The Riverina Outback Rally stayed overnight in Tilpa The Tilpa community rallied last week to cater for more than 160 people, who descended on the tiny hamlet as part of the 2025 Riverina Outback Rally.56 teams plus support vehicles stayed overnight at the Darling Riverside village, and were treated to a hearty selection of potluck meals last Thursday evening.Volunteer cooks travelled up to 85 kilometres to cater, and rose with the sun to also provide a hot breakfast.The Riverina Outback Rally is an annual event, that started in Bamera SA, and ended five days later in Hillston NSW, after also visiting Arkaroola, Innaminka and Packsaddle.The rally supports Wagga Wagga children’s charity Country Hope and raised more than $588,000 this year alone. The group also raised an additional $30,000 along the way for outback communities and families.Next year the rally will embark from Wagga Wagga, as part of the tenth anniversary adventure.

The latest from Member for Barwon Roy Butler MP I have just spent much of the last two weeks out on the road, but this week I am back in parliament for two consecutive sitting weeks. I made my way across about 3000 km from Sydney to Bathurst, for an arms fair, to Nyngan, Nymagee, Cobar, Wilcannia and Broken Hill, for the St Patrick’s Day races, making my way back to Sydney for the sitting week. Free Virtual Care for Western NSW Earlier this month the government announced it was extending its free virtual health care service to patients in Western NSW. The service will be limited to non-life-threatening conditions such as coughs, colds, fever, respiratory complaints, vomiting, diarrhea, minor infections and rashes. The service will operate between 8am and 10pm and can be accessed by phoning Health Direct on 1800 022 222. Patients will be put through to a registered nurse who assess the patient’s condition and, if appropriate, refer them on to the correct service. It isn’t meant to be a replacement for on-site health workers, of which there is still a major shortage in many regional, rural and remote areas, but it is meant to deal with some of the problems with the health system. In some towns in Barwon there are no regular GP services, forcing people to either travel hundreds of kilometres or to turn up at the ED (emergency department) of their local hospital or medical centre. Having some alternative, albeit online, will prevent people having to travel for medical attention, reduce the number of people presenting at an ED and take some of the pressure off overworked hospital staff. International Women’s Day March 8 was International Women’s Day, and a couple of days before that I attended the NSW Women of the Year Awards 2025 at the International Convention Centre in Sydney where Barwon woman Sally Edwards was honoured with the award for Barwon Woman of the Year. Sally has long been a strong advocate for her community, working for positive change, environmental conservation and volunteering for several different organisations including working with the youth of Coolah. She has also declared her candidacy for a seat in the upcoming federal election. On International Women’s Day there were many events held around Barwon, obviously it was not possible to be at all of them, but my staff were able to make it to some. In Broken Hill more than 100 women gathered for lunch at the historic Astra Hotel. Guest speakers included Gigi Barbe, Kirsten Linden, and Bree Borlace with music from locals, Grace Molloy, Molly Molloy, Grace Crannaford and Bonnie Aeschlimann. I want to thank the Domestic Violence Committee of Broken Hill for all their efforts in organising a wonderful celebration of women. There were many others, too many for me and my staff to attend all of them. I look forward to next year’s events. Inquiry into the bill to split Hunter New England LHD In the February sitting weeks I introduced a bill to split the Hunter New England Local Health District (HNE LHD) into separate Hunter and New England Northwest health districts. That legislation was fast tracked by the government, so that it could go to an inquiry to examine whether the rural and remote communities currently within HNE LHD would be better served by having their own health district, distinct from one that is run from a metropolitan area hundreds of kilometres away. That inquiry has gone to the Community Services Committee, chaired by Clayton Barr, the Member for Cessnock. The inquiry will review the bill I brought to Parliament and the proposal to split the health district. The committee will explore the merits and implications of splitting the health district and make recommendations to the NSW Government in regard to the Bill. I would like to see more focus on Regional Hospitals and Services, which should be achieved by the bill. By making Regional Hospitals the sole focus of a separate Health District run from a rural headquarters, the only priority should be operating and staffing hospitals and delivering services that best serve regional areas. The deadline for submissions is 17th April 2025. Submissions can be made online. https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/committees/inquiries/Pages/inquiry-details.aspx?pk=3092#tab-submissionsReport into Menindee Fish Deaths Early in March the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) published the first progress report into the NSW Government response to the Office of the Chief Scientist and Engineer independent review into the 2023 Menindee fish kill. It showed that of the 26 that were recommended in the Chief Scientist’s review, 10 are complete and the remaining 16 are underway. One of the ten completed actions is the review of the Water Quality Incident Management Plan, about managing the river when there is low dissolved oxygen, and to update it to reflect lessons learned from water quality issues and mass fish deaths of 2022–23 and 2023–24. Those underway include the building of a floating hydraulic fishway designed to allow fish to migrate over barriers, at Menindee. Construction began in December 2024. To find out more about the report and which recommendations have been acted on or are underway see:https://water.dpie.nsw.gov.au/our-work/allocations-availability/drought-and-floods/menindee/restoring-the-darling-baaka-program Nymagee catch-up While I was out on the road last week, I called into Nymagee, to chat with some of the locals from the Nymagee Progress Association, who raised several issues. One was their concern over the local police station, which has been unmanned for some time. There are programs in place that should help to fill the position, but they will take some time, but I will discuss the problem with the Police Minister to see what can be done. The town is also having some problems with the quality of the local water due to decaying infrastructure and with poor telecommunications in country areas. I have already discussed the water issue with Cobar Council, and they have said they are working on a solution. The communications issue is a federal issue, but it is one I have been corresponding with the Federal Minister, but some of the problems will be sorted with Low Earth Orbit satellite technology over the next year or two. Another thing they were asking about was the availability of grants, and I talked through what grant programs are available. My team and I will assist in connecting the Progress Association with those opportunities. While it is good to meet with people face to face, and I get around to as many communities as I can when parliament isn’t sitting, as you can probably appreciate it takes a long time to make it around the entire electorate. If you have any issues of concern, it is best not to wait until I am there in person. I have a large team who you can contact, at any of my offices - Narrabri (02) 6792 1422, Cobar (02) 6836 3722 or Broken Hill (08) 8087 3315. Or email us [email protected] For more information go to www.roybutler.com.au Broken Hill Clubhouse  From Cobar I headed west to Wilcannia, to meet with some locals from the town and surrounding communities, before making my way to Broken Hill. There I dropped into the Broken Hill Clubhouse, an after-school tech space for children 12 to 17 where they can develop their own projects, working with computers, doing 3-D printing, creating podcasts or recording music. Run by community service group Social Futures, the Clubhouse is facing certain challenges with funding. Hopefully those problems can be resolved, and it can continue.Hydrostor moving closer to construction While in Broken Hill I also met with Martin Becker from Hydrostor, to visit the site for the planned Advanced Compressed Air Energy Storage, which is now in its last stage of development. This technology uses water to compress air into an underground cavern, which can then be used to generate electricity. Located adjacent to the Potosi mine, Hydrostor is part of what will be a mini grid incorporating solar, wind, batteries and the compressed air storage system. When it is up and running it should be able to provide Broken Hill with extended periods of backup power. It will create 750 jobs during the construction phase, then 35 ongoing positions. When I visited the site there was not much to see, but I look forward to seeing the plant develop. This will be an important development for the city, and I will continue to report on its progress. For more details see https://hydrostor.ca/projects/silver-city-energy-storage-center/ Transgrid Grants  There were some worthy beneficiaries of Transgrid’s first round of grants in their Broken Hill & Far West NSW Community Partnerships Program. One of the recipients is West Broken Hill Rifle Club, a club with a lot of history and tradition behind it, but one that has not let the present slip by and installed solar panels. When the inverter failed last year, they applied for one of the Transgrid grants and they have been awarded $8,300 to replace their solar. Congratulations to the club and I look forward to having a shoot with them on some future occasion when I am in Broken Hill. Another recipient is LandCare Broken Hill, who are working on transforming Imperial Lake into a recreation park and sustainability hub. They have been given $5,000 to buy two generators to help them achieve their vision for the area. This is a project I have given my support to for several years and I look forward to seeing it progress. St Pats Day Races  March in Broken Hill all centres on one of the biggest events on the social calendar, the St Pat’s Day Races and I was privileged to be there for the celebrations. The night before the races I went to the St Pat’s Day Races Cocktail party, which is almost as hot a ticket as the races themselves, attracting prominent citizens, business owners and even the mayor, Tom Kennedy. The races are one the biggest events of their kind in Outback NSW and they attract horses, jockeys, trainers, punters and tourists from everywhere. The town buzzes for days before and after the race. The event is run by the St Pat’s Race Club and this year celebrated 60 years. It was a hot day, but that didn’t seem to deter the crowds, who turned out in force. As a touching tribute to my late friend Dave “Gal” Gallagher - former police officer and President of the Silver City Cup Races - the jockeys in the first race all wore a black armband as a mark of respect. Remote Paramedics We have seen some good things happening with regional paramedics in recent times, including an increase in numbers and in pay. Last week I met with a group of paramedics from Broken Hill who discussed some areas that still needed improvement. One major problem is that given their isolation, it is not always possible to find a crew for call outs. In a metro area backup crews can easily be called in from a neighbouring suburb to plug gaps, but that isn’t possible in a remote station like Broken Hill. They are asking for a “taxpayer funded roster” that will give the paramedics the flexibility to cover team members taking leave. They are also asking that they be allowed to have paramedics on-call to cope with peak periods, like the St Pat’s Day Races, which draws thousands of people and was held on a particularly hot day this year. There is also the issue of career progression; to become an Intensive Care Paramedic (ICP). Broken Hill’s paramedics need to go elsewhere to train, with the likelihood they might never return. ICPs increase the survivability for patients through advanced medication and intubation skills. Very soon, Paramedics with their extended scope of practice, will play an increasing role in taking pressure off local hospitals by dealing with patients who might otherwise present at an emergency department. It is clear that some of the rules and policies surrounding paramedics need to change to suit conditions in remote stations like Broken Hill. I will be discussing this with the Regional Health Minister. 

It's something which feels like common sense to many - if someone does something, commits a crime, then 'name and shame'.You see it so often on social media - the call to clarify who was the culprit.However, Riverina police have issued a warning to local businesses that publicly sharing CCTV footage of alleged criminal activity on social media platforms could potentially jeopardise future legal proceedings. The increasing trend of individuals and businesses using social media platforms to publicise alleged criminal activity captured on surveillance footage has ignited a complex debate, raising significant ethical and legal concerns.While some view these posts as a justifiable means of deterring crime and potentially identifying perpetrators within communities, law enforcement and legal experts are cautioning against the practice, highlighting potential negative repercussions for future legal proceedings and individual rights.One primary area of concern revolves around the potential to compromise ongoing investigations and court cases.The dissemination of sensitive information or images related to an alleged crime online could inadvertently influence potential jurors or introduce information that would be inadmissible in court, possibly leading to the derailment of justice.Law enforcement agencies encourage the public to report crimes directly to them rather than taking matters into their own hands online.Furthermore, the public identification of individuals as alleged criminals before they have been convicted in a court of law raises serious ethical questions related to the presumption of innocence.Such actions can lead to public shaming and reputational damage for individuals who may not be guilty.The risk of misidentification is also substantial, potentially exposing individuals and page administrators to legal action for defamation, stalking, or harassment.Legal precedents highlight the significant financial penalties associated with online defamation.Experts warn that this form of online activity can be considered digital vigilantism, which, while sometimes stemming from a desire to enhance community safety, carries considerable risks.The accessibility of technology, including artificial intelligence, also introduces the possibility of manipulated evidence, further increasing the risk of misidentification.Community-run online forums dedicated to sharing information about local crime face the challenge of balancing the desire for public awareness with the need to prevent the spread of inflammatory or defamatory content.While some administrators implement measures to mitigate these risks, the inherent nature of social media platforms makes complete control difficult.Ultimately, while the impulse to address local crime through online platforms may be understandable, authorities and legal professionals advise against publicising unverified accusations and images. They emphasise the importance of adhering to due process and allowing law enforcement to conduct investigations without the potential for online interference, thereby safeguarding both the integrity of the legal system and the rights of all individuals.Whether you perceive it as right or wrong, think of this; the legal system is there for a reason, and your putting these things on social media may actually impede or stop people from getting the justice they deserve.

The NSW Government has announced $15 million in immediate support for communities in the Southern Basin negatively impacted by the Federal Government's water buybacks. The announcement was made today in Griffith by the NSW Minister for Agriculture, Regional NSW and Western NSW, Tara Moriarty. This funding represents the first round of the $160 million Sustainable Communities Program.Minister Moriarty stated that the NSW Government is committed to providing rapid financial assistance to NSW Basin communities facing the consequences of water recovery measures, including the Australian Government’s water buybacks. While the government does not support water buybacks, it believes that investing in infrastructure and programs is essential for supporting local businesses and industries, ultimately leading to strong and vibrant regional communities.This initial $15 million in funding aims to deliver immediate support to create jobs and stimulate local economies. The funding is specifically targeted towards the nine Local Government Areas of Balranald, Berrigan, Carrathool, Edward River, Griffith, Hay, Leeton, Murray River, and Murrumbidgee.Minister Moriarty encouraged organizations within these eligible areas to take advantage of this initial funding opportunity to support their growth and future prosperity. The Early Investment Round offers funding opportunities ranging from $50,000 to $1 million for programs, initiatives, and capital investment projects, and between $250,000 to $4 million for infrastructure projects. The funding will be distributed until the $15 million is fully allocated.Eligible projects for funding consideration include enabling infrastructure or technology upgrades, plant and equipment for increased productivity, and targeted workforce skills and capability development programs.The announcement was made during a roundtable meeting in Griffith where Minister Moriarty met with business leaders from across the Riverina. Representatives from the region's business community provided valuable feedback on the types of investments that could support job creation and retention. Serena Hardwick, Regional Director of Business NSW, expressed anticipation for working with the Government to ensure the funding builds capability and capacity within the local business community. She noted that investments that help businesses increase productivity, foster innovation, and commercialize research and development will benefit both the local and wider economies. Hardwick also highlighted the opportunity to address the skills and workforce gap by fostering a skilled future workforce and rewarding career pathways through this investment.The NSW Government will continue its wide consultation process, with more roundtables planned throughout the Southern Basin, to understand community priorities and the investments needed to strengthen local economies vulnerable to water recovery measures. The remaining $145 million under the Sustainable Communities Program is expected to become available in the 2025/26 financial year after detailed consultation with all exposed and vulnerable NSW Basin communities

Thursday March 20 at 5pm, Tibooburra-Milparinka ICPA are holding their Annual General Meeting. It will be at the Family Hotel, with all welcome, and also welcome to stay after for dinner and a chat. Particularly as the NSW ICPA conference draws closer (Euston March 25 and 26), to be a part of the ICPA is to fight for and achieve real, meaningful change in the lives and educational experiences of isolated children.Many people do not understand what the ICPA is or what it does, but they advocate for real change, including the recent win of changing the access to Tertiary Access Payment, and they will fight for more change in Euston at the conference. The Isolated Children's Parents Association of NSW (ICPA-NSW) stands as a pivotal voluntary, non-profit organisation dedicated to advocating for the educational needs and opportunities of children residing in geographically isolated areas of New South Wales. ICPA-NSW operates with the fundamental mission to ensure that children in these regions are not disadvantaged in their educational pursuits and aspirations compared to their urban counterparts.At the core of ICPA-NSW's activities is robust advocacy. The organisation actively engages in advocating for policies and the allocation of resources that specifically address the educational requirements of children in rural and remote NSW. Their efforts are directed towards achieving equity in educational access, ensuring that geographical isolation does not impede a child's opportunity to receive a comparable education to those in metropolitan areas.The ICPA-NSW represents a significant collective voice, comprising over 2,500 families and individual members. This diverse membership includes rural communities, primary producers, small business owners, schools, and various organizations that champion the cause of equitable access to education. This broad representation underscores the widespread support for the ICPA-NSW's objectives and strengthens its advocacy efforts.The central mission of the ICPA-NSW is unwavering; to guarantee that the educational needs and aspirations of children living in geographically isolated areas are not compromised. This commitment drives their efforts across various fronts, aiming to dismantle the barriers that rural and remote students may face in accessing quality education.Recognising the crucial role of educators, the ICPA-NSW extends its support to both government and non-government education providers that serve children in isolated areas. This collaborative approach aims to enhance the delivery of educational services and improve outcomes for students in these regions.A key aspect of the ICPA-NSW's advocacy work involves championing allowances that mitigate the financial disadvantages faced by rural and remote families in their pursuit of education. The organisation actively advocates for the establishment and increase of existing allowances to align with the rising costs associated with boarding, transportation, and living away from home. This focus ensures that financial constraints do not hinder access to education for geographically isolated children.The ICPA-NSW hosts an annual conference that serves as a vital platform to highlight and address the critical issues affecting access to education across all levels, from Preschool to Tertiary. This event facilitates dialogue, raises awareness, and fosters collaborative solutions to the challenges faced by students in isolated areas.

A man has died following a crash in the state’s west.About 4pm Sunday March 16, emergency services were called to Barrier Highway, Broken Hill following a two-vehicle crash.On arrival, officers attached to Barrier Police District found a truck and car crash.The passenger of the car, a man believed to be aged in his 40's, was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics, however he died at the scene.The driver of the car, a female believed to be aged in her 30’s, was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to Broken Hill Hospital in a serious but stable condition. She will undergo mandatory testing.The driver of the truck, a man believed to be aged in his 50’s was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to Broken Hill Hospital in a stable condition. He will undergo mandatory testing.Police will prepare a report for the coroner.

Have you experienced an outstanding level of care or service across the Far West LHD? Patients, families, and carers are invited to nominate exceptional local Far West Local Health District (FWLHD) staff members, as part of the District’s 15th annual Staff Recognition and Health Innovation Awards.Nominations are now open to patients and consumers and can be lodged online at https://forms.office.com/r/7Uf3GVHfYC until April 24.Nominating a health worker in Australia for an award is a way to publicly recognise and celebrate their dedication, innovation, and positive impact on patients, communities, and the healthcare system, potentially inspiring others. Here's a more detailed explanation of the reasons why:Recognition and Appreciation:Awards provide an opportunity to acknowledge the hard work and achievements of health workers who often go above and beyond the call of duty. Highlighting Excellence:Nominations and awards can showcase outstanding individuals, teams, or organisations, highlighting their contributions to patient care, innovation, and leadership. Inspiration and Motivation:Recognizing exceptional health workers can inspire others in the field to strive for excellence and contribute to a better healthcare system. Promoting Best Practices:Award programs can help disseminate best practices and innovative approaches in healthcare, benefiting patients and the broader community. Strengthening the Healthcare Workforce:Recognising and celebrating achievements can boost morale and create a sense of pride within the healthcare workforce, leading to improved retention and engagement. Raising Public Awareness:Awards can raise public awareness about the importance of healthcare professionals and the vital role they play in society. 

White Cliffs Road Works on hold due to water storage White Cliffs residents are advised that planned roadworks due to start this month are temporarily on hold. This is because Council is monitoring water supplies and at the moment the water storage is not sufficient to start the roadworks. White Cliffs was placed on Level 2 water restrictions on March 3. There was relief a week later with unexpected and welcome rains across certain parts of the Shire. This resulted in Wakefield Dam reaching three-quarters full, and the water restrictions were removed. However, town water supply cannot be used for roadworks, alternate dam catchments are required for this purpose. Council had intended to start roadworks on Johnston Street and The Blocks this month. The work will involve reconstruction and sealing of Johnston Street and The Blocks to provide all weather access and reduce dust for residents. While the work is on hold this does not mean that it will not be happening. Residents can be assured that the road works will still occur once water security is assured. The work is funded by the Australian Government Roads to Recovery program.

The 2025 Riverina OutBack Rally descended on White Cliffs on Thursday. The rally left from Barmera SA on Monday morning and will finish at Hillston NSW on Friday, after venturing into Queensland. The annual event has raised more than $580000 (check that on FB/online) from more than 55 entrants and support crew. This is the ninth outback rally, organised by husband and wife team Tammy and Gavin Gilbert, from Darlington Point, supporting Wagga Wagga children’s charity Country Hope. This year the Back Country Bulletin / Riverine Grazier crew of Cheyenne Hurst and Krista Schade is following the rally as media, recording the fundraising effort and rally fun.

A truck and car crash has closed the Barrier Highway between Broken Hill and Wilcannia. the incident has occurred 60 kilometres from Broken Hill. Emergency services are at the scene but it is unknown when the road will re-open, as investigations continue.

A phenomenal 26th annual Shag Gregory Memorial Poker Run was held on Saturday, attracting a staggering 188 poker hands and well over 200 participants. “It was another great event, thanks to the hard work form the committee, our sponsors, and all who come back year after year,” one of the organisers, Tracy Ellis said. The poker run is held every year in memory of local Shag (Edward) Gregory, raising money for Motor Neurone Disease, local charities and school scholarships. This year’s run was to Darlington Point, Yenda and Carrathool and concluded at South Hay Pub where further fundraising activities continued into the night. The total amount of money raised will be announced shortly. Winner of the major raffle was Kurt Woods, who walked away with an impressive Milwaukee tool kit. Winning hand was held by Kyle Aloi, and coming in second was Tom Schulz. Emma Jones held the third best hand, while trailing at the rear with worst poker hand was Jason Clark. Furthest travelled was Jo Busuttil, who came all the way from Perth.

Mussel Muster by Roslyn Lockhart (Jeithi Jerilderie Aboriginal Corporation)A Refreshing Rivers event, the 2025 Mussel muster took place at The Cape, Billabong Creek, Jerilderie on Fenbruary 22, 2025.Organisations involved included Murray Local Land Services, Yanco Creek and Tributaries Advisory Council Inc., Jeithi Jerilderie Aboriginal Corporation.It was a beautiful Saturday morning, the flags were out for directions to The Cape on Billabong Creek, Jerilderie. Andrea, Ben and I were waiting, wondering. Who might be interested in mussels? Will it just be the three of us?Then the cars started coming down the track. It was a wonderous sight to see.Twenty two interested people, who dived into finding, measuring, recording and talking about freshwater mussels. Wet to our gills, but proud to be part of our first Mussel Muster.The things I contemplated:The memories as a young child with my grandmother talking about how you can eat the mussels. When asked about how to cook, Nan would say, “You just throw them in the ashes and when they pop open, they will be cooked.” I also asked why we cannot eat them now. My Nan talked about the water no longer being clean, that the water used to be clear and now it is too muddy.But I kept whining about trying one. We cooked one.I questioned my 94-year-old great Aunty (Aunty Gert) just before the Mussel Muster. She spoke about the mussels being something they ate. Again, her response was, “Throw them in the coals, turn them over and when they open, they are cooked”. Before the Mussel Muster, I did some reading around the mussels culturally. The shells were used for scrapping and cutting. Fishing hooks where also made from the shells and the inside was used as bait for Murray cod.When mussels were plentiful, my Nan and Aunty Sos would paint the inside of the shell to sell. I don’t remember the shells having as much damage in the past as we saw at the Mussel Muster.The humble mussel could be stored in a dried creek bed for extended periods of time as they can survive up to two years buried in damp soil. This was a way that Aboriginals stored this food, for later use.Regarding ongoing cultural practices, the decline in the mussel numbers means I cannot in good conscience harvest or use these mussels. They are too precious to the system. Our wants and needs are not more important than our environment. We are just the caretakers for future generations.The exciting thing was seeing so many people at the mussel muster with a passion to learn about the humble mussel.References: https://www.firstpeoplesrelations.vic.gov.au/fact-sheet-aboriginal-freshwater-middenshttps://www.mdb.fish/traditional-knowledgehttps://www.mdb.fish/Thank you from Ros:"A big thank you too all," said Ros."Andrea, thank you for the work you do."I wished to thank Ben for the work he did for the day."Nicole McCasker for being with us in spirit and her wealth of knowledge"Ashley my beautiful cousin who sent us info and thoughts for the day."The Jeithi Jerilderie Aboriginal Group for being amazing volunteers and generous with your time and passion."I am really thankful for all who attended."

Not quite a teenager yet, Dean Skinner of Booroorban and former Hay Public School student, fought his way at the weekend to take first place in the teens/adults division of the All Stars Martial Arts Academy’s continuous karate sparring tournament. In only his fifth year of training with All Stars, Dean hopes to do his Black Belt grading by the end of the year. Students from the Deniliquin and Finley Dojos of All Stars Martial Arts Academy joined in Deniliquin to compete in the tournament. Dean is the son of Rick and Renee Skinner of Booroorban. Renee shares her son’s passion for martial arts and also competed in the tournament at the weekend. Dean (left) is pictured with NSW Head Instructor, Shihan Daniel Zrajko (right) and All Stars Martial Arts Academy Head Instructor, Kancho Rod Catterall (back) who made the trip from Melbourne to help officiate the event. Image supplied.

With World Sleep Day returning on Friday, March 14, this year's theme is a vital reminder: "Make Sleep Health a Priority." With mental health issues increasing, sleep often begins to fall by the way-side, but it has many more benefits than one might think, including: Weight management, heart health, growth and development and immune system. Organised by World Sleep Society, this annual event aims to raise awareness about the significance of sleep and its role in maintaining physical and mental health. This year, the call to action is clear: it’s time to prioritise rest. Remember, quality sleep is not a luxury, but a necessity. Let's work together to make sleep health a priority in 2025 and beyond. Simple Steps to Better Rest You don't need a complete overhaul to improve your sleep. Here are a few practical tips: Establish a Regular Sleep Schedule: Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day, even on weekends. Create a Relaxing Bedtime Routine: Wind down with a warm bath, a book, or some gentle stretching and/or meditating. Optimise Your Sleep Environment: Ensure your bedroom is dark, quiet, and cool. Limit Screen Time Before Bed: The blue light emitted from electronic devices can interfere with sleep. Prioritise Relaxation: Practise mindfulness or deep breathing exercises to calm your mind. Be Mindful of Diet: Avoid large meals, caffeine, and alcohol close to bedtime. Listen to your body: Everyone's sleep needs are different. Pay attention to your body's signals and aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night. If you continue to struggle with sleep, consult with your doctor or a sleep specialist. This is not medical advice, this column is to raise awareness.

An article by Krista Schade described as a powerful and courageous piece of journalism has won a national award. Australia’s largest association of independent news publishers acknowledged the very best of the best at the Country Press Australia national awards in Adelaide last month, with The Riverine Grazier story, Explosive Allegations winning the Best Story category. The judges said the article was a reminder of the challenges a local paper can sometimes face when reporting on a significant story unfolding in their own back yard. The article, which appeared on the front page of The Riverine Grazier on October 25, 2023 reported on the serious allegations the owners of Gundaline Station were facing from former employees about their management practices. These were particularly in relation to staffing and biosecurity measures which were strenuously denied. The Sturt Highway property was purchased by Chinese company, Smart Shirts through its subsidiary, Ausuntech Pty Ltd in January 2023. Finalists in the Country Press Australia awards were drawn from the reigning winners of relevant categories from awards nights held in 2024 by state associations in South Australia, Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales, with more than 240 papers eligible to enter. The 2025 CPA national awards will be announced at the joint VCPA/CountryPress NSW conference on Friday, October 24 in Yarrawonga.

About 12:15pm on Friday the 14th of March 2025 officers attached to Hay Highway Patrol stopped a vehicle for roadside testing. The male driver was a 28 year old Coffs Harbour resident, the driver failed the road side drug test, after concluding the test police spoke to him where they established cause to search the vehicle.Upon searching the vehicle police located several different drugs within the vehicle including cannabis, psilocybin (magic mushrooms), MDMA, LSD as well as a large amount of unknown tablets.The 28 year old male was arrested and taken to Hay Police station where he was charged with 3 counts of supply prohibited drug >indictable <commercial quantity and 1 count of possess prohibited drug. Police are also awaiting the results of the unknown tablets and the oral fluid results. The man was granted conditional bail and ordered to surrender his passport, he is required to appear at Hay local court at a later date.

The broadacre cropping and pistachio lands of Noongaburra Station have hit the market. The price guide for the 5,814 hectare property is $65 million. The property was last purchased in 2015, by Dutch businessman Ron Meijer. Located on the northern side of the Murrumbidgee River west of Hay, the Noongaburra sale also includes more than 13,000 megalitres of water entitlements, across various NSW and Victorian licences. 3,054 hectares has been developed to irrigation, 325 hectares to dryland cropping, and 181 hectares has been planted to a pistachio orchard. As well as pistachios, Noongaburra also produces cotton, corn, wheat, barley, canola and chickpeas as well as pistachio production. The property sale includes three homes, workshop and office extensive shedding, grain storage and a weighbridge. The Property is being offered for sale in one-line as a total holding, or as a standalone broadacre opportunity, with the vendor retaining the pistachio orchard and related support land and buildings. Selling agents in conjunction are Elders and LAWD. Expressions of interest close 12pm (AEST) on Thursday 10 April 2025.

A second man has been charged after an alleged escape from a Broken Hill correctional facility.Officers attached to Barrier Police District began investigating the whereabouts of two men aged 23 and 28 after they allegedly escaped from a correctional facility at around 9.40pm on Sunday March 9.About 11.30am on Monday March 10, police arrested the younger man and a 31-year-old woman in his company.This was following a police pursuit which travelled through Coomealla, Buronga and Gol Gol.They remain before the courts.Following extensive inquiries, about 9.30am Wednesday March 12, officers attended a home on O’Neill Street, Broken Hill, where they found the older man.He was arrested and taken to Broken Hill Police Station where he was charged with inmate escape/attempt to escape from lawful custody.He was refused bail to appear before Dubbo Local Court today Wednesday March 12.

Independent Member for Murray, Helen Dalton, has declared South Australians to be Australia’s Worst Water wasters. She is arguing they don’t need, or deserve, access to water from NSW and Victoria. In her new social media video Mrs. Dalton contends that the reason South Australians don’t have enough water is because the State wastes the water it already has. “For too long, South Australia has claimed to be missing out on water from the Murray-Darling Basin,” Helen said. “The truth is that SA gets plenty of water, but for historical reasons they actually send this water out to sea.” In the video, Mrs. Dalton explains how a vast series of manmade drains were built in SA ninety years ago, in order to turn marshland into farming land. These drains are still active today, sending hundreds of gigalitres of water out to sea every year, instead of letting that water flow into the Coorong like it has done for thousands of years. “Politicians have deliberately misled the Australian people,” Helen said. “We need to know about these drains and the environmental devastation they are causing.” Mrs. Dalton is calling for this water to be properly metered, so the federal government has to admit that SA doesn’t need water from upstream. “South Australians must stop wasting water,” Helen said. “And they need to be called out on this waste. “SA just needs to stop sending precious water out to sea.” “Until they do this, South Australians will continue to hold the title of Australia’s worst water wasters.”