Equine excellence
If it takes a village to raise a child then it also takes a massive team effort from the Cambooya Campdraft Association, Cambooya Pony Club, other local pony clubs, local businesses and politicians to successfully redevelop the Cambooya Recreation Ground into a first class equine facility.
Fueling the fun: Rockynats introduces Little Tokyo and RC Racing to take off-track entertainment to the next gear
This year’s Rare Spares Rockynats is set to rev up excitement both on and off-the-track with thrilling new program additions including an Asian street food-inspired Little Tokyo Drift Precinct and Off-Road Remote Control (RC) Car Racing that promise to bring even greater variety and entertainment for attendees of all ages to Queensland’s largest car and bike festival on April 4-6 in Rockhampton.
Improving flood immunity
Yamba Road will see $20 million in improvements in the next few years to improve flood immunity and redirect a potentially dangerous section of the only direct thoroughfare from the M1 motorway into town. As the Clarence River levels rose … the only artery servicing deliveries to, and disposals from, Yamba, was first cut, as it is traditionally, west of Palmers Channel at the Southbank Road intersection.
Frida Kahlo: In her own image
Never before seen in Australia and direct from Mexico’s Museo Frida Kahlo, the Frida Kahlo: In her own image exhibition is now open at Bendigo Art Gallery! Following her death in 1954, Frida’s husband Diego Rivera arranged for her cherished family home, the Casa Azul (the Blue House) to be preserved as a museum in her honour, as a gift to the people of Mexico.
Visions to Tram-sform Donald’s Railway Precinct
Donald is known as a hub for innovation, and this spirit was on full display as the Donald 2000 committee brought the community together for its recent “Tram-sformation” event ... a wave of fresh ideas and creative visions for the newly positioned tram at the Donald Railway Station...
‘Amazing’ race against time to save little miracles
As extreme weather threatened our coastline, TurtleCare volunteers worked tirelessly to safeguard the future of endangered baby turtles. Wildlife Conservation Team Leader Kate Hofmeister said their quick action and commitment ensured many nests were relocated to safer areas, giving hatchlings a better chance of survival.
A new chapter in Barossa’s food story
The legacy of Australia’s most enduring cookbook, The Barossa Cookery Book, is being honoured with the launch of the companion edition, Rolling Up Their Sleeves. The creative inspiration of Those Barossa Girls, Sheralee Menz and Marieka Ashmore, Rolling Up Their Sleeves explores the remarkable history of the iconic cookery book, which was compiled in 1917 as a war fundraiser.
Neighbour builds flying fox to get supplies to farm cut off when bridge washed away in floods
When the access bridge to a farm is washed away by flooding caused by ex- Cyclone Alfred, who is responsible for fixing it? On a property at Upper Duck Creek, near old Bonalbo, a woman in her 80s living with her son, in his 60s (both asked not to be named) have no access in and out of their farm because the bridge was washed away during recent flooding. The damaged bridge is not on their land.
Council crews from across the State help with tree clean up
Tweed Shire Council is actively tackling the widespread damage caused by Tropical Cyclone Alfred with vital support from intrastate crews. The storm has caused significant damage, with fallen trees and debris blocking roads, Council land and private properties.
Five councils form alliance
Councillors and CEOs from Buloke, Gannawarra, Loddon, Northern Grampians and Yarriambiack Shire Councils, along with representatives from the Municipal Association of Victoria and Rural Councils Victoria, met in Charlton last week to discuss the ongoing impact of transmission lines, renewable energy developments and mining.
Report praises outdoor staff
An independent roadworks report, which found the Naracoorte Lucindale Council only met four of 15 key performance indicators, also found the ire of outgoing CEO Trevor Smart. After winning a $68,000 tender from five other applicants with higher and lower quotes, Wheaton Enterprises—a highly qualified construction and civil engineering firm—praised the participation of the council’s outdoor field and administration staff in its 89-page report.
Naracoorte’s Chris Mailley is SA’s Citizen of the Year
Naracoorte's very own community champion Senior Constable Chris Mailley has been honoured as South Australia's 2025 Citizen of the Year. Chris received the honour at the South Australian 2025 Citizen of the Year Awards ceremony held at Government House last week.
Kerang Lunar Festival
It has been nine months in the making and all the hard work put in by the Kerang Progress Association has well and truly paid off as the town’s first Lunar New Year Festival took place on Saturday afternoon at Atkinson Park in Kerang.
Councils vow to fight on
Despite the Victorian Minister for Health, Mary-Anne Thomas, turning a deaf ear to their pleas, regional councils and medical workers will continue their campaign for a greenfield site for a new Albury Wodonga hospital, which would service outlying areas including the Upper Murray.
Darlington Point’s new residential subdivision named ‘River Red Gum Estate’
Murrumbidgee Council is pleased to announce the new residential subdivision in Darlington Point will be called 'River Red Gum Estate'. The name was chosen to honour the iconic river red gum, a tree species that is deeply intertwined with the region's natural landscape, environment, and cultural heritage.
Campers everywhere – except at festival site
They came from all Australian states, and even from overseas. Their destination was the annual Esoteric Music Festival site, north of the Donald township. Sadly, though the weather was ideal, their journey was cut short by several kilometres, when the popular event was cancelled early on its first day, Thursday last.
Decision flattens festival-goers
It’s an event which, annually, has drawn lovers of the Great Outdoors to a location in Victoria’s Buloke Shire. From within the State, and from far beyond, they have travelled to enjoy the music and mateship of Donald’s Esoteric Festival ... Instead, they were walking the streets of the town, prior to leaving to return home without having as much as set foot on their Victorian countryside destination.
Goroke unseals 25-year time capsule
The Goroke community came together on Sunday at the Goroke Hall to open a 25-year sealed perpetual time capsule, revealing a treasure trove of memories from the past ... The honour of opening the time capsule was given to Goroke's oldest resident, Max Carter, who, at 94, was surprised to witness the moment.
Regions unite to tackle childcare desert
Michelle Daw. Families, employers, and representatives from 23 council areas gathered in Port Broughton last week to launch a project advocating for fairer access to childcare across the vast federal electorate of Grey.
Council goes for gold with Mount Morgan recreational fossicking plans
Rockhampton Regional Council has reached the final stage of establishing a recreational fossicking area on the land surrounding Mount Morgan No 7 Dam, after Councillors voted to formally request the creation of a General Permission Area (GPA) from the State Government.
Mayor slams coverage of Pine Street squatters
Steve Krieg, From the Mayor's desk. I write this after last issue’s (Nimbin GoodTimes, February 2025) appalling coverage of the illegal squatters in Pine Street Lismore that three years after the worst natural disaster in Australia’s recorded history is diverting attention and resources away from our recovery.
Free flood waste disposal for Lismore residents as recovery begins
“We really dodged a bullet with this one, but there is a lot of damage, including downed trees. Our residents shouldn’t have to bear the cost of this weather event": Lismore City Mayor Steve Krieg.

