Lights, camera, steampunk
Serviceton Station was transformed into a steampunk dreamscape on Sunday as models, stylist, photographers, and media gathered for a ‘wow factor’ photoshoot to promote the upcoming Wimmera Steampunk Festival.
Little Desert fire continues
Emergency crews have now contained the Little Desert fires that started almost two weeks ago. The fires were ignited by dry lightning on 27 January and ended up burning 95,000 hectares in the Little Desert region so far.
“I have concerns for the future. We are being asked to carry an unfair burden.”
Darren De Bortoli. "Our family has a proud history, building a winemaking business that we believe is a true Australian success story ... But I have concerns for the future and I believe my fellow Australians, especially those in capital cities, need to understand the pressures being applied across the board to those who grow the quality food and beverages, including wine, that you enjoy.
North at the mercy of mother nature without Bradfield: KAP
The visionary Bradfield Scheme – which by design diverts excess floodwaters from the upper Tully, Herbert and Burdekin river systems – could have ameliorated the devastating 2025 North Queensland floods had it been built, Katter’s Australian Party (KAP) Leader and Traeger MP Robbie Katter has said.
RHS parents kept in sex-talk loop
Hugh Schuitemaker. Families are being informed about contents of the upcoming 2025 sex education program at Renmark High School (RHS) ... The 2024 controversy – which saw year 9 RHS students exposed to the concepts of bestiality and incest without prior parental knowledge – surfaced again ...
First Nations guide for Riverland floodplains
Madison Eastmond. The Department for Environment and Water (DEW) have collaborated with First Peoples of the River Murray and Mallee Region (FPRMMR) to develop a field guide on the plants and cultural significance of Riverland floodplains.
Taking a moment for ourselves
The appetite for community art workshops continues to grow in Buloke, offering a much-needed escape from busy, always-on lifestyles ... In December, Charlton artist Bronwyn Fisher’s decoupage sessions in Nullawil and Nandaly attracted participants of all ages...
Shark plan labelled “city centric”
Wilson McShane. Narungga MP Fraser Ellis has labelled a $500,000 shark safety initiative "city centric". Mr Ellis has expressed concern about the program which will fund Surf Life Saving SA to monitor beaches. "It seems ridiculous there have been fatal shark attacks on Yorke Peninsula and Eyre Peninsula, yet a body with no footprint in either region is commissioned to shark proof the region," he said.
War on mozzies heats up
Michelle Daw. Barunga West Council has intensified pest control efforts after frustrated Fisherman Bay and Port Broughton residents reported this summer’s insect problem as the worst they have ever experienced ... “We didn’t move up here to spend summer in our house”: Robyn Lyons, Fisherman Bay.
Hard NO to cash mandate will do more harm than good
The Federal Government has published a proposal for a cash mandate that will only apply to a legislated list of “essential” goods and services and give express permission to more than 97 per cent of businesses in Australia to refuse to accept cash. Due to the restrictions and exemptions attached to this proposal, I cannot support it.
MLDRIN v the Commonwealth – The battle over the fractured rock water plan
First Nations environmental lobbying group Murray Lower Darling River Indigenous Nations (MLDRIN) is in the Federal Court today to challenge the decision by Minister Plibersek to accredit the NSW Fractured Rock Water Resource Plan (WRP) ... “We repeatedly advised the MDBA that the Fractured Rock Water Resource Plan should not be recommended for accreditation," Brendan Kennedy, Chair, MLDRIN, Tati Tati Nation member, said.
‘Wow’: Woolgoolga named Mainland Australia’s best beach
It was never a tightly held secret and it’s even less so now with Woolgoolga Main Beach named the best on Mainland Australia. The coveted accolade for the stunning location on NSW’s Coffs Coast is revealed in the just-released Best Australian Beaches 2025.
What is going on at Kyogle Showground? Crown Lands appoints administrator for six months
What is happening at the Kyogle Showground? Crown Lands has appointed an administrator to the Kyogle Showground Trust. A spokesperson for Crown Lands in the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure said the term of the Kyogle Showground and Public Recreation Land Manager Board expired on December 19 last year.
Legal aid copes with pressure
All Territory Aboriginal persons facing criminal charges since August last year received high quality legal representation unless they chose not to use the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency, or it had a conflict of interest. CEO Anthony Beven was responding to allegations made anonymously to the Alice Springs News that “there is more chaos at NAAJA”.
A use for carp
Roy Butler, Member for Barwon, tells us he visited a place run by Oceans2Earth. They make a product called Soil Enhancer. They mix fish waste and wood together to make a fertiliser. The man behind this is Tim Crane, originally from Wilcannia.
Significant regional tourism boost from World Heritage tentative listing of the Victorian Goldfields
The decision by the Australian Government to include the Victorian Goldfields on Australia’s World Heritage Tentative List after 35 years of advocacy, creates significant tourism, economic development and community benefits for a large part of regional Victoria covering 15 Local Council areas and their Visitor Economy Partnership regions.
Forest firefighters deploy to Victorian firegrounds: FCNSW
Nine fire specialists from Forestry Corporation have deployed to Victorian firefronts as part of an interstate NSW firefighting contingency ... “Our firefighters are highly skilled and experienced in Australian bushland firefighting and are always ready to lend a hand in regional NSW or further afield": Rebel Talbert, FCNSW’s Senior Manager Fire and Natural Hazards.
Turning science to finance – New tool to help farmers tackle the climate challenge: CEFC, CSIRO
Australian farmers are set to tackle emissions from the ground up, with a free guide to develop and implement sustainable practices on farms. The Towards Net Zero Agriculture Pathfinder (Pathfinder), a joint initiative by the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) and CSIRO, is a practical guide to help farmers reduce greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining productivity and competitiveness.
Fewer police, court delays and criminals walking free
The latest Report on Government Services (ROGS) published recently has exposed the Victorian Government’s failure to keep Victorians safe, with crime rising while police funding is cut, court backlogs worsen, and criminals are left on the streets instead of behind bars. The report paints a grim picture of a justice system under strain...
‘Welcome to Australia – we’re all the same’
Welcome! This was the simple but profound message delivered by South East orthopaedic surgeon Dr Barney McCusker, the Naracoorte Lucindale Australia Day guest speaker. Welcoming the district’s new citizens, Dr McCusker said by coming to Australia – the great south land – they made the country richer, more colourful and a greater nation.
“Listen to the public”
An elected member of the Naracoorte Lucindale Council has criticised the council for disregarding public input gathered during consultation processes. Speaking exclusively to The [Naracoorte] News, Cr Craig McGuire claimed trust towards the elected body was “at an all-time low” with public consultation and feedback mostly ignored or dismissed if it did not fit the narrative of what parts of the elected council wanted to see.
DFES and Marine Rescue WA introduce Deckee
A free app designed to make boating safer and more convenient for everyone will soon undergo a public trial in selected areas including Two Rocks and Whitfords. Marine Rescue Two Rocks is holding an open day including a sausage sizzle on Sunday, February 23 where people can learn more about the app and setting it up.
