Get the appConvicted paedophile Allan Hopkins, 47, has been arrested and extradited to South Australia. He was arrested in New South Wales in May 2024 after a police appeal for information. Hopkins is wanted in South Australia over alleged serious sexual offending against a child under 18. Police also said he was wanted for alleged offending in Victoria and Queensland. He is due to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
Convicted paedophile Allan Hopkins, 47, has been arrested and extradited to South Australia. He was arrested in New South Wales in May 2024 after a police appeal for information. Hopkins is wanted in South Australia over alleged serious sexual offending against a child under 18. Police also said he was wanted for alleged offending in Victoria and Queensland. He is due to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
An amateur prospector who wishes to remain anonymous has found a gold nugget worth about $150,000 on Mount Stuart station near Tibooburra in north-western New South Wales. He spotted the nugget in mid-October after a signal from his metal detector. The nugget weighs over 1,200 grams, and testing shows about 940 grams is pure gold. He has nicknamed it the Tibooburra Spud and plans to sell it to a collector. Greg Spangler, who sells prospecting supplies in Broken Hill, says rising gold prices have drawn more people to the hobby.
Alerts, Shorts and your saved stories — free on Google Play.
Get the appA high-tech Farms of the Future learning bus has travelled more than 10,000 kilometres across NSW, taking agricultural technology to farmers. Almost 1,200 people have tried its virtual reality technology and demonstrations. More than 1,500 producers have completed its Agtech Fundamentals training. The bus is due to appear at the Australian National Field Days in Orange in October. Councils, schools and producer groups can register interest in hosting a visit.
Median house prices in regional New South Wales are still higher than a year ago, despite slipping 1.2 per cent to $820,000 in the September quarter. Dungog recorded a 26.9 per cent annual rise, while Inverell and Broken Hill also climbed sharply. Investors seeking cheaper homes have driven some of the growth, but their buying has slowed after recent federal budget changes to investor taxes and high mortgage costs. Local agents in Dungog and Inverell say demand has eased recently, although buyers continue to arrive from the city.
Grazier Bodie Hill makes handmade knives in a corrugated iron shed on his 52,000-hectare station, more than 400 kilometres from Broken Hill. He began making knives after replacing a lost pocket knife, and each one can take days to finish. Hill uses timber he mills from his property, including beefwood, mulga and rosewood. He says the work supports his mental health, particularly for isolated men. He has custom orders booked until March.
Farmers and residents near Lue in New South Wales fear the proposed Bowdens Silver mine could poison their land, water and health. The NSW government has recommended approval of the project, which the Independent Planning Commission is considering at a public hearing this week. Lead and zinc make up most of the ore, with silver less than 1 per cent by weight. Critics point to a suppressed government report on childhood lead exposure in Broken Hill and argue that lead has no safe level of exposure.
The NSW and federal governments have jointly bought Pulgamurtie Station, a 74,000-hectare property 235 kilometres north-east of Broken Hill. The site holds two pink lakes and habitat for more than 70 threatened species. NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe called the purchase a once-in-a-generation conservation and tourism opportunity. Pastoralists and Barwon MP Roy Butler have criticised the move over pest animals, fencing, job losses and tourism claims. Butler has introduced a bill requiring future park purchases to assess local economic impacts.
A new bus service called The Monty Express has launched between Mildura and Adelaide, via Renmark, along the Sturt Highway. The route had no direct bus service since 2020, and the only direct flight ended in 2023. The service will run twice a week and pick up passengers at Mildura, Renmark, Adelaide Airport and the Adelaide Central Bus Station. Under an agreement with the South Australian government, it cannot pick up South Australian residents unless they travel to Mildura. Operator Stuart Saunders said he hopes the service will also help Riverland residents reach Mildura.
The NSW and federal governments have purchased Pulgamurtie Station, a 74,000-hectare outback property featuring pink lakes. The acquisition marks the first time such lakes will be part of the NSW National Parks estate, offering potential tourist visits. The site is home to over 70 threatened species, including brolgas and pink cockatoos, and will undergo ecological and cultural heritage surveys to determine visitor experiences.
Aqua aerobics classes have resumed at Gloucester Olympic Pool, continuing a 40-year tradition. The sessions, which began as an initiative by Maureen and Aldo Tiogas, offer physical and social benefits, including reduced joint strain and improved cardiovascular fitness. Current instructor Julie Reay says the classes remain free for pool patrons and include monthly social lunches. The sessions run Monday to Thursday mornings, welcoming new participants.