Denise’s Desk: A Little Backpack, A Big World
Denise McHugh reflects on her granddaughter starting kindergarten, highlighting the importance of early education and thanking the teachers and staff who shape the future.
LATEST >
Roy’s Roundup: Lake Cargelligo tragedy, firearms laws & saving greyhound tracks
Would you use AI to break writer’s block? We asked 5 experts
A major overhaul of NZ’s local government is underway – will it really fix what’s broken?
OPINION >
Roy’s Roundup: Lake Cargelligo tragedy, firearms laws & saving greyhound tracks
Roy Butler discusses the tragedy in Lake Cargelligo, efforts to wind back firearms legislation, and support for Warren flood victims. He also highlights “The Big Shout” charity, the inquiry into regional service delivery, and the fight to save greyhound tracks in…
Would you use AI to break writer’s block? We asked 5 experts
Bloomsbury CEO Nigel Newton suggests AI can help authors beat writer’s block. Five creative writing experts weigh in, offering perspectives ranging from ethical concerns to accessibility benefits, highlighting the complex debate on AI in literature.
A major overhaul of NZ’s local government is underway – will it really fix what’s broken?
Australia needs to get real about Trump’s changing America
Opinion: Nationals can now really represent bush
IDEAS >
Three back-to-school conversations to boost kids’ resilience and coping skills
Triple P experts share three simple conversations parents can have this week to help children feel confident and prepared for the new school year, focusing on positivity, open communication, and consistent routines.
Opinion: Cost doing business
Mal Peters says he has seen some pretty tough times, but for some reason it seems harder today than he can recall.
Macca’s weeds: Getting inoculation right for bumper yields
Macca discusses the critical importance of Rhizobia bacteria and correct inoculation techniques for maximizing nitrogen uptake and yields in legume crops like Mungbeans.
REGIONAL >
Armidale Airport: Ratepayers urged to have a say
Do We Have Responsive Governments? New England’s Dilemmas as we approach end of 2025
REGULARS >
Marking the National Day of Mourning
Letter: Joyce sideline
Rural people have always had conflict with the Nationals saying one thing in the bush and another when they went to Canberra. The perils of Coalition.…
Keep readingLetter: Your Coulda Woulda Shoulda stories
Deni McKenzie writes: A huge thank you! Just to be clear, ALL the subjects you tackled including the $400,000, Hospital figures and roads add up to…
Keep readingLetter: More voices added to call for better rural health
Jack Arnold writes that Dr McGirr is to be commended for acting on the rural health situation.
Keep readingLetter: Barnaby’s political manoeuvring has consigned the electorate to irrelevance
Jack Arnold writes that Barnaby Joyce has always put his personal ambitions before the best interest of voters.
Keep readingLATEST COMMENTS >
Majority of the population doesn’t really care about your plight over fire arms restrictions get over it. The Greyhound racing…
There is at 28,000 preventable deaths in Australia each year. 35 of these are from firearm homicide. For recorded homicides…
ENGAGE POLL >
SOCIAL ISSUES >
Opinion: Morality, Law and the Question of Gun Ownership
Patrick Carr from Hillvue writes that the question of gun ownership is not just a legal issue – it’s a moral one.
ENVIRONMENT >
Native pollinators need more support than honeybees in Australia – here’s why
Scientists argue thousands of Australian bee species and other native pollinators don’t enjoy nearly the same support as European honeybees.
SOLUTIONS >
Macca’s weeds: How resistance travels on the wind
Recent research shows pollen from herbicide-resistant plants can travel kilometres on the wind or via bees to pollinate susceptible plants. Macca explains how resistance spreads and why Area Wide Management is vital.
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT >
Chaffey’s Corner – Confronting antisemitism
Member for Parkes Jamie Chaffey calls for a Royal Commission into antisemitism following the Bondi tragedy, arguing new gun laws are a diversion. Despite the sombre start to 2026, he looks forward to the Parkes Elvis Festival.