The Weekly Advertiser – Wednesday, April 3, 2024

BY LAUREN HENRY

Horsham’s world-class motocross track will be in the spotlight on Sunday as Australia’s best riders compete in the 2024 Penrite ProMX Championship, providing an injection into the Wimmera economy.

About 3000-plus people are expected at the event, with competitors, support teams and officials numbering up to 950, plus thousands of spectators, and organisers are confident the event will provide an economic impact of more than $2.5 million.

Horsham Motorcycle Club will host the event, with its band of volunteers

working tirelessly to ensure the venue is ready to host national-level motocross after a seven-year absence.

Having hosted the 2018 FIM Junior World Motocross Championship, the Horsham track is well-known to many of Australia’s top brass motocross competitors, including reigning MX1 and MX2 champions Dean Ferris and Wilson Todd – both claimed maximum points when the championship last travelled to the precinct in 2017.

Motocross Australia operations director Martin Port said the economic injection into Horsham was dependant on visitor numbers this weekend.

“It’s always difficult to tell until we

get the final numbers. But we average between $2 million and $3.5 million in economic impact for local communities when we roll into town,” he said.

Mr Port said the Horsham venue was chosen for its superb spectator, competitor and administrative facilities.

“Horsham’s always been a very strong track in Victoria,” he said.

“The club itself is very dedicated. It’s got a loyal team of club representatives and volunteers.

“It’s a strong club, a good venue with solid facilities, and the council is obviously very clearly supporting us with not only some good signage and

branding, but in-kind services around marketing collateral.

“There’s a real sense of the local community backing the project and for motocross to work well, we need the local council, we need the club and we need the championship to collectively work together to make these projects work.”

Mayor Robyn Gulline said it was fantastic Horsham had been chosen to host the Penrite ProMX Championship.

“It’s exciting to have worked with ProMX to bring elite riders and their teams to our city,” she said.

“We can’t wait to welcome the com-

petitors and trust they will enjoy their weekend and get a taste of what our part of the world has to offer.

“Volunteers at Horsham Motorcycle Club have worked hard to raise the profile of motocross in our region and across the state.

“The club has continually upgraded the quality of the motocross track and support facilities to a level that is suitable to host state, national and international events.”

Presented by AMX Superstores, the Horsham event is round two of an eight-round national championship.

Continued page 5

EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA: A full four-day calendar of events greeted Warracknabeal residents and visitors across the Easter long weekend. A street parade, market, show and shine, live music and children’s entertainment were among feature events. Kai Beverley joined the Warracknabeal Scouts float for the annual parade. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

What do animal registration fees pay for?

Pet owners are being reminded to pay their annual domestic animal registration fees before Wednesday 10 April.

Horsham Rural City Council Chief Executive Officer Sunil Bhalla said there were 3944 dogs and 1766 cats currently registered in the municipality.

“It is important to register your pets and your details are up to date so if they are lost or stolen or stray, they can be returned home safely,” Mr Bhalla said.

“Registration means that as soon as an animal's microchip is scanned our rangers can contact you and arrange their quick return,” he said.

Council encourages responsible pet ownership by providing a discounted registration fee for desexed pets.

People can register their pets via an online form, or they can stop by the Civic Centre to complete a paper copy form.

All cats and dogs must be microchipped before they can be registered.

Pet registration fees go towards animal management functions such as responding to wandering animals and barking dog complaints, operation of Council’s pound and feral cat trapping.

It also goes towards emergency after hours animal management such as dog attacks and wandering stock.

Fees also contribute to rehoming of animals.

Last year Council and its animal rescue partners reunited 64 cats and 205 dogs with their owners.

“Registering and microchipping your pets is an essential part of responsible pet ownership,” Mr Bhalla said.

The Domestic Animals Act 1994 requires dog and cat owners to microchip and register their animals that are three months of age or older with their local council.

Scan the QR code for more information or to register a new animal.

What's on in the school holidays

HORSHAM REGIONAL ART GALLERY

Prop Painting for Shrek with Emily Friedrichsen, Wednesday 3 April and Thursday 4 April

Ignite your artistry and contribute to the staging of Horsham Arts Council’s musical production in May. Guided by the Shrek director, assist Emily in painting props so they are stage ready.

Traditional Game Making with Kat Clarke, Tuesday April 9

A familiar game with a twist. Using traditional art symbols and river stones, create your very own Memory Game and Tic Tac Toe.

Stage Fighting with Larissa Riddell, Wednesday April 10 Learn how to punch, kick, headlock and fall in a controlled and fun way. Larissa will guide you through techniques before you choreograph your own slow-motion fight scene. For ages 10+.

All sessions last for two hours, from 10am – 12pm. Sessions are $12 per child per session. Book online at horshamtownhall.com.au.

WIMMERA LIBRARIES

PS5 Game-A-Thon, Monday 8 April, 2pm

For this session, we’ll be playing Moving Out 2, an anti-gravity game where you can throw furniture at your friends. Up to four players available per level. Bring your friends and battle against the clock to see who places the highest. Winners receive a box of chocolates for their triumph. Recommended age is 10-18. Snacks will be provided. *Moving Out 2 is rated G.

Neighbourhood House Pop-Up Rhymetime, Thursday 11 April, 10.30am

Get yourself and your baby moving along as you share in the wonder of musical instruments, nursery rhymes, a storybook reading and group activities. This session is best suited to children 18 months and younger in the crawling stage of growth. When booking, please only book your children. Bookings at wimmeralibraries.com.au.

PENRITE PROMX CHAMPIONSHIP

Sunday 7 April, from 9am

The Dooen Motocross Circuit will be the place to be this weekend when Australia’s best riders return to the Wimmera for the second round of the 2024 Penrite ProMX Championship.

HORSHAM YOUTH

Arts and crafts, Wednesday 3 April, 10am-11.30am

Looking for something quiet and relaxing to do in the morning these school holidays? Why not join us down at The Station doing some different arts and crafts or simply just come down and hang out with us for an hour and a half.

Circus tricks, board games and movies, Wednesday 3 April, 1pm-4pm

Are you after something fun to experience these school holidays? Come spend time with us down at The Station. Learn how to juggle or balance a long stick on just the tips of your fingers with our Circus tricks day. We will also have board games, card games and other fun activities available too. You might even just want to come and hang out with us.

DIY T-Shirts Tuesday 9 April, 10am-11.30am

Design and print your own t-shirt.

Tiny Goats, Tuesday 9 April, 1pm-4pm

Spend the afternoon cuddling tiny goats.

Board games, movies, sport arts and crafts, Wednesday 10 April, 10am-11.30am

Keep an eye on the Horsham Youth socials for updates, and if any of these events interest you, register online via social media links.

New City Oval courts open

Horsham City Oval’s netball courts were officially opened last week, and are now ready for use.

But works on the netball pavilion upgrades will not start until later this year, meaning relocatable site toilets will need to be brought in for Horsham Demons’ home games.

The pavilion will include new player and umpire change rooms, accessible amenities, a social space and kiosk, medical room, administration area, spectator amenities, storage and a canopy for external shelter.

The two new courts feature 200 lux LED lighting, bringing the facilities in line with Netball Victoria competition standards.

Horsham Football Netball Club, HFNC, will use the new courts for the first time for a match when it hosts Horsham Saints in round two action of the Wimmera league on Anzac Day.

Recently-upgraded toilets on the O’Callaghans Parade side of City Oval will also be made available, while netballers will use temporary change rooms in the former ambulance station building.

Horsham Rural City Council chief executive Sunil Bhalla said council was still in the procurement phase for the new pavilion, but the $3 million project was ‘very much on track’.

“Market response to the project tender has been over budget on two occasions,” he said.

“The council has determined that an innovative response is required to deliver the functional design required for the facility while containing costs within the budget.

“The minor delay in the procurement phase is a fiscally prudent action to ensure that costs are contained within the available budget.

“Our funding partner, Sport and Recreation Victoria, is well aware of the situation and is supporting the council in finding a responsible resolution.”

A new tender to design and construct the netball pavilion was expected to be released early this week.

Mr Bhalla said the council met monthly with HFNC and other City Oval stakeholders to ensure disruption was minimised during the construction period.

Member for Western Victoria Jacinta Ermacora and Horsham mayor Robyn Gulline had the honours of officially opening the courts, which were funded through the State Government’s Local Sports Infrastructure Fund.

The government contributed $800,000 to the project, while Horsham Rural City Council is contributing more than $2.4 million.

Ms Emercora said better sport and recreation facilities encouraged Victorians to get active and lead healthy lifestyles.

“The people of Horsham love their sport. Projects like this help level the playing field, providing equal access

Wet start to April

Rain lashed the Wimmera and Grampians regions, starting on Monday and continuing into Tuesday morning.

The Stawell Gift schedule was thrown into disarray as the Northern Grampians copped the brunt of the heavy downpours on Monday afternoon.

The gift finals had to be delayed until late in the afternoon to be run.

Rain totals at Bureau of Meteorology sites, from Monday until early yesterday afternoon, were as follows:

Ararat 59 millimetres; Hopetoun 14.2mm; Edenhope 3.8mm; Horsham 24.2mm; Kanagulk 6mm; Longerenong 25mm; Mt William 41.7mm; Nhill 11.4mm; Stawell 33.2mm; and Warracknabeal 9.8mm.

Meanwhile, The Weekly Advertiser readers reported the following totals:

to equal facilities for all,” she said. “The new netball facilities open up more opportunities for participation at this popular park and provide the perfect foundation for local clubs to expand their programs and rosters.”

Also at City Oval, work has started on an outdoor events stage, which is expected to be completed in the second half of this year.

Wal Wal 25mm; Stawell 68 to 70mm; Warrak 54mm; Vectis 40mm; Quantong 20mm; Duchembegarra 23mm; and Netherby 22mm.

The raised outdoor stage will feature a large screen to stream live events and the stage will also have rear access for semi-trailer trucks to load and unload through sliding gates on Hocking Street.

It is the most rain Horsham has had in a single dumping since January, after recording monthly totals of 16mm in March; .2mm in February and 68.8mm in January.

Millions raised for appeal

The Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal raised $23.368 million this year with $5.261 million contributed by regional Victoria and southern New South Wales. This year, funds from the Good Friday Appeal will also go directly to selected regional hospitals including Ballarat, Barwon, Bendigo, Goulburn Valley, Albury-Wodonga and Latrobe Valley to support new equipment and scholarships and improve the experience and outcomes of children receiving care in regional settings.

Towns across the Wimmera and Grampians raised the following amounts:

Ararat $40,472; Birchip $4576; Dimboola $11,607; Donald $11,960; Edenhope $2312; Goroke $4837; Harrow $2530; Hopetoun $5925; Horsham $73,188; Jeparit

bow $9163; Rupanyup $3473; St Arnaud $12,668; Stawell $35,146; Telangatuk East $17,860; Warracknabeal $29,993; Watchem $1979; and Willaura-Lake Bolac $12,867. Good Friday Appeal executive director Rebecca Cowan said there were incredible and inventive fundraising initiatives across the state. “We are so thankful to the incredible communities across regional Victoria each and every year,” she said.

“Their passion and generosity never ceases to amaze us and this final tally could not have been reached without the dedicated communities across the state who have united for the kids.

“We would like to take this time to acknowledge our 210 area managers and the CFA, as well as the thousands of volunteers who were shaking tins all across the state and beyond. Your dedication is truly inspiring.”

OFFICIAL: From left, Member for Western Victoria Jacinta Ermacora, Horsham Football Netball Club’s Alex Neale and Ash Hopper and Horsham mayor Robyn Gulline open the new netball courts at Horsham City Oval. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

$2146; Kaniva $2664; Murtoa $5569; Natimuk $6725; Nhill $13,206; Pomonal $59,381; Rain-

TOP TEAM: Country Fire Authority volunteers Jai Smith, Captain Koala, Amber Holloway, Guy Holden and Zyggie Fraser at Halls Gap collecting for the Good Friday Appeal.

Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

NO ONE’S UNSINKABLE

To all those Unsinkable Guys out there –You might think it’s safe to have a few drinks around water, skip the life jacket when you’re out on the boat or go for a swim without checking the conditions.

But statistics prove that 4 out of 5 drownings are men.

Just remember that no one’s unsinkable.

UNSINKABLE GUY

RETHINK TAKING RISKS AROUND WATER

Grace and James can’t wait to welcome you to Horsham’s newest shopping experience, living + Poolwerx.

Honoured for act of courage

BY COLIN MacGILLIVRAY

Kylie Fowler still struggles to talk about the incident that will see her receive one of Australia’s highest civilian bravery honours.

Ms Fowler, formerly of the Wimmera, was among 89 people cited last week by Governor-General David Hurley for their acts of courage, and will be presented with a Bravery Medal later this year.

Her commendation relates to a car crash near the Victorian town of Allansford in January 2020.

Ms Fowler was a passenger in a vehicle that came across the crashed car in heavy rain.

The driver had struck a power pole, breaking it in half and causing live wires to start a fire.

Ms Fowler ran from her vehicle towards the crashed car, attempting to free the driver, who was the sole occupant.

Another witness held back the flames engulfing the car with a fire extinguisher, while Ms Fowler repeatedly attempted to free the driver, but when the fire reached the petrol tank the pair had no choice but to back away.

While the Governor-General’s citation said Ms Fowler ‘displayed considerable bravery by her actions’, she said she felt uneasy about receiving the award.

“It’s really uncomfortable to be recognised for something that is a natural, reactive thing. It’s something that is innate almost,” she said.

“The hardest part is that I’m being recognised for something when the result wasn’t ideal. I couldn’t save him.

“It’s almost like being rewarded for failing.”

Ms Fowler said her husband Tony, who was principal of Warracknabeal Secondary College from 2007 to 2015, supported her through the aftermath of the incident, insisting her actions were worthy of recognition.

“My husband tried to point out that not everyone does respond, and that was true at the time,” she said.

“There was only me and another person who responded, and I remember thinking as I was pulling at the handle, ‘why isn’t anyone bigger and stronger coming?’

“I’m only five feet two inches and 45 kilos. I could hear lots of people, and I wondered why nobody physically bigger than me came to help.

“It doesn’t make sense to me that people would freeze in that situation.”

Lasting memories

Ms Fowler said many parts of the incident were still as fresh in her memory as they were on the day it happened.

“I noticed so many things. It was an older car, there were no airbags, I knew there were no other passengers,” she said.

“There were live wires all over the place and in the distance I could hear

people yelling out that the fire had reached the petrol tank. It felt like it went for such a long time, but in reality it wasn’t.

“Then we had to give up. That was the hardest part, knowing that we had nothing else to fight the fire.

“The fire took over his car and we saw him go with it.”

Ms Fowler said she still struggled at times to process the traumatic event.

“All I kept thinking the whole time with this man, who was younger than me, was ‘this is someone’s son. This could be my son’,” she said.

“As a mum, I would want everyone to do everything they could to save him. That’s your worst nightmare as a parent.

“It’s just bizarre that it’s been so long now – it’s been four years – and you keep thinking of it, but the moments are less and less.

“Then this award came up and I was shaking. It’s been that long and it still has this effect on me.”

While the tragic incident has had a huge effect on Ms Fowler, she said she hoped it could ultimately have a small positive legacy.

She encouraged people to think of her story each time they got behind the wheel of a vehicle.

“I wish everyone would take more care on the roads,” she said.

“You can say it until you are blue in the face, but there are people who continue to drive in a hurry.

“It had just started raining at the time of the incident, and even a little bit of water on the road should be enough for people to think twice about what speed they’re doing.

“I say to my daughter that it doesn’t matter if you’re late somewhere – I’d much rather you be late and alive.”

Motocross entries full

From page 1

The Horsham track is known for its challenging 1.7-kilometre layout, complete with state-of-the-art inground watering system.

Mr Port said after taking over as promoter of ProMX, Motorcycling Australia’s primary focus was to secure ongoing television coverage, which it had done through SBS, Stan Sport, SkySport, Eurosport and livestreaming platforms.

“The championship is going very well. It’s the best motocross riders in the country and some have actually represented Australia abroad, coming second in the MXON last year, so that’s on the world stage,” he said.

“We’ve got riders coming from all over the country. We also have a couple of international riders involved as well, from New Zealand and Japan.

“We are going from strength to strength with that sort of level and the depth of talent in the field.

“That’s what’s so impressive, to watch these elite athletes operate at that level.

“You’re going to see the best riders in the country, and the entries are very heathy for this round.

“We have 177 entries, which basically means every one of our classes is full – in addition to the primary classes of MX1, MX2 and MX3, which are the primary national championship classes, which are full. MX3 actually got twice as many entries as we can handle, so we’re going to have to run a qualifying process for those competitors.”

Mr Port said the first round of the MX85 for juniors would also be at Horsham on Sunday – an event considered part of the World Qualifier Program.

As well as the action on track, people will also have the chance to meet their favourite riders and grab a bargain in Trade Alley.

Tickets, costing $35 for adults, $15 for youth aged 13 to 17, and children under 13 free, are available at www.ticketebo.com.au/motorcycling australia.

BRAVERY PERSONIFIED: Kylie Fowler, centre, will receive one of Australia’s highest civilian bravery honours later this year. She is pictured with her family, from left, James, Louise, husband Tony and Jack.

Higher calling for pastor

BY COLIN MACGILLIVRAY

Former Horsham resident

Richard Schwedes’ appointment as the Lutheran Church of Australia’s bishopelect for New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory is the latest chapter in a calling he never expected.

Pastor Schwedes was, in his own words, ‘born, bred, baptised and confirmed in Horsham’, but never expected a life in the Lutheran Church.

“When I was going through confirmation in early high school, I probably wasn’t the person anybody thought was going to be a pastor,” he said.

“At one stage I wasn’t involved much in the church, and my mother prayed that I would reconnect.

“The other day I joked that she must have prayed too hard, because I’m a bishop now.”

Pr Schwedes said his parents were integral in shaping his spiritual life during his childhood in the Wimmera.

“My father Paul was heavily involved in cricket and football, but he also had a strong personal faith,” he said.

“He was a regular churchgoer and provided me with very strong encouragement to keep faith no matter what’s going on in life.

“My parents are two people God placed in my life to support me.

“I was blessed that they encouraged me to get involved in leadership from a young age.”

Initially that leadership manifested in roles outside the church.

Pr Schwedes studied a business degree after leaving high school before working for a government department and a small-business training organisation.

“I was enjoying that and I thought ‘this is what I’m going to be doing for the rest of my life’,” he said.

“I was involved in St Johns Southgate Church in the city and

“Generally the bishop is a pastor to the pastors of the congregations. Part of it is developing strategic directions for the church and thinking long-term, short-term and mid-term, and also praying for people and supporting other leaders”

it was probably around then that I started to get a sense of a calling to at least explore ministry within the church.

“It was a challenge to decide whether I stayed with my job that I really enjoyed or went into ministry. It was really through the encouragement of other people that I chose to explore that further.

“God opened some doors a bit for me to grab hold of that.”

Long journey

But Pr Schwedes’ journey to Lutheran ministry was far from straightforward.

He undertook five years of study in Adelaide before being assigned to his first post in northern Tasmania.

“The Lutheran Church is very small in northern Tasmania,” he said.

“You’d tell people what you did and they would say ‘what is Lutheran?’

“Three congregations had come together because they could not afford a pastor, so you had a graduate pastor in a new parish.

“Each congregation was different, so that was an enjoyable challenge.”

In 2009, Pr Schwedes and his family moved to Portland to assume a ministry position, before moving again to Sydney in 2016.

He said his Sydney posting was a change of pace from his two positions in country areas.

“Being in the city, you’re dealing with a diverse range of people and situations,” he said.

“We have small congregations but wide age groups.

“We have students, asylum seekers, people who are poor, people who are quite well off.

“Sydney is like a gateway to Australia, so you get to meet a range of people.”

In 2018, Pr Schwedes became an assistant bishop and last month was elected bishop for NSW, the ACT and, provisionally, New Zealand.

He will assume his official duties with an installation ceremony in July.

Pr Schwedes said his new role would involve supporting other

members of the church to perform their duties.

“Generally the bishop is a pastor to the pastors of the congregations,” he said.

“Part of it is developing strategic directions for the church and thinking long-term, short-term and mid-term, and also praying for people and supporting other leaders. We want to make sure our pastors and lay-leaders are supported, both personally and also in their role.”

When asked if he was interested in one day becoming bishop of the whole Lutheran Church of Australia, Pr Schwedes said he would see where life took him.

“I’m not looking at that sort of a role now, but I’m a person who never says no, because every time I’ve said no to God, He’s done something that says the opposite,” he said.

Pr Schwedes will be installed as bishop at LifeWay Lutheran Church in Epping, NSW on July 28 at 3pm.

He said anyone interested was welcome to attend.

Changes to fire danger period

The first fire danger period for the fire season in Victoria ended on Monday, with the Buloke Shire, Mildura and Swan Hill now out of the restrictions period. While restrictions have lifted in three municipalities, the Country Fire Authority still expects the grassfire risk to remain across the state during the next month, reminding Victorians to remain alert and prepared.

The fire danger period in the Yarriambiack Shire will end at 1am on Monday, April 8.

CFA District 18 assistant chief fire officer Gavin Wright said conditions across the Mallee were mild, with ideal conditions prevailing for farmers to undertake agricultural burns to prepare paddocks for sowing.

“Conditions remain dry, so landowners will need to be vigilant when undertaking burning activity and ensure the area around the burn is clear of fuel,” he said.

“It is vital wind conditions are monitored and burns are only lit on still days, including the days following as fires can break out several days after the burn has been conducted.”

The end of the fire danger period will be an opportunity for some landowners to burn-off, but people still need to check local conditions are safe beforehand and they are abiding by local council laws.

Landowners are encouraged to register their burn-off online at www.firepermits.vic.gov.au or call 1800 668 511. If possible, landowners should also notify their neighbours and others nearby.

Algae in Green Lake

Recreational water users are advised to avoid direct contact with water in Green Lake near Horsham following the detection of elevated blue-green algae levels.

Horsham Rural City Council chief executive Sunil Bhalla said samples of water from the lake confirmed high levels of the toxic algae.

Direct contact with the blooms can cause allergic reactions such as skin rashes or itchiness, sore eyes, ears and nose, or if swallowed gastroenteritis, nausea or vomiting.

“People who come into contact with this water should wash affected skin immediately in clean water,” Mr Bhalla said.

“People are also advised not to use the affected water for cooking, drinking, washing or showering.

“Boiling the affected water will not make it safe to use.”

Mr Bhalla said visitors to the area were advised they could still enjoy other recreational activities such as bushwalking and sightseeing around the lake.

Council staff will continue to monitor the lake for the presence of toxic algae and update as required.

– Pastor Richard Schwedes, right

Tourism body unites regions

BY LAUREN HENRY

Anew tourism industry body will lead the promotion and development of experiences in the Grampians, Wimmera and Mallee regions.

Grampians Wimmera Mallee Tourism, GWM Tourism, is supported by the State Government’s Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions, as well as Ararat and Horsham rural city councils, and Northern Grampians, Southern Grampians, West Wimmera, Hindmarsh, Yarriambiack and Buloke shire councils, along with more than 500 industry partners.

Formerly Grampians Tourism, GWM Tourism aims to deliver a coordinated approach to destination marketing, product development, industry growth and infrastructure investment.

GWM Tourism is also currently recruiting a partnership manager and marketing manager.

GWM Tourism is now one of the largest Visitor Economy Partnerships in Victoria, part of a State Government $633 million Visitor Economy Recovery and Reform Plan announced last year.

The plan is a whole-of-state economy strategy, with a goal of achieving $35 billion in annual visitor expenditure and generating 300,000 jobs by June.

GWM Tourism chief executive Marc Sleeman described it as ‘the start of a new era for tourism’.

“Through targeted marketing cam-

“Together, we will unlock the full potential of the Grampians and Wimmera Mallee regions, and make them must-visit destinations for travellers from around the globe”

– Marc Sleeman

paigns, strategic product development and investment in key infrastructure, we’ll grow visitor spend and encourage visitors to stay longer, disperse further, and immerse themselves in all that our stunning regions have to offer,” he said.

“Together, we will unlock the full potential of the Grampians and Wimmera Mallee regions, and make them mustvisit destinations for travellers from around the globe.

“With the further funding and local government support, we’re now able to deliver destination management at a larger scale.”

Mr Sleeman said while the Grampians and Wimmera-Mallee would still be viewed as two separate regions, GWM Tourism would manage both brands.

“We’ll be promoting the WimmeraMallee as that ultimate road trip destination, leveraging all of their big nature destinations – not just the silo art trail,” he said.

“We’ve got the support of local government, the CEOs, and Wimmera Mallee Tourism is backing the new merger.”

Fun starts with Feel-Good

Feel-Good Friday is returning to Grampians Grape Escape to kick start the festival weekend on May 3, with a show of local spirit and resilience to help support the towns and exhibitors affected by bushfires in the Grampians and Pyrenees last month.

More than a night of live music, the gathering will showcase local artists, provide sales opportunities to the wineries impacted by the fires, and offer a place for the community to gather during a time of rebuilding.

The stage is set to host local bands Soulty, Trazepoid, No Plans, The Settlement, and Orange Whip.

In partnership, Grampians Grape Escape, Tivey and Holland Nevetts

Lawyers, and Christian’s Bus Co are offering free entry and transfers to Feel-Good Friday this year for all residents of Pomonal.

Festival co-director Kate Kirkpatrick said the gesture would provide them with a chance to catch up with friends and family from the region and enjoy a night off.

“The Grampians National Park, Gariwerd, was relatively unaffected by the bushfires, however some of the surrounding areas were, in particular Pomonal,” she said.

“Our local operators experienced a downturn in tourists over the weeks when roads were being cleared and bookings were cancelled due to uncertainty.

“Thankfully the region is well and

truly open, and we’re working hard to ensure Grampians Grape Escape fills beds, provides a place to come together and a chance to support local businesses through sales at stalls.”

The evening will see the region’s wine industry gather before the full festival village opens on Saturday and Sunday with guest chefs, masterclasses, children’s activities, grape stomping, and more.

Feel-Good Friday is on Friday, May 3, between 4pm and 8.30pm, and tickets, starting at $40 for early birds, are now available by visiting www.grampiansgrapeescape.com. au.

Small towns, big appeal...

What is it that makes a small town stand out among the hundreds that exist across Victoria?

I am often drawn to reading the various top lists – usually just to see how many towns I have visited or if there are any that I am yet to visit.

I read an article on worldatlas.com last week on ‘Eight offbeat towns to visit in Victoria’, and the Wimmera’s very own Harrow made the list.

The list said Victoria was ‘brimming with quaint, less-travelled towns that offer more than meets the eye’, saying the towns were ‘not just destinations; they’re gateways to Victoria’s soul, offering a blend of adventure, tranquillity and cultural richness’.

Harrow’s inclusion as an offbeat town came down to its historical significance, pointing to its link with Indigenous cricket legend Johnny Mullagh and annual Harrow Discovery Night and Sound and Light Show.

Harrow’s connection to its Aboriginal heritage and pioneering spirit, as well as its scenic beauty, were also mentioned.

Beechworth, Walhalla, Clunes, Port Fairy, Castlemaine, Maldon and Queenscliff also made the list of ‘offbeat’ towns.

These towns often make the lists of places to visit in Victoria – with their beautiful buildings steeped in history, and natural attractions that draw the tourists in their droves.

Harrow, on the other hand, probably does not have the same level of tourists because of its proximity to Melbourne, and being off the major highways.

But isn’t that a drawcard in itself?

EDITORIAL

By Lauren Henry

It’s somewhat of a hidden gem to many Victorians – and there’s no having to fight off herds of people to enjoy the experience, or queuing up in a long line of people to buy an ice-cream.

When I think about my favourite towns, they usually involve having some kind of waterway – either a lake or river; historic buildings; quirky shops to browse; an old-fashioned pub with quality meals; and often an attraction to provide some sort of activity.

And, being geographically located to maximise the amount of sunny days, is also a bonus.

My top 10 favourite Victorian small towns to visit for a day trip or weekend away, in no particular order, are: Yarrawonga, Rutherglen, Daylesford, Nagambie, Castlemaine, Echuca, Port Fairy, Mansfield, Lancefield and Lorne.

For the sake of not being accused of bias, I have deliberately not included a town in the Wimmera, Grampians and Mallee – but aren’t we lucky to have so many hidden gems across the region?

If it has been a while since you have taken a day trip to visit one of these towns, then why not plan one in the next few weeks while the autumn sun allows you to get out enjoy it.

Fashion fundraiser for a good cause

Wimmera Hospice Care Auxiliary is hosting a fashion parade on Wednesday next week to raise money to assist people to palliate at home.

The fundraiser, from 2pm to 4pm at the Uniting Church Hall at 10 Pynsent Street, Horsham, will feature fashions by Horsham clothing store Lili Vogue.

Entry is $20 and afternoon tea is provided, as well as a raffle and lucky spot prizes on the day.

The auxiliary purchases and leases essential medical equipment for people in palliative care in Horsham, Hindmarsh, Yarriambiack and West Wimmera municipalities.

All money raised at the fundraiser goes directly to the auxiliary’s cause.

Tickets are available from Lesley Lane, by phoning 0409 954 684.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

It’s a health hazard

Thirteen years ago I came to live in Horsham. I’ve always been interested in politics, both local, federal, international and in council affairs.

Having lived in three states within Australia – big cities and smaller towns – it has provided me with a great deal of interest and input where I could.

However, here in Horsham I have family: that was the impetus for my move at 78. I was able to rent a unit, which suited my simple needs.

I quickly realised I lived on a very busy highway, which all traffic used including large trucks plying the route between Melbourne and Adelaide and beyond.

It was reasonable 13 years ago. Now its a different story. It’s a health hazard.

I’ve proved it myself. Due to being 91 this year, it is impossible for myself to shift.

From the age of 19, I had springtime hay fever and eventually asthma as well – just in spring.

I used a preventative inhaler before the season started, not made these days. It worked. At the age of 50 I had no more.

However, about five years ago, I had to get medical help for a return of firstly sneezing then a cough. Not just in spring.

If I left my unit for a couple of hours, as soon as I arrived home, the symptoms would return.

It was the fine, sticky soot from the truck traffic. It’s like a thief in the night; it can creep in anywhere.

Outside as well, It clings to cement driveways and backyards. Bin nights, it collects on the lids of the bins.

I was prescribed an inhaler. My throat and voice box were affected so badly, I had to seek help again.

I was allergic to cortisone. I’m now on a different inhaler, which suits me. However, depending on the weather, phlegm can be a problem, which an antihistamine helps. It’s year-long , not just in spring.

I’d like to thank Horsham councillor Ian Ross for voicing concerns recently that the draft plan for Horsham south did not include the long-

discussed plans for an alternative truck route circumnavigating Horsham’s city centre. I realise it is not just the council; it is VicRoads and the Federal Government, as it is a main highway.

Although we all love beautification of a city or town, surely the health of the inhabitants is more important.

Ellen Ruth Shepherd, Horsham

Goldfields family reunion

The Marshall Clan Family Reunion will be at Barkly Hall, Barkly, on Saturday for lunch from 11am onwards.

Robert Marshall, born in Devon England in 1832, found a new life on the Australian Goldfields as a young man of 18 years.

In 1855, he and Grace McGregor married in Melbourne and tried their luck at Blackwood and Harrisons Hill near Maryborough before settling at Barkly in 1857.

Nine children were born in the next few years and the family prospered.

Robert became renowned for tracking down lost gold leads in the Barkly area through persistence, hard work and a knowledge of alluvial ground.

When the easy gold ran out, he turned to servicing the growing community and established a butcher shop and wine shanty on the Redbank Road, overlooking the Barkly Main lead.

When the last of the hopeful gold seekers eventually left, the Marshall family turned their hands to the soil and did their bit to restore Barkly to the beautiful peaceful habitat it had once been.

We who are descended from his first son Robert Junior, are holding a Marshall reunion to celebrate the achievements of those who toiled before us, and any family members from the succeeding eight generations are most welcome to join in.

Enquiries should be directed to Chris Marshall via emailing chrisso.marsh@gmail.com or phoning 0408 723 320.

Chris Marshall

BOWERS CHIROPRACTIC CENTRE

Growing Pains and Leg Pain in Teenagers

In

growing years our teenagers can suffer a lot of pain in their legs and we often dismiss it as simple growing pains. Now that’s not completely correct. As they grow so rapidly their muscles and ligaments have trouble keeping up and the rapidly growing joint puts pressure on these areas causing pain. Also, a very real issue is that areas are out of alignment or have been jammed up for awhile. Whilst they have been growing slowly it’s not so noticeable, however with sudden growth spurts it highlights a hidden problem. This is what you don’t want to miss, because it can set them up for ongoing issues that can be dismissed as simple growing pains.

I have also seen when a teenager has bilateral knee pain and heading for surgery for that knee that kept dislocating, they actually had a sacral problem which was undiagnosed, because it’s knee pain. We often think as the sacrum as a solid tail bone. Well in young children it is five individual bones which don’t start to join to form one bone until they are around 13yrs of age. Each one can misalign or jam up.

As a chiropractor we look at all areas of the spine and check all joints in the legs to find out what is not moving properly and the best way to correct it. Keeping teenagers moving well helps them grow straighter, stronger and assists them to perform better at their activities. We’re here to help.

Dr. Pauline Walsh B. Clinc Sci B. App. Sci (Chiropractic), DACCP

Regional cities push for funding

Regional Cities Victoria has called on the Federal Government to provide a guarantee that 25 percent of all Commonwealth infrastructure funding allocated to Victoria is spent on initiatives and projects outside Melbourne.

With one in four Victorians living in regional Victoria, the 10 largest regional cities – Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Horsham, Latrobe, Mildura, Shepparton, Wangaratta, Warrnambool and Wodonga – are collectively home to more than 800,000 people.

Regional Cities Victoria, RCV, chair Shane Sali said regional Victoria needed considered investment to underpin long-term economic prosperity and improve community infrastructure and services.

“Local infrastructure projects are a vital part of any regional community,” he said.

“They not only help maintain services, improve transport options, and make our regional cities and country towns better places to live – they also create jobs for locals and boost the national economy.

“Whether it’s upgrading municipal main roads in growing regional cities, building community hubs and libraries, new parks and recreational

centres, or improving public transport, regional Victorians deserve their share of the Federal infrastructure funding allocated to Victoria.”

Cr Sali, mayor of Shepparton, said while RCV acknowledges the government’s $1 billion allocation for regional Australia made through the Growing Regions Program and Precincts and Partnerships Program, it felt regional Victoria was disadvantaged by the competitive schemes because councils in regional Victoria could not access compulsory co-contributions from the State Government.

“We were gutted when funding was removed for a series of projects across regional Victoria – such as the Geelong Fast Rail, stage one of the Shepparton Bypass, and the Hume Freeway intersection upgrade in Wodonga,” he said.

“Regional Victorians shouldn’t be denied their share of funding from the Albanese government simply because Victoria abolished its Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund.

“Our regional cities and towns are experiencing significant population growth and are desperate for jobs and investment.

“Without infrastructure funding, regional Victoria risks falling behind, unable to provide adequate services to current residents and future generations.”

DONATION: Intensive Care Unit, ICU, patients at Grampians Health’s Horsham campus will be able to transfer more safely between clinical units after the installation of five new portable bedside monitors. The Intellivue X3 monitors were donated through the generosity of Wimmera Base Hospital Ladies Auxiliary. The devices connect to the bedside monitors of each ICU bed and provide the same patient information as the bigger versions. When patients need to be transferred to radiology or the operating suite, clinical staff can continue to safely monitor vital signs such as heart beat and blood pressure with complete accuracy. Pictured with one of the new ‘mini brains’ is ICU nurse Jainy Philip while her colleague Laura Hutchins compares the vitals reading on the main bedside monitor.

Protecting paddock trees

The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, DEECA, is asking all landowners to ensure they are taking the necessary steps to protect paddock trees when burning stubble on their properties.

Fire restrictions remain in place with fire danger periods for most of the Wimmera likely to be in place until May.

A permit is required to burn grass, stubble and other vegetation until the fire danger period ends. Native trees are protected by law and with good planning and management can be protected in the long term.

Grampians acting regional manager natural environment programs Pauline Rudolph said paddock trees had huge biodiversity benefits and good preparation before burning was important.

“It is important to protect native paddock trees. They provide shade to stock, reduce wind impacts to crops, store carbon and provide habitat to important pollinators and birds that

feed on pests. We encourage landholders to be well prepared before beginning a stubble burn,” she said.

“Creating firebreaks around trees and having water and equipment ready to extinguish the fire will ensure you can protect your valued native trees.”

DEECA advises slashing around the base of the tree to establish an adequate fire break; moving woody debris from around the base of the tree; and wetting the area around the tree before beginning the burn.

It is also important to ensure there is adequate water and the right equipment on hand to extinguish the fire before starting a burn.

More information can be found at www. environment.vic.gov.au/native-vegetation/ farming-and-native-vegetation.

Anyone wanting to report concerns about stubble burning and the destruction of paddock trees should contact their local council.

Volunteer finds love on the road

David and Shirley Morris prove there’s no age restriction when it comes to falling in love.

The couple married on Valentine’s Day this year, a little over a year after they met, but it’s how their relationship bloomed that shows how volunteering can help everyone.

For about 12 years, Mr Morris has volunteered as part of the community car and Do Care programs at Grampians Community Health, GCH, as a volunteer driver, visiting people in the community, among other services.

Mr Morris has a small farm at Black Range near Stawell, but after suffering a head injury was advised to take a break from the property.

Instead, he worked as caretaker at Great Western racecourse where Mrs Morris, from Marnoo, arrived as part of an ‘Over 40s Single Campers’ group for New Year’s Eve 2022.

“I walked out of the caretaker’s rooms and saw Shirley and started talking to her and it went from there,” Mr Morris said.

They enjoyed their conversations and after the camp, Mr Morris tracked down his wife to be in Marnoo through the campers group. They met again and their relationship snowballed when Mr Morris became Mrs Morris’ Do Care worker through GCH.

Mr Morris had lost his wife to cancer about 14 years ago, has battled prostate cancer himself, and was driving Mrs Morris to appointments as she recovered from cancer and underwent chemotherapy.

“We found out we had a lot in common,” he said.

“We talked about a lot of things and that led to us spending more time together.”

Mrs Morris was struggling with the drives back to Marnoo after chemotherapy and started staying with Mr Morris.

He eventually asked her to marry him.

“She said ‘ask again when you’re serious’ so two months later I did and this time it was an immediate yes,” Mr Morris said.

They were married in the garden at the farm under a little arch made by Mr Morris.

The love story resonated with GCH staff who wrote a poem that was read out at the wedding.

“We hope it goes on for another 50 years.

That’s the way we feel; we get on so well together,” Mr Morris said.

Now both aged in their late 70s, Mr Morris is still driving his wife to appointments, but as her husband this time, not as a GCH volunteer.

He plans to continue his volunteer contributions.

“My mum volunteered for years. I thought I might need the service one day myself, so I should do something,” he said.

“I mainly go to Ballarat, occasionally to Hamilton, Bendigo, or Horsham, but I don’t like driving in Melbourne anymore.”

GCH is appealing to potential volunteers from the Stawell area to assist with its community car program, which provides affordable transport to medical appointments for people who cannot access other transport.

To learn more volunteering opportunities at GCH, call 5358 7400 and ask for the volunteer co-ordinator.

Transfer station timetables to change

Operating hours and days for waste transfer stations in Yarriambiack Shire Council will change from Sunday following community feedback.

In December 2023, council introduced a daylight savings operating hours program at all of its transfer stations across the shire, which will conclude on Saturday.

The aim of the change in hours was to provide greater access to the transfer station on days of total fire ban and extreme heat.

On days of total fire ban and extreme heat, council only operates transfer stations for two hours in the morning, meaning transfer stations with afternoon opening times would remain closed for the entire day.

Council invited community feedback during its daylight savings transfer station operating period, with responses showing: the community generally supported morning operating hours; the community preferred one timetable for operation year-round to reduce confusion; the

Warracknabeal community requested afternoon hours of operation on weekends.

After assessing the feedback, council announced that from April 7 it would operate according to the following hours: Warracknabeal, Tuesday to Saturday 8am to noon, Sunday 10am to 2pm; Hopetoun, Tuesday and Thursday 8am to noon, Sunday 10am to 2pm; Patchewollock, Friday 9am to 11am; Speed-Tempy, Wednesday 8am to 10am; Beulah, Wednesday 9am to 11am and Sunday 9am to noon; Woomelang, Wednesday 11am to 1pm and Saturday 9am to noon; Murtoa, Tuesday and Friday 8am to noon, Sunday 10am to 2pm; Minyip, Wednesday 9am to noon and Sunday 8am to 11am; Rupanyup, Thursday 9am to noon and Sunday 9am to noon.

On days of total fire ban, transfer stations will only be open for the first two hours of the day.

Residents will receive details of timetable changes in the mail, and transfer operating hours are viewable at www.yarriambiack.vic.gov.au.

BLOSSOMING: David and Shirley Morris met while Mr Morris

a volunteer at Grampians Community Health.

HORSHAM GOLF CLUB EST 1898

WEDNESDAY 1ST MAY TO

SUNDAY 5TH MAY 2024

ENTRIES CLOSE: 5PM FRIDAY 26TH APRIL 2024

ENTRY FEES MUST BE PAID AT TIME OF ENTRY

ENTRIES TO:

PRO SHOP

HORSHAM GOLF CLUB

304 GOLF COURSE RD

HAVEN VIC 3401

PH: (03) 5382 3312

SCAN QR CODE

TO REGISTER ONLINE

EMAIL: PROSHOP@HORSHAMGOLFCLUB.COM

WEBSITE: WWW.HORSHAMGOLFCLUB.COM.AU

Obstetric showcase success

East Grampians Health Service hosted a general practitioner obstetric conference organised by local general practitioner obstetricians Megan Helper and Winnie Yum.

A general practitioner obstetrician, GPO, is a medical practitioner who specialises in providing care to rural patients, including in an emergency department or urgent care centre, as well as in antenatal, birthing and postnatal periods.

“These doctors are part of the rural generalist workforce, or jack-of-alltrades rural doctors, who facilitate care in rural towns and hospitals across Australia,” Dr Helper said.

The aim of the conference was to facilitate learning relevant to GPOs and address issues including professional isolation for rural practitioners, as well as showcasing East Grampians Health Service, EGHS, its GPO model and the region.

“We were grateful to have speakers and participants from interstate and New Zealand,” Dr Helper said.

“Adjunct professor Ruth Stewart, Australia’s National Rural Health Commissioner, who herself has a family connection to Ararat, spoke to us about the broader challenges faced across Australia in providing maternity services and obstetric workforce to rural communities.

“We were also privileged to hear from speakers such as GPO Dr Brendan Marshall, who came from New Zealand to present his masters research; specialist obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Michael Bardsley; Bethany Wellington; GPO Dr Sally Street; and GPO Dr Marian Dover.”

Mayoral Matters

Northern Grampians Shire Council

Latest News

If you’d like to keep up-to-date with council activities and the work that Northern Grampians Shire Council Mayor, Cr Rob Haswell, is undertaking each month, please keep an eye out for our Mayoral Matters update and other council news by subscribing to Latest News via the council website at www.ngshire.vic.gov.au/latestnews

Dr Helper said participation from local doctors, including anaesthetist Dr Neil Provis-Vincent, midwife Jess Taylor, registered nurse Brodie Smith and several volunteer patients, was also well received.

The second day was dedicated to networking and exploring the region, including a dinner at Seppelt Great Western and a hike in the Grampians.

EGHS chief executive Nick Bush said the conference was a success.

“East Grampians Health Service was pleased to host the GP obstetric conference and it was great to chat to those who attended and hear of their experiences of practising in rural areas,” he said.

“EGHS is proud of its obstetrics model and was pleased to be able to share its success with the many GP obstetricians attending.”

Dr Helper said she hoped the event would continue, allowing EGHS to lead the way in providing high-quality, sustainable rural obstetric services.

Anzac prize opportunity

Students are encouraged to explore how Victorians came together to build the Shrine of Remembrance and other war memorials as part of the 2024 Premier’s Spirit of Anzac Prize competition.

Veterans Minister Natalie Suleyman announced the opening of the annual award competition, which invites students in years nine to 12 in Victoria to apply for a unique international study tour opportunity.

Students are asked to delve deeper into the essence of the Anzac spirit as they develop their submissions, which can be written pieces, creative works or digital presentations.

The prize allows 12 students the opportunity to join a fully-funded study tour.

This year, the selected students will embark on a journey to battlefields and commemorative sites in Türkiye, retracing the experience of Australian men and women at war on the Gallipoli Peninsula and surrounds.

“The Spirit of Anzac Prize is a creative way young leaders can reflect on our nation’s history, the sacrifice associated with military service and the unique friendship between Victoria and Türkiye,” Ms Suleyman said.

“I encourage all eligible young Victorians to consider applying for a once-in-a-lifetime educational opportunity.”

The Spirit of Anzac Prize also offers students the opportunity to participate in a unique education program that fosters understanding and appreciation for Australia’s Anzac spirit.

Since its inception in 2005, the Spirit of Anzac Prize has supported more than 500 students to embark on journeys to significant military and historical sites across Europe, Southeast Asia and Australia.

Applications are available at www.vic.gov. au/premiers-spirit-anzac-prize and are open until April 29.

RFT No. C1 2024/25 – Production &

Supply of Delivered Meals Service

Northern Grampians Shire Council is seeking tenders from suitably qualified and experienced enterprises for the Production & Supply of Meals for the Delivered Meals Service (Meals on Wheels) in the townships of Stawell and St Arnaud. Tenderers may choose to tender for either one or both of these services. Tenders close 2pm Tuesday 30 April 2024. To download a copy of the tender documents please go to the website www.ngshire.vic.gov.au/tenders, and follow the link.

BRENT McALISTER

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Customer Support Officer

Temporary Part Time

44hrs per fortnight: Monday - Friday 10am2pm, 8am - 5pm every second Friday.

or in a park, we are here to help and give advice. Visit www.ngshire.vic.gov.au/Events/Register-

Your-Event

Promote Your Event

Need our assistance to promote your event? We would be happy to place your event details in our online events calendar for all to see. Visit www.ngshire.vic.gov.au/Events/Promote-

Your-Event

Local Events

What’s on? Find out by exploring our online events calendar. Visit www.ngshire.vic.gov.au/Events/All-EventsCalendar

Can’t find what you are looking for or need help? Contact our Events Officer, Jana Turkalj,

Are you a customer service superstar looking for a new challenge? This is the role for you! A great opportunity for a passionate individual looking to expand their customer service skills based in the Northern Grampian Shire. This position is responsible for providing high level customer support and administration services to the Northern Grampians Shire Council’s community, councillors and staff, ensuring the service is responsive, first point issue resolution and customer centric. Visit www.ngshire.vic.gov.au/careers to apply!

Your library is more than just books! Call into your library and see what is happening. There is something for everyone.

St Arnaud: 03 5495 2188

Stawell: 03 5358 1274

email tina.baker@ngshire.vic.gov.au

Integrated Early Years Service

Stakeholder Reference Group

Expressions of Interest

The council is currently seeking Expressions of Interest from community members interested in participating in a St Arnaud Integrated Early Years Project Stakeholder Reference Group. To find out more, please phone the council on 03 5358 8700 or visit www.ngshire.vic.gov.au/Projects-andConsultation/Have-Your-Say/St-ArnaudIntegrated-Early-Years-Service

Thrive 50+ Healthy Ageing Hubs

Drop in for a cuppa and a chat with our Hub Connections Officer.

St Arnaud

Northern Grampians Shire Council Offices

40 Napier Street, St Arnaud

Mondays and Wednesdays 10am – 5pm

Stawell Stawell Library 7-9 Sloane Street

Tuesdays and Thursdays 10am - 5pm

Hub Connections Officers can support you to:

Explore social activities

Community Grants Open from 4 March to 29 April

If you would like more information about the grant, would like to check if your project idea aligns with grant priorities, or need some grant writing tips you can visit www.ngshire.vic.gov.au/Residents/Grants/ Community-Grants for information. Phone Rachel Whittaker on 03 5358 0512 or email rachel.whittaker@ngshire.vic.gov.au

Learn new skills Connect with health services

Find solutions to live independently Understand and access My Aged Care

Explore volunteer opportunities This is a pilot program proudly sponsored by the Western Victoria Primary Health Network.

HANDS-ON: From left, Jagath Ranasinghe, Michelle Chee, Frances Harkin, Michael Bardsley, Veronica Moule and Graham Slaney take part in an ultrasound workshop.

EXPLORING: From left, Winnie Yum, Jen Currie, Tom Currie, Veronica Moule, Megan Helper, Clare Walker and Brendan Marshall enjoy a hike in the Grampians.

several events across the Easter long weekend, including the Warracknabeal Easter festival, Jeparit Fishing Competition and Stawell Gift. Pictured enjoying the activities on offer are, clockwise from above: Dean Willday at the Warracknabeal Easter street parade; Louise Wong, Phoebe Nguyen, Ruby Korotkov, Bridie O’Halloran and Olivia Mellington at Jeparit; Paris Olympic Games medal hope Peter Bol at the Stawell Gift; Zoe and Kaylee Stancliffe at Warracknabeal; Warracknabeal Hockey Club members at the parade; and centre, Dale and Violet Stephan at Warracknabeal.

ACTION APLENTY: Pictured enjoying some of the many events on offer during the Easter long weekend are, clockwise from left: Darren and Katy Lutze in their 1954 Ford at Warracknabeal’s Easter festival street parade; Warracknabeal Fire Brigade running team; Kelly Hill of Murtoa at the Jeparit Fishing Competition; Vinnie Kelly, Tayla Leith, Albie Huebner and Megan Huebner at Warracknabeal during the town’s street parade; Andrew Duyvestyn on his Lanz Bulldog at Warracknabeal; Monica and Thomas Schneider fishing at Jeparit; and centre, Rheanna Wise holding Squire, Tyler Wise, Alan van der Linden, Tim Wise and Jordan Wise, of Nhill at the Jeparit Fishing Competition.

Broken promises

Labor pledged 100 times before the 2022 election that the people of the Wimmera and Northern Grampians, and their fellow Australians, would see a reduction of $275 on their power bill by 2025.

On March 19, the Victorian Essential Services Commission, ESC, announced falls of an average of $112 for Victorian households – however that reduction needed to exceed $1200 to match Labor’s $275 election pledge when you factor in subsequent power price rises on Labor’s watch.

It’s not Labor’s first broken promise, and it won’t be the last.

Labor reneged on its promise to retain stagethree tax cuts in full and has been unable to deliver 24-hour, seven-days-a-week registered nurses in aged care.

Now Labor’s signature energy promise is in tatters and it is on the cusp of breaking its pledge to lift funding to councils.

Labor continues to railroad costly and unwanted transmission lines and wind projects through regional areas including 400 kilometres of transmission towers through Mallee for the VNI West project.

The ESC’s latest market offer cited a six percent increase in network costs including transmission lines, and given that our bills include 40 percent of infrastructure, electricity prices will not be going down anytime soon.

Rather than focus on the cost of living, a dis-

COMMENT

with

Dr Anne Webster Federal Member for Mallee

tracted Albanese Labor government has been laser-focussed on appeasing unions via heavy handed industrial relations laws, spending half a billion dollars on a failed referendum and compromising prime agricultural land for transmission poles and wires.

The Australian Energy Regulator revealed about 116,753 Australians had been placed into hardship due to skyrocketing energy bill – a 59 percent increase since Labor came to government.

And, 192,459 Australians are now in energy debt.

Labor’s renewables-only obsession is also pushing 500 families a week into energy poverty.

The Coalition has consistently focused on cost of living and holding Labor to account.

The Coalition will be releasing policies to ease the cost-of-living pressures as the election looms and for Wimmera and Northern Grampians residents and their fellow Australians who are doing it tough right now, an election cannot come soon enough.

Goroke sewerage works progress

GWMWater is working in partnership with the West Wimmera Shire Council to bring a sewerage service to Goroke, contributing to the prosperity and future growth of the town.

Contractor S and R Engineering and Construction has started work on the second stage of the Septic Tank Effluent Drainage sewerage network.

GWMWater managing director Mark Williams said Goroke customers in the stage two area

were required to connect to the Goroke Sewerage Scheme within two years of the sewerage network being declared.

Information on how to connect and the associated costs will be provided to customers as the works progress.

Contractor CHS Group is progressing the construction of a new sewerage pump station on Natimuk-Francis Road, Goroke, with works expected to be completed in June this year.

GRATEFUL: Wyuna nurse unit manager Kerri Chamberlain, right, and Cellarbrations Horsham manager Mukesh Bhutani try out new chairs and a 65-inch television purchased with money donated to Grampians Health Horsham by Cellarbrations.

‘Cellarbrating’ a donation

Staff at Grampians Health’s Horsham campus are over the moon after a local business donated $10,000 towards new specialised chairs.

The donation from Cellarbrations Horsham provided new washable patient chairs and adjustable bariatric chairs for the campus’ Wyuna subacute and Oxley acute wards.

The donation also provided a 65-inch television for the dining area in Wyuna.

Wyuna nurse unit manager Kerri Chamberlain thanked Cellarbrations for its support and said patients were pleased with the TV in particular.

“We previously only had a small TV up there and many had trouble seeing it,” she said.

“Many patients have already told me they can’t wait until the footy starts so they can come to the dining room and watch it on the big TV.”

Cellarbrations manager Mukesh Bhutani said his business was pleased to support community organisations such as the hospital and Horsham Fire Brigade.

“While we appreciate the recognition, it is not necessary,” he said.

“This is something we feel strongly about and we will continue to contribute to Grampians Health every year.”

Flags to recognise soldiers’ graves

The official opening of the Nhill RSL Flag Project at Nhill cemetery will take place at 2pm on Sunday, April 21.

The project involves posting flags on the graves of those who served in the Australian Defence Force.

Nhill RSL Sub Branch will host a remembrance service, with the Light Horse Reenactment Society at the cemetery.

VW trials new RooBadge device

Volkswagen has devised a new technology it says could save the lives of countless kangaroos and prevent hundreds of thousands of dollars in vehicle damage.

Developed over three years by Volkswagen Australia and the DDB Group in consultation with the University of Melbourne and WIRES, RooBadge replaces the vehicle’s front logo with a device that emits a sound detectable by kangaroos – an animal involved in 90 percent of wildlife accidents in this country.

Connected to an in-car app, RooBadge calibrates a vehicle’s GPS coordinates with kangaroo distribution data.

The ‘badge’ itself it a circular disc some 170mm in diameter that replaces the current VW roundel and conveys a unique audio deterrent specific to kangaroo species in the vehicle’s particular location.

VW says a mixture of natural and artificial sounds is mixed in real-time and projected in a high-frequency audio signal.

Following extensive trials, permission has been granted from the University of Melbourne office of research ethics and integrity to move into field testing.

While other deterrent devices exist, none have been scientifically developed or proven.

University of Melbourne associate professor Graeme Coulson says RooBadge does something no kangaroo deterrent has been able to do before.

“It is difficult to produce a single sound that will deter all kangaroos because the species are different to each other,” he said.

“Using advancements in car technology we can change the sound deterrent by GPS location.

“We have worked on creating sounds

that will be meaningful to Eastern Grey kangaroos, things such as dingo calls, alarm calls made by birds, and the alarm thumps that kangaroos make to warn each other.

“We will then be able to tweak the sound for other species.”

With the number of kangaroo strikes increasing year-on-year, WIRES spokesperson John Grant said it was grateful to automotive companies such as Volkswagen for researching and developing a potential solution.

“Kangaroo collisions are increasing every year, and with more motorists on the roads during the school holiday period, we are expecting a spike in rescue calls for injured adults and displaced joeys,” he said.

“WIRES is grateful to automotive companies such as Volkswagen for researching and developing solutions to better protect both our kangaroos and motorists.”

The sentiment was echoed by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles director

Ryan Davies, who said the technology represented a sizeable investment in the ongoing advancement of safety initiatives developed by the Volkswagen Group.

“Why is Volkswagen investing time and energy in this project? Because we can – and it’s the right thing to do,” he said.

“A collision with a ’roo can be devastating. It is not easily forgotten once seen, and certainly not if experienced.

“Then there’s the possibility of a front-on collision with an approaching vehicle at country road speeds when one driver is trying to avoid striking a kangaroo.

“These are even more likely to have a fatal human outcome.”

The University of Melbourne’s Dr Helena Bender, whose research has been used extensively in the project, said, roadkill was a problem all around the world.

“What’s interesting about deer relative to kangaroos is that they’re very similar in body size, head size, and ear size,” she said.

“What we know from science is that the ear shape in the head shape tells us they probably have similar hearing ranges. So, whatever we learn has transferability to the deer as well.

More information can be found via www.volkswagen.com.au/roobadge/

– Matt Brogan

2017 Ford Ranger XL

2015

2021 Ford Ranger Wildtrak

clinton smith STAWELL

ADAPTABLE: The RooBadge projects a mixture of natural and artificial sounds in a high-frequency audio signal.

On this day

From The Weekly Advertiser archives: April 1, 2004 –3WM general manager Mark Taylor handballs to HDFL chairman Grant Kuchel, celebrating a new sponsorship. The Weekly Advertiser, 3WM and MIXX FM are new major sponsors of Horsham District Football League. The deal is an extension of ACE Radio’s continued support to the league and to football in the region.

Police have

the Western Highway as a primary target for a statewide campaign designed to tackle a mounting number of fatalities and serious injuries on the state’s roads. Horsham Acting Inspector Brendan Broadbent said motorists travelling on the Western Highway this year had rammed home a message that motorists needed to, at all times, take care and be attentive.

Five years ago: April 3, 2019

The unfurling of a 2018 premiership flag at Balmoral on Saturday represents a warning to the rest of Horsham District football competition. Harrow-Balmoral colours fluttering in the breeze will signal the Southern Roos again mean business. Harrow-Balmoral, which kicks off the season in a grand-final replay against Kalkee, enters the season as red-hot favourites.

One year ago: April 5, 2023

A majority of people recognise domestic and family violence is a problem, but less than half accept it occurs in their town. The latest National Community Attitudes Survey, released last week, provides insights into attitudes of violence against women, including change over time, and seeks to understand the impact of policy and bystander action.

1. Sleep Apnoea can increase the risk of heart attacks. If you have sleep apnoea, what usually happens when you are asleep?

2. English musician Michael Gordon ‘Mike’ Score is best known as the lead singer, keyboardist and guitarist of what 1980s new-wave band associated with birds?

3. What is the name of the often smelly, fermented, highmoisture stored fodder starting with ‘S’ that can be fed to cattle and sheep?

4. The descendants of what royal couple occupy the thrones of Belgium, Denmark, Luxembourg, Norway, Spain Sweden and United Kingdom?

5. Which three Wimmera schools amalgamated in the past week?

6. Which of these is a ‘threatened’ species. A. Leadbeater’s possum. B. Lord Howe Island stick insect. C. Corroboree frog. D. Mallee fowl. E. All.

7. Which bridge collapsed after being hit by a ship in Baltimore?

8. If we were to measure something in ‘sieverts’, what would we measuring?

9. What was the name of a former Scottish municipality, which from 1975 to 1996 was divided into the Aberdeen, Banff and Buchan, Gordon, Kincardine and Deeside and Moray districts that shared its name with Victorian mountain ranges?

10. Hawthorn premiership coach Alastair Clarkson grew up in Kaniva, playing football in Tatiara Football League. In 1999 he was assistant coach under what other Wimmera export and at what club?

4. Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom and Christian IX of -Den mark. 5. Holy Trinity Lutheran College, St Peter’s Lutheran School and Nhill Lutheran School. 6. E. All are threatened Australian -spe cies. 7. Francis Scott Key Bridge. 8. Doses of radiation and their potential damage to the human body. 9. Grampian. It was named after the Grampian Mountains. We of course have the Grampians ranges. 10. Tim Watson, St Kilda. Watson was from Dimboola.

Answers: 1. You stop breathing. 2. Flock of Seagulls. 3. Silage.

Brought to you by AFTERNOONS WITH KAYLA

Weekdays, noon until 3pm on

FOR THE WEEK APRIL 6 TO APRIL 12

ARIES: (March 21-April 20)

Lucky Colour: Blue

Lucky Day: Thursday

Racing Numbers: 4-9-8-1

Lotto Numbers: 6-9-19-32-37-43

Someone you met earlier this year could play a very important role in your life in a romantic sense. The obstacles that have been following you for a few months are now likely to clear up. Your partner could be in for a financial windfall.

TAURUS: (April 21-May 20)

Lucky Colour: Pink

Lucky Day: Friday

Racing Numbers: 4-1-1-7

Lotto Numbers: 4-10-20-22-31-37

Try to be a little bit more tactful with loved ones; this will avoid a lot of headache and heartache later on. Your partner may be going through a difficult time. Some time later you will know exactly how a struggling relationship is going.

GEMINI: (May 21-June 21)

Lucky Colour: Orange

Lucky Day: Monday Racing Numbers: 6-8-8-6

Lotto Numbers: 6-17-24-35-42-44

Many could now be meeting the partner of their dreams and have a frollicking good time. Something you have been planning for a while is now coming to fruition. A debt owing will now be paid to you.

CANCER: (June 22-July 22)

Lucky Colour: Brown

Lucky Day: Thursday Racing Numbers: 3-9-1-7

Lotto Numbers: 3-13-14-27-35-42

A new found romance is quickly cooling down. Don’t let this depress you too much; best to keep a positive attitude. Fairly soon an old flame will show up. You will have to make a major decision with regards to one of your children.

LEO: (July 23-August 22)

Lucky Colour: Blue

Lucky Day: Tuesday Racing Numbers: 4-6-7-12

takE a BrEak ^ _ ` a b c d e f g h i

Lotto Numbers: 4-11-12-22-37-45

Someone in authority, who recognises your potential, will be doing battle on your behalf. You could be changing address too. Something which has bothered you in the past will now be cleared up.

VIRGO: (August 23-September 23)

Lucky Colour: Yellow

Lucky Day: Friday

Racing Numbers: 3-8-8-1

Lotto Numbers: 3-8-12-17-30-44

Old friends may be dropping in on you and someone with them will be making a big splash for you. Best to stick to routine and not try anything fancy. Some of your plans could now be realised.

LIBRA: (September 24- October 23)

Lucky Colour: Rose

Lucky Day: Tuesday

Racing Numbers: 4-1-4-1

Lotto Numbers: 6-14-22-32-35-41

If you could just relax and not worry too much things would probably work out just as well. There are some changes on the way but it could be a little while before they reach you.

SCORPIO: (October 24-November 22)

Lucky Colour: Green

Lucky Day: Thursday

Racing Numbers: 7-7-2-1

Lotto Numbers: 5-9-11-27-30-40

Very romantic period in which many people decide to get married or engaged. Travel is very much in the cards also and some very happy moments for most Scorpio people ahead.

SAGITTARIUS: (November 23- December 20)

Lucky Colour: Aqua

Lucky Day: Saturday

Racing Numbers: 4-1-6-5

Lotto Numbers: 3-15-22-27-32-35

You could find yourself in the middle of some gossip – if you are wise you will not pass it on. Keep away from known trouble makers and you will have a more pleasant time ahead.

CAPRICORN: (December 21-January 19)

Lucky Colour: Silver

Lucky Day: Friday

Racing Numbers: 7-4-3-1

Lotto Numbers: 18-21-29-35-37-41

Very good influences operating in your section of domestic harmony. Family reunions and happy moments with loved ones indicated – lots to do but it will be all in a common cause.

AQUARIUS: (January 20-February 19)

Lucky Colour: Maroon

Lucky Day: Tuesday

Racing Numbers: 2-5-1-4

Lotto Numbers: 2-11-25-33-38-45

It looks like some blocks that have been there to stop you from getting what you want should now be removed and it should be open go for you. Good news from faraway will also help to make this a very happy time.

PISCES: (February 20-March 20)

Lucky Colour: Orange

Lucky Day: Thursday

Racing Numbers: 9-2-4-2

Lotto Numbers: 12-20-36-37-40-44

Things that might look mighty big in the distance seem to get smaller as you get nearer their happening. Anticipating problems could just bring them on so keep smiling and think positive.

BURDETT,

Tom

Passed away on March 20, 2024 aged 65 years.

Son of the late Jack & Pat.

Loving brother of Suzzann (dec), Jennifer and Clarence.

Loved Uncle of Jason, Larelle, Jeremy and Miranda.

Great Uncle to Briney, Sasha and Hallie.

Now At Peace

COLQUHOUN, Gary Lee

Passed away on March 24, 2024 aged 67 years.

Dearly loved father and father in law of Aaron & Natalie; Nathan; and Simon.

Adored Poppy/Pa to all of his granddaughters.

Forever In Our Hearts

HARTIGAN (nee Plozza), Verona Merle

Passed away on March 23, 2024 aged 96 years.

Dearly loved wife of Jack (dec).

Loving mother and mother in law of Dean & Faye; Kerry (dec); Jan (dec) & Mal (dec); Bruce & Adele; Helen & Dan.

Adored Nanny to all of her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Dearly Loved and Forever

In Our Hearts

TISCHLER (nee Lampard), Pamela Anne

28-2-1959 to 24-3-2024

Beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt & partner. Greatly loved & sorely missed.

Horsham & District Funerals

Dylan & Amity Hartwich 5382 1149

TISCHLER, Pamela Anne

Passed away 24th March 2024

Loved sister of Maree, sister in law of Charles, loving aunt of Mathew, Megan, Peta and families.

“May the winds of love blow softly and whisper for you to hear, that we will love and remember you and forever keep you near. Loved and remembered everyday.”

TISCHLER (nee Lampard), Pamela Anne

The memorial service for the late Ms Pamela Anne

Tischler will be held Monday, April 8, 2024 commencing at 12.30pm at St Andrew’s Uniting Church, Horsham. Privately cremated.

Dylan & Amity Hartwich 5382 1149

BURDETT,

Tom

The Funeral of Tom Burdett will take place at The Graveside, Horsham Lawn Cemetery on Friday, 5 April 2024 commencing at 11am.

Trevor Bysouth & Daughter Ph 5381 1444 AFDA Member

COLQUHOUN, Gary Lee

The Funeral of Gary Lee Colquhoun will take place at The Graveside, Grays Bridge Cemetery on Monday 8 April 2024 commencing at 11am.

Trevor Bysouth & Daughter Ph 5381 1444 AFDA Member

HARTIGAN, Verona Merle

The Funeral of Verona Merle Hartigan will leave Ss Michael & John’s Catholic Church, Horsham on Thursday, 4 April 2024 after a service commencing at 1.30pm for the Horsham Lawn Cemetery.

The service may also be viewed online at www.youtube.com/@ smjchurchhorsham/streams

Trevor Bysouth & Daughter Ph 5381 1444 AFDA Member

Border Collie pups, born 3rd Feb 24, ready to go now, located in Balmoral , microchipped, vaccinated, wormed and vet checked, 1 girl m/chip# 953010100846595, 1 boy m/ chip# 953010100752144, source# MB246812 $900 each Ph Jenni 0429701461

Bristlenose catfish, great tank cleaners $5ea until sold out Ph 0474159010 after 6.30pm

Budgies, assorted colours $10 each Ph 0417533579

Budgies , assorted colours, pastels $10 each Ph 0419505737

said years ago she was going to make funeral arrangements, we were surprised...

Cocker spaniel pups, 4 tan 1 black& tan 1 black both parents reg with dogs victoria vet checked vaccinated microchipped & wormed ready for their new homes, m/chip# 956000016725032 956000016330824, source# RB185238 Ph 0429912620

Doberman pups, 4x girls black/ tan, 4x boys 3 black/tan and 1 brown/tan, ready to go, m/c # 956000014813157/14702252 /14697789/14699139/14845771 /14850566/14817621/14810773 $2000 Ph 0431982052

Female desexed mini dachshund, I like kids, dogs, cats, I am toilet trained, love walks and snuggles, microchip# 900141000504012, source# MB197522 $1400ono Nhill Ph 0431725487

Ferrets x3 , 15 mo, good workers regretful sale $25 each Ph 0439666016

Goats for sale, very quiet, from $120 each Ph 0427361940

Kelpie Pup, Mack from 2 good working parents, intelligent, gentle pup, Bobtailed, MC 9851141006234859, SN EE 232038 Ph 0427861437

The Weekly Advertiser welcomes your advertising. We are required strictly by law to include specific information on some items when publishing your adv your obligations are as follows:

ANIMALS*All “for sale” or “to give away” advertisements, for either cats or dogs must include one of the following:

• Individual microchip numbers

• Vet certificate to exclude individual animals from needing microchips

• Domestic animal-business number PLUS a source number from the Pet Exchange Register

LIVESTOCK*Selling, giving away or bartering of all livestock must include a Property Identification Code (PIC number) in the advertisement.

Kelpie x Coolie Pup, ready to go, born 15.10.23, raised with kids, female with white marking, m/chip 953010006206891, source # MB238326, $250 Ph Jo 0410331573

Parrots for sale, hand raised, young green cheek conures, extremely friendly, young aviary bred bourkes/ turks Ph 0408535515

Pups Kelp-Collie x St Poodle well loved, ready, suit family w kids, source:MB223023

vet-checked mchip 953010006636005,006, 95301 0006635755,857,861,870, 874,994, visits welcome Ph 0458169182

Purebred black faced Dorper rams, pic# 3HSDC083 Ph Liz 0419664345

Purebred German Shepherd, 8wks, black and tan, great temperament, toilet trained, straight, two boys and three girls, source# MB115424, m/ chip# 956000016586733/6872 89/6693126/6668157/6681104 Ph 0421018631

Pure-bred Labrador puppies, ready to go early April, vet checked and will be vaccinated, 1 gold bitch microchip# 985141007305071,1 black male microchip# 985141007305077,1 gold male microchip# 985141007305074, source# MB182447$2200, female $2000 males, Ph Nathan for more information 0418657247

Suffolk Rams , 18 months old,fully vaccinated, OB accredited, PIC3SGP010, ready to work, good bloodlines, well grown, $8000 plus GST, can arrange delivery Ph 0429196337

A large elephant ornament carrying a baby elephant in its trunk, 36cms tall and 538cms long, a quick sale for $600 Ph 53824788

1998 Jayco Westport , full annexe, a/c, oven, microwave, always shedded, many extras $22,000ono Ph 0419514118

2009 Windsor Genesis caravan semi off road, 19.6 with shower and toilet, air con, diesel heater and solar system, VGC $28,000 Ph 0439809490 or 0411120780

2014 Majestic Knight, tandem axel, full ensuite, self contained, full annex, new awning $49,500 Ph 0418506271

2016 Jayco Journey Outback, pop-top, 17.5’, ensuite, separate toilet and shower, EC, always shedded, $42,000ono Ph 0418991140 Kaniva

Concept Ascot caravan, 2006, 18’, pop-top, tare 1420, low kms, kept undercover, regularly serviced, EC, many extras inc, near new full annexe, easy to tow, R3373 $22,000 Ph Ray 0413445347 Goldstream RV Off Road 2007, solar panels, new deep cycle battery, roll out awning, pull out flys each end, outside shower, new porta loo, full annexe, queen bed, RC air con, hot water, full oven with grill, 3 gas burners, electric fridge runs off solar electric, built in radio plus tv, storage cupboards over bed, storage under seats, reg until October 2024, $16,500 Ph 0409967815, Horsham

Isuzu Outback Express Motorhome for sale, 2 seater, sleeps 3, auto, deisel, fridge, tv, shower, toilet, stove and lots more, have to see to believe, can drive on normal car licence, 3.1m long, RWC, $43,000 with 3mth rego Ph Phillip 0428173606 or Susan and ask for Phillp 0458727370 Horsham

Jayco Finch pop top caravan, 2 double beds with fly mesh, electric brakes, boat racks and an annex, $15,000 Ph 53582560 Stawell

Kokoda Tribute 2 Platinum, 2015 as newcondition, semi-off-road, ensuite, custom design, lots extras $61,500 Ph 0493052729

Motorhome Jayco Conquest 2021 , 25’, satellite system, diesel, heater, 7625kms, 1UU2JX $168,000 Ph 0429821461

Paramount Caravan , VGC, registered, rollout awning, full kitchen $22,000 Ph 0407542856

REDUCED 2011 Pinnacle camper trailer - full off-road, hard floor, a full canvas annexe, tag hinge towing included, 2 new tyres- spare is brand new, 2 batteries Anderson plugs for charging batteries are included, 2 power points, light in camper, queen size bed and mattress, new fly screens in windows and doors, 4 burner gass stove, includes 2 gas bottles, 60 lt water tank,sink with water tap and electric pump to sink and outside tap, carries 2 large fuel containers, portable gas heater, portable toilet with pop-up shower or toilet cubicle, folding camp table, Rego till Sept 2024, U28090 $10,000ono Ph 0429942936

Seeking Individual Support Worker (Ageing) to provide in-home care, Horsham based, duties include, dressing, bathing, toileting, minimum 1 overnight + 1 day shift per week, male or strong female ideal, Italian/English language skills ideal, more detail on enquiry Ph 0439307176

Case IH 2144 Harvester, 4375 engine hrs, 3108 rotor hrs, trimble auto steer, no screen, 25-foot flex front on Leith trailer, $50,000 inc Gst Ph 0428852409 Murtoa

Croplands Pegasus 6000lt boom sprayer, all hydraulics, 36m wide, air bag suspension, 20 point 8 forty, 2 tyres $77,000 inc Gst Ph 0498549832

Fergy Tractor with roll frame, 4’ slasher and carryall, all in good working order $4100ono Ph 0419134855

Fuel trailer, 650ltr $2200 Ph 0427716088

Header NH TR88 with 36’ McDon front 960, ready to go $25,000, Jaeske field bin, 28 tonne $5500 Ph 0428946395

Heaslip grouper, VGC, 2 bins, 4200L each capacity, Honda motor, new bearings in elevator, adjustable legs, always shedded $7700 inc Gst Ph 0427330078

Macey Field Bin in GO $3000 Ph 0429857207

MF tea 20 with 2 spare rear wheel rims 1 with tyre $2500 Ph 0419574884

REDUCED Chamberlain C670 Tractor starts and runs well $3600, New Holland Small

Bale Pick Up Loader $600, all in working order excess to requirements, all prices plus Gst Ph 0400603022

REDUCED Field Bins , 2 Jaeschke 32t field bins, one with square top lids with and sight glasses $9000, large round top one with normal lids $8000, 2 Macey 28t $2500, all prices plus Gst Ph0400603022

Sherwell auger 33ft by 9 inches, 20hp, van guard, electric start motor, no fertiliser used, easy to handle, always shedded, VGO $7500 plus Gst Ph 0429979100

Sherwell Auger 50’, 9”, runs well $15,000 plus Gst ono Ph 0429911201

Silos Vennings, 10 tonne, GC $1760 each Ph 0427716088

S6

2016 Ramco C Dolly trailer, registered X17337 $4000 Ph 0407542856

Cattle scales Gallagher, never used, still in box, load bars, 600ml, 2500kgs, stainless steel platform, best offer over $2000 Ph 0438096662

Chicken manure, ex sheds or composted available now The Good Dirt Company Lethbridge

Vic Ph 0409889250

Chipper mulcher mobile heavy duty , GX390, 12hp, honda motor $2800 Ph 0448826464

Chook house, 1500mm long 1400mm wide 1800mm high, nest box attached keep your chickens safe from predators $350 Ph 53583400

Doll collection, celluloid, porcelain and collectables, leather handbags, brand names, tapestries large variety Ph 0498621118

Fencing material , cyclone combination stays $66 inc, 100mm heavy duty galv pipe, ideal for strainer posts, 6m length cut to size $120 inc, 1000 elec fence standoffs $220 inc Ph 0428579838

Full set of pads for evap cooler, new still in box, can be cut to size $400 Ph 0417166277

Home exercise machine, full body workout using vibrating system $120 Ph 0417166277

Honda EU20i Inverter F750, good condition, Ph 0427886272

Horse hames, old, 8 pairs $40 pair ono, McCormick deering 2236 tractor, front wheel $120ono Ph 0407911884

Jumbuck outdoor gas oven trolley and cover, new condition $250 Ph 0448826464

Lavour Wash combo FF70, diesel shed heater and GT cold pressure washer $600 both Ph 0448826464

Massage Machine, duo MKII Professional complete with instructional DVD, $300ono Ph 0429820692

ML880 Stihl Magnum

Chainsaw, GC, approximately 30hrs work, too heavy for me now Ph 0475142201

Riobi router $100, Triton router table $150, Triton jaws $150, band saw $200, band saw small $50, angle grinder $40, air compressor $100, plasma cutter $180, Riobi drill press $120 Ph 0499769869

Roll top desk, beer fridge, Haier fridge freezer, wooden frame tennis table, will separate Ph 0429093269

Simpson auto washing machine, Hisense chest freezer and bar fridge, will separate Ph 0408504550

Table, black steel, glass top, with three chairs, GC, outdoor $50 Ph 0419560817

Workshop manuals , parts, books and catalogues Ph 0419821563

3 seater leather couch Ph 0439110899

Baltic pine kitchen dresser, buyer to collect, locally crafted in 1990, 2.8H x 1.32W x .52D $1890ono Ph 0429142897 & leave msg

Household items , Diamond Creek round pedestal table $140, buffet three door 3 draw $140, pine dressing table with mirror $50, double bed with frame bass, combination steel and timber head and foot, $100, 2x single bed Antique head and foot set, $30 each set Ph 0428504569

17’ speedboat Caribbean 150 V6 Yamaha on a Brooker tilt trailer, dual axle, motor has done 230hrs, VGC, all ski gear with the boat including boat cover, priced to sell $10,000 Ph 0407084235

3.7 Boat and cover, on aussie trailer with a yamaha 15HP motor, $5000 Ph 53582560 Stawell

3.8 Savage aluminium boat, new 18 hp Tohatsu motor, Biminis, Eagle fish finder, Mackay galvanised trailer, GC, $3700 Ph 0428826113

3.8 Stacer Kippa boat,15hp, 2 stroke Mercury, trailer A77849, cover, canopy, extras, boat reg J0296 $3900 Ph 5382 4210

Dehavaland 4MT tinnie 25 HP 2/S yamaha electric start, power trim tilt nav lights, bilge pump windscreen, AM-FM radio, reg no FX-104, 8 months rego, tilt trailer with electric winch, 12 months rego, rego ZPZ-415, $4,000 Ph 0427825986

Stacer 400 bass EVO aluminium hull GN915, 25HP mercury 2 stroke, dunbier trailer P72-007, no salt water, all EC, $7500 Ph 0428825864

Gopher Red Top Gun

“Mustang”, 2years old, near new, $4500ono Ph 0427857510

Roho Brand Permobill dry floatation pressure cushion and cushion cover, $250 ono, Ph 0435787499

Seat Walker, GC, $175ono, Ph 0435787499

Single electric/adjustable bed , includes mattress,used but in EC, Includes as new Health Flex mattress topped with bamboo fabric, designed for pressure redistribution, purchase price $5000, sell for $2500ono Ph0435787449

Wheelchair and Compression cushion, VGO $600ono Ph 0427857510

Harley Davidson , custom 1956 frame black, 200 rear end, stretched tanks 3-inch belt drive primary RevTech 4 speed ratchet, with extras, will go quick $18,000 Ph 0423859198

5x Hankook Dynapro ATM Tyres, 31.10, 5OR, 15 lt, 95% thread with black Sunraysia wheels, 6 stud, will not seperate $800 ono Ph 0418203511 Dave anytime

Load Leveller Weight

Distribution kit for towing, suitable for caravans, horse floats etc. Ball weight 165kg, new never been used, $250 Ph 0407046864 Horsham

Nissan ute 2.4 petrol 4WD great farm ute no tray, WD4SQ $3000 Ph 0417440396

2011 BMW X3, 6 cylinder, diesel turbo, white, 11 months rego, lovely car, 290,000km, YPC367 $10,000 Ph 0411502510

2011 Holden VE1 SV6 Commodore Sedan, GC, serviced every 6 months, auto, runs well, 330,358kms, YXP477 $7200 Ph 0407542856

2011 Toyota Camry , auto, VGC, RWC, genuine reason for selling, 226,000 kms, 1JX6HQ $8950 PH 0409433755

2010 Holden Commodore Calais sedan, immaculate, 1 owner car, always garaged, full service histor, RWC, 12mths rego, inspection welcome, XOM 292, 210,000kms $11000 Ph 0417033601

2013 Mazda 6 Touring SP 4D, Navman dashcam, reg till 12/09/24, good tyres, recent full service, recent new windscreen, 252,000kms, 1AC9C1 $11750 Ph 0428366942

2014 Navara D40 ST, 4x4, canopy, tow bar, new W/ screens, back shockers, will come with 3months rego and RWC, reg 1D19LN, very low kms 135,000, $19,750ono Ph 0409210594

3x Ajax wool press $100ea plus Gst ono Ph 0428894258

, 6000lt

2.3mt

36m

520/85R 42

bag

mud guards, stainless steel centrifugal pump with hydraulic drive, 450lt flush tank, fence line nozzles both sides, TriJet nozzle bodies, one owner/operator, $80,000 inc Gst Ph 0428852409 Murtoa

Black EL Futura , 04/98, limited edition factory silhouette black, Geelong plant executive order, complete with books, late model 4ltr engine, auto, air, cruise etc, runs and drives well, no rego, duco average, vin# 6FPAAAJGSWWT37628, 191,000kms $2900ono Ph Max 0477317809

2014 Triton 4X4 Auto diesel, 11mth rego, RWC, 139,000kms, 1DQ9AK $19,000 Ph 0427824693

Hyundai iLoad , 6 seater, manual, diesel, 2,04,000kms, rego YPK951, $15,000 Ph 0497205899

Aspire Wheelchair, extremely comfortable, padded headrest, additional padded section for leg support, barely used over 3 month period, paid $3500, selling for $1500 Ph 0427562913

Electric Recliner lift chair, $1500, Ph 0435787449, pick up Horsham

Stoll

2014 boom spray

tank,

boom,10 sections,

tyres,

axle on air

suspension,

2011 White Nissan Navara

D40 STX550 V6 twin cab, auto, diesel, bull bar, driving lights, snorkel, long range fuel tank, dual battery system, 2 inch lift kit, canopy, hard top tonneau cover and roll bar, 1 owner, serviced regularly, rego paid until 23/12/2024, comes with RWC, engine number: V9X007595C, 297,500kms, YTZ 215 $25,600ono Ph Craig 0429832207

2016 VF SSV Series II Redline , sunroof. 6.2 LS 3, auto. 88,000kms, white with black roof, beautiful car to drive 1UY9ZJ $57,995 Ph 0427015393

2018 Toyota Landcruiser Sahara, Crystal Pearl, beige interior, EC, 7 seater, many extras, 98,000kms, 1MQ2IT $100,000neg Ph 0428982514

2019 Subaru Impreza Hatch back, AWD, glass electric sunroof, safety, comfort, Pearl White, EC, 40,000kms, 1PA8PJ $28,500 Ph 0427822909

Honda Civic VTI-L Sportshatch 2017, CVT auto, 1.5L turbo, 5L/100km, fully optioned, Honda warranty, amazing car, as new, genuine sale, 1MT-2IG, 46,000km, $25,900 Ph 0408881137

Mitsubishi Triton CLX 4x4, MR MY23, DT, diesel, 6SP auto, double cab, model MR4V47, build date 20/12/2022, 18 inch back alloy wheels, Mitsubishi mats, tub liner, T bar, nudge bar, side steps, mud flaps, RWC, rego till March 2025, 27,000kms, 1WH7UP $46,500 Ph 0419007741

REDUCED 2022 Toyota Hi Lux Workmate, manual, petrol 4X2 tray, as new, reverse camera, first reg in Feb 2023, recently serviced, 12 months reg, RWC, only 2800kms, 1WN4LZ $27,500 Horsham, Ph 0428504171

Silver 2007 Toyota Landcruiser GXL V8 Diesel, EC with accessories, locally purchased and owned, 298,000kms, WEU939 $47,500 Ph 0428 820 445

Antique German violin, bow and case, excellent playing condition $550 Ph 0417886268

Fender copy guitar, near new $350 Ph 0419509335

2

Housemate wanted ,

When we sing “Happy Birthday” we often follow it with “why was he/she born so beautiful, why was he/she born at all? Because he/she had no say in it, no say in it at all.”

We had no say in being born. One person, and only one, did have a say. Jesus, God’s only begotten Son. He chose to come to earth as a man. Why? To save us, because we

V for Volunteering

GWMWater

an innovative and progressive employer committed to contributing to the sustainable growth of communities within the Grampians, Wimmera and Mallee regions.

The Centre for Participation say a big thank you to volunteers across Western Victoria for being the ‘heartbeat’ of our communities.

Recycled Water Systems Officer

Position number VG/4215B

National Volunteer Week is the annual celebration to acknowledge the generous contribution of our nation’s volunteers. At this uncertain time we feel that it is more important than ever to recognise and acknowledge Australia’s volunteers.

As the Recycled Water Systems Officer with GWMWater, you will work closely with Planning and Service Delivery staff to assist the organisation in meeting its health and environment management obligations and the requirements of the Environment Protection Act 2017.

National Volunteer Week begins Monday May 18 and runs until Sunday 24 May. This years theme is ‘Changing Communities. Changing Lives’. ‘It’satimewhenwetipourcollectivehatsand saythankyouforthetireless,wonderfulworkofvolunteers in our communities,’ said Julie Pettet, CEO at the Centre for Participation.

The Recycled Water Systems Officer will coordinate our recycled water and biosolids programs, administer recycled water and biosolid agreements and coordinate the associated groundwater monitoring and soil testing programs. If you enjoy analysing information and working with people to achieve meaningful environmental outcomes, we would like to hear from you. To apply online please visit: gwmwater.org.au/careers

As a mark of thanks, the Centre for Participation and the Volunteer Coordinators Network have published a series of postcards.

Applications close: Friday 19 April 2024

WRSA Female Administrators Network, Edenhope Memorial Hospital, Horsham Rural City Council, Wimmera Southern Mallee LLEN, Rural Northwest Health, West Wimmera Shire Council, Emma Kealy’s Office and Grampians Community Health have joined us to send postcards to volunteers across our communities.

Want to volunteer?

GWMWater contact: Blake Landwehr, People Talent and Culture Officer

GWMWater is an EEO employer and is committed to continuously improving our quality, safety and environmental systems.

If you want to volunteer but don’t know where to start, Julie Pettet, CEO of the Centre for Participation in Horsham has a few ideas to help you on your way.

To receive information in relation to this vacancy in an accessible format such as large print, please contact our People Talent and Culture team on 1300 659 961.

Join the celebration on Zoom...

> Follow your passion - you’ll be happier and more effective volunteering in something you love

> Know what you want out of it - to meet people? change the world? care for animals? share skills? get a job?

Subscribe to receive GWMWater job alert emails by visiting gwmwater.org.au/careers

Mark Williams Managing Director

We invite volunteers from across the Wimmera to come together at 10am on Friday 22 May for an online morning tea to celebrate volunteers. If you would like to join in, call 5382 5607 or email info@centreforparticipation to get a Zoom link and password.

11 McLachlan Street Horsham gwmwater.org.au

> Contact Centre for Participation or a community group near you, to match your skills and needs, with volunteering vacancies

Happy Volunteering!

English Language Program Trainer (Casual)

Are you passionate about making a positive impact on migrant communities? Do you possess excellent teaching and communication skills? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you to become an integral part of our team at the Centre for Participation.

As an English Language Trainer, you'll play a vital role in designing, developing, and delivering English language classes to newly arrived migrants. Your responsibilities will include creating engaging lesson plans, providing supportive learning environments, and assisting students in building confidence in their English language skills. Additionally, you'll collaborate with our Community Impact Manager to ensure effective training delivery and support for our learners.

For further information: contact Marieke Dam on 0493 969 624 or marieke@cfp.org.au.

To apply, you must submit an application addressing the key selection criteria to vacancy@centreforparticipation.org.au by COB Monday the 14th of April 2024.

Join us in making a positive impact on the lives of our community members. Apply now and be a part of our passionate and dedicated team!

•

SLEEPOVER SHIFTS – 3.30pm START

St Paul VI Parish Wimmera-Mallee

Position Vacant:

Administration O cer

3 Days Per Week, 9am-4pm

A position is available for an enthusiastic and motivated Administration O cer, based in the St Paul VI Catholic Parish o ce in Horsham

• We are looking for a person with sound knowledge of Microsoft Word, Publisher, Excel and PowerPoint.

• Must have excellent computer, communication and organisational skills, and be able to work independently as well as part of a team.

A Working with Children’s Check and National Police Check are required for the successful applicant.

A position description is available at the Parish O ce, 10 Roberts Ave, Horsham, ph 5382 1155 or email managerwimmeramallee@ballarat.catholic.org.au

Please submit application letter and resume with two referees listed, by close of business Tuesday 16 th April 2024.

Site office administrator

to team up with architectural designers/ engineers/construction managers

1. Liaise with head office and local offices, with

2. Own lap top [ideally excel/word] and vehicle

3. Hours 9am to 3pm (approx.) 5 days a week (flexible)

4. Casual rates [abn can be arranged] well above awards

5. Travel allowance

6. Start 12 April 24 site airconditioned offices [good amenities] Stawell till June 24 approx.

7. Opportunity to continue on other projects in the region

Email by 12 April: Barry Gale barry@keyiaust.com your CV, will be responded to same day; Call alternatively: 0408 773 277

hours per week

$36.00 to $51.76 per hour

Contact: Kristy Price

Closing: 12pm Monday 8 April 2024

Family Connections Officer

Part Time - Permanent

Are you passionate about supporting children, parents and other family members to access a safe, secure and comfortable contact Services?

This is the role for you!

This position supports and engages vulnerable and at-risk families, from pregnancy and throughout the early years of life, by providing practical support, education, additional assistance and advocacy under the Enhanced Maternal and Child Health (EMCH) program guidelines.

If you’d like to know more contact Marita Tobin, Coordinator Early Years at marita.tobin@ngshire.vic.gov.au or call 03 5358 8700.

Applications close 11.00am Monday 8 April 2024.

About ACE Radio Network:

A family-owned network, ACE Radio Broadcasters is a prominent regional Victorian media company, encompassing 21 radio stations, The Weekly Advertiser newspaper, ACE Digital, and ACE Direct Sales, and employing over 200 people across Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. The Horsham base is home to newspaper; The Weekly Advertiser and two radio stations; 3WM and MIXX FM, delivering quality content and news to the Wimmera, Mallee and Grampians regions.

Executive Assistant and Office Manager

You’ll be a part of the executive team, reporting directly to the General Manager, providing comprehensive administrative support and leading a small team to ensure the seamless operation of our office. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to contribute to various projects and corporate events within our organisation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide high-level administrative support to the General Manager, including managing calendars, scheduling meetings, handling correspondence, and organising travel arrangements.

• Communicate effectively between the executive team, staff members, clients and other stakeholders including distributing internal communications, preparing reports and presentations, and respond to inquiries on behalf of the executives.

• Lead the administrative team, ensuring office protocols are followed and customer service objectives are met.

• Act as the primary point of contact for internal and external communications, ensuring efficient flow of information.

• Organise and prioritise incoming tasks and communications, ensuring timely responses and follow-ups.

• Maintain records and databases with a high level of confidentiality and accuracy.

• Handle sensitive documents and discussions with professionalism and integrity.

• Coordinate corporate events and meetings, managing event logistics and ensuring seamless execution.

• Oversee the smooth functioning of the office, including managing office supplies, equipment, facilities, and coordinating maintenance and repairs.

Key Skills and Requirements:

• Excellent time management and prioritisation skills, with a strong attention to detail.

• Flexibility and adaptability to adjust to shifting priorities and handle unexpected changes.

• Effective problem-solving abilities, anticipating issues and finding solutions to challenges.

• Professional demeanour with excellent customer service skills and the ability to foster positive relationships.

• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, and proficient with MS programs.

• Thorough experience with event coordination and project management.

To download a position description and key selection criteria form visit our website: gch.org.au

For further information email employment@gch.org.au or call contact person on 5358 7400

be someone making a difference for people in your community

Employment Opportunities

**Attractive salary packaging in addition to salary**

See our website for further information

We are seeking committed and passionate people who are ready for exciting and rewarding careers in our growing community health organisation

Orange Door Practitioner (Victim Survivor Focussed) 22.8 hours per week

$47.50 per hour

Orange Door Practitioner (Perpetrator Focussed) 38 or 30.4 hours per week

$47.50 per hour

Contact: Kristy Williams

Closing: 12pm Monday 15 April 2024

To download a position description and key selection criteria form visit our website: gch.org.au

For further information email employment@gch.org.au or call contact person on 5358 7400

Journalist

The Weekly Advertiser is a free weekly newspaper featuring news and sport from across the Wimmera, Mallee and Grampians regions and is seeking a journalist to join its awardwinning team.

This is a full-time position but comes with highly flexible arrangements for the right applicant. Newsgathering would include hard news, features, agriculture and sport.

Key Responsibilities:

• Ability to research, create and submit a body of factually accurate stories daily, guided by experienced mentors.

• Work efficiently to deliver news stories on time, and adhere to tight deadlines.

• Craft compelling and clear articles, reports, or broadcasts for print and digital media.

• Conduct interviews and fact-check information.

• Edit and adapt content for various platforms.

• Uphold ethical standards of journalism.

Key Skills and Requirements:

• Strong writing and communication skills.

• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.

• Attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.

• Familiarity with journalistic principles and ethics.

Remuneration for these position: Salary per annum will be commensurate with experience.

To apply:

For further information or if you’re ready to take on these exciting opportunities, send your resume and cover letter to: Brendan O’Loughlin, General Manager brendano@aceradio.com.au

ACE Radio Broadcasters is an equal-opportunity employer.

Friday, April 5, 2024 Brisbane Lions v North Melbourne @ 5.10pm

YoUr CLUB in 2024

Finals expectatio

BY COLIN

MacGILLIVRAY

Step one: qualify for finals. Step two: see what happens.

In a nutshell, this is the plan for Rupanyup senior football coach Brayden Ison in 2024.

Ison is in his third year at the helm of the Panthers after guiding the team to a premiership in 2022 and a finals berth last season.

Although a narrow semi-final loss to Noradjuha-Quantong ended Rupanyup’s premiership defence, Ison said the Panthers ‘finished where we should have last year’.

He said Rupanyup would simply aim to make finals again this year before worrying about anything else.

“This is my third year coaching and not much has changed,” he said.

“I think if we make finals that’s our pass mark, and then anything can happen from there.

“We have to qualify for finals first, before we do anything else, and then we’ll see what happens.”

The Panthers will lose a handful of senior players from last season, with Elliot Kelly, Jordan

CoaChes

Seniors: Brayden Ison

Reserves: Jakob Davis and Geoff Stevenson

Under-17s: Matt Downer and Scott Finnigan

Under-14s: Paul Trotter

Under-11s: To be confirmed

Under-9s: To be confirmed

and Lachlan Weidemann, Ryan Timmins, Mitch Musgrove and Joe Tormey all departing.

While the losses will leave a large hole in the team – Kelly, Timmins and Jordan Weidemann were named among the Panthers’ best players in both finals matches last season –Ison said some new recruits would help fill the breach.

In will be midfielders Kane Timmins from Wandella in the Golden Rivers Football League and Andy Phelan from Churchill in the North Gippsland league, forward Thomas Smith from West Gambier in the Limestone Coast league, defender Bailey Rothall from Glencoe in the Mid South East-

ern league, and wingman Lachlan Holm from the Wimmera league’s Stawell Warriors.

Ison said the return of two injured players and the addition of some talent from the club’s junior ranks would also strengthen the team.

“There are two blokes we had last year who didn’t play in our finals series who are almost like recruits, in Kieran Sait and Bill Hansen,” he said.

“Alby Kingston had a full year in the seniors last year and made the Greater Western Victoria Rebels this year.

“Jimmy Finnigan will play his first year of senior football and Riley Downer and Max Sudholz will hopefully get a bit of exposure to senior footy.”

Ison said he expected his team to play finals again in 2024 and could surprise onlookers with a deep run, noting that with a clean bill of health, the Panthers might have pushed further into September last year.

“We had five or six out of our finals side that lost to Noradjuha-Quantong, so maybe if we’d had a bit better luck with injuries, we could have gone a bit further last year. But that’s football,” he said.

Alby Kingston will again play seniors with Rupanyup and Greater Western Victoria Rebels this season.

Creating a perfect flow

BY COLIN MacGILLIVRAY

New Rupanyup A Grade netball coach Jedda Heard is comfortable with her squad being labelled one of the teams to beat in the Horsham District league.

Heard heads a strong list of recruits that has onlookers speculating about the possibility of the Panthers lifting the A Grade premiership cup for the first time since joining the league in the 1980s.

In addition to the former Horsham Demons gun, Rupanyup has picked up defender Victoria Taylor from Pimpinio, along with goalie Maddi Morgan and midcourt player Meg Cashin from Wimmera league club MinyipMurtoa.

The Panthers have also retained several key players from last season’s team that reached a

CoaChes

A Grade: Jedda Heard

B Grade: Jedda Heard

C Grade: Maeve Rickard

C Reserve: Maeve Rickard

17-and-under: Pauline Amos

15-and-under: Jenni Downer and Kath Webb

13-and-under: Gemma Morgan

NetSetGo: Ruby Amos and Stella Tucker

ments. When asked if she agreed with the pundits’ view that Rupanyup was a premiership favourite, Heard said she believed her side had the talent to win a grand final, but it would be far from easy.

“I definitely see us as one of the

“I think we’re going to do pretty well this year.”

A focus for Heard during preseason training has been establishing a connection and rhythm between the returning Panthers and new A Grade players.

“I’m looking to create a nice flow down the court through our structures,” she said.

“With the new girls and the girls who were there last year, I want everyone to blend and get to know each other, and figure out how we can all work together the best.

“Finding flow down the court will be the thing that pushes us forward, because each player is great individually, but we haven’t all worked together before.”

Heard, who will also coach Rupanyup’s B Grade squad, said the club would also look to provide opportunities for hard-working junior players to experience sen-

Horsham District league’s 2023 leading goal scorer, Zanaiya Bergen, is ready for the season to start.

Youth front of

BY ABBY WALTER

Horsham

Demons’ senior football recruiting could be the key ingredient to its success this season.

The Demons finished last season in eighth position, with two wins and will look to improve that standing this season.

Jordyn Burke is returning to the coaching helm of the senior team.

Burke coached the team in 2013, to a premiership in 2014, through a disrupted 2021 and in a joint role with Tyler Blake in 2022.

He said the squad’s preseason had been fantastic to date, including numbers on the track.

“The momentum we built from last year with recruiting at the back end of the year has carried into preseason, which is good,” he said.

“We’re looking forward to getting more experience into the younger group we have this season.”

Burke said he hoped the recruits would add some much-needed class to the team’s game.

CoaChes

Seniors: Jordyn Burke

Reserves: Al McKinnon

Under-17s: Damien Bunworth and Josh Mibus

Under-14s: Steven Both

Under-12s: To be confirmed

Under-9s: To be confirmed

“Ryan Kemp is returning, he is a premiership player and Toohey medallist, and is a handy addition to have,” he said.

“We have a couple of new boys in the two Gunn brothers, Jasper and Harvey, Corey Williams and Hugo Papst as well.

“There’s a good young batch coming up, too.

“Lachie Hobbs is training really well at the moment, as is Jeremy Kemp and Zak Smith, so to see the youth stepping up has been exciting as well.

“We want to make sure we are competing and winning games of football as well, but the mindset has to be

to continue to develop those younger players because we have plenty of them who will hopefully be around for a long time.”

Burke said the senior footballers had the chance to play a practice match against Hamilton and would have another against Skipton as well as another intraclub game before the season started.

He said there was a strong club feel at the Demons home of City Oval as renovations to the netball courts had finished.

“Finally, the netballers have been able to be back at City Oval, too, which is good because it has been a while and it has felt weird having no netball,” he said.

“It has been a struggle for the club to not have anyone at the courts, but it’s starting to feel like one big club again, which is nice.”

Horsham will travel to Alexandra Oval to face Ararat in round one.

Rising star Jeremy Kemp chats with Damien Bunworth, this season’s Under-17s joint coach, during a match last season.

Fit and set to fi Horsham YoUr CLUB in 2024

BY LAUREN HENRY

Afit and energised Horsham A Grade netball team will be aiming for a premiership this season.

The Demons were left shattered after losing last year’s Wimmera league A Grade grand final to Horsham Saints by three goals.

But, the netballers returning home to City Oval to play on two new courts, plus strong numbers at pre-season training, had reignited the Demons in 2024.

Senior netball director Alex Neale said there was a buzz around the club heading into this season.

“We feel like one club again when you have the atmosphere of the football running around next to you as well,” she said.

“We feel like we’re home and playing on and training on two courts has just made it so much easier as well.”

Neale said there had been a few changes to the A Grade squad this year, with three new faces in Tahlia Thompson from Pimpinio; Britt Burns, nee Keller, from Harrow; and Georgia Lowe from Noradjuha-Quantong joining the Demons.

“We’re quite a tall team this year, we have a bit more height which is always nice, and they are a fit group as well,” Neale said.

The A Grade squad includes Georgia Batson, Georgie Carberry, Georgia Lowe, Imogen Worthy, Keely Pope, Romi Miller, Britt Burns, Tahlia Thompson, Ebonie Salter and Zarli Knight as the junior development player.

Salter will step up to be playing coach this season – the experienced netballer is also set to play her 100th senior game for Horsham this

CoaChes

A Grade: Ebonie Salter

B Grade: Dan Smith

C Grade: Abby Eubergang

C Reserve: Bianca Anson

17-and-under: Janelle Knight

15-and-under: Casey Rentsch and Brianna Luciani

13-and-under: Lucy Hartigan and Pauline Butler

NetSetGo: To be confirmed

season. Neale said there were a couple of major milestones for netballers to look forward to this season, with Abby Uebergang to play 200 senior games and 300 club matches, while Georgia Carberry, 22, would also play her 250th club game, and possibly 150th senior game, which would qualify her for life membership.

“How the junior program is run is definitely a key to the club’s success,” Neale said.

“Not just the success across all grades, but keeping juniors at the club, as well as playing them in higher age grades is a real credit to the club.”

Neale said netball pre-season started before Christmas, with a break over January, before returning to the court in February.

She said practice matches against Kybybolite and Hamilton had impressed club leaders, and the netballers would have another hit-out against Skipton before the official start of the season on April 20.

re

PROUD NAMING RIGHTS

Imogen Worthy will return to the court for the Demons this season.

Proactive and att

BY COLIN MacGILLIVRAY

Additional key-position depth and a rapidlydeveloping team has prompted Swifts senior coach Brett Hargreaves to declare a finals win the ‘only pass mark’ for the Baggies in 2024.

Swifts finished fifth on the ladder with a healthy percentage last season, but were stung by a 10-point elimination final loss to Rupanyup after leading at the final change.

Hargreaves said a healthy list of inclusions this season should see the Baggies advance further into the postseason.

Bookends Paul Summers and Kurt Bruechert have crossed from the Wimmera Football Netball League’s Stawell Warriors, giving Swifts additional height in attack and defence, respectively.

Former club best-and-fairest winner Ryan Folkes will return from Great Western, while brothers Chris and Liam Freeman from Bendigo league club Maryborough will also join the Baggies.

CoaChes

Seniors: Brett Hargreaves

Reserves: Ben Martin and Barry Neville

Under-17s: Liam Scott

Under-14s: Tim Coffey

Under-11s: To be confirmed

Under-9s: To be confirmed

“You’d hope the team will be stronger this year,” Hargreaves said.

“We’ve definitely added class, and we’ve filled a few gaps that we had, such as a tall defender and some onballers.

“We’ve also added another key forward, so we have a few big assets up forward now, which is good.”

Hargreaves said former under-17 team captain Luke Monaghan would join the senior side this season, while Austin Giusa is also in line to receive senior opportunities.

“Monaghan represented the league at centre-half-back in the under-17s and played quite well in our last practice match, and Giusa is a bit of an X-

factor as an explosive forward pocket,” Hargreaves said.

“Those two young blokes have a lot of talent.”

Hargreaves said the Baggies would also unveil a more aggressive style of football this season.

“The past few years we were quite young and we were just building, so we tried a bit more of a defensive style, that I would say was a bit more reactive,” he said.

“Now that we have a team that’s good enough to compete with most, we want to be more proactive and attacking.”

Hargreaves said last year’s finals disappointment would be on the players’ minds as they embarked on a new season.

“We were pretty disappointed because we thought that elimination final was ours to win, to be honest,” he said.

“We had two blokes who got rubbed out the week before finals, which put a damper on things for us and we couldn’t get it done.

“This year we have to be winning finals. That’s our only pass mark, and hopefully we can win as many as possible.”

Liam Scott will also coach the under-17s this season.

‘Baby boost’ for Baggies

BY COLIN MacGILLIVRAY

Swifts

A Grade co-coaches

Kristy Dodds and Amy

Kenny know that sometimes new mums need an outlet –lucky there’s netball.

The Baggies will welcome several new mothers back to their ranks in 2024, including A Grade players Michaela Carey and Erin Freeland.

It was this returning group of mothers that Dodds said had created a sense of renewed enthusiasm at Swifts ahead of next weekend’s round one clash against Kalkee.

“As a club we’re all very excited. The vibe is electric at the minute,” she said.

“In the past few years – not just in A Grade, but in all grades – we have had what I call a baby boost across the club.

“There are a few returning mothers across all the grades. It’s very family-focused and very enjoyable.

“When the players come to training, they’re keen to switch off and focus on some time for themselves.

“We hit it hard and afterwards we can enjoy going back to family life. It’s a really good mixture.”

Dodds said the return of Carey, a shooter, and Freeland at the defensive end of the court would help

CoaChes

A Grade: Kristy Dodds and Amy Kenny

B Grade: Kristy Dodds and Amy Kenny

C Grade: Naomi Hoffmann

C Reserve: Cass Coffey

17-and-under: Katrina Repper

15-and-under: Michael Mitchell

13-and-under: Tahlia Hoffmann and Jacqui Scott

NetSetGo: Briony Cann

strengthen the Baggies, as would a trio of recruits from Navarre.

Darcy Crawford will return to Swifts after a year with the Grasshoppers, and joining her will be Lisa Monaghan and Bek Pye.

Dodds said she believed the new players would quickly endear themselves to the Baggies’ faithful.

“Lisa Monaghan will be in our midcourt and we think she’ll be one to watch,” Dodds said.

“Bek has come across as a shooter and has a bit of height behind her.

“Darcy Crawford can play in goals as well as the midcourt area.”

Dodds, who has served as play-

ing coach for the Baggies in the past three years, said she was excited to coach alongside Kenny, her sister, this season.

“We’re so excited. For myself, being a playing coach has its challenges, so to have Amy alongside me, it’s like we have a telepathic connection when we coach,” Dodds said.

“It’ll be fantastic to have that set of eyes and voice off the court, as well as some on court.

“We’re coaching A and B grades and at the moment we’ve been training as one squad.

“The girls are all really focused and excited about it, too.”

Kenny said she believed the team would challenge for a finals berth after missing the top six last season.

“I guess we’re the same as all teams in that our ultimate goal is to make finals,” she said.

“We’re really just focusing on each game as they come, and we’re setting our sights on the first game against Kalkee at the minute.

“Through reading about other clubs and hearing things along the way, we know there’s been changes with other teams too, so it’s exciting to enter the season without much of an idea of what will happen.”

The Baggies are welcoming back several new mothers to their ranks, including Michaela Carey, above.

Tigers on the rise

BY LAUREN HENRY

Well-credentialed footballer Jake McQueen returns home to Nhill to lead the Tigers in 2024, in his first season as a senior coach.

McQueen will be supported by former coach Jaye Macumber, who will return as game day bench coach, while David Flood will continue in his game strategy role.

After playing high level football for Southport in the Victorian Football League, McQueen came back to play for the Tigers for a couple of games last season.

His football resume includes playing for Essendon in the VFL, as well as in the Ballarat league, TAC Cup, Ovens and Murray league, and Northern Territory.

He is now aiming to help lift the Tigers to improve from their seventh placing in 2023, when they won just three games –against Warrack Eagles, twice, and Horsham Demons.

But he said he was not putting any expectations on the playing group or the club.

“As long as we’re all enjoying it and playing good footy,” McQueen said.

CoaChes

Seniors: Jake McQueen

Reserves: Cameron Natt

Under-17s: Luke Oldaker

Under-14s: Jack Mason

Under-12s: Steve Shurdington

Under-9s: To be confirmed

“I’m not putting any expectations on where we’re going to be, or anything like that.”

Nhill’s first test will be against Minyip-Murtoa on April 20.

“It’ll be very interesting how it goes – how we go,” he said.

“I’m not expecting to be flying. We’ll probably progress as the year goes on.

“We’re a very young side, so we’ll be quick and nimble.

“We have a few taller blokes this year, so we’ve a few targets to kick to, which will be good.”

Nhill has recruited some key players for 2024, including onballer and forward Peter Politis from the Northern Territory, imposing forward-ruckman Daniel Batson from Robinvale-Euston in the Sunraysia league, and tall and athletic for-

ward Dylan Ridding from Gaza Eagles in the Adelaide league.

Former Tiger best-and-fairest winner and Wimmera league representative Jake Harrap, a dynamic midfielder and forward, also returns to Nhill after playing in South Australia.

Nhill’s inclusions look to outweigh their losses, which include Fraser and Tom Driscoll, who have gone to play football in Adelaide.

McQueen said he was also hoping to see some of the club’s junior players step up to play senior football this season.

“We have a couple of juniors coming through from under 17s, so it’d be good if we see them play a few games as well,” he said.

Nhill’s first practice match this year was against Dennington late last month.

“That was a good hit out. We ended up winning by a bit, but it was good,” McQueen said.

“We got what we needed out of it, so I think that was pleasing.”

The Tigers will play Pimpinio in a practice match this weekend.

A determined Glen Saniong in action for Nhill last season will line up again for the Tigers in 2024.

YoUr CLUB in 2024

Aiming for finals

BY LAUREN HENRY

Nhill’s A Grade netball team has its eyes firmly on playing Wimmera league finals in 2024.

Emma Hawker and Tracey Bell will return as co-coaches of A Grade this season, with the core group of last year’s players remaining in the team.

Nhill A Grade finished fifth on the ladder last season, with eight wins and eight losses, and just missed out on a finals place by four points, behind Dimboola.

Hawker said the Tigers had a strong attendance across pre-season, which had included three weeks of trials and a selection process.

“It’s been pleasing to have players commit for the 2024 season,” she said.

“We have good numbers to field four senior teams. But we always welcome any new players.”

Hawker said a focus in 2024 would be continuing to develop team depth.

“We’re pleased to have Ellen Bennett and Larnie Hobbs back on board and excited to have Claudia McRae retuning from ACL reconstruction,” she said.

“Courtney Hiller will be playing full-time after moving to Nhill with partner Jake McQueen, and we’re welcoming Elly Marra, from Jeparit-Rainbow, who will be a strong presence in defence for us.”

Tess McQueen, who is currently overseas, is due to return mid-season, while goaler Sydney Thorogood and Jasmine Talbot are other omissions.

“We look forward to Ellen Bennett having

CoaChes

A Grade: Emma Hawker and Tracey Bell

B Grade: Charlotte Foulds

C Grade: Emma Dickinson

C Reserve: Melissa Polkinghorne

17-and-under: Kimberley Philip and Shaeleigh McKercher

15-and-under: Ruby James and Lauren Warner

13-and-under: Melissa and Jayda Polkinghorne

NetSetGo: Karen Shurdington

another strong and consistent season, and supporting her team mates,” Hawker said.

“A versatile team means that all players will have support for a strong season ahead.”

Hawker said the aim for this season was for consistency and to be strong across all senior grades.

“We’re always aiming to finish top five and play deep into finals,” she said.

In round one on April 20, the Tigers will play Minyip-Murtoa, who they scored two big wins against last season.

“With all players available for round one, we hope to hit the court and play a good, strong team game, with a consistent four quarters,” Hawker said.

“From all accounts Minyip-Murtoa has recruited well, so we are expecting strong competition.”

Tess McQueen is expected to return to the court for Nhill mid-season following an overseas adventure.

Window of opportunity a winner

BY COLIN MacGILLIVRAY

In the storied 146-year history of the Stawell Gift, there had never been a day like it.

Torrential rain at Stawell’s Central Park nearly derailed Australia’s richest footrace on Monday in what would have been an unprecedented outcome.

Since the race’s inception in 1878, only the Second World War and the COVID-19 pandemic have caused it to be cancelled.

With an estimated 15 centimetres of water covering parts of the track at the scheduled start for the women’s final at 1.45pm, Stawell Gift Event Management chairman Murray Emerson admitted organisers were unsure if the feature races would be able to proceed.

“We put it back to 2.30pm, then 3.30pm, then 4.30pm,” he said.

“Our groundskeeper from Northern Grampians Shire Council assured us that if the rain would stop for half an hour, we’d be able to continue.

“We were having pretty urgent meetings with everybody – the Victorian Athletic League, Sport360, the curator and my board – and we just kept pushing the two main races back an hour at

a time hoping we’d get that window of opportunity.

“The TV time was running out and there were a lot of things happening in a short period of time.

“We finally got that window of opportunity and we got the two main races run and won.”

The winners of the two feature races were Queenslander Chloe MannixPower and Victorian Jack Lacey.

Mannix-Power lived up to her prerace favouritism, exploding off a backmark of 4.25 metres to win from Chloe Kinnersly in a time of 13.417 seconds.

Lacey raced off a 9.5-metre mark in the men’s final, barely holding off backmarker Jake Ireland to win by just 0.009 of a second.

Mannix-Power, who comes from a beach-running background, said the sodden conditions suited her.

“We were actually praying for the rain because the rain suits us. It’s like running on the beach, which we’ve been training on in the rain for the past three weeks,” she said.

Australian Olympian Peter Bol was one of the main drawcards of this year’s gift, racing in a 1000-metre

invitational that started as the rain set in on Monday.

Bol, who finished fourth in the 800-metre final at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, ran off scratch as other competitors started as much as 32 metres ahead of him.

Bol nearly tracked down eventual winner Riley Bryce, given a 10-metre mark, just falling short on the line.

Mr Emerson said crowds had remained engaged throughout the day despite the weather delays.

“I was amazed at the large number of spectators and competitors who bore with us until we got the races underway,” he said.

“From a crowd point of view, while Peter Bol was running they were cheering and yelling and encouraging him.

“When he just didn’t get there, the whole crowd went ‘awww’. They were disappointed that he didn’t win, but everyone was sensationally happy about his performance.

“To have him at Stawell on his way to the Paris Olympics was absolutely fantastic.”

Mr Emerson also praised the patience of the athletes.

“I haven’t had too much feedback from the competitors, although I suspect we might hear a bit of feedback over a period of time as to whether it might have been done a little bit differently,” he said.

For more photographs go to

Mr Emerson said this year’s events would only add to the legend of the gift.

“That’s the history of the Stawell Gift, isn’t it? There’s always some intrigue for one reason or another. This year it was because of the weather,” he said.

“We had a window of opportunity, and that’s the opportunity we took. In my opinion and the board’s opinion, it worked out really well.”

“A huge congratulations to everyone who got the job done.”

DRENCHED: Torrential rain at Stawell’s Central Park nearly derailed Australia’s richest footrace on Monday. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

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DASH: Dash Muir, wearing black, wins the Bill McManus 400m backmarkers final at the Stawell Gift. Aiden Green, in pink, stumbled before the line. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

WINNERS ARE GRINNERS: Chloe Mannix-Power and Jack Lacey celebrate winning the 2024 Stawell Gift.

Picture: LUKE HEMER

Ready for nationals

BY COLIN MacGILLIVRAY

Horsham bowling sensation

Logan Young is preparing for the ‘most memorable trip’ of his life as he gets ready to represent Victoria at the Tenpin Bowling Australia National Junior Championship in Queensland.

Young and his family will travel to the Sunshine Coast for the competition from April 14 to 17.

The 16-year-old, who bowls at Horsham Lanes and Games, said he was excited to represent his state.

“We’ve had training sessions every month in Melbourne,” he said.

“We’ve done about eight training sessions since I was selected into the team and we will have a presentation tea where I’ll be presented with my uniform.”

Young said qualifying for the under-18 Victorian team was a nerveracking process.

“I had to qualify across two games of bowling with 15 games total. After that it was out of total pinfall to determine who was selected,” he said.

“I placed sixth, which was the last spot on the team. I just made it. I was nervous, because I was the last person to get selected.

“They read out the names of first, second, third, fourth and fifth, and when they got down to the last spot there were still another 20-odd

people left from the qualifiers. I had no idea of the results, so I was sitting there nervously with my fingers crossed.

“When they called Logan Young my heart skipped a beat. My family was up and about. It was great.”

Young said he would aim to replicate his form from the first day of qualifying at the national championship.

“I felt like I bowled well in the qualifiers, for sure. On the first day we had eight games and I was coming third overall,” he said.

“On the second day things weren’t going as well, but I was still able to hold up and place sixth, so I reckon I did a fairly good job overall.

“I feel very prepared. I have everything I need and I think my mindset is in the right spot.

“Now I’m looking forward to actually getting there and competing and seeing what I can do.”

Young thanked the Horsham community for its support, which included donations and sponsorships to help him travel to Queensland.

“I have a fair few people on my side, which is great,” he said.

“It’s great to have everyone who has come together and put money towards sponsoring me and helping our family get there to try and make it the most memorable trip we could have together.” DREAM COME TRUE: Horsham tenpin bowler Logan Young will travel to Queensland this month to represent Victoria at the Tenpin Bowling Australia National Junior Championship.

STATE TITLE: Former Minyip and Horsham Golf lawn bowler Scott Boschen won the 2024 Henselite Victorian Open Men’s Singles final last week. Boschen, representing Koroit, defeated Neville Brown, Pakenham, 21-20 in the final at Traralgon. Minyip’s Michael Funke was knocked out in a semi final by Brown.

Heats a highlight at Stawell

BY TONY LOGAN

Stawell

Harness Racing Club

staged a successful Good Friday meeting in support of the Royal Children’s Hospital Appeal, with plenty of action both on and off the track.

Highlight of the afternoon was the unusual heats into a final format of the Stawell Toyota Pleasant Creek Plate.

Elliminyt owner-trainer Julie Brimacombe’s five-year-old mare Ittakesluv, with Jackie Barker in the sulky, led throughout to score a soft victory in the first heat from Hartnett, Gary Pekin, and Keayang Omar, Annalise Scott.

The winning margin of 13 metres and short quote of $1.40 favourite served notice the BrimacombeBarker team were the ones to beat in the final, provided the mare backed up for a second run, three hours later.

Charlton horseman Michael Gadsden combined with driver James Herbertson to land the second heat with seven-year-old gelding Dallas Charlie.

In a repeat of heat one, the even money favourite led throughout and scored by 7.2 metres from Nayomi, Lauren White, with Clarendon Scooter, Ryan Duffy, another 3.8 metres astern.

After a vet’s examination, the 10 qualifiers lined up for the final with

both heat winners set to dominate from their favourable barrier draws over the sprint trip of 1785 metres.

After being crossed early by Clarendon Scooter from gate four, Barker was able to work her charge away from the pegs and assume the front runner’s role with her main opposition Dallas Charlie then forced to race outside them.

Raced to perfection, Ittakesluv was untroubled to take out the $10,000 final, scoring by five metres in a rate of 1:59.1 and posting a rare pair of victories on the same day.

Family affair

The finish of the $7000 Stawell Gift Hall Of Fame Pace saw a real ‘family affair’ when Time To Torque, trained by Peter Manning and driven by daughter Kerryn, snatched victory from Nosweetsforyou, trained by another of Peter’s progeny Michelle Wight and driven by Kerryn’s husband Grant Campbell.

Time To Torque took 20 starts to break her maiden status, but a win at Ararat last month taught the threeyear-old filly something, as her next success came just three starts later.

Time To Torque is raced by her breeder Ian Corazzol, longtime supporter of the legendary Great Western horseman’s stable.

Consistent

Concongella trained four-yearold mare Tactics Are Rollin out-

ALL SMILES: Concongella owner-trainer Paul Rousch and Eppalock driver Michelle Phillips are all smiles after the win of four-year-old mare Tactics Are Rollin in the $6000 Sertori and Co Pace on Good Friday at Stawell. Picture: CLAIRE WESTON PHOTOGRAPHY

toughed the opposition in taking out the $6000 Sertori and Co Pace at Stawell for owner-trainer Paul Rousch and driver Michelle Phillips.

The winner of five races in Queensland found a new home in Victoria in October and had four unplaced starts for trainer Luke Bryant before being purchased by Rousch.

Since sporting the white, yellow and blue silks, Tactics Are Rollin has raced consistently with figure form to date of fourth, third, sixth, third and first.

Comfortable win

The popular 2024 Stawell Drivers and Trainers Gift saw the front marker Michael Bellman lead from go to whoa over the traditional 120-metre distance.

Bellman took full advantage of the pole draw and generous mark to win comfortably from a bunch chasing minor placings, which included Kerryn Manning and backmarkers Jason Ainsworth and Ryan Duffy.

Bellman basked in the glory, adopting the famous ‘lightning bolt’ stance of champion Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt after the finish.

Baker wins in Ironbarks

Fantastic conditions met Stawell Amateur Athletic Club competitors for the S and K Watson 5K Handicap.

It was a new course this year, much tougher than previous years, meandering through the Ironbark’s near Three Jacks.

Another fantastic turnout of 48 runners tackled the three categories of five kilometres, three kilometres and one-kilometre distances.

It was the first handicap start for the season, with 21 seniors starting over a 20-minute period. The runners returned thick and fast with Angela Baker taking home the honours. Shaun Ellis and Joel Freeland were close on her heels.

Sean Mantell was the fastest male for the day in a time of 19.06 minutes and Elise Monaghan was fastest female in a time of 22.54 minutes.

Baker has mainly been taking on the threekilometre courses in the past 12 months, with five children to wrangle. Although she laughed that it was not a fast time, it was great to see her take home a win.

The juniors had an out and back course, finishing with a steep downhill decent. Sienna came up trumps with Willow and Hunter closely following with only 12 seconds between them all.

The sub-junior race was also hotly-contested with only six seconds between the podium finishers. Oakley came in first, quickly followed by Willow and then Hunter.

The next race is the Youngs Sportspower Handicap – 5K on Saturday. Meet on course at 9am.

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State season start

BY DAVID BERRY

Victorian Volleyball League season will start on Saturday under a cloud of controversy.

The controversy surrounds a season fixture that despite having the same 12 team premier competition as season 2023, for some reason, that only Volleyball Victoria can answer, the competition has been divided into two pools of six, with only a season fixture to round six completed.

In the Phantoms’ case, the ability to host home games in Bendigo and Ballarat has been compromised by the ‘luck of the draw’ nature of where the teams will finish on the ladder after round six, something that half the competition has protested against.

For the Phantoms, the club finds itself dumbfounded that it cannot get a fixture request that befits a regional club, despite 13 years of participation.

With seven teams entered for season 2024, the Premier one men and women and the State League one women will be sitting at home cooling their heels waiting until next week for their season to start, missing out on a round one valuable home game opportunity.

Phantoms president Ben Hassell said the club’s committee met on Monday and drafted its response to the debacle, in line with the other five clubs who have done likewise.

“Our club draws on players from across regional Victoria and to not be able to plan their season beyond round six makes it extremely tough on those players and their families,” he said.

“More so, the opportunity to play home games in Bendigo, especially, is a big selling point for players in the west.

“The ball is in Volleyball Victoria’s court.”

Back on the court, Volleyball Horsham will be represented in the Premier two men’s team by libero Tyler Puls, the versatile Jack Hannan and former member Brady King.

The team will be coached by Matthew Berry, who is bullish about his team’s chances.

“The team played some good volleyball in a Ballarat tournament against quality opposition and if they bring that form to this weekend, we’ll be in with a show, even though Mazenod and Mornington will be strong teams,” he said.

In the State League two men’s team, Tyler Snowden pulls on the purple-and-black after a long lay-off and will play the key middle blocking role alongside former Volleyball Horsham member Caleb Smith.

The team has two very winnable games against Latrobe Uni and Western Region.

The State League two men have a doubleheader against a new association in the Derrimut Knights, with Jack Snowden and Haidyn Young named in an extended squad of 14.

Paige Hemley will continue with her development as she lines up with the premier two women’s team, as it faces two strong teams in Heidelberg and Mornington.

Mercedes Arnott and Ella Van Duren are in line to play for the State League two women’s team as they face the perennially strong Yarra Ranges in a double-header.

Thank you

The Volleyball Horsham community rallied around Volleyball Horsham Hall of Fame legend David Abud’s Ride for Alzheimer’s raising $2000 for the cause. Many Horsham residents will be familiar with the Abud name, as David’s father Dr Rodney Abud practiced in Horsham for many years in the ’70s and ’80s.

Beaming

Smiles abounded at Horsham Basketball Stadium last week as Wimmera students with disabilities gathered for a fun tournament to celebrate the culmination of a weeks-long skills program.

As part of Basketball Victoria’s Junior United Mentoring Program, JUMP, year nine and 10 students from Horsham College Basketball Academy undertook disability training as well as a coaching and umpiring course before taking students from Stawell’s

ballers shining

Skene Street School and Horsham Special School through a series of basketball training sessions.

The program finished last week with a fun tournament called the Echo Cup.

Horsham College Basketball Academy program co-ordinator Cam Bruce said everyone who took part in the program benefited from the experience.

“It’s been awesome to see their confidence and the fun they’re having,” he said.

“They display teamwork

and camaraderie, and they’re learning great skills.

“Just seeing the smiles and laughs has been good.”

Mr Bruce said teachers were also supportive of the program.

“Gary Lean, the Horsham Special School teacher, was telling me he gets emotional seeing kids from different backgrounds and with different disabilities shining in a different environment,” he said.

“It’s awesome to see reactions like that.”

PRESSURE ON: Tanaisha Hornsby, Skene Street School, Stawell, guards Natalie Fox, Horsham Special School, as Chloe Reinheimer referees during a Horsham College Basketball Academy special school tournament. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

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Warriors off to perfe ct start

BY COLIN MacGILLIVRAY

Stawell Warriors got their Wimmera Football Netball League season off to a perfect start, upsetting reigning premier Ararat on a hot day at North Park.

The Rats lost only once en route to the flag last season, but have already recorded their first blemish of 2024 after the Warriors surprised them 10.17 (77) to 8.15 (63) on Good Friday.

Stawell coach Tom Eckel praised the composure of his team, which raced to a 29-point half-time lead before holding on as Ararat mounted a comeback in trying conditions.

“We were defending the ground pretty well and controlling the footy early in the game, which helped us be a bit calm and composed,” he said.

“If we had kicked straight earlier we might have been able to put the game away, but they’re a good side and they kept coming back at us.

“We handled the pressure pretty well. Towards the end of the game both teams were cramping and it was crazy conditions with the heat.

“But we stayed pretty calm, composed and level-headed across the whole day. When things started getting messy I don’t think anyone panicked. We stuck to our structures and held strong in the end.

“It never felt like the game was done at any stage, to be honest. It was a good game of footy to be part of.”

Among Stawell’s standout performers were ruckman Josh Fowkes, key defenders Jackson Dark and Mitch Taylor, and Eckel himself in the midfield, while Cody Driscoll booted four goals up forward.

Ararat was best served by forward pocket Robert Armstrong, who kicked a pair of goals, along with defenders Baydn Cosgriff, Henry Shea and James Jennings.

Eckel said he encouraged his players to celebrate the win, but keep a level head.

“It was a big day. We want to enjoy

it, but it’s a long season and we’re only at the start,” he said.

“We’ve still got heaps to work on and a couple of guys to come back in, so we have to find a balance in the side as well.

“Our line-up might chop and change a little bit to start with, depending on the opposition, so we’ll have to get used to that.”

Eckel said the team’s focus would now turn to next weekend’s game against Horsham Saints at Coughlin Park.

“They’re a bloody tough side to

knock off on their home ground, so if we can go up there and manage to win that one it will definitely be a good start for us,” Eckel said.

“They’re obviously a handy side –they made a prelim final and touched us up both times they played us last year, so we’ll see how we go.”

Netball

Stawell’s netballers also made a strong start to the season, dispatching Ararat 59-33 in a dominant showing.

The Warriors made their move in the second quarter, scoring 16 goals to seven to open up a 13-goal half-time margin that was never challenged.

Stawell’s Lisa Considine was best on court as she blanketed Ararat goal attack Jesse Bligh, holding her to 14 goals for the contest.

At the other end of the court, Warriors goal shooter Ebony Summers got the better of defender Bella Westbrook, netting 38 of her 48 goal attempts.

Demi Bligh was Ararat’s best player at goal defence, working to limit the impact of Jemma Clarkson.

The rest of the Wimmera league will see its first action as round one commences next weekend, April 13, with Minyip-Murtoa to host Nhill at Minyip and the newly-formed Southern Mallee Thunder to play their first game against Warrack Eagles in Jeparit.

Ararat will attempt to bounce back from its round one losses against Horsham, while the Warriors travel to take on the Horsham Saints.

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STANDOUT: Demi Bligh was Ararat’s best player in her team’s loss to Stawell on Good Friday. Pictures: PAUL CARRACHER

FIERCE: Ararat’s Tom Mills tackles Tom Sullivan, Stawell, during the Warriors win on Friday.

Hawks soar into club’s 100th year

Tatyoon Football Netball Club is planning for success on and off the field in 2024 as it prepares to celebrate its centenary season.

The club was established in 1924 and has planned two social functions to acknowledge its 100-year milestone.

The Hawks will host a season launch on April 13 at Tatyoon Hall, a week before their Mininera and District Football League round one clash against Woorndoo-Mortlake.

The match will be a replay of the 2023 senior football grand final, in which Tatyoon claimed its 13th senior premiership.

Tatyoon’s A and C grade netballers also claimed back-to-back premierships, taking the club’s A Grade premiership tally to 13. Club officials encouraged all past and current players, coaches, members and supporters to help launch the milestone year.

Tatyoon president Andy Tucker said members

of neighbouring clubs and leagues were also welcome to attend and connect prior to the season starting.

“Off the back of a very successful year in 2023, we’re excited to celebrate 100 years of Tatyoon this year by launching the season at our first event in April, before a more formal celebration in the middle of the year,” he said.

“It has created some excitement around the place with old memorabilia and photos coming to light for the first time in years.

“It will be a great opportunity for past players and officials to reconnect with the club and catch up with old teammates and former members who have since moved away from the local area.”

Tatyoon’s official 100-year celebration will be after the club’s round-five match against neighbouring SMW Rovers on Saturday, May 25.

More details are available on the club’s social media pages or by emailing tatyoonfnc@gmail. com.

Ararat launches All Girls Auskick

Ararat All Girls Auskick and Superkick programs will start on April 17.

Auskick sessions will take place every Wednesday for eight weeks and Superkick will run until May 12 at Gordon Street Recreation Reserve, providing an opportunity for girls to be involved in Australian rules football.

Auskick is designed for girls aged five years and older, while Superkick is tailored for girls aged eight to 12 years. The programs aim to foster a love for the sport,

promote teamwork and develop fundamental skills in a supportive and inclusive environment.

Ararat Rural City Council chief executive Tim Harrison said the council was delighted to introduce the programs, providing girls with the chance to participate in Australian rules football and develop valuable skills on and off the field.

Registration for Ararat All Girls Auskick and Superkick is now open.

Interested participants can register online at www.playhq.com/afl/register/d4cc01.

CELEBRATION: From left, Tatyoon A Grade assistant netball coach Maggie Astbury, club president Andy Tucker and senior football coach Zac Tunbridge are ready to celebrate the Hawks’ 100-year anniversary in 2024.

Story page 42

Drenched Gift

Australia’s best modern middle-distance runner Peter Bol, left, finishes just behind winner Riley Bryce amid a downpour during the Stawell Gift carnival on Monday. Bol, running off scratch in a 1000-metre invitational race, failed to reign in the 10-metre marker Bryce. The race formed part of Bol’s preparation for this year’s Paris Olympics. Monday’s heavy rain nearly derailed the men’s and women’s gift finals, which were pushed back by more than two hours after Central Park was inundated.

Picture: PAUL CARRACHER