent prices up at the checkout, prompting calls from farmers for a crackdown on price gouging. The Consumer Price Index jumped 2.1 per cent this quarter – and is up 5.1 per cent over the past year – but NSW Farmers Horticulture Committee Chair Guy Gaeta said not all was it seemed at the checkout.

“Now that we’ve rolled out the final chargers along the Barrier Highway, located at Wilcannnia, Cobar, Dubbo, Parkes, Orange and Lithgow, it means drivers travel no more than 300 kilometres to recharge their vehicles when making the 1000-kilometre journey between Sydney and Broken Hill”: Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole.

Ian Hutton. In April, 2022, three more electric vehicles have arrived on Lord Howe. These are all a Chinese-made BYD van, the T3 ... This brings to twelve the total electric vehicles now in use on the island ... With concern around the world about fossil fuels emitting carbon dioxide and adding to climate change, plus the world politics of oil supply from Russia and the Middle East (currently causing a spike in petrol prices) Lord Howe Island, with its solar farm, is extremely well placed to take advantage of this new, clean, cheaper mode of transport.