A man has been charged following an investigation into the alleged theft of hundreds of thousands of dollars from ATMs in the state’s far west.Last week, Barrier Police District detectives began an investigation after reports more than $700,000 cash was unaccounted for from ATMs in the Broken Hill area.Following inquiries, about 1.30pm on Tuesday August 26, investigators executed a search warrant at a home in Broken Hill, seizing digital devices, ATM security tags and keys. While executing the warrant, a 32-year-old man was seen driving into the street before driving off after seeing police.The vehicle was stopped nearby on Cummins Street and the man was arrested.During a subsequent search of the vehicle, police allegedly seized $6,235 cash, ATM security tags and keys.The man was arrested and taken to Broken Hill Police Station where he was charged nine counts of larceny greater than $15,000, and knowingly deal with proceeds of crime.Police will allege in court that a man allegedly accessed ATMs as part of his employment, depositing over $375,000 directly into personal and business accounts.He was granted conditional bail to appear in in Broken Hill Local Court on Tuesday September 9, 2025.

First-term councillor cites extended travel requirements as council begins countback processBroken Hill City councillor Ashley Byrne has resigned from his position effective immediately, with work commitments requiring him to be away from the city for extended periods.The first-term councillor announced his resignation on Friday, prompting council to contact the NSW Electoral Commission to initiate a countback process to fill the vacant position.In a statement, Mr Byrne said serving the community had been "one of the greatest honours" of his life."I am grateful to have had the opportunity to represent a community I care so deeply about," he said."Unfortunately, my work roster will now require me to be out of town for extended periods, so I am no longer able to give the duties of councillor the time, attention, and presence it deserves."The resignation creates the first vacancy on the current Broken Hill City Council term. Under NSW electoral law, the position will be filled through a countback process conducted by the Electoral Commission, which examines preference flows from the most recent election to determine the replacement councillor.Mr Byrne expressed his continued commitment to the community despite stepping down from elected office."This community shaped who I am and my belief in the city's potential is as strong as ever," he said. "I look forward to continuing contributing to the community in other ways outside of office."The countback process typically takes several weeks to complete once initiated by the Electoral Commission. The successful candidate will serve the remainder of Mr Byrne's term.Broken Hill City Council has not indicated when the countback process is expected to conclude.

“State Government attempts to buy off rural voters with “pathetic” Sustainable Communities payments,” - Independent Member for Murray, Helen Dalton.Helen Dalton has described the State Government’s $15 million one-off Sustainable Communities payment as “pathetic” and “hush money.” The payment is part of a $160 million Sustainable Communities scheme, designed to offset the impact of damaging water policies in the Murray Darling Basin. “It’s estimated that the State and Federal Government will do $2 billion a year worth of damage to the regional Australian economy with their water policies,” Helen said. “So, $15 million a is a pathetic drop in the river.” Ms Dalton says the payments are being made in order to silence Local Councils who are the primary recipients of the money. “I know how politics works. The government is just trying to buy silence while they do over the people of Murray, again,” said Helen.“Premier Chris Minns needs to fix the problem which is his governments failed water policies,” she continued.“No amount of hush money will silence the people of my electorate. “I’ve also told Minister Moriarty that we don’t want a handful of pocket change. “We just want sensible water policies that protect and promote farming families along the Murray Darling Basin.“The Minister and the Premier wouldn’t need to use taxpayer-funded hush money to silence anyone if they simply stood up the to the Federal Government, and the Murray Darling Basin Authority, and started running NSW rivers for the benefit of the NSW people.”

The community of White Cliffs is set to benefit from some much-needed improvement works to the Community Hall. Central Darling Shire Council has welcomed news from the State Member for Barwon, Roy Butler, that an application for upgrade works at White Cliffs Hall has received grant funding. Council applied for the grant through the NSW Government’s 2025 Community Building Partnership Program (CBP). This application was successful in securing $16,500 for the hall improvement project. The project will see improved safety, accessibility, and useability of the Community Hall. Work will include flooring, refurbishment and locking mechanisms on the existing emergency doors, internal painting, and a new ABC transmitter.

Lock up: Police issue warning following Piper Street vehicle stolenAbout 2.15am on Monday, August 25, a group of unknown persons entered a number of unlocked vehicles on Piper Street and took numerous items, including wallets and cash. The unknown persons then entered a house on Piper Street which was unoccupied at the time. The persons have obtained a set of car keys which has allowed them access to a 2013 Toyota Kluger parked in the driveway. This vehicle has been driven away from the scene and is currently listed as stolen.Police are currently investigating the matter, and do not believe the offenders are from the Hay township. Police are requesting any members of the public who may have any information about this matter or CCTV to contact crime stoppers on 1800 333 000.Police would like to remind the public the importance of locking and securing your property and vehicles and ensuring valuable items such as wallets, vehicle keys and garage remotes aren’t visible from outside your home or stored near entrances.

Health Minister Mark Butler has announced a significant shake-up of Australia's disability support system, revealing plans for a new program called Thriving Kids that will see thousands of young children with autism and moderate developmental delays transition away from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).Speaking at the National Press Club on Wednesday, Mr Butler outlined the Government's vision for a more targeted approach to early childhood intervention, arguing that the NDIS was never designed to cater for the growing number of young children currently enrolled in the scheme.The statistics paint a stark picture of how the NDIS has evolved since its inception. Originally estimated to serve 411,000 participants at a cost of $13.6 billion annually, the scheme now supports more than 740,000 people and is forecast to cost $64 billion by 2029. Perhaps most significantly, children under 15 now comprise nearly half of all NDIS participants, with one in ten six-year-olds across the country currently on the scheme."Tens and tens of thousands of young children with mild to moderate developmental delay or autism are on a scheme set up for permanent disability," Mr Butler explained. "I doubt very much that that is what most of their parents really wanted or expected. But it's all they've had available—the only port in the storm, if you like."The Minister emphasised that families weren't to blame for this situation, acknowledging their love for their children and desire to access the best available support. However, he argued that the current system was failing to meet their needs effectively.Set to launch in July 2026 and roll out over the following 12 months, Thriving Kids represents a fundamental shift in how Australia supports young children with developmental challenges. The program will be jointly funded by the Commonwealth and state and territory governments, with the Federal Government committing an initial $2 billion investment.Unlike the NDIS model, which provides individual funding packages that families must navigate independently, Thriving Kids will leverage existing mainstream services that most families already engage with. These include maternal and child health services, GP practices, early learning centres, community centres, and schools."Families with a young child who is missing some milestones are not best helped by receiving a budget of $10,000 or $20,000 or $30,000 and then being expected to work out themselves how to spend it," Mr Butler said. "And, frankly, many of those children are being over-serviced."The Minister highlighted concerning statistics about current service levels, noting that the average young NDIS participant with moderate needs receives more than 70 therapy sessions per year. "There is no evidence I'm aware of that supports children being taken away from learning and other activities for that much therapy," he said.Central to the Thriving Kids philosophy is the integration of children into mainstream settings where they naturally live, play, and learn. This approach aligns with best practice in early childhood intervention, which emphasises the importance of inclusive environments over isolated, one-on-one therapy sessions.The program will introduce new Medicare bulk-billed items, potentially including health checks for three-year-olds to identify developmental issues early. This preventative approach aims to provide timely, evidence-based interventions that support both children and their families more effectively."Parents and families need guidance to access well-curated, evidence-based support and therapy—most of which existed long before the NDIS," Mr Butler emphasised.While the concept has merit, several challenges lie ahead for successful implementation. The tight timeline for rollout—just 12 months from launch—raises questions about whether adequate systems can be established across all states and territories.Relations between federal and state governments have been strained recently, particularly around NDIS negotiations. Thriving Kids will require unprecedented cooperation, as states and territories are responsible for many of the services the program will utilise.There are also concerns about diagnostic consistency. Some experts worry that creating separate eligibility criteria for the NDIS versus Thriving Kids could lead to "diagnostic drift," where families or health professionals seek diagnoses that provide access to more comprehensive support.Equity remains another critical consideration. The program must ensure that marginalised groups—including culturally and linguistically diverse families and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people—receive fair access to services. These communities have historically faced barriers under the current NDIS system.Looking ForwardFrom mid-2027, children with mild to moderate developmental delays or autism will no longer enter the NDIS, instead receiving support through Thriving Kids. However, the transition period requires careful management to ensure no families fall through the cracks.Recent months have already seen some children reassessed and deemed ineligible for the NDIS, often leaving families without alternative support options. Ensuring continuity of care during this transition will be crucial for maintaining public confidence in the new system.Mr Butler's announcement also included ambitious targets for NDIS growth reduction, aiming to decrease the current 8 per cent annual growth rate to between 5 and 6 per cent over the next decade—though this target has yet to receive Cabinet approval.A Necessary EvolutionThe Minister framed these changes as returning the NDIS to its original intent: supporting people with significant and permanent disabilities. "Only around one in 50 people have significant and permanent disability, which requires a 'bespoke scheme' like the NDIS," he said. "But 10 in 50 young children experience developmental delay or autism, mostly at mild to moderate levels. That's a broad-based, mainstream issue that should be supported by broad-based, mainstream services."For families currently navigating the NDIS system with young children, these changes may initially seem daunting. However, if successfully implemented, Thriving Kids promises a more integrated, evidence-based approach that could better serve Australia's most vulnerable young people whilst ensuring the long-term sustainability of specialist disability support for those who need it most.The success of this ambitious reform will ultimately depend on effective collaboration between all levels of government, meaningful engagement with families and service providers, and careful attention to implementation details over the coming months. As Mr Butler acknowledged, "We need, as a matter of some urgency, to create a better system that will enable our children to thrive."

Sadly, organisations and businesses in the small town of Menindee have been experiencing break ins of late.Menindee pharmacy was broken into recently, this being far from the first time.The NSW Rural Fire Service shed was also broken into, prompting an outcry from the organisation on social media.“It is a disgrace,” the fire service commented on their Facebook page. “Community funds, which are often thin on the ground are being wasted on fixing critical equipment and sorting this mess.”It was said on a Menindee group Facebook page that the people who broke into the pharmacy can ‘smile for the cameras’ next time.In any part of anywhere, break ins and crime are terrible on many levels. But in a very small isolated community, such as Menindee, the upset, heartache and ramifications can spread even wider. People work hard to have these resources, especially in isolated places, often the resources they do have come from community effort and many hours of volunteering.If you have any information about either incident, come forward to the relevant authorities.

Council's financial reports for July 2025 reveal strong fiscal management with total investments of $41,412,609.05 and effective cash flow management despite seasonal variations.During Carrathool Shire's recent August meeting of Council, a strong financial position was detailed. Council's main account processed $3,448,220.51 in receipts during July, including $1,800,000 in recalled investments and $1,087,363.84 in rates and debtor collections. Total payments reached $3,449,458.25, primarily covering creditor payments of $2,004,932.81 and wages of $663,488.64.The month concluded with a cashbook balance of $239,045.07, closely aligned with bank statement totals after accounting for $150 in unpresented cheques.Investment Portfolio Performance: Total investments decreased by $1,126,510.84 from the previous month, comprising $39,268,599.23 in Invested Bank Deposits (IBDs) and $2,144,009.82 in on-call funds. IBDs are held across major banks including CBA, Bendigo, Westpac, and NAB with interest rates ranging from 3.40 per cent to 4.60 per cent.Investment maturities span from August 2025 to January 2026, providing flexibility for Council operations whilst maintaining competitive returns.Compliance and Policy Adherence: All investments comply with Local Government Act requirements and Council's Investment Policy 019. However, the report identified limited portfolio diversification as a potential risk factor requiring attention.The investment portfolio provides crucial funding for Operational Plan projects whilst maintaining the financial sustainability necessary for long-term community service delivery.

Across the three wards, local residents have stepped forward to represent their communities in this groundbreaking election.Ward A features four candidates, all from Wilcannia: Monica Jean Kerwin, Peter Geoffrey Sullivan, Owen Douglas Whyman, and Rhonda Lee Hynch.Ward B presents a diverse field of five candidates representing multiple communities: Sacha-Rachelle Sullivan from Whitecliffs, Max Bradley from Ivanhoe, Peter Francis Crawford from Whitecliffs, Fay Elizabeth Johnstone from Ivanhoe, and Robert Vagg from Ivanhoe.Ward C currently has Daniel Fusi from Menindee as the sole candidate, though nominations may still be pending.Under the Rural and Remote Council framework, the community will elect three councillors to represent their interests whilst maintaining standard operational functions of local government with enhanced structural support. This model has been specifically designed to address the unique challenges facing remote NSW communities.The NSW Government has demonstrated significant commitment to the transition, investing $6 million over two years to ensure a smooth shift from administration to elected representation and establish sustainable financial foundations for the council's future operations.All Australian citizens aged 18 and over who are enrolled in the shire are legally required to vote. Residents had until 6:00 PM on Monday, 11 August 2025, to complete their enrolment for this significant milestone.Election Day Voting:Date: Saturday, September 20 2025Time: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PMPre-polling Options:Dates: Monday, 15 September to Friday, 19 September 2025Available for those unable to attend on election dayAlternative Voting Methods:Postal voting: Applications available through elections.nsw.gov.au for residents unable to access polling placesTelephone voting: Available for blind or low-vision residentsHow to VoteWhen voting, residents will receive one councillor ballot paper and must number at least two candidates in order of preference. Voters may preference as many candidates as they wish, providing flexibility in expressing their democratic choices.

A former school teacher has been charged with historic indecent assault charges dating back to the 1980s in the Riverina.In 2025, the Department of Education informed NSW Police of alleged indecent acts, allegedly involving a teacher and a student which occurred at a Riverina High School in 1984. The alleged incidents were not reported to Police at the time.Detectives attached to Riverina Police District commenced an investigation.About 7.45am on Wednesday August 20, an 86-year-old man was arrested at Wagga Wagga Police Station.He was charged with five counts of sexual assault (Cat 4) - assault and act of indecency less than 16.He was granted conditional bail to appear in Wagga Wagga Local Court on Wednesday October 15.

Council addressed nine confidential matters in closed session under Section 10A(c) of the Local Government Act 1993, covering infrastructure, service agreements, and equipment procurement issues requiring commercial confidentiality.Infrastructure and Service Updates: Confidential discussions included current status updates on the Hillston Medical Centre and Hillston Water Tower integration within the town water supply system. The Goolgowi West Water Supply situation and potential Bringagee Road upgrade were also addressed.Commercial Agreements: The expiring user agreement between Council and Hillston Aquatic Club for Lake Woorabinda required confidential consideration of future arrangements and commercial implications.Construction and Equipment Matters: Kerb and gutter construction issues in Haines Street, Hillston, between Molesworth and Grattan Street, necessitated closed discussion due to potential commercial ramifications.Plant and Equipment Procurement: Four separate plant replacement items required confidential consideration including Plant No. 3070 (Hitachi Mini Excavator and trailer) and three formal tenders: 2025-001 for Plant 2067, 2025-002 for Plant 2077, and 2025-003 for Plant 4531.These closed session discussions ensure Council can address sensitive commercial matters whilst maintaining transparency in general operations. The confidential nature protects Council's negotiating position and commercial interests whilst ensuring proper governance procedures are followed.All matters were recommended for closed session discussion due to their potential to confer commercial advantage on persons conducting or proposing to conduct business with Council.

A virtual meeting between Carrathool Shire's General Manager and Transport for NSW (TfNSW) on 28 July addressed several persistent transport issues affecting the region.Key Transport Issues Discussed: The Tabbita Bus Stop on Kidman Way continues to present speed zone concerns, with TfNSW reiterating that pick-up and drop-off locations remain determined by bus operators. Progress on Hillston to Griffith public transport services remains limited despite ongoing discussions with Griffith bus operators.Funding and Classification Updates: No new grant funding opportunities for roadworks are currently available, though community road behavioural programmes may receive funding soon. A potential Road Safety Program for 2025/2026 remains under consideration.TfNSW is developing simplified processes for requesting changes to state, regional, and local road classifications. The persistent issue of heavy vehicle movements through Hillston, particularly affecting High Street (State Highway) and Cowper Street (local road), was acknowledged for inclusion in the 2026 Riverina-Murray Strategic Regional Integrated Transport Plans.Maintenance Cooperation: Council reiterated its offer to undertake Kidman Way maintenance works on a fee-for-service basis, whilst declining single invitation contracts that would result in Council losses. An anticipated in-person inspection of Kidman Way could not proceed due to TfNSW representative availability.

Mobility scooter users in Griffith can now recharge their batteries while out and about, with several Council facilities offering access to free charging points during business hours and a secured power point in Kooyoo Street.Following feedback to the Disability Inclusion Access Committee, charging facilities are now available at:Griffith City LibraryGriffith Regional Aquatic Leisure Centre (GRALC)Griffith Regional Sports Centre (GRSC)Griffith Tourism HubGriffith Regional TheatreThese venues are open on weekdays and weekends, giving scooter users more flexibility to top up their battery while accessing services and activities.The Committee also discussed options for 24-hour charging access in Banna Avenue, with Kooyoo Mall identified as a potential location due to its lighting and CCTV coverage. Council staff have now modified an existing secured power point at the Kooyoo Kiosk to be accessible via the Master Locksmiths Access Key (MLAK) system.Griffith Mayor, Councillor Doug Curran, said the charging points would help make Griffith more accessible and inclusive.“Mobility scooters are an essential mode of transport for many residents,” Councillor Curran said. “By providing charging points at key locations, we’re helping people stay active and connected in our community.”

A man will face court charged over an alleged break and enter at a home in the state’s west yesterday.Just after 7am on Tuesday August 19, police were called to a home on Williams Street, Broken Hill, following reports of a break and enter.Officers attached to Barrier Police District were told between 11.30pm on Monday 18 August and 7am on Tuesday 19 August 2025, an unknown person allegedly forced entry into a home before stealing a number of personal items along with cash before leaving the scene.Police established a crime scene and commenced an investigation into the incident.Following inquiries, about 1.15pm today (Wednesday 20 August 2025), police arrested a 36-year-old man on Chloride Street, Broken Hill.Police searched the man allegedly locating and seizing a small amount of drugs – believe to be methylamphetamine.He was taken to Broken Hill Police Station and charged with aggravated break and enter and commit serious indictable offence – people there, possess prohibited drug, and goods in personal custody suspected being stolen.He was refused bail to appear at Bail Division Court on August 21.

Disgraced former NSW MP Daryl Maguire spent barely two hours behind bars before his legal team successfully secured his release on bail, despite being sentenced to 10 months imprisonment for misleading the state's corruption watchdog.The former Wagga Wagga representative's brief stint in custody ended almost as quickly as it began, with his lawyers mounting a swift and successful bail application that saw him return to court within hours of his initial sentencing.In what could be considered one of the fastest turnarounds in recent legal memory, Maguire's defence team lodged an appeal and bail application in extraordinary time, having their client back before a judge just one hour after his sentencing for giving false evidence to the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).The ex-Liberal turned independent politician had been found guilty in June of knowingly providing misleading testimony during ICAC's 2018 inquiry, earning him a 10-month sentence with five months to be served without parole.The court was informed that he remains on bail for separate Commonwealth charges related to ICAC's Operation Keppel investigation, with that federal trial scheduled to begin in early September.This means the former MP faces the prospect of defending himself on two separate legal fronts over the coming months, with his corruption-related charges running parallel to the federal proceedings.The bail hearing revealed continuing support for Maguire within political circles, with Nationals MP Michael McCormack providing a character reference highlighting the former politician's ongoing community involvement despite his legal troubles.The presiding judge acknowledged this community engagement alongside Maguire's two-decade service as a local member, stating she believed he demonstrated "good prospects of rehabilitation." This assessment proved crucial in the decision to grant bail pending his appeal.

Year nine and 10 students from Wilcannia Central School have started looking at all the community feedback shared for the mural, to be painted on the side of the Wilcannia Motel,.They’ve found strong themes like totems (emu, eagle, kangaroo), a local story and works in Baarkindji/ Paarkantji.Students want to use bright colours, footprints of animals and people and symbols of community. Some detailed things like paddle steamers and people may be too tricky to paint so they’re working on simpler designs.Students would love to hear community thoughts and feedback on their choices.Also, we’d like to know how you prefer Baarkindji/Paakantji to be spelt, or if you’d like to include both versions on the wall (we understand that it can be spelt different ways) Let us know if there are other important words you'd like to see in the mural too.Get in touch with the school to submit feedback.

Council's three caravan parks across Hillston, Goolgowi, and Rankins Springs delivered mixed financial results for 2024/25, with one facility significantly outperforming the others.Hillston Caravan Park Leads Performance: The Hillston facility generated a substantial $157,150 surplus from total income of $526,774, comprising $383,820 from cabin rent, $132,972 from site rent, and $9,982 from sundry income. With 30 powered grass sites and 24 cabins, the park experiences constant demand with very high occupancy rates, often unable to meet accommodation demand.Smaller Parks Face Deficits: Goolgowi Caravan Park recorded a deficit of $8,433 with income of $34,058 against expenditure of $42,491. The deficit has grown from $4,556 in 2022/23 and $2,328 in 2023/24.Rankins Springs Caravan Park showed the largest deficit at $63,242, with income of $16,418 and expenditure of $79,660. This represents an increase from deficits of $49,114 in 2022/23 and $57,992 in 2023/24.Overall Financial Position: The combined parks generated an overall surplus of $85,467 for 2024/25, allocated to the Caravan Park Reserve. Substantial maintenance work was undertaken at Hillston Park during 2025, including cabin repairs and disabled access cabin installation.All park amenities are deemed satisfactory, requiring only ongoing maintenance to maintain service standards.

I’ve had the annual White Cliffs Camel Cup and Bikehana in my calendar for many weeks, and as life got busier and busier, I found myself yearning to hit the road and head north. Day 1: Hitting the Cobb HighwayBy the time my husband Jason and I finished work early last Thursday and met at the door of the caravan, I couldn’t wait to leave some stress behind. I literally threw clothes into the cupboard, flung some groceries into the van fridge, and said goodbye to the dog, as we dropped him to his doggo grandparents. A couple of mates from Darlington Point joined us in their own van and we headed off into the sunset, leaving Hay via the Cobb Highway. The sun shone through the windscreen, the flat, wide plains spread out either side of us, and I took a deep breath of relaxation – three days of adventure stretched out in front of me.With just a few hours of daylight available, we made it to the other side of Ivanhoe before pulling up for the night. We circled the vans, collected firewood and ate salami and cheese in front of the roaring camp fire. There was not a cloud in the sky and a million stars twinkled overhead, in the still, frozen night air. The temperature dipped further after we retreated to bed, and a four am both hubby and I were scrambling in the dark to find another layer of clothes to wear.Wilcannia: A town full of surprisesDespite the chill that descended overnight, Friday morning dawned bright and crisp. Luckily for us, our neighbours had relit the fire and dried the dew from our discarded camp chairs, so all I needed to do was warm myself and sip coffee. What a delicious was to start the day – caffeinated, in the scrubby sunshine, with only a mob of curious emus to judge my early morning attire.Once we hit the road, we only drove for an hour or so before hitting the town of Wilcannia, built on the Darling or Baaka River. As we turned the corner towards the infamous Wilcannia Café, we were surprised to see both sides of the wide street lined with caravans, campers and cars – apparently everyone heading to the Camel Cup had had the same idea as us.Despite the crowds, the staff at the café cheerfully pumped out strong, hot coffees and delicious meals, without fuss. I managed to catch a word with owners Shona Cook and Conrad Brown, when they took a well-deserved breather. They agreed to pose for a quick photo, and told me that the morning crowd “wasn’t even busy yet.”“Wait till next week,” Shona said. “When Mundi Mundi is on.” She was referring to the Mundi Mundi Bash, sister to the Birdsville Big Red Bash event, that is held outside Broken Hill. It was scheduled for the following weekend, so I could only assume many were stopping in for the Camel Cup, enroute to the Bash.Set up on the narrow verandah of the cottage that now houses the café, was Jill McNamara, from Copago Station, some 40 kilometres from town. Jill harvests salt from the salt plains on her property, and creates a mouth-watering range of flavoured salts, often seasoned with herbs she has grown herself. I browsed while we waited for our morning tea, and bought a few varieties to try. I also spoke to Jill about a feature article in the future, so keep an eye out for that.Above from left: Bronte Wagstaff from Wilcannia Central School, Wilcannia Cafe's Shona Cook and Conrad Brown and Copago Salt's Jill McNamaraAlso in Wilcannia that morning was ABC Radio Broken Hill’s Andrew Schmidt, so we had a quick yarn on the footpath of Reid Street. Andrew had just driven from Ivanhoe, where he had broadcast the daily breakfast show. Like many others circling Wilcannia Café that morning, he was on his way out to Mundi Mundi, to cover the four-day live music festival.Once our coffee and cake had been inhaled, our travelling party joined the queue for fuel. The queue was pretty slow moving so I took the opportunity to bluster into the Police Station, introduce myself and drop off a couple of our Back Country Bulletin caps.There I met Brendan Adams, the Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer, who was happy to share with me all his incredible project ideas for the Central Darling Shire patch he covers. Right now, Brendan is working on ‘The Deadly Race’ which is his version of the TV show ‘The Amazing Race.’ As a Halloween event, he plans to set a series of challenges for the kids of Wilcannia, and he explained it to me.“When the clue heads them to the hospital, they’ll have to pass the challenge of bandaging someone for a snake bite. When they come here top the Police Station, the challenge will be to call 000.”Brendan explained often when young kids need emergency service, they will give their address as “Uncle Roger’s place.” It was great to hear about really practical projects, that look like good fun at the same time.Brendan and I swapped contact details and I feel we will be back to catch up with each other again – especially if the is a Deadly Race nearby, that I can take part in.I jumped back in the passenger seat, and we continued to crawl towards the bowser. When we turned the corner, I spied a woman with a table set up on the nature strip, and she was unabashed in her sales pitch.“I have a heap of crafts the school kids have made and are selling,” she said, leaning in our car window. “You should come and have a look.”She introduced herself as Bronte Wagstaffe, the art teacher at Wilcannia Central School.Clutching cash, I hopped out for a look at the brightly painted pottery and laser etched wood crafts. When I hopped back in the car, I was minus the cash, but was the proud new owner of an iridescent fish and a ceramic yabby artwork.Fuelled up, we wove our way through town, dodging the growing legions of tourists (just like us), who were cheerfully blocking roads and driveways, much to the rueful amusement of the locals.Above: Brunker Creek - more images on BCB News' Facebook pageWhite Cliffs: Chasing opals and adventureWe pulled over to have a look at the old bridge over Brunker Creek, before pulling into White Cliffs on Friday afternoon. We headed straight out the gymkhana and rodeo grounds to quickly set up camp and unhook the vans, before driving straight back into town to check out some opals. Red Earth Opals was just shutting up shop for the day so we would our way around the hill to Southern Cross Opals, which has an enviable view, overlooking the vast plains.We were met by Rusty and Dick, who showed us their opals and jewellery, but also their most recent find – opalised wood from around 100 million years ago, when White Cliffs region was inundated by a primeval ocean. We held slices of the ancient rock to the sunlight, and saw how it magically shone through the veins of opal. We did a quick drive around town before settling at the community hub – the White Cliffs Hotel. Matt Young and Sarah Ker were gearing up for a busy few weeks, hosting visitors for the Cup, en route to Mundi Mundi or simply escaping the rate race. Again, a brief conversation reveals a multitude of stories waiting to be told, so we will take up Matt’s offer to camp at the pub next visit, and meet some more people.We ate simply that night, seated around the fire, sharing a meal liberally dowsed with Jill’s flavoursome salts.Above from left: Sarah Ker and Matt Young, mine hosts from White Cliffs Hotel, and Rusty from Southern Cross Opals, with his 100 million year old opalised woodRace Day: Where camels and motorbikes meetThe next morning, as coffee brewed and bacon sizzled, we heard the unmistakeable buzz of the motorbikes, warming up, ready for the bikehana. According to our program, the first events were under seven-year-olds, from 8am. I breezily told Jason I would “just grab a couple of quick photos” but the tiny riders immediately grabbed both my attention and my heart. Tiny motorcross bikers lined up for event after event, deftly weaving around barrels and cheering each other on. Parents ran around the event tracks, showing kids the way and not one person failed to clap the young racers on.I hurried back to the van to get Jas, and we joined the crowds, cheering on every pint-sized competitor as they proudly raised the dust beneath their tyre and boots.I overheard one man – obviously a visitor; “How incredible is this. I wish we’d been able to raise our kids like this.” The ultimate compliment for all these outback parents.Everyone joined in. If one kids bike stalled, someone raced in to help them. Fearless dads stood near the barrels to send kids flying past the in the right direction, and the food and drinks rolled from the canteen all day.As quickly as it had started, the bike entrants and organisers moved across the race track behind the fence, as the auction for the first camel race began. Let me tell you, the action of the auction was fierce - syndicates were born on the spot, as mate pooled finances to bid higher and higher, all in the name of charity, and for the honour of being the winning bidder.Becoming a camel jockey seemed crazily easy. The charismatic bloke behind the microphone simply called out “anyone want to ride a camel?” Seems if you wanted to ride, you could. I had sized up the camels earlier in the day, and once face-to-face I realised just how huge the desert animals were, so it was quite a definite no from both of us.Jason did get in on the auction in race three, where his steed (that he named ‘Toe’) managed a respectable second place.The day wound onwards until the afternoon, with the crowd heading across the track for bikekhana events inn all ages, then back behind the fence until all the camel races had been run. The depth of bulldust grew under the heavy attention of a thousand motorbike tyres, and as the blustery southerly winds blew, many of us shared the same dusty orange hue on our clothes, and in our hair, eyes, teeth and ears.As one, the crowd was dusty, dirty and happy to be here.As night fell, the fire buckets were lit, and the crowd come together for a hot meal, a cold bevvy and live music from the local band. The car park was full with vehicles from near and far, and the laughter rang out in the otherwise still night air. After a few days of hectic relaxing our group was pretty weary, so we once again retreated to our fire, quietly tapping our feet and keeping time with the music from across the paddock.More images on BCB News' Facebook pageHeading home (but not forgetting the lessons)When we woke on Sunday morning, many vehicles – including a road train stock truck - had already decamped, and as we packed up, we watched the camel truck and crew head home up the highway. We followed soon after, joining a convoy of recreational vehicles, but when they turned right towards Broken Hill and Mundi Mundi, we signalled left.We stopped riverside at Wilcannia again, and enjoyed another brunch at the café, before wandering in the park, reading some of the signage that lines the river bank. One struck me. It tells the story of Barkindji Elder Elise Jones and contains a quote that I think is simply beautiful – “We do not only exist now. We are part of our past and part of our future.” It was a sweet reminder to enjoy the moment, and recognise that who have come before us, and those we are trying to leave an example for.The wise words topped off a simple, yet wonderful weekend. The weekend we went to the camel races at White Cliffs. Above: The signage that graces the banks of the Baaka (Darling) River are well worth a read - more images on BCB News' Facebook pageAAbove: My weekend's treasures - Wilcannia Central School ceramics and Copago SaltsPlan your own trip• White Cliffs Camel Cup & Bikekhana: Visit NSW Event Page• Mundi Mundi Bash: Website or Facebook page• Wilcannia Cafe: Trip advisor• Southern Cross Opals and Red Earth Opals: White Cliffs Tourism Page• White Cliffs Hotel: Website

Chaffey's CornerThis week is the 52nd year of the AgQuip Agricultural Field Days in Gunnedah, one of the biggest field day events in the Southern Hemisphere and a significant week in the agricultural calendar. I will be at AgQuip to listen to what the people who make regional Australia tick have to say. This event brings together primary producers, representatives from a huge range of support industries, and many, many people who just want to take a look. AgQuip is important not just as a gathering place but as a place where big decisions are made - business decisions and sometimes even life decisions, like buying a house or investing in something new. One concern I am expecting to hear is the ongoing struggle with the ever-increasing cost of living. We are experiencing a time when everything has gone up – and continues to get more expensive. Just about every aspect of our lives costs more – our homes, our groceries, our insurance. And many people are about to receive their latest power bill – which could be up to 10% higher than the bill issued at the same time last year. While the Labor Government continues to chase impossible targets, Australians – particularly regional Australians – are bearing the brunt of rapid and unguided solar, wind and battery projects. As well as creating conflict in regional communities, the cost of backing these projects continues to add to the massive escalation of our cost of living. We are racing towards an unrealistic date, an unrealistic goal, and it is costing all of us dearly. This week, we also recognised Vietnam Veterans Day. On this day, Australians pause to reflect and remember the service and sacrifice of those who served during the Vietnam War, one of the most complex and challenging conflicts in our military history. There is more rain predicted for areas of the Parkes electorate that have recently flooded. I was out at Bourke and Louth the week before last where unfortunately the races were cancelled due to wet weather.I also visited the Louth Weir with Shadow Water Minister Ross Cadell where we saw a good flow in the weir and heard serious concerns about proposed changes to the height of the weir. I inspected roads in the Gunnedah and Narrabri shires last week, where promised funding for road damage sustained in the 2021-22 floods has still not been delivered. Disaster declarations have been made for both shires, who remain frustrated by the fact they have no certainty for repair funding. Both Gunnedah and Narrabari – and many other shires – have had delay after delay when it comes to getting the correct advice from the NSW Government. I believe the figure of outstanding funds across the electorate of Parkes would be well over $100 million. The total funding needed is rarely approved. There needs to be a much smoother process from both the State and Federal governments that allows timely repairs to a standard that ensures these roads will not be damaged over and over again. Councils – and regional people – deserve better. Finally, I would like to encourage students in Years 10-12 to take part in the My First Speech competition. By writing about something they feel strongly about, they will have the chance to deliver their speech in Federal Parliament. You can find out more at https://mfs.houseofrepresentatives.gov.au/