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“it’s good to be home”Frankland River’s Ellie Bigwood loving wool industry

“Wool is a fibre that we produce in our own backyard and I believe should be celebrated.”

Shannon Verhagen

GRDC Grower ForumWell-travelled farmer shares tips from around the globe

Farmers, agronomists and members of WA’s grain industry came together on Tuesday to hear from innovative South Australian grower Tom Robinson.

Off to the racesPremiumTin horses test their mettle

More tin horses are coming to Kulin with the opening of this year’s Tin Horse Highway Competition.

Campbell Williamson

Sharing insightsWIFE seminar gives members chance to share knowledge

Women in Farming Enterprises will be hosting their September seminar in Wagin with the organisation busily compiling a panel of guest speakers to share their insights.

Campbell Williamson

WAFarmers Annual ForumSee who we snapped at the WAFarmers Annual Forum

A change of venue for this year’s WAFarmers Annual Forum proved a hit with the 150-plus crowd that gathered at Muresk Institute for two days last week.

Cally Dupe

Social SceneLocally-grown leaders gather in Northam

Wheatbelt business and community leaders joined together for the Wheatbelt Development Commission’s Locally Grown, Globally Focused networking forum in Northam on Friday.

Melbourne Cup TourMelbourne Cup Tour headed to Jennacubbine

A small country town in WA’s Wheatbelt is set to join racing history when it plays host to this year’s Melbourne Cup Tour in August.

Northam architectureNortham architecture awarded

Northam’s architecture and heritage has been honoured with three of the town’s buildings awarded at an on-line presentation on June 11.

Accidental contestantCommentsGeraldton girl joins hopefuls on Farmer Wants a Wife

Lucy Holland has mates to thank for ending up vying for a NSW man’s heart on the reality show.

Lily Hoffmann

LuxeCommentsPremiumNingaloo reef resort one step closer to reality

A ‘lighthouse resort’ on the Ningaloo reef is a step closer to reality, with Andrew Forrest’s Tattarang group lodging a development application for the project with the Shire of Exmouth.

Michael Traill

“it’s been fantastic”“Like it was 40 years ago” - wet 2021 start welcomed

“The country’s improved... It’s been fantastic for the farm and things have really picked up.”

Shannon Verhagen

growing concernBus route cuts may force kids to change schools

A small farming community in the State’s south has been left reeling after proposed cuts to school bus services could force kids to travel up to 200km a day or change schools to get their education.

Dorothy Henderson

“unreal start”Williams family celebrate “unreal” start to season

Their property notched up 120mm of rain for April-May this year, up from 25mm in the same time frame in 2020.

Shannon Verhagen

“meant to be”Mini goats help Gidgegannup breeder through ‘dark time’

When an ad for a one-week-old miniature goat appeared on Gumtree six years ago, Gidgegannup’s Tahlia Baxter believed it was “meant to be”.

Shannon Verhagen

Veteran’s milestoneAlbany WWII veteran Evan Hobley reaches 100

Evan Hobley served as a wireless operator-air gunner on a Baltimore bomber with the RAF’s No. 55 Squadron, flying over over North Africa and Italy during WWII.

Rare sightingChuditch sighting a first for Eurardy

Not-for-profit Bush Heritage Australia has operated the Eurardy Reserve since 2005 and captured its first image of a chuditch — the Noongar word for the western quoll — in December.

Phoebe Pin

Students soldier onAlmost all Seroja-affected students back in classrooms

Binnu Primary School is the only campus which remains closed more than five weeks after cyclone Seroja devastated Mid West communities.

Phoebe Pin

Southern TransportTransport pioneers’ legacy lives on

It was the automotive version of finding a needle in a hay stack — a 15-year mission to track down one of the first road trains to cart grain through the Great Southern more than six decades ago.

Cally Dupe

Rural HealthTony Mylius, one of regional WA’s only cardiologists

A Wheatbelt cardiologist with hundreds of farming patients across the region has been named the Joint Specialist of the Year at the WA Rural Health Awards.

Cally Dupe

Artistic displayCarnamah, Eneabba student artworks to feature in Perth

Carnamah council unanimously voted to fund paints and to allow Carnamah District High School and Eneabba Primary School students to create a mural which will be digitally displayed in Yagan Square.

Elise Van Aken

30K THEFTPremiumDNA blood test spurs arrest for looting during cyclone

Blood found at the scene of a burglary during the peak of cyclone Seroja last month has led to a Geraldton man being charged with the break-in and looting of more than $30,000 in electronic goods.

Liam Beatty

Bank ClosingANZ Beverley’s closure ‘disrespectful’ to customers

Beverley’s only bank is closing its doors, causing angst among the tight-knit farming community and leaving its customers facing a 130km round trip to Northam.

Cally Dupe

seeding 2021Three generations helping seed at York family farm

A wetter and better start to the season than usual prompted an early Easter start to seeding for York farmer Erin Emin.

Shannon Verhagen

seeding 2021Growers seed into moisture for first time in 3 years

“It’s good to actually seed into some moisture for once.”

Shannon Verhagen