News archive
This is an archive containing every news story ever posted on the BDT website. If you’re looking for a specific article, try the search box at the top right hand side of this page. Otherwise you can just browse the archive by selecting a year and month below.
February, 2015
Anzac Day double header
Originally published: Saturday, 28th February, 2015
The 2015 AFL Broken Hill fixture has been released and ANZAC Day is set to be action-packed.
For Shorty, no return to tender
Originally published: Saturday, 28th February, 2015
The defunct Shorty O’Neil Village will be either leased or auctioned off after councillors admitted the use of a tender process in the sale of the caravan park had cost ratepayers.
Big steps forward in Aboriginal health
Originally published: Saturday, 28th February, 2015
A report released on the health and well-being of Aboriginal people in the region has shown large improvements in a number of areas.
Tip Shop mounts monster clear-out
Originally published: Saturday, 28th February, 2015
For garage sale lovers, Lifeline will be holding a monster one next week.
Even contest in A Grade preliminary final
Originally published: Saturday, 28th February, 2015
Cricket finals are upon us and there is a sense of deja vu surrounding the A Grade Preliminary Final between West and North to be played at the Jubilee Oval today.
‘Racist undertones in hub complaint’
Originally published: Saturday, 28th February, 2015
A councillor says racist and offensive language is rife throughout Broken Hill but noted that some locals weren’t “as well-educated or politically aware as someone on Council is”.
Willyama dares to dream
Originally published: Friday, 27th February, 2015
Every year, the Willyama Art Society has the opportunity to exhibit work in the Regional Art Gallery, which the Society president says is great for local artists.
Rotary spreads the cheer
Originally published: Friday, 27th February, 2015
Broken Hill Rotary has distributed funds raised for its major fundraiser.
Old union term draws mayor’s ire
Originally published: Friday, 27th February, 2015
The mayor has firmly told Peter Black to stop using the term “scab labour” as a business continuity plan was rejected by the Labor councillor for being “gobbledegook policy.”
Join the emu parade
Originally published: Friday, 27th February, 2015
Broken Hill High School’s SRC are spearheading their Clean Up Australia Day campaign and are encouraging other locals to get behind it.
Headframe on shaky ground
Originally published: Friday, 27th February, 2015
As locals hope for the survival of the Number 4 south headframe the mayor has warned that “most engineers wouldn’t touch it with a barge pole, not even to pull it down.”
Festival to enliven empty shops with art
Originally published: Thursday, 26th February, 2015
“Pop up” shops will soon surface as part of the Broken Hill Fringe Festival’s art displays.
More fresh, no bore key to city’s supply
Originally published: Thursday, 26th February, 2015
An independent candidate in the State election has come forward with a water plan for the region but members from the Menindee Lakes Action Group are waiting to hear what all candidates have to say.
Creedon St ‘hub’ plan angers residents
Originally published: Thursday, 26th February, 2015
City Council has put off a decision on whether to allow a public housing provider to turn a Creedon Street site into a gathering place for tenants, following backlash from nearby residents.
Land management awards open
Originally published: Thursday, 26th February, 2015
Local Land Services is inviting landholders and groups who are involved in land and environmental management to enter the 2015 Western Local Land Management Awards.
Crackdown on tenants welcomed by public housing provider
Originally published: Thursday, 26th February, 2015
A State Government promise to crackdown on the bad behaviour of public housing tenants has been welcomed by the company with the contract to provide public housing in Broken Hill.
Going solo
Originally published: Wednesday, 25th February, 2015
When you enter a room adorned with Phyllis Ragenovich’s paintings the first thing that jumps out is the impressive range of themes and colours.
Cheers to volunteers
Originally published: Wednesday, 25th February, 2015
For 25 years Margaret Wilson has spent her Saturdays helping out at the Broken Hill Hospital kiosk.
Doting owners put pets on a pedestal
Originally published: Wednesday, 25th February, 2015
Jarvis Morris and Kelli Schultz own three dogs - an old Maltese, an 11-month-old Border Collie called Chester and a 16-week-old Huski named Daisy.
Beds go begging
Originally published: Wednesday, 25th February, 2015
If 40 defunct aged care bed licences aren’t used within the next 12 months they will be revoked, but the biggest local provider says taking them on would be a risky endeavour.
Pyne misses the point: teachers
Originally published: Wednesday, 25th February, 2015
Forcing prospective teachers to sit literacy and numeracy tests was ignoring the “elephant in the room”, according to the Barrier Teachers Association.
Plaza stall last for Aloomba
Originally published: Tuesday, 24th February, 2015
This Thursday will see a local group hold their last arts and craft stall after a number of issues made it hard for them to continue.
Young guns to hit the capital
Originally published: Tuesday, 24th February, 2015
Young BH footballers are heading to Canberra for NSW trials.
Knights of St Pat’s round table
Originally published: Tuesday, 24th February, 2015
The countdown to Broken Hill’s most eagerly anticipated race day is off and running, especially with the milestone celebrations.
They’re racing ... to get a spot at St Pat’s
Originally published: Tuesday, 24th February, 2015
With days quickly disappearing and more than 3,000 tickets sold, the St Pat’s office staff have been working full time since Christmas to cater for all the phone calls and bookings for the club’s 50th anniversary meeting.
Hawsons prospects looking up
Originally published: Tuesday, 24th February, 2015
Broken Hill isn’t the only city that stands to benefit directly from the Hawsons iron project going ahead.
Leader ‘sadly missed’
Originally published: Monday, 23rd February, 2015
A local union leader has paid tribute to former WIU of A president John Butcher who passed away last week.
Magpies win it on the line
Originally published: Monday, 23rd February, 2015
The Magpies downed their main rivals West in a thriller at the Jubilee Oval on Saturday afternoon.
Magic run wins mile
Originally published: Monday, 23rd February, 2015
It was a big night of milestones at the Rocky Baker Memorial Paceway on Saturday night, with two winning doubles and a first for a young trainer.
Cinema story stars
Originally published: Monday, 23rd February, 2015
A story about John Wren has earned the Barrier Daily Truth a gong at the South Australian Country Press Awards.
Deposit scheme backed
Originally published: Monday, 23rd February, 2015
The beverage industry is coming to the table to help develop a NSW cash for containers recycling scheme and rightly so, says NSW Premier Mike Baird.
Jasmin’s success in the States
Originally published: Saturday, 21st February, 2015
Former local actress Jasmin De Main was pictured, on the front page this week, on stage in California where she now lives.
Roos to bow out without a win
Originally published: Saturday, 21st February, 2015
What has been a long season comes to an end for the South Cricket Club today when they take on North at the Alma Oval.
Clisby back in AFL for a short stint
Originally published: Saturday, 21st February, 2015
West Broken Hill Robin, Mitchell Clisby, is back in an AFL program with the Essendon Bombers.
Trots season finale close
Originally published: Saturday, 21st February, 2015
With only a handful of meetings remaining in the harness racing season, owners and drivers have even more reason to make every post a winner.
DRESS REHEARSAL
Originally published: Saturday, 21st February, 2015
Game looms as a preview to final
Reverse Osmosis: The ins and outs of living on bore water
Originally published: Saturday, 21st February, 2015
If the Menindee Lakes go dry in April next year, as was predicted this week, then the plan is that the city will switch to bore water.
Resources for Regions under fire
Originally published: Saturday, 21st February, 2015
It might be funding an upgrade to the Civic Centre but the Resources for Regions program has again come under fire from the very councils it was set up to help.
City to host 100 conference delegates
Originally published: Saturday, 21st February, 2015
Broken Hill will host about 100 delegates when the Isolated Children’s Parents’ Association NSW (ICPA) holds its annual two-day conference here next month.
Be a tourist in your own city
Originally published: Friday, 20th February, 2015
How many of us can say we have seen all the sights of Broken Hill?
Flag raising a positive step
Originally published: Friday, 20th February, 2015
City Council’s decision to fly the Aboriginal flag will “send a message” that it wants to strengthen its relationship with the local Aboriginal community, according to the CEO of the Healing Foundation.
Monument to be unveiled after 96 years in the making
Originally published: Friday, 20th February, 2015
A monument to 44 fallen diggers from the Railwaytown area will soon be unveiled - 96 years after it was first mooted.
Wilcannia workers keen to stay on
Originally published: Friday, 20th February, 2015
Isolated towns like Wilcannia have always had trouble attracting employees from out of town, but now it seems some of them do not want to leave.
Freshly-restored post office could close
Originally published: Friday, 20th February, 2015
The 121-year-old Wilcannia post office which was restored and reopened last year might soon be closed again.
Council approves Telstra’s bid to build north phone tower despite backlash
Originally published: Thursday, 19th February, 2015
The impassioned pleas of around 50 residents who turned up at a meeting yesterday to oppose the construction of Telstra’s 10-storey phone tower wasn’t quite enough to sway Council.
Central on the lookout
Originally published: Thursday, 19th February, 2015
The Central Women’s football team is putting the call out for more players.
Final efforts to save headframe
Originally published: Thursday, 19th February, 2015
The Commonwealth and State governments are to be approached for grant funding as a last ditch attempt to save Number 4 headframe surfaced yesterday.
Beloved dog home again after four months
Originally published: Thursday, 19th February, 2015
The pound and City Council’s animal control officers are finding that some pet dogs are being taken in by strangers who keep them.
Questions answered at topical water meeting
Originally published: Thursday, 19th February, 2015
You can’t get water from a stone and there is not much left in the Menindee Lakes either but Broken Hill locals did extract a welcome admission from NSW water authorities at a public meeting last night.
Fingerprint leads to arrest
Originally published: Tuesday, 17th February, 2015
A man whose fingerprint was found at a house that was burgled last month was arrested by police on Sunday night.
Land claim ruling a long time coming
Originally published: Tuesday, 17th February, 2015
For Gerald Quayle, a native title ruling for land stretching across the far west and beyond has been a long time coming.
Broken Hill club not involved in cruel practice: former president
Originally published: Tuesday, 17th February, 2015
The illegal practice of live baiting within the national greyhound racing industry does not extend to Broken Hill, according to a former long-serving club president.
Nurse Leanne calls time
Originally published: Tuesday, 17th February, 2015
Local nurse Leanne Barber will be finishing up at the hospital and as president of the Nurses Association.
Dispute over native title rights ahead of ruling
Originally published: Tuesday, 17th February, 2015
An outstanding native title claim over parts of far western NSW was a “recipe for tribal war”, according to a respected Aboriginal elder.
New clinic opens
Originally published: Monday, 16th February, 2015
Parents of children with asthma can now attend a new clinic at the Broken Hill Health Service aimed at improving the quality of care of their children.
New clinic opens
Originally published: Monday, 16th February, 2015
Parents of children with asthma can now attend a new clinic at the Broken Hill Health Service aimed at improving the quality of care of their children.
Bed repair delay ‘not good enough’
Originally published: Monday, 16th February, 2015
A paraplegic man who has spent the last year bedbound is infuriated after being forced to wait a fortnight for his electric bed to be fixed.
West bats dominate
Originally published: Monday, 16th February, 2015
West skittled North for 35 runs in a big win for the minor premiership contenders at the Alma Oval on Saturday afternoon.
Big rigs dig Little Topar
Originally published: Monday, 16th February, 2015
When you’re constantly on the move as a truckie it can be hard to get your daily serves of fresh fruit and vegetables - unless you’re lucky enough to be pulling into the Little Topar roadhouse.
Civic cash
Originally published: Monday, 16th February, 2015
The NSW Government yesterday allocated $5 million to a project to revamp the Civic Centre, the first time the Silver City has received funding under the Resources for Regions program.
Students start work with the Health Service
Originally published: Saturday, 14th February, 2015
Ten students started a school-based apprenticeship and traineeship with the Health Service this week by learning all about the environment they will be working in over the next two years.
Hay fire hassles
Originally published: Saturday, 14th February, 2015
A truck loaded with bales of hay catches fire on a bush road. The fire brigade rushes to the scene but the fierce blaze quickly exhausts their water supply.
Urgent meeting for tower proposal
Originally published: Saturday, 14th February, 2015
City Council’s management has recommended that Telstra’s plan to erect a 10-storey phone tower at the North Family Play Centre site be approved.
Major works for Mildura lock and weir
Originally published: Saturday, 14th February, 2015
The Mildura lock will be closed and the weir pool lowered from late autumn while major, long-standing maintenance work is completed.
Pies go pink
Originally published: Saturday, 14th February, 2015
The Central Cricket Club has again stumped up for the McGrath Foundation, donning pink and raising gear money for breast cancer research.
Sisters excel in comp
Originally published: Saturday, 14th February, 2015
Sisters Kiara and Kalyce Pressler represented the Silver City Swim Club with excellence at the Marion Swimming Club’s 2015 Fast 50s Sprint Competition in Adelaide.
State Government to address rising lead levels with $13m
Originally published: Saturday, 14th February, 2015
The state government has put more than $13 million towards addressing alarming lead levels in local children.
Historic win for local shop workers
Originally published: Friday, 13th February, 2015
Broken Hill is now the only place in Australia where shop workers will be paid a district allowance after their union won an historic case this week.
Take a spin at Disco
Originally published: Friday, 13th February, 2015
The Silver City Roller Disco is back and it’s shaping up to be a freaky Friday.
Collecting rubbish for a reason
Originally published: Friday, 13th February, 2015
He’s a man on a mission and he wants your cigarette butts and used toothpaste tubes.
New chairman invested in the land
Originally published: Friday, 13th February, 2015
White Cliffs landholder Louise Turner is the chairman of the new Local Community Advisory Group.
Locals farewell legend at service
Originally published: Friday, 13th February, 2015
Karl Pirak met Rudolph Alagich when they were just boys living in their Croatian coastal home town of Makarska.
Locals to farewell icon
Originally published: Thursday, 12th February, 2015
Locals are expected to flock to the Civic Centre today to farewell Broken Hill icon Rudolph Alagich (OAM).
Helen takes the next step
Originally published: Thursday, 12th February, 2015
Social worker Helen Ferguson had been deeply involved with the Anglican Church for 20 years when she decided to take the next step.
Golf Club raffle
Originally published: Thursday, 12th February, 2015
The South Golf Club is raffling off a painting to raise money for the upkeep of the club.
Eager to learn
Originally published: Thursday, 12th February, 2015
The newest students at Sacred Heart Parish Primary are a polite and well-mannered little crowd with an eagerness to learn.
Gold mine a goer
Originally published: Thursday, 12th February, 2015
A new mine is about to open to the city’s north and another is on the horizon.
Solar station given to Central Darling Shire
Originally published: Wednesday, 11th February, 2015
It’s been over 10 years since Australia’s first solar power station was decommissioned and now it’s been gifted to Central Darling Shire Council.
Paull ‘unlucky’
Originally published: Wednesday, 11th February, 2015
Murray District/Barrier’s co-captain Jarred Paull completed the 2015 SA Country Cricket Championships in style last week with a pair of half centuries in the final two games, despite his team finishing without a victory over the four-day tournament.
Love your library
Originally published: Wednesday, 11th February, 2015
Do you love your Library? Well it’s time to let them know.
Premiere of ‘Outback ER’ has locals talking
Originally published: Wednesday, 11th February, 2015
The premiere of an outback medical reality drama shot in Broken Hill does not premiere until tomorrow, but the hype surrounding the program has already begun.
Woman behind bars after bail breach
Originally published: Wednesday, 11th February, 2015
A young woman charged with supplying methamphetamine is behind bars for continually flouting her bail conditions.
Rod has eye on the future
Originally published: Tuesday, 10th February, 2015
As former Show committee president Pat Borlace steps down to catalogue the past, new president Rod Murray is casting an eye to the future.
No rest for Roos
Originally published: Tuesday, 10th February, 2015
South are reigning premiers and arguably the yardstick of the local AFL competition, yet for coach Craig Thomas, the only way is up.
Fight against domestic violence
Originally published: Tuesday, 10th February, 2015
Lifeline is continuing its fight against domestic violence in the indigenous community with two days of specially targeted workshops.
Big journey for new students
Originally published: Tuesday, 10th February, 2015
Kindergarten children embarked on their first day of school across the city yesterday, but it was no big deal for Railwaytown students.
South residents angry over lack of internet service
Originally published: Tuesday, 10th February, 2015
Some South residents are angry at being unable to obtain fast internet.
Bobbie’s ties to the outback
Originally published: Monday, 9th February, 2015
UK visitor Bobbie Cheesman from Brighton, England, would be one of her country’s most regular travellers to Broken Hill, having arrived here most years, and occasionally alternate years, for the last three decades.
Winning double
Originally published: Monday, 9th February, 2015
Driver Cassie Robinson scored her second double for the season before a predominately red and white crowd at the Rocky Baker Memorial Paceway on Saturday night.
Cafe experience tops list
Originally published: Monday, 9th February, 2015
A local cafe has come up against trendy cafes and ritzy restaurants to be named one of the Top Ten Outdoor Restaurants in NSW.
Mr and Mrs Semmens celebrate 60 years
Originally published: Monday, 9th February, 2015
When Ken and Marie Semmens married, there was doubt to whether they would last. But after 60 years, the couple can say they have put in the hard yards to make it work.
Tourism committee meeting cancelled at last minute
Originally published: Monday, 9th February, 2015
The last minute cancellation of a highly-anticipated meeting into the future of the city’s tourism “smacks of incompetence”, according to one of the figures involved.
Show honours a faithful servant
Originally published: Saturday, 7th February, 2015
Brian Potter been around the Silver City Show for as long as he can remember, and now he has become a part of the event’s history after he was awarded life membership by the committee.
Silver City loses a beautiful man
Originally published: Saturday, 7th February, 2015
Broken Hill has lost an icon and a true gentleman with the passing of “Mr Soccer”, Rudolph Alagich OAM.
Roos’ big night
Originally published: Saturday, 7th February, 2015
Patrons and supporters of the South Football Club are encouraged to get trackside tonight, with a big night of harness racing being held in the Roos’ honour.
North aims for elusive flag
Originally published: Saturday, 7th February, 2015
After finishing runner-up to Central for the last three years, North’s women are ready to take the next step.
Nice surprise for young scholars
Originally published: Saturday, 7th February, 2015
When Jarrah Seager found out she was the successful recipient of a $5000 scholarship to help with her university degree, she burst into tears.
Fringe art comp for kids
Originally published: Saturday, 7th February, 2015
A call is being put out for school children to be involved in the Broken Hill Fringe Festival.
OFF THE CLOCK
Originally published: Friday, 6th February, 2015
City should look east as SA goes WA time, says MP
Robins ready to take flight
Originally published: Friday, 6th February, 2015
The West Women’s Football team are ready and raring to go for the 2015 season.
Lakes safe, says Minister
Originally published: Friday, 6th February, 2015
The State Government has made a commitment to Menindee Lakes and the securing of water for the township.
A long road, but deal sealed at last
Originally published: Friday, 6th February, 2015
The state government has announced $40 million towards desperately-needed upgrades and sealing works for the Silver City and Cobb highways.
Young mum killed in jealous rage
Originally published: Friday, 6th February, 2015
A man who bashed his partner to death in his mother’s home was yesterday sentenced in the Supreme Court in Broken Hill to a minimum jail term of 15 years and nine months.
Bambina ballerina
Originally published: Friday, 6th February, 2015
Budding ballerinas are invited to come along for a dance on tomorrow morning.
Clubs encouraged to plan for future
Originally published: Thursday, 5th February, 2015
The Broken Hill AFL board are asking for each club to send along some representatives for their “planning day” this Sunday.
Locals line up in Country Cup
Originally published: Thursday, 5th February, 2015
Four of the Silver City’s leading cricketers are representing the Murray District-Barrier (MDB) side in the annual Bank SA senior Country Cup.
Menindee Lakes protection a “no brainer”
Originally published: Thursday, 5th February, 2015
A renewed push to have the Menindee Lakes formally protected was a “no brainer”, according to a key figure in the original bid.
Drillers set up shop in city
Originally published: Thursday, 5th February, 2015
An Adelaide exploration company has invested over $1.5 million in starting a venture in the city.
Tuning in for first day
Originally published: Thursday, 5th February, 2015
For days three-year-old Ivy Anderson has awoken at dawn to ask her mother “Is school on today?”
Dual roles ‘no conflict’
Originally published: Thursday, 5th February, 2015
The new chair of Regional Development Australia (RDA) Far West, Sharon Hutch, has rejected the notion that her managerial role with City Council presented a conflict of interest.
Future grim for South headframe
Originally published: Wednesday, 4th February, 2015
A second engineer’s report on the viability of the rapidly-deteriorating South Mine head frame was “not pretty”, according to CBH Chief operating officer Visko Sulicich.
Cocky Corellas a tennis menace
Originally published: Wednesday, 4th February, 2015
The Tennis Club has some pesky spectators who are damaging the courts.
Labor spirit hard to shake
Originally published: Wednesday, 4th February, 2015
A former local has taken his love of the Labor Party engendered in his home town and put it towards running for parliament in the Queensland election.
Vaughan steps up
Originally published: Wednesday, 4th February, 2015
With Redbacks’ coach Darren Berry taking personal leave from his role, one of Broken Hill’s favourite cricketing sons and SA State assistant coach Jeff Vaughan has moved into the role as caretaker coach in the interim.
Captain kicks on
Originally published: Wednesday, 4th February, 2015
Alma swimming club captain Jesse Cochrane-Adolfson has returned home from the South Australian state age championships held at the Marion Aquatic Centre with some amazing results which has inspired some of Alma’s younger swimmers.
Cowboys converge in Wagga
Originally published: Wednesday, 4th February, 2015
Riders from Tooma, Junee and Tumbarumba are some of the front runners for placings in the Wagga Wagga Rodeo on Saturday.
Saddlemakers go a-rovin’
Originally published: Wednesday, 4th February, 2015
Ron and Liz Hill are preparing to travel 8,000 kilometres as part of a road trip to show their wares.
South women hit the track
Originally published: Tuesday, 3rd February, 2015
South’s women’s football team hit the track for their first pre-season training yesterday, and they’re keen to welcome some new faces into the club.
The real victory
Originally published: Tuesday, 3rd February, 2015
Savannah Morris from the Broken Hill Aquatic Stingray’s has just returned from the 2015 South Australian State Age Swimming Championships with a winning smile and full of enthusiasm.
Wax lyrical and win a prize
Originally published: Tuesday, 3rd February, 2015
Broken Hill has produced so many talented people - singers, dancers, artists - that it stands to reason there must be quite a few good poets here as well.
Take steps not to fall
Originally published: Tuesday, 3rd February, 2015
The “Stepping On” falls prevention program will run again this year and is open to residents wishing to reduce their risk of falling in the home.
Old mines leave a toxic track in their path
Originally published: Tuesday, 3rd February, 2015
A new study has shown that heavy metal contamination from the local mines stretches well beyond the city limits.
‘Ice’ trade has cops worried; Seven ‘dealers’ rounded up in a month
Originally published: Tuesday, 3rd February, 2015
Police are increasingly alarmed by the number of people who are allegedly involved in local drug rings, as a crackdown on the supply of methylamphetamine continues.
Walk a mile in their shoes
Originally published: Monday, 2nd February, 2015
David Sedunary has used his experience of having a disabled son to write a book to help inspire and support other parents.
Labor reveals vaccine plans
Originally published: Monday, 2nd February, 2015
NSW Labor says it will allow pharmacists to give out flu vaccinations if voted into power during this year’s election.
Double Standards sprints away with Maltese Cup
Originally published: Monday, 2nd February, 2015
Maltese Cup night at the trots lived up to all expectations, with the main event providing a brilliant spectacle for the big crowd.
Rage against the cage
Originally published: Monday, 2nd February, 2015
Youths playing in Duff Street Park at all hours of the night have sparked a wave of rage against the cage.
Kate returns to service home city
Originally published: Monday, 2nd February, 2015
The GP Superclinic is about to enjoy an influx of doctors.
Barwon candidate puts water flow restrictions down to vote-chasing
Originally published: Monday, 2nd February, 2015
An independent candidate for the seat of Barwon has accused NSW Water Minister Kevin Humphries of interfering in the water management policies of his department for his own political gain.