
Hard Talk: Push for renal services at Naracoorte
Health burden too heavy: Community demands local dialysis unit. By Nasik Swami: Making more than a three-hour round trip to Mount Gambier Hospital and spending five hours on a dialysis chair each week is a tough routine for Ros Tregoweth. Living on a farm near Lucindale with her husband and children, Ms Tregoweth undergoes kidney […] To access this post, you must purchase MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTION, THE LAST ISSUE or ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION.

Voters reward Pasin
By Chris Oldfield: THE member for Barker, Tony Pasin, is one of the few SA Liberals to have a seat in Canberra following last Saturday’s federal election. Mr Pasin campaigned throughout his 65,206sq km electorate by personally attending numerous local events and gatherings as well as via local newspapers and social media. The only other […] To access this post, you must purchase MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTION, THE LAST ISSUE or ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION.

Call your councillor
By Chris Oldfield: CR Crash Downward has queried the impact of a 5 per cent rate rise on the district’s farmers already paying thousands of dollars each week to feed their livestock. Naracoorte Lucindale Council relies on the district’s farming families to fund around 60 per cent of its proposed $12.726m rate revenue. An average […] To access this post, you must purchase MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTION, THE LAST ISSUE or ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION.

Suffering in silence
Farmers call for a hand up, not handouts By Nasik Swami: Pushed to their limits by an unrelenting drought that is taking the heaviest toll on their mental well-being, farmers across the district are expressing deep frustration. Many farmers have dismissed the government’s $55 million relief package as woefully inadequate, labelling it “a drop in […] To access this post, you must purchase MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTION, THE LAST ISSUE or ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION.

Community healthcare concerns
By Nasik Swami: The community has called for better access to specialist healthcare services and further development of local health infrastructure within the district. This was strongly voiced during the Limestone Coast Local Health Network (LCLHN) public consultation for the development of the clinical services plan, which wrapped up on February 28, 2025. The goal […]
McBride to face court
By Nasik Swami: INDEPENDENT member for MacKillop, Nick McBride, will face the Naracoorte Magistrates Court on May 7, next month, facing three counts of alleged aggravated assault charges. Mr McBride has been charged by police with three counts of alleged aggravated assault by a person known to him—his estranged wife, Katherine McBride. A South Australia […]
Changing of the Guard
By Chris Oldfield: From a little Ford truck to a multi-million-dollar fleet of Kenworths and high-tech earthwork equipment, Naracoorte’s Bull Bros Pty Ltd this year celebrates 75 years in business. Driving further enthusiasm and longevity into the esteemed company...
On a journey to the world
By Charlie Legoe, Helloworld Travel: Yes, after over 40 years, we are still here! Having moved from Smith Street to our much larger Ormerod Street office over a year ago, we have settled into our new environment. Our aim as a travel business, in a world full of...

Three submissions only
By Nasik Swami: Is the community truly engaged in council matters? It is a tough question, but one might assume so. The Naracoorte Lucindale Council initiated its legislated review of the representation structure in October 2024. By November, it had given in-principle support to maintaining the existing setup of a mayor, 10 councillors, and no […]

SE Field Days success!
By Chris Oldfield: A city of tents with more than 500 exhibitors attracted swarms of people to the region’s largest annual event, the South East Field Days on March 21 and 22. After this, its 45th year, the action packed event has now pumped more than $3m into the local community and various public services. […]

Hard Talk: Top election issues
By Nasik Swami: Healthcare, infrastructure, the rising cost of living and government waste are among the key concerns impacting voters in regional towns like Naracoorte in the South East. Some political leaders believe that addressing these issues with strong, practical policies could significantly sway voters in the area. As the prime minister considers a date […]

Toys find a new home
By Nasik Swami: The Naracoorte Toy Library’s relentless quest for a new home has finally come to an end. This beloved community hub for local children has secured a fresh spot at Naracoorte North Primary School. The move became necessary after the non-profit organisation’s current venue on Sandstone Avenue was sold, requiring them to vacate […]

Welcome to Yakka Park
By Chris Oldfield: BUTCHER Girl Alison, ABC gardening specialist Sophie Thomson, country music sensation Leah Briggs, the SA Police Band, and the SA Yard Dog championships are all set for this Friday and Saturday’s 45th South East Field Days at Lucindale. So is Randy’s Junk Yard Action Show – the freestyle event hailed as an […]

Fringe reviews 2025
The 27 Club: Thursday 6th March 2025 (Rymill Park, The Fantail). Presented By: Amplified House. The dreaded age of 27 in rock’n’roll. This show revitalises the legendary acts that synonymously passed away at the same age. Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain, Janis Joplin, Amy...

Report praises outdoor staff
By Chris Oldfield: AN independent roadworks report, which found the Naracoorte Lucindale Council only met four of 15 key performance indicators, also found the ire of outgoing CEO Trevor Smart. After winning a $68,000 tender from five other applicants with higher and lower quotes, Wheaton Enterprises—a highly qualified construction and civil engineering firm—praised the participation […]

100 years of love
By Nasik Swami: It’s uncommon to hear about someone reaching the incredible milestone of 100 years, let alone celebrating it. Naracoorte resident Mavis Evelyn, likely the oldest in the district, marked this remarkable occasion on February 22, last month, cherishing her century of life as a true “blessing.” Born in the Adelaide Hills on February […]

Crackdown on chop chop
Naracoorte business and home raided. By Nasik Swami: Is our usually quiet town turning into a hotspot for trading chop chop – illegal tobacco? Last week, South Australia Police (SAPOL) conducted searches at a home and business in Naracoorte, seizing around $1,000 worth of illicit tobacco. The home and business involved were not publicly identified. […]

Channy puts all her eggs in motherhood basket
By Paul Mitchell: Chantelle Weckert was born to be a mother—but being single and nearly 40 is an unconventional platform for such a life-changing leap. Fortunately, the popular Naracoorte preschool director was prepared for the possibility of becoming a sole parent if Mr Right failed to walk through the door. In January 2022, Chantelle decided […]

Alleged thief caught
Local businessman calls for greater police presence. By Nasik Swami: After enduring nearly $15,000 in losses from multiple break-ins and spending around $30,000 on security upgrades, a local businessman is finally feeling a sense of relief. Police have arrested and charged a suspect believed to be responsible for the break-ins at a block of shops […]

“High level” engagement
By Nasik Swami: Despite the absence of a survey evaluating the effectiveness of livestreaming Naracoorte Lucindale Council meetings, CEO Trevor Smart describes the initiative as a “high level” of community engagement. The council conducted its first livestream of an ordinary meeting on June 27, 2023, followed by its inaugural livestream of the Strategic Asset and […]

Hard Talk, Town after Town
. Consistent failures in housing strategy. By Nasik Swami: Bureaucratic hurdles, red tape, market failures, declining investor confidence, and ineffective policies have all been cited as key factors behind the district’s ongoing housing crisis. In this edition of Hard Talk, The News explores the severe housing shortage affecting regional towns like Naracoorte, Penola, and Bordertown. […]

What’s our strategy?
By Nasik Swami: Future developments in the district must be thoughtfully planned with harmony, taste, and understanding, rather than solely focusing on “chasing rate dollars”. This was the key message from mayor Patrick Ross to the Naracoorte Lucindale Council as elected members began discussions on a crucial issue—the draft housing strategy—last week. The district’s draft […]

See you at the races!
The 2025 MiniJumbuk Naracoorte Cup will be held on Sunday 16 February, 2025. Naracoorte Racing Club/Photo: Adrian Gale – The Chapel Studio. The picture was taken during the 2024 Naracoorte Cup.

BE PART OF
THE COMMUNITY!
Help us continue to grow and improve by supporting our community. You can help us make an impact by sharing our content, becoming a sponsor or distributor, or donating to our causes.
Discover how to help us!