The largest addition to the New South Wales national parks network in almost a decade is welcomed by traditional owners of the land, who say it is a monumental cultural milestone.

So shocking is the case of 18-year-old Alex Braes, it's prompted a group of clinicians who worked at the regional hospital where he was treated to blow the whistle on what they believe are systemic failures.

Twenty-five years since The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert shone a light on homophobia in the outback, the landscape has changed in regional Australia.

Researchers flock to study birds and desert species at Fowlers Gap in the arid zone of New South Wales, where it is remote and isolated but where you can still find friends.

Once an outback oasis, Copi Hollow is now almost all that's left of the Menindee lakes system, but its future is uncertain.

As landowners clean out enormous water tanks in the hope of rain, their fond childhood memories of swimming in tanks and troughs are in stark contrast to today's dry and parched landscape.

The drought takes its toll on organic farmers who say the big dry has ruined their ability to meet the conditions of their licences, so they cannot sell their livestock as organic.

An empty station homestead in drought-stricken outback New South Wales may look unassuming but has gained renown by being featured on the new $20 banknote.

Locals are worried for the future of the small NSW town of Ivanhoe, but a colourful truck and tractor show brought in crowds about three times the size of its population.

Authorities have confirmed it's likely there's been a mass die-off of fish in Western New South Wales

New aerial footage appears to show thousands of dead fish at Lake Pamamaroo in the Menindee Lakes System, near Broken Hill, nine months after a mass fish kill event on the nearby banks of the Darling River.

There appear to be further fish kills in the Menindee Lakes on the Darling River, with drone footage showing thousands of fish carcasses.

Local governments, facing uncertainty over funding for regional projects in Western Australia's south, say they are relieved the Federal Government has committed to providing the funding.

The Department of Consumer Protection is distributing 'Do Not Knock' stickers to all corners of Western Australia, after a landmark Federal Court ruling.

Western Australian gold explorer Ausgold is launching a capital raising effort, which it says will facilitate further expansion of its Katanning project.

A group of photographers in Albany are taking the town by storm.

Consumer Protection is urging people to look beyond the price tag when shopping online this Christmas.

Officials involved in the construction of Katanning's new sheep saleyards say the first sale at the facility will have to be pushed back to next autumn due to project delays.

Real estate agents say Albany's rental market has tightened significantly in recent times.

The Education Minister says the completion of a major upgrade should ensure Denmark High School can continue its strong performance while dealing with a growing school population.

The receivers of the collapsed Rare Coin Company say the return of stock, owned by customers caught up in the company's demise, will not begin until next year.

A new strategy to reduce fatal shark attacks is being implemented with baited drum lines to be set along popular beaches in Perth and the South West. Sharks will also be caught and killed if they enter zones near those beaches because they will be considered an imminent threat. The measures follow six fatal attacks by sharks in WA in two years. Opponents say sharks deserve respect and protection.

I'm inspired by our local farmers, community spirit, agricultural knowledge and leadership.

The president of Albany's biggest surfing club says the funds spent on the Western Australian Government's new shark strategy would be better used researching shark repellents.

A campaign is being launched to improve public awareness of the dangers of rock fishing in an effort to substantially reduce the number of fatalities across Western Australia.

The public will soon have an opportunity to comment on new guidelines being developed for companies who want to use fracking to access gas deposits in Western Australia.

The plan to set out bait for large sharks near popular WA beaches has been criticised over concerns it could attract them into swimming areas, but others back the move.

The state Opposition Leader Mark McGowan has labelled as "out of control" fee increases for TAFE courses from next year. The Government flagged the increases months ago but the new fees were only published yesterday. Mr McGowan says the cost of a Diploma of Nursing will rise 390 per cent next year. He says the increases will result in fewer people enrolling and lead to skills shortages.

This week on backyard farmer, we go in search of the best grub from the bush with the help of a local Noongar man.

The Royal Life Saving Society says WA's latest drowning figures, which reveal a 50 per cent increase on the previous year, should serve as a warning ahead of the festive season. A new report shows 31 people drowned in the state in 2012. Children under the age of four were the highest risk group for drowning and near drowning. Older people over the age of 55 were also at risk.

A storybook that celebrates and shares experiences from the Goldfields, Esperance and Great Southern regions was launched on Tuesday.

The charity food provider, Foodbank, says there has been a big increase in middle class people seeking help in regional WA this holiday period.

Police in Albany suspect an attack on an automatic teller machine may be linked to a similar incident on the south coast a a few months earlier.

Demand on accommodation pushes tourists out from hotspots

With extremely hot inland conditions being experienced and forecast in Western Australia, farmers are warned of potential threats to livestock.

The mercury is set to tip over the forty degree mark for many parts of WA this weekend, and it's important to know how the heat can affect your body.

Authorities are warning the Great Southern and lower Wheatbelt need to be on alert over the next few days, with sweltering conditions expected to create a serious fire danger.

Like sex and birth, death has always been hushed up. Death Cafes are a forum where there are no answers, only questions, says Sigari Luckwell of Bunbury.

A business commentator has warned the relief felt by the local nickel sector, after an Indonesian move to restrict exports, could be extremely short-lived.

The Denmark Shire is proposing a plan to replace the leases at a popular holiday spot with more traditional ownership rights.

Local government officials in Mount Barker say they are angered by the "senseless" burglary and vandalism at the town's swimming pool complex.

The Shire of Kondinin says there has been a big impact on the Wheatbelt community of Karlgarin from a major storm that occurred a year ago today.

How many worms can you count in an hour? Albany backyard farmer Bede Harold claims that he can count one thousand red wrigglers an hour. Bede also believes it is his worms that are the key to his vegetable patch.