Stawell fatality investigation Police continue to investigate the circumstances of a fatal crash near Stawell, which resulted in the death of a Stawell woman.
The crash on the Western Highway at Black Range, south-east of Stawell, occurred about 12.40pm on Wednesday. A Holden Commodore, which the woman was driving, collided with a small truck. The woman, in her 20s, was taken by air ambulance in a critical condition to The Alfred hospital, Melbourne, where she died later that night. Paramedics also treated a second person at the scene.
Emergency services closed the highway for several hours on Wednesday. Police were told the Commodore was headed west along the highway when it lost control and crossed over onto the wrong side of the road, where it hit an east-bound truck. The driver of the truck is assisting police with their inquires. Police have urged anyone who witnessed the crash or saw the Commodore prior to the crash to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Call to vote for top businesses All applicants in this year’s Grampians Pyrenees Business Awards are in the running for the People’s Choice Award and they need the public to vote.
cal business that has provided them with great service or gone above and beyond to please their customers,” he said.
Ararat Rural City Mayor Paul Hooper said the People’s Choice Award provided the community with an opportunity to take part in the awards.
“Voting is simple and we hope that people get behind their favourite business. This award would be a great morale booster for any business within the region.”
“The People’s Choice Award provides residents an opportunity to acknowledge a lo-
Organisers have urged people to vote online at www.grampianspyrenees.com. Voting for
FIVE-DAY forecast
the People’s Choice Award closes on October 31. Hosted by Ararat Rural City and Pyrenees and Northern Grampians shire councils, the awards provide business owners with a chance to gain recognition for their efforts and achievements. Officials will announce winners of individual awards including the People’s Choice Award at a gala dinner in Ararat on December 2.
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Advertising: Mark Sulic: 0407 313 456, marks@team.aceradio.com.au; Lee Meadows: 0407 046 864, leem@team.aceradio.com.au; Nathan Henry:0459 0418333 657340, 247,twafeatures@team.aceradio.com.au nathanh@team.aceradio.com.au Bonnie Severin: Newsroom: Dean Dean Lawson: Lawson: 0448 0448 571 571 811, 811, deanl@team.aceradio.com.au; deanl@team.aceradio.com.au; Lauren Lauren Henry: Henry: 5382 5382 1351, 1351, laurenh@team.aceradio.com.au; laurenh@team.aceradio.com.au Newsroom: 5382C/1351, sarahs@team.aceradio.com.au The publisher and general manager Sarah is ScottScully: Grambau, 2 Stawell Road, Horsham, for Ace Radio Broadcasters Pty Ltd, ACN 064 The publisher andWeekly general Advertiser manager is is Scott Grambau, 2 Stawell Road, Horsham, Ace7940 RadioMelbourne Broadcasters Ltd, ACN 064and 882distributed 042. The Weekly 882 042. The a free paper C/printed by Newsprinters PtyforLtd, Rd,PtyShepparton, by Advertiser is a free paper printed by Newsprinters Ptyregional Ltd, 7940distributors Melbourne Rd, and distributed by regional distributors and Australia Post. andShepparton, Australia Post.
TWIN EFFORT: Zara Thompson is flanked by Holcombe twins Gabrielle, left, and Imogen.
A golden cause BY GRACIE OSTIPIW
Z
ara Thompson’s participation in Ararat’s Golden Gateway Festival Ball will make the lives of chronically ill twin sisters Gabrielle and Imogen Holcombe a little sweeter.
This weekend’s Golden Gateway Festival has provided Miss Thompson with an opportunity to raise money and provide respite for the Holcombe family. Fundraising is an entry requirement for festival participants, which could ultimately lead to Miss Thompson crowned Queen of the festival ball. “I was nominated by the community to enter the Golden Gateway ball and when I heard I was nominated I said ‘yes’ straight away as I knew who I would raise money for,” she said. Miss Thompson is focusing her efforts on Gabrielle and Imogen, sisters who suffer from a rare and incurable genetic metabolic disease called cystinosis. Cystinosis attacks organs in the body, including the kidneys, liver, eyes, muscles and brain. Miss Thompson hopes raising money from selling Krispy Kreme donuts and other activities as a fundraising campaign will promote awareness of the disease and financially help with the twins’ continuing lifelong treatment. “I have known these girls for a while and I personally know the family. I don’t know why
anyone wouldn’t want to raise money for this loving, deserving family,” she said. Miss Thompson took advantage of the fundraising platform the Golden Gateway Ball offered her, and extended her efforts beyond selling donuts. “I have done numerous raffles and sausage sizzles as well as selling Krispy Kremes. There is more to come; I have an aim and I’m hoping I can make it,” she said. Miss Thompson acknowledged she was fortunate to have such a supportive community to rally alongside her. “I’m lucky to have so many people helping me raise money for these beautiful girls,” she said.
Family thanks
Shelly Holcombe, Gabrielle and Imogen’s mother, is particularly thankful. Her twins were diagnosed with the condition at two and, with husband Clayton, has nursed her sick daughters through their shared illness for more than 10 years. While there is no cure for cystinosis, there is a gruelling routine set in place that allows the Holcombe family to manage the condition. Gabrielle and Imogen receive 13 different medications every six hours, which involves the girls being woken at 1am every morning. Frequent check-ups at Monash Medical Centre are also a regular occurrence in the Holcombes’ lives. Mrs Holcombe said she firmly believed that community support and understanding were crucial in maintaining the
routine. “Support-wise, we’re always so grateful to our friends, family and small community – particularly Zara,” she said. Mrs Holcombe hopes Miss Thompson’s campaign will not only provide education about the disease to district people, but to others in the medical world as well. “Most doctors haven’t heard of it, it’s so rare,” she said. Mrs Holcombe added that early diagnosis was crucial to prevent cystinosis from creating irreparable damage to someone’s life. Miss Thompson is committed to encouraging young people from her community to involve themselves in charity work. She said it was vital to create awareness about issues that had an impact on her community, and she believed the Golden Gateway Festival Ball was the perfect opportunity to become involved. The annual festival has been running for more than 55 years. It endorses a sense of community spirit by motivating Ararat’s citizens to take part in group activities. The ball is a festival highlight. Miss Thompson’s generous outlook on life has convinced her to try to extend her involvement with the Holcombe twins well into the future, as they progress in their lives while battling the disease. “I would be more than happy to continue fundraising for these girls. They deserve it all – and even more,” she said.
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