Naracoorte, April 13, 2026

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CEO saga at Robe’s Royal Circus

CEO saga at Robe’s Royal Circus

By Chris Oldfield ANOTHER acting CEO will soon be called on to fill the void at Robe District Council’s August meeting. Current acting CEO Debbie Brokenshire is unable to attend and she initially called on the director of childcare Karla Dew to cover council’s August meeting as its acting CEO. Ms Brokenshire, founder of The Governator, later reported to council’s July 12 meeting that Ms Dew was “very relieved” not to fill the role. Instead, Ms Brokenshire believed she could find someone to attend the August meeting from a list of available relief CEOs. Robe’s council offices and chamber are situated on a site known as Royal Circus, and some townsfolk believe it is aptly named with a revolving door of CEOs. Former CEO James Holyman was appointed on April 29, 2019. His appointment followed the State Ombudsman Wayne Lines finding the previous CEO Roger Sweetman guilty of misconduct in […]

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I’ll be back’ – The Governator waves in stability

I’ll be back’ – The Governator waves in stability

By Chris Oldfield DEBBIE Brokenshire of The Governator, was this month ratified by Robe District Council as its acting CEO. Although Ms Brokenshire will miss the next monthly meeting, she will be back until October 31, or until the CEO position is filled. Appointed for the next four months by Robe mayor Lisa Ruffell, Ms Brokenshire founded The Governator, a business that consults to Local Government.   Her appointment follows months of resignations, turmoil and sick leave, all impacting Robe’s councillors, staff and ratepayers. Former controversial CEO James Holyman had his contract extended for four years on the eve of the 2022 general SA council elections. Mr Holyman was stood down on full pay in March this year by the new council, and infrastructure director Robert Moir of Horsham was appointed acting CEO from February until June 30. Mr Moir was on sick leave for several weeks during December and January, […]

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I’ll be back’ – The Governator waves in stability

Power prices rort

Your Say: Ken Grundy, Naracoorte Most power prices have risen by 25% but there are some reported to soon double. The feeble answers provided across the board say to ‘put on an extra jumper’ or ‘shop around’. Just imagine if basic food or fuel prices suddenly rose by such astronomical amounts  –  there would be uproar! Where are the political leaders in this case? The Government Minister Bowen smiles while he repeats, like a cracked record, that renewables provide the cheapest power.  Where is this beast? Opposition spokesmen reckon we need to generate more power to presumably offer more competition.  Well, we have adequate power now so why would more help?  Every time we turn the switch, the light shows power is evident.  Only in rare circumstances is there a shortage. Somewhere along the wires between the generation and the consumer there must be one or more cases of rorting. […]

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Strangulation of women

Strangulation of women

By Nasik Swami Strangulation of women has emerged as a new trend among perpetrators of domestic violence in Naracoorte and its surrounding towns. The revelation was made by the Limestone Coast Domestic Violence Service (LCDVS), which noted an increase in reports of women being strangled by their intimate partners in the last six months. LCDVS regional manager Susie Smith told The News that strangulation was one of the most common acts disclosed by clients seeking specialist domestic violence and homelessness support at Centacare. “Disclosure of physical force to the neck indicates the client is at high or extremely high and imminent risk,” Ms Smith said. She said almost all women who scored as high on a risk assessment indicated strangulation as a form of violence used, whether it be just once or multiple times over the course of the relationship. “Often women don’t recognise a forearm, knee, or push to […]

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Findlaters men

Findlaters men

By Shane Smith This is my latest book on the military history of Naracoorte, this is my 5th book on Naracoortes military history the book is titled Findlaters Men, consisting 319 pages, over 20 photos and full nominal roll it covers the formation of the Naracoorte Half Squadron South Australian Mounted Rifles 1900/12. The title of the book is titled after Daniel Findlater who was a prominent member of the Naracoorte community and who owned land out the messamurray road. He instigated the formation, raised and was the commanding officer of the Naracoorte Mounted Rifles from 1900 to 1910. The members of the Naracoorte Mounted Rifles were part time soldiers, very similar to todays Army Reserve. Enlistment age was 18 to 35 and be minimum height of 5ft 6 inch and enlist for a period of 3 years, then every 3 years after that if you wished. The strength of […]

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I’ll be back’ – The Governator waves in stability

Top Tips for Embracing a Healthy Lifestyle

Column: Kerrie Cleggett, IN 2 HEALTH  In the fast-paced world we live in where convenience sometimes takes preference – it’s crucial to prioritize a healthy lifestyle that nourishes both body and mind. Here are some of my top tips: 1. Balanced Diet:  Eat a range of fruits, vegetables, proteins, grains, and healthy fats. Reduce processed food as much as possible. Eating a well-balanced diet will give your body the vital nutrients it needs to thrive. When you are eating nutrient dense foods you won’t crave less nutrient dense foods.  2. Regular Exercise:  Physical activity is of high importance in a healthy lifestyle. Make time for regular exercise that suits your fitness level and personal preferences. By staying active, you enhance your cardiovascular health and boost your overall well-being. 3. Hydration: Adequate hydration plays a vital role in maintaining good health. Water requirements may vary depending on your size and activity […]

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Strangulation of women

Libs hope to hold MacKillop

By Chris Oldfield NARACOORTE’S Lachlan Haynes says he is “seriously considering” standing for Liberal preselection when nominations open for MacKillop. Radiation therapy, rural doctors, housing availability, local access to training and education for trades and services, road maintenance – the issues roll off the tongue of Mr Haynes who last year was elected an SA Liberal Party State vice-president. He is best known for leading the fight for radiation therapy services in the SE with a petition of 20,000 signatures forcing a parliamentary inquiry. “No longer should a regional postcode determine you automatically receive a lesser service or (reduced) health service,” he said. Mr Haynes explained the SE is the engine room of this State’s wealth. But he believed services were in decline while small businesses and farmers were being squeezed by the green and red rubber rings of bureaucracy. “On top of that are the day-to-day cost of living […]

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Statement by Nick McBride – Member for MacKillop

Statement by Nick McBride – Member for MacKillop

I have come to the conclusion that it is no longer tenable for me to remain in the Liberal party. I have been a proud member of this party for more than 30 years, so this has been an extremely difficult decision for me. I believe my constituents and electorate will be better served by me working as the Independent Member for MacKillop. My primary aim is to achieve better outcomes for the people of the MacKilllop electorate. I believe a party should work together regardless of individual beliefs to achieve good results for their community. Despite what the Liberal party may say, there are factional pressures at play which have resulted in disunity. I understand some people may be disappointed with my decision, given I was elected as a Liberal member. I hope those people can understand I have found it increasingly difficult to represent the party that I […]

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Statement by Nick McBride – Member for MacKillop

Hospital works

By Nasik Swami A lot of money will be spent on upgrading the Naracoorte Hospital in the next 12 months to ensure it provides “good and safe” services to the public. Limestone Coast Local Health Network Board chairman Grant King says they have received $8million from the state government for stage one upgrade work at the facility. The News continues to be asked by many of its readers to “find out” the strategic direction of the Naracoorte Hospital and what those in power are doing to fix the many challenges the public faces at the hospital. Some readers alleged the deteriorating state of the hospital’s old infrastructure included leaking roofs, electrical failures, plumbing problems, and damp walls. This newspaper sought comment and put questions to Mr King and the Minister for Health and Wellbeing, Chris Picton, on what was being done to improve services at the public hospital. Mr King […]

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Statement by Nick McBride – Member for MacKillop

Judges announced for the 2023 Tatiara Art Prize

By Naomi Fallon, Tatiara District Council, Director Walkway Gallery  Entries for the Tatiara Art Prize will close at the end of this month. Held every two years, the $10,000 acquisitive prize invites submissions of new or recent work by Australian artists in any medium, other than photography. Presented by the Walkway Gallery since 2013, the prize is generously supported by the Tatiara District Council. Finalists will be selected by a national judging panel announced today. In 2023, the Tatiara Art Prize judges are Lauren Mustillo; Visual Art Manager at Country Arts SA; Rebecca Evans, Curator of Decorative Arts and Design at the Art Gallery of South Australia and Joshua White, Director of the Hamilton Art Gallery. Find our judges bio’s at the end of this document. All works selected as finalists will be exhibited in a major exhibition at the Walkway Gallery from 16 September – 11 November 2023. The […]

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Statement by Nick McBride – Member for MacKillop

Free entry for locals

By Josie Collins, Media Manager, Naracoorte Lucindale Council   LOCALS can once again enjoy free entry to the Naracoorte Caves when they take along their visiting family or friends in the re-launch of an exciting initiative to strengthen our unique connection with the World Heritage site. The timely re-launch of the initiative at the start of the July school holidays is a collaborative project between National Parks and Wildlife Service SA and Naracoorte Lucindale Council. Local residents in the Naracoorte Lucindale Council area will receive free tour entry at the Caves when they take a visitor along to the park with them. So, a local family can take a visiting family along to the Caves and the visiting family will pay but the locals won’t. With savings in their pocket, the local family could pay for their visitors as a bit of a treat, or even split the costs with their […]

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Statement by Nick McBride – Member for MacKillop

Running for Premature Babies

By Sophie, founder of the charity Running for Premature Babies I started this charity 17 years ago after losing all three of my prematurely born triplets to their prematurity. I wanted to reach out to you as a local young man in your community who was born at the same gestation as my triplets but was lucky enough to survive, and who is now doing something amazing and I would so love for your local Naracoorte News to publish this story! Lachy Miles, aged 25, is taking part in the Run Melbourne running event on Sunday 16 July to support my charity, which is raising funds for a lifesaving neonatal ventilator for the Monash Newborn NICU, which will save the lives of premature babies. Lachy’s story is remarkable. Born at 23 weeks gestation he wasn’t expected to survive this premature birth and was given a 20% chance of survival. Lachy […]

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