Shadow Minister: Our country students deserve a strong focus from the government on bringing their schools up to modern standards. By Nasik Swami: The state government has announced a record $42.7million funding for more than 80 public schools across the state to fix roofs, reseal bitumen, build fences, and upgrade ageing infrastructure. But how much of this funding would actually trickle down to assist our public schools with infrastructure upgrades? Actually, no public schools in Naracoorte, Lucindale, Penola, Padthaway, and Frances are beneficiaries of this record funding this time. The News asked the education minister to provide a breakdown of the funding and how much would be given to our public schools for infrastructure upgrades. In response, a spokesperson for the Department of Education said the targeted maintenance program does include a couple of projects in our area (mid-South East). “Bordertown High School is among eight sites having upgrades to […]

By Nasik Swami: Naracoorte will soon boast a hotel with five-star accommodation. Dean Group, a family-owned and operated South Australian group – consisting of the Largs Pier Hotel, Walkers Arms Hotel, Macs Hotel, Peninsula Hotel Motel, and London Tavern – have taken ownership of Naracoorte’s Kincraig Hotel on Smith Street as of October 21, 2024. The multimillion-dollar investment will serve the local region and help the annual 90,000 visitors or so to the Naracoorte Caves, attracting them into the country town to stay, see, and do other things. The new owners of Naracoorte’s Kincraig Hotel will maintain its name and draw on the history and heritage of the local area. The News can confirm that the acquisition and the group’s plan to extensively renovate the venue will make the project a significant multimillion-dollar investment for the group and the local region. “The Dean Group of Hotels plans to renew the […]

By Nasik Swami: Kybybolite Football Club’s Noel Black is South Australia’s Community Sports Photographer of the Year. Black, commonly known as Blackie, was bestowed with the award at the South Australian National Football League (SANFL) Community Volunteers Awards on October 11, 2024, in the William Magarey Room at Adelaide Oval, with more than 300 attendees. The prestigious annual event recognises the thousands of volunteers who go above and beyond with their contribution to football. Speaking to The News, Blackie said the recognition of his photography was a surprise, as it was something he never chased or aimed for. “It is something that I genuinely love to do, and there are some really good sport photographers in the Limestone Coast,” he said.  “So, to be nominated and then to win was a thrill, but certainly doesn’t put me above any of the other wonderful sports photographers around our terrific part of […]

By Nasik Swami: A local businessman is calling for more police presence in the town, particularly at night.  Multicultural grocery store BWD Trading on McRae Street was broken into last Friday night—twice in two months, sustaining alleged losses and damage of about $30,000.  Speaking to this newspaper, owner Didar Ali said, “this is very bad, and now it (the town) is not safe”.  “Thanks to the Naracoorte community, I have operated my business for 15 years, and nothing has happened. Now, it’s not a safe place,” a distraught, upset, and broken Mr Ali shared.  He alleged the growing crime rate targeting businesses was not good and he would consider closing down his shop if more of it continued to happen.  The South Australia Police confirmed the incident.  “About 4.25am today (18/10/24), a suspect has broken into a business in McRae Street and stolen cash and cigarettes,” a SAPOL spokesperson said.  […]

By Nasik Swami: The Lucindale Karting Club is ready to host the biggest dirt karting weekend of the year. The Hallett Concrete 2024 Australian Dirt Kart Titles will be held at the Lucindale Karting Club between October 4-7. Speaking to The News, Lucindale Club members and racers Josh and Louis Bull have called for public support for the big event that’s happening locally. Josh is the current A2 (that’s Australia No 2) in the 200cc class (the biggest horsepower, premier class), while Louis is the current S2 (that’s South Australia No 2) in the same 200cc class.  “Come out and support us over the three-day event (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday),” Josh, who has been racing for 15 years, said. “It’s a fantastic chance to witness some of the best in dirt kart racing battle for the top spot.”  Josh said preparations for the event were going well. “We’ve spent countless […]

By Chris Oldfield: Around 82,500 cattle and 480,000 sheep grossed $149.9 million last financial year at the Naracoorte Regional Livestock Exchange, South Australia’s largest saleyard facility. Currently valued at more than $13.3 million by Naracoorte Lucindale Council it is also considered one of Australia’s premier saleyards, helping to underpin Naracoorte’s economy. For almost 51 years the NRLE has created ongoing employment for stock agents, truck drivers, meat buyers, PIRSA agents, EPA officers, farm workers, canteen staff, council workers, fuel companies and the nearby Teys abattoirs which employs more than 500 people. While the Naracoorte Lucindale Council owns the asset, it is mostly funded by farming families. NRLE operations Last financial year 84 percent of more than $1.8 million was raised from farmers via yard fees. A truck wash pumped in another 13 percent, and paddocking fees – 3 percent. The facility returned an operating surplus of $902,297.20 for the council. […]

By Nasik Swami: It’s an unusual story—one we hardly get to hear or read about in Naracoorte. It’s a story of our small community and our people coming together to help raise funds to alleviate the sufferings of women and children in a community and country not part of Australia—Mengaumenau, Papua New Guinea (PNG). Imagine finding yourself in a place where there is no one at all to help you deliver your baby. No facilities of any kind. No medicines of any kind. And to get to the nearest help, you have to walk two hours to reach the side of a fast-flowing river that is 60m across. To get to the other side of that river, you will have to get help to build a raft—or you could chance it on the huge vine footbridge that the villagers built. A woman who recently tried it fell through the rotten […]

By Chris Oldfield: A COMPLAINT has been lodged against the Adelaide-based chairman of Limestone Coast Local Health Network (LCLHN), Dr Andrew Saies, over his alleged conduct towards SE cancer patients. Among claims against Dr Saies are allegations he comes from a position of privilege by suggesting financial issues confronting SE cancer patients travelling to Adelaide and unable to work for many weeks or months could easily be nullified if they took out income insurance.  The orthopaedic surgeon has rejected as “unfair” the complaints made by LC Radiation Therapy Working Group and says the LCLHN board “is committed to improving outcomes for all cancer patients in the Limestone Coast”. The alleged conduct of Dr Saies is contained in a letter to Health Minister Chris Picton and copied to Premier Peter Malinauskas. The letter is signed by Naracoorte’s Lachlan Haynes on behalf of Limestone Coast Radiation Therapy Working Group, of which he […]

By Chris Oldfield: Around 82,500 cattle and 480,000 sheep grossed $149.9 million last financial year at the Naracoorte Regional Livestock Exchange, South Australia’s largest saleyard facility. Currently valued at more than $13.3 million by Naracoorte Lucindale Council...

By Nasik Swami: It’s an unusual story—one we hardly get to hear or read about in Naracoorte. It’s a story of our small community and our people coming together to help raise funds to alleviate the sufferings of women and children in a community and country not part of...

By Chris Oldfield: A COMPLAINT has been lodged against the Adelaide-based chairman of Limestone Coast Local Health Network (LCLHN), Dr Andrew Saies, over his alleged conduct towards SE cancer patients. Among claims against Dr Saies are allegations he comes from a...

Mayor calls on the public to voice their concerns. By Nasik Swami: If you want “first-world telecommunications” and improvements to the digital infrastructure in your area, make sure to let the government know. That’s the plea from Naracoorte Lucindale mayor Patrick as the government rolls out the 2024 regional telecommunications survey, focused on improving regional connectivity. Mr Ross says complaining about the challenges and not doing anything about them does not help, but having your say is what will make the difference. The 2024 Regional Telecommunications Independent Review Committee wants to hear about your experiences accessing and using telecommunications services in regional, rural, and remote Australia. According to the Department of Infrastructure, the review is an opportunity for people living and working in regional, rural, and remote Australia to share their views and experiences using telecommunications services. Every three years, a Regional Telecommunications Independent Review Committee is established to conduct […]