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THE CLAWS ARE OUT: BugROff Stain Busters owner Aaron Jennings, left, and employee Heath Kinnersly will enjoy plenty of banter this week in the lead-up to Saturday’s AFL grand final. Mr Jennings, a life-long Cats supporter, has been to several preliminary finals but is yet to see his beloved side play in the big dance. Mr Jennings employed Tigers fan Mr Kinnersly about three weeks ago and joked he might have to ‘backtrack’ on his decision pending the outcome of the match. Mr Kinnersly said tongue-in-cheek he was glad his choice of AFL team did not come up in his interview. “I might not have got the job,” he said. Mr Jennings said he looked forward to ‘a fair bit of banter’ this week. “We’ve got a big job to do on Friday for the public holiday and no one will be there, so we’ll be wearing our jumpers and keeping at different ends of the house from each other, I think,” he said. Mr Jennings has tipped Geelong by 33 points, while Mr Kinnersly reckons Richmond will triumph by two goals. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER
Community unites A
BY DYLAN DE JONG
new chapter was unfolding for Emma Hitchcock when her health started to decline. The former Ararat resident, her partner Simon Eason and their five daughters and son had just moved into their ‘dream home’ at Beaufort when they received unbearable news. Emma, 45, was admitted to St Vincent’s Hospital in Melbourne in May with compromised mobility – her leg muscles were weakening. She was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease, MND. “The first signs of my illness were
limping and I was catching my legs on uneven surfaces,” Emma said. “This progressively got worse. I started developing a noticeable limp.” The diagnosis came as a shock. Emma said before the diagnosis she had led an active lifestyle, having owned a clothing shop in Ararat’s main street for many years before moving on to Hopkins Correctional Centre where she worked until her health deteriorated. “My reaction was total shock and disbelief. I’ve always been active,” she said. “I thought how can this be happening? My family and support network
of its target. And after three months, residents, businesses, friends and family helped raise more than $30,000 to go towards a hydrotherapy spa. Emma said she was overwhelmed by the community’s support. “I have received tremendous support, both monetary and otherwise,” she said. “I cannot thank all who have donated money, food, support and wellwishes enough. “The generosity of people in these trying times is truly humbling. “It is in times like these true community spirit shines through and true local strength becomes evident.”
were all devastated and shocked by the diagnosis.” Although the thought of losing her mobility was hard to come to terms with, family, friends and the Ararat community have given Emma a big reason to push on. More than 250 people across Ararat district and beyond have helped in her fight against the life-threatening condition. Ararat resident and former co-worker Shane McFarlane started a GoFundMe page shortly after Emma was diagnosed. Within 48 hours of being live, the campaign reached the halfway point
Emma said hydrotherapy was her best bet to salvage any quality of life as she fights to retain muscle strength in her legs. But she said the road ahead was still unclear. Life expectancy after an MND diagnosis is one to five years, with only 10 percent of people living past 10 years. The needs of people with the condition vary from person to person and can be complex. Some people begin to stumble or fall and cannot hold objects in their hands easily. Continued page 3
ININTHIS ISSUE • Woodbine in limbo • Brighter•prospects indoor sport • New cricket track at Edenhope THIS ISSUE • Bypass on agenda Council for candidates • New leaders Phone: 03 5382 1351 Read it online: www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au
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