CATEGORY

Vic

River on the rise

The mighty Murray is experiencing high flows from a rain event further up the catchment. On Wednesday, the river had 17,200 megalitres per day flowing past Koondrook Barham at a height of 4.748m. Alarmingly the riverbanks compromised under the last nine years of river regulation, Murray–Darling Basin Authority management, are falling away before our eyes.

Landholders brace for another flood

Rob Locke. Hume Dam is already at 76 per cent capacity and rising, with predictions it will spill. There have been calls for the Murray-Darling Basin Authority to release water to reduce the possible impact of flooding. And, this all comes at a time when local irrigators have a meagre 10 per cent allocation, which Southern Riverina Irrigators chair, Chris Brooks, describes as ‘disgraceful’.

Farmor gives Border Flywheelers Club a ‘lift’

Kendall Jennings, The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper Surrounded by wood heaters and spares from yesteryear, the Border Flywheelers volunteers restore machinery, preserving history for...

Prices set to remain low across the southern Murray-Darling Basin in 2021-22

The latest ABARES Water Market Outlook report indicates water allocation prices in the southern Murray-Darling Basin are likely to remain low in 2021–22.

New release – The Long Game

A summer of relentless heat. A local surfer named Ray Carlson is found dead in a house not far from Portsea back beach. There’s a kitchen knife deep in his chest, and blood everywhere.

Heritage lecture returns to Greater Shepparton

The biennial Bruce Wilson Memorial Heritage Lecture is returning to the region this month, with Greater Shepparton City Council encouraging residents interested in heritage to attend.

Brett Whitely: Drawing is Everything now open

Bendigo Art Gallery is proud to present an exhibition exploring the important role of drawing in the work of one of Australia’s most prominent artists.

Forestry leader backs call for border commissioner

Eliza Berlage. The head of the local forestry industry group has added his voice to calls for the South Australian government to establish a dedicated cross-border commissioner. Forestry was missed in the initial list of essential work provided by SA Health, with clarification only received at 11am on the first day of lockdown that it was included as primary industry. Green Triangle Forest Industries Hub chair Ian McDonnell said a commissioner could have ensured more preparedness in these situations, rather than the “scramble” that occurred.

AXA IM plants first investment in forestry

Global investment giant AXA IM has acquired around 24,000-hectares of Australian woodland, as well as an associated forestry management business, Green Triangle Forest Products (GTFP) estate, marking one of the largest investments into Australian forestry in more than a decade.

Business investing into business

Ali Bohn. Each week we are profiling local business owners who have made the decision to invest back into their business during a time when making any such financial decisions may seem very risky. With investments big or small, from undertaking a major renovation to adding a fresh coat of paint, these business owners are doing their bit to improve their productivity, services and availability so that our towns will continue to be the place locals love to call home and for tourists to refer to as their second home.

Sieben dairy parade finalist

Kirstin Nicholson. Georgia Sieben will represent Victoria at the 2021 Agricultural Shows Australia National Young Judges finals. The 18-year-old, who grew up on a farm in Torrumbarry, has been showing and parading at the Cohuna Show with her family from a young age.

Sign up for Artisan Agriculture Business Mentor Program

Whether you’re a producer who is looking for support in marketing your product or service, increasing sales, or just seeking greater motivation and confidence, apply now to join Hepburn Shire Council’s free Artisan Agriculture Business Mentor Program.

Covid free regional communities must be given green light for re-opening: Wendy Lovell

The Liberal Member for Northern Victoria Region Wendy Lovell has called for the green light to re-open regional communities that do not have a single case of COVID-19 or an exposure site in the municipality.

Celebrating the 150th anniversary of the City of Sandhurst

This year marks the 150th anniversary of the proclamation of the City of Sandhurst. Now known as Bendigo, the Borough of Sandhurst was formally declared a City on July 21, 1871 in the Victorian Government Gazette. To acknowledge this occasion and pay tribute to the many generations of civic leaders who have contributed to the city over that time, the City of Greater Bendigo has unveiled a plaque and a collection of Mayoress portraits in the Bendigo Town Hall Council Chamber.

More of the carrot, less of the stick

There has been much tut-tutting and pursed lip condemnation of the recent anti-lockdown protests in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane but almost no analysis of why the protests occurred ... Where is the politician prepared to come out, listen to and discuss their problems with the protestors? Sending pontificating condemnatory "statements" from afar only creates more anger. Rather than quenching the fires of dissent, the response being suggested by the NSW Government may indeed fan further flames of rebellion.

Review – Flames of Rebellion

The opening quotation of Henry Lawson’s ‘Ode to Peter Lalor’ sets the tone for what is to come in this rollicking tale set in colonial Australia at the height of the gold rush in the mid nineteenth century. The themes of mateship, danger, struggle against authority and the enticement of that precious metal – gold – are all there.

Lockdown #5

Kirstin Nicholson. The negative effects of lockdown are widespread with people and organisations having to cancel events, celebrations, travel and appointments ... “It is a concern both financially and mentally. This is what happens, it’s not just the financial side of things, it’s the mental strain on our staff and on ourselves. Every time you stop, you lose your momentum; you lose your drive. "

Sheep and Wool Show a “no–go”

Kendall Jennings. The annual Australian Sheep and Wool Show (ASWS) that was to be held in Bendigo was cancelled on the eve of the competition last Thursday due to the Victorian snap five-day lockdown. The largest event of its type in the world, stallholders, visitors and organisers were forced into turmoil refunding tickets, returning stock, cancelling accommodation and throwing out food produced for the event. Organisers appealed to the Victorian State Government to allow the event to run without crowds; however, that attempt was rejected.

McNeil surpasses 50 career wins

Logan McNeil has passed 50 career wins and now sits at 52 wins. With horse racing still active during the Victorian lockdown without crowds, it is quiet at the races. The loudest sound is of horse hoofs hitting the turf and the tinging of metal buckles, bits and reins.

Call for border communities to become Victorian ‘green zones’

Member for Eden-Monaro, Kristy McBain, has called on the Victorian government to carefully consider the livelihoods of people living in border communities when making travel permit decisions.

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