Central Darling Shire Council is inviting residents to have their say on a proposal to classify three recently acquired properties as operational land. This classification change is a significant step that will allow the council greater flexibility regarding the future use or potential sale of these parcels.The properties in question were purchased by the Council in February 2025 at a sale of land for unpaid rates auction. The Council now proposes classifying them as operational land in accordance with section 31(2) of the Local Government Act 1993 (NSW).Why classify land as operational?Changing the classification of land to operational enables the council to put the land to an operational use. Crucially, it also allows for the potential disposal of the land in the future should the need or demand arise. This differs from community land, which is typically held for public use and enjoyment and has stricter limitations on its management and disposal.The three specific properties the draft resolution addresses are:•49 Yartla Lane / 49 Menindee Street: Identified as Lot 2 DP 397881.•44 Paringa Street, Menindee: Identified as Lot 7 Section 27 DP 7586691.•21 Cleaton Street, Wilcannia: Identified as Lot 2 DP 5248321.The Council is seeking public submissions regarding this draft resolution. This is your opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed classification of these particular properties.How to make a submission: Submissions must be made in writing. You can send your comments via:•Mail: The General Manager, Central Darling Shire Council, PO Box 165, Wilcannia NSW 28361.•Email: [email protected]'s important to note that submissions sent via social media will not be accepted.The deadline for all submissions is 4pm on Friday, May 30.Residents are encouraged to review the draft resolution and make a submission if they have any comments or concerns about the proposed classification of these land parcels.

People in Wilcannia and surrounds should take advantage of the great opportunity; a free vaccination clinic. It's on this Friday, May 16 from 10am to 2pm at the Wilcannia Community Hall. The clinic is offering Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) vaccinations, and 2025 Influenza (Flu) vaccinations. No bookings are required, you will just need your Medicare Card and identification.About Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV): Japanese encephalitis is a rare but serious illness caused by being bitten by a mosquito infected with the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV). People who work or do outside activities (e.g. camping, fishing, gardening) in high-risk areas are more likely to get Japanese encephalitis virus.To reduce the risk of serious disease from JEV, it’s recommended eligible people aged two months and older get a JEV vaccine.About Influenza (Flu): Influenza (flu) is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. People can get influenza at any time throughout the year but is most common in autumn and winter. Severe cases can result in breathing difficulties and pneumonia. People in NSW can die from flu-related illness. Everyone aged six months and over is recommended to get an annual flu vaccine to protect themselves from influenza.The clinic is delivered by Far West Local Health District in partnership with RFDS.

A report is being prepared for the Coroner, following the death of an 18-year-old on the weekend.At about 10:30 am on Saturday, May 10, emergency services were called to the scene of a crash involving two motorbikes on an unnamed dirt track near Nancarrows Lane, Rankins Springs. Officers from the Murrumbidgee Police District were told a male rider had collided with another motorbike, ridden by a man in his thirties. Despite the efforts of Ambulance Paramedics and first responders, the 18-year-old male could not be revived. The other rider was treated at the scene for cuts, abrasions and a sprained shoulder. He was later airlifted to Wagga Base Hospital for further treatment. Police have commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Flushing Water Mains -Monday May 12, Council will be conducting maintenance works on raw and filtered water mains. There may be temporary discoloration (rusty colour) in the filtered water and muddiness in the raw water during this process. This should run clear after water has been run for a few minutes.Also, Reminder to restrict use of outdoor (raw) water from Monday, May 12 as we fill up the raw water tower with filtered water to conduct the necessary works on the towers.Please limit your lawn and garden watering.Balranald Shire Council is upgrading digital water meters and chlorination systems. They are also undertaking road works on McCabe Street, Balranald. The council supplies filtered water to properties within a defined area and prohibits its use for external domestic purposes, including swimming pools. Service connections are limited to one 20mm nominal diameter per assessment, with larger connections possible with development application approval. 

Michelle Milthorpe Thanks Supporters, Reflects on Campaign of Integrity and Community Backing Independent candidate for Farrer, Michelle Milthorpe, has expressed deep gratitude to the community for their support during a grassroots campaign driven by integrity, hard work and a commitment to listening. “This campaign was never about politics-as-usual,” Mrs Milthorpe said in a statement to media. “We were a novice team, made up of locals who simply care about our community. We stayed positive, stayed focused, and always led with respect.” With close to 200 volunteers donning their orange shirts, the team letterboxed, doorknocked, and walked thousands of kilometres across the electorate—spreading the message of change, fairness and genuine representation. “We had a small budget, but a strong community. That’s what powered this campaign. People stood beside me because they want something better for Farrer—not more of the same,” Mrs Milthorpe said. The campaign faced some clear challenges, including the spread of misinformation and being denied the opportunity to correct the record. “We ran against a small group who continually circulated misleading claims, particularly around funding. I was fully transparent from the beginning about receiving a donation from Climate 200, and never misrepresented that fact,” Mrs Milthorpe said. “What’s disappointing is that the same level of scrutiny isn’t applied to major parties and their funding arrangements. I would ask the media to reflect on that and be more objective moving forward.” Mrs Milthorpe expressed issue with being incorrectly labelled throughout the campaign. “I ran as an independent, and to repeatedly be referred to in other ways was not only misleading—it was dishonest and insulting. It undermined the intelligence of voters and the integrity of the many hardworking people who supported this campaign.” Mrs Milthorpe also shared her hope that future vote counts might better reflect the nature of the contest, after Saturday night’s count proceeded using a two-party-preferred (2PP) method, despite earlier advice that it would follow a two-candidate-preferred (2CP) approach. “It meant that the live results didn’t give a clear picture of the actual contest,” she said. “I’d like to see more consistency and clarity around how independent candidates are represented in the count—it helps voters better understand what’s really happening.” Looking to the future, Mrs Milthorpe is hopeful that Farrer will no longer be considered a safe seat, saying that increased competitiveness is essential to securing fairer representation. “I’d like to thank people for trusting me with their vote. If nothing else, we’ve shown that this electorate can no longer be taken for granted. That alone is a win for our community.” While no firm decision has been made yet, Mrs Milthorpe is open to standing again. “This campaign might be over, but I’m not going anywhere. I’ll take some time to reflect, but I will always stand up for Farrer. We deserve better—and I’m here to help us get there.”

Hay Shire Council to Host Australia's Biggest Morning TeaGet ready to brew a cuppa for a cause! The Hay Shire Council will once again host an event for Australia's Biggest Morning Tea. Mark your calendars for Thursday May 22, 2025. The morning tea will take place outside the Shire Office in Lachlan Street, Hay NSW.Australia's Biggest Morning Tea is a major fundraising event for Cancer Council. It is held annually in May, encouraging individuals and communities across the country to host morning teas to raise funds for those affected by cancer.The core goal of the event is to raise funds to support the Cancer Council's vital work. This includes funding cancer research, prevention programs, and essential support services for individuals and families impacted by the disease.The concept behind the event is wonderfully simple yet highly effective: you host a morning tea and invite others to contribute. It strongly encourages community participation, with hosts able to choose their location, whether it's at home, a workplace, or a community gathering like the one hosted by the Shire.The event has a significant impact, raising millions of dollars each year and bringing people together nationwide to support those affected by cancer.The Hay Shire Council invites everyone to drop by to say hi and enjoy a cuppa and a treat, all while helping the Cancer Council raise vital funds.

Have Your Say on the NSW Meat Industry Levy RegulationMeat producers and interested parties across New South Wales are invited to provide feedback on proposed changes to the state's meat industry levy regulations. The NSW Food Authority is seeking submissions on the draft Meat Industry (Meat Industry Levy) Regulation 2025. This is a chance for organisations and individuals to comment on any matter relevant to the proposed new regulation. Feedback can be submitted online, via email, or by mail. The deadline for submissions is Sunday, June 1 2025. This feedback period is part of an open process where all comments will be reviewed and could lead to modifications to the draft regulation before it becomes law.So, what's going on?The Meat Industry Levy is a contribution required from meat producers in NSW, specifically occupiers of land who are liable to pay an animal health rate to Local Land Services. This levy supports essential food safety activities throughout the meat supply chain, ultimately benefiting the industry and consumers by ensuring meat is safe and suitable for consumption. The current levy structure requires producers to pay $5 annually plus 0.6 cents per stock unit of notional carrying capacity, with an average levy around $14 and a maximum cap of $130 per producer.The levy funds are crucial for several key activities. These include:•Enforcing the branding of meat.•Ensuring correct food labelling on meat products.•Conducting investigations into issues like meat substitution, illegal slaughter, and unlicensed meat businesses.•Participating in national standard-setting processes related to meat safety.•Educating the meat industry through food safety program audits and inspections.The proposed changes in the draft Meat Industry (Meat Industry Levy) Regulation 2025 are being put forward to remake the existing 2016 regulation. Importantly, the proposed changes do not involve altering the current annual meat industry levy amount. Producers will continue to pay the same calculation method ($5 plus 0.6 cents per stock unit, capped at $130).Instead, the focus of the proposed changes is on administrative amendments. These updates are intended to ensure the regulation remains relevant and fit for purpose, aiming to streamline processes for government and remove unnecessary red tape for producers while maintaining the necessary contribution to food safety activities.Key proposed administrative changes include:•Adjusting the date for issuing notices of levy payable to 31 March to better align with Local Land Services rates notices.•Removing duplicated text concerning notifying changes in land occupancy or ownership, as this is already covered elsewhere.•Eliminating a redundant $5 fee for applying for a certificate showing levies due.•Clarifying that certificates of levies due and payable issued by Local Land Services do not need to follow a specific prescribed format.•Making it easier for producers to dispute the validity of a levy by allowing these objections to be lodged with the Local Court instead of the District Court.•Setting the interest rate on overdue levies at 2% above the Commonwealth Bank's overdraft index rate for businesses, consistent with how Local Land Services calculates interest on other overdue rates and levies.•Removing outdated references to paper-based levy books, as land and producer details are already kept electronically.•Removing the requirement to provide certain property identification and personal details of new landowners when giving notice of sale or transfer of land.•Removing the requirement to provide certain property identification details when applying for a certificate about meat industry levies due and payable.These administrative adjustments aim for improved clarity and efficiency. After the submission period closes on 1 June 2025, all feedback will be carefully reviewed. The draft regulation may be modified based on this input before the new Meat Industry Levy Regulation 2025 is finalised and becomes law. Producers and the public will be notified when this occurs.

HAY SOUTH TO MAUDE: Sturt Highway is closed in both directions between Archer Street and Maude Road due to a truck on fire. Emergency services and traffic crews are on site. Diversions are in place for all vehicles via Maude Road, Cadell Street, Lachlan Street (Cobb Highway) to re join the Sturt Highway. Plan your journey and allow extra travel time.For the latest updates on this incident, visit https://www.livetraffic.com/incident-details/234140

Funding Opportunity Opens for Far West NSW Community GroupsLocal community groups and not-for-profit organisations in Broken Hill and the Far West NSW region have a chance to secure funding to support their vital work. Transgrid's Broken Hill & Far West NSW Community Partnerships Program has opened applications for its second round.This program represents a new $500,000 funding initiative launched by Transgrid specifically for community organisations and not-for-profit groups in these areas.Eligible organisations can apply for funding of up to $10,000 to support local initiatives aimed at creating long-term community benefits.Applications for this round are now open but will close on Friday, 23 May 2025.The first round of this funding initiative previously closed on December 7, 2024, with funds already distributed to successful applicants. Looking ahead, another round is scheduled to open on Monday, 31 March 2025.This new $500,000 initiative is separate from Transgrid’s $1.5 million contribution to the NSW Government’s community support package, which assists residents and businesses affected by the recent outage.Transgrid has a history of supporting the community through its broader Community Partnerships Program, having contributed over $1 million in the past two years to nearly 250 organisations. These have included a wide range of groups such as sporting clubs, Indigenous groups, social welfare and aged care providers, emergency response services, and youth organisations.To be eligible for the current funding round, organisations must be located in or serve a location that was directly impacted by the October 2024 outage. Eligible postcodes listed for this round include 2648, 2715, 2836, 2879, 2880, covering areas such as Whitecliffs, Wilcannia, Broken Hill, and Menindee.Organisations encouraged not to miss out on this opportunity to make a lasting impact in their community. Apply now. Further information is available on the Transgrid Community Partnerships Program webpage.

Balranald Fire Station Opens Doors to Community - Discover the Benefits of Fire Station Open DaysBalranald is inviting the community to step inside for a day of fun and learning. The Balranald Fire Station, located at 123 Market Street, will host an open day on Saturday May 10, running from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. This is a fantastic opportunity to bring the family along and engage with the dedicated crew who serve our area.Visitors can look forward to a variety of activities designed for all ages. There will be a free sausage sizzle, the chance to explore fire trucks and equipment, and even an opportunity to try out the fire hoses. Guided tours of the station will be available, allowing residents to see behind the scenes. It's also a perfect time to chat with the friendly crew about essential fire safety tips for your home and find out how you can potentially join the crew yourself. The team is keen to see everyone there.The Balranald event highlights the many advantages of attending Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) Open Days held across the state. These events offer significant benefits to the community, providing a direct connection with the people and resources dedicated to our safety.Attending an FRNSW Open Day is a valuable experience for several reasons.It's a chance to meet local firefighters, ask them questions, and gain insight into their daily duties and responsibilities.You can explore specialised equipment and fire trucks, learning about the technology FRNSW uses to combat fires and respond to various emergencies.Boost Your Safety Knowledge: Open Days are packed with crucial fire safety information, including how to prevent fires, plan safe escapes, and the vital importance of having working smoke alarms.Connect with Your Community: These events help foster a sense of community, allowing residents to interact directly with their local fire station and understand the services they provide.Understand FRNSW's Role: Open Days underscore FRNSW's commitment to enhancing community safety, quality of life, and confidence by working to minimise the impact of hazards and emergencies.

Kayla Garner of Hay, and integral part of the shearing company Wilshear, is the epitome of the modern mother. Successful and well known in her field, involved and committed to providing her children with the best possible life, and part of a close and large family that lends a hand when they can. Daughter of Lionel and Wilma, and having dynamic relatives such as Libby Eason and Will Miller in that family tree, one could theorise that the nature is indeed genetic. If anyone could say they have it all, it probably would be her. She has lived her life with motivation and drive, earning it for herself wherever she turns. She helps her father Lionel run the family business. She operates as Shed Manager, and also in a wool classing role. She has always been a fixture in the sheds. She accompanied her father Lionel to work every school holiday from a young age. Kayla never failed to succeed and shine in a male dominated industry. Kayla says it has somewhat become a fine art to accomplish all tasks before rain hits, and navigating around floodwaters, but they make it work. She says the days become substantially longer though. Additional travel and sometimes detouring is required. They can already be hours into their day before they can get the tasks at hand done. This ends up dragging the day out consider ably. Her loving partner Hunter is their three children’s primary carer. “I would not be able to do it without him, he is a perfect stay-at-home dad, I am very lucky, he does it all,” Kayla remarked. “The kids are also extremely helpful, which is a huge help.” When water and rain do impact the ability to get to the sheds, Kayla uses that as a much needed opportunity to lesson plan, mark work, and catch up on paper work. Kayla delivers Certificate IV Wool Classing at TAFE HAY. She has always consid ered herself a hands-on teacher. Even before taking on her TAFE role, train ing others in the sheds, and helping wherever she can. “The industry was currently experiencing a shortage of wool classers, meaning TAFE NSW graduates were even more in demand,” Kayla said. Certificate IV in Wool Classing is an 18-month course which qualifies graduates to work as wool classers. Units in the course include preparing wool for sale; classing fleece lines and documenting wool clips. Kayla has been select ed to be a member of an AWEX board (Australian Wool Exchange). This is the way of the future for her industry, in regards to document ing and traceability for the whole wool pipeline. She will bring to the board her experience with the program, and suggest ways to improve or make changes. Another immense love of hers has been martial arts. Although finding the time to devote to this is understandably difficult of late. “The children, Hunter, and myself when time permits, often practise in the backyard. “That is about the extent of it these days,” Kayla said with a laugh. She and Hunter have competed in various places including Dubbo, Bathurst, Ungarie and Orange. Hunter had always been involved in boxing and martial arts, and Kayla’s love for it came later. “I am a very competitive person, I thrive on competition,” she said. “We were living at the back of a dojo; we could not find a rental. “Hunter’s friend offered us the loft at the back of the dojo. “There was a Jujitsu tournament underway when I came home from a day at the sheds. “With no prior experience whatsoever, I was repeatedly encouraged to have a go, told that it wasn’t all that different to wrestling a sheep. “In five seconds, I had beaten an opponent from Spain who was top three in the field. “The next go I had, I tied against a black belt, although I did not know any of this at the time,” she laughed. Her children are involved in so many pursuits in the community. When commended on that with time schedules being so hectic, Kayla remained matter of fact. “We want to build community involvement and for them to feel the wealth of belonging.” It’s clear that this is something Kayla already has in droves. In the midst of the multitude of things already on her plate, she is President of Hay Branch of Little Athletics. She credits her and her partner’s strong sense of community, and also immense help from her family in the positive shaping of her children. “Hunter travels to Sydney for study a couple of times a month. “All of my family work, but always help and sort out work around my kids, so I am beyond grateful,” she said. “Our little family is blessed here in Hay, we have a lot of support behind us. “We also try to get the kids out and about as much as we can. “We recently travelled to the Great Ocean Road and Griffith City Theatre. “We want to expose them to different experiences and teach them that there is a big wide world out there. “They need to see as much as they can, so they can figure out where they fit, and to make some dreams and goals of their own,” she said. She was Australian National Wool Handling Champion in 2013, and has more than 15 years’ experience as a wool classer. At the young age of 34, she has accomplished more than many would in a lifetime. It is so heart warming to see younger generations still blessed with community spirit, and old fashioned family values. Add to that the fearless pursuit of dreams and ambitions, it is truly something to behold. An inspiration for young women now and future generations, hats of to you Kayla, a true role model!

Time to Honour Our Heroes: NSW Volunteer Awards Nominations Now OpenIt’s time to shine a light on the incredible individuals who selflessly give their time and skills to make a difference across our communities. Nominations for the NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards are now officially open, providing a vital opportunity to recognise these everyday heroes.Volunteering is defined as time willingly given for the common good and without financial gain. It encompasses more than just formal roles; it includes giving your time, sharing your skills, and helping out in your community. Acts of giving and helping that are deeply embedded in cultural practices are also forms of volunteering. For example, cooking a meal to give to firefighters is considered volunteering because it benefits people outside your immediate household and family. However, helping only family members or those you live with, like cooking a meal for a cousin's birthday, is not classified as volunteering in this context.The contribution of volunteers in NSW is immense. In 2023 alone, 4.3 million residents volunteered, contributing a staggering 893.9 million hours. This effort resulted in an estimated $178 billion economic benefit to the state. On average, volunteers in NSW dedicate about 4 hours per week to their efforts. This vital workforce is diverse, including young people, seniors, skilled professionals, and people with disabilities. Notably, over 737,000 young people aged 15-24 were among the volunteers in 2023. Informal volunteering is also prevalent, with 4.4 million residents helping non-family members with tasks. A significant portion of volunteering – 47.5 per cent – happens within local communities, while 33.4 per cent is done from home or online.The NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards aim to celebrate this significant contribution. There are seven award categories designed to honour a wide range of volunteers, whether they are young people, seasoned volunteers, leaders, or those serving in emergency services.Nominating someone is straightforward and takes place via The Centre for Volunteering's website. Simply navigate to the “Awards” section to get started.The 2025 nomination process allows for two distinct types of recognition:Nomination for Recognition Only: This is the simplest way to acknowledge a volunteer. These nominations are not judged, but the volunteer will be invited to their regional ceremony and presented with a certificate identical to those nominated for judging. This process requires completing four parts.Nomination for Judging: This is for nominees who will be considered for the main NSW Volunteer of the Year Award within their category. This requires completing three detailed questions about the nominee's work, and all must be finished for the nomination to be accepted by the Judging Committee.It is important to note that volunteers and volunteer leaders are not permitted to nominate themselves. The power to recognise their efforts lies with the community they serve.Don't miss this chance to show your appreciation for the volunteers who strengthen our communities every day. Be quick to submit your nominations, as they close at 5pm on Friday May 23.https://www.volunteering.com.au/awards/about-the-awards/

Sussan Ley has confirmed she will make a bid for the leadership of the Liberal Party on Tuesday.Ms Ley has been touted amongst those intending to put their hand up for the position, following the exit from politics of Peter Dutton.As leader of the Liberals, Mr Dutton took the Coalition to the May 3 election, and lost his own seat of Dutton, in the massive Labor win.Ms Ley confirmed her bid on morning television today (Friday May 9)"On Tuesday morning, when the Liberal Party room meets in Canberra, I will be putting myself forward for the position of leader of the federal party," Ms Ley said on breakfast show 'Sunrise'."I've listened. We got it wrong. We need to do things differently going forward, and we do need a fresh approach."We suffered a significant election defeat, and since then I've been having many conversations with my colleagues, with members of the community, with members of the party, indeed the Coalition, with everyday Australians."

Central Darling Shire Council General Manager, Greg Hill, has written to Member of Barwon, Roy Butler, to raise the Council’s concerns about a lack of permanent police numbers in the Shire.Ivanhoe Police Station is currently unattended, with both officer positions in the recruitment process. As a result, the Ivanhoe community is being serviced by the Balranald Police Station, which is located approximately 200 kilometres away.Menindee Police Station has only one sergeant, with two vacant police officer positions yet to be filled.A third Police post, Wilcannia Police Station, is staffed by 11 officers, however, key senior positions including an Inspector, Sergeant, and several Constables spots are vacant and undergoing recruitment – leaving approximately four officers in Wilcannia.“Over many years the Central Darling Shire and our communities have worked hard to build a reputation for our towns being safe and secure,” said Mr Hill.“In recent years we have been seeing the results of this. Over the past few years, Council has successfully recruited new staff from outside the Shire to fill areas where there is a skills shortage. This current situation with a drastic lack of police puts all that hard work in jeopardy with the potential to impact Council’s ability to recruit and maintain staff. It also could impact our tourism numbers.“Our Shire relies on tourism as an important economic driver, and it is vital to our economy. The ongoing shortages of police officers in Far West NSW, coupled with the high number of vacancies, mean that recruitment efforts are merely maintaining current staffing levels rather than addressing the backlog of unfilled positions.”Furthermore, the existing workload pressures, including extensive overtime demands, are affecting police morale and increasing fatigue, which could further exacerbate staff shortages, said the Council General Manager.Over the past 12 months, the Council’s Administrator and General Manager have attended Country Mayors’ meetings at Parliament House, where they heard a presentation from the NSW Deputy Commissioner of Police on new initiatives aimed at attracting officers to regional areas.They say it has become increasingly clear “that these initiatives are not effectively addressing the challenges in Central Darling”.“New recruits are overwhelmingly drawn to Sydney and more affluent regional areas, where lifestyle and social opportunities far outweigh any promotional or financial incentives to relocate to the Far West.“Council is calling for the situation to be urgently addressed and appreciates Mr Butler’s support with this important issue in bringing it to the government’s attention,” said Mr Hill.

The Herriott Family left a lasting impression on the village of Carrathool, in the early years of the settlement, establishing the first public house, the Herriot’s Family Hotel. The site of the current Family Hotel at Carrathool sits on the corner of Herriott and Wade Streets. William and Elizabeth Herriott came to Carrathool from the Deniliquin area originally operating the South Hay Hotel. On March 11, 1882 William advertised in The Riverine Grazier his intention to apply for a liquor licence and establish a hotel at Carrathool. Tragedy struck the family before construction on the Family Hotel commenced, when William passed away suddenly. “The sudden death of Mr William Herriott, of Carrathool, created a painful sensation in Hay when it became known on Thursday. The deceased gentleman had been in Hay attending the sessions, where he had a slander case against Mr J. Parr. This greatly worried him and there is no doubt led to his death, as any excitement was prejudicial to him. He had for some time been ailing. He returned home on Wednesday and died that night. Death was caused by disease of the heart. We understand the slander case and other disputes about property matters had been mutually settled before Mr Herriott left Hay. The body was brought to Hay by the train on Thursday, and the funeral took place on Friday at three o'clock; the numerous attendance testifying to the high respect in which the deceased gentleman was held. Mr Herriott was a very old resident of Riverina. He was for sometime with Mr Taylor of the Royal Hotel, Deniliquin, and was afterwards in business (of) the Sportsman's Arms. Mr Herriott afterwards opened the South Hay Hotel now occupied by Mr McLaughlin. Afterwards Mr Herriott went to Carrathool where he acquired large interests, most of the land in and around that town being his property. The Riverine Grazier December 8, 1883. Undaunted wife Elizabeth and son Arthur progressed work and advertised for tenders to build the hotel in March 11, 1884. In March 1884 a public notice was published in The Grazier advising Mrs Elizbeth Herriott applying for a liquor licence for ‘Herriott’s Family Hotel’ at Carrathool, which opened soon after. By mid-April of that year the family was seeking the services of a ‘good cook’ in the classified section of the newspaper. Business obviously boomed, because by late July 1884 the hotel was expanding; Elizabeth and Arthur called for tenders for bricklayers and labourers for additional buildings, that plans had been drawn up for.In 1885 Elizabeth renewed her liquor licence and soon after applied for and was granted a billiard licence. Herriott’s Family Hotel quickly became the centre of social gatherings in Carrathool and for the people of the town and surrounding sta tions, just as it is today. In 1885 the St Patrick’s Day Races horse auction was held at Herriott’s and politician James Gormly used the Hotel to successfully campaign for the seat of Murrumbidgee. In 1888 The Grazier reported an official visit by high ranking church official, and in 1889 Dr Kiernander of Narrandera made Herriott’s his base for his monthly medical clinic. Land sale auctions were often held at the Hotel, and Herriott’s was the venue for meet ings of Carrathool School of the Arts. The hotel was frequently mentioned in the social pages, as Herriott’s became the venue of choice for retirement and farewell parties, champagne toasts and community celebrations. Elizabeth’s daughter Kitty celebrated her marriage at the hotel. “A pleasing ceremony took place at Carrathool on January 31, when Mr. John Davies, manager for Mrs. Herriott, was married to Miss Kitty Herriott. The Rev. Mr. Robertson, from Hay, per formed the ceremony, at the conclusion of which the party sat down to an excellent break fast. The bride, who looked charming, was attired in a very pretty dress of French muslin, trimmed with lace to match. The bridesmaids were the Misses Lizzie and Mary Herriott, of Carrathool; Miss S. Herriott and Miss Ginlieri, of Deniliquin. The two former were prettily dressed in grey crepon, with sashes to match. The happy couple left by train for Sydney, en route to New Zealand, where they intend spending their honeymoon.” The Riverine Grazier, Feb 10, 1893. An overseas honeymoon taken by a daughter with a widowed mother in the 1890s is testament to Elizabeth’s success as a businesswoman. And she was no push-over. In 1893 Elizabeth appeared at Carrathool court after being sued over a 3 pound cheque. The charge was dismissed by the Magistrate, and then at the same session and undeterred, Elizabeth successfully sued a lodger for unpaid rent. In 1893 a cottage at Carrathool owned by Elizabeth was destroyed by fire, and in July 1894 an ad appeared in The Grazier with Arthur offering the Tattersall’s Hotel and home in Hay plus four cottages and land at Carrathool. Carrathool store owner Joseph Killander acquired the hotel and was licensee from April 1895 to 1898, ending the Herriott family’s association with the Family Hotel.

New legislation in NSW gives councils and public land managers greater powers to address abandoned property in public areas.The Public Spaces (Unattended Property) Act 2021 (PSUP Act) has replaced the Impounding Act 1993, introducing stronger measures for items such as trailers, boats, and caravans left in public spaces. Under the new laws, authorities can issue notices to owners of unattended vehicles, including those that are registered and left in the same location for more than 28 days.If a vehicle poses a safety risk or obstruction, it can be removed immediately. For unregistered or immobile registered vehicles, the removal timeframe is reduced to three days. If owners fail to comply, authorities may move the vehicle, take possession of the space, relocate the vehicle to storage, and issue a fine.Fines for leaving vehicles unattended start at $660, with the potential for higher penalties imposed by a court. The PSUP Act aims to increase accountability for individuals and businesses to manage their property promptly, under threat of stronger penalties.NSW Local Government Minister Wendy Tuckerman said the new powers were needed, noting that councils spend $17 million annually dealing with abandoned shopping trolleys alone. "The new rules put the onus back on owners where it belongs," Tuckerman said. "These new laws will not only save councils time and money, they'll also ensure public spaces are safer, more accessible, and more enjoyable for our communities."The legislation also includes more flexible requirements for retailers regarding after-hours collection of abandoned trolleys.The PSUP Act also grants authorities specific powers to manage stock animals wandering on public roads and posing a safety risk, a measure that was widely supported by local governments across NSW. The new rules apply to a range of items, including boat trailers, unregistered cars, trailers and caravans, shared bikes, and personal watercraft. Owners or responsible parties may be issued a notice to prevent items from becoming unattended again, with penalties applicable if the item is subsequently left unattended. Unregistered vehicles may be removed from the public space and returned to private property.

Despite a swing against her, and Labor winning the federal election in a landslide, Liberal Party incumbent Sussan Ley appears poised to retain the seat of Farrer.At the time of publication, Ms Ley held an estimated 62 per cent of the vote, ahead of first-time independent candidate Michelle Milthorpe, who is expected to capture more than 20 per cent of the vote tally.Labor’s Glen Hyde is trailing the two forerunners on just over 15 per cent.The Australian Electoral Commission is yet to formally declare the results for Farrer, as preference votes are still being counted. On Saturday evening, after polls had closed Ms Ley addressed the volunteers gathered with her in Albury."It was a tough fight in Farrer,” Ms Ley said “I'm very humbled that I have retained the seat of Farrer and I wanted to very much express my thanks tonight, which I have, to the many volunteers across my electorate, not just in Albury but all the way to the South Australian border who turned out for me and of course for the people who voted for me.“It was an election where across the country the vote for the Liberal Party declined and I've lost good colleagues as a result from the federal Parliament and my seat was not immune from that decline in support."On Sunday Ms Milthorpe released a video message, conceding the election and thanking voters.“Thank you to the people of Farrer who trusted me with their vote,” Ms Milthorpe said. “This campaign was powered by those who gave their time, energy and belief so generously. I am truly grateful.”Ms Milthorpe was also gracious in her congratulations to Ms Ley.“Congratulations to the incumbent Ms Ley on retaining the seat. I do wish her well over the next three years. If she does well, we all do well.”Ms Milthorpe did not comment definitively on future plans in politics.“This is not the end of the road for me; this is just a new chapter.”With the Coalition in disarray following the defeat of opposition leader Peter Dutton in the seat of Dickson, the race is on to see who will become his replacement. On the weekend Mr Dutton became the first Australian opposition leader to lose their seat, and Ms Ley is amongst those political commentators are suggesting will vie to become the next leader of the position.Ms Ley was not yet able to comment on the leadership spill when contacted by The Riverine Grazier, but if the federal member for Farrer becomes opposition leader there could be implications for voters across the electorate.

Jamie Chaffey is the newly elected Member for Parkes - this is how it all unfoldedJamie Chaffey, The Nationals Candidate for Parkes, started election day at the most southern booth in the seat of Parkes, Barmedman, before travelling to Dubbo to cast his vote, with his wife Judy. Mr Chaffey then made his way to Gunnedah, dropping into as many booths as time would allow including Mendooran Central School, Coonabarabran High School, and Mullaley Primary School, before finishing at the Gunnedah PCYC. Mr Chaffey was joined by his wife Judy, their four children, their partners and grandchildren, Mark and Robyn Coulton, and loyal supporters to watch the results come in at a function in Gunnedah. "I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the people of the Parkes electorate," Mr Chaffey said."Over the last nine months of the campaign I have met so many incredible people, and I would like to thank everyone who gave me their vote and supported me during the campaign."This includes Mark and Robyn Coulton, and we thank them for their tireless service over the last 17 years for the Parkes electorate."Mark Coulton held the seat for the past 17 years, on behalf of the Nationals, but did not seek re-election, instead throwing his support behind the Chaffey campaign.Mr Coulton made a symbolic presentation of his collection of ties from across the electorate, to Mr Chaffey."To the other candidates, thank you for putting your hand up for your community and your nation."We may have different ideas, but I do believe we are all just trying to make our country a better place for future generations."Once the polls are declared I will get to work to fight for every single person in the Parkes electorate to make our area an even better place to live," Mr Chaffey said."Although we have had the result we hoped for in Parkes, it has been a disappointing result overall, and I'm concerned for what that will mean for our country."But there is no doubt we still live in the best country in the world and I'm incredibly honoured to be entrusted with this great opportunity to represent the people of the Parkes electorate," Mr Chaffey said. 

Following the conclusion of counting in the recent federal election, unsuccessful candidate Glen Hyde has issued a statement reflecting on the result and thanking his supporters and campaign team. The sitting member, Sussan Ley, has won another term representing the Farrer electorate.Mr Hyde offered his warmest congratulations to Sussan, expressing hope that she will do more for the electorate in the coming term. He also extended congratulations to Michelle Millthorpe, acknowledging her courage after a personal loss during the campaign, stating, "her courage after the loss of her father during the campaign is something I salute and greatly respect". Congratulations were also offered to all other candidates who stood for their respective parties.Reflecting on the challenge of contesting the seat, Hyde noted the commitment required to run in what he described as a "stronghold like this one", which requires candidates to "expose your life and career to a media group who don’t always treat us with the sensitivity others receive". He added that "so far has the standing of the political profession dropped in a single generation".Hyde expressed significant gratitude to his campaign team, led by Joe Lochery. He acknowledged the challenge of preparing for the campaign with "precious little time", but credited the team with ensuring he was "fit for purpose and competitive from the outset" in Farrer, which is described as the "second biggest in the state of NSW". Hyde illustrated the scale of the campaign effort by noting the distance covered: "When people asked me 'how many days now?', I responded with the number of kilometres I’d racked up (over 7500 of them in five weeks)".He thanked members and supporters, specifically mentioning Lee, Stacey, and Noni for travelling interstate to volunteer. Hyde described the opportunity to represent them on the political stage as a "privilege" and "an honour few of us receive", expressing deep gratitude. He also thanked Senator Deborah O’Neill, NSW Labor Duty Parliamentarians, and the team at NSW Labor HQ for their ongoing support.Addressing his family and friends, Hyde called them "brilliant" and acknowledged his political activities as perhaps unexpected, stating, "I know I keep pulling rabbits out of the hat but this will be the final surprise". He described his political journey as "long and often difficult", but stated he has "enjoyed every bit of it", including previous political involvement in both the ACT and his birth state of NSW.Looking to the future, Hyde indicated a shift in focus. "But the time has come for me to step back," he stated, adding his intention to "start mentoring the next generation to serve and represent us under the proud Labor flag I love and have been honoured to be a member of". This mentoring, he said, would begin by continuing to promote the "camaraderie built up on polling booths here in Farrer with all the other vollies (campaign volunteers)". He highlighted the unique nature of the Farrer electorate, noting, "We got to know a little about each other and have some fun along the way in a respectful and cordial atmosphere I haven’t experienced anywhere else. That is the unique nature of this electorate that I hope we preserve for many years to come".Finally, Hyde congratulated Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, the successful candidates and returning parliamentarians, and the team behind the national election outcome, calling it a "fantastic national victory". He concluded by stating, "I look forward to watching as the next parliament forms and performs for all Australians."