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Conor Burke
Conor is a journalist with ABC Riverina, based in Wagga Wagga. Praise, abuse, and tips can reach him via twitter: @DrBurkleton
Latest by Conor Burke
Crash involving three trucks on the Sturt Highway leaves teenager dead and two men injured
Emergency services were called to the incident on the Sturt Highway at Carrathool, 60 kilometres from Hay, at 2pm on Wednesday.
Farmers take water buyback fight to the streets to keep communities alive
Irrigators who have for more than a decade been fighting "death by 1,000 cuts" water buybacks say it won't just be those on farms who are hurt by proposed changes to the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.
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Record $3.3m church abuse payout could bring more survivors forward, lawyers say
The case brought by the victim of a notorious paedophile priest marked the first time a civil trial against the Catholic Church was heard by a jury, with a lawyer suggesting the high payout awarded served as a "warning shot" across the bow of institutions.
Newell Highway re-opens after fatal collision between ute and truck blocked road for 11 hours
A man has died after a serious crash between a car and a truck near West Wyalong, which the local mayor says is sending shudders through a small town.
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Victim of paedophile priest shocked and vindicated by 'mind-blowing' payout from church
An abuse survivor who will potentially receive one of Australia's largest-ever compensation payouts from the Catholic Church says he wants the verdict to give other survivors a "sense of hope".
How 92yo Bob Holder hangs on to the title of 'world's oldest competitive cowboy'
Bob Holder, also known as "the Cootamundra Cat", won his first event in 1945 when he was 14. Now 92, he rides in an arena that was named in his honour.
'That's very rude': Mixed reaction to NSW government plan to take control of troubled private prison
The corrections minister said the contract with GEO Group will not be renewed when it expires in March 2025.
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Twenty people, two dogs and one quirky sport keep this small town kicking
The Silo Kick is Mirrool's claim to fame, but the annual event does more than crown the biggest kicker of a football in the New South Wales Riverina town.
Small southern NSW town loses 56-bed aged care home as staff shortages bite
Southern Cross Care is closing its facility at Moama in the southern Riverina, leaving residents devastated.
Scientists tracking 'mystical, ghost-like' bird for first time in hope of learning its secrets
Researchers are now studying the movements of the elusive and endangered Australian painted-snipe after a "sleep deprived" stake-out lasting several days in regional New South Wales.
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At 10, Julia wrote to the prime minister about education issues. Now she's her shire's first Indigenous mayor
Julia Cornwell McKean says she comes from a family of motivated problem solvers. The Wiradjuri woman is one of an increasing number of Aboriginal politicians taking up positions on local councils in NSW.
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'Holy grail' of water birds, the Australian painted-snipe, spotted in NSW
The discovery of an Australian painted-snipe at Lake Cargelligo in the Riverina has twitchers aflutter as sightings of the small bird are so rare that ornithologists don't even know what they sound like.
Teenager charged after man allegedly set on fire at Deniliquin Ute Muster over the long weekend
On Monday evening an 18-year-old man handed himself in to Wagga Wagga police station where he was charged with three offences, including assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
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This town's pub has burnt down four times. Each time its 200 residents banded together to rebuild
The village of Rankins Springs was once described as "hanging on to life", but after a century of challenges — including four separate pubs burning down — its future is finally looking bright.
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Jack never thought he could become a doctor, but he may end up helping to solve the GP shortage
A university program that targets students interested in medicine as early as year 9 could prove crucial in addressing Australia's ongoing healthcare crisis.
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This fast-growing game is quirky, easy to play and the saviour for some sports clubs
By Conor Burke and Simon Wallace
A cross between tennis, badminton and table tennis, pickleball emerged out of the US in the 1960s and continues to go from strength to strength in Australia.
Women behind hospital birth complaints say investigation 'glossed over' their trauma
The Maternity Consumer Network filed a complaint with the Health Care Complaints Commission on behalf of 30 women who say they experienced traumatic birthing experiences at Wagga Wagga Base hospital.
Landholders 'horrified' as inquiry sinks calls to bury HumeLink energy transmission cables
A standing committee found that laying cables underground would be too costly and could put the electricity grid under pressure, incensing landowners and opposing politicians who said the finding was predetermined.
Michelle will not visit a lake where she once spent every weekend, as fears grow it could be leading to a cluster of MND
Cases of motor neurone disease have surged by more than 250 per cent in the past 30 years, and advocates are calling for more research funding to find out why.
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Long delays on Hume Highway after car, semi-trailer collide
A man has been flown to Canberra Hospital and is in a serious condition. The crash has forced the closure of the highway at Tarcutta and motorists are being told to expect delays.
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Archer's doctor says his genetic condition means he can have all the junk food he wants
Archer Brady's family has a long association with Jeans for Genes Day. It wasn't until he was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis that it became personal.
Dual release of blockbusters Barbie and Oppenheimer a shot in the arm for independent cinemas
Independent cinemas in regional Australia say the so-called Barbenheimer weekend led to a fourfold increase in ticket sales, which was much needed after the pandemic changed the way people watched movies.
Thought skipping was just for kids? This niche sport could one day be an Olympic event
Tom Norman is competing with his family at the World Jump Rope Championships in the United States. But he hopes skipping will eventually be made an Olympic sport.
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