Politics

They did it. Organisers of the World’s Biggest Happy Dance were thrilled to see 468 people groovin’ to the song Dancing in the Street at Kyogle Showground yesterday, Saturday, June 14. The previous record for a happy dance in Singapore was 448.

The movement to protect our starry night skies – along with our landscape and character, environment and wellbeing – is taking the next step. Sunshine Coast Council is proposing to establish a Dark Sky Reserve in the hinterland, encompassing almost 900 square kilometres in the Mary River Catchment and adjoining national parks in our local government area.

With a renewed mandate in hand, the Albanese Government and its new Cabinet will have no barriers for further delay to implement the many health, disability and ageing sector reviews, reforms and recommendations it worked on with stakeholders in its first term of government ... The 7.3 million Australians living in rural and remote areas don’t need more consultations. They need a government that will implement the solutions that have already been developed, debated, and recommended.

Shaun Morgan, of North Central Catchment Management Authority addressed a large crowd who gathered in Kerang June, 6 to listen and voice their concerns. NCCMA is spearheading a critical initiative to address levee systems in response to recent flooding events.

Yorke Peninsula was left behind by the 2025-26 state budget, with no specific funding announcements for the region. The budget invested $1.9 billion in health, but none was specifically earmarked for Yorke Peninsula, despite the recent parliamentary inquiry into health services in the area.

The building has been open for public viewing on a couple of occasions but not well advertised. The Architect, David Kaunitz visited Wilcannia recently with a professional photographer, and has kindly sent us some good photos including inside views.

United voices from scientists and experts, residents, farmers, and regional environment groups demanded action against mining in the Clarence catchment as they stood with Gumbaynggirr Traditional Owners at a packed public meeting in Dorrigo last weekend.

The community of Birchip, an epicentre of three wind farm proposals and four significant mineral sands mining retention licences, played host to a community meeting addressing turbines, lines, mines and property rights ... Three key speakers addressed an audience exceeding three hundred people from across Western Victoria, who filled the Birchip Leisure Centre to capacity.

The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) says a Ricardo report commissioned by Dairy Australia raises serious concerns over the future of the dairy industry, with water buybacks potentially leading to a further 270 million litre decline in milk production.

The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) has slammed the Federal Government for paying a staggering premium of $1,000 per megalitre above the seasonal average in its recent purchase of Goulburn water, calling it a reckless move that distorts the market and punishes farmers.

Milk production could plummet by up to 15 per cent in the southern Murray Darling Basin if water buybacks are not halted immediately, a new study has shown. The Dairy Australia report … Australia’s annual milk production could plummet by up to 270 million litres if the federal government pressed on with water buybacks that would strip dairy farms of vital water supplies.

We’re excited to announce the release of the 2024 Animal Health in Australia (AHiA) Annual Report — your annual summary of key achievements, disease investigations, surveillance activities and updates to policies and programs in Australia’s animal health system.

The Finocchiaro CLP Government has welcomed the arrival of Japanese frigate JS Yahagi to Darwin this week, reinforcing the Northern Territory’s strategic role in the Indo-Pacific and strengthening defence and economic ties with Japan. Chief Minister and Minister for Defence NT, Lia Finocchiaro, said the visit highlights Darwin’s growing importance as a regional hub for defence cooperation, joint exercises, and security engagement.

The Minns Labor Government is rolling out a new ‘Find Your Path on a NSW Great Walk’ campaign that highlights seven spectacular multi-day walks across the state to address the growing interest in nature-based visitor experiences. The new campaign highlights an impressive 275km of walking tracks in regional NSW that have opened to the public within the last two years.

Sunshine Coast people have an incredible passion and love of the region’s beaches and hinterland. It’s part of our lifestyle, influencing how we live and connect in our communities. Strong Community portfolio councillor David Law said it was the foundation of our culture and identity - and had been for the people of this region for thousands of years.

More than 200 tonnes of donated hay will be delivered to farmers on the Fleurieu Peninsula this long weekend ... Charitable organisation Need for Feed is working with local Lions Clubs in Goolwa, Victor Harbor and Port Elliot to deliver about 10 truckloads of hay to 16 registered primary producers across the Fleurieu on Monday 9 June.

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO), with support from Victoria Police, has seized and destroyed over 20 tonnes of illicit tobacco from a property North-East of Shepparton, Victoria. On Thursday 5 June a search warrant revealed a mature tobacco crop spanning nearly 6 acres, the equivalent of approximately 456 tennis courts.

Seventeen workers at Southern Cross Care facilities in Broken Hill have lost their jobs following the organisation's acquisition by its Queensland counterpart, with the takeover finalised this month. Southern Cross Care Queensland confirmed the completion of its buyout of Southern Cross Care Broken Hill operations, with affected positions described as administrative…

Residents who have taken the train from Castlemaine Station in the past few months will have noticed scaffolding and works taking place at the nearby Castlemaine Goods Shed which is managed by Castlemaine State Festival. The Festival announced an update on Thursday 29 May, saying that the maintenance and upgrade project is on track to be completed by the end of 2025.

There was a large crowd gathered in Victoria Street, at the Kerang Council Building, last Wednesday May 28 to mark National Reconciliation Week 2025. It has been estimated a record 350 people attended the flag raising with Gannawarra Shire Deputy Mayor, Cr Ross Stanton joining Ray Davis in raising the Aboriginal flag.