Will our schools benefit?
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,...
5-star accommodation for Naracoorte
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...
Our top snapper!
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....
Upset and broken!
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...
Ireland calls for upgrade
By Chris Oldfield: THE low-level classification of a road servicing traffic between Bordertown, Lucindale and Kingston will be compared with similar roads by Naracoorte Lucindale Council’s administration. This follows Cr Peter Ireland’s call for the classification of several roads, including Dickensons Rd, to be reviewed and upgraded in the council’s Road and Stormwater Infrastructure Management Plan. The plan includes a road hierarchy, and the matter was raised at the council’s September 10 Strategic Asset and Planning (SAP) meeting. Stretching 4km, Dickensons Rd links the Riddoch Hwy at one end to Grubbed Rd. Morambro La, Ricketts La, Ortons Rd and McLeans Rd all run parallel to it. Dickensons Rd is currently classified Access Rural, meaning it caters for 50-60km/h speeds, services fewer than 20 properties, carries fewer than 20 vehicles per day and needs to be graded at least once a year. Cr Ireland asked for Dickensons Rd to be upgraded […]
Stunner!
The Aurora Australis makes a stunning return to southern Australian skies. The dazzling Aurora Australis display was visible over Naracoorte between 3-5.30am on October 11th. This photo was taken at 5.40am with the town lights of Naracoorte. Photo credit: Vanessa Hobbs.
Breaking the cycle
By Nasik Swami: An award-winning local policeman says the district needs to come together to “break the cycle” of domestic violence that exists in our community. Naracoorte’s Senior Constable, Chris Mailley, who works in supporting domestic and family violence victims, says, “just one incident is too many”. “Unfortunately, domestic violence is part of society, and we can only do what we can to break that cycle, intervene, and help people,” Senior Constable Mailley said. He said the perpetrators and victims of domestic violence were “absolutely everyone” and more complex than categorising who is the perpetrator and who is the victim. “We have elderly people who have come about as a result of suffering from dementia, we get mental health and community issues, substance misuse, and so many influential factors such as finance that result in people having arguments here,” Senior Constable Mailley said. As an example, he shared a case […]
Dr Taylor retires
By Chris Oldfield: KINCRAIG Medical Clinic GP Dr Jeffery Taylor has retired from clinical practice following his resignation on Thursday, September 26. Last week the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) reported on an allegation that had been made against Dr Taylor. The alleged matter is to be reviewed at a Medical Board Tribunal hearing. It is likely that hearing will take place sometime in the next 12 months. With a one-year expiry date of September 30, 2025, gender conditions have been applied, as listed on the AHPRA website. The conditions do not appear to prevent Dr Taylor practising Men’s Health. Dr Taylor is allowed to communicate with another registered health practitioner “to facilitate the referral of patients and/or transfer of clinical records.” Dr Taylor told The News: “After 25 years of being on call 24/7, I have decided to retire from clinical practice. “This will allow me the opportunity […]
Ready, set, and go!
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...
Spotlight on SA’s largest yards
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...
From Naracoorte, with love
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...
Radiotherapy group lodges complaint
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...
Have your say!
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 […]
Emotional, but proud
By Nasik Swami: It was an emotional but proud day for the parents of late Brevet Sergeant Jason Doig, the Lucindale police officer killed in the line of duty last year. The late Brevet Sergeant Doig’s mother, Faye Edwards, and her husband Rob were part of the Police Legacy National Wall-to-Wall: Ride for Remembrance memorial service in Lucindale last week. As part of the Ride for Remembrance, more than 100 current and retired SA Police officers’ rode from Fort Largs to the National Police Memorial in Canberra in honour of fallen colleagues, including Brevet Sergeant Jason Doig. This year, the riders carried the name of Brevet Sergeant Doig. Ms Edwards welcomed the Wall-to-Wall riders in an emotional memorial service in Lucindale, saying the family was blown away with so many people riding in honor of their late son. School kids from Lucindale were also part of the memorial service to […]
Vote for health
By Nasik Swami: At the next state election, cast a vote as though your life and health may depend upon it. That’s the message from Lachlan Haynes, the chair of Limestone Coast Radiation Working Group—a group that has been fighting tooth and nail for the establishment of a radiation therapy service for the region. Last week, the Liberal Opposition announced that a Liberal government will deliver critical care closer to home for cancer patients in the Limestone Coast if it forms government. Speaking to this newspaper, Mr Haynes said this was the news people were wanting to hear. “This (announcement) marks a very serious political difference and absolutely crystal-clear choice at the coming state election,” he claimed. “If you value your health services and strongly believe the people of the Limestone Coast region deserve radiation treatment and improved cancer outcomes, you now have only one voting option to ensure that […]
Our top cop!
By Nasik Swami: He is our top cop. Naracoorte’s Senior Constable Chris Mailley has been awarded the 2024 South Australia Police Officer of the Year. The 59-year-old received the Rotary Club of Unley award for his dedication to the local community and work in assisting domestic and family violence victims. Originally from the United Kingdom, Senior Constable Mailley became a police officer almost 30 years ago. “I feel very humbled to be receiving this award. It’s nice to be awarded later in my career as it shows, like so many police officers, we don’t lose our passion for what we do,” Snr Constable Mailley said. And he says he’s not slowing down anytime soon as “he’s not done yet”. “I’m hoping to see the Upper South East achieve the best domestic violence support in the state.” Commissioner of Police Grant Stevens congratulated the regional police officer on his award and […]
Emotional, but proud
By Nasik Swami: It was an emotional but proud day for the parents of late Brevet Sergeant Jason Doig, the Lucindale police officer killed in the line of duty last year. The late Brevet Sergeant Doig’s mother, Faye Edwards, and her husband Rob were part of the Police...
Vote for health
By Nasik Swami: At the next state election, cast a vote as though your life and health may depend upon it. That’s the message from Lachlan Haynes, the chair of Limestone Coast Radiation Working Group—a group that has been fighting tooth and nail for the establishment...
Our top cop!
By Nasik Swami: He is our top cop. Naracoorte’s Senior Constable Chris Mailley has been awarded the 2024 South Australia Police Officer of the Year. The 59-year-old received the Rotary Club of Unley award for his dedication to the local community and work in...
Trevor Smart retires
By Chris Oldfield and Nasik Swami: NARACOORTE Lucindale Council CEO Trevor Smart has resigned after six years in the top job and is looking forward to spending more time with his family. Mr Smart has spent 41 years in local government and six years with Naracoorte Lucindale Council. In a bid to help the council transition to a new CEO, he will stay on until the end of February, unless a new executive is found beforehand. Mayor Patrick Ross said he advised elected members of Mr Smart’s decision last Friday and staff were also informed on the same day. “His resignation letter, which I forwarded to all elected members with a covering note from myself of when I received it, is a letter of resignation and retirement,” Mr Ross said. “Trevor Smart is very good at his job. For a first-time council member/mayor, to have a chief executive officer of […]
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