Agents in South Australia's South East say more than half of their recent property sales have gone to Victorian buyers. Mount Gambier director Jason Malseed said such sales were rare 15 to 20 years ago. He linked the rise to frustration with the Victorian government, including its land taxes. Ray White Mount Gambier principal Tahlia Gabrielli said retirees make up most Victorian arrivals. A recent survey ranked the Victorian Labor Party as the worst state government in the country.
Doctors' union SASMOA says the emergency department at Mount Gambier hospital had about 30 patients for 12 treatment spaces last Wednesday, and a code white should have been called. The union wants regional hospitals added to a public dashboard that currently tracks only Adelaide emergency departments. Health Minister Blair Boyer said presentations have risen across the state, citing a flu spike and patients waiting to move into aged care. Mr Boyer said he would consider adding regional data but must be convinced it would add value.
Many couples who met on the reality show Farmer Wants A Wife are still together. The show, which first aired in 2007 and was revived by Channel Seven in 2020, has produced several marriages. Chris Newsome and Kim Tierney, the first couple to marry on the show, live on Chris's farm in Tamworth. Rob Hodges and Jo Fincham have three children, and Damian Atkins and Rachael Peynenborg are married with three kids. Other couples, including Harry Lloyd and Tess Brookman, have become engaged more recently.
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A 76-year-old woman has escaped serious injury after her car rolled in a crash outside a police station in Mount Gambier, South Australia. The Chrysler PT Cruiser hit a parked car on Bay Road shortly before 1.15pm on Monday. The impact flipped the Chrysler onto its side and sent a Ford sedan into a third vehicle. The Chrysler driver, from Port MacDonnell, suffered minor injuries and was taken to hospital. A 24-year-old woman in the Ford was treated by paramedics at the scene. Police said she was left shaken. Two of the three vehicles were towed away.
Regional South Australian restaurants have been recognised in the inaugural Michelin Guide to Australia, launched in Adelaide this week. The list of 77 establishments includes Mayura Station near Millicent, Elementary Dining in Mount Gambier and The Fresh Fish Place in Port Lincoln. Elementary head chef Kirby Shearing said the honour was surreal and reflected the whole town. Premier Peter Malinauskas said the Michelin Guide gave the state's hospitality industry a platform to tell its story to the world. Owners Craig and Sandy McCathie said the recognition came after 15 years of simple, seafood-focused cooking.
Western Australia has the most poorly rated airports in the country, with seven of the ten lowest-rated passenger airports. Travellers complained about slow security checks, limited facilities and baggage delays. Newman Airport in the Pilbara ranked worst, averaging 3.10 stars from 295 reviews. Perth Airport ranked eighth and was the lowest-rated capital city airport. Port Lincoln Airport in South Australia was rated highest, averaging 4.62 stars from 131 reviews.
Victoria's machete amnesty cost $6.55 million, about half the projected $13 million, according to the ABC. Inmates at Mount Gambier Prison built the 75 blue surrender bins, for which the government paid G4S $925,000. Surrendered items included butter knives and kitchen scissors. The Department of Justice and Community Safety says 18,031 weapons were handed in, including machetes from retailers. The government says unspent funds went to police and Protective Services Officers in shopping centres.
WIN Network will stop broadcasting Network 10 channels in Mount Gambier, Riverland, Griffith and Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area, citing high costs. A University of Sydney professor says maintaining regional terrestrial TV is no longer cost-effective. Network 10 encourages viewers to stream its content online. Some residents prefer streaming, while others, like seniors, will be affected by the loss of free-to-air channels.
