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Tuesday, November 11, 2025

Back Country Bulletin

Publisher details

News from Hay, Balranald, Central Darling and
Carrathool shires.

Launched September 2024.

Online news

BCB news app:
App Store I Google Play

Riverina set to shine: Rainbow on the Plains returns to Hay with star lineup and ‘Transition’ theme

Krista Schade, Back Country Bulletin
Community
The annual Rainbow on the Plains Festival is set to return to Hay from Thursday, November 13th to Sunday, November 16th, 2025, operating under the theme of "Transition" ... The festival, which celebrates the LGBTIQA+ community and rural inclusion, has become a key date on the Riverina's events calendar...

The man who ran 1,132km on a fractured hip: Mitch McKinney’s extraordinary marathon for angel kids

Kimberly Grabham, Back Country Bulletin
Charity
Mitch McKinney isn't a professional runner ... by his own admission, he's not particularly a runner at all. Yet this 38-y/o ordinary Australian achieved something extraordinary; running 1,132 km from the red dust of Broken Hill to the sea breeze of Newcastle, completing a marathon every single day for 29 days straight.

From tobacco fields to red earth: Jacqui Portch’s journey to peace

Kimberly Grabham, Back Country Bulletin
Business
The woman behind the counter at White Cliffs' only shop moves with quiet efficiency, her smile genuine as she serves customers who've become friends. At 53, Jacqui Portch radiates a contentment that comes from having weathered life's worst storms and emerged not just intact, but flourishing ... Jacqui's story begins in the tobacco fields of Rhodesia, where her father's farm stretched across rich red earth just outside Salisbury.

Underground war: Native title vs. home ownership in the White Cliffs dugouts

Krista Schade, Back Country Bulletin
Council
White Cliffs dugouts are some of the most unique homes in the country, but the underground residents say the stress of ongoing ownership issues is affecting their health and stifling new businesses ... The ongoing land tenure dispute at White Cliffs, NSW, is a deeply complex problem, but behind the Native Title legalities are real people, and decades of frustrated community expectations. As expected, when homes and businesses are threatened, emotions run high.

Mayor talk with Balranald’s Louie Zaffina

Kimberly Grabham, Back Country Bulletin
Aging
Balranald Shire Mayor Louie Zaffina is actively balancing regional advocacy with local infrastructure progress. The Mayor recently toured the regional meeting circuit to tackle challenging policy issues while simultaneously overseeing significant developments across the Shire. ... The Bidgee Haven Retirement Hostel received a new wheelchair-enabled van ....

Reconnecting River Country Program – Cater & Blumer Solicitors to hold Easement Negotiation Information Session

Krista Schade, Back Country Bulletin
Community
From 29 August 2025, the NSW Government will commence negotiations with landowners to secure flood easements along the Murrumbidgee River, between Darlington Point and Balranald, under its Reconnecting River Country Program ... “If landowners fail to negotiate an easement interest, their land could be compulsorily acquired": Bobbie Pannowitz.

Articles

Riverina set to shine: Rainbow on the Plains returns to Hay with star lineup and ‘Transition’ theme

Krista Schade, Back Country Bulletin -

The man who ran 1,132km on a fractured hip: Mitch McKinney’s extraordinary marathon for angel kids

Kimberly Grabham, Back Country Bulletin -

From tobacco fields to red earth: Jacqui Portch’s journey to peace

Kimberly Grabham, Back Country Bulletin -

Underground war: Native title vs. home ownership in the White Cliffs dugouts

Krista Schade, Back Country Bulletin -

Mayor talk with Balranald’s Louie Zaffina

Kimberly Grabham, Back Country Bulletin -

Reconnecting River Country Program – Cater & Blumer Solicitors to hold Easement Negotiation Information Session

Krista Schade, Back Country Bulletin -

Paralysed by neglect: the road council won’t fix until 2029

Kimberly Grabham, Back Country Bulletin -

Buronga substation hailed as one of most sophisticated in Southern Hemisphere

Krista Schade, Back Country Bulletin -

$19m budget for National Parks acquisitions

Krista Schade, Back Country Bulletin -

Historic off-grid solar system powers NSW mine site in Australian first

Kimberly Grabham, Back Country Bulletin -

Country race clubs need fair treatment on cancellations

Kimberly Grabham, Back Country Bulletin -

Camel races, a starlit sky, and a yabby artwork: Our trip to White Cliffs

Krista Schade, Back Country Bulletin -
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About Back Country Bulletin

The Back Country Bulletin (BCB News app) covers the local government areas of Hay, Balranald, Central Darling and Carrathool shires.

We are committed to covering the news, sport, events and people who make up these incredible back country towns and regions.

As social media continues to serve up unverified information we strive to deliver factual information relevant to you and your community.

To stay informed we suggest you leave notifications on – we’ll keep you informed on key stories, emergency alerts and the information you need.

The Back Country Bulletin (BCB News app) is owned and managed by The Riverine Grazier Pty Ltd, 95 Lachlan St Hay NSW 2711.

Editor/ App Manager: Krista Schade
Advertising and design: Cheyenne Hurst
Reporters: Tertia Butcher, Kimberly Grabham, Krista Schade and Cheyenne Hurst.

BCB – Back Country Bulletin – News from the Back Country

https://backcountrybulletin.app
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