2025 has flown past in the blink of an eye. As always, it’s the people who made our communities strong this year. Here are 15 stories showcasing the highs, the lows, the histories and the human stories of our region.
15. Wagga cookie queen celebrates magical ‘re-birthday’ seven years after lifesaving transplant
by Marguerite McKinnon
Jenny Nixon celebrating her seventh “re-birthday”. Photo: Supplied.
Wagga baker Jenny Nixon was celebrating the start of the seventh year of her “new” life thanks to a German man she’s never met.
“It’s my seventh ‘re-birthday’ of my first bone marrow transplant so it’s a huge day for me, it’s very emotional because I’ve been given life,” Ms Nixon said.
14. Wagga’s Don Tuckwell still spinning discs as he celebrates 87th birthday
by Marguerite McKinnon
Birthday boy Don Tuckwell, who celebrated his 87th birthday in 2025. Photo: Marguerite McKinnon.
One of Wagga’s most enduring retailers, Don Tuckwell, was still spinning discs as he celebrated his 87th lap around the sun.
Born in Cootamundra on 19 June 1938, he was around two years old when he moved to Wagga, where he found his rhythm in music, and lifelong groove as a drummer.
13. How Nancy Blumer helped turn a dusty town into a cultural hub
by Oliver Jacques
Three generations of Blumers — Grant, Ruby and Macy, with a photo of Nancy. Photo: Oliver Jacques.
In the 1920s, Griffith was a young, fast-growing agricultural town transforming semi-arid land into productive farmland through irrigation from Burrinjuck Dam.
But the area had a serious lack of cultural activities. This is, until Nancy Blumer arrived.
12. Vale Lake Albert baker and champion boxer Johnny ‘Pop’ Gorkom
by Marguerite McKinnon
Johnny Gorkom, best known as “Pop” from the former “Pop’s Bakery” in Lake Albert, has passed away. Picture: Marguerite McKinnon
Champion boxer, much-loved dad and local legend, Johnny Gorkom, who was best known as “Pop” from the former “Pop’s Bakery” in the Lake Village Shopping Centre in Lake Albert, passed away aged 80.
Daughters Belinda, Kim and Shirleen shared the news that their beloved father passed away peacefully in the Palliative Care Unit at Calvary Hospital under the care of Dr Michael O’Brien and his team.
11. ‘Horrific’: How tough is the rural dating scene for singles over 40?
by Shri Gayathirie Rajen
Wagga singer Cathy Wall’s post went viral over the age restrictions put on Valentine’s Day speed dating events. Photo: Shri Gayathirie Rajen.
Modern dating is tough enough for the young in the city, but for those in their 40s and in the bush, the stakes are much higher.
Wagga singer and self-proclaimed “young senior” Cathy Wall became the accidental spokesperson for singles with a little more mileage on the clock after she called out local establishments on social media for hosting Valentine’s Day speed dating events that excluded those aged 35 and above.
10. ‘No choice’: Griffith mother’s story of 1960s-era adoption in Australia
by Oliver Jacques
Yvonne Couper has no bitterness about her experience during a dark period in Australia’s history. Photo: Oliver Jacques.
Giving birth as a single mother was taboo in Australia before 1970, when many women had no option other than handing over their child to authorities for adoption.
One such mother was Yvonne Couper, who was raised in rural Victoria and now resides in Griffith.
9. Mowing down barriers: Father’s 24-hour mission to break a Guinness World Record
by Shri Gayathirie Rajen
Corporal Luke Thompson begins his attempt at breaking the Guinness World Record for the longest distance covered by a lawn mower in 24 hours. Photo: Shri Gayathirie Rajen.
A father of two and passionate runner tested his mental and physical limits when he attempted to set a Guinness World Record for the farthest lawn mower push in 24 hours — all to help grant children’s wishes.
Corporal Luke Thompson began his world record attempt on 30 January at Beres Ellwood Oval, Charles Sturt University. It wasn’t just about breaking records but also about overcoming barriers to make dreams come true.
8. Four generations of pioneer family celebrate naming of Yoogali ‘Valentini’ bridge
by Oliver Jacques
Four generations of the Valentini family (L to R): Carson Best, Sarah Best, Florence Josephine Best (baby), Pippa Best, Kate Schirripa, Josephine Valentini and her son Michael Valentini holding a photo of Val. Photo: Oliver Jacques.
Griffith Council has voted in favour of naming a new walkway bridge on Macedone Road in Yoogali after the pioneering Valentini family, who are known for their extensive charity work.
“I’m overwhelmed,” 90-year-old family matriarch Josephine said.
“My husband Val and I were involved in everything, but we never sought any honour or glory.”
7. Father-daughter duo changing the face of bricklaying in the Riverina
by Jarryd Rowley
Sophie Carver and her dad, Wes, work alongside one another as bricklayers, all while trying to break the stereotypes attached to women in trades. Photo: TAFE NSW.
For some female teenagers, the thought of dropping out of school to pursue a trade is one that seems too far-fetched.
The idea of jumping into a male-dominated industry to tackle gender stereotyped roles is just not that appealing. However, 18-year-old Sophie Carver saw it as an opportunity to thrive.
Sophie dropped out of school when she was 15 to pursue a bricklaying career, starting as an apprentice under her dad.
6. Riverina ‘snake man’ retires after a career in which he was bitten five times
by Marguerite McKinnon
Tony Davis has been bitten one time too many. Photo: Marguerite McKinnon.
Tony Davis has been known around the Riverina as “The Snake Man” for more than 20 years, but in the Chinese zodiac’s Year of the Snake, he is retiring.
Well, as much as retirees these days stop working.
“I’ve slowed down to what I used to do, but I’m still there if needed,” Mr Davis said.
5. Riverina truckie bounces back from double tragedy to forge trailblazing career path
by Oliver Jacques
Sue Horan says she learns new skills regularly as a truckie. Photos: Supplied.
Sue Horan lost her first husband to a workplace accident and her second to cancer just three years later. She said she had two choices and both times opted to turn tragedy into triumph.
4. Could the next Miss World be from Leeton? Electrician sparks local pride as national beauty pageant finalist
by Oliver Jacques
Katelyn Mills has put Leeton on the map in more ways than one. Photo: Melissa Barton.
The only female electrician in her Leeton TAFE class added another string to her bow by becoming a national finalist in an international beauty pageant.
Katelyn Mills, 22, was in the running to become Miss World after becoming one of just 10 women from NSW to be selected to compete for the Australian title.
3. Wagga mourns passing of esteemed Wiradjuri elder James Ingram
by Jarryd Rowley
Wagga’s First Nations community have been left saddened by the news of the passing of Wiradjuri elder Uncle James Ingram, who ran cultural tours of significant sites in Wagga. Photo: Chris Roe.
WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are warned that this article contains the name of a deceased person.
Members of the Wagga Wagga community were deeply saddened by the passing of Wiradjuri elder Uncle James Ingram.
Uncle James Ingram was a beloved member of the Wagga Wagga community and was an invaluable educator on the history of Wiradjuri and First Nations culture.
2. The Curious Rabbit is set to close its doors, with owner admitting she’s proud of the community it created
by Jarryd Rowley
Vickie Burkinshaw has made the difficult decision to close The Curious Rabbit after five years of offering a safe space for the Wagga community. Photo: Chris Roe.
Much-loved Wagga cafe The Curious Rabbit closed its doors after serving the community as an inclusive art space for more than five years.
Cafe owner Vickie Burkinshaw said she was proud of the community that the space attracted, admitting it had outgrown the cafe.
“It was a big, big decision to make,” Ms Burkinshaw said.
1. Vale Professor Max Hopp, the paediatrician who came to Griffith for a year and healed the town for a lifetime
by Oliver Jacques
Professor Max Hopp with his wife Julia and grandson Leor. Photo: Supplied.
Professor Max Hopp was only supposed to come to Griffith for a year, but brought the town immense value for over a quarter of a century. We looked back on his extraordinary life and contribution.
