CATEGORY

SA

TasFarmers urges corporate responsibility as King Island Dairy faces uncertain future

Tasmania’s peak farming body, TasFarmers, has expressed grave concerns about the potential closure of King Island’s iconic dairy operations, calling on the current owner to act as a responsible corporate citizen following its decision to close the milk island’s processing facility. TasFarmers president Ian Sauer said this news came at the worst possible time, as King Island grapples with the worst drought in over 100 years, ongoing shipping difficulties and the rising cost of doing business.

Hard Talk! Issue one: Food prices

The [Naracoorte Community] News is introducing a new series called Hard Talk, focusing on in-depth interviews with hard-hitting questions on issues relating to communities like ours ... In our first issue, we questioned Premier Peter Malinauskas and newly appointed Opposition Leader Vincent Tarzia.

Induction of Reverend Rudi Schwartz

Stuart McLean. St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church Naracoorte would like to invite the community to attend the induction of the Reverend Rudi Schwartz who is returning with his wife Heila. Rudi and Heila lived in Naracoorte for many years from 2000 taking an active part in the community as well as the church.

Trevor Smart retires

Chris Oldfield and Nasik Swami. Naracoorte Lucindale Council CEO Trevor Smart has resigned after six years in the top job and is looking forward to spending more time with his family. Mr Smart has spent 41 years in local government and six years with Naracoorte Lucindale Council.

South East is drying

Cliff Hignett, Your Say. The Naracoorte Water Allocation Plan (WAP) meeting (14/8/24) was well attended, 90+ people. The purpose of the meeting was to alert irrigators that the WAP was failing to protect the groundwater resource and was in urgent need of revision. When the WAP was set up (in 2013) land owners received an ‘Allocation’, in theory - their maximum share of the resource. Then they were authorised to use some part of that allocation on a year by year basis.

Boats grounded on the Riverland

Sebastian Calderon. Houseboats traveling along a section of the Murray River are facing challenges, due to low water levels, forcing operators to limit mobility through the Riverland. Changes in the river’s water flow following environmental conditions have recently seen a group of boats unable to travel between towns like Renmark and Berri.

Volunteers needed to continue a Riverland miracle

Madison Eastmond. A Berri equine charity is searching for volunteers so its therapy services for the wider Riverland community can continue ... Over the past three years, Miracle Park Stables have provided therapeutic avenues for those struggling with mental health and/or have a disability to build self-esteem, self-efficacy, resilience and emotional regulation skills through a variety of programs.

The Naracoorte News, 4 September 2024

Out now!Buy here!  l  Subscribe here!

Renmark do the soccer double

Renmark Olympic claimed the rare feat of the double premiership, after its A grade women’s outfits was crowned premiers following a trouncing of Barmera on the final day. With the premiership on the line, it was Amelia Koumbarakos who rose to the occasion, bagging five of Olympic’s six goals.

Murray Pioneer, 4 September 2024

Out now! Subscribe here!

Locals revive health care

Michelle Daw. The Ardrossan community is taking health care into its own hands by helping secure more services after the local private hospital closed earlier this year. A new International Medical Graduate, Dr Sajini Abeysekera, has arrived from Sri Lanka with the support of the Ardrossan Community Op Shop and started taking patients at Medical HQ Ardrossan...

Oasis in Grey’s childcare desert

Rachel Hagan. Minlaton's time to celebrate arrived with the official opening of the long-awaited Minlaton Family Centre ...The ribbon was cut by Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey, and the three women who started it all: Katie Hughes, Anna Phasey and Amy Honner ... The centre has created 120 childcare places in the region, which is an incredible increase from a few years earlier when there were only 14.

Kate rides high in Brazil

Joanna Tucker. Maitland 16-year-old equestrian Kate Mahar represented Australia on the world stage last month. She placed 12th from a field of 16 at the 2024 Youth World Reining Cup in Avare, Brazil ... Ms Mahar was Australia’s only representative, and said her favourite moments were making connections with other young riders in the competition lead-in.

Australia’s top young dairy cattle judges selected for national finals

Australia's most promising young dairy cattle judges have been announced ahead of the Agricultural Shows Australia National Young Judges & Paraders Competition finals at the Melbourne Royal Show ... Katie Stanley, Executive Officer of Agricultural Shows Australia, says the competition is designed to recognise the best new talent in livestock judging nationwide.

Health services to be investigated

The delivery of regional health services across the entire Limestone Coast Local Health Network will be investigated. The government has allocated $1million for this,” Health Minister Chris Picton revealed during his recent visit to the Naracoorte Hospital. “On top of this $8million investment (for the Naracoorte Hospital), a further $1million has been allocated to investigate regional service delivery across the entire Limestone Coast Local Health Network,” Mr Picton said.

Who was consulted?

Nasik Swami and Chris Oldfield. Health Minister Chris Picton claims the Limestone Coast Local Health Network (LCLHN) has implemented several changes to improve the care being provided to the people of Lucindale, following input from the community. But the Lucindale community disagrees with the minister and after being excluded from several meetings, says it still has not been consulted. Many residents report nursing services still have not returned to previous reliable or adequate capacity.

Flying foxes among us

Around 5,000 or so grey-headed flying foxes, often called fruit bats, currently have two main camps - one near Naracoorte and the other around Mount Burr. The flying foxes can carry the deadly Lyssavirus and Hendra virus - anyone scratched or bitten must seek urgent medical attention. Even dead bats are considered too dangerous to touch…

Celebrating Coonawarra’s world-class wine at regional festival: Bettison

The Coonawarra Cabernet Celebrations’ program launched today at the National Wine Centre. From 1-20 October, festivalgoers will enjoy a range of degustation dinners, masterclasses, tastings, winery tours, and more. Festival highlights include the Coonawarra Golf Day, Pizza and Tunes at Raidis Estate, the International Cabernet Masterclass, as well as the longstanding Combined Wineries Cabernet Decade[nce] Tasting hosted by the Coonawarra Vignerons Association.

Crucified

Hugh Schuitemaker. A Riverland grape grower has begun pulling his vines – describing it as a "nightmare" – amid uncertainty surrounding prices and a lack of supportive industry action. Renmark West-based grower Ray Hartigan, 80, said he could no longer justify the impacts of poor economic returns.

SA has lifted into space

Sebastian Calderon. A new satellite built by South Australian-based companies will aim to deliver critical space data for use by government and research institutions, including data covering the Riverland, particularly in the areas of sustainability and climate impacts. The State Government-funded satellite Kanyini was successfully launched into orbit last week onboard a SpaceX rocket, being the first of its kind in Australia, built by SA-based companies – SmartSat, Inovor and Myriota.

Power price pain – Major local businesses struggling with rising electricity bills

Hugh Schuitemaker. The sustainability of Riverland horticulture is being pressured by "unavoidable" increases to electricity costs, according to numerous local business figures ... Nippy’s joint managing director Ben Knispel said costs had increased despite attempts to use less electricity ... Century Orchards’ annual bill is now well over $1m, which has increased from about $700,000 two years ago.

All categories