Hay Grains storage facility in east Hay has changed hands, after JEK Rural Investments purchased the depot.

Deniliquin-based Paul and Jenny Fellows have owned the business for the past seven years and say they have enjoyed their time as part of the business community.

“Jenny and I have enjoyed our time with Hay Grains and the relationships we’ve made and loyalty we have seen from customers,” Paul Fellows told The Riverine Grazier.

2025 Debutant Ball - Hay NSW

Check out our photo gallery and behind the scenes video

St Alban’s Church in Booligal has been de-commissioned as an Anglican church.

The service took place last Thursday by Archdeacon Robert Murphy, assisted by Riverina Diocese Registrar, Mandy Walsh and witnessed by parishioners Helen Rogers, Alison Crossley, Bronwyn Turner and Jenny Sheaffe.

“It was with profound disappointment we attended the decommission service,” Mrs Sheaffe said.

“St Alban’s Anglican Church has been more than a building in our community.

Karen and Naz have travelled form Argentina to the tiny community of Ivanhoe, as part of their backpacking adventures.

Kimberly Grabham caught up with Ken recently - read the inspiring story.

Krista Schade’s investigative article Explosive Allegations has won the prestigious Best Story award at the Country Press Australia national awards. The piece, which tackled serious allegations about the management of Gundaline Station, was praised for its courage and impact, demonstrating the vital role of local journalism.

The annual Shag Gregory Memorial Poker Run was a massive success, drawing over 200 participants and 188 poker hands. The event, held in memory of Shag (Edward) Gregory, raises funds for Motor Neurone Disease research and local charities. This year’s route covered Darlington Point, Yenda, and Carrathool, with festivities concluding at South Hay Pub. Winners included Kyle Aloi with the best poker hand and Kurt Woods, who took home a Milwaukee tool kit.

A rare First World War handkerchief, once issued to a local soldier, has found a new home in Hay. Owned by Brian Cunningham of Gunbar, this historic artifact is now safely preserved behind glass. Many such handkerchiefs were designed for soldiers in 1916, but this particular pattern appears to be unique. During WWII, similar handkerchiefs were even used as secret escape maps, hidden in uniforms to aid Allied troops in case of capture.

Mrs Ellen Sendy is pictured with one of her ‘dream team’ students, Chloe Gorman. Mrs Sendy is overjoyed to have Chloe working at the school this year as an SLSO. Image: The Riverine Grazier/Kimberly Grabham.

Hay Shire Council is enhancing pool safety with AI-powered drowning prevention at the new John Houston Memorial Pool. Featuring the Lynxight system, it’s the first in NSW to use AI-driven real-time alerts for lifeguards. The facility will also include three pools, solar heating, and a half basketball court.

Australian Food & Fibre’s tertiary scholarship has awarded, as new grower rep joins the Hay Gin team.

“It’s good to be back,” agronomist Heidi Stephens said.

Works on a stretch of the Sturt Highway west of Hay, NSW are under threat as claims that Aboriginal sites have been destroyed have been levelled at Transport for NSW.

“We aren’t going to let it rest,” Hay Local Aboriginal Land Council (Hay LALC) CEO Ian Woods said. “We’ll take it all the way to the Environment Court if we have to.”

Financial support is sought to help the community of Booligal retain their beloved St Alban’s Church building.

“The community is thrilled to announce that the Diocese has accepted our offer to purchase St Alban’s,” spokesperson Alison Crossley said.

The top-down approach to NSW feral pig management needs to be reversed if there is to be any hope of real progress in managing NSW worst agricultural pest, according to the Australian Pig Doggers and Hunters Association (APDHA).

Read the results on the 2024 Great Australian Pig Hunt survey.

The Cobb Highway accommodation camp has sprung up on the Hay Plains. Join The Grazier team as they tour the state of the art facility.

Story: Kimberly Grabham

Images & video: Cheyenne Hurst

Comfort Inn Bishop’s Lodge in South Hay has been recognised among top performers in the Choice Hotels Asia-Pac 2024 Gold Awards for its outstanding performance and dedication to delivering exceptional guest experiences.

Comfort Inn Bishop’s Lodge is among a select group of 20 hotels across Australia and New Zealand to receive an accolade.

A Regional University Study Hub has been announced for Hay.

The Country University Centre (CUC) in Hay will be co-located at the existing TAFE Connected Learning Centre, and is expected to open by the middle of the year.

The Centre will allow students in the region to remain connected with family, friends and local employment while undertaking their studies.

Read Tertia Butcher’s investigation into the unexpected sale of the Anglican Church at Booligal.

Bishop Kirk has responded by the community has vowed to fight.

“We lost our communication, then our education. Now our congregation” - Emily Turner and Helen Rogers.

Investigations into allegations of the removal of Aboriginal scarred trees on Gundaline Station have ended.

Compliance officer Wendy Illingworth has confirmed investigations into management outfit Customised Farm Management and timber cutter Michael Strange have concluded.

“An investigation was commenced in September 2024 and is now concluded.”

A nation-wide class action against Google’s digital advertising services AdSense has been launched, and the Riverine Grazier is the lead applicant in the action.

A statement by Tertia Butcher and Krista Schade.

Read all about Hay’s Australia Day award recipients, including Citizen of the Year Shirley Hajek, pictured with Ambassador Susie Elelman.

Includes breakfast photo gallery.