Snowy Mountains Country Music Festival headline act wins big at the Golden Guitar Awards

On country music’s night of nights – the Golden Guitar Awards – Australia’s most successful country music group ever, The McClymonts, took home two statues, winning ‘Highest Selling Album of the Year’ and ‘Group of the Year’. Adding to their already extensive list of accolades which includes three ARIA’s for Best Country Album, this year’s awards prove that The McClymonts are going from strength to strength. Next month, music fans will be able to witness the critically acclaimed sisters Brooke, Samantha and Mollie when they take to the stage as part of the 2015 Snowy Mountains Country Music Festival in Thredbo.

“We can’t believe it’s been seven years since we played at Thredbo. It is such a beautiful location not only for a music festival but to visit at any time of the year,” said Mollie. “We’re excited to be sharing the stage with an incredible line-up of artists in Thredbo this March,” she continued.

As Thredbo’s action-packed summer schedule continues to draw outdoor enthusiasts, adrenalin junkies and music lovers to the mountains, the region remains a thriving hub of activity year round. In 2015, The Snowy Mountains Country Music Festival will provide yet another unique opportunity for local and interstate festival-goers to visit the picturesque region and experience some of the nation’s best loved country acts performing at one of the nation’s best loved alpine locations.

On Saturday 21st March, set amidst a stunning natural amphitheatre, Thredbo will play host to renowned country music stars including Adam Brand, Morgan Evans, The Sunny Cowgirls and many more. To ensure revellers get the most out of their weekend away accommodation is available in the village.

Amber Lawrence Sets Sail for the Sixth Consecutive Year on Cruisin Country 2016

Off the back of incredible success in Tamworth, with featured artists Amber Lawrence, Luke O’Shea, Lyn Bowtell, Kristy Cox and Dean Perrett all taking home Golden Guitars, Australia’s leading music-themed charter company, Choose Your Cruise, has announced the much-anticipated return of their sell-out country music festival at sea.

Australia’s favourite country music singer-songwriter sweetheart and Golden Guitar winner, Amber Lawrence, is over-the-moon to be included in the line-up once-again. “With a whole new ship, itinerary and line-up, joining previous crowd pleasers and some of my own all-time favourite artists, this Cruisin Country 6, is set to be the best ever,” she said.

In a company first, Cruisin Country 6, will set sail from Brisbane on November 13 – returning November 21, 2016, for eight nights of the very best Australian country music has to offer aboard the luxurious Legend of the Seas.

Committed to showcasing Australia’s home-grown talent, Cruisin Country 6 gathers superstars from the Australian country music industry into one almighty ‘music festival at sea’. Passengers will join a who’s who of country music stars including:

ADAM BRAND,
2015 CMAA Golden Guitar Winners: Amber Lawrence [‘Female Artist of the Year’] Luke O’Shea [‘Male Artist of the Year’, ‘Heritage Song of the Year’ & ‘Album of the Year’] , Dean Perrett [‘Bush Ballad of the Year’ & Vocal Collaboration of the Year], Lyn Bowtell [‘Best Alternative Album’]
and Kristy Cox [‘Bluegrass Recording of the Year]
Plus Beccy Cole, Melinda Schneider, Shane Nicholson, Felicity Urquhart, Drew McAlister, Simply Bushed, Travis Collins, Jasmine Rae and many more!

For the first time ever Cruisin Country 6 will set sail from Brisbane in a bid to offer a part in their run-away success story to a wider market. Choose Your Cruisepassengers will enjoy a fresh itinerary including new ports of call in Mare (Loyalty Islands) and Mystery Island (Vanuatu), as well as stopovers in the ever-popular Isle of Pines and Noumea (New Caledonia), quintessential ports for Cruisin Country.

With Cruisin Country 5 (October 9-17, 2015) nearing its fifth consecutive sell-out success with limited cabins still available, Cruisin Country offers both cruise enthusiasts and country music fans alike a truly immersive country music holiday experience, offering the best mix of luxury surrounds, first class dining, relaxation and non-stop entertainment; all while sailing the South Pacific.

In keeping with the inclusive nature of country music, Cruisin Country 6 also offers passengers a chance to sing their hearts out at the open mic sessions; develop their talents at song writing and guitar workshops; even to strut their stuff in the professionally organised dance lessons and events.

The magnificent vessel, Legend of the Seas* is the brand new host for this scintillating cruise. The ship has six outstanding entertainment venues which will host Australia’s best country music talent over the unprecedented eight night cruise.

Cruise holidays continue to capture the interest of the Australian public more than any other nation with an industry rise of over 20% per annum for 11+ years. Current trends predict this year more than one million Australians will choose cruising, many of them opting for bespoke holidays that cater to their personal tastes, such as those created by Australia’s top cruising company,

For more information including how to book your cabin visit: www.chooseyourcruise.com.au

Coming up at the Wagga Civic Theatre

Carl Barron – “Drinking With a Fork”

NEW SHOW RELEASED! We have just released a 6th and FINAL performance for Carl Barron on Sunday the 22nd of February!

TICKETS TO ALL OTHER PERFORMANCES  EXTREMELEY LIMITED!

Performance Dates: 13th, 14th, 15th, 20th, 21st & 22nd of February.
The Searchers

Live-on-stage performing their Greatest Hits Anniversary Australian Tour 2015
The distinctive jangling sound of the twelve string guitar and the rich harmonies embellishing their immaculate vocals have without doubt 
assured THE SEARCHERS of a lasting place the history of popular music throughout the world.

Thursday 26th February at 7:30pm
Elvis to the Max

The “Elvis to the Max” show has successfully toured Australia for over a decade, always to sell-out crowds. Max goes beyond mere impersonation. His recreation of the Kings looks, moves, vocal style, impressions and humour is so accurate, its awe inspiring. Critics have described him as Elvis ‘resurrected’ and ‘reincarnated’. It seems people just can’t help falling in love with Elvis to the Max.

Saturday 28th March at 8:00pm
Twilight by the Lagoon
Love by the Lagoon is the third event in the Twilight by the Lagoon Concert Series and features the Riverina Chamber Orchestra Collective, performing a special Valentines day concert.

This is a family friendly event, with the performance starting at 7pm. There will be roving performers from The Fool Factory from 6pm.

Friday 13th February
This is a FREE event!

Music at Midday
The Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre proudly presents the 2015 season of Music at Midday featuring the Australian Army Band Kapooka. Conducted by Major Peter Thomas.

Tickets are available the day before each concert from the Civic Theatre Box Office. Prior notification of group bookings will be accepted.

Wednesday 18th February at 12:00pm
This is a FREE event!

Police appeal to locate driver following car theft and crash – Wagga Wagga

Police are appealing to locate the driver of a car after a theft and crash in Wagga Wagga yesterday.

About 11pm (Friday 30 January 2015), a blue Holden Commodore station wagon vehicle was stolen from Wodonga, Victoria, and later reported seen in Ashmont, Wagga Wagga.

Police were notified and following inquiries and calls from witnesses, they located the vehicle in front of a home on Adams Street, Ashmont, where it had hit a tree.

Two women, aged 18 and 27, were found injured nearby. They were treated at the scene by Ambulance Paramedics and taken to Wagga Wagga Base Hospital with minor injuries.

Two men, aged 16 and 23, were also taken to hospital suffering minor injuries. They have since been discharged.

All four are believed to have been passengers in the vehicle.

Officers attached to Wagga Wagga Local Area Command are investigating the circumstances leading up to the incident and are appealing for the driver of the vehicle, as well as any witnesses to come forward.

Man arrested after Good Samaritan stabbed – Wagga Wagga

A man is assisting police with their inquiries after another man was stabbed in the throat in Wagga Wagga this morning.

About 3.15am (Saturday 31 January 2015), officers attached to Wagga Wagga Local Area Command were called to Baylis Street, near Edward Street, following reports of an injured man.

Police have been told a man approached and attempted to break up a verbal argument between a man and a woman, not known to him.

The man involved in the argument then allegedly assaulted the Good Samaritan with a glass bottle, causing the bottle to break and cut the man’s face.

The man armed with the bottle ran towards a taxi rank on Station Place; however was stopped and detained by witnesses.

Emergency services were called and the injured man, aged 28, was taken to Wagga Wagga Base Hospital in a serious, but stable condition. His injures are not life-threatening.

No one else was injured during the incident.

The alleged offender, a 37-year-old man, was arrested and taken to Wagga Wagga Police Station, where he was charged with malicious wounding causing grievous bodily harm.

He has been refused bail, to appear at Wagga Wagga Local Court tomorrow (Sunday 1 February 2015).

 

Drivers on best holiday behaviour

DRIVERS have been praised for their “generally good behaviour” on Wodonga roads over the Australia Day weekend.

Acting Sgt Mal Burdett, of Wodonga highway patrol, yesterday said the fairly low number of offences recorded was pleasing, given the enormous number of vehicles on the roads as people enjoyed the holiday break.

Police nabbed 35 drivers for speeding and five for drink-driving or driving under the influence of a drug.

There were 63 other traffic-related bookings for such offences as driving an unregistered car.

“We have had no fatalities — just one serious collision at Eskdale,” Sgt Burdett said.

A speed camera set up in Wodonga along the Hume Freeway for a three-hour period on Monday checked more than 2000 vehicles and caught just six speeding motorists.

Sgt Burdett said, overall, motorists had been well behaved.

“It’s pleasing to see generally good behaviour over a long weekend. There’s always a few who will disappoint, especially drink-drivers or those who drive under the influence of drugs,” he said.

It was a different situation on the other side of the Border.

Top of the list was a motorist clocked travelling at 186km/h on the Hume Highway north of Holbrook.

Albury police also nabbed a 54-year-old man in Moore Street, Lavington, who was heavily intoxicated.

He recorded a blood alcohol reading of 0.290 — almost six times over the legal limit.

Acting Sgt Don Qvist said police involved in the weekend-long blitz had caught 10 drink-drivers, 84 speeding drivers, 10 people not wearing seatbelts. There were 102 other offences.

Sgt Qvist said among the drink- drivers nabbed, two recorded high-range readings, four had mid-range readings and another four recorded low-range readings.

Police release images of graffiti following property damage and house fire – West Goulburn

The Hume Local Area Command Detectives are appealing to the community for information about graffiti damage and a house fire in West Goulburn during October last year.

During the week from Tuesday 21 October 2014, a home and property on Faithful Street, West Goulburn, was sprayed with graffiti.

Officers from the Hume Local Area Command were contacted, attended, and commenced an investigation into the damage.

On Saturday 25 October 2014, officers were called back to the home on Faithful Street after reports the house was well alight.

Police and Fire & Rescue NSW attended the location however the home was completely destroyed by fire. Officers have determined that the fire was deliberately lit and are investigating the circumstances surrounding it.

Investigators continue to make inquiries into both incidents, and are investigating whether the graffiti and fire are linked.

Images have now been released that depict a number of the items that were maliciously damaged by graffiti.

Detectives are urging anyone who may have witnessed the malicious damage incidents or recognises the graffiti, or has information about events leading up to the home being destroyed by fire to contact police via Crime Stoppers or Goulburn detectives on (02) 4824 0703.

New take on old Wizard at Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre

The Wonderful Lizard of Oz is a fantastic locally written, produced and directed outdoor family production. The show has been created by the makers of Backyard Ashes, Mark Grentell and Peter Cox and is staged outdoors at the Wagga Wollundry Amphitheatre.

Featuring a fully professional, all-star Wagga cast with some of our finest performers and crew returning from the capital cities to perform for you. Jamie Way will be there and Karla Hillam, Michelle Brasier, Jacqui Irvine and Andrew Strano will all be back to perform in this amazing event.

Its definitely a show for the whole family!

Performances run nightly at 6:15pm.
Thursdays through Sundays – until Sunday the 8th February.

Supermarket in Wangaratta goes Solar!

A supermarket fresh produce supplier in Wangaratta, Victoria, will install a 100 kW solar system at its refrigerated warehouses and cool-rooms.

Nu Fruit Pty Ltd will install the solar system using finance from the Commonwealth Bank (CBA) and Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) Energy Efficient Loan (EEL) program.

Wangaratta-based Nu Fruit Director Dean Campagna said the business had accessed approximately $220,000 through the Energy Efficient Loan, covering the upfront cost of installing the solar PV system.

“We have already invested in modern, high humidity refrigerated fresh produce warehouses and cool-rooms, but our electricity demands are still a key expense for us.

“This Energy Efficient Loan helps us by generating over 10 per cent of our own energy, reducing our grid electricity needs and benefiting from the long term savings of solar PV,” said Mr Campagna.

CEFC CEO Oliver Yates said “Many regional businesses have experienced significant energy cost increases and through this loan program we’re working with them to unlock energy productivity gains and cost reductions.

“This EEL finance for upgrades is targeted at helping accelerate many types of smart energy improvements, including new purpose built processing equipment, improved industrial ovens, refrigeration upgrades, energy efficient tri-generation equipment and solar PV installation.”

Energy Efficient Loan program

The CBA and CEFC are each providing $50 million towards the $100 million EEL which is designed to help businesses, particularly those from the manufacturing sector, upgrade equipment to reduce energy costs.

The loans are typically for amounts over $500,000 and can be used to finance up to 100 per cent of the purchase price, allowing businesses to preserve working capital for other purposes.

An apple and pear supplier, Radevski Coolstores, in the Goulburn Valley, NSW, is also installing solar PV financed through the EEL product.

The CEFC recently announced it will provide up to $20 million to accelerate the uptake of large-scale commercial solar.

Police investigating spate of break and enters in Wagga Wagga

Detectives investigating a spate of break and enters in the state’s Riverina have released CCTV stills of two men who may be able to assist with police inquiries.

Since Saturday 27 December 2014, there has been 30 break and enter offences committed at commercial premises in and around the Wagga Wagga CBD.

The offences have occurred at a variety of locations throughout the city. Of note, numerous businesses within complexes on Baylis Street and Edward Street have been targeted.

All of the break-ins have occurred while the businesses were shut, typically late at night or very early in the morning, and the offenders have been stealing cash.

Detectives from the Wagga Wagga Local Area Command have commenced an investigation into the break-ins and believe the incidents are related.

Investigators have today (Wednesday 28 January 2015) released CCTV stills of two men who may be able to assist detectives with their inquiries.

One of the men is described as being aged in his 20s or 30s with receding brown hair and a goatee. In some of the CCTV images he is wearing a black-hooded jumper and black tracksuit pants. In one of the images, he appears to be wearing a black t-shirt and black tracksuit pants.

The other man appears to be aged in his teens or 20s. In some of the CCTV images, he is wearing a red hooded-jumper and dark tracksuit pants.

Anyone who recognises the men is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.