Politics

Emma Pritchard. Momentum Collective, Social Futures and students from Grafton TAFE hosted an art installation at Market Square in Grafton on August 5 to raise awareness of the impact of homelessness in the local community. As they gathered alongside one another in a show of strength and unity, they proudly held up their signs and engaged with members of the public who walked by.

Byron Shire Council has voted to support the “Clarence Valley Council community in seeking a moratorium on future mining and mining exploration in the Clarence Valley catchment”. Six of seven councillors at BSC’s August 5 meeting (planning) supported mayor Michael Lyon’s notice of motion, which also “advocates [BSC’s support of CVC] to Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Deputy Premier John Barilaro and Minister for Energy and Environment Matt Kean”.

Claire Rankin. Fishing for essential reasons such as food and exercise was permitted during the covid lockdown ... Although fishing was allowed, not a tight line or a bent rod was to be seen on the north or south wall at Evans Head or along the main beach. A lone surfer was spotted, along with dog walkers, bicycle riders and toddler tamers.

National Recovery and Resilience Agency Recovery Support Officer in Far North South Australia, Matt Humphrey, was recently lucky enough to enjoy the great sportsmanship and good old outback hospitality at the 36th Oodnadatta Bronco Branding and Campdraft.

A new resource is available to queen bee breeders to help improve stock of queens, leading to more productive and profitable hives.

The first air service between Broome and Derby took to the air on 16 August 2021, providing Derby travellers with air access to Perth for the first time since 2016 via connecting flights from Broome.

The community can discover mythical hidden creatures across local venues during the Barossa instalment of SALA (South Australian Living Artists Festival), a celebration of South Australian visual art. In partnership with Barossa Regional Gallery, Nuriootpa High School Visual Art students have spent months creating the sculptures for public display at participating businesses.

Bramwell Station was sold to the Queensland government for $11.5 million at a public auction last week, but the deal appears to be in jeopardy. Cape York Weekly can reveal the state government was one of four registered bidders at the online auction and was the only one to make a bid.

Artlands is Australia's largest regional arts gathering. Every two years it provides strategic exchange that responds to emerging trends, discovers new ideas, considers adapted approaches and showcases artists as well as highlighting the creative and cultural sector across regional, rural and remote Australia.

Keeping Mentally Well, a set of mental health information resources being launched by the Central Goldfields Shire Council and Central Victorian Primary Care Partnership, is a timely response to one of the many pressing challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Visitors on the “Savanah Way” west of Cairns can soak up traditional culture and enjoy the enchanting landscapes of Ewamian country with the official opening of Talaroo Hot Springs, as part of the Palaszczuk Government’s Covid-19 Economic Recovery Plan. Assistant Qld Tourism Minister Michael Healy said Talaroo Hot Springs, beside the Einasleigh River, was opened by the Ewamian Aboriginal Corporation.

Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) will wind back restrictions in Cecil Plains from Medium Level to Low Level effective immediately. The decision comes after localised winter rain increased water levels at Leslie Dam near Warwick along with good upstream flows and a full Cecil Plains’ weir.

Baby animals, a quick shearing competition, fireworks, local produce plus live entertainment and tunes are some of the reasons why you should attend the 87th Mullewa Agricultural Show this August. The event attracts hundreds from around the state and it’s no surprise with a diverse program as well as the popular Outback Bloom – Mullewa’s Wildflower Festival taking place during the same week.  

Kookaburra is appalled as Australia sinks into a state of fascism. Because, that is what it is. Handing over the management of a health problem to the police as has taken place in New South Wales is criminal. It is a crime against democracy. It is a crime against our citizenry. Calling in the army on top of that is outrageous. It is utterly unacceptable. Such impositions on our liberties should be met with the full force of our argument. We must strive to preserve the values in which we believe including personal liberty, freedom of speech, due process and the rule of law ... let us look at some overseas literature and commentary whilst we can, before the Covid fascists determine that such literature is banned 'for our protection'.

Local Land Services is advising landholders  August is the perfect time to get in and clean up on-farm ahead of an expected  busy Spring. Cleaning up will help reduce the potential impact of pests, by reducing their possible breeding and nesting locations, as well as reduce the risks for livestock to chemical residues from items such as old batteries.  

Katherine Town Council have undertaken a new initiative offering year 11 and 12 students from Katherine High School and St Joseph’s Catholic College the opportunity to undertake paid work experience.

BeefUp forums provide an opportunity for northern Australian beef producers to learn something new, stay up to date with the latest on-farm research and technologies and meet others working in the red meat industry.

The Avalon Airshow is the latest cancellation on Victoria’s beleaguered tourism and event industry calendar ... Bev McArthur, Member for Western Victoria, was one of four Liberal and National MP signatories to a Minority Report recently tabled into the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Tourism and Events Sectors. The Minority Report made 10 Recommendations, including the need for rapid testing to help open the tourism and events sectors sooner and more reliably.