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 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 […]

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 […]

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 Recreation, Sport, and Racing, Katrine Hildyard, toured several towns in the South East. During her visit, she engaged with local sporting groups and clubs, listening to their concerns and assessing their needs. Ms Hildyard also had a meeting with the Naracoorte Lucindale Council at the Naracoorte Swimming Lake to discuss the council’s master plan. The News questioned Minister Katrine Hildyard about the government’s plans to ensure local clubs were not overlooked in the development and […]

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 Future Made in Australia policy announced in this year’s budget. A coalition of regional agricultural and business leaders called The Limestone Coast Sustainable Futures Association (LCSF) has been formed to inform the community about the invasive nature of rare earth strip mining, which it believes would threaten the economic viability of the food and fibre sector and jeopardise biodiverse value, including underground water resources, and has called on the state government to intervene and halt all […]

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,...

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...

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...

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 in Naracoorte on January 7 where the address was searched. A SAPOL spokesperson told this newspaper that the search located a number of firearms.  In a second raid at an Avenue Range property, a 57-year-old Naracoorte man was arrested by police following the discovery of firearms and drugs on January 13. Following an investigation, SAPOL attended the property to conduct a search. “Police searched a shipping container, locating multiple firearms, […]