Youth

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.

While the state unveiled a new Emergency Services Levy, it also tried to sweeten the blow with a headline-grabbing promise: free public transport for all Victorian children under 18, starting January 1. But for rural communities like Donald, that promise rings hollow. "We have no trains, the tram is decommissioned ..."

Earlier this month, Year 10 students, along with Mrs Veal and Mrs O'Toole, from Allora P-10 State School visited the Allora Museum on Drayton Street to deepen their understanding of Australia's World War II history.

Hay's local superstar and running aficionado, Daniel Green, was overjoyed recently to run with William Goodge from the UK, a man who is running to break a record ... "He is so cool, he has run across Japan, America, and has completed many desert runs."

Sarah Herrmann. Aspiring young artists were treated to a dose of acting expertise, along with life skills, when Country Arts SA visited Maitland Town Hall last week ... Country Arts SA associate producer for performing arts, Jay Gonzalez, said making artistic opportunities accessible for regional youth was integral in inspiring them to pursue their dreams.

Wati Mai brings starving people food, feeds homeless people, gives them magic water. Spider Girl Kungka helps kids stay safe. Comes out at night. Throws webs. Scares kids to go home and makes them go to sleep ready for school ... "The ultimate power of the Superheroes is the voice of the children who created them."

The 2025 Anglican Debutante Ball group.

Amy “Dolly” Everett would have turned 20 on May 1st. Tragically the young country girl took her life at age 14 after facing persistent and cruel bullying. Her family, parents Kate and Tick and sister Meg Everett, vowed to keep her memory alive by establishing anti-bullying organisation Dolly’s Dream.

A dedicated Cairns mother and son duo are set to represent Australia at the 2025 ITF Taekwon-Do World Championships in Jesolo, Italy, this October, following years of shared discipline, training, and personal growth on the local dojang floor.