The Swanston Gazette • 12th July 2026

A fashionable circular economy solution

The Australian fashion industry is known for the glitz and glam of fashion weeks and festivals. Meanwhile, some organisations are working hard behind the scenes to promote sustainability.“You’ve got a material derived from the sea which can be turned into a fibre that will break down at its end-of-life to go back into the soil where it can once again grow back into a fibre,” he said.This material comes as the industry is looking towards a shift from linearity – where items are made, used and thr...

The Gannawarra Times • 7th July 2026

Warm winter read challenge

WITH the cooler months setting in, Gannawarra Library Services and public libraries across Victoria are inviting residents over the age of 16 to take part in the fourth annual Warm Winter Read.
Gannawarra Library Services is hosting a Gannawarra Library Service Members Only competition this year, with a $100 prize voucher up for grabs.

The Gannawarra Times • 7th July 2026

World Cup toy drive

AS many eager fans gear up to watch the men’s Soccer World Cup, the Kerang soccer club is taking their support one step further with a toy drive to support the community.
Daniel Roberts from the Kerang soccer club has organised the toy drive which will see the club donate a brand new toy to the Kerang Neighbourhood House for every goal that is scored throughout the elimination rounds of
the tournament.

The Swan Hill Guardian • 7th July 2026

Insights into river at forum

THE third biannual River People’s Forum was attended by about 150 traditional owners, community members, experts and managers at Swan Hill’s Lower Murray Inn.
Speakers came together to discuss conservation ideas, river action, and overall river sustainability.

Gannawarra Times • 5th July 2026

Lucy Down Under

WHEN an out of control yucca plant that was meant to stay small grew too big, Paul Macneish knew just what to do; turn it into an elephant.

Mr Macneish said while he was trying to remove it, he got creative with the stump and shaped it to look like an elephant.

The Swanston Gazette • 3rd July 2026

Labor Government backs youth voices at SYN Media

Minister for Youth Luba Grigorovitch announced on Tuesday night the state government would fund $240,000 for Student Youth Network (SYN) to keep giving young people a radio platform.
SYN Media is run for and by young people aged 12 to 26, providing them space to produce and host radio shows that broadcast on 90.7FM and digital radio.

The Swan Hill Guardian • 3rd July 2026

Storytime and craft with Lellie Lopter

SOME of Swan Hill’s youngest started the school holidays on the right foot with a storytime and craft activity with author and illustrator Lellie Lopter at the library.
Ms Lopter said she’s always been passionate about bringing books to regional audiences

The Swan Hill Guardian • 3rd July 2026

Community spirit shines | A family of Volunteers

EACH day, members of the community give up their time to volunteer with emergency services like the SES and CFA to keep the community safe.
Julie Jochs has been a volunteer with the Swan Hill SES Unit for more than 25 years.

The Swan Hill Guardian • 3rd July 2026

Growing together at headspace forum

SWAN HILL headspace team members and Youth Reference Group members travelled to Brisbane for the 2026 headspace National Forum.
The forum ran across three days and included keynote speakers and panel presentations centred around the theme of Growing Together.

The Swan Hill Guardian • 3rd July 2026

Emergency services upgrade skills

EMERGENCY services staff in Swan Hill have updated their skills and training to stay better prepared to respond to incidents in the community.
Swan Hill SES deputy controller Michelle Singleton said the unit has undertaken specialist training, recruitment and community engagement to “strengthen its emergency response capability".

The Swan Hill Guardian • 3rd July 2026

Reflections of an intern

OVER the past three weeks I’ve completed my Work Integrated Learning placement with the team at The Guardian Swan Hill as part of my journalism degree.
I’ve had the opportunity to be mentored by senior journalists with years of experience, work alongside peers in the industry and get a taste for rural journalism and what makes it so special.

The Swan Hill Guardian • 3rd July 2026

Hollowbrook set to haunt Swan Hill | Wet start to winter

WITH school holidays well underway, The Lost Children of Blackthorn Manor - The Hollowbrook Haunting Experience is almost open for sessions at the Swan Hill Town Hall.
The immersive experience will include audio-visual elements to drive the storyline as attendees find clues throughout the house to solve the mystery of the lost children.

Gannawarra Times • 30th June 2026

Warm winter read challenge

WITH the cooler months setting in, Gannawarra Library Services and public libraries across Victoria are inviting residents over the age of 16 to take part in the fourth annual Warm Winter Read. Gannawarra Library Services is hosting a Gannawarra Library Service members-only competition this year, with a $100 prize voucher up for grabs.

The Gannawarra Times • 30th June 2026

Cost of living crisis deepens | Third spaces in rural towns

“Having a train station here as well means that some people will choose to get off here,” she said.
Despite growing concerns regarding food affordability during the current cost of living crisis, Ms Wood said health services like NDCH were unable to offer food vouchers but could assist people struggling in other ways.

The Gannawarra Times • 30th June 2026

Crisis Deepens | Third Spaces

AS the cost of everyday essentials continues to climb, Gannawarra Shire residents are feeling the strain on household budgets.
Rising prices are reshaping daily life across the region, with many residents forced to make tough financial choices as they navigate housing costs and the increasing price of daily essentials.

The Gannawarra Times • 30th June 2026

Winter brings extra hazards

THE past week has given locals a taste of the weather to come with fog clouding the vision of many early morning and evening travellers, wet roads and reduced visibility due to rain.
With more wintery conditions hitting the region over the next couple of weeks coinciding with school holidays, drivers are advised to stay on top of car maintenance and take extra care on the roads.

The Swan Hill Guardian • 26th June 2026

Lellie Lopter visits the library

AWARD-winning author and illustrator Lellie Lopter is dropping by the Swan Hill Regional Library on Monday.
Kicking off the winter school holidays, families will be treated to an author talk and storytime for Ms Lopter’s latest book, 'Bella Grows A Bicycle', which was published in May this year.

The Swan Hill Guardian • 26th June 2026

Big Freeze a big success

STAFF and students from Tyrrell College braved the icy challenge in their Big Freeze fundraising event.
A handful of volunteers leapt into an ice filled pool and took on the ice bucket challenge, raising money for the late Neale Danaher’s FightMND foundation.

The Swan Hill Guardian • 26th June 2026

A labour of love

SOME people spend a lifetime looking for the thing that sets their heart alight, something they’re truly passionate about and others are lucky enough to find that earlier on.
Mark Smith has spent a lot of his life restoring and being around the Pioneer Settlement’s Queen of the Murray paddlesteamer, the PS Gem.

The Swan Hill Guardian • 26th June 2026

Volunteers tackle food insecurity | Sharing cost of produce

INCREASING costs for essentials have driven
up demand for food relief services in Swan
Hill, as more people struggle with the rising
cost of living.
Food For All Swan Hill is one community
organisation offering a range of resources and
services to the community to facilitate a flexi-
ble arrangement for community members ex-
periencing food insecurity.

The Swan Hill Guardian • 26th June 2026

'Showbizness' as usual

DESPITE ongoing cost of living pressures, movie buffs are still purchasing memberships and tickets at local cinemas.

The Swan Hill Guardian • 26th June 2026

Tough Times

As rising living costs put pressure on households, Swan Hill communities are stepping up.
Local volunteers, food hubs and neighbourhood initiatives like A Good Kitchen and Nyah's Share Shack are working together to support residents, share resources and strengthen community connections.

The Gannawarra Times • 23rd June 2026

Light on the darkest night

COMMUNITY members from around the Gannawarra and Loddon shires joined together in Boort for the 14th Winter Solstice.
People impacted by suicide, friends, family and anyone interested in attending were welcome to enjoy hot soup as well as tea and coffee among community on the longest night of the year.

The Swan Hill Guardian • 19th June 2026

Continued - What A Gem

Mr Harvey, spoke about the Gem’s history from the paddle-steamer’s birth in Moama in 1876 to when it was upgraded for passenger service in Goolwa in 1882, where she was hand-sawn in half and pulled apart to allow an extra section to be fitted.
Throughout her working life, The Gem transported both cargo and passengers along the Murray before The Pioneer Settlement purchased the steamer in 1962, and she made the eight-month voyage to her new home.