The Free Press (Corowa)
Local author wins global award
Corowa author, Luke Icarus Simon has been awarded the 2025 Eyelands Book Awards Prize in the LGBTQI category for his book, Swimming in Words, at a ceremony in Greece in December. After being the ‘bridesmaid’ four times, Simon found out about his win...
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Howlong BMX track saved
The poorly maintained track, in the reserve in Lowe Square, was under threat of being removed in favour of the land being used as overflow carparking. The Lowe Square Section 355 committee had been advocating for the removal of the existing BMX dirt...
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And a happy new year it was
There were no major incidents on New Years Eve anywhere in the Federation Shire according to Sergeant Steve Marshall from Corowa Police. Sgt Marshall’s job will be made easier from next month as he rebuilds his team of police officers. “Corowa Police...
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Bringing colour to cancer care
Local cancer care provider, GenesisCare created a colourful display of art and hopeful messages from the schoolkids in its East Albury centre in the lead-up to Christmas. GenesisCare radiation oncologist, Dr Johnathon Wake visited the students at St...
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Battle goes beyond fires
Firefighters bravely battled high winds and towering flames to stop a fast-moving fire from devastating Corowa last Wednesday. But Deputy Group Captain Nathan Ractliffe, Federation Support Captain Luke Doering and Redlands Captain Phil Penny say...
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All Saints among the world’s best wineries
Forbes named Santa Rita Winery in Chile’s Maipo Valley as the world’s best for 2025 followed by Adelaide’s Penfolds Magill Estate at number two. In a list overwhelmingly dominated by Argentina, five Australian wineries made the Top 50. The Forbes Top...
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Unearthed: a Corowa digger's tale
The outstretched hand and request of a dying mother to fetch something from her drawers led Brandt Ward on a journey of discovery into World War 1 and a great grandfather he knew nothing about. His great grandfather was Corowa digger, Albert (Bert)...
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It was a 2025 kind of vibe 2 COROWA FREE PRESS WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2025
The event was attended by Inner Wheel Australia president Clare Swaan, International Inner Wheel president Kay Morland, and members from across Australia. Guests also included six representatives from New Zealand and one from India. The opening...
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OUT & ABOUT
It was a rainy day but that didn’t dampen the spirits of racegoers at the Corowa Race Club’s Melbourne Cup eve race meeting on Monday. Those that attended the popular race day enjoyed live entertainment by Ray Macartney, under cover seating and...
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Celebrating regional newspapers
The Free Press editor, Christine McKee was awarded NSW Journalist of the Year, and reporter Emma Prior won the Best News Story for her heartwarming story, ‘Lucky Phil,’ which told how tennis player Phil Dryden was revived after collapsing on court with...
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Rutherglen Show shines
The Trevaye family enjoyed the activities in the children’s area at the successful 135th Rutherglen Show on Sunday. In perfect conditions the show offered a wide range of attractions including children’s face painting, animal interactions, Clydesdale...
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Sweet victory for Nate
He’s just 14 years old but Nate Kuschert has turned jam and jellie making into a show winning venture. Nate took out six Individual awards and two Most Successful Exhibitor awards in the Jams, Jellies, Pickles and Sauces section at the 2025 Corowa...
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Baker serves up knuckle sandwiches to intruders
Corowa Police have identified several young people from Albury Wodonga area who were known to police and also recovered the bakery’s stolen till on the Riverina Highway. Sgt Steve Marshall said through the till and CCTV footage of a white SUV vehicle,...
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Raise your glass Warrabilla
On Friday night, the public was invited to taste some of the best wines in the country at the 137th Rutherglen Wine Show and Australian Fortified Wine Show with local winery, Warrabilla impressing the judges. Exhibitors from across Australia entered...
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Million-dollar mini golf tees off
The region’s newest tourist attraction is open for business after Club Corowa officially opened its million-dollar mini golf course last week. The project was constructed using local businesses and labour with custom timber tee signage and bridges...
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Friday Nights for blokes
What began five years ago as Friday Night @ The Station returns to Corowa as Friday Night. Friday Night is a welcoming place for men to bring their trials and tribulations, share, listen and have a few beers; a place for men to get together for...
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FIRESTORM ERUPTS BETWEEN RFS AND VOLUNTEERS
Rural Fire Service volunteers have voted to ‘de-team’ the Federation and Berrigan council areas from the Southern Border Team and create a standalone zone based at Corowa aerodrome. Redlands rural brigade captain, Phil Penny addressed councillors at...
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All Saints Estate triumphs with perfect score
Created by fourth-generation winemaker Nicholas Brown, the NV All Saints Estate Museum Muscadelle received a perfect score of 100, from the Halliday Wine Companion tasting team. The awards celebrate Australia’s best wines, winemakers, viticulturists...
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Farmers’ silent struggle
One Australian farmer dies by suicide every ten days - twice the rate of the general population. Now data shows that 45 per cent of farmers say they have had thoughts of self-harm or suicide, and nearly a third have attempted it. This alarming...
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Sydney Thunder stars ignite a dream in kids
The Corowa Public School assembly hall was filled to the brim today with students listening closely as Sydney Thunder Big Bash heroes, Hannah Darlington and Ryan Hadley took to the stage. After students had asked the hard-hitting questions such as...
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ROOS RUN RIOT
The figure represents a 24 per cent increase over the previous survey in 2020 prompting calls for urgent action to manage the numbers. Two members for Northern Victoria have very different views on how to approach the growing problem.
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Make ‘moments that mean everything’
A new winter tourism campaign is set to shine a spotlight on the Sun Country on the Murray and North of the Murray regions, encouraging visitors to explore the area during the cooler months and experience everything the regions have to offer. Launched...
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Theatre services are back
Theatre services at Corowa Hospital will resume on July 17 after extensive maintenance of the theatre suite and installation of new endoscopy equipment. Services were paused in May last year for the upgrades allowing staff to resume endoscopy services...
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Rivalea’s $400M piggy bank
A $400 million expansion at JBS Rivalea, including construction of a closed herd piggery near Mulwala, is designed to modernise and de-risk operations, securing the industry’s future in the region. JBS Australia became the country’s largest pork...
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$57 million aged care jewel
The facility was officially opened by Minister for Ageing Ingrid Stitt, who said it was up there with the best she had ever seen, and Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes. The new state-of the art facility has 50 private, ensuite rooms for...
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Firefighters ignite young imaginations
This event served as a follow-up to Thank a First Responder Day which recognised the invaluable work all first responders do to keep the community safe. More than 40 children and their families gathered to meet local firefighters Desi and Dylan, who...
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Winemakers adapt to oversupply
As the region celebrated the best in business, sport and community organisations at Saturday night’s CRW Business Awards, it was Redgum Medical Group who was named the 2025 Employer of Choice. Pictured: Serena Hardwick, CEO Business NSW Riverina...
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A stitch in time for a great cause
More than 200 vistors came to the annual quilt show held over the Easter weekend. The colourful event showcased an array of intricately crafted quilts, highlighting the talent and creativity of local makers. The lucky winners of the raffle were Anne...
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In the fight of their lives
Experiencing worrying symptoms near the end of her pregnancy, 39-year-old Caity Rippingale underwent extensive scanning just days before her first child, Alfie was born, and received the devastating diagnosis of Glioblastoma, an aggressive and...
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Scam alert: Rutherglen fights back
Sergeant Mick Savage from Rutherglen Police said everyone was very interested to hear from police and bank officials. Their message was to be careful, always verify the caller or initiator, and if unsure, don’t respond and contact the police. One of...
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Where are the hospital documents?
More than a year after the Victorian senate supported a motion demanding release of all documents related to the Albury Wodonga Health hospital redevelopment, the wait continues. Benambra MP Bill Tilley said his frustration had reached boiling...
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Service returning to Corowa Hospital
Endoscopy services are expected to reopen at Corowa Hospital next month after being halted in May last year to allow for maintenance in the theatre suite. Replacement endoscopy equipment has been purchased, and some maintenance work has been completed...
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From crime to prime time
It looked like a normal Thursday afternoon on the Murray River, a father and his daughter casting a line while another man flew his drone in the late afternoon light. But this was no ordinary afternoon for Club Corowa chief executive Peter Norris and...
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Biggest crowd ever at Corowa
“It was absolutely brilliant to see the massive numbers at both services with people paying their respects to all our ex service men and women, and acknowledging all currently serving members,” Corowa RSL Sub-Branch president Lesley Rinehart...
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King of the Road
They came from Queensland, from Western Australia, even from Castlemaine, with one purpose in mind – to be first across the line as the 2025 Australian Billycart Champion. A record 60 billycarts in 47 heats tackled Sanger Street in front of an...
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Wheels and wings a visual feast
In a vibrant showcase of living history, Corowa played host to not one but two major heritage vehicle events last weekend. The town was abuzz as the biennial National High Wheeler Rally coincided with the Australian Antique Aircraft Association’s 51st...
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PFAS tests show water is safe
Federation Council released the results of recent comprehensive testing for Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the drinking water supplies of Corowa, Howlong, and Mulwala. The key findings of the testing, conducted on November 19, 2024,...
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Flood planning fiasco
Federation Shire’s building and development industry is in turmoil this week as the implications of the Corowa, Howlong and Mulwala Flood Study are fully realised. Stakeholders say, in its current form, the study could destroy the local building...
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Up, up and away?
Airport users, business owners and councillors met with Farrer MP Sussan Ley at the Corowa Aerodrome last Thursday to discuss its future potential amid fears the aerodrome may be closed by Federation Council. As a pilot and aircraft owner, it’s a...
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Road neglect forcing fatal detours
Just over a year ago, Pat Bonaddio was driving through the Boomahnoomoonah Rd and Carmichaels Rd intersection near Bundalong, when another vehicle failed to give way and collided with him. Although Mr Bonaddio was in the wrong place at the wrong time,...
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Rate rise storm: Federation Council faces backlash
Rates rises are a topic guaranteed to get attention and if turnout at recent public forums is any indication, Federation Shire Council’s application for a special rates variation has everyone talking. The council reported active participation in...
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Aerodrome's future up in the air
The future of Corowa Aerodrome is up in the air with councillors unable to decide the fate of the shire’s only airport. A service review into the ageing asset was presented by consultants, Delos Delta at last week’s Federation Council meeting, raising...
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Rutherglen Loops a winner
The 48-kilometre cycle-trail network, which connects Rutherglen, Wahgunyah, and Lake Moodemere, was officially opened last Wednesday at Rutherglen’s Visitor Information Centre. Increases in cycle-based tourism, more visitors to wineries and local...
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Farmers viability under threat
The Murray Regional Strategy Group (MRSG), a coalition of farming and community organisations from the NSW Murray Valley, believes federal Water Minister Tanya Plibersek is trying to rush through the signing of an important national agreement, without...
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Nine new doctors transform local care
In a huge recruiting spree the progressive medical group has announced the recent signing up of doctors across its four locations, Corowa, Rutherglen, Howlong and the Skin Clinic. It significantly strengthens healthcare services in our...
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Urana building repurpose slammed
A proposed move to seek a repurpose of the existing Urana council building was slammed and defeated at Federation Council’s January meeting at Corowa. Cr Derek Schoen submitted a Notice of Motion for council to “transition the council offices to the...
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Rate hike looms: SRV’s 6:3 vote
Effectively the application for 69.94% in rate rises is inclusive of and to lock in permanently to the rate base, the 19% including rate peg, and 17% including rate peg increases, levied across the 23/24 and 24/25 years, based on the temporary SRV...
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Seeking a pragmatic health solution
A draft Health Position Statement, advocating for strategic investment in local and regional health will be exhibited by Federation Council for 28 days. The statement will seek targeted engagement, working with the statement submitter, Corowa’s...
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Council’s strong push for new hospital site
Council passed many motions and empowered its mayor and general manager to help pursue a greenfield site at its latest monthly meeting on December 17. Council acknowledges the current, proposed redevelopment plan falls critically short of meeting the...
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Corowa's high river level success
“The best in many years.” That’s how many locals have described Corowa’s bumper festive season over Christmas/New Year. And one of the biggest reasons for such is tourists and locals having 2.9m water level in the Murray River which was not the case...
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Secure your property
Local police are urging locals not to let their holiday be ruined and lock up or risk becoming a target this Christmas. With the Christmas holiday period all but knocking at our door, Corowa and Rutherglen Police see this as a suitable time to remind...
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Billycarts to ride again
The iconic Easter billycart championships are set for a thrilling revival. The Australian Billycart Championships, held down Sanger Street in Corowa, was one of the region’s most iconic events for over 20 years before the Covid-19 pandemic forced the...
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LOCALS RALLY AGAINST ROADHOUSE THREAT
Local residents are gearing up for a showdown with developers over a contentious 24-hour roadhouse proposal at the Federation Way and Murray Valley Highway intersection, set for a crucial Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal hearing in...
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Silent Depths: prioritise water safety
Locals keen to cool off as the mercury rises this summer are being urged to play it safe around the water after a recent report from Royal Life Saving Australia revealed 323 people drowned in Australian waterways in the last financial year, with more...
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Corowa in healthcare crisis
It is particularly devastating news because it is the only fully bulk-billing practice in town, leaving many residents - already grappling with financial hardship - without accessible healthcare. The Corowa community has a significant proportion of...
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Murray River among worlds best
The Murray River has always been a favourite holiday destination for Australians, but it has now been recognised by a worldwide audience as one of the 25 best places to travel to in the world for 2025. National Geographic unveiled its annual ‘Best of...
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Shock as Gaffney ousted, Horne triumphs
Rutherglen’s Roberta Horne celebrates her re-election to Indigo Shire Council, joining four new councillors in a surprising shake-up that edged Bernard Gaffney out. Ms Horne received a strong endorsement after receiving the fourth highest primary vote...
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Ball Park’s long-term lessee sought
Federation Council will seek a consultant to find a longterm lessee for Ball Park Caravan Park with an aim to end operating losses. Council is in the final stages of finalising a request for quote, to appoint a consultant to assist council in...
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Holiday tax outrage
The Short Stay Levy Bill, which will come into effect on January 1 after being passed in the upper house last fortnight, will impose an additional 7.5 per cent tax on accommodation provided by online platforms such as Airbnb with the government saying...
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Main Street's longawaited safety boost!
Crews will be on-site in the coming weeks to conduct survey and service location works in Main Street, which will be a critical step in confirming the locations of the new safety infrastructure. The $1.3 million State Government investment to upgrade...
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Council’s new leadership decided
Howlong’s Cheryl Cook will be Federation Council’s mayor through to September 2026, as decided on Tuesday at council's extraordinary meeting. Redlands farmer Rowena Black was elected unopposed as Deputy mayor for the same twoyear period. The mayor’s...
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New events group
Corowa’s Regional Events Committee plans to revolutionize the community’s event scene with a new independent group. The committee invites all community organisations and clubs to attend a special meeting to discuss how a new, independent events group...
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Sustainable stars!
Corowa Public School is excited and proud to announce it has won the Sustainable Solutions Award at the 2024 National Kitchen Garden Awards. All of the school’s 162 students are involved with the above six students, from left, Year 4’s Meredith Rowe,...
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Six new faces likely
Corowa resident David Harrison, Oaklands farmer Richard Nixon, and Urana businessman and mayor of Federation Council since the council was formed in 2016, Pat As reported in last week’s Free Press, six candidates for Federation Council’s next fouryear...
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