Latest News

Kimberly Grabham Kimberly Grabham

Remembering John Kulper

Mr John Kulper was a well known and admired man, committed to recording and preserving the history of Hay.

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Rural Krista Schade Rural Krista Schade

AFA offloads iconic Riverina properties in $780 million sale to Agriculture & Natural Solutions Acquisition Corporation

A US-listed company led by Bert Glover will take ownership of AFA's Iconic property portfolio, if the $780m deal is given the green light by the Australian government’s Foreign Investment Review Board.

The acquisition includes Merino sheep stations Boonoke and Wanganella, Burrabogie, Kolora, Wahwoon and Mulberrygong properties and the Baratta, Peppin­ella, Warriston and Zara properties.


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Community Krista Schade Community Krista Schade

Mayoral chains returned to Hay

A mayoral chain worn by the late OJ Smith has been returned to Hay.

“It needed to come back home,” former Hay resident Noelene Martin said.

“It had been sitting in a cupboard since we moved to Uranquinty and no one ever saw it.”

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Rural Krista Schade Rural Krista Schade

Cotton growers call for Gundaline Station’s myBMP accreditation to be stripped

Allegations of wrongdoings continue to plague Gundaline Station, an irrigation farm covering more than 14,000 hectares east of Hay.

At the recent national Cotton Conference held on the Gold Coast in early August, rumours circulated of a group of disgruntled fellow growers, unhappy with Gundaline’s continuing myBMP certification.

myBMP (Best Management Practice) is Cotton Australia’s national accreditation system, aimed at ensuring that Australian cotton is produced according to best practice.

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Krista Schade Krista Schade

Ground broken on first renewable project

Clean Peak Energy has officially commenced construction of its Hay Solar Farm, adjacent to Hay Cemetery, east of Hay township.

The advancement of the project was marked with an on-site sod turning, which brought together Clean Peak Energy executives and staff, Hay Shire Council and host landholders.

The development will boast around 10,000 solar photovoltaic panels which track the movement of the sun, and is expected to create 65 jobs during construction.

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Rural Krista Schade Rural Krista Schade

Local Poll Merino sale moves annual auction closer to home

Hay Poll Merino sheep stud Woodpark Poll Merinos will hold its annual ram sale at Conargo Sportsground on September 23 this year, edging closer to its home base after almost two decades at the Jerilderie Racecourse.

The stud places about 600 rams a year with flocks from Longreach, Wilcannia and Mossgiel, through to local producers, and across southern New South Wales and Victoria.

The Woodpark Poll auction offers 150 rams a year with grade ram selections on-property at “Eurolie” Hay October, securing most rams for clients.

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Krista Schade Krista Schade

Meet the candidates - Balranald local government elections

The Riverine Grazier contacted each of the 13 members of the Balranald and Euston communities who have nominated to run for a position on Balranald Shire Council.

Read what they have to say about their aims as a councillor.

Local government elections will be held on Saturday September 14, 2024.

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Krista Schade Krista Schade

East Loddon rams are “fit for environment”

The East Loddon ram sale has gone from strength to strength since their first on property auction in 2018.

The clientele and offering has since doubled to around 120 rams at auction and over 100 grade rams after.

The Hooke family runs 15,000 non-mulesed SRS merino ewes in the Wanganella/Booroorban district, and sell rams in pastoral environments as far away as White Cliffs and Wilcannia as well as high rainfall areas such as Young NSW and south to the Victorian western districts.

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Rural Krista Schade Rural Krista Schade

Big first year at Caroonboon Merinos for Meddings duo

It is hard to believe that the upcoming Caroonboon Merino Sale will mark our one year anniversary at Caroonboon,” said Caroonboon Merinos’ Georgie Meddings.

She and husband Derrym (pictured above) have enjoyed the first year.

“We are very glad that we made the move and are enjoy being able to live, work and contribute to this very special place."

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Rural Krista Schade Rural Krista Schade

Kismet Stud boasts high lambing percentages

The 41st Kismet Stud Annual Spring ram sale is on Wednesday October 2 at 1pm with inspection from 11am.

The sale will be on-property at Kismet, 5159 Riverina Highway, Howlong. This year 120 White Suffolks, 80 Southdown/ White Suffolk cross and 20 Poll Dorsets will be offered.

“We performance test through Stockscan and the figures will be available on the day or can be found on our website (www.kismetstud.com.au/ramsale),” Kismet’s Graham Wilson said.

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Krista Schade Krista Schade

Yes to free camping, says Hay Shire Council

Free camping at Sandy Point again reared its head, briefly, at a recent extraordinary meeting of Hay Shire Council.

In a Notice of Motion by retiring councillor, Peter Handford, Council was asked to impose a fee on campers using the facilities at popular Sandy Point Reserve.

“For what it costs us, I feel we need to get something out of it. It’s been going on for a long time,” Cr Handford said.

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Community Krista Schade Community Krista Schade

Dunera Mass returns to Hay after 84 years

A Dunera Mass, part-written in Hay more than 80 years ago, is returning for a site-specific performance at Hay War Memorial Hall.

The dramatized concert will be performed in Hay during the annual Dunera Commemorative day on Saturday, September 7 and is supported by the Dunera Association, Hay Shire Council and Creative Australia.

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Rural Krista Schade Rural Krista Schade

Consistent breeding the key to Alma Stud’s success

For over 60 years Alma Merinos has adhered to a consistent breeding philosophy, producing Merinos perfectly adapted to the challenging conditions of the Hay Plains.

The result is a large-framed Merino with rapid growth rates and a reliable, medium-micron fleece, well suited to varying climatic conditions.

“Over the last six decades, we’ve carefully developed our genetic lines to produce animals that can thrive throughout their lives on the Hay Plains,” Stud owner Graham Morphett explained.

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Community Krista Schade Community Krista Schade

Leah and Kathy spread the joy of teaching and learning in Vanuatu

Hang onto your hats, teachers Leah Books and Kathy Duncan went international!

The pair flew off to Vanuatu, where they shared their skills, knowledge and teaching to classes of children and teachers. The program was one of many which a Queensland company called Global Teacher delivers.

“It was just something which popped up on our Facebook, and we decided to apply,” Leah said. “We had our interviews, explained we would not want to go without the other, and were both accepted.”

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