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 meaning of Christmas.

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 for turning a blind eye to the Limestone Coast region and failing to understand the plight of families in need of mental health services. In an interview with The News, Ms Pratt referenced a damning report into rural mental health services in South Australia. It revealed that when it comes to getting access to a regional psychologist, we were worse off than people in Mongolia. And this is not stopping there, she claimed. Ms Pratt said the devastating effects of drought, crippling power prices, cost of living pressures, unreliable internet services, and increased health costs for visiting a GP or a specialist were continuously mounting emotional pressures on many families […]

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 abilities is not only a box maker but also a beacon of hope to those with special needs in the community. “I did it. You can do it—just go for it,” she shared, smiling during an interview with The News. Shaz’s contribution to the wool industry has been labelled as “remarkable” by her colleagues. A rough estimate by MiniJumbuk on the number of boxes Shaz had made over her 27 years at the factory averages 78,000 per year, around the 2.2 million mark over 27 years. “Each box has three passes of tape to construct, this equates to 6.6 million passes, and at an […]

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 the Local Government Act 1999 (SA) (LG Act). On occasions, some councils have listed about three matters in their public agenda under a heading “Confidential Items” or “Matters the CEO Recommends be Considered in Confidence”. This newspaper questioned Naracoorte Lucindale Council mayor, Patrick Ross, and the Minister for Local Government, Joe Szakacs, if going into confidence was a “fair and transparent process” and what message this sends to the ratepayers who attend these public meetings. Mr Ross said the question of going into confidence on various matters was always on his mind. He said the Act (LG Act) was clear and gave clear advice on the issue, and the CEO, […]

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 […]

By Nasik Swami: Two salaried doctors in the region, employed by the Limestone Coast Local Health Network, are paid yearly salaries of around $700,000 each. But why, Independent Member for MacKillop Nick McBride questioned Health Minister Chris Picton in the House of Assembly last month. Mr McBride quizzed the minister about what these roles were that were paying that amount and where they were based. He quoted figures from the Limestone Coast Local Health Network in the 2023/24 report of the Auditor-General. Through his question, Mr McBride said the two staff members were being paid between $686,000 and $726,000 per annum, and four other staff were being paid between $446,000 and $486,000. “Can the minister explain what these roles are that are paying that amount and where are they based?” he questioned. In his response, Mr Picton defended his department’s decision to employ the two salaried doctors, saying there were […]

By Chris Oldfield: A land division involving 12 new residential allotments, two roads and a residual space has been granted at Lot 1002 Premier Drive, Naracoorte. With a capacity to create around 55 new blocks, 644 metres of roads and a 450m2 reserve across 6.025 ha or 14.88 acres, the development took six months to get approved. Naracoorte Lucindale Council CEO Trevor Smart said the subdivision approval involved the area off Premier Dr, Playford Dr and Cadgee Rd. “The approval was definitely not for any area within the North Parklands,” Mr Smart said. According to Planning SA, the development was lodged for assessment on April 24, 2024, and approved on October 18. It was lodged by Stefan Nestorovic, c/- Cameron Lock Surveying, Mount Gambier. Consent was granted by the Northern Limestone Coast Regional Assessment Panel based at 1 DeGaris Pl, Naracoorte, SA – council’s administration building. A map of the […]

By Nasik Swami: Payroll tax on GPs, increasing costs for GP visits, and a complicated Medicare scheme—is our health system failing our communities and the most vulnerable? Are the increasing healthcare costs becoming a deterrent for people in our district to visit a GP/doctor and seek treatment when our public hospitals are already overcrowded? Who should be held accountable for the burden of the extra healthcare costs people in country towns are facing? The Royal Australian College of GPs and the Australian Medical Association have warned the payroll tax would force clinics to pass on the cost to patients, end bulk billing, or shut down completely. In this edition of Hard Talk, The News digs deep into the much talked about GP payroll tax, the increasing cost of seeing a GP in country towns like Naracoorte, and a review of our Medicare system. We asked the SA Health Minister Chris […]

By Nasik Swami: Two salaried doctors in the region, employed by the Limestone Coast Local Health Network, are paid yearly salaries of around $700,000 each. But why, Independent Member for MacKillop Nick McBride questioned Health Minister Chris Picton in the House of...

By Chris Oldfield: A land division involving 12 new residential allotments, two roads and a residual space has been granted at Lot 1002 Premier Drive, Naracoorte. With a capacity to create around 55 new blocks, 644 metres of roads and a 450m2 reserve across 6.025 ha...

By Nasik Swami: Payroll tax on GPs, increasing costs for GP visits, and a complicated Medicare scheme—is our health system failing our communities and the most vulnerable? Are the increasing healthcare costs becoming a deterrent for people in our district to visit a...

By Chris Oldfield: A highly skilled team of four specialist rural doctors with qualifications and experience in obstetrics are working together, continuing to deliver babies at the Naracoorte Hospital. They include Dr Kim Trueman, Dr Clare Garner, Dr David Mills and Dr Ron Wallingford. The good news for obstetrics was released in statements by the Limestone Coast Local Health Network (LCLHN) as well as the Naracoorte General Practice and Kincraig Medical Clinic. “Naracoorte Health Service’s maternity and obstetric services have had no interruption to service and is well staffed by obstetricians, gynaecologists, midwives, nurses and clinicians,” LCLHN director medical services Dr Abhary said.  “All our midwives and GP obstetricians have training specifically designed to manage different types of births. “We had 150 babies safely born at the hospital in the 2023- 2024 financial year and look forward to continuing our care for all local mothers before, during and after childbirth.” […]