Rural Queensland: Challenges & Triumphs

0:00This is Corey, keeping Adelaide in the know. You're listening to Adelaide News today. Kemi-I McGuire, a goal-coast native now based in Toowoomba, covers stories from Southern Queensland for ABC Radio. Her recent reports highlight everyday challenges in events and rural areas, from music festivals to service cutbacks. One big story features young and old buskers competing at the national championships right there in the region. Meanwhile, hospitals like St. Vincent's private in Toowoomba are dealing with staff shortages. Scaling back maternity nursery services and setting up hotlines for expectant moms. Bendigo Bank is also closing 28 agency spots in small businesses like news agencies due to falling customer numbers. Locals are frustrated with disruptions, like a two-week mobile blackout from Telstra that cut off calls, internet and payments prompting calls from National's leader, David Little Proud, for stricter upgrade rules. Face extra woes, with mayors begging shooters to stop vandalizing, monitoring cameras mistaken

1:03for police gear. Repair crews from Ergon Energy report more acts attacks on power poles, stealing copper wire, a growing problem. On a brighter note, regional horse racing adapts after losing major betting support, but still draws crowds with big prizes. Efforts continue to protect history, like rabbet-proof fence-huts, and celebrate fines such as Australia's largest complete fossil returning to the outback after a long journey across Queensland. Support for this episode comes from our sponsor. See the description. No earbuds, no headbands, no awkward sleeping positions, just a pillow that plays your sound. S-O-L-I-SoliPillow.com