Cooper Horton has been a beacon of strength for his family since his diagnosis of Hodgkin’s lymphoma.  It was this time last year when the fit and healthy 17-year-old’s complexion began to pale.  Noticing this, mum Jodie Wainwright worried but Cooper assured, he felt fine.  Gradually, Cooper began to notice a shortness of breath during every day activities. He now knows he...

Ross ‘Rossy’ Arnold and David ‘Woody’ Woodward have been to every state in Australia playing Over 60 Veterans Cricket, and while victories have been few and far between, the pair have plenty of stories to tell.  As many as 32 teams meet in one state for four days of banter, yarn spinning and cricket – each day stiffer and sorer than the last.  “Waking up is never pretty,” said...

We’ve all heard the stereotypes about farms and the men who work on them, but what about the women who stand by them?  For many, farm work is more than an occupation and it doesn’t take long for living on a farm to start having an impact on everything you do.  It’s easy to lose touch with your mates or to find time to get away from the property or catch up with friends. With that in...

Smithton Police’s latest recruit Constable Mark Hickey and his offsider rescue dog Diesel are on a mission.  For Diesel, the basset hound cross springer spaniel’s instinct is to follow his nose and with a whole new area to search in Circular Head, he has been busy exploring. By his side is Constable Hickey who transferred to the Smithton station two months ago. The inquisitive pup knows...

You know you’re in devil country when the Akubras come out.  “It’s exciting,” Devil Country Muster organiser Julie Bernhagen said.  “Once those flags go up in the main street and the caravans start driving in!”  Look out the car window and you may spot a suspiciously tall Tasmanian devil roaming the streets too.  The atmosphere in Smithton changes when the Devil Country...