Macker’s Meats were named 2024 Hay Business of the Year, with Mullin’s Building awarded Small Business of the Year.

Read on for the full list of winners.

Concern was raised at Council last week over safety issues if a Development Application for a service station on the Sturt Highway was approved.

“This proposed development is just a stupid idea. It’s dangerous,” one of the objectors, Judy Jarratt told Council.

Mrs Jarratt, who lives next to the proposed service station between Russell and Moama Streets in South Hay, said she has witnessed near misses due to the speed vehicles travel past her house.

Hay Shire Council has confirmed its support to the local Rural Fire Service in the face of an inquiry into NSW RFS arrangements with Local Government.

With the bushfire season underway, the upcoming inquiry into the effectiveness of NSW RFS's asset management and operations will be undertaken by a parliamentary committee.

The Hay Branch of NSW was reactivated at the recent annual meeting, with Geoff Chapman leading the group.

Read about local Swifties Elsbeth, Rhyla, Grace and Savannah about Taylor Swift’s Australian concerts.

Bishop’s Lodge historic house in Hay, NSW is getting a $175,000 facelift, thanks to Hay Shire Council’s grant via the Stronger Country Communities Fund.

Jason McCartney, who became a national hero in the wake of the Bali Bombings in 2002, is guest speaker at this year’s Hay Business Excellence Awards. The gala dinner event will be held on Friday, March 1 at Hay Services Club.

Jason McCartney epitomises the Australian fighting spirit and his story is one of humanity overcoming adversity.

The young Australian with an exceptional talent to play Australian Rules Football, was thrust into the hearts and minds of all Australians through his courageous fight-back from horrible burns he suffered in Bali.

Hay Inc. launched their tenth highly regarded Rural Education Program last week, with a cohort of 16 students.

The participants hail from Hay, Ivanhoe, Condobolin, the Central West region and eastern Riverina, ranging in age from 18 to 25 years.

This year female students make up the majority of the class.

“A couple of students have grown up in cities and keen to have a career in agriculture,” program manager Sandra Ireson told The Riverine Grazier.

Riverine Grazier staff road tripped to Wodonga recently to observe how the newspaper is transformed from a digital file into the tangible paper we pick up off the shelf on Wednesday mornings.

An illuminating experience, with many different steps and processes in the four-story building where Newsprinters Wodonga houses its multimillion dollar set up.

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.

When UAG Bio Nutrients needed specific plastic manufacturing expertise to produce its patented vermiculture modules, it turned to Select Plastics at Adelaide’s Lionsgate Business Park.

The vermiculture modules – each about 2m by 2m - are a critical component of UAG Bio Nutrients’ anaerobic digestion and vermiculture system.

The process is the first in the world to efficiently and cleanly integrate anaerobic digestion and vermiculture at industrial scale to convert organic waste into bio-fertiliser and clean energy.

Construction is underway on the company’s first full-scale plant at the Ravensworth feedlot in Hay, NSW.

Steph Cattanach is one of those rare people. The vibe that you feel from her, is just something that cannot be put into words. A more cynical person would question if she is real; she has that unworldly quality. The honest truth is - she is as real as you can get.

Earnest, with the very best of intentions, a person with a journey, and a person who has the most sincere and wonderful intentions for all around her. A person, who I would truly aspire to be. Many would know her journey, or part of it.

Mr Adrian John Gorman, a beloved member of the Balranald community, was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division for his service to the community of Balranald.

Balranald Australia Day Citizen of the Year recipient in 2019, Adrian has penned four books, two on his life and two books of stories.

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.

When Jim and Gail Quick drove up to the Homebush Hotel site eight months ago, Gail figured that this treechange would be something to which she would have to become accustomed. A week later, however, she knew she never wanted to leave. The couple are the managers of the pub.

The horrific crash just outside Hay last week was directly linked to poor driver behaviour according to Police.

The Sturt Highway collision left two dead and the road closed for more than 24 hours.

Crash Investigation Unit Commander Inspector Jason Hogan said the tragic Sturt Highway collision on Monday, January 15 at about 5.10 pm was the result of the sedan driver attempting a U-turn in front of a fully loaded semi-trailer.

The grim reality of the shortage of available housing in Hay hit home to one young family recently.

After a career change which saw Mick and Gabby Flattery and six-year-old Connor leave employer-supplied housing, they faced the disheartening search for a rental property in Hay.

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.