Locals at the heart of a devastating fish kill say politicians lack the vision or intent to overcome water management deficiencies, as the ABC visits towns from Goolwa to Menindee to find out who, if anyone, is in control of the Murray-Darling Basin.

Travel back through time with us and take a look at 2013 in the South Coast and Great Southern.

Like sex and birth, death has always been hushed up. Death Cafes are a forum where there are no answers, only questions, says Sigari Luckwell of Bunbury.

The outgoing Mental Health Commissioner says the state's Indigenous population is over-represented in the suicide rate.

Twenty eight Australian vessels and ten New Zealand ships left Western Australia in 1914, destined for war. These are their stories.

An illness is rarely something that saves a life, but in the case of Tom Sharp, that is what is likely to have happened.

MORNING BRIEFING: Western Sydney residents concerned about the new 24/7 airport will have years to wait before they know proposed flight paths, while the enduring drought pushes Dubbo to cut water use even more.

MORNING BRIEFING: Firefighters say it could take weeks, potentially months, to contain about five fires burning around Armidale and Tenterfield, while a woman is injured and a firearm stolen during a break and enter in Orana.

MORNING BRIEFING: A NSW police officer is left with bite marks after an attack by a man who also swallowed a balloon, while divers resume their search for a car that crashed into the Hawkesbury River last night.

The tourist mecca's potholes are legendary, and locals are taking matters into their own hands as the mayor laments that the town's affluent profile means little to its financially-struggling council.

MORNING BRIEFING: A number of fish have died at a lake near Menindee as the Federal Government announces emergency funds to protect fish, while volunteers work to deliver supplies to farmers who are unwilling to leave their fire-ravaged properties.

ABC North Coast resident arts reviewer, Jeanti St Clair looks at the latest music and theatre to hit the region.

It is almost impossible to sit still when listening to The Jungle Giants.

Communities in western New South Wales are mourning the suspension of their local newspapers with some saying the publications are the "heart" of the communities.

Director Oliver Stone turns Don Winslow's tale of drugs, deception and decapitation into his latest gift for the big screen, Savages.

This jaunty look at the Cosmic Psychos's 30-year history has unexpected depths

The popular YA book series may be a hit with readers, but this film adaptation offers few thrills or fresh ideas to the teenage fantasy genre.

The second installment in the futuristic series follows a similar path to the first film, but interesting characters, impressive design and a terrific turn from Jennifer Lawrence

MORNING BRIEFING: The Rural Fire Service says it will begin assessing the full extent of the bushfire damage in northern New South Wales today, and a man is charged after a robbery in 2003.

MORNING BRIEFING: Police release CCTV footage showing a man and a woman they wish to speak to over the vandalism of the Dog on the Tuckerbox statue, while Opal card travel discounts are extended.

The Matildas have defeated Vietnam 2-1 and qualify to play in the Women's soccer tournament at the Tokyo Olympics.

Melbourne footballer Hakeem al-Araibi should never have been locked up in a Thai jail instead of being on his honeymoon. Now, the ABC has documents that reveal the series of critical errors made by the Department of Home Affairs and AFP INTERPOL.

A much anticipated cold snap has brought widespread snow to the New South Wales central tablelands and the regional city of Orange has received some the biggest falls and the most its had for years.

If you were in the Albury Wodonga area and felt extra cold on Wednesday, you would have been right. The Bureau of Meteorology has confirmed it was the coldest day on record in twenty years.

An array of spectacular orchid displays attracted more than 2,500 people from across Queensland to the Australian Orchid Council conference and show in Mackay at the weekend.

Powerful surf, cool winds and sporadic pockets of heavy rain has swept across the Hunter.

For a week, knights, elves and fairies made the rolling hills of Gippsland their home as they battled for glory. Meanwhile, a dragon-decorated castle is becoming a popular choice for weddings.

Some refer to them as silent ninjas, others call them dive bombers. But the common name for the iconic black and white bird is a magpie.

Bonalbo Memorial Hall, Broadwater Riley's Hill Community Hall, Eatonsville Hall, Eureka Hall, Meerschaum Vale Hall, The Channon Hall and Tumbulgum Hall have all been announced as the lucky winners of the Arts Northern Rivers project called 'If These Halls Could Talk'.

A wide range of foreign treats and traditional cuisines made their way into the mouths of festival goers in north Queensland over the weekend. The festivities were part of an annual Global Grooves event highlighting the diverse range of cultures in north Queensland.

Newly-elected Labor MP Libby Coker says ensuring the Government delivers on their expensive election commitments in Corangamite even though they lost the seat will be her first priority after claiming victory in the Victorian electorate.

Backyard beekeeping is abuzz with popularity with long waitlists to own a hive in some parts of Victoria.

Sheena Roberts and Rachel Fuller

Ian Graham

Paul Levitz

Rob Minshull produces Weekends with Warren and is an avid reader.

Rob Minshull produces Weekends with Warren and is an avid reader

Gordan Lomas

Stephen Fry

Volunteers for Meals on Wheels say the charity is under threat with branches surviving on bequests as Federal Government funding for the service plateaus.

MORNING BRIEFING: NSW police hunt for Sunjay Dayal, who escaped while undertaking maintenance work in Mount Kiera, while three cars set alight in a garage triggers the fire alarms inside a Liverpool unit block.

The ARLC has suggested that Jack de Belin needs a "reality check" as it argues that the code's no fault stand-down policy is necessary because the sport has been "beset by a series of scandals."

Lorelei and Peter Murko, and other members of their family, have taken an incredible journey together because of problems they have faced with their kidneys.

MORNING BRIEFING: Kaila Murnain is back in front of ICAC after telling the inquiry she was advised to "forget" about alleged illegal donations which led to her suspension yesterday.

Has an earworm crawled into your head and started gnawing on your brain, looping a specific song until you go crazy?

MORNING BRIEFING: An independent panel gives a 30-storey tower and retail complex at Barangaroo the green light, while police are perplexed how an SUV ended up on top of a parked car.

A jaded war photographer forms an unexpected friendship with a South Sudanese refugee whose village he has photographed, in this ambitious new Australian film.

Min Min lights are a mysterious phenomenon that have spooked many people in the outback of Australia. Is there any scientific proof that the lights exist or is it simply an Aboriginal folktale that has been passed down for generations?

The dystopian best-seller 1984 was published exactly seventy years ago. Its influence has been profound. But does it really speak to today’s politico-cultural environment?

The dystopian best-seller 1984 was published exactly seventy years ago. Its influence has been profound. But does it really speak to today’s politico-cultural environment?