Bunnings removes a straitjacket costume from its online store as mental health advocates urge retailers to stop selling Halloween outfits that portray people with mental illness as "insane".

Growers warn the loss of grant support will deepen strain on regional communities already hit by falling demand and rising costs

Growers warn the loss of grant support will deepen strain on regional communities already hit by falling demand and rising costs

Australia is implementing stricter regulations on leafy greens, melons and berries, which small-scale growers say will cause unbearable production cost increases.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff calls on Canadian dairy giant Saputo to "back Tasmania" and find a buyer for its King Island Dairy.

A new generation learns to love Central Queensland's Dawson River and carries on the sense of community that is etched into the fabric of the tiny town of Theodore.

From babies and puppies, to charity work and training, this is what the participants of ABC iview's Muster Dogs series are up to now.

Despite knowing she was a female from a very young age, 53-year-old mechanic Kelli Bennier only accepted herself as a transgender woman a few years ago. 

Mental health professionals say a move to temporary relocate a facility will disadvantage patients, but health authorities say they will transport staff, clients and carers to and from the new location.

Chloe struggled with perinatal anxiety and depression, and when her son was born with a heart condition a group of mums rallied — part of a national charity trying to recreate the traditional village.

When Lazarus Manbulloo was struggling with the loss of two family members in quick succession, he realised there was a lack of culturally-appropriate mental health services in regional and remote Australia.

A lack of veterinarians in Bunbury has forced clinics to rethink the way they deliver services for pet owners.  

Saleyards aren't just about cattle and sheep, they offer vital social connection to farmers. But as more complexes close, rural communities worry about the mental health impacts of losing them.

The 28-year-old is training to become a paramedic in the hope she can "make a difference" to anyone suffering the way her loved ones did.

Australian agricultural groups have emphasised the crucial role skilled migrants play in sustaining the farming sector and regional communities. Submissions to a federal inquiry highlight that skilled migrants fill critical labour shortages, contribute to food security, and help maintain local economies. Dairy farmers, for example, report that over 40 per cent of operations hired overseas workers in 2024. These workers not only support farm productivity but also enrich cultural diversity and strengthen social cohesion in regional areas. Peak farming bodies are advocating for public awareness campaigns to shift perceptions, stressing that skilled migration complements rather than replaces local workers. Such campaigns could include community events to foster connections between migrants and long-term residents. The inquiry will also examine the economic, social, and cultural benefits of skilled migration, amid political debate about limiting overseas arrivals. Measures in the federal budget allocate over 132,000 of 185,000 permanent migration places to skilled workers in 2026/27, which is expected to moderately reduce net overseas migration. Agricultural groups argue that international expertise brought by migrants benefits rural communities and contributes to the sustainability of regional Australia.

A joint state and federal government program will deploy fly-in fly-out allied healthcare workers to reduce geographical impacts on regional residents accessing disability support.

Absolutely appalling treatment of traveller with #Disability ABC News: Wheelchair user left to fend for herself during six-hour Rex flight delay https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09-16/rex-passenger-issues-albany-perth-wheelchair-user-/105774708 #AirTransportIndustry #RegionalCommunities #DisabilityAccess #Travel #Tourism #Flying #Discrimination

Outback city synonymous with Priscilla launches LGBTQIA+ festival https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09-18/broken-hill-lgbtqia-festival-rainbow-in-the-outback/105782774 #CommunityandMulticulturalFestivals #CarnivalsandFestivals #RegionalCommunities #Sexuality #LGBTQIA+ #Events #Music

Migrants help fading small country town flourish https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09-13/edenhope-home-to-new-migrants-from-philippines-dubai/105562718 #PopulationandDemographics #RegionalCommunities #Multiculturalism #Immigration #Work

Dry conditions draw emu mobs from outback to city streets https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-02/drought-draws-emus-to-broken-hill-wildlife-groups-urge-caution/105237790 #WildlifeTrafficAccidentsandIncidents #RegionalCommunities #AnimalBehaviour #Droughts #Birds

More than half of Victoria's old public pools in danger of closing https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-06/old-pool-infrastructure-cost-increase-funding-government/104899092 #RegionalCommunities #LifestyleandLeisure #LocalGovernment #Infrastructure