Thursday, January 22, 2026

Murray Pioneer

Established 1892.

Based in Renmark, on the River Murray.

Covers from the Riverland West, east to the SA-Victorian border, and south to the edge of the Mallee region.

Published Wednesdays.

Print and digital editions.
Digital edition available to subscribers.

Website with online news and digital edition.

Articles from Murray Pioneer

Water matters: Practical outcomes needed in Basin

Murray Pioneer
Federal politics
Rosalie Auricht. A lot can happen in a very short time in the water space, and 2026 is shaping up to be a big year in water policy within the Murray-Darling Basin (MDB) ... Federal water recovery from intensive irrigation networks across the Basin can so easily rip the heart out of the social and economic fabric of those communities. The underfunded Federal Sustainable Communities Program, now opened in SA, is designed to diversify economies as they transition away from irrigation. The program provides no comfort to irrigators in intensive irrigation network areas like the Riverland.

Malinauskas on the move

Murray Pioneer
Agriculture
Madison Eastmond. Visiting the Riverland as part of a broader regional tour of South Australia last Wednesday and Thursday, South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas met privately with local growers and wine industry representatives to discuss current issues within the industry, including falling grape prices, increasing water and production costs, and tolls on mental health.

Loxton arts advocate’s honour

Murray Pioneer
Arts
Sebastian Calderon. "In a country town, if you can play piano, you get asked to do a lot of things... " - Karyn Skewes ... Community contribution through music, mentorship and quiet leadership has earned Loxton's Karyn Skewes the District Council of Loxton Waikerie Citizen of the Year award – recognising more than three decades of shaping the region's cultural life and strengthening local connections.

Call to love Riverland wine this summer

Murray Pioneer
Food & Beverages
A Riverland MP is urging locals and visitors to show their support for the region's wine industry while enjoying the summer holiday season. Member for Chaffey Tim Whetstone launched his Local Labels campaign last week, highlighting the range of Riverland wines available from wineries, liquor stores and venues like hotels, clubs, cafés and restaurants. "This summer is the perfect time to celebrate and the exceptional wines that our region produces, while also sending a clear message that this is an industry worth fighting for," Mr Whetstone said.
Riverland Wine
Santa at Barmera

Christmas hits Barmera with a bang

Murray Pioneer
Community
Madison Eastmond. Crowds of Riverlanders lined the main street of Barmera for the annual Christmas pageant and firework display ... the community gathering providing another successful showing of local festive cheer and spirit despite the weekend heatwave.

Toy and Tucker’s 2025 record

Murray Pioneer
Charity
Madison Eastmond. A record total of donations has been counted from last weekend's Toy and Tucker Run, with the annual drive ensuring a brighter Christmas for Riverland families ... Using the annual December ride to collect toys, non-perishable foods, and cash donations for the Riverland Christmas Appeal, the Ulysses Club Mallee Branch's 23rd Riverland Toy and Tucker Run raised $7937 last Sunday for locals in-need.

John’s pawsome service awarded

Murray Pioneer
Life
Madison Eastmond. A long-serving Riverland veterinarian has been awarded as the best practitioner in Australia. Recognising close to 50 years of animal care, and 40 years of service to the local pet population, Riverland Veterinary Practice (RVP) principal vet John Hammond received the 2025 Australian Small Animal Veterinarians (ASAV) Roger Clarke Practitioner of the Year Award in August.

Industry at catastrophe

Hugh Schuitemaker and Madison Eastmond. The region's peak wine industry representative group has issued an urgent open letter to South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas, warning that the state's largest producing area — the "backbone for thousands of family" livelihoods — is in the grip of a severe economic and social crisis ... Grape purchase prices remain at historic lows, with early indicators for the 2026 vintage, showing shiraz prices far below the cost of production – as low as $80 to $120 per tonne – which exceeds $350 per tonne.

Wrong time for a (vine) rest?

Murray Pioneer
Agriculture
The Riverland's State and Federal MPs say an initiative promoting the resting of vineyards will have little benefit for the economic health of local wine grape growers. The State Government last week announced a rebate – of $40/hectare – for Riverland wine grape growers to rest red wine vineyards, through the use of the chemical Ethephon, for the 2026 vintage.

Murray Pioneer, 21 January 2026

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Murray Pioneer, 14 January 2026

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Murray Pioneer, 7 January 2026

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Murray Pioneer, 24 December 2025

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Murray Pioneer, 17 December 2025

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The Murray Pioneer is simply the most reliable and trusted independent source of Riverland news, community views and information.

A prolific local employer, The Pioneer is dedicated to serving, representing and giving voice to the region’s entire population, stretching from the Riverland West, east to the SA-Victorian border, and south to edge of the Mallee region.

The Pioneer employs a team of enthusiastic and motivated locals, dedicated to news gathering and presentation, ranging from council and community matters, to local primary industries, schools, environment, sporting events and social occasions.

Published every Wednesday and printed in-house (generating even more local jobs), it offers a proven advertising opportunity for astute businesses looking to grow their audience and footprint.

The 2020 SA Country Press Newspaper of the Year, The Pioneer has a hard-earned reputation as a quality publication, offering value for money – for readers and advertisers.

First published in 1892 and still based in Renmark, on the River Murray, The Pioneer has been a reliable Riverland institution throughout the region’s highs and lows, and remains a strong supporter of community groups via sponsorships and donations.

Ral Ral Avenue,
Renmark, South Australia
(08) 8586 8000

Editor – Hugh Schuitemaker  editor@murraypioneer.com.au
Managing Director – Ben Taylorbt@murraypioneer.com.au

https://www.murraypioneer.com.au

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