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 […]

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.

By Chris Oldfield: THE Naracoorte Lucindale Council’s administration chooses whether or not briefing session items are confidential, it was revealed during council’s January 28 meeting. According to CEO Trevor Smart, the administration does not notify the public when public briefing sessions are being held, and just advises elected members. Including whether items are confidential. He said the public was only notified after the meetings were held. Subsequently, last Tuesday, February 4, The News advised Mr Smart the housing strategy briefing session was not on the council’s website, and asked Mr Smart if it was public, and what time it started. Mr Smart replied – it was open to the public and started at 6pm. But the notice did not appear on the council’s website until after the meeting was held. At the council’s January meeting, the Mayor Patrick Ross explained all briefing sessions were open and public meetings unless they […]

By Nasik Swami: An elected member of the Naracoorte Lucindale Council has criticised the council for disregarding public input gathered during consultation processes. Speaking exclusively to The News, Cr Craig McGuire claimed trust towards the elected body was “at an all-time low” with public consultation and feedback mostly ignored or dismissed if it did not fit the narrative of what parts of the elected council wanted to see. Stating it as his opinion, Cr McGuire said elected members seemed to rely on their own circle of people, rather than what had been provided formally back to the council. “I don’t have too many concerns with our public consultation policy or process. I can’t stress this enough. My actual concern is that the elected council doesn’t appear to want to listen to what the public tells us through our consultation processes,” he said. In simple terms, Cr McGuire said that the […]

By Chris Oldfield: NARACOORTE’S Leicester Park will soon boast a new $361,550 playground. Equipment will include a double bay swing, seesaw, neo spinner, play hut, skateboard rocker, joey trampoline, slide, and even a pretend eco charger. This follows consultation with Naracoorte South Primary School’s Reception and Years 1-2 students by Naracoorte Lucindale Council’s administration. The matter was raised at the council’s January 28 meeting. Director infrastructure and services, Daniel Willsmore, said the council was due to replace playground equipment in Leicester Park during 2025-26 under the endorsed 2025-35 Open Space Asset Management Plan.  During the debate elected members learned the $250,000 expenditure at Market Square’s Tier 1 playground replaced 22-year-old equipment. Leicester Park, ranked as a Tier 3 playground, had 16-year-old equipment. Mr Willsmore explained metropolitan councils renewed equipment every 15 years, but they had a higher usage. The $361,550 price tag allowed for cost increases of equipment which Mr […]

By Chris Oldfield: THE Naracoorte Lucindale Council’s administration chooses whether or not briefing session items are confidential, it was revealed during council’s January 28 meeting. According to CEO Trevor Smart, the administration does not notify the public when...

By Nasik Swami: An elected member of the Naracoorte Lucindale Council has criticised the council for disregarding public input gathered during consultation processes. Speaking exclusively to The News, Cr Craig McGuire claimed trust towards the elected body was “at an...

By Chris Oldfield: NARACOORTE’S Leicester Park will soon boast a new $361,550 playground. Equipment will include a double bay swing, seesaw, neo spinner, play hut, skateboard rocker, joey trampoline, slide, and even a pretend eco charger. This follows consultation...

Longridge Aged Care has received an outstanding five-star rating from the National Aged Care Quality Standards, a significant achievement that reflects its commitment to providing exceptional care and support to its residents. The rating, updated in November 2024, measured the organisation’s performance against four sub categories – compliance, quality measures, residents experience and staffing. The rating, awarded by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, recognised Longridge Aged Care’s dedication to delivering high-quality services, modern facilities, and a nurturing environment tailored to the needs of the elderly. The evaluation process included comprehensive assessments in areas such as care delivery, lifestyle and choice, health and wellbeing, and governance. “We are thrilled to receive this recognition,” said Ravi Aulukh, the chief executive officer of the aged care facility. “Our team has worked tirelessly to ensure that our residents feel valued, respected, and supported every day. “This rating is a testament to their […]