Opinion

Growers to exit with only their dignity?

Barmera-based grape grower JASON PERRIN has submitted the following OPINION PIECE regarding economic support for the national wine industry… RIVERLANDERS would remember Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Clare Scriven, and...

Staff Contributors

08 Jul 2024

Opinion

Important questions raised for all growers

Barmera-based wine grape grower JASON PERRIN has submitted the following OPINION PIECE regarding an industry code of conduct forum held earlier this month... ON Thursday 6 June, a forum was convened be the Wine Grape Council of SA, with...

Staff Contributors

25 Jun 2024

Pat Mickan

Country influence on Australian sports

THE phone rang and the man on the other end introduced himself as a PE teacher from Kangaroo Island High School, and he was inviting me to speak to the students. The subject? Sport. Gulp. Yes, I’d love to. Really. Of all audiences, teenagers are...

Staff Contributors

21 Jun 2024

Opinion

Funding formula means disadvantaging our regional councils

SIMONE BAILEY Mayor Mid Murray Council THE disparity in funding between metropolitan and regional councils has reached a critical point, underscoring the urgent need for fairer distribution of resources. For councils like Mid Murray, the issue is...

Staff Contributors

12 Jun 2024

Opinion

Our wine industry needs real help now

Barker MP TONY PASIN has provided the following OPINION PIECE regarding a need for the Federal Government to economically support local wine grape growers… GLOBALLY there are fewer wine drinkers and they are drinking less wine. That is the cold...

Staff Contributors

05 Jun 2024

Opinion

Who should make decisions which affect farmers’ lives?

Grain Producers SA chair, and Loxton-based farmer, JOHN GLADIGAU has provided the following OPINION PIECE regarding the Federal Government’s plan to end live sheep exports from 2028... ONE thing that has always puzzled me about agriculture is how...

Staff Contributors

01 Jun 2024

Opinion

Inequity in allocation of funds causes despair

Simone Bailey Mid Murray Council Mayor AS mayor, it is both an honour and a profound responsibility to serve the people of Mid Murray. Over the past few years, we have faced numerous challenges, and an issue that deeply affects our community is...

Staff Contributors

29 May 2024

Pat Mickan

Cigarettes and how our habits change

WHEN Mum and Dad found me squatting down behind the orange trees and lighting up a rollie of scrunched-up, dry weeds from the block, my cigarette career went up in smoke. Right then, Mum offered me a choice of Easter eggs or a pack of cigarettes for...

Staff Contributors

24 May 2024

Opinion

Balance not there yet?

Riverland tourism business operator TONY SHARLEY has provided the following OPINION PIECE in response to a recent article and letter surrounding his recent appearance on Channel 7’s Spotlight... I READ Mark Doecke’s comments in The Murray...

Staff Contributors

14 May 2024

Opinion

Thinking out loud on the PSA

Bamera-based wine grape grower JASON PERRIN has provided the following opinion piece about the benefits of the current PREFERRED SUPPLY AGREEMENT between CCW and Accolade Wines… OVER the last three weeks, most Riverlanders would have become aware...

Staff Contributors

14 May 2024

Opinion

Mental health must be a national priority

Federal opposition spokesperson for health, SENATOR ANNE RUSTON, has supplied the following OPINION PIECE regarding the need for more action on mental health challenges… AUSTRALIA was built on the foundations of resilience and comradery. Even in...

Staff Contributors

11 May 2024

Opinion

Carbon tax on the family car another out-of-touch example

Barker MP TONY PASIN has provided the following OPINION PIECE regarding his concerns surrounding the Federal Government’s proposed Vehicle Efficiency Standard… Tony Pasin Barker MP IN the midst of a cost-of-living crisis, recent policy...

Staff Contributors

09 May 2024

Agriculture

‘This proposal is final’

The following is a selection of the frequently asked questions, and responses, from ACCOLADE WINES’ Sustainable Riverland Wine website, surrounding its industry proposal for CCW… • Are there any other options? We have listened to feedback from...

Staff Contributors

08 May 2024

Pat Mickan

Freedom to Roam

WHEN I first moved away from home to Adelaide, I realised you can actually get eggs without chook poo on them. At just 17, uprooting everything was too much for a country kid and I was heartbroken and homesick. Come Friday afternoons, the sanctuary...

Staff Contributors

26 Apr 2024

Opinion

Waikerie Ladies Probus Club latest newsletter

ALL Riverland Probus Clubs held their annual general meetings before the end of March. Waikerie Probus ladies were no exception and their AGM was well attended, with Pat Brandon being inducted as the new president. Committees are responsible for...

Staff Contributors

22 Apr 2024