3

CBH predicts total grain harvest to top 13.5 million tonnes

Western Australia's bulk grain handler says it has already received about 12.5 million tonnes of grain during this year's harvest and there is still more to come from southern areas.






3

Rare coin firm customers won't get stock back until next year

The receivers of the collapsed Rare Coin Company say the return of stock, owned by customers caught up in the company's demise, will not begin until next year.




3

Investor caught up rare coin dealer's demise airs frustrations

An investor, who has been left waiting months for the return of rare bank notes he owned through a collapsed Albany dealer, says further delays to that process are distressing.




3

Tributes flow for WA's Police Officer of the Year

The Police Commissioner has paid tribute to a senior Walpole policeman as an "outstanding officer" after he won WA's Police Officer of the Year Award.






3

Survey gives insight into WA's recreational fishing catch

The Department of Fisheries has released the results of a survey of WA's recreational fishing take, which has found the blue swimmer crab is the most commonly caught species.






3

Regional Price Index shows cost of living in WA's north has dropped significantly

The latest survey of the cost of living in regional WA has shown a significant drop in living costs in the state's north. The State Government assesses the cost of 500 goods and services in 27 regional centres as part of the Regional Price Index every second year.






3

A bobcat was used to ram an ATM at an Albany shopping centre. 03/01/2014

A bobcat was used to ram an ATM at an Albany shopping centre.




3

How to be one of the 12 per cent of people who achieve their New Years' resolutions

Pledging to quit smoking, lose weight and get fit is pretty popular on New Years' Eve, so why do many people fail?





3

Pool complex break-in 'senseless'

Local government officials in Mount Barker say they are angered by the "senseless" burglary and vandalism at the town's swimming pool complex.




3

Clubs claim plans to overhaul the State's alcohol laws will create more red tape

Clubs WA has hit out at the recommendations in a review of Western Australia's liquor laws released yesterday, claiming its interests have been ignored. The review of the Liquor Control Act released by the State Government makes 141 recommendations, including the introduction of secondary supply laws which make it an offence to supply liquor to a juvenile on an unlicensed premise without parental consent.





3

Analysts back Grange Resources' bid to cut Southdown start-up costs

Analysts say it makes sense for Grange Resources to examine trying to get its Southdown project, near Albany, off the ground sooner by starting on a smaller scale.





3

Albany's Granny Grommets aren't afraid of sharks

"We'd rather be taken by a grey nurse than a nursing home."






3

The State Government has signed off on a plan that would allow it to forcibly reclaim one of Albany's prime vacant sites.

The State Government says it's sent a serious threat to the owners of one of Albany's prime vacant lots, by signing off on a plan that would allow it to reclaim the site. But the Opposition maintains it's a hollow threat.





3

Miner Galaxy Resources reveals $38m operating loss for 2013

Western Australian lithium miner Galaxy Resources has announced an operating loss of nearly $40 million for last year.




3

Katanning expecting to be Great Southern NBN 'hub'

The Katanning Shire says it still expects to be the first area in Western Australia's Great Southern to have fixed line access to the National Broadband Network (NBN), despite earlier work being carried out in Narrogin.




3

'Fracking' inquiry begins first round of public hearings

The chairman of Australia's first parliamentary inquiry into 'fracking' says the investigation is entering a significant new chapter.





3

Collingwood footballer Marley Williams assault trial begins in Albany on WA's south coast

A court in WA has heard a Collingwood footballer was motivated by "sheer revenge" when he assaulted a man outside a nightclub on the state's south coast. Marley Williams, 20, is on trial in the District Court charged with causing grievous bodily harm.




3

Marley Williams' self defence claim a 'fantasy'

Footballer Marley William's claim he acted in self defence when he punched another man is a "fantasy", the prosecution in his trial says. Mr Williams admits to punching then 29-year-old Matthew Robertson in the face outside the Studio 146 nightclub in the south coastal town of Albany, the Magpies defender's home town. He gave evidence on Wednesday and today, saying Mr Robertson and two other men had previously attacked him inside the club and he feared being 'beaten up' again outside.




3

Collingwood's Marley Williams found guilty of grievous bodily harm over one-punch Albury attack

Collingwood footballer Marley Williams has been found guilty of grievous bodily harm over a one-punch attack in Albany.




3

Wind farm backers say review proves wind energy 'clean and safe'

Supporters of wind farms are urging state and federal governments to back the use of the renewable energy source, after an official review of evidence found a lack of support for claims of health effects.




3

Farmers say drought package criteria must be 'reasonable'

Farmers in some of the driest parts of Western Australia are concerned they will miss out on funds from the Federal Government's drought assistance package because they will not meet the criteria.





3

How we're getting through this

Coronavirus is changing the way the entire human race lives. Emergency workers are scrambling together contingency plans, fearing hospitals could soon be overwhelmed. Scientists are racing to invent a faster, cheaper Covid-19 test kit available for us all. Restaurants are reinventing themselves as delivery services, artists are turning to live-streaming to make a living. This week, the entire Background Briefing team investigates how each of us are finding new ways to get by.




3

'People will die': Country hospital fears it won't cope with coronavirus

What does it take to prepare for a pandemic? Many hospitals around the world are already overwhelmed by patients infected with COVID-19. Australian doctors and nurses are bracing for something most of them have never faced before. In our country hospitals, resources are already stretched: beds are in short supply and there’s a greater proportion of older people. Preparation will, in many cases, be the difference between life and death.
 ABC National Regional Reporter Jess Davis takes us inside the Wimmera Base Hospital in Horsham, Victoria, as the team tries to prepare for the unimaginable.




3

Who's profiting from the pandemic?

The coronavirus pandemic is causing pain and suffering the world over, but then there are always those who never let a good crisis go to waste. Some are benefiting from COVID-19 for legitimate reasons: just think of companies that make video conferencing apps, ventilators, or canny investors. But there are also more nefarious players looking to bank a win off the back of coronavirus fear and confusion: scam artists, fraudsters, counterfeiters. This week, Geoff Thompson, Mario Christodoulou, Meghna Bali and Kat Gregory investigate who's winning in these turbulent times and how.




3

129-year-old Hillston Spectator's future in doubt as editor eyes retirement after 60 years

Pat O'Sullivan took over the Hillston Spectator from his dad more than 60 years ago. But now, with his garden calling, the publication could be at risk of folding.




3

Norfolk Island's drought proves the big dry extends beyond Australia's mainland

It's hard to imagine a subtropical island struggling with drought, but Norfolk Island has had only 12mm of rain all summer and dams and water tanks are running dry.






3

Cobar hit with 130 job losses at CBH Resources' Endeavor Mine

As the Cobar Endeavor Mine comes to the end of its lead and zinc reserves, CBH Resources announces it is cutting 130 jobs from the drought-stricken outback town.




3

The crusading Coonamble great-grandmother who opened a nightclub to wipe out an RSL's debt

When the local RSL in Coonamble in central west New South Wales found itself in debt to the tune of $500,000, it was feared nothing could be done.




3

Norfolk Island residents divided on Government's $4 million bid to attract cruise ships

The Federal Government has handed Norfolk Island a lifeline to save its tourism industry, but locals have railed against their offering saying it could turn tourists away.



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3

Louth Races attract thousands but it's a bittersweet pilgrimage as the drought bites

Thousands head to the tiny New South Wales town of Louth for a dusty race weekend amid the ongoing dry.



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