January represents the traditional time for health-focused resolutions and fresh starts, driven by the combination of a new calendar year and the aftermath of festive season indulgence. For people living in regional and rural NSW, accessing healthcare services and maintaining health goals comes with particular challenges including distance from services, limited specialist availability, and the practical demands of rural life that can make health a lower priority than immediate pressing needs.The New Year medical check-up makes practical sense regardless of whether you're experiencing specific health concerns. Many health problems develop silently without obvious symptoms until they're well advanced, and regular screening catches issues early when they're most treatable. If you're over 45, haven't had a comprehensive health check recently, or have risk factors including family history, obesity, smoking, or high blood pressure, make an appointment with your GP for a thorough assessment. This typically includes blood pressure measurement, blood tests checking cholesterol and blood sugar, discussion of lifestyle factors, and screening appropriate to your age and gender.Booking appointments well in advance is essential in regional areas where doctors often have limited availability and long waiting lists for routine consultations. Don't wait until a health issue becomes urgent to discover the next available appointment is weeks away. Establish a relationship with a regular GP who knows your history rather than seeing whoever is available, as continuity of care improves health outcomes and makes consultations more efficient and productive.Women's health screening including cervical screening and breast checks becomes eligible at specific ages and intervals, yet participation rates in rural areas lag behind cities despite higher rates of some cancers. Make sure you're up to date with recommended screening, understanding that while these tests might be uncomfortable or inconvenient, they detect cancers at stages when they're highly treatable. If cost is a barrier, speak with your GP about options including bulk billing clinics or specific programs offering free screening.Men's health often gets neglected as men are statistically less likely to seek medical care and more likely to ignore symptoms until problems become serious. The strong rural culture of toughness and self-reliance works against preventive health care, with many men visiting doctors only when forced by obvious illness or injury. Encourage the men in your life to have regular check-ups, be alert to symptoms including changes in urination, unexplained weight loss, or persistent pain, and understand that seeking medical care is responsible rather than weak.Dental health affects overall health and wellbeing yet often gets deferred due to cost and limited rural access to dental services. If you haven't seen a dentist in the past year, make an appointment for a check-up and clean. Public dental services often have long waiting lists, so get your name down even if treatment isn't immediately urgent. Private dental care is expensive, but neglecting problems invariably costs more in the long term when minor issues progress to major treatments. Some private health insurance policies include dental coverage that might make treatment more affordable.Mental health deserves the same attention as physical health, yet stigma and limited service access in rural areas means many people struggle alone with depression, anxiety, or other mental health conditions. If you're experiencing persistent sadness, worry, difficulty sleeping, loss of interest in activities, or thoughts of self-harm, speak with your GP about assessment and treatment options. Telehealth has expanded access to psychological services for rural people, making therapy accessible without hours of travel. Mental health care plans through Medicare provide rebates for psychological sessions, making treatment more affordable.Medication reviews benefit anyone taking multiple medications or who has been on the same medications for extended periods. Speak with your GP or pharmacist about whether your current medications are still appropriate, whether doses need adjusting, and whether any interactions between medications need consideration. Many people accumulate medications over time without regular review of whether they're still necessary or working effectively.Vision and hearing both deteriorate gradually with age, often so slowly that people don't notice the decline until it's significantly affecting their function and safety. If you're having difficulty reading, experiencing headaches, or noticing that you're squinting or holding things at odd angles, have your eyes tested. Similarly, if you're asking people to repeat themselves, having trouble following conversations in noise, or turning the television volume higher, have your hearing assessed. Both vision and hearing problems are usually correctable with appropriate treatment.Preventive health extends beyond medical appointments to lifestyle factors including nutrition, physical activity, alcohol consumption, and smoking. Rather than radical resolutions you'll abandon by February, consider small, sustainable changes that improve health without requiring complete lifestyle overhaul. Adding one additional serving of vegetables daily, walking for 20 minutes most days, or reducing alcohol consumption from every night to several nights weekly all deliver health benefits without being unrealistic or unsustainable.Weight management generates enormous amounts of advice, much of it contradictory or ineffective. If you're carrying excess weight and it's affecting your health or quality of life, discuss sustainable approaches with your GP or a dietitian rather than trying the latest fad diet. Gradual weight loss through modest changes to eating and activity patterns is more likely to be maintained than crash diets that might produce quick results but can't be sustained long-term.Sleep quality affects everything from immune function to mental health to accident risk, yet many people accept poor sleep as normal rather than addressing underlying causes. If you're consistently struggling to fall asleep, waking frequently, or feeling unrefreshed despite adequate time in bed, discuss this with your doctor. Sleep apnoea is common and underdiagnosed, particularly in men and people who are overweight, and treatment dramatically improves both health and quality of life.Immunisation status deserves checking, particularly if you're in high-risk groups for conditions including influenza, pneumonia, or shingles. The annual flu vaccination is recommended for everyone but particularly important for older adults, people with chronic health conditions, and those working with vulnerable populations. Other vaccinations including tetanus boosters may be due without you realising the timeline.Health records and advance care planning might seem morbid but provide important protection if you become seriously ill or injured. Ensure someone knows where your Medicare card is, who your regular doctor is, what medications you take, and what your wishes would be regarding treatment if you couldn't communicate. This is particularly important for people living alone or in remote areas where medical emergencies might involve treatment from practitioners who don't know your history.The New Year provides natural motivation for addressing health issues you've been putting off, but remember that health care is something you can access any time of year. If you don't manage to book appointments or make changes in January, that doesn't mean you've missed your opportunity. Any time you take action to improve or protect your health is the right time, regardless of what the calendar says.

The new year is bringing significant financial relief to millions of Australian families. Here's what's changing and how much you could save.If you've ever felt penalized for not working enough hours to qualify for childcare subsidies, relief is finally here. From 5 January 2026, Australia is scrapping the controversial activity test that left many families in limbo.Here's the game-changer; every eligible family will now receive at least three days of subsidised childcare per week, regardless of whether you're working, studying, or looking for work. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, that's even better, 100 hours of subsidised care each fortnight.The impact? Around 66,700 families are expected to pocket an average of $1,370 in savings each year. That's real money back in household budgets at a time when every dollar counts.The best part? If you're already receiving Child Care Subsidy, you don't need to lift a finger. Services Australia will automatically apply the changes. No phone calls, no paperwork, no stress.More than a million Australians will see their fortnightly payments increase from 1 January 2026, thanks to indexation adjustments that reflect the rising cost of living.Young families doing it tough will see real relief. If you're a single parent on Youth Allowance with dependent children, you'll receive an extra $17.60 per fortnight, bringing your maximum payment to $863.40.For Australia's 680,000 carers, the unsung heroes who provide essential support to loved ones, Carer Allowance will increase by $3.30 to $162.60 per fortnight. While it may seem modest, every increase acknowledges the vital work carers do.Students on Austudy and young people receiving Youth Disability Support Pension will also see increases of up to $17.60 and $17.20 per fortnight respectively.Here's some welcome news for anyone managing chronic conditions or regular prescriptions. From 1 January 2026, the maximum cost of a PBS prescription is dropping from $31.60 to $25, a $6.60 saving per script.If you're picking up multiple medications each month, those savings add up quickly. For someone on four regular prescriptions, that's over $300 back in your pocket each year. For families managing multiple health conditions, the relief could be even more substantial.This change benefits millions of Australians who don't hold a Commonwealth concession card but still feel the pinch of healthcare costs.Parents, here's one for you. The Child Dental Benefits Schedule is increasing its coverage by $26 to over $1,158 every two years for eligible children aged 17 or under.Over the course of childhood, this program could provide more than $9,800 in dental coverage by the time your child turns 17. That's significant support for keeping young smiles healthy without breaking the family budget.If you're eligible, watch for a letter from Services Australia in your myGov inbox in early January. No myGov account? They'll send it by post.Here's a startling fact that deserves your immediate attention. There's currently over $271 million in unpaid Medicare benefits sitting unclaimed, owed to nearly one million Australians. Some individuals are owed more than $30,000 each.Why haven't they been paid? In most cases, it's simple, outdated bank account details on file with Medicare.Take five minutes today to log into your Medicare account through myGov or the myGov app and verify your bank details are current. You might discover you're owed money you didn't even know about.For most changes, absolutely nothing. These updates are being applied automatically by Services Australia.The one exception? Check your Medicare bank details to ensure you're not missing out on benefits you're entitled to.Where to get more information:Child Care Subsidy: servicesaustralia.gov.au/childcaresubsidyMedicare bank details: servicesaustralia.gov.au/getmedicarebenefitsPBS information: servicesaustralia.gov.au/pbsChild Dental Benefits: servicesaustralia.gov.au/cdbsSo, between cheaper childcare, increased payments, lower prescription costs, and better dental coverage, many Australian families could save thousands of dollars in 2026. Combined with the potential windfall from unclaimed Medicare benefits, it's worth taking a moment to ensure you're getting everything you're entitled to.In a year that's likely to continue bringing financial pressure to households, these changes represent meaningful relief where it's needed most, in family budgets, at the pharmacy counter, and in supporting the next generation's health and education.Start the new year right: check your details, claim what's yours, and make 2026 count.

January marks the height of summer across regional NSW, bringing with it specific challenges and opportunities for property owners. Whether you're managing a working farm, a rural block, or a town property, the New Year is an ideal time to assess what needs attention before autumn arrives and to tackle jobs that are best done in the warmer months.Fire preparedness remains critical throughout January, with the grass fire season often peaking during this month when vegetation is driest and temperatures are highest. If you didn't complete your fire preparation before Christmas, make it a priority now. Walk your property boundaries and check that firebreaks are clear, vegetation is slashed back from buildings, and potential fuel loads are managed. Clean gutters thoroughly, ensuring no leaf litter remains that could catch embers. Check that your pumps are working, hoses are in good condition and properly connected, and you have adequate water access for firefighting. Your bushfire survival plan should be reviewed and discussed with all family members, including children old enough to understand the procedures.Water management takes on particular importance during January when dams, tanks, and bores face maximum demand. Check water levels in tanks and dams, and if supplies are running low, implement water conservation measures now rather than waiting until you're in crisis. Inspect tanks for leaks, check that gutters and downpipes are clear and directing water efficiently, and ensure pumps and irrigation systems are working properly. If you rely on bore water, monitor levels carefully and consider having your bore serviced if you've noticed reduced flow or pressure. For livestock properties, ensure all water points are functioning and animals have access to adequate clean water, as dehydration kills quickly in summer heat.Fencing often deteriorates over the wet season and needs attention in January. Walk fence lines and note any repairs needed, paying particular attention to corners and gateways that bear the most stress. Damaged or sagging fences allow stock to stray, create boundary disputes with neighbours, and compromise property security. If you're planning major fencing work, January weather is generally suitable for getting it done, though you'll need to work early in the day before temperatures become dangerous.Weed control is most effective in January for many species that are actively growing in the heat. Noxious weeds require management under biosecurity legislation, but beyond legal obligations, getting on top of weeds now prevents them going to seed and creating exponentially bigger problems for next season. Target problem areas first, particularly along fence lines, around water points, and in areas you're planning to improve. Chemical control works best when weeds are actively growing, but always follow label directions carefully and consider weather conditions including temperature and wind before spraying.Machinery maintenance can't be put off indefinitely, and January downtime provides opportunity to service equipment before you need it urgently. Change oils and filters, grease fittings, check belts and hoses, and attend to any repairs you've been meaning to do. For farm machinery that's been sitting idle, run engines periodically to prevent deterioration and check that everything still functions properly. Ensure vehicles are roadworthy, particularly if you've been pushing off registration renewals or safety inspections. The last thing you need in an emergency is to discover your vehicle won't start or isn't legal to drive.Garden and yard maintenance becomes harder to keep on top of in January when growth is rapid and water is scarce. Mulch garden beds heavily to conserve moisture and suppress weeds, focusing your limited water on establishing young trees and maintaining productive gardens rather than trying to keep decorative plants alive through the worst heat. If you have a vegetable garden, January is the time for heat-loving crops including tomatoes, capsicums, eggplants, and cucurbits, though they'll need consistent water and shade during extreme heat. Harvest regularly to encourage continued production, and accept that some plants simply won't survive the worst of summer regardless of your efforts.Stock management requires particular attention in January when heat stress, flies, and parasites all peak. Ensure animals have access to good shade and plenty of clean water, and monitor them daily for signs of heat stress or illness. Fly control becomes essential for animal welfare, so maintain your treatment program whether that's tags, pour-ons, or other methods. If you're planning to sell stock, monitor markets carefully as January prices can be affected by widespread selling from drought-affected areas. Supplementary feeding may be necessary if pastures are completely dried off, and you'll need to balance the cost of feeding against the value of maintaining stock condition.Pest control extends beyond agricultural pests to household problems that intensify in summer. Flies, mosquitoes, ants, and cockroaches all thrive in the heat, making homes unpleasant and potentially spreading disease. Regular rubbish removal, keeping food properly stored, fixing water leaks, and sealing entry points all help reduce pest pressure without relying entirely on chemicals. For serious infestations, professional pest control may be necessary, but prevention is always cheaper than cure.Building maintenance often gets overlooked until problems become serious. January's hot, dry weather is ideal for exterior painting, roof repairs, and other outdoor work that requires dry conditions. Check roofs for loose or damaged sheets, inspect sheds and outbuildings for deterioration, and attend to any drainage issues before the next heavy rain. If you've been planning renovations or improvements, January weather generally cooperates for outdoor work, though you'll need to work around the heat and ensure tradies have access to shade and water.Record keeping might seem like an indoor job for cooler weather, but reviewing the past year's records in January helps inform planning for the year ahead. If you keep stock records, production records, or financial records for your property, use quiet time to ensure everything is up to date. This is also a good time to reconcile accounts, check insurance coverage is adequate, and ensure any regulatory requirements are met before you receive reminders or penalties.The mental shift into a new year provides natural motivation for tackling jobs you've been putting off. Rather than creating an overwhelming list of everything that needs doing, prioritise the critical tasks that affect safety, animal welfare, or legal compliance, then work through what's achievable given your time, budget, and energy. Some jobs will have to wait, and that's perfectly normal. Properties are never finished, and there will always be more work than time available.Working in January heat requires common sense and caution. Tackle physical jobs in the early morning or late evening when temperatures are more manageable, take regular breaks in the shade, and drink water constantly throughout the day. Heat stroke can develop quickly and is genuinely dangerous, so don't push through warning signs including dizziness, nausea, or excessive fatigue. Some jobs simply aren't safe in extreme heat and need to be postponed until conditions moderate.If you're planning to be away in January for holidays or work, ensure someone reliable is checking your property regularly. Even a few days of inattention can result in serious problems during summer, whether that's stock running out of water, a fire starting and spreading unchecked, or opportunistic theft. Good neighbours are invaluable, and reciprocating by watching their place when they're away maintains relationships that are essential in rural communities.

The January return to work after Christmas holidays comes with unrealistic expectations many of us set without realising it. Understanding what not to expect can make the transition back to work less disappointing and more manageable. Don't expect to immediately return to peak productivity. Your brain has been in holiday mode, your routines have shifted, and getting back up to speed takes time. That first week back typically involves remembering passwords you haven't used in weeks, figuring out what you were working on before holidays, and generally feeling like you're wading through mud trying to accomplish simple tasks. Fighting this reality causes frustration. Accepting it allows you to plan accordingly. Don't expect your inbox to be manageable on day one. If you've been away for two or three weeks, you're returning to hundreds of emails. Some will be urgent and missed deadlines. Most will be irrelevant by now. Expecting to read and respond to everything immediately is unrealistic. Efficient email management means ruthlessly deleting, filing, or marking as read things that don't require action. Search functions exist for finding important emails when needed. Attempting inbox zero on day one is a recipe for staying late and still failing. Don't expect everyone else to have had a relaxing holiday. Some colleagues worked through holidays. Others dealt with family dramas, financial stress, health issues, or spent the entire break doing renovation projects that stressed them more than work. Assuming everyone is refreshed and happy to be back leads to insensitive comments or unrealistic expectations of others' moods. People are dealing with their own stuff, and January is often harder than December for many. Don't expect new year motivation to last. The burst of enthusiasm and good intentions you feel on January 2nd probably won't survive January 31st. Setting 47 goals for the year guarantees you'll fail at most of them. Picking one or two meaningful goals and actually following through beats grand plans that fizzle by February. That gym membership will be wasted if you're realistic about whether you'll actually use it. That meal prep routine sounds great until you're tired on Sunday afternoon and can't be bothered. Don't expect your body to immediately adjust to early wake-ups. You've probably been sleeping in during holidays, staying up later, and generally following your body's natural rhythms. Suddenly shifting back to 6am alarms is jarring. Your body needs a week or two to adjust. You'll be tired. Coffee consumption will increase. Accepting this rather than fighting it means being kinder to yourself during the adjustment. Don't expect workplace dynamics to have improved over the break. That colleague who annoyed you in December will still annoy you in January. Office politics haven't disappeared. The problems that existed before Christmas are still there. The holiday break provides perspective, but it doesn't magically fix workplace issues. Sometimes returning to work means facing realities you'd forgotten while on leave. This can be disappointing, but accepting it prevents surprise and frustration. Don't expect your home routines to immediately fall into place. School lunches, after-school activities, dinner prep, homework supervision, and all the weeknight chaos you'd forgotten about during holidays comes flooding back. That first week especially is chaotic as everyone adjusts. Planning easy meals, having backup lunch options, and keeping expectations low for that first week reduces stress. You're not failing if you serve scrambled eggs for dinner or forget library day. Don't expect the weather to cooperate. January is typically Australia's hottest month. Commuting in extreme heat is miserable. Office air conditioning might be inadequate. If you work outdoors, the heat is genuinely dangerous some days. Planning for heat rather than hoping for mild weather means you're prepared with appropriate clothing, adequate water, and realistic expectations about what can be accomplished in extreme temperatures. Don't expect your social life to immediately resume. Friends you meant to catch up with during holidays but didn't get around to seeing are now back at work too. Everyone's busy. Social plans that felt possible during the unstructured holiday period become harder to organise when everyone's working. This is normal. If friendships matter, you'll find time, but it might not happen immediately. Being patient with yourself and others about reconnecting prevents guilt or hurt feelings. Don't expect yourself to be the perfect employee from day one. You've forgotten things, processes have changed, people have moved roles, new projects have started, and you're playing catch-up. Mistakes will happen. Asking questions is better than pretending you remember things you don't. Most workplaces understand January is a transitional period. Colleagues are dealing with the same adjustment. Being honest about what you need to get back up to speed is more professional than faking competence you don't feel yet. Don't expect performance reviews or goal-setting sessions to be enjoyable. Many workplaces schedule these conversations in January. Discussing goals, performance, and expectations when you're barely back in work mode feels premature. These conversations can feel overwhelming when you're still figuring out what day it is. Preparing for them before they happen rather than going in cold makes them less stressful, though still not necessarily pleasant. Don't expect your financial situation to have improved over the break. Christmas spending has probably blown out your budget. Credit card bills are landing. School costs are due. The car rego you forgot about is suddenly urgent. January is financially tough for many Australians. Expecting to start the year in a strong financial position when you've just spent big on Christmas creates stress when reality hits. Acknowledging financial tightness and planning accordingly prevents panic. Don't expect motivation to come from external sources. Your workplace probably hasn't changed. Your boss hasn't suddenly become inspiring. Your work hasn't become more interesting. Waiting for circumstances to motivate you means you'll wait forever. Finding internal motivation, connecting to why your work matters to you personally, or identifying small aspects of work you do enjoy creates more sustainable motivation than hoping external factors will change. Don't expect everyone to respect your boundaries. That colleague who messaged during your holidays will probably do it again. The boss who expects immediate responses might not have learned to wait. The client who thinks you should be available 24/7 hasn't changed their expectations. Setting and maintaining boundaries is your responsibility. Communicating them clearly and consistently, then following through, is how boundaries work. Some people will push back. That doesn't mean your boundaries are wrong. Don't expect yourself to remember every commitment made before holidays. You agreed to things in December that you've now forgotten. Calendar management becomes crucial. Checking your calendar thoroughly when you return to work prevents missed meetings or double-bookings. Writing things down immediately when you remember them prevents that sinking feeling when someone mentions something you'd completely forgotten you'd agreed to. Don't expect the year to unfold as planned. Plans change, unexpected events happen, priorities shift, and the year never goes exactly as you anticipated in December. Holding plans loosely while having direction prevents devastation when things don't go to plan. Flexibility and adaptability matter more than rigid adherence to plans made before you knew what this year would actually throw at you. The January return to work is a transition that takes time. Being patient with yourself and others during this period, keeping expectations realistic, maintaining routines where possible, and accepting that adjustment is normal makes the process smoother. You'll eventually find your rhythm again, remember what you're supposed to be doing, and feel competent at work. But that first week or two can be rough, and knowing that's normal rather than a personal failing makes it easier to handle.

After 28 years lost to addiction, this inspiring Hay mother of eight has found her way back to what matters most. Amelia Eade was kind enough to come in and speak to me and her son, Elijah, during Elijah’s second week of work experience here at The Riverine Grazier. She sat across from me with Elijah by her side, speaking with a clarity that can only come from someone who has walked through f ire and emerged on the other side. At 47, she’s eight years clean after nearly three decades of drug use, a journey that began with devastating loss and ended with fierce determination. “I don’t live in the past anymore,” she says f irmly. “I live right here, in the present. If you live in the past, it will haunt you and keep you where you are.” Born in Hay in the late 1970s to Neville and Lorna Eade (née Hey), Amelia spent her childhood as what she calls a ‘farm girl’. Her family’s 157-acre property was home to ‘every animal you could think of,’ and young Amelia was there every day, caring for livestock and riding horses for Pony Club. “The most enjoyable time of my life was being on the farm and spending all that time with my mum,” she recalled. “Dad was there in the background.” Neville was always busy working, as fathers typically did in those days, but it was Lorna who filled Amelia’s world. Amelia desribes her mother as ‘hard but good’. Her family’s roots run deep in the district. Her maternal grandmother was a dairywoman before the days of refrigerated milk trucks, and her paternal grandfather worked as a night soil collector, hauling goods with horse and cart. She even has Chinese heritage through a great-grandfather who was a travelling merchant. But, when Amelia was just 19, everything changed. Lorna passed away. “That’s where I sort of hit the drug scene,” Amelia said. “I just lost the plot from there.” What followed were 28 years that Amelia describes as being present but not truly there. She was what’s called high-functioning, her eight children went to school clean and fed, the house was maintained, routines were kept. “I was there to cook, clean, wash, and send them off to school,” she said. “But they didn't get the ‘I love you’ from me because I didn’t get them from my mother. “She loved me through my tummy, feeding me, and buying me stuff.” The grief went deeper still. In 1994, Amelia's sister Michelle was murdered. Family dynamics left Amelia carrying complicated guilt, feelings that she ‘should have been’ the one taken instead of her talented sister who “could do anything with her head and her hands”. Her father Neville, unable to say no to his only daughter from his marriage, became what Amelia now recognises as an enabler. “He fed my habit,” she said. “I didn’t have to go out on the street and sell myself or do bad stuff women do, because Dad never said no to me. He was a big support, but for the wrong stuff.” Then her brother was incarcerated for murder, adding another layer of family trauma. Through it all, Amelia had children, eight of them, including three she describes as being a ‘tummy mummy’ for families who couldn't have their own. One of those children, Marshall, has travelled to America and around the world with his adoptive family. The twins’ parents have since separated, with their father now raising them. In 2017, Amelia had what she calls ‘a little holiday’, a stint in prison that became the catalyst for change. “I saw all these different women that were in there for different things, and some of them were just absolutely stunning, beautiful people picking at their beautiful skin,” she remembered. “You see these people that have got so much potential but they’ve just let it go and chose to do bad shit rather than do something with what they had.” A month or so after her release, she met Shane, who would become her partner. She began rebuilding her relationship with her daughter Kyesha, or Kya, the child she describes as ‘the hardest to win back’. Then came visits with her other children, Richard, Christian, now living in Sydney and working in a factory; Kya, who inherited her great-grandmother’s incredible work ethic; and Jack, a woodcutter whose partner is equally hardworking. “I wanted it,” Amelia says of her decision to get clean. “I did it all without rehab. “There was no counselling. “I didn’t need any of that because I knew I could do it.” Her advice to others struggling with addiction is direct; “Don’t waste any more of the life that you've got left. If you want something bad enough, you can really have it.” Today, Amelia's relationship with her father has strengthened. “Mum couldn't have picked a better father if she’d made him herself,” she said warmly. Neville is a devoted grandfather to all the kids, regularly coming around for dinner. She's also found peace with the past, particularly around her children. “How did I not get a drug user or an alcoholic when they’ve seen what they’ve seen?” she wondered. “Maybe me being the way I was turned them off wanting to do this. I’m quite proud of that, I am very proud of all my children.” One of her sons was the first to tell her he was proud of her, words that meant everything. Now, Amelia helps care for her three grandchildren, Henley, who just started kindergarten at St Mary’s, and two others, which means her daughter can work. It’s a role she treasures, and one where she’s made a conscious choice to break generational patterns. “I tell the grandkids that I love them all the time,” she said. “It’d be nice to hear it every now and again from your kids too, but I understand. It’s a generational thing.” She acknowledges the 20 years that were lost; “I was there, but I haven’t been there,” but refuses to live in that space anymore. As our conversation wound down, Elijah sat quietly beside his mother, a young man who came home to her in June last year after living with his aunt Kya for 12 months. His presence speaks volumes about the family Amelia has rebuilt through sheer determination. “I’m very proud of myself,” Amelia says when asked. “Very.” And sitting across from this woman who has walked through unimaginable loss, battled addiction for 28 years, and emerged with her family intact and growing stronger, it’s impossible not to agree. She should be. You are an inspiration, Amelia, and your life a love letter to others in the midst of struggle. Life is all about lessons, and the strongest amongst us learn from their experiences, take what they have learnt and use it to fortify themselves and make their future all the more stronger for learning.

The New Year brings the annual ritual of resolutions, those hopeful declarations of self-improvement that so often fade by February. For people living in regional and rural Australia, generic resolution advice rarely accounts for the realities of country life, including limited access to gyms and classes, long working hours, isolation, and the practical constraints of living on the land.Health and fitness resolutions top most people's lists, but joining a gym 80 kilometres away or committing to a 5am exercise class isn't realistic when you're already up before dawn for farm work or facing a long commute to your job. Instead, consider resolutions that work with your lifestyle rather than against it. Walking is free, requires no equipment beyond decent shoes, and can be done anywhere at any time. Commit to a daily walk, even if it's just 20 minutes around the property or through town, and you'll see benefits without the pressure of maintaining a complicated exercise regime.If you work physically demanding jobs on farms or in trades, you're likely already getting plenty of exercise, so your health focus might be better directed toward nutrition, sleep, or stress management. Resolving to cook more meals from scratch, reduce processed foods, or simply eat more vegetables are achievable goals that don't require gym memberships or special equipment. Growing some of your own vegetables, even just herbs and salad greens, gives you access to fresh produce while also providing a productive outdoor hobby.Financial resolutions carry particular weight in regional areas where incomes can be unpredictable and heavily dependent on weather, commodity prices, or seasonal work. Rather than vague goals about saving more money, set specific, achievable targets. This might mean building a modest emergency fund to cover unexpected vet bills or vehicle repairs, paying down high-interest debt, or simply tracking spending for a month to understand where money actually goes. Country living often involves higher transport costs and less choice about where to shop, but it also offers opportunities to reduce expenses through preserving food, sharing resources with neighbours, and making do rather than buying new.Connection and community feature heavily in resolutions for good reason, especially for people in isolated areas where loneliness and disconnection affect mental health. Resolve to reach out to one friend or neighbour each week, whether that's a phone call, a text message, or an actual visit over a cup of tea. Join a local organisation, volunteer for a committee, or simply make an effort to attend community events you'd normally skip. These small actions build the social fabric that makes rural communities strong while also protecting your own wellbeing.Learning new skills makes an excellent resolution for country people because practical skills have real value in rural life. Whether it's finally learning to weld, improving your cooking, studying for a qualification that might lead to better work opportunities, or mastering some aspect of farm management, skill development pays dividends. Online learning has opened up opportunities that weren't available to previous generations, allowing people in remote areas to study everything from agricultural science to business management without leaving home.Reading more is a perennially popular resolution that suits country life particularly well. Regional libraries offer excellent services including inter-library loans and e-books, giving you access to far more material than the physical collection might suggest. Set a realistic target rather than an ambitious one – if you currently read one book a year, aiming for twelve in the coming year sets you up for failure, but committing to one book a month feels achievable. Reading before bed instead of scrolling on your phone has the added benefit of improving sleep quality.Reducing stress and improving mental health deserve attention in resolutions, especially given the pressures of rural life including financial uncertainty, isolation, drought, and the constant demands of farm work. This might mean finally seeking help for anxiety or depression that you've been managing alone, learning some basic stress management techniques, or simply being more intentional about taking breaks and time off. Country people often pride themselves on toughness and self-reliance, but everyone needs support sometimes, and reaching out for help is strength, not weakness.Environmental resolutions align well with rural values of caring for the land. You might resolve to improve some aspect of land management on your property, reduce household waste, start composting, or tackle an erosion problem you've been putting off. These resolutions benefit both you and future generations while also often saving money in the long term.The key to resolutions that actually stick is making them specific, realistic, and meaningful to your own life rather than copying what works for someone in a completely different situation. Instead of resolving to "exercise more," commit to "walk for 20 minutes three times a week." Rather than "save money," aim for "put $50 a fortnight into a separate account." Specific goals are easier to measure and achieve than vague aspirations.Start small and build gradually rather than trying to overhaul your entire life at once. Pick one or two resolutions that matter most to you rather than creating an overwhelming list of changes. Remember that progress isn't linear and setbacks are normal. Missing a week of walking or spending more than you planned one month doesn't mean you've failed – it just means you're human.Share your resolutions with someone who will support rather than judge you, whether that's a partner, friend, or family member. Having someone to check in with occasionally helps maintain motivation without creating pressure. Similarly, be realistic about the support and resources available to you. If your resolution requires money, time, or access to services you don't have, rethink it rather than setting yourself up for frustration.Perhaps most importantly, be kind to yourself about resolutions. They're meant to improve your life, not create additional stress or feelings of inadequacy. If a resolution isn't working after giving it a genuine try, it's perfectly acceptable to revise it or drop it entirely in favour of something more suitable. The New Year is just an arbitrary date, after all, and there's nothing magical about 1 January that makes change easier or more likely to stick. Real, lasting change comes from consistent small efforts over time, regardless of what the calendar says.

We just wanted to take time to wish all of you, far and wide a happy new year.We are so excited to be delivering you news, and will strive to do bigger and better things in 2026.We hope you all rang the new year in in style, and there are heads which aren't too sore today.

Australian summers can be absolutely brutal, and they're getting worse. Heat kills more Australians than any other natural disaster, which is something that catches a lot of people by surprise. Between 2000 and 2018, we averaged 26 heat-related deaths every year, with three-quarters of those happening during heatwaves. That's not counting the people who end up in hospital or the near-misses that happen every summer. The thing is, our summers aren't just hot anymore. Climate change is bringing us more extreme temperatures and longer heatwaves. The Bureau of Meteorology's 2024 State of Climate report isn't pulling any punches either. We're looking at more hot days, a longer fire season, and heavier rainfall when it does come. Just last December, parts of Australia saw temperatures 12 to 16 degrees higher than they should be for that time of year. Some places hit 45 degrees or more. Here's a bit of perspective on just how hot it can get. The highest temperature ever recorded in Australia is 50.7 degrees Celsius, and it's happened twice. Once in Oodnadatta, South Australia, back in 1960, and again in Onslow, Western Australia in 2022. When you're dealing with temperatures like that, you're not just uncomfortable, you're in genuine danger. Your body is pretty clever at keeping itself cool. When it gets hot, you sweat and your blood flow redirects to your skin to help release heat. But there's a limit to how much your body can handle. When it's too hot for too long, or you're not drinking enough water, or you're pushing yourself too hard, your body's cooling system can fail. That's when things get serious. The progression from feeling a bit off to being in real trouble can happen faster than you'd think. It starts with dehydration, which is simply when your body doesn't have enough fluid to do its job properly. We lose water every day through normal things like breathing, sweating, and going to the toilet. Usually, we replace it by drinking and eating. But in extreme heat, especially if you're active, you can lose fluid faster than you're taking it in. Early warning signs are easy to miss if you're not paying attention. Headaches, dizziness, feeling tired or weak, getting irritable, or finding it hard to think clearly. These are all your body's way of saying "Hey, something's not right here." The problem is, a lot of people push through these symptoms, and that's when it can escalate. Heat cramps come next for people who are sweating heavily during activity. Your body loses salt and water, and your muscles start cramping up. It's painful and it's a clear sign you need to stop what you're doing, get somewhere cool, and start replacing those fluids and salts. Heat exhaustion is where things get properly serious. This happens when you've lost too much water and salt through sweating. You might feel faint or dizzy, be sweating excessively, have cool, pale, clammy skin, feel nauseous, have a rapid but weak pulse, and experience muscle cramps. Your core body temperature rises to somewhere between 38 and 39 degrees. At this point, you need to act fast. Get to somewhere cool, lie down with your legs elevated, remove excess clothing, and start cooling down with water. Have a cool shower if you can, or use wet cloths on your forehead, neck, wrists, and groin. Keep a fan on you and drink water steadily. The absolute worst-case scenario is heatstroke, and this is a genuine life-threatening emergency. Your core body temperature hits 40 degrees or higher. You might have stopped sweating despite being dangerously hot, your skin could be hot and dry, your pulse is racing, and you're confused or even unconscious. If someone's showing these signs, call triple zero immediately. Heatstroke can kill, and it can happen quickly. Even if someone survives, it can cause permanent disability, trigger heart attacks or strokes, and make existing health problems much worse.While extreme heat can affect anyone, some people are more vulnerable than others. The elderly, especially those over 65, are at higher risk because their bodies don't regulate temperature as well. Babies and young children can't tell you how they're feeling, and their bodies are still developing. Pregnant women are dealing with extra physical stress. People with chronic health problems like heart disease, diabetes, kidney or lung disease are more susceptible. And people who are socially isolated might not have anyone checking on them. If you've had heat stroke before, you're more likely to get it again. People with dementia or other conditions that affect their ability to recognise and respond to heat are particularly vulnerable. Certain medications can make you more susceptible too, including some drugs for high blood pressure and depression. Even being overweight or having an infection increases your risk. There's no magic number for how long you can safely be in the heat because it depends on so many factors. The temperature, humidity, what you're doing, your age, health status, and whether you're used to the heat all play a role. But here are some practical guidelines. When you're active in the heat, you should be drinking water every 15 to 20 minutes, whether you feel thirsty or not. By the time you feel thirsty, you're already getting dehydrated. Take shade breaks every 30 to 45 minutes during strenuous activity. In extreme heat above 40 degrees, dehydration can start within 30 to 60 minutes if you're active and not replacing fluids. On extreme heat days when temperatures hit 40 degrees or more, outdoor exposure should be limited to essential activities only. Don't do strenuous outdoor work or exercise, and definitely stay indoors between 10am and 4pm. On very hot days between 35 and 40 degrees, keep outdoor activities to 30 to 45 minute blocks with proper breaks, skip strenuous exercise during peak heat, and keep up constant hydration. Even on just hot days between 30 and 35 degrees, you still need to take 10 to 15 minute shade breaks every hour and increase your fluid intake by 50 to 100 percent. Before you even step outside on a hot day, start preparing. Drink plenty of water 30 minutes before going out. Check the weather forecast and UV index. Plan any physical activities for the cooler parts of the day. Wear lightweight, light-coloured, loose-fitting clothes made from breathable fabric. Throw on a hat, sunglasses, and apply SPF 50+ sunscreen at least 20 minutes before going outside. While you're out there, keep drinking every 15 to 20 minutes. Sports drinks can help replace electrolytes, but avoid caffeine and alcohol because they'll dehydrate you faster. If you can, mist yourself with water from a spray bottle. Seek shade whenever possible and wet your clothing, hat, or a bandana with cool water to help keep cool. At home during hot weather, prepare your space to stay cool. Use fans or air conditioning if you have them. Set your air con between 23 and 26 degrees. Every degree colder than that adds about 10 percent to your running costs. Close blinds and curtains during the hottest part of the day. If you don't have air conditioning, spending time in shopping centres, libraries, or other air-conditioned public spaces during the worst of the heat can help. For daily hydration, men should aim for about 10 cups or 2.5 litres per day, and women about eight cups or two litres. But that's just baseline. In summer heat, especially if you're active, you might need to double that. A good way to check if you're drinking enough is to look at your urine. If it's clear or pale yellow, you're probably doing okay. If it's dark, you need to drink more. Kids need extra attention in the heat. For infants and young children, use proper rehydration solutions like Pedialyte rather than trying to make your own at home. Never, ever leave children or pets in a closed car, even for "just a minute." Cars heat up incredibly quickly, even when parked in shade with windows cracked. A child can develop heatstroke in minutes in a hot car. Watch children closely for signs they're struggling with the heat. They might not tell you they feel unwell until it's serious. Make sure they're drinking regularly and taking breaks from play in the shade. Check on elderly neighbours, relatives, and friends during heatwaves. They might not realise how hot they're getting or might not be able to help themselves. Make sure they have working fans or air conditioning and are drinking enough. Help them identify a support network of family, friends, or neighbours who can assist them during extreme heat. If you have a medical condition, talk to your doctor about how heat might affect you and what extra precautions you should take. Ask about medication storage too, because some medications can be damaged by heat. Heat can make conditions like kidney disease, lung disease, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease much worse. Outdoor workers cop it worst during summer. They're exposed to up to ten times more UV radiation and heat than indoor workers. If you're working outdoors, your employer should provide regular shade breaks (at least every hour in extreme heat), plenty of cool drinking water, and modify work schedules to avoid the worst of the heat. Workers need to watch out for each other and speak up if they or a colleague are showing signs of heat illness. You need to stop immediately if you notice certain warning signs. If you stop sweating despite being hot, that's a major red flag for heatstroke. If you're feeling faint, dizzy, excessively sweaty, clammy, nauseous, or your pulse is rapid but weak, stop what you're doing and get cool. Any confusion or difficulty thinking clearly is serious. If your body temperature hits 38 or 39 degrees, you're in the heat exhaustion zone. Call triple zero straight away if you or someone else feels faint, confused, can't drink, has a seizure, or has a temperature of 40 degrees. Don't wait. Don't try to tough it out. Heatstroke kills, and the sooner you get help, the better the outcome. If you've been pushing it in the heat and are feeling the effects, take recovery seriously. Get to somewhere cool and lie down. Remove excess clothing and loosen anything tight. Immerse your hands and feet in cold water if you can. Use cool, damp cloths on your forehead, neck, wrists, and ankles. Keep a fan on. Have a cool (but not freezing cold) shower. For rehydration, drink cool water, sports drinks with electrolytes, or oral rehydration solution. Take small, frequent sips rather than gulping down huge amounts at once. After heat cramps, rest for a few hours before going back to whatever you were doing. After heat exhaustion, give yourself at least 24 hours to recover and watch for any worsening symptoms. ### The Acclimatisation Factor If you're not used to the heat, don't expect to jump right into strenuous activity in hot conditions. Your body needs time to adapt. Gradually increase your time spent outdoors over a period of weeks. Athletes need several weeks to properly acclimatise before competing in hot weather. When you travel to somewhere hotter or at the start of summer, take it easy for the first week or two while your body adjusts. Some rules are absolute when it comes to heat safety. Never ignore symptoms of heat illness because it progresses rapidly. Never leave anyone in a car, even for a minute. Never exercise or do strenuous work in extreme heat; reschedule it for when it's cooler. Never wait until you're thirsty to drink; stay ahead of it. Never assume you're already acclimatised to the heat; it takes weeks for your body to adapt properly. The reality is there's no single "safe" duration for being in the heat. What you can handle depends on too many variables. The key is to monitor yourself and others constantly, take breaks every 15 to 20 minutes for water, rest in shade every 30 to 45 minutes if you're active, and stop immediately if you feel unwell. When in doubt, get out of the heat. Heat illness is progressive. What starts as just feeling a bit off can rapidly escalate to heat exhaustion and then to heatstroke. Each stage is more dangerous than the last. Stay hydrated, stay cool, check on vulnerable people around you, and don't hesitate to call triple zero if someone's showing signs of heatstroke. With climate change bringing more extreme heat events, being prepared isn't optional anymore. It's essential for surviving Australian summers. The old advice to just "harden up" or "she'll be right" doesn't cut it when temperatures are regularly hitting 40 degrees or more. Take the heat seriously, plan ahead, and look after yourself and each other.

Here are some quirky and fascinating general knowledge facts to entertain you for the hazy period where you don't know what day and time it is:Snails have between 1,000 and 12,000 teeth, though they aren't like human teeth but are found all over their file-like tongue. A chicken once lived for 18 months without a head back in the 1940s in the USA, surviving because his jugular vein and most of his brainstem were left mostly intact. A shrimp's heart is in its head, and it's physically impossible for pigs to look up into the sky.Octopuses don't have tentacles, their eight limbs are actually considered arms. A horse can produce maximum power of 18,000 watts, which equals around 24 horsepower. Flamingos are born with grey or white feathers and develop pink feathers from eating shrimp and algae, and what looks like their knees bending are actually their ankles.When you wake up in the morning, you're about one centimetre taller because at night when you're lying down, the spine stretches and decompresses. Wearing a necktie can reduce blood flow to your brain by up to 7.5 per cent, which can make you feel dizzy, nauseous and cause headaches. Wearing headphones for just an hour could increase the bacteria in your ears by 700 times.Humans can distinguish approximately 10 million colours thanks to the cone cells in the retina. If you've ever felt like you think better in a warm shower, you're probably right because the warm water increases the flow of dopamine and makes us more creative.Botanically, bananas are classified as berries, while strawberries aren't because strawberries are actually aggregate fruits that form from multiple ovaries of a single flower. There's a fruit called black sapote that tastes like chocolate pudding and sweet custard, native to Central and South America. About four per cent of the world's cheese ends up stolen, with retailers considering it a "high-risk" food.Google Images was created after Jennifer Lopez wore her infamous dress at the 2000 Grammys because so many people were searching for her outfit that the search engine added an image function. The small dollop of toothpaste you see in advertisements is called a nurdle.A cloud typically weighs around a million tonnes, with a volume of around one cubic kilometre. Sound can be minus decibels, with the quietest place on Earth being Microsoft's anechoic chamber in Redmond, Washington, at -20.6 decibels. Venus takes longer to rotate once on its axis (about 243 Earth days) than it does to orbit the Sun (around 225 Earth days).

In the heart of Hay, New South Wales, stands a building that has witnessed nearly 150 years of Australian social history. The Hay Gaol, constructed in 1878, has lived through more incarnations than most buildings could dream of, serving as a prison, a maternity hospital, an institution for girls, and finally a museum. Each transformation tells a story not just of changing architecture, but of evolving social attitudes, community needs, and both the best and worst aspects of institutional care in Australia.When Hay Gaol was completed in 1878, it represented the arm of colonial law extending into the remote Riverina district. The building was constructed during a period when the Australian frontier was still being defined, and institutions of law and order were essential symbols of civilisation's advance into what Europeans considered the wilderness.The gaol was built using local materials and labour, reflecting the practical approach that characterised much of colonial Australian construction. Its thick stone walls and small, barred windows were designed not just for security, but to withstand the harsh climate of the inland—scorching summers and bitter winters that could test both buildings and the people within them.The original design followed standard colonial prison architecture: a central corridor with cells branching off either side, administrative areas at the front, and exercise yards at the rear. The building incorporated the latest theories in prison design of the era, which emphasised isolation, routine, and moral reformation through hard work and religious instruction.The early years of Hay Gaol saw it house a variety of offenders, from petty thieves to violent criminals, reflecting the rough-and-tumble nature of frontier life. The prisoners included bushrangers, cattle thieves, drunk and disorderly individuals, and those who had run afoul of the complex web of colonial regulations that governed everything from land use to licensing laws.Prison records from the period reveal the harsh realities of life in colonial Australia. Many inmates were there for crimes of desperation—stealing food during hard times, vagrancy during economic downturns, or infractions of the complex laws that governed the movement and employment of workers in the pastoral industry.The gaol also served as a temporary holding facility for prisoners awaiting trial or transport to larger institutions. Its location made it a crucial link in the colonial justice system, serving communities across a vast area of the Riverina where the nearest alternatives might be hundreds of kilometres away.By the early 20th century, changing attitudes towards crime and punishment, combined with improved transportation links that made it easier to transfer prisoners to larger facilities, had reduced the need for small regional gaols. Rather than abandon the substantial building, the community found a new use that would serve a very different but equally vital function.The transformation of Hay Gaol into a maternity hospital represented a remarkable shift from a place associated with society's failures to one celebrating its future. The solid construction that had once contained criminals now provided security and shelter for mothers and newborns. The small, individual rooms that had been cells became private recovery rooms, and the exercise yards became areas where new mothers could recuperate in the fresh air.This transformation reflected the growing recognition in early 20th-century Australia of the need for proper medical facilities in rural areas. Childbirth, which had previously been handled by local midwives or family members, was increasingly seen as requiring professional medical supervision. The gaol's conversion addressed this need in a practical, cost-effective manner that exemplified rural Australian ingenuity.The conversion to a maternity hospital required significant modifications to the building's interior. Former cells were opened up and refurbished to create comfortable rooms for patients. New plumbing and electrical systems were installed to meet medical standards. The former prison kitchen was expanded to provide meals for patients and staff, and areas that had once housed prison workshops were converted into medical facilities.Despite its origins, the building proved well-suited to its new role. The thick walls provided excellent insulation, keeping the interior cool in summer and warm in winter. The solid construction minimised noise between rooms, providing the quiet environment essential for recovery. The central corridor design, originally intended for surveillance of prisoners, now allowed medical staff to efficiently monitor patients.As medical facilities in the region improved and purpose-built hospitals became available, Hay Gaol underwent another transformation in 1961. This time, it became the Hay Institution for Girls, a maximum-security facility that would become synonymous with some of the worst abuses in Australia's child welfare history.The institution was opened as "a place of punishment for girls who would not comply with the strict regime" of Parramatta Girls Home, effectively serving as a prison for girls aged 15 to 18. Many were Indigenous children, and many had long been state wards from poor socio-economic backgrounds.What was presented as rehabilitation was, in reality, a regime of systematic abuse, cruelty, and punishment that went far beyond anything authorised by law. The Royal Commission's report highlighted that, although it was operating under the Child Welfare Act 1939, evidence from former residents suggests they were treated severely and received punishment well beyond what the Act allowed.The girls imprisoned at Hay were subjected to horrific physical, sexual, and verbal abuse. They were forced into gruelling labour, including scrubbing floors daily and undertaking pointless, demoralising tasks such as paving footpaths only to be forced to rip them up and repave them again—a cruel form of psychological torture designed to break their spirits.The thick stone walls that had once contained colonial criminals now trapped vulnerable young women in a cycle of abuse and degradation. The isolation of the rural location meant that the cruelty inflicted within those walls went largely unnoticed by the outside world for years.Life at the institution was characterised by extreme control and punishment. Girls were subjected to solitary confinement, physical violence, and sexual abuse by staff members who were meant to care for them. The regime was designed not to rehabilitate, but to break down any resistance or independence these young women might possess.The very architecture that had served the building well as a gaol and hospital became a tool of oppression in this context. The solid construction that had once provided security for new mothers now trapped young women in conditions that would not have been tolerated in adult prisons.Both Parramatta Girls and the Hay Institution were closed in 1974 after a public outcry about conditions. The closure came after years of advocacy by former inmates and their supporters, who fought to expose the systematic abuse that had been hidden behind the respectable facade of "child welfare."The Royal Commission heard evidence from 16 former inmates of Parramatta Girls, four of whom also spent time at the Hay Institution. Their testimonies revealed a pattern of abuse that shocked the nation and led to significant reforms in how Australia approached juvenile justice and child welfare.From Darkness to Light: The Museum YearsToday, the building serves as a museum, where visitors can learn about its complex history. The transformation from a place of punishment and abuse to one of education and remembrance represents both Australia's capacity for change and the importance of acknowledging difficult truths about our past.The museum doesn't shy away from the darker chapters of the building's history. Instead, it serves as a reminder of the importance of oversight, accountability, and the protection of vulnerable people in institutional care. The stories of the young women who suffered within these walls are finally being told, their experiences acknowledged, and their courage in speaking out honoured.The story of Hay Gaol is more than just the tale of a building's changing uses. It's a reflection of Australia's evolving approach to justice, healthcare, and child welfare. From colonial punishment to medical care, from systematic abuse to historical education, each chapter reveals something about the society that shaped its use.The building stands today as both a monument to human adaptability and a warning about the abuse of power. Its thick walls have seen the best and worst of human nature, witnessed both birth and trauma, contained both criminals and innocents. In its current incarnation as a museum, it serves perhaps its most important function: ensuring that the stories within its walls—particularly those of the young women who suffered there—are never forgotten.The transformation of Hay Gaol from lockup to lifeline is incomplete. True redemption lies not just in preserving the building, but in ensuring that the lessons learned from its darkest period continue to inform how we protect the most vulnerable members of our society. The voices of those who suffered within these walls must continue to be heard, their experiences a constant reminder of our collective responsibility to do better.

On a windswept day in 1974, geologist Dr Jim Bowler was walking across the ancient, dried lake bed of Lake Mungo in far western New South Wales. The erosion patterns in the sandy soil had caught his scientific eye – but what he discovered protruding from the weathered earth would revolutionise our understanding of human history in Australia and challenge every assumption about the antiquity and sophistication of Aboriginal culture.Lake Mungo, located near the town of Balranald in the Willandra Lakes region, sits in what was once a chain of freshwater lakes fed by the Lachlan River system. During the Pleistocene era, these lakes supported abundant wildlife and, as Dr Bowler's discovery would prove, sustained human communities for tens of thousands of years. The area today presents a stark landscape of salt pans, sand dunes, and distinctive erosion formations known as the "Walls of China" – but this apparent desolation conceals one of the world's most significant archaeological sites.Mungo Man was first discovered in 1974 by Geologist Dr Jim Bowler at Lake Mungo, and the subsequent research changed our understanding of human occupation in Australia. The remains, initially estimated to be around 30,000 years old, were later determined through advanced dating techniques to be even older – potentially up to 42,000 years old, making them among the oldest known human remains in Australia.But Mungo Man was not an isolated discovery. Three years earlier, in 1971, Dr Bowler had found the remains of a young woman, later known as Mungo Lady, whose bones showed evidence of ritual cremation. This earlier find had already begun to challenge archaeological assumptions, but the discovery of Mungo Man provided even more dramatic evidence of ancient human sophistication.The significance of these discoveries extended far beyond their age. The burial practices evident at Lake Mungo demonstrated that Aboriginal Australians 40,000 years ago had developed complex spiritual beliefs and ceremonial traditions. Mungo Lady's remains showed evidence of careful cremation followed by the grinding and scattering of bones – a sophisticated mortuary practice that indicated abstract thinking and spiritual beliefs about death and the afterlife.Mungo Man's burial was equally remarkable. The body had been placed in a shallow grave with hands positioned over the pelvic area, and the entire body had been covered with red ochre – a pigment that had to be transported from sources hundreds of kilometres away. This use of ochre in burial ceremonies suggested not only spiritual beliefs but also extensive trade networks and cultural exchange across vast distances.The implications for Australian prehistory were profound. The discoveries at Lake Mungo pushed back the timeline of human occupation in Australia by thousands of years and provided the first concrete evidence of sophisticated cultural practices among the continent's earliest inhabitants. The findings challenged European assumptions about Aboriginal society and provided scientific validation for Aboriginal oral traditions that spoke of ancient connections to the land.For the local Aboriginal communities – particularly the Paakantyi, Mutthi Mutthi, and Ngiyampaa peoples – the discoveries confirmed what their oral traditions had always maintained: that their ancestors had been custodians of this land since time immemorial. The scientific evidence provided by archaeology aligned perfectly with traditional knowledge passed down through countless generations.The research at Lake Mungo also revealed remarkable details about ancient life in the region. Analysis of middens (ancient refuse heaps) showed that the lake's Aboriginal inhabitants had enjoyed a varied diet including fish, freshwater mussels, small mammals, birds, and plant foods. Stone tools found at the site demonstrated sophisticated manufacturing techniques and showed that the toolmakers had access to high-quality stone sources from distant locations.Environmental reconstruction of the ancient lake system painted a picture of a landscape dramatically different from today's arid conditions. Forty thousand years ago, Lake Mungo was a large freshwater lake surrounded by woodlands and grasslands teeming with wildlife. Temperatures were cooler, rainfall was higher, and the entire region supported much denser populations of both animals and humans than it does today.The climate record preserved in the lake sediments also revealed the environmental challenges faced by ancient Aboriginal communities. The lakes began to dry up around 15,000 years ago as the climate became increasingly arid. Rather than abandoning the region, Aboriginal people adapted their lifestyle to the changing conditions, demonstrating remarkable resilience and flexibility in the face of dramatic environmental change.Archaeological techniques developed at Lake Mungo have since been applied to sites across Australia, leading to a revolution in understanding of Aboriginal prehistory. The site became a testing ground for new dating methods, including optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating, which measures when sand grains were last exposed to sunlight. These techniques have been crucial in establishing accurate chronologies for Australian prehistory.The discoveries also contributed to broader debates about human evolution and migration. The presence of fully modern humans in Australia 40,000 years ago provided important evidence for theories about human dispersal from Africa and the peopling of the Pacific region. The sophistication of Australian Aboriginal culture at such an early date challenged ideas about cultural evolution and the development of human societies.Recognition of the site's global significance led to its inscription on the World Heritage List in 1981. The Willandra Lakes Region, including Lake Mungo, was recognised for both its outstanding universal value as an archaeological site and its importance as a natural landscape preserving the interaction between humans and the environment over tens of thousands of years.Today, Lake Mungo is managed as a national park, with interpretation facilities that help visitors understand the significance of the discoveries. The site attracts researchers from around the world and has become an important location for training archaeologists and environmental scientists. However, management of the site also involves complex negotiations between scientific interests, tourism, and Aboriginal cultural protocols.The ongoing research at Lake Mungo continues to yield new insights. Recent studies have focused on ancient DNA analysis, environmental reconstruction, and the relationship between climate change and human adaptation. Each new discovery adds another piece to the puzzle of Australia's human past and helps to build a more complete picture of one of the world's oldest continuous cultures.The impact of the Lake Mungo discoveries extends far beyond academic archaeology. The findings have influenced government policies on Aboriginal land rights, cultural heritage protection, and the management of archaeological sites. They have also played a crucial role in public education about Aboriginal history and have helped to foster greater appreciation for the depth and complexity of Aboriginal culture.Dr Bowler's chance discovery in 1974 opened a window into Australia's deep past that continues to reshape our understanding of human history. The ancient shores of Lake Mungo, where Aboriginal people lived, loved, died, and were buried with ceremony 40,000 years ago, stand as testament to the antiquity and sophistication of Australia's first peoples.The story of Lake Mungo reminds us that the most significant discoveries often come from the most unexpected places. A dried lake bed in one of Australia's most remote regions has provided insights that have rewritten textbooks and challenged assumptions about human capability and cultural development. It demonstrates the importance of scientific research in revealing hidden histories and the value of preserving archaeological sites for future generations.Most importantly, Lake Mungo serves as a bridge between Aboriginal traditional knowledge and Western science, showing how these different ways of understanding the past can complement and validate each other. The ancient bones found by Dr Bowler near Balranald speak not just of death, but of life – of a rich, complex, and enduring culture that has survived ice ages, climate change, and colonisation to remain a living part of contemporary Australia.

The town of Menindee sits like a lonely outpost beside the meandering Darling River in far western New South Wales. For thousands of years, this waterway sustained the Barkindji people and countless generations of native wildlife. Today, it has become synonymous with environmental apocalypse—a stretch of water that regularly transforms into a graveyard for millions of creatures.In January 2019, residents of Menindee woke to a scene from a nightmare. Along a 40-kilometre stretch of the Darling River, up to one million native fish floated belly-up in the murky water. Murray cod—some weighing over 100 kilograms and decades old—bobbed alongside golden perch and silver perch in what authorities called the largest fish kill in Australian history. The sight was so overwhelming that locals described the smell as unbearable for weeks afterwards.The immediate cause was a sudden temperature drop that triggered the collapse of massive blue-green algae blooms, sucking oxygen from the water and suffocating everything that lived beneath the surface. But this was no natural disaster—it was the culmination of decades of river mismanagement, drought, and human interference with one of Australia's most significant waterways.What makes Menindee's environmental catastrophe particularly eerie is its repetitive nature. Between 2018 and 2023, at least five mass fish death events were recorded along this stretch of the Darling River. Each time, the pattern was the same: algae blooms fed by agricultural runoff and stagnant water would flourish in the heat, then suddenly collapse, creating an aquatic killing field that stretched for kilometres.The scale of these disasters defies comprehension. During the worst events, dead fish carpeted the riverbanks in layers several feet deep. The stench was so overpowering that it could be detected from kilometres away, and locals reported that the smell penetrated clothing and homes, lingering for weeks after the dead fish were removed. Emergency services had to use bulldozers to collect the rotting carcasses, which were then buried in mass graves in the desert.The river that once ran clear and supported thriving ecosystems has become a toxic soup of agricultural chemicals, urban runoff, and over-extracted water. Native species that survived ice ages and countless droughts have been wiped out in a matter of days by human-induced environmental collapse. The critically endangered Murray cod, some of which were older than European settlement in the area, have been particularly hard hit.Scientific analysis of the dead fish revealed the brutal efficiency of environmental collapse. Many of the Murray cod found floating in 2019 were over 50 years old—living libraries of river ecology that had survived multiple droughts, floods, and previous fish kills. Their deaths represented not just individual tragedies but the erasure of genetic diversity that had taken decades to develop.The toxicity of the algae blooms poses dangers beyond fish mortality. Blue-green algae, technically cyanobacteria, produce neurotoxins and liver toxins that can kill livestock, pets, and even humans who come into contact with contaminated water. During the worst blooms, the river water resembled green paint, and the mere act of touching it could cause severe skin irritation and illness.Local Aboriginal elders describe the fish kills as a spiritual catastrophe as much as an environmental one. The Barkindji people have maintained their connection to this country for over 40,000 years, and the river was central to their cultural and spiritual life. Traditional fishing practices, passed down through countless generations, became impossible when the river turned toxic. Sacred sites along the riverbank were contaminated with rotting fish, making cultural ceremonies dangerous or impossible to perform.The economic impact on Menindee has been devastating. Commercial fishing, once a significant industry in the region, has been virtually eliminated. Tourism, already limited in this remote area, disappeared entirely during the worst of the fish kills. Property values plummeted as potential buyers were deterred by the smell and health risks associated with living near a contaminated river.The town of Menindee itself has become a symbol of environmental injustice. Once a thriving river port with a population of over 2,000, it now struggles to maintain 500 residents. The river that gave the town life has become unreliable and unsafe. During the worst of the fish kills, locals were advised not to swim in or draw water from a river their grandparents had depended on for everything.Meteorological records reveal the perfect storm of conditions that create these disasters. Extended periods of drought reduce river flow to a trickle, concentrating nutrients and pollutants. When temperatures soar above 40 degrees Celsius, as they regularly do in western NSW, the stagnant water becomes a breeding ground for toxic algae. The algae multiply exponentially, creating blooms visible from space, before suddenly collapsing when temperatures drop or nutrients are exhausted.The Murray-Darling Basin, of which the Darling River is a crucial component, has been described by scientists as one of the world's most over-allocated river systems. Water extraction for irrigation and urban use has reduced natural flows to levels that cannot sustain healthy ecosystems. Cotton farming upstream has been particularly controversial, with critics arguing that water-intensive crops should not be grown in one of Australia's driest regions.Historical records reveal that the relationship between European settlers and the Barkindji people was so violent that prospective pastoralists avoided the region for years. In 1853, police were brought in to forcibly relocate Aboriginal people to government missions, beginning a pattern of displacement and environmental exploitation that continues today. The current ecological crisis can be seen as the culmination of 170 years of treating the landscape as something to be conquered rather than sustained.The science behind the fish kills reads like a horror story. Blue-green algae produce toxins with names like microcystin and cylindrospermopsin—compounds so potent that a few drops can kill a large dog. When these blooms collapse, they create what scientists call "blackwater events"—stretches of river so depleted of oxygen that nothing can survive. The water turns the colour of black tea and carries the stench of death for hundreds of kilometres downstream.Government responses to the crisis have been widely criticised as inadequate and reactive. Emergency water supplies have been trucked to Menindee at enormous cost, while long-term solutions remain mired in political disputes between state and federal governments. The town's main water treatment plant was overwhelmed during the worst algae blooms, leaving residents dependent on bottled water for months at a time.Satellite images of the Darling River during fish kill events reveal the scale of the catastrophe. Dark plumes of dead water can be seen snaking across the landscape like veins of poison, carrying destruction far beyond Menindee itself. The river system that once supported one of Australia's most diverse freshwater ecosystems has become a conveyor belt of environmental death.Climate change projections suggest that conditions conducive to fish kills will become more frequent and severe. Higher temperatures, more extreme weather events, and altered rainfall patterns are expected to increase the likelihood of toxic algae blooms. Scientists warn that without dramatic changes to water management, the Darling River could become permanently toxic.Perhaps most disturbing is how routine these disasters have become. Local newspapers that once treated fish kills as front-page emergencies now report them with the weary resignation of communities that have witnessed too much destruction. Children growing up in Menindee today have never seen the river run clear or tasted fresh-caught fish—environmental catastrophe has become their normal.The psychological impact on remaining residents cannot be understated. Many describe a sense of grief that goes beyond sadness—a deep mourning for a way of life that has been lost forever. The river that once provided recreation, food, and spiritual connection has become a source of anxiety and despair.The Darling River's transformation into a serial killer of aquatic life represents more than environmental mismanagement—it's a microcosm of how human activity can turn life-giving systems into instruments of death. In the red dirt country around Menindee, the apocalypse doesn't come with fire and brimstone, but with the quiet floating of a million fish and the silence of a river that has forgotten how to sustain life.

In 1869 George Brown Williamson, the postmaster and a storekeeper at Booligal, purchased 40 acres (16 hectares) from the "Waiko" pastoral run at the site which was to become the township of Ivanhoe. It is believed the new township was named by Williamson after Sir Walter Scott's work of historical fiction, ‘Ivanhoe’. Williamson selected the location as a business opportunity, being the junction of two roads from Booligal and Balranald leading to Wilcannia on the Darling River. Williamson began operating a branch store at the loca tion under the charge of his employee Charles Hiller. Initially the nearest water supply to Ivanhoe was at Kilfera Lake, 25 kilometres away, from which drinking water had to be carted by dray. A hotel was built at Ivanhoe in 1871 (the Ivanhoe Hotel); the licensee was James Eade, who remained publican until 1875 (apart from during 1873 when Joshua Smith held the license). A post office opened at Ivanhoe on 1 January 1874 at Williamson's store (renamed ‘The Post Office Store’), with Charles Hiller in charge (though Williamson was the designat ed Postmaster). On 1 February 1876, after a ten-year stint at Booligal, George Williamson moved to Ivanhoe. In 1876 two new hotels opened at Ivanhoe: The Horse and Jockey (licensee, Duncan McGregor) and Mac's Ivanhoe Hotel (licensee, Henry Gayson). The licensee of the Ivanhoe Hotel in 1876 was Roderick MacKenzie. In 1879 a police presence was maintained at Ivanhoe to pro tect local residents from the Hatfield Bushrangers. The Ivanhoe Hotel ceased operating from 1882, leaving two hotels in the township. During 1882 work commenced on the erection of a tele graph line from Booligal to Wilcannia. A telegraph station was opened at Ivanhoe on 5 February 1883 under the charge of Alfred Webber Rice, who had been promoted from his posi tion at Campbelltown. The township was described in 1883 as having about 50 res idents, a blacksmith's shop, two hotels, two stores (Williamson's and Stewart's), and "a few cottages". By 1884 Ivanhoe was a major change-station for Cobb & Co's horses on the coach routes to and from the Darling River. In 1884 businesses in the township included the Cobb & Co Chaff House and Millie's Stable and Yards (Henry Thomas Millie was the licensee of Mac's Ivanhoe Hotel at that time). The mounted police were established at Ivanhoe in 1885 and the Ivanhoe Jockey Club held its first race meeting in May 1885. From 1887 race meetings were held twice a year (until the late 1930s) on a course which formed part of the town common. In 1889 a school opened in the township. The summer heat was a significant problem for the school. Refrigerating paint and a veranda were used to ward off the sun but the school was closed during the extended drought of 1904 to 1907. Ivanhoe was officially proclaimed a township in 1890. A new Post Office building was constructed, which opened in January 1898. The Ivanhoe Post Office building, though it has been renovated in recent years, still stands adjacent to its original site. In 1925 Ivanhoe was linked by the Broken Hill railway line to Sydney via Parkes. Two years later the extension to Broken Hill was completed. The line through Ivanhoe later became part of the transcontinental east-west rail corridor connecting Sydney to Perth.

Murray MP Helen Dalton has escalated her criticism of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, demanding the state withdraw entirely unless federal water buybacks cease, claiming infrastructure to deliver environmental water simply cannot function as promised.Dalton alleges the Murray-Darling Basin Authority recently acknowledged longstanding problems with constraint projects in private discussions, though her specific claims about a closed-door admission could not be independently verified through public MDBA communications."For twelve years, farmers in Murray have been warning anyone who would listen: the Murray-Darling Basin Plan's constraint projects cannot deliver the promised 450 gigalitres to South Australia," Dalton said. "Last week, the Murray-Darling Basin Authority finally admitted it in a closed-door meeting, the infrastructure needed to move environmental water downstream doesn't exist and won't work."According to the December 2025 Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council Communique, ministers noted an estimated shortfall range of 255 to 355 gigalitres in delivering Sustainable Diversion Limit Adjustment Mechanism projects, and acknowledged the need for strategic approaches to further water recovery given that some projects will not be completed by the December 2026 deadline.Dalton directed her criticism at Federal Water Minister Murray Watt, who announced plans in November 2025 to recover an additional 130 gigalitres through voluntary purchases. "Yet Federal Water Minister Murray Watt keeps spending billions buying back water that his own agency confirms cannot be delivered," she said. "This water sits uselessly in upstream storages, turning our communities into flood zones while achieving nothing for the environment. Meanwhile, the MDBA refuses to publicly state what they've privately conceded, protecting political careers over our livelihoods."The constraints issue centres on physical limitations preventing environmental water from reaching floodplains and wetlands as intended. Challenges include bottlenecks like the Barmah Choke in the Goulburn system, which restrict water flow even when substantial environmental allocations are available.Dalton emphasized the food security implications of continued water recovery. "Here in Murray, we're not just talking about water—we're talking about the food bowl of Australia," she said. "As irrigation water gets stripped from productive use without functioning delivery systems, our dairy, grain, rice and horticulture production contracts. That flows directly to your checkout. Higher grocery prices. More imported food. Less resilience when drought or global supply shocks hit."She described a policy disconnect between population growth and agricultural capacity. "Our population is growing rapidly, yet we're deliberately shrinking domestic food production based on a plan the government now admits doesn't work," Dalton said.Regional councils have echoed concerns about the economic impact. Greater Shepparton City Council warned in November that the additional 130 gigalitre purchase "poses a serious threat to the future of agriculture, horticulture, and food security," with Mayor Shane Sali noting that "every litre of water removed from productive use means fewer crops, less milk, and reduced output from our orchards and processing plants."Dairy industry representatives warned the purchases could push water prices up between 17 and 40 percent in dry years, affecting a region that produces one fifth of Australia's milk supply.Dalton issued an ultimatum to the state government. "I'm demanding Premier Minns withdraw NSW entirely from the Murray-Darling Basin Plan unless Federal buybacks stop immediately," she said. "The MDBA has admitted the delivery system has failed. Every dollar spent on buybacks is taxpayer money wasted, destroying regional communities, undermining our food security, and driving up the cost of living for every Australian family."The federal government maintains environmental restoration remains essential. Minister Watt has stated that failing to act would condemn the Basin to environmental decline that would "gradually strangle the industries and communities that rely on that environment for their livelihoods."The government's 2024 Strategic Water Purchasing Tender closed in November 2024, with successful tenderers expected to receive offers between December 2025 and March 2026. As of December 1, 2025, the Aboriginal Water Entitlements Program had made 35 purchases contributing 15.68 gigalitres to First Nations ownership.A comprehensive Basin Plan review is scheduled for 2026, with public consultation commencing in February. The review will examine climate change impacts, sustainable water limits, First Nations interests and regulatory design, potentially reshaping water management arrangements across Australia's most significant river system.

Isabella Bain has been announced as the Balranald Shire Australia Day Ambassador for 2026, bringing her expertise in design innovation, technology and community leadership to the regional community.Bain brings an impressive portfolio to the role. Named the 2025 NSW/ACT Young Achiever of the Year, she has built her reputation on a core philosophy; that creativity, design and technology can drive meaningful social change when paired with empathy and understanding.Her professional journey includes senior design roles at major organisations like the Macquarie Group and IBM, where she championed inclusive, human centred approaches. But it's her belief in design's transformative potential, particularly for young Australians, that defines her work.During the COVID-19 crisis, Bain collaborated with the Critical Care Consortium to develop tools supporting ICU clinicians globally. The experience deepened her commitment to collaboration and reinforced her view that Australia excels when innovation meets purpose.As a University of Sydney graduate and ambassador, Bain advocates passionately for education that blends creativity with STEM disciplines. She particularly encourages young Australians, especially girls, to see themselves as designers, problem solvers and future leaders, championing pathways that build both confidence and meaningful contribution.Her co-founding of Ambient & Co has shaped Australia's creative landscape through award winning light installations at festivals including Vivid Sydney and Singapore's iLight Marina Bay. Meanwhile, her achievements as a five time World Champion athlete in Dragon Boating have taught her invaluable lessons about teamwork, discipline and community spirit.In recent years, Bain has navigated life with multiple sclerosis, using her journey to advocate for accessibility and challenge stigma. She emphasises that strength manifests quietly and steadily in deeply human ways, an approach that informs all her work.Recognised as one of the University of Sydney's International Women's Day "Women to Watch", Bain continues championing inclusion in STEM fields, equitable access to education, and nurturing creativity as an essential life skill. Her appointment as Australia Day Ambassador reflects the shire's commitment to celebrating leadership and positive community impact.

Angel Cupcakes aka Jamie Weir, is one of the most phenomenal drag artists, and will be once again performing at the Rainbow on the Plains Festival this November in Hay. If you have never been or it’s been a while, you need to seriously consider going. The artistry, effort, talent and entertainment value are second to none. The aims and thought processes behind the Rainbow on the Plains Festival are inclusivity, and making everyone welcome, which is everything I hold dear about the world. At 11 years old, Jamie discovered something magical on television that would change his life forever. Watching the first season of RuPaul’s Drag Race, he was captivated by a contestant named Shannel, a fabulous Las Vegas showgirl whose transformative artistry sparked a passion that would define his future. “I found out that they were all men and I was like, seriously?” recalls the 29-year-old Newcastle native, now known to audiences as Angel Cupcakes. “I think it was the transformation aspect about it that really gravitated to me.” For a young boy who loved performing but struggled with insecurity, drag offered something profound: permission to be himself. As a child, Jamie performed through music and piano, but always felt held back by his insecurities. “Drag kind of helped me have that performance mask,” Jamie explained. “It gave me the confidence to actually show an extension of who I really was.” It's not about hiding, he emphasises, but rather about the physicality of transformation, changing your face so you don't look like yourself, allowing you to present the world with a more complete version of who you truly are. “It gives you freedom,” he said simply. What makes Jamie's story particularly heartwarming is the unwavering support from an unexpected source. While his mother initially worried about his safety, her concerns shaped by memories of the AIDS pandemic and violence against LGBTQ+ people in the 1980s, his father became his biggest champion. “Dad has been a bricklayer for almost 40 years,” Jamie shared with evident affection. “He was absolutely supportive of it. At the beginning of my drag career, he actually helped me get into drag, physically helped me do up my corset, drove me to all my gigs.” His father’s simple philosophy helped the entire family embrace Jamie’s passion “Why should we be worried about him doing this? "He’s not hurting anyone. It makes him happy. It’s bringing joy to other people as well.” his reversal of typical family dynamics, where fathers often struggle whilst mothers readily accept their children's drag careers, has given Jamie a unique appreciation for his family’s support. Today, his mother delights in sharing her wardrobe with him (they’re the same clothing size, though Jamie’s size 10 women’s shoes are several sizes too large for her). Both sisters proudly show off the difference between their brother and their ‘drag sister,’ playfully jealous that he looks better in makeup and walks better in heels than they do. Jamie’s creative instincts emerged early. “I was a very artsy fartsy type of kid. I love drawing, painting, being very creative with my hands,” he recalled. When he saw people doing makeup, watching brushes being used like painting tools, he was instantly hooked, though he didn't initially realise these were makeup products rather than face paints. His early experimentation involved sneaking into his mum and sister’s makeup collections, perhaps borrowing a few products along the way. When he discovered at 15 that makeup artistry was an actual paying profession, his path became clear. Jamie enrolled at TAFE to study beauty therapy during his HSC, dreaming of doing makeup on cruise ships. However, being the only male not just in his class but in the entire beauty therapy department proved challenging. “There was a lot of drama and mentally I couldn’t take it anymore. So I dropped out,” he admitted. Despite leaving before completing his diploma, he earned his certificate and considers it a valuable foundation. Within a year, he secured his first job with an Australian cosmetics brand, followed by a remarkable seven-and-a-half-year journey with Napoleon Perdis. His work expanded far beyond counter makeovers, he styled clients for formals, weddings, fundraising balls, Halloween, Christmas parties, and New Year’s Eve. He worked backstage at fashion shows, conducted product launches with influencers, and eventually taught master classes at the academy, helping develop coursework for aspiring makeup artists. “There’s a lot of years of skills behind these hands,” he said with justified pride. “I have 11 years now.” Through his extensive experience, Jamie has developed insights into why makeup can feel so intimidating, particularly for women who didn't grow up in the age of beauty tutorials. He’s observed a common mentality: because they’re not professionals, many women believe their makeup will never look professional, so they don't invest the time in practice or skill development. “It is a skill. It takes time,” Jamie explains patiently. “Sometimes it will take people a shorter time to learn how to do their own makeup. Some will take a couple of months, even a year. But it’s something that you do need to put in time if you want to get better at it.” He notes that younger generations have a distinct advantage. “Since my generation, the transition between millennials and Gen Z, we’ve had YouTube beauty gurus, then Instagram, then TikTok. They have a lot of exposure to sources to learn makeup and product knowledge, which is amazing. “But it also makes it harder for older generations to get that motivation to actually learn the skill.” For those feeling overwhelmed, Jamie suggests taking a few paid lessons from a professional, an investment that can build both skill and confidence. Today, Jamie runs his own wig business as a sole trader, styling custom pieces for performers across Australia, from drag queens to pinup girls and burlesque dancers seeking vintage styles for the stage. He takes commissions, maintains a small collection of colours in stock, and revamps wigs sent to him by clients. Combined with photo shoots, event makeup, and drag performances, his entire professional life orbits the art form that captured his imagination as a child. Currently, he’s preparing for his upcoming appearance at the Rainbow on the Plains Festival, organising costumes and perfecting his routine. The financial reality of drag is substantial. “Most of us have custom style hair, costumes, not to mention all the layers of tights, padding, the makeup itself,” Jamie explained. “We wear a month’s worth of makeup in one bloody night, let's be honest. And then if we have any props, it all adds up.” In Newcastle, finding appropriately paid gigs can be challenging, with some venues trying to undercharge performers. Jamie often works with the burlesque scene instead, f inding it refreshingly different from the mainstream gay scene. As a ‘palette cleanser’ in burlesque shows, he performs fully clothed, “otherwise I'm going to take up all the time in the show,” he jokes about the ordeal of removing a corset, providing variety for audiences between the more revealing acts. Despite years of experience, Jamie still gets nervous before every show, and he wouldn’t have it any other way. His friend JoJo Zaho, who competed on RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under, articulated what Jamie feels. “If I’m not getting nervous before a show, that tells me that I need to stop and move on. “If I’m not nervous, I’m not caring about it,” Jamie explained. “I need to care about this for me to have a passion and deliver my best.” Next month Jamie returns to the Rainbow on the Plains Festival in Hay for his third consecutive year. It all began when festival chairman Will Miller discovered Jamie’s Tina Turner transformation video on TikTok during the COVID lockdowns. Though they lost contact before that first festival, Will reached out again immediately afterwards. “Hey, can we have you next year?” The trek from Newcastle is substantial, two and a half hours by train to Sydney, an hour and a half flight to Griffith, then an hour and a half drive to Hay with committee member Brandon Burns. It’s a long day of travelling, but Jamie finds it worthwhile for what he considers such a beautiful event, a beautiful weekend. He appreciates that flying allows him to multitask, handling admin, reading, listening to music, rather than arriving exhausted from driving. And exhaustion is the last thing he needs, as he launches straight into performing on Friday after arriving Thursday night, attending the cheerleaders event at South Hay to catch up with the committee before the chaos begins. In previous years, the festival requested celebrity impersonations; Tina Turner and Shania Twain his first year, Dolly Parton the second. This year is different, they’ve requested a very special type of performance, inspired by an old American pageant queen’s YouTube video. “It’s going to be tricky to pull off,” Jamie admitted, “but I do have my ways of executing it.” The performance will blend old school with new school music, requiring perfect timing to succeed. While he’s keeping the details under wraps, one thing is certain, Jamie will bring the same dedication and joy that has defined his journey from insecure child to confident artist. “I just want to be fabulous, bring a good vibe,” he said. But those who know Angel Cupcakes understand that fabulous isn’t something Jamie needs to strive for, it’s simply who he is, and who he’s always been, waiting for the right moment to shine. Angel Cupcakes will perform at the Rainbow on the Plains Festival in Hay this November. For more information about the festival, visit their website or social media pages.

Just for fun, here are a few facts about the town of Balranald.Balranald was named by Commissioner George James MacDonald, a Scotsman born at Balranald on North Uist in the Outer Hebrides, who chose the name of his birthplace for the new settlement in 1849 Crown Lands.There are twenty frog sculptures around town including a pole dancing frog and a frog waiting for a bus Nsw. Two lumberjack frog sculptures can be found sawing a large log at the end of River Street on the edge of the river Discoverbalranald. The sculptures celebrate the endangered Southern Bell Frog, also known as the Growling Grass Frog, which inhabits the local wetlands. A children's climbing frame in the shape of a Southern Bell Frog called "Swampy" is located in the main street in front of the Senior Citizens Centre Nsw.The Burke and Wills expedition crossed the Murrumbidgee River at Balranald on their journey to cross Australia from Melbourne to the Gulf of Carpentaria, with the camels and two wagons crossing on the Mayall Street punt on Saturday, 15 September 1860 Crown Lands.Their twentieth camp since leaving Melbourne, was set up on the outskirts of town.In August 1858, a correspondent described Balranald as "this obscure and miserable township, situated on the Lower Murrumbidgee" and noted it was attracting attention "as being one of those rowdy places for which the Australian bush in the interior has become so famous" Crown Lands.There is a long established local pattern of building relocation in Balranald, with local examples including the Wintong homestead and Norwood at Kyalite Nsw. According to local oral history, at Clare the sheep station owner was having difficulty getting his contract shearers to work because the local pub was nearby Nsw, presumably leading to a building being moved. Despite Being in NSW Although part of New South Wales, Balranald receives Victorian television stations, with a range of Sydney and Melbourne newspapers available Crown Lands. The town is closer to Victoria than to much of NSW and was even served by Victorian railways.If you have any other facts you would like to share, email me at [email protected]

Five regional Independent MPs stood together to make a final appeal to reject the NSW government's firearms laws, which passed Parliament at 3am on Christmas Eve.The Terrorism and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 has sparked fierce opposition from regional representatives who say their communities were left out of the consultation process.Barwon MP Roy Butler, who coordinated the opposition effort alongside Orange MP Phil Donato, Murray MP Helen Dalton, Wagga Wagga MP Dr Joe McGirr and Wollondilly MP Judy Hannan, said they were "calling for consultation and consideration, not a knee-jerk reaction."The legislation imposes a cap of four firearms per individual, with exemptions for primary producers and sports shooters who may hold a maximum of 10 NSW Government. It also reclassifies straight-pull, pump-action and button/lever release firearms into Category C, limiting their access primarily to primary producers NSW Government, and reduces magazine capacity for Category A and B firearms to between five and ten rounds.Murray MP Helen Dalton argued the changes ignore practical realities facing regional communities. "There's a dangerous oversimplification creeping into this debate, and it ignores reality on the ground," she said. "People ask, 'How many firearms does someone really need?' The answer isn't a number pulled out of thin air, it depends on what that person does."Dalton emphasised the role licensed shooters play in pest management. "Shooting is an Olympic sport. Different disciplines require different firearms. And in Murray, licensed shooters, including people who travel from the city, play a critical role in helping control feral pigs, goats, foxes and cats that are destroying landscapes and livelihoods," she said.She described the scale of the problem confronting farmers. "Right now, we are dealing with plagues of feral animals. They're eating lambs, tearing up paddocks, damaging fences, and flowing straight out of nearby national parks where control is inadequate. Without responsible, licensed shooters doing the work, the situation would be far worse."Dalton stressed the credentials of those affected. "These are law-abiding people. They are trained, licensed and professional. Farmers rely on them because we're not getting the help we need elsewhere."This isn't about recklessness. It's about reality. And if decisions like this had been properly examined, through a committee process instead of rushed assumptions, we might actually get sensible outcomes. Instead, people who are part of the solution are being treated as the problem."Butler said the timing raised questions about the government's priorities."Now, don't get me wrong, we all want to keep people safe, but these laws? They're rushed, they don't fix the real problems behind that attack, and they hit regional people the hardest," he said. "Here's the kicker, these firearm licensing changes are complicated and won't even start for months. Passing it now or next year makes no difference. So why the rush?"He outlined multiple concerns with the legislation. "The firearms industry hasn't been consulted, regional voices are ignored, and now we've got laws that could backfire, exposing criminal intel, weakening control of hearings, and piling more work on already stretched police," Butler said, arguing the laws failed to address "the rising antisemitism, operational failures in the current licensing system, and poor intel sharing" that contributed to the Bondi attack.Orange MP Phil Donato described the process as "by far and away the poorest governance I've seen in my 9 years of representing the Orange electorate", calling it "deeply undemocratic" and criticising what he termed "socialist ideology, and ignorance of Aussie tradition and culture, especially for people of Regional NSW."The government defended its approach. Premier Chris Minns said the laws "got the balance right between providing police with the tools they need to calm a combustible situation, while also restricting access to dangerous weapons". He acknowledged the significance of the changes. "I acknowledge that these are very significant changes that not everyone will agree with, but our state has changed following the horrific antisemitic attack on Bondi Beach and our laws must change too."Attorney General Michael Daley said the NSW government would take "whatever measures needed" to keep the community safe.The reforms include additional measures beyond firearm caps. Gun club membership will be mandatory for all firearms licence holders, standard firearms licence terms will reduce from five years to two years, and the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal review pathway for licence decisions will be removed. Safe storage inspections will become mandatory before permits are issued.A firearm buyback scheme, established in partnership with the federal government, will allow owners to surrender firearms that were made illegal or restricted by the new legislation and receive compensation. Regional areas hold substantial numbers of registered firearms, with Bathurst recording 17,026, Dubbo 15,591, Orange 13,224 and Mudgee 12,895.The new laws are expected to come into effect in the new year when the buyback scheme begins.

A moment of reckless driving on a regional New South Wales highway has cost a young motorist dearly, both financially and legally.Highway patrol officers conducting routine speed enforcement near Ardlethan on Saturday afternoon clocked a white Holden Commodore travelling at an eye-watering 175 kilometres per hour. The road's posted limit? Just 100km/h.When officers pulled over the vehicle on Burley Griffin Way around midday, they were met with an unusually candid response. The 20-year-old P2 licence holder, when questioned about his dangerous speed, simply admitted: "Just being an idiot."The Costly ConsequencesThat moment of honesty couldn't save the young driver from severe penalties. Operating under the double demerit holiday period, the provisional driver faced an immediate six-month licence suspension and hefty fines totalling $3,384.The penalties stem from two separate offences: exceeding the speed limit by more than 45km/h while on a provisional licence, and failing to display the required P plates. Together, these violations stripped him of 14 demerit points—magnified by the holiday period enforcement measures.Police refrained from sanctioning the vehicle itself, as the driver wasn't the registered owner.A Stark ReminderGriffith Highway Patrol used the incident to reinforce a sobering statistic: speeding contributes to approximately 42 per cent of road fatalities across the state.