North West Archives - The Courier

Dr Janelle Montgomery to lead CottonInfo

After an extensive recruitment process, Dr Janelle Montgomery has been named as the new program lead for the Australian cotton industry’s extension program, CottonInfo. An industry leader in her own right, Dr Montgomery is a familiar and trusted face, having been part of the CottonInfo team since its establishment in 2012; first as a technical lead for water use efficiency, then taking on the regional extension officer (REO) role in the Gwydir Valley in 2017. Based in Moree, Dr Montgomery has managed the REO team for the past five years, and said she feels incredibly excited by the opportunity to […]

Nov 28, 2023

ROARSOME NEWS FOR CONSERVATION AT DUBBO ZOO

Lion keepers at Taronga Western Plains Zoo received the best gift for International Zookeeper Day, with a trio of lion cubs born late in the evening on Wednesday, October 4, 2023. This is the second litter for breeding pair Marion and Lwazi, after three bouncing baby girls were born on 7 April 2022. “The cubs are doing really well, they’re hitting all their milestones and Marion is an absolute superstar mum,” said Senior Keeper Melanie Friedman. “They’ve had their first quick vet check and we can confirm there’s two boys and a girl, their eyes are open and they’re all […]

Nov 25, 2023

Life on the long paddock

It’s hard to believe that this time last year, floodwaters were isolating communities and riverbanks were bursting at the seams. How quickly the landscape can change. Now, paddocks on the North West plains are parched and desperate for soaking rain. There has been some welcome rain in parts recently but in others, remaining pastures are disappearing, and readers might have noticed cattle and sheep on the move, grazing on the roadside under the watchful eye of their diligent drovers. “I’ve been doing it for about 35 years,” said Joey Smith. “You must love it?” I asked. “It’s growing on me,” […]

Nov 25, 2023

Moree, Goondiwindi mayors continue cross-border collaboration

Moree Plains Shire mayor Mark Johnson and Goondiwindi mayor Lawrence Springborg signed a memorandum of understanding in the Moree Plains Shire Council Chambers, earlier this month to formalise the shared vision of a commitment to working together for the betterment of the two border region local government areas. The parties hope that this document may help alleviate, at least in part, some of the difficulties when navigating bureaucracy, disaster response coordination, planning and development, joint training activities and cross-council working groups. Mayor Mark Johnson said the document formalises the significant relationship between the two councils and provides a firm commitment […]

Nov 25, 2023