LOCALS are being urged to show thanks to State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers during National Volunteer Week, by dressing in orange as part of Wear Orange Wednesday (WOW Day) on May 22.

IF you have recently driven or walked along Victoria Pde in Portland, you might have done a double take.

THE Maroona to Portland rail line has scored $150 million in Tuesday’s federal budget, funding for upgrades that advocates say has been a long time coming.

NDIS and mental health service provider, Wellways is hosting a free screening at the Hamilton Cinema of the widely acclaimed Western District made film, ‘Just a Farmer’ on Tuesday, May 21 at 6.30pm to about 9.30pm.

GLOBAL indigenous music artist and former Australia’s Got Talent runner up Mitch Tambo performed at the Tarrington Lutheran School on Monday as part of his Walanbaa Youth Tour.

NEXT Monday, May 20 is World Bee Day, the purpose of which is to increase knowledge and awareness of the critical role of bees and other pollinators for the ecosystem, particularly including agriculture.

FOLLOWING an 18-month long campaign to the Department of Transport and Planning regarding the poor condition of the Hamilton-Port Fairy Road intersection with South Boundary Road just on the outskirts of Hamilton, the section of road has now been upgraded and resealed.

WITH the help of a dedicated team of volunteers, Western District Health Service (WDHS) has launched its Annual Appeal.

EARLIER this week, the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) decided to shift its climate outlook to La Niña watch, despite the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) currently being neutral.

THE National Farmers’ Federation and other industry representatives staged an unprecedented walk-out during agriculture minister, Murray Watt’s post-Budget speech on Wednesday morning to make a statement about the recent live sheep export ban and issuing a warning to all farming sectors.