The University of NSW Business School reports Australian’s lost a staggering $3 billion to scams last year, and where once scams were something that happened to other people, an increasing number of local people are falling victim to incredibly sophisticated cons.

One couple lost their deposit on a new caravan when the email of their supplier was intercepted by a scammer, another couple has had their accommodation business replicated and a young family had their child’s images used in a catfishing scheme.

Hay sports nut, Rob Neill, has dedicated most of his adult life to assisting the Hay community.

On Australia Day, Rob was rewarded for his hard work and dedication when he was announced Citizen of the Year.

Other 2024 award winners: Leo Fitzpatrick-Dedini - Young Person of the Year, Pauline Symons - The Gavin Johnston Memorial Vocational Award and Leanne Congdon, Helen Rogers and Adrian Myers - Achievement Awards.

Check out the photo gallery from the recent skate workshop, hosted by Hay Shire Council.

Hay Youth Taskforce has identified the need for a safe place for young people to gather and socialise.

The community building at Park, which is close to all three schools, is considered underutilised and has the potential to redevelop into a modern youth and community indoor/outdoor space.

Hay Shire Council has successfully applied for funding under the Regional Youth Investment Program to develop concept plans to redesign the space, consult with stakeholders and develop detailed building plans and cost estimates.

The new managers of Discovery Café in Balranald, Mikayla Bax and partner Connor Westcombe, have opened the doors.

Aged 21 and 24 respectively, the courageous pair have decided to branch out for themselves, after Mikayla worked for the former owners for five years. Connor is an electrician, having recently left his job of six years to pursue the venture with Mikayla.

“I always loved working at the Discovery Cafe, and for Sue and Charlie,” Mikayla said. “And I always wanted to branch out on my own. So, when the opportunity arose, we mutually decided to have a go.

Bendigo Bank has dipped into their coffers once again, donating $60000 to the Hydrotherapy Pool Committee.

The donation is the final influx of funds the committee needed to get the project into the construction stage.

“Once again, it is because people in the community bank with Bendigo that we are able to contribute to worthy causes to benefit the community,” Branch Manager Sandra Dolan said.

Photo gallery from Balranald Southern Cross Centre’s open day, commemorating the 90th anniversary of Sir Charles Kingsford Smith’s visit.

All the photos from the 150th anniversary celebrations at The Riverine Grazier, including the 12-page feature as a FREE download.

There were plenty of glitter and glamour at the second annual Bollywood night at Hay Services Club last Saturday.

The evening raised money for local medical services and brought together the many cultures that make up the people of Hay, with a strong focus on our Indian community.

Members of Hay Plains Landcare travelled to Carrathool and Narrandera recently to hone their skills in composting and propagating.

To fast-track their nursery and demonstration site development, members visited the established nursery at Narrandera to learn effective methods of propagating native seed.

The workshop touched on the different containers and potting media available, labelling and record keeping, watering regimes required, and the seed preparation needed for the hard coated seeds like acacias.

The Hay branch of the Country Women’s Association hosted another successful bi-ennial flower show at Hay War Memorial Hall on Saturday, supported by volunteers from Hay Youth Taskforce.

The most coveted award, for best overall rose, sponsored by Hay Services and Fitness Club, was won by Linda Anderson (nee Headon), pictured above with her bloom and prize.

Two new gardening gurus emerged as winners of the 2023 CWA Flower Show’s Best Garden Competition.

Robyn Vickery took out the Small Garden category and Anna Antonakas the Best Large Garden category.

The village of Booligal was a hive of activity on Saturday as one of the regions most unique events enjoyed a successful relaunch.

Over $20,000 has been raised in total, with plans for funds to be donated to local charities including the Royal Flying Doctors Service, used to improve local community buildings and to build a bigger and better event next year.

One of Hay’s cornerstone businesses, Robertson’s Hot Bread Kitchen has celebrated 40 delicious years of baking.

Local schools, early learning centres and the library was alive and full of colour as Book Week was celebrated. A myriad of costumes were on display as children emerged transformed as their favourite characters.

75 mad-cap vintage vehicles rolled into Hay last week, on day two of the 2023 B to B Bash, hosted by the Variety Bash. The crew visited Hay Public School with a very generous $9,000 grant to fund new timber playground equipment.

On the bright and sunny morning of Thursday, July 27, Hay Public School came alive with vibrant colours, laughter, and an air of excitement as students gathered to celebrate NAIDOC Day.

Hay Hospital is one of two facilities being prioritised for Multi Purpose Service status.

Another application to turn the hospital into an MPS has been submitted by Murrumbidgee Local Health District, with a decision to be made by September. Local Health Advisory Committee chair, John Perry said it had been a long road getting to this point.

Tegan Allott, local AgFLite pilot, dreamed of flying from the time that she was quite young. Tegan was recently awarded the Professional Pilot Award 2023, at the Aerial Application Association of Australia annual convention.

The venue of the proposed Hay Hydro Therapy Pool is expected to be determined soon, and the committee is hoping for a slice of the John Houston Memorial Pool complex.

Descendants of one of Hay’s earliest sons, George Thomas Esplin, gathered by his grave in Melbourne Cemetery on April 8 to commemorate the 145th anniversary of his death in 1878 at just 40 years of age.