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.
December, 2015
Workers freeze pay to assist Perilya
Originally published: Thursday, 31st December, 2015
Perilya employees will forego a pay rise next year in a bid to help the company’s struggling mine survive the latest slump in base metal prices.
Sue farewells iconic cafe
Originally published: Thursday, 31st December, 2015
After a decade spent serving fresh juice and hot chips with gravy to her many loyal “regulars”, Sue Mobbs has passed on the iconic Orange Spot.
RAA urging tourists to avoid filling up in city
Originally published: Thursday, 31st December, 2015
Prices might be falling nationally on the back of a global oil glut but motorists continue to pay a premium for petrol in Broken Hill.
NYE hot spots
Originally published: Thursday, 31st December, 2015
If you’re looking to cool down this New Year’s Eve, the Old Royal has just the thing.
Graduate
Originally published: Wednesday, 30th December, 2015
Kimberley Cherry graduated on December 16 from Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga with a Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science (Medical Imaging) with Honours.
Massive milestone
Originally published: Wednesday, 30th December, 2015
Eighty-seven-year-old Gilbert Harris said if he had his time again, he would do it all with Dorothy, his beloved wife of almost 70 years.
Gonski funding crucial: BTA
Originally published: Wednesday, 30th December, 2015
Schools in Broken Hill will be among the biggest losers if the federal government reneges on Gonski funding agreements with states, the Barrier Teachers’ Association has warned.
Ready for action
Originally published: Wednesday, 30th December, 2015
The Corner Country New Year’s Eve tradition is set to continue with the annual Tibooburra Bikekhana and Rodeo on New Year’s Eve.
Fishing for trouble
Originally published: Wednesday, 30th December, 2015
A toxic algae warning was not enough to deter some people from fishing on the Darling River at Christmas, potentially putting themselves at risk of poisoning.
Major backer on board
Originally published: Tuesday, 29th December, 2015
St Pats has received a significant boost for the new year with the Broken Hill Community Credit Union signing on as naming rights sponsor.
Holy door open
Originally published: Tuesday, 29th December, 2015
Bishop Columba Macbeth-Green blessed and opened a holy door at the Sacred Heart Cathedral on Sunday as part of a worldwide move promulgated by Pope Francis.
Team goes for hot pink
Originally published: Tuesday, 29th December, 2015
The Dementia/Delirium and Palliative Care Team now have a hot pink uniform to make them identifiable when at the hospital.
Glenn fires in Dubbo
Originally published: Tuesday, 29th December, 2015
Local Glenn Pollock has received two placings at the NSW State Titles in the World Association 1500 Match.
Staker puts Robins to test
Originally published: Friday, 25th December, 2015
One of the West Football Club’s top exports was back in the Robins’ nest on Wednesday putting the players through their paces.
‘Sprigger’ steps up
Originally published: Friday, 25th December, 2015
David Sedunary has answered the Robins’ call in their time of need and will coach the club in 2016.
Brown family scores a new car
Originally published: Friday, 25th December, 2015
Far West Auto brightened Christmas for the Brown family this week as they handed over the keys to a new Hyundai Accent.
Grab a poster
Originally published: Friday, 25th December, 2015
Over the next few days the 2016 St Pat’s poster will be going up around the city.
RFDS still on the job
Originally published: Friday, 25th December, 2015
The Flying Doctor will be working throughout the holiday period to ensure people get the medical help they need.
Unity missing in water crisis
Originally published: Thursday, 24th December, 2015
A local water advocate says any effort by City Council to demand answers on the state government’s handling of the unfolding crisis would be “too little too late”.
New boss for power company
Originally published: Thursday, 24th December, 2015
Essential Energy has appointed a new regional manager with almost 30 years’ experience in the electricity industry to its Northern region, which covers the Far West.
Slattery ends successful year
Originally published: Thursday, 24th December, 2015
For go-kart young gun Adam Slattery, 2015 has been a very successful year.
A drink at last
Originally published: Thursday, 24th December, 2015
Cricket oval saved as others wither
Christmas sparkle a family tradition
Originally published: Thursday, 24th December, 2015
Jaimee Day and her husband Matt are decking out their house with wonderful Christmas decorations, just like their parents always do.
Cruel neglect
Originally published: Wednesday, 23rd December, 2015
Lorraine Looney first invested in Menindee during the 1970s when the region was thriving.
Heritage push revived
Originally published: Wednesday, 23rd December, 2015
The mayor says he’s had several “off the record” conversations with the state government over a renewed push to have the Menindee Lakes listed on the international Ramsar treaty.
Saints marching into New Year
Originally published: Wednesday, 23rd December, 2015
Broken Hill Saints Rugby Club is looking toward the 2016 season and what it holds.
Cool change ‘saved house’
Originally published: Wednesday, 23rd December, 2015
A house fire on Sunday but it could have been worse but for a cool change according to the fire brigade.
A new job for Mr ABC
Originally published: Wednesday, 23rd December, 2015
Experienced regional broadcaster and manager Andrew Schmidt has been appointed the new chief of staff for ABC Broken Hill.
Homeless at Christmas
Originally published: Tuesday, 22nd December, 2015
A Wilcannia couple is facing a bleak Christmas after losing everything in a house fire.
Bulldogs boost cancer network’s coffers
Originally published: Tuesday, 22nd December, 2015
The Broken Hill and District Community Cancer Network has surpassed its annual fundraising goal thanks to a big effort from the North Football Club.
Pet happy snaps a hit
Originally published: Tuesday, 22nd December, 2015
A chicken, a bearded dragon, a cat, some guinea pigs and over 100 dogs walk into a shop.
BH youngster hits the boards in Turkey
Originally published: Tuesday, 22nd December, 2015
It’s not very often that someone from Broken Hill represents the country on an international level, but for Chase Bottrell, he did just that.
7-A-Side season wraps up
Originally published: Tuesday, 22nd December, 2015
The Broken Hill Soccer Association summer 7-a-Side social competition wound up last week after a successful nine weeks of play.
Statesman ‘a true friend’
Originally published: Monday, 21st December, 2015
The late John Bannon, ex-Premier of South Australia, was an honourable man and a good friend to Broken Hill, says the city’s former mayor, Peter Black.
We say, they say (part two)
Originally published: Monday, 21st December, 2015
THANKS goes to many of my readers for their insightful feedback to my ‘We Say, They Say’ article, published December 4.
Central T20 victors
Originally published: Monday, 21st December, 2015
Central are the kings of T20 cricket in Broken Hill after defeating West in an entertaining grand final at the Jubilee Oval on Saturday.
Graziers get more support
Originally published: Monday, 21st December, 2015
Drought-stricken farmers in western NSW will continue to receive support to stretch every dollar further in trying times, according to the federal government.
Privatised to death
Originally published: Monday, 21st December, 2015
Government policy ‘wrecks country TAFE’
Future in doubt for Council buildings
Originally published: Saturday, 19th December, 2015
City Council-owned halls and centres are in the firing line after a survey found residents wanted more funding for roads.
Sharna’s country music coup
Originally published: Saturday, 19th December, 2015
Local musician Sharna Burcher has been accepted into the Academy of Country Music.
Big day at the Jube for T20 Grand Final
Originally published: Saturday, 19th December, 2015
The final round of 20/20 cricket for the season and the 20/20 Final will be conducted today, after which cricket will wrap up for the Christmas break.
Beacon of hope
Originally published: Saturday, 19th December, 2015
In an attempt to keep her mind busy, Carly Bird has inadvertently organised a Christmas lights fundraiser.
Plans in pipeline for Jube
Originally published: Saturday, 19th December, 2015
Jubilee Oval looks set to receive some upgrades to its facilities after a visit from AFL NSW/ACT this week.
Fridge art up for grabs
Originally published: Friday, 18th December, 2015
Tickets are now on sale for the Broken Hill Trots Racing Raffle.
Calling all printmakers
Originally published: Friday, 18th December, 2015
A meeting is being held today for printmakers interested in accessing more resources and working together in the local region.
Pride of place
Originally published: Friday, 18th December, 2015
People who battle with mental health problems should know that their concerns are taken seriously when they walk into Lifeline’s new headquarters, according to Sussan Ley.
Local lifters power on
Originally published: Thursday, 17th December, 2015
Four locals have participated in an interstate weighlifting competition after two months of preparation.
State honours for softballers
Originally published: Thursday, 17th December, 2015
Two local softball young guns have been selected to represent the state for the upcoming 2016 National Softball Championships.
PBS changes cause concern
Originally published: Thursday, 17th December, 2015
The new year looms as a time of uncertainty for older residents, with major changes to the pharmaceutical benefits scheme (PBS) set to come into effect.
Anxious wait for students
Originally published: Wednesday, 16th December, 2015
The city’s Year 12 students will be nervously checking their emails today for their HSC results.
Force awakened for new Star Wars film
Originally published: Wednesday, 16th December, 2015
In a quiet town far, far away there was a stirring of film devotees emerging from their computer screens to sit in front of the silver screen.
Battle of the best
Originally published: Wednesday, 16th December, 2015
For sports fans who take exhibition matches very seriously, a game of wit and skill was held at Broken Hill Public School yesterday.
Salvos welcomes new home
Originally published: Tuesday, 15th December, 2015
The local branch of the Salvation Army is settling into a new home after finally reaching an agreement with the Demo Club.
Swimathon aims big
Originally published: Tuesday, 15th December, 2015
Broken Hill swimmers from all skill sets and ages are being invited to register for the 2016 YMCA Swimathon.
Optimism prevails at climate talks
Originally published: Tuesday, 15th December, 2015
A young farmer from Broken Hill was in Paris last weekend when the world’s leaders finally agreed to do something concrete about climate change.
Security cameras help fight crime
Originally published: Monday, 14th December, 2015
Police are calling on homeowners to help in the fight against crime by listing their surveillance system on a state-wide database.
Flavour of the bush
Originally published: Monday, 14th December, 2015
From football players to soldiers to well-known local family the Radfords, School of the Air’s ‘Virtual Archibald’ portraits feature a wide range of subjects.
Grads from far and wide
Originally published: Monday, 14th December, 2015
The South now has two “All Nations” - the hotel of that name in Eyre Street and the college on the Wentworth road.
Promising juniors earn praise
Originally published: Saturday, 12th December, 2015
West Broken Hill bowling all-rounder Paddric Attard and Central’s Jake Trengove played for the Murray Districts side in the annual SACA Under 16s Country Cup, which attracts the best talent from this age group from across the breadth of South Australia to the Silver City.
Are we still proud?
Originally published: Saturday, 12th December, 2015
The return of the ‘Broken Hill Proud’ campaign was nostalgic for many locals, but is our sense of community as strong as it was?
THANKS JOHN
Originally published: Saturday, 12th December, 2015
The city’s traditional Christmas singalong returns to Sturt Park tomorrow night, and it will see the ‘king of carols’ hold court one last time.
John Curtis is stepping down after serving as Carols By Candlelight’s organiser and host for more than three decades.
On Thursday, John met with the BDT to look back on his time with Carols, and marvel at how the event grew from a handful of churchgoingcarollers to one of Broken Hill’s best-loved gath- erings.
He said the idea for Carols was originally hatched by Peter Black, who approached local churches to get the ball rolling 36 years ago.
“He asked the fraternal and nobody was wildly excited about it as ministers are usually very busy, but (Baptist church minister) Ken Clendinning said ‘I’ll take it on.”
“He did it for five years which was great, and when he left it came back to the fraternal again and nobody wanted to do it, so I took it on 31 years ago.”
Over time John engendered more community interest by making the event less overtly Christian, while still respecting the holy origins of the festive season.
“When I took it over we’d get 40 to 60 people ...
Safety socks are walking out the door
Originally published: Friday, 11th December, 2015
The launch of non-slip socks at the local hospital yesterday has already proved popular with almost 40 pairs sold by lunch time.
Robotics test awaits
Originally published: Friday, 11th December, 2015
Willyama High School students will be competing in the FIRST Robotics Competition in Sydney in March next year.
A local love story turns 50
Originally published: Friday, 11th December, 2015
Whenever a young Bob Groves took his girlfriend to the movies he would spend a considerable chunk of his grocery boy wage on buying her a packet of scorched almonds.
Champion visits
Originally published: Thursday, 10th December, 2015
A former National Rugby League champion visited Alma Public School yesterday morning to meet the kids.
‘It could have killed kid’
Originally published: Thursday, 10th December, 2015
A church leader says the city’s stray dog problem is out of control after 10 hens were mauled to death in an enclosure next to a primary school.
Meth use skyrockets
Originally published: Thursday, 10th December, 2015
The scourge of methamphetamine is hitting country towns like Broken Hill even worse than the big cities.
Final doubles as fundraiser
Originally published: Wednesday, 9th December, 2015
Cricket fans are encouraged to support their team and the victims of the South Australian bushfires at the 20/20 cricket final on December 19.
Let them eat cake
Originally published: Wednesday, 9th December, 2015
Broken Hill Rotary and the Cake Decorators have again whipped up some Christmas spirit to produce an extra delight for Meals on Wheels customers this year.
Spirit ‘ripped away’
Originally published: Wednesday, 9th December, 2015
A Labor Councillor says the city’s power company has ripped jobs and now Christmas spirit from the community.
Shelve costly formula
Originally published: Wednesday, 9th December, 2015
Feeding babies formula after they are 12 months old is a waste of money, according to a doctor.
High grade find ‘quite exciting’
Originally published: Wednesday, 9th December, 2015
The Red Hills on the Menindee road rise so suddenly on otherwise fairly flat land that they have long attracted interest.
New Year to ring in changes at BIU Band
Originally published: Tuesday, 8th December, 2015
The Barrier Industrial Unions Band is busy ramping up for the Christmas season, which is traditionally its busiest time of year.
Betts in big bash
Originally published: Tuesday, 8th December, 2015
Medium-pace bowler Samantha Betts has joined the Adelaide Strikers in the first season of the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL).
Properties rally to help victims
Originally published: Tuesday, 8th December, 2015
When Pixie Moses’ parents lost everything in the devastating Pinery bushfires a fortnight ago her first instinct was to help with recovery efforts in any way she could.
Laser technology now on hand for cancer patients
Originally published: Monday, 7th December, 2015
The Physiotherapy Depart-ment at the hospital has received two new hand lasers to help treat patients, thanks to a generous donation by the Broken Hill Breast Cancer Support Group Fundraising Committee.
West take points
Originally published: Monday, 7th December, 2015
In what was a big weekend for Broken Hill cricket, West put an end to the winning ways for Central in a tense battle at Alma Oval.
Best in a decade
Originally published: Monday, 7th December, 2015
The testing heat didn’t stop Broken Hill from putting on one of the best Christmas pageants in a decade.
The broken system
Originally published: Saturday, 5th December, 2015
He barely escaped the previous two times the Darling River has officially stopped flowing since 2003 and now Allan Whyte is hoping it’s a case of third time still lucky.
Toxic outbreak in Lakes
Originally published: Saturday, 5th December, 2015
Potentially toxic algal blooms have broken out in parts of the Menindee Lakes system, sparking warnings for people not to enter or drink the water.
Trustee office saved
Originally published: Saturday, 5th December, 2015
Five jobs have been saved with the news that the NSW Trustee and Guardian office will not be closed after all.
Junior program in full swing
Originally published: Saturday, 5th December, 2015
The Broken Hill Soccer Association (BHSA) Structured Development Program (SDP) for juniors from 5 to 17 is in full swing on Monday nights.
Contenders or pretenders?
Originally published: Saturday, 5th December, 2015
Central has again established themselves as the yardstick by which the other three sides have to measure their performances this season.
Full strength Roos to test Bulldogs
Originally published: Saturday, 5th December, 2015
Since the completion of the Super 8s competition at the start of the season South has struggled to field a settled combination, however, today they get their best opportunity to test their true capability at the Jubilee Oval against a North side that is still missing “lynchpin” Codie Howard.
Brazen theft ruins holiday
Originally published: Friday, 4th December, 2015
The Christmas period was supposed to provide some much-needed time out for tourist Petrea Swift.
Neve heads to Curious Minds program
Originally published: Friday, 4th December, 2015
A local high school student and budding scientist has been selected to take part in a prestigious mentoring program.
Soccer pathways for juniors
Originally published: Friday, 4th December, 2015
St Joseph’s Soccer Club’s juniors will see new pathways open next year in a partnership with an Adelaide club.
Soccer girls bound for Fiji international
Originally published: Thursday, 3rd December, 2015
Two local girls are heading off today for what should be an unforgettable experience - playing international soccer in Fiji.
Musician hits the right note
Originally published: Thursday, 3rd December, 2015
The Southern Cross Hotel will presenting some great guitar sounds tomorrow night.
Heavy loot in bizarre theft
Originally published: Thursday, 3rd December, 2015
Brazen thieves have pulled off one of the most bizarre thefts of recent times by stealing three giant cement statues from the Steeline Centre.
Hall of Fame honour
Originally published: Wednesday, 2nd December, 2015
Two Broken Hill rope quoits players have been inducted into the game’s national Hall of Fame.
Tasty treats for a good cause
Originally published: Wednesday, 2nd December, 2015
Broken Hill’s Bakers Delight is hoping to give a present to the Flying Doctor this Christmas.
God moves in mysterious ways
Originally published: Wednesday, 2nd December, 2015
In England, the Christmas pantomine is a tradition but there are a couple of big differences between the old panto and a new show that hits town on Friday night.
Pressure on jails to be eased
Originally published: Tuesday, 1st December, 2015
The state’s Minister for Corrections, David Elliott, touched down in Broken Hill yesterday to visit the jail and thank staff for their efforts during a tough time.
Hillaroos camp a great success
Originally published: Tuesday, 1st December, 2015
Soccer in Broken Hill is alive and exciting. This year has seen the Broken Hill Soccer Association (BHSA) rolling out a number of initiatives.
Synagogue Defaced
Originally published: Tuesday, 1st December, 2015
Tourists have been left shocked after vandals defaced the city’s synagogue with anti-Semitic and pro-Palestinian graffiti.
Barrier WEEKLY Truth!
Due to the COVID-19 crisis, we've had to scale back.
We're now publishing once a week: every Saturday.
