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Peak industry organisation CANEGROWERS is ready and willing to lead the way to a more profitable and diversified future for sugarcane outlined in a new roadmap. “This document has been two and a half years in the making. It is exciting as a cane grower to be at the starting point of a new chapter in our sugarcane industry’s story,” CANEGROWERS Chairman Owen Menkens said. “We are ready to lead the transition, working with existing and new investors.”

Organisations representing the Australian sugarcane industry will form a series of working groups to implement their first whole-of-industry vision and roadmap. The Sugar Plus vision released at the Developing Northern Australia Conference, positions the industry as Fuelling the Future of Food, Energy and Fabrication.

“The sugarcane industry has identified an exciting and transformational future of sustainably producing sugar and bioproducts at the heart of regional communities. The roadmap outlines opportunities for a substantially larger industry. A growing bioeconomy industry will enable Australia to become increasingly self-sufficient, improving economic resilience and national security”: Anne Stünzner, CRCNA CEO.

The NSW country town of Leeton is about as far removed as possible from Afghanistan – geographically, culturally, politically and religiously – but it has set the gold standard for how Australia can successfully integrate refugees into local communities.

Vandals have struck again, this time breaking into the Tennant Creek Speedway Club’s canteen and causing tens of thousands of dollars of damage by destroying doors and locks, smashing fridges, electrical boxes and bain maries and tipping bins over ... The not for profit club survives on entry nominations and fundraising with some support by grants.

The Midnight Rangers, a five piece group of ragtag misfits finally living the dream of playing their own take on country music in the utopia town of Tennant Creek for one night only at the Memo next Wednesdsay, before crawling up the Stuart highway to perform at the Darwin Fringe Festival ... The band formed with the sole purpose of bringing their own take of country music to a new audience.

Kate Foran. There is always great variety in the veterinary industry, you just never know what adventures the next phone call will bring! Recently, Valmai and Steve Jones, who breed Savannah Droughtmasters up at Renner Springs Station, requested a Vet come up to fertility test their bulls.

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Tom Zaunmayr, National Indigenous Times. When  Jingili Elder Pompey Raymond reflects on the Northern Territory’s oil and gas industry, he sees careers for young people, education, community infrastructure and a pathway to protect his country. A senior ceremony man born on Beetaloo Station, Mr Raymond believes the debate around industry is often hijacked by those who should not be speaking for the region.

Alice Springs Beanie Festival Screenshot: Alice Springs Beanie Festival Related story: The art of beanie crafting comes to Tennant Creek

As a part of the Humanities curriculum, Middle Year students were given the task of coming up with ideas for creating a micro business and then making it happen. On Wednesday morning the results of all their hard work was on display as they held Markets at the High School.

Kate Foran. Next Friday is the annual Territory Day celebrations, a rare day on which Territorians can indulge their love of fireworks, as residents are still allowed to purchase fireworks to set off themselves. It is a heap of fun and much loved by many. There is a down side, however.  

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Pam Dillon. A chilly windy day did not deter the students at Canteen Creek on the field events day at the annual athletics carnival. Family as First Teachers (FaFT) to Year 6 students competed in shot put, javelin, discus, long jump and high jump.

The former CEO of the Barkly Region Alcohol and Drug Abuse Advisory Group (BRADAAG) has hit back at claims she improperly used organisational funds and bullied staff. Pauline Lewis (inset), who resigned late 2021, says any misconduct allegations against her are unwarranted and is calling the organisation's continued investigation into the accusations as a witch hunt.

Local police have disrupted an organised drug syndicate in Tennant Creek on Tuesday, seizing more than 21 kilograms of cannabis and arresting nine people. Operation AMYL was implemented to stop the supply of commercial cannabis in the region and Aboriginal communities.

In true outback spirit, an iconic Alice Springs arts hub has bounced back from the COVID-19 pandemic, with a huge jump in visitor numbers and an impressive calendar of events.

A Katherine company has been selected to build 20 new homes on a new subdivision at Beswick ... around the corner to the remote community of Gapuwiyak, an $18.2 million investment will yield 28 new homes ... The northeast Arnhem Land community has helped to plan the new homes, and will be involved in all aspects of construction.

This Saturday head to Purkiss Reserve at 10am to watch history being made when Spitfires Women and YDU Women play the inaugural game of AFLW in the Barkly. For the last eight weeks, women from Tennant Creek have been honing their AFL skills.

Kate Foran. Alana Drury has been with us at Barkly Vet for four weeks, and sadly she leaves this weekend. I decided to interview her about her time here. Alana comes from Central West, NSW where she grew up on a 25 acre hobby farm ... She learned how quickly you become a part of the community, given that there’s no easy way to duck ‘back home’ for the weekend, or even on to the next town for dinner, like rural life in other parts of Australia.