Longridge achieves five-star rating
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...
Sports funding
By Nasik Swami: Sporting clubs and community groups in the South East play a vital role in fostering social connections and promoting an active lifestyle. They serve as a cornerstone for bringing people together and strengthening local communities. Are government efforts sufficient to support these local clubs in towns such as Naracoorte, Penola, and Bordertown? Are enough resources being allocated to ensure the long-term sustainability of sports in the region? Last week, State Minister for...
Mining battle
By Nasik Swami: Proposed mining for rare earths elements in the Limestone Coast is facing opposition from local producers and residents. Many sections of the community are concerned about how mining would impact production in one of the state’s key agricultural regions. It’s a battle between protecting the Limestone Coast’s high-value agricultural resource, finite water assets, and rich cultural heritage and the federal government’s plan to develop critical mineral industries as part of the...
House raids, guns, and drugs
By Nasik Swami: Two major house raids were carried out by the South Australia Police (SAPOL) in the district in the last two weeks, where multiple firearms, ammunition, a pistol crossbow, and a cannabis plant were discovered. In the first raid, a 75-year-old Naracoorte man was arrested and charged with a number of firearm offences. The News can confirm that the South Australia Police (SAPOL), with the assistance from Victoria Police (VICPOL) and Army representatives, were called to a property...
Naracoorte man arrested, guns and drugs seized
Police arrested a 57-year-old Naracoorte man yesterday after finding firearms and drugs at an Avenue Range property in the South East. Following an investigation, South Australia Police (SAPOL) attended the property at 10.30am to conduct a search. “Police searched a shipping container, locating multiple firearms, ammunition, a pistol crossbow, and cannabis plant,” SAPOL said in a statement. “A 57-year-old man from Naracoorte was charged with possess a prescribed firearm, possess a firearm without a licence, possess ammunition without a license, contravene the Firearms Code of Practice, possess a prohibited weapon, and refusing to answer questions under the Firearms Act.” The man was arrested and bailed to appear in the Naracoorte Magistrates Court on April 2, 2025. SAPOL is asking anyone with information about illegal firearms, or the possession, sale, or distribution of illicit substances, to contact Crime Stoppers at www.crimestopperssa.com.au or phone 1800 333 000—your details will remain anonymous.
Naracoorte house raided, firearms discovered
By Nasik Swami: A 75-year-old Naracoorte man has been arrested and charged with a number of firearm offences. The News can confirm that the South Australia Police (SAPOL) with the assistance from Victoria Police (VICPOL) and Army representatives were called to a property in Naracoorte on Wednesday, January 7, this week where the address was searched. A SAPOL spokesperson told this newspaper that the search located a number of firearms. “A 75 -year-old Naracoorte man was arrested and charged with a number of firearm offences,” the spokesperson confirmed.
Our Australia Day award winners
By Naracoorte Lucindale Council: The Naracoorte Lucindale Council is proud to announce its 2025 Australia Day award winners. The award winners are: Joint Naracoorte Citizen of the Year – David Steadman for his outstanding contribution to the Naracoorte Community. David goes above and beyond through his role as a community pharmacist and is a current and long-standing member of many boards including the Naracoorte Area Health Advisory Council, the Longridge Aged Care Board and Naracoorte SA 4WD Club. Joint Naracoorte Citizen of the Year – Christopher Mailley for his outstanding contribution to the entire Upper South East community, particularly through his role in the development of the Upper South East Domestic Abuse Program (USEDAP). Lucindale Citizen of the Year – Vivienne Hocking for her outstanding contribution to the Lucindale community through her long-term involvement with the Naracoorte & Districts Suicide Prevention Network, Lucindale Netball Club, Lucindale Country Club and the […]
Hard Talk – Loss of essential services
By Nasik Swami: Many essential service providers, including the government, are “abandoning” rural towns like Naracoorte in South Australia. Many regional towns in the South East are losing—or have already lost—essential services such as banking, postal, Medicare, Centrelink, resident health specialists, TAFE and other tertiary education providers, telecommunications, along with many others. And now, it’s the face-to-face police services. Many providers are operating on reduced hours or have gone completely online. With connectivity and reliable internet service being a big challenge both in regional towns and throughout rural areas, many people, including seniors and those without reliable phone and internet, have no alternative to face-to-face service. As a result, many of our citizens are being referred to metropolitan centres to access these critical services requiring round trips of two to eight hours of travel. But what is the reason for this “pandemic”? Why are our regional towns becoming unattractive, and […]
Sunrise musical hit
In a Galilee far, far away…. The Sunrise Christian School Naracoorte held its 2024 Christmas musical at the Town Hall last week. The musical, an interplanetary exploration to discover the Glory of God throughout the universe, and beyond, focused on showcasing the true...
Postcode discrimination
By Nasik Swami: Country towns like Naracoorte are facing “postcode discrimination” when it comes to accessing mental health services and resources. That’s the view of SA Shadow Minister for Regional Health Services, Penny Pratt, who has attacked the State government...
Farewell Shaz!
By Nasik Swami: Twenty-seven years and 2.2 million boxes later, Sharon Drabsch has called it a day. Shaz, as her colleagues call her, ends her 27-year career as a box maker at the MiniJumbuk in Naracoorte at the end of this month. The 46-year-old with special...
In confidence
By Nasik Swami: Is it necessary for our local councils to exclude the public from meetings under the confidentiality provisions, and what impact is this having on transparency? Recently, The News has observed how councils interpret the confidentiality provisions of...
“I am different”
By Nasik Swami: “I will be doing things differently because I am different.” That’s the words of Cr Abigail Goodman, the Naracoorte Lucindale Council’s newly elected deputy mayor. Cr Goodman was elected to the position last week at the council’s November 26 meeting. She takes over the role from Cr Monique Crossling, who held the position for the last two years. Cr Crossling was elected as presiding member of the council’s Strategic Assets and Planning (SAP) committee, taking over from Cr Damien Ross. Cr Goodman and Cr Crossling were both nominated for the role of deputy mayor, and Cr Goodman was elected 6 votes to 4 votes in a show of hands. She will serve in the role for the remainder of this council’s term—another two years. In an interview with The News, Cr Goodman acknowledged the work Cr Crossling had done during her term as deputy mayor. “I acknowledge […]
Memorial cricket match for Jason
By Nasik Swami: Lucindale hosted a Twenty20 cricket match at the Cricket Club in honour of police officer, Brevet Sergeant Jason Doig on November 17. Brevet Sergeant Jason Doig was killed in the line of duty at Senior, outside Bordertown last year. According to SAPOL, the club hosted the event, beginning with a brief ceremony acknowledging Jason’s service, sacrifice and his deep connection to the Lucindale community. This was followed by an address from Inspector William Humphris, on behalf of the Limestone Coast Local Service Area, and a presentation by Cops for Kids charity of the inaugural Jason Doig community scholarship grant, SAPOL said in a statement. Following the presentations, both sides competed in a Twenty20 format cricket match. The event was attended and well-supported by the local community, police and members of Jason’s family. The Lucindale Cricket Club came away with the win and were awarded the Memorial Shield, […]
Lobby for sheep eID funding
By Nasik Swami: The Naracoorte Lucindale Council says it continues to lobby the State Government (Minister and the Department of Primary Industries and Regions) for improved funding outcomes relating to the mandated implementation of sheep eID at the Naracoorte Regional Livestock Exchange. In a written report to the council—which was expected to be discussed during the council’s meeting last night, November 26—CEO Trevor Smart said he and the Director Infrastructure and Services would be meeting again with the CEO of PIRSA before the end of November to further present the council’s case. “Regardless of positive or negative funding outcomes from these ongoing discussions – the state government appears intent on an implementation date of 1 July 2025, and this date is now proving to be an impossible target,” Mr Smart said. He said the questions have been repeatedly asked of PIRSA and the minister of what would happen if the […]
Asbestos contamination
By Nasik Swami: There are no Naracoorte Lucindale Council sites under investigation for asbestos contamination, according to CEO Trevor Smart. In a written report to the council—which was expected to be discussed during the council’s meeting last night, November 26—Mr Smart said due to various discussions and/or questions across the community regarding “contamination of rubble with asbestos”, council administration had been in contact with the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and had also met with EPA representatives. In his mayoral report, Mayor Patrick Ross also stated that he met with landholders and the Member for McKillop, Nick McBride, on October 28, last month, to discuss contamination of rubble with asbestos on agricultural land and the way forward for remediation. “From a council perspective, we are satisfied that EPA is undertaking their responsibilities as a regulatory body and that the matter is still ongoing and remains a work in progress,” Mr Smart […]
Memorial cricket match for Jason
By Nasik Swami: Lucindale hosted a Twenty20 cricket match at the Cricket Club in honour of police officer, Brevet Sergeant Jason Doig on November 17. Brevet Sergeant Jason Doig was killed in the line of duty at Senior, outside Bordertown last year. According to SAPOL,...
Lobby for sheep eID funding
By Nasik Swami: The Naracoorte Lucindale Council says it continues to lobby the State Government (Minister and the Department of Primary Industries and Regions) for improved funding outcomes relating to the mandated implementation of sheep eID at the Naracoorte...
Asbestos contamination
By Nasik Swami: There are no Naracoorte Lucindale Council sites under investigation for asbestos contamination, according to CEO Trevor Smart. In a written report to the council—which was expected to be discussed during the council’s meeting last night, November 26—Mr...
For their families: Lest we forget
By Nasik Swami: “I think of families that bore the brunt of war.” This was shared by Australian ex-service personnel Rian Hamilton during the Remembrance Day event at Naracoorte Town Square last week. Speaking at the event, Rian acknowledged and honored the families of service personnel who put their lives on the line for peace and freedom. “Most of us that served did it because of what was behind us—our families,” Rian shared. “I think of those who came before us and those who serve currently to take up arms to provide the freedom and peace that we enjoy today,” he said. He remembered those whose names have been forever engraved in memorials across Australia. “Their lives cut short in order to provide for the shocking cost of war. “I think of those that currently serve, especially those deployed, or they are in ready combat or ready battle groups that […]
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