So, it was 2020 and I was in a place I had been before, but a place nobody ever wants to be. A place I well and truly never expected to be again. I was, for all intents and purposes, homeless, with the entirety of my possessions the full ute load of belongings my sister Rebecca came to collect, along with me and two of my children. Living with my sister and her family for a month, rebuilding physically and mentally from not only the trauma of having to flee but the trauma of inadvertently pulling our lives apart once again, I was pretty broken. It all stung. The shame of being in the situation, the fear of the unknown and the confusion and not knowing where to start. I met Alice at the Intereach agency, when I waddled in there one day uncertainly, encouraged by Bec, hoping they would know where to start.Not only were the ladies at the Intereach warm, welcoming and helpful, but Alice was something else altogether. Practical, non-judgemental, friendly and matter of fact, she was exactly what I needed. She put it all into perspective for me. She was a lighthouse of sorts in the time of great darkness and strife. There was no, ‘why did you let this happen,’ nothing but ‘I know where to start and what we can do and let’s get this ball rolling’. She pointed me in the direction of many different services and checked in regularly. Alice felt like the no-nonsense Aunt, getting the job done and making me understand I wasn’t alone. It was all going to be OK, it was just a stumble in life, and she helped steer me back on track. You are no doubt thinking; who the hell is Alice? Alice Watts works for an organisation called Linking Communities Network (LCN). Linking Communities Network Ltd is the lead agency for homelessness and domestic violence services. They service a wide region; Griffith, Leeton Narrandera, Hay, West Wyalong, Hillston, Lake Cargelligo and all areas in between. Links for Women offers both community based case management, support and advocacy and crisis accommodation for women, with or without dependent children experiencing domestic and family violence. They specialise in domestic and family violence education and support, case management and planning, safety planning, housing issues, budgeting and financial referrals, legal issues including Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders, family law and separation. Alice has been working in the industry for over 25 years. Having always liked helping people, she brings live experience to her role. Growing up in an Indigenous community, domestic violence was an everyday thing for her. She liked the idea of helping people in those situations from the very get go, and still loves it. “I absolutely love my job,” Alice said. “I will inevitably see my clients out and about in different settings, like at the supermarket or at the doctors, and will happily chat to them and give advice. “I will always be open for people in the community to come up to me and ask for advice, which I give and then guide them in the direction they need to go.” Alice’s colleagues sing her praises, and rightly so. They describe her as brilliant in her job and adept at community engagement. “I love to engage with clients, to keep them safe and give them the information they need to keep safe, and to explain it to them and connect in language they understand,” she said. As sad as Alice was to see the refuge move and change, this change meant the professionals were forced out into the community, were able to come to Hay and provide support to the region on a larger scale. Alice comes to Hay once a week, and is available at the Intereach office. If anyone would like to have contact with Alice, a referral via the website www.lcn.org. au is strongly suggested, or a call on 02 6964 3381. I can most certainly recommend the services of Alice and LCN. Having been in similar situations in the past, in earlier years, I never had the benefit of the great help which is out there these days. There is so much help out there, reach out and grab it. Alice is waiting and at the ready.

Central Darling Shire Council discussed a pressing issue for the far west community of White Cliffs at its April meeting: the need for a generator upgrade. The issue originally came to light in November following a power outage in the region.In response to the situation, a letter was sent to Mr. Roy Butler seeking support for funding for the upgrade. Mr. Butler, in turn, forwarded this request to the Minister for Emergency Services, the Honourable Jihad Dib.However, the response received indicated that no funding was currently available for the generator upgrade. The decision on funding is pending the findings from an inquiry being conducted by the committee of environment planning. This inquiry is specifically looking into what is required for power outages in the far west.Council members noted that this inquiry had only recently wrapped up. Consequently, the situation regarding the White Cliffs generator upgrade is described as a matter of "wait and watch this space". The community and council now await the outcomes of the inquiry to understand potential future funding possibilities.

A recent General Manager's update shed light on several significant matters affecting communities within the Central Darling Shire. Key concerns ranged from infrastructure deficits like toilet facilities and lighting to the critical issue of policing numbers across the vast remote region.Infrastructure concerns were highlighted; the lack of toilet facilities between Ivanhoe and Wilcannia along the sealed Cobb Highway remains a pressing issue.This problem has been brought to the attention of the local member, Mr Roy Butler MP, on multiple occasions. The matter has now been referred to the Minister for Transport, Jennifer Acts, and subsequently pushed back to the Department of Transport, who are apparently investigating it as part of their long-term financial strategy.Another infrastructure concern raised by FA Johnson relates to the lack of lighting. Specific areas needing attention include the entrance to the Ivanhoe swimming pool, Jason Park, and along the sealed section of Moschell Road. The Shire Services operations manager is set to investigate the requirements for lighting at the swimming pool entrance and the play park. Any necessary budget and works would potentially be allocated in the next financial year or funding would need to be sought.Regarding the Bomen sealing on Moschell Road, correspondence has been sent to Carrathool Shire Council. It was noted that Carrathool Council still has a significant amount of work to complete in that area. Central Darling Shire Council has only approximately four kilometres of this road within its boundary. The General Manager indicated it is not considered worthwhile to seal their short section now, given that approximately 60 kilometres remain unsealed by Carrathool. Sealing the four kilometres at this stage would necessitate maintaining it as an asset on the Shire's register potentially for another 10 to 15 years, which is not deemed valuable until Carrathool has completed most of their section.Policing Numbers Raise AlarmA major concern discussed was the state of policing numbers across the Shire. This is particularly worrying in Wilcannia, which has experienced issues like break-ins and deaths around cars. Discussion with the local superintendent for the Far West police confirmed that officer numbers are considerably down, not only in Central Darling but also in Broken Hill.The situation in Ivanhoe is particularly stark, with no resident policing; resources are reportedly sourced from Balranald. Menindee reportedly had only a single police officer up to two weeks prior to the update, despite having accommodation for three officers, and that officer is apparently seeking a transfer. Wilcannia, which normally has up to 12 officers stationed, has seen numbers drop significantly to about four.This critical issue has been raised with Mr Roy Butler MP. The Administrator and General Manager also attended a country mayors' forum where the deputy commissioner for police was present. The difficulty in attracting new recruits to remote rural areas was raised, and it was noted that incentives do not seem to be proving effective in addressing this staffing shortage.

It’s a jungle out thereBy Andrew Hughes - Lecturer in Marketing, Research School of Management, Australian National University, via The ConversationIn my time researching political advertising, one common communication method that often generates complaints is the proliferation of campaign corflutes.Politicians love them. Not so, many members of the general public. People are so fed up with candidate posters that there are numerous tales of late night vandalism, including deliberate acts of road rage aimed at destroying them.And yet, at every single election – local, state and federal – the hated signs spring up once again to populate front gardens, streetscapes and open spaces.Given how divisive they are, why do politicians persist with them? What are the laws around their use? And is South Australia on the right track by banning corflutes in public places?To begin with, all corflutes must comply with the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC), which includes displaying a “written and authorised” statement that enables voters to know the source of the electoral or political communication.Posters can’t mislead voters regarding candidates’ political affiliation. In 2022, corflutes authorised by Advance Australia in the ACT were ruled misleading because they strongly implied independent Senate candidate David Pocock was running for the Greens.But in terms of size, number, and placement – welcome to the wild west of Australian political communications.Size varies from the standard 60cm x 90cm corflute, to much larger signs like the one promoting Liberal candidate Amelia Hamer that was stolen by the husband of Teal MP Monique Ryan in the seat of Kooyong.Neither the number nor the placement of signs are regulated by electoral law, other than a requirement they not be placed within 6 metres of a polling place.Corflutes are governed by local council laws and regulations relating to political signage. This leads to a wide variation around Australia. Some areas have no rules on number or placement, which is where you usually find the issues.By contrast, corflutes are strictly regulated in South Australia. Laws passed last year banned election posters from public infrastructure, though they are still permitted on private property.Democracy on showCorflutes have several purposes, especially for new candidates.Independent Jessie Price, who is running for Bean in the ACT, tells me corflutes are important for her to quickly achieve name and face recognition in the campaign.Then there is their design. Campaign corflutes have traditionally incorporated faces, colours and slogans. These days, they can also include QR codes, URLs, and social media handles. These formal elements also aid differentiation and awareness.Next is the strategy of placement. Being an offline method, you can’t hit “skip” when you see one. And they are often used as a way of marking out turf, especially when placed in front yards.For minor parties and independents, they are an affordable way to help level the playing field against Labor and the Coalition. In a way, they act as a basic barometer of the strength of our democracy.Do they work?Yes. And no.When it comes to design, corflutes that closely follow the same principles used for road signs work the most effectively. This is because of the speed at which we process information.Research has found that around two seconds is needed to absorb the details printed on signs. Up to five seconds’ exposure is needed to commit the information to short-term memory. Repeated exposure to the same sign helps when it comes to recall.That is why colour, font size and word count are all important. The bigger the font, the better the chances of it being seen from further away, and hitting that two-second count. For example, on a 100km/h road, letters need to be at least 35cm in size.The same rules apply to election posters. Ideally, an effective corflute would have a single name in 70cm white font on a red background. Two colours for contrast, large lettering and using only two or three words, would have the best chance of being remembered.Being novel with design, such as independent candidate Kim Huynh’s striking corflute in the 2016 ACT election, can also boost awareness and differentiation.Just an eyesoreCorflutes will only work if the voter is already predisposed to the candidate being promoted. If that’s not the case, the sign may have the opposite affect by repeatedly reminding the voter of a person they don’t like.For some, they will hate corflutes regardless of the candidates. That is because the outdoors is the last true escape from political communications in an era of digital and online advertising that runs up until election day. Some also dislike how politicians can get away with it, while most others would be fined.Do they actually change behaviour? Not directly, but they raise awareness and change perceptions towards candidates and parties, which is their ultimate objective.Time for a rethinkThere is a case to reform the electoral laws to regulate the size, placement, and number of corflutes.One proposal worth considering would be a strict limit of 50 standard-sized signs per candidate, per electorate and erected in designated places. This would mean more equal opportunity for minor parties and independents, and help reduce public anger over the visual pollution we see at election time.No matter how much people hate corflutes, they do serve a higher purpose post election. Come Sunday, they will be much sought after as tomato stakes and flooring for chook pens.

The month of April was Organ Donation Awareness Month, a timely reminder to visit Donate Life and register as an organ and tissue donor. While four in five Australians support organ and tissue donation, only around one in three are registered to be a donor on the Australian Organ Donor Register (AODR).With this in mind, have a read of an article about Hay locals Kim and Wayne Wooding, and Wayne’s struggle to find a kidney donor, originally published in The Riverine Grazier in 2023. Something unimaginable happened to Kim and Wayne Wooding. A gift the couple call ‘better than winning the lottery’ and something that they were starting to fear would never happen, happened. He was granted a new lease on life with a kidney. Wayne initially received a call on Anzac Day, while watching the Anzac Day match. Kym was taking five minutes of respite at Bunnings on the way home from work, looking at flowers. “I thought he was joking,” she told the Grazier with a laugh. “He said to me, look, would I be at home with one of the best matches of the year on pause, calling you to make a prank, and then I knew it was real.” She shot out of Bunnings like a madwoman. It was a case of heading to Melbourne as soon as you can. Devastatingly, once all of the effort was made to do what needed to be done in order for the couple to make it to Melbourne for surgery, it was discovered that the proposed donor kidney had an aneurysm and could not be used. The medical crew reassured the couple that they would expect to see him back soon. “They advised us that they were currently performing three to five kidney transplants per week,” Kym remarked. “We were taken aback; we could not believe that it was that many.” Three weeks to the day, another call came through. They began the same preparations to return to surgery on May 17. After the phone call, Wayne dialysed, in order to make the journey. They shot off to Melbourne, and Wayne was wheeled into surgery at 3 pm, for a 4 pm start. “He has never had such a good surgery,” Kym said. “He recovered so well. Since the time he woke up, it’s just been a whole new ball game; the change was instantly noticeable.” The pair are still happily reeling at the second chance the family has been given. “He’s got his independence back, he is no longer tethered to a machine three times a day for dialysis,” Kym said. The couple were both working throughout the whole waiting game, Kym as a nurse, and Wayne as a long-haul truck driver, working full time, and undergoing nocturnal dialysis. Post operation life currently comprises of 7.30 am blood tests, then off to the clinic to see a renal specialist or a nurse, who checks him over, and review the blood tests, particularly monitoring if the medication is working as it should, or needs adjusting. Wayne will gradually taper off the doctor’s visits pending on progress, and will be able to go home to Albury Wodonga, where the family moved six years ago. “He is taking 43 tablets per day,” Kym said.“Some are anti-rejection tablets, some anti infection, and other general medications.” They say it all still is quite surreal, and are still coming to terms with the fact that it has actually, finally happened. When asked how they did it, coping day in day out with all the tribulations and setbacks, and still functioned, the couple are straight forward. “It’s just what you do,” Kym said. “You get into a routine, accept things as the new reality, and get on with it. “A lot of the time it has been work sleep work repeat, work all day, work all night. We both manage, it’s just one of those things.” “If you want to go forward in life, you have to find a way,” Wayne added. “Financially, physically. I have often thought about giving up, and things get so hard, but you push through.” “It can be exhausting, restricting and life-altering,” Kim continues. “We have missed out on a lot of family events, and other experiences such as holidays. “We hadn’t had Christmas with Wayne’s family in over six years. We had it with them last year, but it took seven months of me pushing and organising to be able to get a dialysis chair.” Add to that the stress and fear of COVID, and it seems like it was the perfect storm in the worst way. The couple’s children, Corrine, 20 and Jake, 12 have been stoic and understanding. “They have both dealt with it very well, they have both grown up fairly well with it,” Kym said. “Jake has only started high school, and did comment that he wanted to stay with us the last visit, and will definitely be visiting soon, and school holidays will be here soon.” “You don’t actually realise how sick you were until after the transplant,” Wayne said. “To be able to have a wander, and get some fitness in, I have felt immediately better, ever since I woke up from the surgery.” “He is a new man, I have to run to keep up with him,” Kym happily added. The couple are staying at Emorgo House for the entirety of Wayne’s post-operative stay in Melbourne. Part of Kidney Health Australia, transplant recipients and other kidney related patients and their families are housed there when they need it, to take away the financial burden of having to find accommodation. Life will be less restrictive now, post-trans plant. Wayne will have to wear a mask, and take steps to protect from illnesses and respiratory infections. The next five years or more will be full of regular doctors’ appointments, tests, taking medications when he needs to and at the correct times. At the end of the day, they will be able to get on with life, something that they probably could not be able to do with certainty for the longest time. Wayne’s kidney function is only rising, with it currently sitting at 52 per cent. Kym and Wayne are immeasurably grateful for the sacrifice that their donor made. They will have an opportunity to write to the donor’s family and are going to do that as soon as possible. The statistic on organ donation is still dire. You need to register at Donate Life in order to become a donor these days, the ticked box on the driver’s license is no longer enough. Additionally, after you pass, your family can override your choice. Hard, uncomfortable talks should be had with your family, so that they are clear about your intentions once you pass on. So many people who wanted to donate end up not being able to, for a variety of reasons. There are around 1,800 Australians waitlisted for a transplant and around 14,000 additional people on dialysis, some who may eventually need a kidney transplant. What qualifies a person to become a donor is highly specific, so add to that the number of people who are not registered to be donors, and it is the proverbial needle in the haystack. As tragic as the passing of anyone may be, knowing that you have saved and enriched the lives of countless others, would be a magnificent accomplishment. Visit Donate Life today to register as an organ and tissue donor - https://www.donatelife.gov.au/register-donor-today

Manny Pottinger, an icon of Conargo Shire and surrounding districts, has been honoured in a renewable energy project.Pottinger Wind Farm (Someva/AGL) was recently announced as one of the two projects which have been granted access under the South West Renewable Energy Zone Access Rights Scheme. This article was originally published in The Riverine Grazier to celebrate the naming after a district icon.The information used to create this article was sourced from the websites of Liesl Malan Landscape Artists, Edward River Council, and Someva website. Someva Renewables, a specialist renewable energy developer operating in Australia, has named its local project Pottinger Energy Park. Someva quotes on its website interesting views of the time windmills were new technology, ‘Without this vision to embrace a new technology of the time it would have been little short of murder to turn sheep loose into those paddocks’ - Terry McGoverne, the Wool Barons. It is a touching connection and acknowledgment of the area in which the project is occurring, to name their local project Pottinger after the Pottinger family and the district windmill prodigy Manny Pottinger, who, over two generations, installed and maintained windmills in the region from the early 1900s till 1982. Pottinger Park in Conargo provides a history of the windmill in the region and its importance to growing the Merino industry. The erection of this windmill was a project of Edward River Council. The importance of Manny Pottinger in supporting livelihoods in the region and how it will continue through the proposed Pottinger Energy Park. Manny’s real name was Lionel, but he preferred to go by Manny. A quiet, modest man who went about his business with a minimum of fuss, his windmill repair skills were known throughout the Riverina. Manny was working for the Falkiner family at Zara station when Les Falkiner said to him, ‘You want to get yourself a utility. I’ll keep you in work’. So, Manny bought a Chevrolet in 1927 for 205 pounds. He remained with the Falkiner family for 20 years before going out on his own. Manny started working on windmills in 1903, and continued to work on them almost until the day he died in 1986, at the age of 82. Manny’s great grandparents owned both the original Conargo Inn and the Billabong Hotel. In later years, his father closed the Conargo, and renamed the Billabong, The Conargo Hotel. The peppercorn trees on the site were planted over a hundred years ago by Manny’s mother Flora, outside the original Conargo Inn. Manny and Jean Pottinger were married in 1927. They lived in the house near the Conargo Church for 58 years. Manny and Jean were both widely known and respected. They quietly got on with what was needed. Jean cared for the church most of her life. Manny restored the Drop Log stables, where he and a mate had once earned a shilling a week for rounding up horses for the stage coach journey between Jerilderie and Deniliquin.

Central Darling Shire Council, like all local government bodies across New South Wales, faces the challenge of managing unpaid rates. A standard, albeit serious, procedure available to councils for recovering long-overdue rates involves the sale of the land itself. This process, governed by state legislation, was a point of discussion at the April meeting of the Central Darling Shire Council.A report on the sale of land for unpaid rates was presented and noted by the Council members. The report provided an update on the progress of this process. It was mentioned that the necessary documents for the sale were being prepared.However, at the time of the April meeting, these documents were not yet ready for signing. The update indicated that the documentation was expected to be ready for the next month's meeting.The primary purpose of this report was simply to inform the Council of the current status of these land sales. After reviewing the report, the Council resolved to formally receive the report.Recognising the ongoing nature of this process, the Council also decided on a path forward for future updates. It was resolved that bi-monthly reports on the sale of land for unpaid rates would continue. These regular updates are set to carry on until the contracts of sale are completed and the entire sale process is finalised.Under the Local Government Act 1993 (NSW), councils have the power to sell land if rates and charges have been outstanding for a specified period (currently five years, though there are provisions for shorter periods under certain circumstances).Selling land for unpaid rates is typically a last resort, pursued only after a council has exhausted other debt recovery options, such as payment arrangements, legal action, or placing a charge on the property.There is a strict legal process that must be followed, including providing numerous notices to the landowner, advertising requirements, and often involving court proceedings.When land is sold, the proceeds are first used to cover the outstanding rates, charges, interest, and all costs associated with the sale (legal fees, advertising, etc.). Any remaining surplus funds must be paid to the former landowner or, if they cannot be located, held in trust by the council.For the Central Darling Shire Council, the April report served as a confirmation that the process of recovering significant unpaid rates through land sales is moving forward, albeit with documents still pending at that specific time. The commitment to bi-monthly reports ensures that councillors will be kept regularly informed until these matters are brought to a conclusion .

The Office of Local Government (OLG) is evaluating the effectiveness of the Public Spaces (Unattended Property) (PSUP) laws and their implementation.The Public Spaces Unattended Property laws commenced on 1 November 2022 and included harsher penalties for owners of shopping trolleys, unregistered cars and trailers, and stray stock animals.The evaluation will take particular regard to:Timeframes and scope of the laws; Powers available to authorities and their use;The nature and impact of offences and penalties.Councils, other public land managers, industry stakeholders and members of the public are invited to make a submission by completing the evaluation survey by Friday 13 June 2025.Feedback received will be considered by OLG to inform the identification of short-term or longer-term improvements or additions to tools, activities, or regulation needed to improve operation of the PSUP laws.Further information including access to the evaluation survey is available on OLG’s website.View a copy of the Council circular.If you have any questions or comments regarding the survey or the effectiveness of the PSUP laws, you can contact OLG’s Sector Policy and Frameworks team on 02 4428 4100 or at [email protected].

A plesiosaur that turned to opal was discovered in the outback mining village of White Cliffs in 1976On July 14, 1976, a remarkable opalised plesiosaur fossil was discovered in White Cliffs, NSW—this fossil, found during opal mining by Ken Harris. It was a notable discovery, as plesiosaurs were among the first fossil reptiles identified, and their distinctive build was recognised in the early 19th century. A plesiosaur, a type of marine reptile that lived during the Mesozoic era.Plesiosaurs and Ichthyosaurs were marine swimming reptiles alive in the time of Central Australia’s inland sea. They were the ancient reptile world's equivalent to dolphins. Plesiosaurs had flippers, small heads and long necks. Ichthyosaurs had short necks and more closely resembled dolphins or fish.Plesiosaur skeletons have been found at White Cliffs and Coober Pedy and teeth have been found at Lightning Ridge. Ichthyosaur skeletons and teeth have been found at White Cliffs and Coober Pedy.The Mesozoic era was around 252-66 million years ago. The term means 'middle life' and is the time of the dinosaurs. The era includes the familiar terms of the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods.The bones and other organic matter of the White Cliffs plesiosaur were replaced over time by opal, preserving a detailed replica of the animal. This fossil is a significant find as it showcases the area's rich geological history and provides insights into past ecosystems. While sinking a new mine shaft in 1976, miner Ken Harris discovered the fossil, and contacted the Australian Museum’s Dr Alec Ritchie, who joined him in White Cliffs to painstakingly free the skeleton. It was wrapped in hessian and paster and carefully transported to Sydney to be studied.Dr Ritchie recalled the phone call he received"My name is Ken Harris", said the caller, "I'm an opal miner at White Cliffs. While Ken Harris I was sinking a new shaft I came across something that appears to be a skeleton in the rock. Can someone there come out and look at it and maybe advise me on how to get it out?"“Ken noticed a flash of colour in the side wall and picked around it carefully to see how far it extended. To his surprise, he discovered that it continued for some distance as a series of separate pieces of approximately equal size. It was only then that he realised he had discovered a fossilised backbone of some largish animal whose bones were completely replaced by varieties of opal, mostly of the non-precious types.”In 1977 Woman’s Weekly published a story, following an offer by the Australian Museum to purchase the fossil, for the sum of $10,000. Ken Harris refused and the Weekly covered his return to White Cliffs to display the plesiosaur as a tourist attraction, reporting he claimed the rare find would bring in that much each year, in tourism dollars.Another article, published in the Weekly in 1981 as part of a four-page feature on White Cliffs, records claims that a $100,000 offer had also been refused in favour of keeping the rare find in the backcountry.

With the Federal election just days away, Independent Member for Murray, Helen Dalton, has called on all the candidates running for the seat of Farrer come clean on their water policy and position on water buybacks."Voters need to know which candidates have the back of people in the bush," Mrs. Dalton said.“So far only three candidates have outlined where they stand on these issues and that just isn’t good enough.”Ms Dalton said Independent Michelle Milthorpe has published her comprehensive water policy on her website and in a media release."She has also voiced her absolute opposition to water buybacks."Ms Dalton also said Emma Hicks (Pauline Hanson’s One Nation) and Peter Sinclair (SFF) have also stated their opposition to buy backs.“The Deputy Opposition Leader Sussan Ley says she opposes water buybacks, but it appears she can’t provide a water policy."The Libs along with the National Party have decided to not make water, or water buybacks, a campaign policy.“Any candidate running for the seat of Farrar should have a clear policy on where they or their party stand on the highest priority issue facing people in the bush."To not do so shows utter disrespect for the people they want to vote for them," Mrs. Dalton added.Mrs. Dalton said she has travelled extensively through her electorate and held forums in parliament explaining her 7-point plan on how to fix the Murray Darling Basin.“If any of the candidates need some help figuring out what our water problems are, my phone number is easy to find.” Mrs. Dalton said.

Carolyn Rees of Bellevue Station, Ivanhoe, has written the last cookbook you will ever need. ‘Shear Delights’ has 144 recipes of real food, for real people and it is truly amazing. It has everything you need to cook for 12 people over 12 weeks, although you can pare that down. For everyone from people who remember Grandma’s old-fashioned recipes but just can’t find them, that young couple who just moved out of home and could use some practical advice, such as how to effectively wrap sandwiches and step by step on how to cook a lamb roast, the value of information in the book is endless. Featuring meal plans and shopping lists to plan two weeks ahead, tricks of the trade, what you can cook a week ahead and what you can cook in two. A good cook could just pick up this book and be armed with everything they need to be a shearer’s cook. Carolyn and her family have run their sheep station, Bellevue, near Ivanhoe for a long time, and travelling 250 km one way for groceries is just part of that life. They all jump in and get the work done where it is needed. Carolyn cooked for their shearers, and knows exactly what time and other challenges and constraints face a shearer’s cook, and she knows good old fashioned tasty food. “There’s not a lot of time between runs and the food can’t be too spicy. “It needs to be plain but tasty, and lots of it! It has some amazing practical recipes.” The book has everything you need to cook for shearers, family or crowds,” Carolyn wrote in her foreword. The last pages are full of pictorial depictions of life on the farm, sunsets, shearing, and the whole family enjoying life on the farm and getting into getting the job done. ‘Shear Delights’ available from Shear Outback

 A new state-of-the-art tube fishway technology called the “Fishheart” has been launched at Menindee Lakes, located on the Baaka-Darling River, New South Wales.By Clare Hooker, Barbara Quayle, Dave Doyle, Reakeeta Smallwood via The ConversationThe technology – part of the NSW government’s Restoring the Darling-Baaka program – will allow native fish to move past large barriers, such as dams, weirs and regulators, when they need to. It’s hoped this will help the fish reproduce and survive, and reduce the risk of mass fish deaths in the Baaka.At the same time, meaningful policy reform and implementation can’t be achieved without input from First Nations communities. So, how do we do this? One creative collaboration on the Fishheart project suggests art may have a big role to play.Distressing imagesSeveral deeply distressing mass fish death events have occurred in the river since 2018, with millions of native fish, including golden perch, silver perch and Murray cod, dying due to insufficient oxygen in the water.These events are the outcome of compounding challenges in managing the Murray-Darling Basin, Australia’s largest inland river system. The basin, which stretches from Southern Queensland to South Australia, is a water source for some three million people.But the construction of infrastructure such as dams, weirs and regulators has profoundly disrupted the natural processes that once sustained healthy river systems. This disruption has been made worse by ineffective and conflict-ridden governance.The Baaka is a source of life and wellbeing for numerous communities. It should be cared for with the same urgency and coordination as a critically ill patient. If too many doctors or nurses are involved without a clear shared treatment plan, the patient suffers. Likewise, when multiple agencies attempt to manage a sick river, the system can break down.So, how can better care be achieved? For Barkindji Elder David Doyle the answer lies in doing it together.Diagrams courtesy NSW Department of Primary IndustriesSeeking and listening to the Aboriginal communityAboriginal peoples have been explaining the importance of Australia’s inland rivers for generations. The Aboriginal community at Menindee held protests about the health of the Baaka two years before the first mass fish deaths. Yet their voices and cultural knowledge have not reconfigured river policy.A report by the NSW Office of the Chief Scientist and Engineer into the March 2023 mass fish deaths on the Lower Baaka identified the importance of including Aboriginal cultural knowledge in strategies for fish species regeneration and management.However, according to Barkindji Ngnukuu elder Barbara Quayle, the community’s experience of “consultation” has been a tick-box activity. She says there is no trust that cultural knowledge or community perspectives will actually be listened to.The power of the artsTraditional cultural knowledges are often held and expressed through various artforms, from story, to dance, to gallery arts. Within rural and remote communities, the arts and art-making create conditions that can help people work together to address complex issues. In fact, there’s a long history of the arts being used to address social conflict.Can the Fishheart help prevent fish kills? We don’t know. But the Barkindji community’s artistic input in the project is enabling a more integrated approach to finding out.Elders and community members have come together with regional arts organisation, The Cad Factory, and the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s Fisheries branch, to design traditional knowledge-inspired art for the Fishheart pipes.This art was painted onto the pipes by members of Barkindji community over the past month. Other community art, including collaborations with the local school, was also placed around the site.Making the art gave everyone involved the time, space and tools to consider and discuss the project. We learned how the Fishheart technology is inspired by the human heart, with tubes resembling “veins” and “arteries” that can take fish in and “pump” them over barriers through a siphon effect, letting them circulate throughout the river.We discussed important details on how this technology works, which includes using artificial intelligence used to detect fish in the pipes and collect real-time data and photos of the migration. We also considered how we might further care for the river, by potentially allowing the removal of invasive species, or monitoring for diseases.The project also provided fisheries managers with the opportunity to hear community concerns, such as whether the installation of fishways might be perceived in ways associated with colonisation, or eventually lead to fish removal from the waterways.Most importantly, seeing the pipes visually transformed by Barkindji art connected the Fishheart to place and Country. The art provides a tangible expression of uninterrupted Barkindji custodianship for the river and the species that depend on it.With art, there is hope for creating policy together – policy that might promote the health of the river as a whole, rather than treating the symptoms of the problem.About the authors:Claire Hooker is a Senior Lecturer and Coordinator, Health and Medical Humanities, University of SydneyBarbara Quayle is the Vice-President of the Menindee Aboriginal Elders Council, Indigenous KnowledgeDave Doyle is Barkindji/Malyangapa Indigenous Knowledge holder, Indigenous KnowledgeReakeeta Smallwood is a Senior Lecturer in Nursing, Indigenous and Population Health, University of Sydney

NSW Police are appealing for public assistance following a fatal crash in Griffith yesterday.Emergency services were called to Watkins Avenue, near Grange Close, shortly after 4:20 am on Monday, April 28, 2025. A 34-year-old man was found at the scene with critical injuries.NSW Ambulance paramedics attempted to revive the man, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.Officers from the Murrumbidgee Police District established a crime scene and, with the assistance of the Crash Investigation Unit, are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.Detectives believe the man was struck by a vehicle while walking on the road, and the motorist did not stop.Police are urging the drivers of two vehicles who were seen travelling west on Watkins Road around the time of the crash to come forward. These vehicles are described as:A light-coloured utility, possibly white or grey.A dark-coloured SUV.Investigators are also asking anyone with information, dashcam footage, or CCTV footage from the vicinity of Watkins Avenue or Jondaryan Avenue, Griffith, between 4:00 am and 4:30 am yesterday, to contact Griffith Police on 02 6969 4299 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Griffith Council moves forward with plans for paid parking at Regional AirportGriffith Council is exploring options to introduce ticketless paid parking at Griffith Regional Airport, which is currently free and unlimited. The council has obtained three quotes from private suppliers for implementing the system.A newly formed airport committee, including councillors Christine Stead and Tony O’Grady, along with community members, is discussing the proposals. At its first meeting in March, this committee recommended approving a licence plate recognition ticketless paid parking system. This system is proposed to include three lanes for entry and/or exit.According to minutes from the March meeting, council staffer Peter Badenhorst presented an overview of the plan to the committee. Under the proposed licence plate recognition system, drivers will not need to collect a paper ticket upon entering the airport. Instead, cameras will read their licence plates to calculate the fee owed upon departure. Payment will be card-only, with no cash option available. Councillor O’Grady stated at the April council meeting that a cash system would cost more money, which is why the card-only option was chosen.Details regarding the specific fees for parking at the airport have not yet been provided.Funding for the installation of the ticketless parking system has been allocated in the 2024/25 budget. The council has obtained quotes for two different ticketless parking systems and various lane configurations from the three suppliers.

Flooding update Central Darling Shire Council has welcomed Flood Peak Heights and timelines from the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) about what to expect from the Queensland floodwaters as they reach our Shire and the Unincorporated area. The LEMC (Local Emergency Management Committee) is meeting twice weekly as we prepare for the floodwaters. This information from the BOM allows for greater direction for Local Emergency Management Committee agencies as they prepare for increased water flows. There is a Minor to Moderate Flood Warning for the Darling River at Bourke, Louth, Tilpa and Wilcannia. Tilpa is an emerging risk for Central Darling Shire. At Tilpa, minor flooding is likely towards the end of April, and moderate flooding is possible during the second week of May. No significant impact to the town is expected at this stage, but further road closures may be expected. Some remedial works could be done to the Tilpa levee depending on the river height. The BOM says: Minor flooding - Barwon and Darling Rivers downstream of Brewarrina to Bourke The Darling River at Bourke is currently at 9.92 metres and rising, above the minor flood level (9.50 m). It may peak around 11.20 metres from about Tuesday April 29 to Saturday May 3, with minor flooding. This is close to the moderate flood level (11.40 m). Darling River downstream of Bourke to Tilpa Moderate flooding is likely along the Darling River downstream of Bourke to Tilpa. The Darling River at Louth is currently at 8.42 metres and rising, below the minor flood level (8.60 m). The Darling River at Louth is likely to exceed the minor flood level (8.60 m) around this Friday April 25. The river level may exceed the moderate flood level (10m) during the first week of May and may reach around 10.90 metres from about Tuesday May 6 to Friday May 9, with moderate flooding.Higher levels are possible as upstream flows arrive. The Darling River at Tilpa The river at Tilpa is at 7.88 metres and rising, below the minor flood level (9m). The Darling River at Tilpa is likely to exceed the minor flood level towards the end of April and may exceed the moderate flood level (10.50 m) during the second week of May. The river level may reach around 11.40 metres from about Saturday May 10 to Saturday May 17, with moderate flooding. Higher levels are possible as upstream flows arrive. Darling River downstream of Tilpa to Wilcannia Minor flooding is likely along the Darling River downstream of Tilpa to Wilcannia during mid to late May. The Darling River at Wilcannia is currently at 6.32 metres and rising slowly, below the minor flood level. The Darling River at Wilcannia is likely to reach the minor flood level (9.00 m) during mid to late May. Higher levels, including moderate flooding, are possible. Further information is available on the BOM website. Central Darling Shire Council is advising people to be aware that the floodwaters will result in road closures and more information will be provided on this as it comes to hand. All Council road reports are available on the Central Darling Shire website: https://www.centraldarling.nsw.gov.au/Services/Road-conditions People are also encouraged to check with Live Traffic. Council would like to remind people that the SES and other emergency service agencies are striving to provide the most up to date information as it comes to hand. However, the flood situation involves many variables which means conditions are constantly changing. Updates are being provided as the information changes.

At just 14 years old, Daniel Green is proving that determination and compassion know no age limits. This Friday (Anzac Day) the Hay local will embark on an 80km run from Hay to Booligal, to raise funds for The Fred Hollows Foundation and support its sight-restoring work.It’s the third time Daniel has taken on this extraordinary challenge and thanks to the incredible support of his family and local community, he has already raised over $2,000 to help restore sight to people around the world.A familiar face in Hay, Daniel is often seen running through town, where locals cheer him on as he trains nearly every day.His supportive mum, Tara, will be driving alongside him for the journey, while his five siblings will join him for sections of the run.“Daniel is always running,” Tara said.“He enjoys pushing himself for others and supporting The Fred Hollows Foundation.“He loves what Fred Hollows stood for and the values he had. “We are even planning a family trip to Fred’s grave in Bourke to pay our respects.“He has learnt about The Foundation’s work and Fred’s legacy, and wants to be part of that vision. “Like Fred, Daniel has always stood up for the underdog. He is passionate about helping people in need. We are all incredibly proud.”In New South Wales, The Foundation partners with several organisations to improve access to eye care in regional areas such as Lightning Ridge and Bourke.Last year, 182,000 generous New South Wales residents donated nearly $13 million to help The Foundation restore sight to those who need it most.  The community is encouraged to support Daniel by donating, sharing his story, or even running alongside him for part of his journey. For more information or to contribute, visit https://fundraise.hollows.org/fundraisers/danielgreen/daniel---s-dash

Back Country Bulletin Launches Week-Long Supporter DriveThe team at Back Country Bulletin has kicked off a week-long campaign to rally community support for its ongoing mission of providing free, in-depth local news coverage. The digital news publication, which serves the underserved Balranald, Hay, Carrathool and Central Darling Shires, is urging readers to contribute financially to ensure the continued accessibility of its reporting."For one week, we're focusing on securing the financial support that allows us to deliver the news our community relies on," said editor and founder Krista Schade. "Our commitment is to keep our digital doors open to everyone, ensuring that access to vital local information isn't restricted by a paywall."DONATE HEREBack Country Bulletin emphasises the crucial role of community support in enabling its journalists to cover important local stories. "Independent journalism plays a vital role in keeping our community informed and holding those in positions of power accountable, now more than ever" Ms Schade explained. "Whether it's reporting on local council meetings, talking to candidates in the upcoming election, or highlighting the work our communities are doing, we strive to deliver news that matters."The publication's leadership stresses that every contribution, regardless of size, plays a significant role in sustaining its operations. "We've been heartened by the support we've received so far, since launching BCB last September" Ms Schade added, "We encourage those who value local news to contribute to this campaign. These funds directly support our ability to report thoroughly and accurately across the wide region of NSW that we serve." Back Country Bulletin's commitment to free access o news stems from a core belief that access to reliable information is a fundamental right. "We believe that everyone in our community deserves to be informed," Ms Schade stated. "This week's campaign is about ensuring we can continue to uphold that principle and keep our content freely available to all."The campaign will run for one week, Ending on Sunday May 4. Back Country Bulletin is encouraging readers to visit PressPatron to make a contribution and learn more about how their support makes a difference.Learn how Back Country Bulletin happened - watch the video here

An investigation is underway after the body of a man was found on a roadside in Griffith this morning.Emergency services were called to Watkins Avenue shortly after 4.20am (Monday 28 April 2025) and found a man suffering multiple injuries. He died at the scene.A crime scene has been established with officers attached to Murrumbidgee Police District commencing inquiries.Police are investigating the possibility the man may have been struck by a vehicle.A canvass of the area is now underway to confirm identity, and Police say they estimate the man to be in his 20s or 30s.Police expect Watkins Avenue to be closed for the rest of today (Monday) as investigations continue at the scene.Anyone with information is urged to contact Griffith Police or Crime Stoppers online or by calling 1800 333 000.Information is managed on a confidential basis. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.

An elected Dutton Littleproud Coalition Government will provide $937,000 from a revitalised Safer Communities Fund (SCF) to Boys to the Bush to expand their program to support the communities of Cobar, Nyngan, Condobolin, Narromine, Bourke, Coonamble and Gunnedah, according to a recent election promise. The Nationals candidate for Parkes Jamie Chaffey said this funding would help disadvantaged youth to break the cycle by providing mentorship, education and training, and community involvement. “I’ve heard firsthand from my own community of Gunnedah but also residents across the electorate of Parkes, safety is a high priority, and we’re responding with practical measures to help," Mr Chaffey said. "This funding is a direct response to the concerns raised by our community,” Mr Chaffey said.Boys to the Bush are also contributing $826,700 towards expanding their outreach program to Cobar, Nyngan, Condobolin, Narromine, Bourke, Coonamble and Gunnedah. Boys to the Bush, CEO & Co-Founder Adam DeMamiel said he was thrilled that Jamie Chaffey and The National Party have committed to funding Boys to the Bush should the Coalition be elected federally.“This commitment will allow us to expand our reach to more regional and rural communities throughout the Parkes electorate. These funds will ensure some of the most vulnerable youth gain access to our early intervention programs,” Mr DeMamiel said. “This commitment will not only support the youth and communities in the short term but will allow us to establish a permanent and long-term presence, in at least two more rural communities in need. Jamie has been a strong advocate for our organisation in the past and it fills me with optimism knowing he sees the impact our work is having across regional communities and is willing to work towards increasing such impacts,” Mr DeMamiel said.Shadow Minister for Home Affairs and Cyber Security, Senator James Paterson, said under a Dutton Coalition Government, the communities of Cobar, Nyngan, Condobolin, Narromine, Bourke, Coonamble and Gunnedah will be stronger, more secure, and better supported to tackle crime.“Getting Australia Back on Track means keeping Australia safe – safe for families, safe for businesses, and safe for communities,” Senator Paterson said. “Projects delivered under the Safer Communities Fund will support local communities to deliver practical support to at-risk youth and reduce anti-social behaviour on our streets."The coalition says the revitalised SCF will build on the programme established by the previous Coalition Government, delivering grant funding to councils, schools, and local organisations to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour, enhance security around community spaces, and promote social cohesion.