QUEANBEYAN: Aged-care providers could soon be building more facilities on TAFE campuses as part of a plan to meet the state’s aging population.

Deputy Premier and Monaro MP John Barilaro announced the plan at Queanbeyan TAFE on Monday, calling for expressions of interests from providers. Read more.

BRAIDWOOD: If anyone passes Elisa Bryant in the car on the way to Canberra, expect to see her belting out tunes from Les Miserables – the Braidwood Central School teacher will be performing in a Free-Rain production of Les Mis in April. Read more.

YASS: A work readiness day was held on Thursday, March 16 for year 11 students participating in vocational education courses at Yass High School.

Rod Saville (VET coordinator) and Carissa Mills (workplace learning officer at Southern Region Business Enterprise Council) and VET trainers assisted students on their employment-related skills to become work ready before they complete their mandatory 35 hours work placement next term. Read more.

Roads and rail

The Southern Highlands rail line is running on time this morning and there are no delays on the roads.

Weather: 

Need a national news snapshot first thing - well, we have you covered. 

► MANDURAH: Some of Mandurah’s drivers didn’t have the luck of the Irish on their side on St Patrick’s night, after police pulled over 12 drivers over the limit. Read more

► WAGGA: Baby Koby Wiles might have won his fight for life, but his mother Rosie Pollard remains furious at his misdiagnosis and is gunning for a Wagga doctor’s suspension. Read more

►BENDIGO: Some people would not be caught dead in a graveyard on their wedding day. But it's a choice couples will be able to make once renovations to a 140-year-old chapel inside Bendigo cemetery are finished. Read more

► NEWCASTLE: Friends of missing University of Newcastle student Mohsin Awan say they still hold out hope their friend is found alive and well. The 23-year-old Pakistani national was washed out to sea by large surf at Nobbys Beach on Sunday night. Read more

► REDLANDS: Family members of Michael Eather, who disappeared while whitewater rafting in Guatemala, have visited the area where the electrician was last seen. Read more

► KING VALLEY: The NBN was supposed to be the 21st century technology set to change accessibility to the internet, but North East residents and businesses have been left with disappointment. Read more

►LAVINGTON: A girl, 12, was left with a broken collarbone after being struck by a car while with her father and sister. Read more

► KATHERINE: Sexual assaults in Katherine have risen by a third in the past year. Read more

► BALLARAT: A Burrumbeet grandfather has questioned the ethics of duck hunting season, particularly in a popular family camping area where ducks are a key aesthetic feature. Read more

►A number of Regional Express Saab 340 planes have been grounded following a freak incident last week. An investigation is underway after the a propeller sheared off a plane, carrying 16 passengers and three crew mid-flight on Friday. Read more

►A push to weaken Australia's race hate laws has ignited tensions inside the government despite the changes having little chance of passing Parliament. Read more

►The troubled Australian Bureau of Statistics is to axe another 80 to 100 of its public servants, staff were told on Monday. Read more

►The brother of slain standover figure Wally Ahmad has been arrested as he stepped off a flight from the Middle East in relation to one of Sydney's unsolved gangland killings. Read more

What’s coming your way ...

►LONDON: Britain has set its date with destiny confirming its two years of negotiations to exit the European Union will begin from next Wednesday 29 March. Read more

►BALI: Byron Bay woman Sara Connor has decided not to appeal the four-year sentence handed down to her by a court in Bali over death of police officer Wayan Sudarsa. Read more

►BEIJING: Pressure on China's leaders to cut pollution from coal is likely to intensify - potentially hurting Australia's exports - with new research showing Beijing's air quality will get worse with climate change. Read more

1685: The great German composer and organist, Johann Sebastian Bach, is born.

1895:  South Australia's Suffrage Act is proclaimed after being passed by Queen Victoria.

1947: Two men die in the first documented case of death by Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. 

1980: The USA announces its intention to boycott the Moscow Olympics due to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.

2233: Captain James T Kirk of the Starship Enterprise will be born.

HAPPY DAYS: She Will Reign part-owners John Robertson and Matt and Nick Evans at the Australia Hotel on Sunday. Picture: Simone De Peak

Cessnock brothers Nick and Matt Evans like to think their late father, Mark, "pulled a few strings for us" when they bought a five per cent share with mate John Robertson in She Will Reign.

That $2500 stake in the $20,000 filly gave them a piece of Golden Slipper glory on Saturday at Rosehill and a share of the horse’s $2,555,150 in prizemoney.

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