Melinda Hayter
Wagga Wagga, NSW
Melinda Hayter is a journalist and the breakfast newsreader with ABC Riverina. Melinda grew up in Mackay, Queensland surrounded by cattle, cane and coal. She's lived in Wagga Wagga for almost a decade, working as a television, radio and online reporter. Melinda is passionate about telling the stories of regional Australia, and loves hitting the road to visit local communities and talk to their residents. She tweets @MelindaHayter
Latest by Melinda Hayter
Pharmacists say medication changes 'another nail in the coffin of regional health'
The extension of dispensing timelines on hundreds of medications will lead to pharmacies closing and impact healthcare access, according to pharmacists in regional NSW.
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'Invaluable' domestic violence pilot support program expanded to more NSW regions
Support workers welcome a $7.5m NSW government investment in domestic violence funding, but support workers say much more needs to be done on prevention.
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7,000 cubic metres of clay used to plug mega pothole that had fish living in it
A roadway chasm that reached a depth of nine metres took more than a bit of hot mix to patch up in western NSW.
Paul is helping rebuild a little Snowy Mountains history by following in the footsteps of his pioneer relatives
Delaneys Hut in Kosciuszko National Park was among historic buildings destroyed in the Black Summer bushfires, but a descendant of the original builder, who shares the same name, is helping to resurrect the shelter.
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Clean-up begins in Cootamundra as flash flooding recedes, evacuation orders lifted
Flood warnings for Cootamundra have been downgraded after flash flooding prompted widespread evacuation orders this morning.
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Train wreckage litters level crossing after major collision with grain truck
Three men are in hospital after the collision in southern NSW this morning.
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Irrigators criticise 'catastrophic stuff-up' as water buyback meetings begin
The federal government has admitted it gave little notice to irrigation communities along the Murray River about information sessions this week on controversial water buybacks as part of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.
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In the bush, giving good aged care is hard enough. But experts say it's about to get even tougher
From July, it will be mandatory for aged care homes to have a registered nurse on duty 24/7. So what happens if you can't find one?
10 years after being shot at by the Stocco fugitives, this officer is being awarded for courage. But it's been tough
A decade after infamous fugitives Gino and Mark Stocco terrorised southern NSW and shot at Senior Constable Matthew Shaw, the memory of that day is seared in his mind.
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More nurses and paramedics but no pay rise as Labor makes its pitch to improve regional health care
NSW Labor says it will give regional communities a greater "seat at the decision-making table" when it comes to healthcare if the party forms government on March 25.
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Former top cop avoids jail after giving false evidence to NSW police watchdog
Former police superintendent Michael Rowan, described as a "role model", successfully appeals a jail sentence for giving false or misleading evidence during an investigation into his relationship with three female officers.
'Santa has to come': Meet the Christmas elves bringing presents to the flood-hit kids of Moulamein
Two Melbourne grandparents are on a mission to buy every child from a flood-affected town in regional NSW a present, so they "know they're not forgotten" this Christmas.
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Crays return to Murray River after 'Cinderella' transformation
Hundreds of oxygen-starved Murray crayfish plucked from floodwaters have been returned to the river after undergoing an amazing transformation.
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Towns face harsh water restrictions despite major flooding across NSW
Some customers at Goldenfields Water are being asked to cut their consumption to 100 litres per person, per day, and there is no indication when that will end.
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NSW flood crisis most expensive natural disaster on record, Insurance Council declares
By Melinda Hayter, Holly Tregenza, and Indiana Hansen
About $5.5 billion in insurance claims have been lodged across NSW since the flood crisis began in February.
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Inland sea creates unique challenges as it spreads across south-west NSW
From changing modes of transport to splitting families in half, flooding on the Hay Plains has impacted almost all aspects of daily life.
This family was forced to improvise, after floods destroyed the only access route to their farm
A southern NSW family has built their own bridge over a local creek using donated items, after flash flooding swept away the only passage on and off the property where they live.
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Family of missing school teacher question delay in learning of disappearance
The family of Mark Ciavarella say it took more than a week for them to be informed of his disappearance.
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Floodwaters can't stop Gundagai's Snake Gully Cup race meet
A much-loved regional horse racing meet will go ahead this week, despite the host track being flooded just days ago. "When a job needs to be done … people just turn up," the club's president says.
Hundreds told to evacuate as NSW communities brace for flood levels not seen in decades
Residents in Gunnedah, Wagga Wagga and Forbes are being ordered to leave their homes.
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Fish struggling to breathe in river as authorities warn of water quality issues in flooded Murray-Darling Basin
Environmental agencies are warning there could be widespread water quality issues across the Murray-Darling Basin over coming weeks due to widespread flooding.
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Thousands standing by to flee in flood-ravaged NSW as 'intense' storm system forms
Premier Dominic Perrottet warns of a "difficult time" to come as southern residents prepare to leave their homes. With the BOM forecasting dangerous conditions, the SES says the situation is far from over.
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Tiny metallic seed replaces 'barbaric' element of breast cancer surgery
A hospital in the NSW Riverina has become a state leader by pioneering breast cancer surgeries that promise to be less invasive.
The first regional cancer care centre in NSW is now the only one still charging patients
Wagga Wagga's cancer care centre was at the forefront of regional health care when it opened 20 years ago, but MPs and advocates say it has fallen behind.
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Scathing review of Inland Rail project as council accuses rail corp of 'inaccurate' data
Wagga Wagga City Council has accused the Australian Rail Track Corporation of using "incorrect" data in planning documents for the Inland Rail project.
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