Kids seek answers from MP

A GROUP of Murrabit Primary School students who wanted to learn about sustainable farming have received a visit from Member for Murray Plains Peter Wash to answer questions about to “how to make a difference”.

In a letter to Mr Walsh, team member Jed said they were researching sustainable development goals as part of their inquiry projects at the school.“The goals have been created by the UN to achieve them by 2030. This will be a challenge, but we want to know how to make a difference,” he wrote.

“I am particularly looking at sustainable looking at sustainable farming, which comes under goal number 15, Life on Land.

“Many farmers have good farming practices already, but we need to promote what they’re doing and educate others on how to be balanced, creating forest areas, good soil, not polluting, efficient water use, and animal habitat to protect species.

“The goal is about protecting, sustaining, and promoting excellent practices for healthy ecosystems. This includes farms which many of us live on.”

Mr Walsh said he was so intrigued by the invitation he decided to visit in person, rather than via Zoom.The Year 5-6 students “were not mucking around” with their questions and certainly knew what they were asking.

He says that included questions about balanced farming practices, what others are doing well locally, Australia-wide, or even internationally – and what we can do better in our local area.

“They told me in their eyes the ‘need for action’ is something that cannot wait’,” Mr Walsh said.

“The last line in their invitation was very strong: ‘The future is in our hands, and my classmates and I want to make a change as soon as possible’.”

“So I was delighted to go to Murrabit and meet the next leaders of our region and our state, and we had a good conversation and I congratulate all the students I met, and the school, for their commitment to, and interest in, the world around them.”

Digital Editions


  • Collection under the hammer

    Collection under the hammer

    AN eclectic curation of vintage and antique Australian pastoral machinery and memorabilia will go to auction on 1 February. Yvon Smythe and her late partner,…

More News

  • Calls flow for royal commission

    Calls flow for royal commission

    Purchase this photo from Pic Store: 524159 AUSTRALIA needs a royal commission into water management in 2026, according to Murray MP Helen Dalton, who says politicians are “destroying” the nation’s…

  • Big skies and farmscapes

    Big skies and farmscapes

    Purchase this photo from Pic Store: 524028 THE Gallery Balranald is currently showcasing the work of professional artist Graham Hearn. His latest exhibition, Big Skies and Farmscapes, reflects the vast scale and…

  • Difficult outlook for grape growers

    Difficult outlook for grape growers

    Murray Valley Winegrowers has acknowledged the findings of Wine Australia’s Australian Wine Production, Sales and Inventory Report 2025, which confirms the challenging market conditions facing growers. The newly released report…

  • Benham appointed to new ag role

    Benham appointed to new ag role

    The Nationals member for Mildura, Jade Benham, has been appointed Shadow Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Regional Development, as part of Jess Wilson’s new Shadow Cabinet announcement. Ms Benham said…

  • Connecting urban and rural Australia

    Connecting urban and rural Australia

    HAMISH McIntyre grew up on the land in Queensland, learning the rhythms of farming from his family. Today, he runs a sprawling family business across the St George, Dirranbandi, Quilpie,…

  • Farmers warned to stay alert

    Farmers warned to stay alert

    A RUN of booming haystack and shed fires across regional Victoria has sparked fresh warnings for farmers as hay season rolls into full swing. Fire crews in the west and…

  • Bumper harvest fuels Cobram Estate’s growth

    Bumper harvest fuels Cobram Estate’s growth

    COBRAM Estate Olives has reported one of its strongest years on record, with an exceptional “on-year’’ harvest in Australia driving improved earnings, higher production volumes and a confident outlook from…

  • Select Harvests’ cracking pace

    Select Harvests’ cracking pace

    SELECT Harvests Limited has released its 2025 business update, reporting a final almond crop estimate of 24,700 tonnes, slightly below the midpoint of its earlier forecast. The company says the…

  • Further water buybacks anger farming industry

    Further water buybacks anger farming industry

    FARMERS, politicians and advocacy bodies are warning further water buybacks announced last week will gut regional towns, drive up food prices and cripple Australia’s dairy heartland. Federal Water Minister Murray…

  • Farmer takes action in feral pig fight

    Farmer takes action in feral pig fight

    IN THE heart of south-western New South Wales, sheep and cattle farmer Colin McCrabb is waging a quiet war against a destructive and elusive enemy -feral pigs. Operating a 6800-hectare…