Youth

Congratulations to Bonnie Gordon who has received top honours with a Premier's VCE Award for their outstanding VCE results in 2024. Bonnie was recognised as an Outstanding VCE Vocational Major Student.

Last weekend an enthusiastic group of Monash University students made their annual field trip to Maldon to help win our war against Wheel Cactus ... Other comments from the students were: "I didn't expect to see anything this bad!", "It is pretty scary to imagine what the area would look like if your group did not exist,"...

TasFarmers is calling on all political parties in the upcoming state election to support a $500,000 investment into funding an independent Agricultural Career Coach, designed to connect young Tasmanians with fulfilling careers in agriculture regardless of their background.

"George goes to the farm", the first children’s picture book from debut author Sinead Saint, is scheduled for release on 2 July 2025 ... a heartwarming, humorous look at the great divide between city life and the country — as told through the muddy paws of an enthusiastic groodle named George.

Congratulations to Maldon Pony Club, who have been announced as recipients of a grant that they will use to run a Confidence and Connection Camp later in the year ... The Confidence and Connection Camp, which will take place in November, is a chance to get everyone from the club together, forge friendship bonds and strengthen the club community.

On Monday 16th June, Katie from the Sydney Youth Orchestra, Rhyan aka Dobby, and Adele, an experienced music teacher called into Mr Sean's rap song class. With such visitors, it wasn't surprising to see Miss Rachel's choir come over to join in.

It was music to their ears when they were officially announced as members of the Regional Youth Orchestra (RYO) of NSW, and now, Clarence Valley Conservatorium students Oscar Woods, Tessa Darby, Casey Palmer, and Toby Smidt are preparing to head overseas on June 29 to perform at some of the world’s most renowned venues as part of the 2025 Europe Tour.

David O'Brien sits quietly in his Hay home, a small magnet clipped to his belt—a lifeline that could stop a seizure in its tracks ... Despite the challenges, David has found meaningful ways to contribute to his community and the broader epilepsy community.

The Crisafulli Government’s 2025-26 Budget lays the foundation for the fresh start Queenslanders voted for, addressing Labor’s youth crime, health, housing and cost of living crises. The Budget focuses on making Queensland safer, delivering a place to call home for more Queenslanders, driving down cost of living pressures for families…

Sarah Herrmann. "If I can help them to learn from my mistakes, I'm winning." Those were the words of crash survivor Daniel Woolley, who shared his story with Yorke Peninsula high schoolers as part of a risk education program last week. It was the first time the Prevent Alcohol and Risk-Related Trauma in Youth (PARTY) program had been delivered in the region.

A Queensland man, 63, is scheduled to face Cairns Magistrates Court today (18 June, 2025) charged with allegedly producing child abuse material in the Philippines. Australian Border Force (ABF) officers searched the man’s phone after he returned to Australia on an international flight at Cairns Airport on 25 December, 2024. 

Blake Lee. The Birchip Early Learning Centre has expanded its workforce in recent years, welcoming new staff who contribute fresh skills and enthusiasm at a time when Australia faces a major shortage of early childhood educators. Jobs and Skills Australia reports a current shortfall of around 21,000 qualified Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) professionals across the country.

The Allan Labor Government has cut critical health support for rural children in Western Victoria, axing the award-winning By Five Early Years Initiative in the latest state budget. Member for Western Victoria, Bev McArthur MP, condemned the decision as a direct attack on families already battling limited access to paediatric care.

Patricia Gill. Denmark artist Melissa Boughey's painting, State of Flux, Symbiosis, won the 2025 Omnia Art Prize announced in Toorak, Victoria recently. Melissa, who heard about the win while at home, said she had felt overwhelmed: "There were long distance tears over the phone. I'm touched and surprised."

Madison Eastmon. A Riverland student has been awarded during this year's National Reconciliation Week for receiving one of the highest Australian Tertiary Admission Ranks (ATAR) in the state. Scoring 86.75 — one of the highest ATARS received among South Australia's Aboriginal students — Berri Regional Secondary College alumni Nicholas Harris was awarded with a Chief Executive's Reconciliation Award last month.

One of the most active junior sports in the region is junior rugby league and our local teams, the Wattles Junior Warriors make their mark every time a team goes onto the field, be it in the Warwick and District competition, or the Toowoomba Junior Rugby League. You can see the enthusiasm in the faces of Wattles Under 6 team.....

The only Queensland high school that will have a team compete at the Australian Human Powered Vehicle Super Series is Clifton State High School - and it has not one, but two. Clifton State High School (CSHS) has had human powered vehicle (HPV) teams for several years and so far 2025 is shaping up to be easily the best year yet, even after the girls' team became state champions last year.

A group of Naracoorte residents gathered at the Town Square last Friday to express their disappointment at the Naracoorte Lucindale Council’s decision not to waive burial fees for children under the age of 10. The community demonstration reflected growing frustration over the council's stance, which many believe lacked compassion for grieving families.

A Naracoorte Lucindale councillor has voiced strong criticism over the council’s decision to keep $8,600 in its budget for post-meeting “meals and drinks” but reject a proposal to waive burial fees for children under the age of 10. Speaking to The Naracoorte News, councillor Craig McGuire expressed disappointment following the council’s recent May meeting, where his motion to waive all cemetery charges for children up to 10 years old—excluding plaque expenses—was voted down.