Melissa Fattore is the lady spearheading the first of many Riverina Reader’s Festivals in Wagga Wagga, NSW.

Hay Services Club hosted a soft launch last Wednesday evening of its new restaurant operated by Chef Nelson Kong.

Invited guests were treated to an array of specially selected dishes and the opportunity to meet Chef Nelson, his wife Stephanie Yu and sous chef Alan Ho.

Chef Nelson hails from Canberra but has cooked all over the world, travelling and working in China, Japan, South East Asia and Europe as well as across Australia.

Farmer Leila McDougall is determined to raise awareness about farmer suicide after "losing too many people."

Hailing from Tatyoon in Victoria McDougall the 35-year-old began writing the feature film during the pandemic when Mellow in the Yellow, an annual music event she organises to promote mental health, was cancelled during lockdown.

Stream the feature length film now - link in story.

An emotional candlelight vigil was held at Hay Lions Park on Wednesday evening, bringing together a group of more than 30, who each took a stand against family violence.

National vigils are held annual on the first Wednesday of May to remember and honour those who have been killed by domestic or family violence.

This year, the family of murdered Forbes teacher and mother Molly Ticehurst asked the nation to come together or to leave their house light on in her memory, which prompted the gathering in Hay.

Another tax has been wacked onto local ratepayers by the State Government.

The Cemetery and Cremation Tax which comes into effect on July 1 is set to hit not only Local Government Councils, but also grieving families.

The State Government has announced it will impose the tax on every burial and cremation carried out, including at council-owned facilities. General Manager, David Webb said the revenue would be used to fund the Cemeteries & Crematoria Association of NSW.

“This got wacked onto us and no one knew it was coming,” Mr Webb said.

“It is to run the Association; straight out a money grab by the State Government.”

Hay, New South Wales, is a small town basks in the golden glow of the outback summer sun. It is a community whose history is deeply intertwined with the iconic figure of the Australian shearer. Here, amidst the vast sheep stations and dusty plains, lies Shear Outback: a treasure trove dedicated to preserving the rich legacy of this vital industry.

Shear Outback isn't just a museum; it's a multi-faceted experience that throws open the gates to the fascinating world of Australian sheep shearing.

A unique parcel of land in the Riverina town of Hay went under the hammer on Friday, with local businessman Geoff Murphy emerging from a spate of spirited bidding as the successful bidder.

Improvements are on the way for the main street of Hay.

Work is set to start next week on improvements to the main street to provide a stronger road and a smoother and safer journey for up to 5000 vehicles that drive through the town each day.

Hay Shire Council General Manager, David Webb welcomed the announcement made on Monday afternoon.

“Council staff have been working with TfNSW on the Lachlan Street surface upgrade works for the past two years and we look forward to the works finally being undertaken.,” Mr Webb said.

Emergency services were called to Hay Services Club on, after reports of two separate assaults which occurred during ANZAC Day two-up.

Several businesses had their garbage bins removed from their premises with reports they were used to block streets during the early hours of Saturday April 27.

Extensive damage to the changerooms at Hay Park was discovered on Sunday morning, by volunteers setting up for a local sport competition.

A Sturt Highway Taskforce has been formed in response to the rising road toll on the Sturt Highway.

“Two-thirds of fatalities are in regional areas and it's necessary to keep roads open for economic development and trade,” Hay Mayor Carol Oataway said.

Two requests for financial assistance by waiving fees and charges have met with a firm no from Hay Shire Council, and community and sporting organisations and groups can expect this to continue, at least for the current financial year.

“We do not have any money left in the budget,” General Manager, David Webb said. “Council is not immune to economical pressure.”

Manny Pottinger, an icon of Conargo Shire and surrounding districts, has been honoured in a renewable energy project.

Someva Renewables, a specialist renewable energy developer operating in Australia, has named its local project, Pottinger Energy Park.

Kimberly Grabham reviews Tim Booth best seller “You Called an Ambulance for What?”, a humours tome of the trials of being a paramedic.

Read Kimberly Grabham’s book review on Linda Goldspink-Lord’s touching tribute “Crawling Through the Darkness.”

AGL Energy and Someva Renewables have announced tens of millions in funding for the Hay Shire and Edward River Councils regions if the proposed Pottinger Energy Park proceeds.

The funding was announced today during a community event in Booroorban last Thursday.

The bulk of the funding will be delivered via two voluntary planning agreements between Someva, AGL Energy and the two councils.

Under the proposed agreements, funding will be delivered to both Hay Shire Council and Edward River Council throughout the 30-year life of the proposed project.

Crime writer, Chris Hammer nailed it on Saturday during his author’s talk hosted by The Riverine Grazier and attended by around 50 of his readers. Hammer spoke about the pitfalls, the highlights and the learning curves of becoming a published writer.

Whooping cough is surging in Australia. How can we protect ourselves?

In the first three months of 2024, 2,799 cases were recorded in Australia. With more than 1,000 cases being in New South Wales and Queensland.

Hay Public School’s rock ‘n roll fete photo gallery.

Independent Member for Murray, Helen Dalton, has called on the federal government to scrap its Murray Darling Basin advertising campaign, labelling it “dishonest and disgraceful.”

“These ads, which have been airing on commercial TV networks for a number of weeks, falsely portray NSW farming families as environmental vandals,” Ms Dalton said.

“The ads must be taken off-air immediately.”

This history of one of Hay’s founding fathers was penned by Ian Beissel.

A former Hay student, Ian entered this tale in The Riverine Grazier’s 150th anniversary writing competition, taking out the major prize in the open category.

Read on to learn all about George Butterworth.