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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 for the upcoming federal election and candidates shift into campaign mode, voters are asking critical questions. In this edition of Hard Talk, The News spoke with several political leaders to gain insight into the major election topics that could determine the outcome. We reached out to key political figures, including prime minister and Labor Party leader Anthony Albanese, opposition leader and Liberal Party leader Peter Dutton, South Australian premier Peter Malinauskas, state opposition and Liberal Party leader Vincent Tarzia, independent member for MacKillop Nick McBride, and Naracoorte Lucindale Council (NLC) mayor Patrick Ross. Mr Ross, […]

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 by April. Library manager Karen Sebek expressed her relief, thrilled that children now have a new place to borrow toys and enjoy the library’s offerings. “We have a new home—we will be moving to the Naracoorte North Primary School. They have graciously offered us one of their portable classrooms,” Ms Sebek said “The library reopens its doors later this month, offering toys, games, and books for children from birth to age 18 to borrow.” Ms Sebek called on people in the community to support the library by becoming members. “We currently have 36 active members, […]

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 all-weather, action packed motorcycle stunt show, “with a comical twist”. There will also be Rob’s Carriage Rides, Ultimate Helicopter Rides, Mundulla Mud, the Sanity Factory and Artist Bri Boyington. The Adelaide Balloon Man, a dedicated children’s centre activity tent and Blue Yakka Trail will feature again this year as well. So will free hearing tests hosted by the Lucindale Lions Club, while the National Centre for Farmer Health will be doing health checks and lifestyle assessments. South East Field Days committee chairman John Motteram said the Can Am Addicted to Mud was another display this […]

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 of the council’s outdoor field and administration staff in its 89-page report. The report also praised eight improvements the council had made, but was critical that some data was made difficult to access and a report was withheld. Mr Smart hit back at the council’s February 28 meeting. “There’s some very unusual parts of this report, particularly the Wheaton’s report, including naming the specific consultant in a resolution,” Mr Smart claimed. “Probably the more critical one is the over-involvement in the authoring and directing of what should be in the tender specification. “I make that […]

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 22, 1925, Ms Evelyn remains soft-spoken yet impressively quick on her feet. In a conversation with The News, she shared her insights on the secret to living a long and fulfilling life. “It’s my busy life and my time with my family and children. That’s kept me going,” she shared, smiling. “I have done it all. I have lived my life—an interesting one, to be honest. “I have picked strawberries and grapes, worked at the meatworks, in the kitchen, and even at the hospital as a ward maid during the years of the war.” Ms […]

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. This police action was part of a broader crackdown on the illegal tobacco trade in the South East. Apart from Naracoorte, tobacconists, candy and gift shops, a commercial storage facility, and residential premises in Mount Gambier and Millicent were also searched. The Serious and Organised Crime Branch, Limestone Coast police, and Consumer and Business Affairs conducted searches on February 19 and 20, seizing nearly $800,000 worth of tobacco and $66,000 in cash. The raids, carried out across 10 properties, were part of Operation Eclipse. Is this just the beginning of the crackdown? That’s what this […]

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 to freeze her eggs. “It was at this point I started talking to some friends and family who had been through the IVF process,” Chantelle explains. “My family was all immediately supportive.” She froze her eggs in November 2022, selected a donor in July 2023, and had her “implementation” in July 2024. She is now just weeks—maybe days—away from becoming a mother. “I’m blessed—with the help of some science—that my dream of becoming a mum is finally becoming a reality,” Chantelle says. “It has been a long, well-thought-out, emotionally and mentally exhausting experience over several […]

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 in Naracoorte. Didar Ali, the owner of BWD Trading, a multicultural grocery store on McRae Street, expressed his gratitude to South Australia Police (SAPOL) and the local community for their support, which played a crucial role in the arrest after months of investigation. SAPOL confirmed that following an inquiry into a break-in at a block of shops on January 10, 2025, officers apprehended a 45-year-old local man. “He was charged with theft and serious criminal trespass. He was bailed to appear in court on 21 May,” SAPOL told this newspaper. Mr Ali, who is partially […]

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 Planning (SAP) committee meeting on September 10, 2024. The livestreaming services cost ratepayers $72,472. To gauge public interest in the council, The News asked Mr Smart to provide an analysis of viewer retention throughout a meeting, specifically on the number of viewers present at the beginning, middle, and end of meetings—both on average and for each monthly session, and how many people watch an entire meeting right through to the end. With 8,686 people in our Naracoorte Lucindale area, (ABS 2021 census) the The News has reflected on statistics regarding the platform’s impact. After the […]

. 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. This persistent shortfall is stalling economic growth, as businesses struggle to expand or maintain operations due to a lack of housing for potential employees. Developers often encounter obstacles and are deterred by restrictive policies and convoluted regulations, forcing many to abandon their plans altogether. With a federal election looming, and a state election 12 months away, we reached out to State Housing Minister Nick Champion, SA Shadow Housing Minister Michelle Lensink, Member for MacKillop Nick McBride, and Federal Member for Barker Tony Pasin for their possible solutions to the housing crisis. We also reached out […]

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 housing strategy – authored by CEO Trevor Smart and manager planning Paul McRostie – was presented to the council in November last year. A workshop was planned to allow elected members to contribute insights and help shape future priorities. Mr Ross emphasised the need for a comprehensive approach, stating, “the key to any strategy, including housing and future development, is to consider the short-term, medium-term, and most importantly, the long-term perspective.” He highlighted the importance of looking 50 years ahead. “We have gathered a wealth of data, but a strategy needs to emerge from it […]