Federation University is calling for the major federal political parties to back a $28-million skills investment package in the Wimmera-southern Mallee region. Development of the university’s Wimmera Southern Mallee High Growth Community Partnership proposal will boost TAFE capacity, support community wellbeing and expand access to education to support the region’s economic development and resilience.
The push aims to improve local training and create job opportunities in industries such as renewable energy, engineering, agriculture, construction, education and healthcare.
The partnership proposal asks for investment in higher education across the region – including $6-million for the university’s Wimmera campus, in Horsham, to upgrade workshop, training and construction facilities; and $3-million for an Ararat Student Nursing and Allied Health Clinic – expanding nursing and healthcare training to meet regional health workforce needs.
The university is also seeking $5-million for a student-led mentalhealth clinic to further strengthen community resilience and wellbeing; and $5.5-million to develop regional learning hubs and mobile rural student support centres across five local government areas – Horsham, Hindmarsh, Northern Grampians, Yarriambiack and West Wimmera.
Also part of the partnership is $3-million to provide 200 rural students in the Wimmera with high-speed satellite internet access and on-campus accommodation for practical training; and
$6-million for 100 local engineering TAFE-to-higher-education scholarships to incentivise Federation TAFE engineering graduates to pursue higher education qualification, meeting the growing demands of the region’s engineering sector.
Darren Gray, VET and university pathways pro vice-chancellor and TAFE chief executive, said the partnership would strengthen ties with local government, industry, and education providers to retain the local workforce and address skill shortages.
“Without accessible education, the Wimmera community won’t have the skills and future workforce to support industry transitions or build resilience,” he said.
Mr Gray said the region was a hub for agriculture, renewable energy, and emerging industries, but without targeted investment in education and workforce training, regional businesses would struggle to secure local talent.
Continued page 5
HEATING UP: Wimmera Steampunk Festival events at Warracknabeal, Dimboola and Serviceton brought thousands of people to the district across two weekends. Saturday night’s parade and entertainment at Dimboola brought a Carnival of Peculiarities, alongside events at other venues including exhibitions, performances and tours highlighting the region’s talents and attractions. World-travelling fire performer Scarab is pictured in action at Dimboola on Saturday. Story, more pictures, pages 28-29. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER
Never
miss
HRCC NEWS
bin night
To make bin night and recycling easier for residents, Horsham Rural City Council has launched a new waste mobile app.
The HRCC Waste App can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play.
Once downloaded, it can be set up for helpful bin night reminders, calendar notifications, service changes or delay alerts, and includes an easy A-Z waste materials guide.
Features:
• The A-Z waste guide
• Set a bin night reminder
• Your bin collection calendar
• Recycling near you
• Transfer station information
• Which bin you can put it in
• News and updates
Mayor Cr Ian Ross encouraged all kerbside collection residents to download the app.
“This app will make bin collection and correct waste disposal a breeze for our residents, with lots of information literally at your fingertips,” Cr Ross said.
“Not only does this app give you reminders of what bins to put out each week, but you can easily search and find out how to dispose of items.
“This will help reduce contamination in our bins, meaning less waste will go to landfill.”
The Victorian State Government Circular Economy (Waste and Recycling) Act 2021 aims to increase the amount of material that can be recycled up to 80 per cent by 2030.
Youth Council info night for parents
Parents and guardians of young people in the Horsham area are invited to attend an online information session to learn more about the Horsham Rural City Council Youth Council.
The session will take place on Wednesday, April 23 at 7pm via a webinar. A link to the event will be provided upon registration.
The evening will give families the opportunity to meet the Youth Council team, discover the valuable experiences and learning opportunities available to their young people, and have any questions about the program answered.
The Youth Council is designed to empower young people, helping them grow as leaders and community advocates while engaging in local government and civic activities.
For more information or to register, visit the Horsham Rural City Council website.
workshop to share your priorities for
Council is currently reviewing its Community Vision and other key strategic documents and would like to hear from the community about its hopes, aspirations and priorities for how Council should look and feel in 2041.
Join us for an in-person session to provide Council with feedback on the topics that matter most to you.
Closed from 5pm Thursday 17 April until 8.30am Tuesday 22 April. For urgent Council matters please contact 5382 9777 or enter an online service request.
KERBSIDE WASTE COLLECTIONS
There is no kerbside was collection on Good Friday (18 April). Residents whose normal bin day is Friday will have their bins collected Thursday 17 April. All other collection services will be as normal throughout the Easter period.
KENNY ROAD TRANSFER STATION
Good Friday: Closed
Easter Saturday: 10am – 5pm
Easter Sunday: Closed Easter Monday: 10am – 2pm.
DOOEN LANDFILL
Good Friday: Closed
Easter Saturday: Closed
Easter Sunday: Closed Easter Monday: 10am – 2pm.
QUANTONG, MOUNT ZERO TRANSFER STATIONS
Easter Saturday: Closed
LOCAL LAWS – COMMUNITY SAFETY UNIT
Available for urgent domestic animal matters throughout the Easter period. Call 53 829777 or lodge an online service request.
HORSHAM AQUATIC CENTRE
Open every day except for Christmas Day. Operating hours are 8am to 6pm on public holidays.
HORSHAM LIBRARY
Closed all public holidays.
CHILDREN’S AND COMMUNITY HUB
The Hub building closes at 6pm Thursday April 17 and reopens 7am Tuesday April 22. The Maternal and Child Health Service is closed during this period. For advice outside of opening hours, call the 24-hour Victorian Maternal and Child Health Line for information and advice on 13 22 29.
Know what's happening at HRCC. Subscribe to our weekly email newsletter.
Arapiles vigil a bid for solidarity
BY LAUREN HENRY
Organisers of a vigil for access at Mt Arapiles-Dyurrite Cultural Landscape on Easter Sunday have encouraged the wider public to join climbers in a bid for community solidarity.
Ashlee Hendy and Felix Ritson, members of Arapiles District Community Group which has organised the mass, peaceful vigil, said the event was not just about advocating for access, but standing together as a community that values and respects Mt Arapiles.
Both have a long-standing connection to Mt Arapiles and have made life decisions centred around moving to Natimuk to base their lives nearby the international rock-climbing mecca.
They join a large proportion of the community who have been campaigning against proposed closures to rock climbing routes and trails, which would see a large proportion of Mt Arapiles inaccessible to the public, in a bid to protect Indigenous heritage sites.
The State Government, through
Parks Victoria, announced the plans in November last year, causing an uproar among the climbing community, as well as the nearby town of Natimuk – which will be significantly affected through a loss of residents and downturn in tourism.
Parks Victoria is currently having submissions from a community consultation for the draft plan independently reviewed, but there is no timeframe for when a reviewed draft plan will be released.
Guest speakers at the vigil will include The Nati Pub owner Bill Lovel; Louise Shepherd, founder of Friends of Arapiles; renowned rock climber Simon Mentz, and others who are passionate about the mountain and the community.
Dr Ritson said he experienced feelings of grief and loss when he read the Arapiles Dyurrite Draft Management Plan.
“It’s quite a devastating loss to the broader Wimmera community, and instantly three GPs I knew of that were planning to move to the area said they weren’t coming anymore,” he said.
“One of my biggest concerns is the
potential or the loss of what would’ve happened in the future in terms of the Wimmera being supplied with more young, professional people moving to the area.
“I find it really devastating that the trajectory that the Wimmera was on to become flush with all these healthcare workers, teachers, engineers – you name it – that future is not really there anymore.”
Complicated
Ms Hendy said she was devastated and worried about her future when the draft plan was made public.
“I knew that it was going to become a complicated, hurtful issue. It was going to cost friendships and relationships, and that it was going to bring a lot of pain to our immediate lives and a lot of uncertainty to our future for our family, of would this be the right place for us still,” she said.
Ms Hendy, also a board member of Crag Stewards Victoria, said the vigil would show solidarity and care for Mt Arapiles in a respectful and solemn manner.
“It’s an invitation for people from
the local community, for everyone to come together and share and show their love for the mount, and the importance of Dyurrite for them,” she said.
“I feel it’s important for the government and the minister to see that this issue is still at the front of our hearts and our minds here.
“We’re a long way from Melbourne, we’re a long way from the government office and offices where people make these decisions and sign the papers, and I think it’s an important step for the local community and the climbing community more broadly.”
Dr Ritson said the vigil was an opportunity for people to share their common experience, and learn and understand what other people were going through.
“It’s also a chance for people to reflect, breathe, go through the processes that are required for the changes, and lastly, in a respectful way, the vigil is looking to represent and demonstrate the concerns and loss from people in the region and broader rock climbing community, so as to advocate for access to the mountain.”
Dr Ritson said it was important to note the campaign and vigil was about cultural heritage being protected and celebrated, as allowed or encouraged by the local traditional owners.
“People involved in this, that represent by far the majority of rock climbers and locals that I know, hold dear and deep respect for cultural values and traditional owners and their right to self-determination, and that this campaign is done with that attitude,” he said.
The vigil will also be used as a platform to highlight a new campaign ‘Shared not Shut: Preserve Access, Preserve Culture’, which calls for legislation to enshrine responsible recreational access into law, balancing conservation, Indigenous land rights, and sustainable recreation.
The vigil will be from 4pm to 6pm, nearby Arapiles.
People are asked to meet at the gate to the farmland to the right of the Lower Gums Campsite.
More information can be found online at www.facebook.com/ events/634272835999848 or at www. sharednotshut.au.
Investigations ongoing following Kiata death
Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives have interviewed a man following a death in Kiata earlier this month.
Detectives believe a Wimmera woman died after being hit by a truck on the Western Highway, in Kiata.
A passerby located human remains on the Western Highway just after 8am on April 4, but police believe the woman was hit sometime between 9pm on April 3 and 2am on April 4.
Detective Inspector Craig McEvoy, of Major Collision Investigation Unit, said the woman had not been formally identified yet as police await confirmation from the coroner.
“The cause of death is also yet to be determined, but is being treated as a possible hit-run at this stage,” he said.
Det Insp McEvoy said detectives had located a truck in Tullamarine on Thursday, and it was seized for forensic testing.
A South Australian man, 33, believed to be the driver, was arrested and interviewed but released pending further enquiries.
Investigators are urging anyone with information or dashcam footage to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Horsham man in fatal collision
Police are investigating a fatal collision in Horsham on Thursday afternoon.
Emergency services responded after a mobility scooter and a Toyota Prado station wagon collided on Stawell Road at about 4.05pm.
The rider of the mobility scooter, a 90-year-old Horsham man, died at the scene.
The driver of the Toyota, an 18-year-
old Horsham woman, stopped at the scene and rendered assistance. The exact circumstances surrounding the incident are being investigated. Anyone who witnessed the incident, with CCTV or dashcam footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www. crimestoppers.com.au.
GIANT: An estimated 174-kilogram pumpkin will be entered into the giant pumpkin competition at Moyston Easter Market on Saturday. Judd Potter, pictured, was instrumental in helping his grandfather Russell Phillips grow the pumpkin, watering and fertilising it. The market, at Moyston Recreation Reserve, is from 9am to 2pm and will feature a variety of stallholders and family-friendly fun. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER
Mine approval queried
BY COLIN MacGILLIVRAY
The Federal Government has defended its approval of a proposed major mining operation at Dooen after member for Mallee Anne Webster raised procedural questions about the move.
Earlier this month a delegate appointed by federal Environment and Water Minister Tanya Plibersek gave the Avonbank Mineral Sands Project a green light under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, EPBC, 1999.
The project earlier gained approval for an environment effects statement, EES, from the State Government, although a mining licence is still pending for the proposed open-cut mineral sands mine.
Dr Webster questioned the timing of the delegate’s approval, which came after the Federal Government entered its preelection caretaker period.
Under caretaker conventions, the government is discouraged from making major policy decisions, significant appointments or entering into major contracts following the dissolution of the House of Representatives.
Dr Webster said she believed the govern-
MAKING A DIFFERENCE:
Horsham Plaza manager Allison Roberts, left, assistant Rotary community leader Steve Holmes and Rotary club member Robyn Lardner with a collection of bras donated for Rotary project Uplift.
Picture: PAUL CARRACHER
ment had flouted section 3.2.2 of the Guidance on Caretaker Conventions, which states that government decisions ‘should be announced ahead of dissolution if their announcement is likely to cause controversy’.
The project has drawn opposition from sections of the Wimmera public, with farmers opposing the compulsory acquisition of thousands of hectares of arable land, while mine operator WIM Resource was accused of misleading the public during consultation for its EES in 2023.
“This decision was made on April 4. We went into caretaker mode on March 28, so the question is, is this project controversial?” Dr Webster said.
“There was and maybe still is an ongoing investigation into the manner the Victorian environmental effects statement was procured.
“I would argue that this is highly controversial and the minister should be asked the question: why did she make a decision after the caretaker period had started?”
But a spokesperson for the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water said while caretaker conventions restricted the decision-making power of ministers and other members of
parliament, government workers were able to carry on with ordinary administrative matters.
They said because a delegate, rather than Ms Plibersek herself, had made the decision, caretaker restrictions did not apply.
“A departmental delegate approved the Avonbank Mineral Sands Project under national environment law, with strict conditions to minimise impacts on nationally protected matters,” the spokesperson said.
“Ordinary matters of government administration continue during the caretaker period, including regulatory decision-making in line with the statutory timeframes and other requirements of the EPBC Act.”
Dr Webster accused the government of approving the project ‘under the cover of darkness’.
“I’ve written to Ms Plibersek and also contacted the shadow minister, because under caretaker conventions the shadow minister should have been contacted by Minister Plibersek, but I’ve been in touch with his office and he has not been,” she said.
“In fact, we were the first ones to tell him the approval had been made. I think there are more questions to be asked, and an investigation needs to take place, frankly.”
Uplifting program calling for donations
Rotary’s bra collection program Uplift has relaunched, with community-donated new and used bras sent to women in the South Pacific islands.
Rotary community leader Steve Holmes said the bras made a difference in the women’s lives, who tend to not purchase the ‘luxury’ item, prioritising their children’s and home needs with their limited incomes.
“When the women receive the bras, they can then apply for jobs in the holiday resort areas,” he said.
“Without the bras, they don’t get those high-paying jobs.
“Bras to buy in those areas are quite expensive and of low quality, and they don’t have maternity or mastectomy bras either.”
Uplift ceased during COVID-19 restrictions, but has been relaunched by Wimmera Mallee Rotary Community Group, which includes the clubs of Horsham, Horsham East, Nhill, Warracknabeal, St Arnaud and Swan Hill.
Mr Holmes said new and second-hand bras were being collected and would be
Uni growth plan
From page 1
“Everyone deserves the chance to get a qualification for indemand jobs, no matter where they live,” Mr Gray said.
“Investing in the Wimmera region will help Federation grow, support local industries and give students a strong foundation for their careers, encouraging them to stay and contribute to their community.”
Mr Gray said proposed projects such as the State Government’s SEC Renewable Energy Park and mineral sand mines would increase population growth and demand on skills.
“I want to make sure the Wimmera has the skills to make real choices on each of these proposals and can maximise the benefits for its communities,” he said.
“As a dual sector education provider offering both TAFE and university courses, we see the benefits of accessible local education in regional areas.”
Mr Gray said more investment in regional universities was needed to address skill shortages and ensure people could study close to home and their communities.
“I recognise every dollar is important, which is why we are asking government to back our partnership approach to deliver this outcome hand-in-glove with the community,” he said.
“This isn’t just about training more nurses or engineers. Without a skilled local workforce, regional industries like advanced manufacturing, renewable energy, and healthcare struggle.
“A strong regional education sector makes the parts of Australia outside of big cities more liveable and prosperous.
“With 70 per cent of students who study regionally staying in the area, and 74 per cent of those who leave not returning, our place-based training model encourages people to remain in the region, supporting the local economy and workforce.”
Mr Gray acknowledged state MPs Martha Haylett, Member for Ripon, and Minister for Skills and TAFE Gayle Tierney for their support and advocacy for university’s western Victorian campuses, and federal Member for Wannon Dan Tehan for his interest in the university’s work.
sent to Geelong before being shipped to countries such as Fiji, Tonga, Bali, Cook Islands, Vanuatu, Sri Lanka and Cambodia.
“They’re shipped out to wherever they’re needed – the last lot we sent went to New Guinea, and some might go to the Solomon Islands, depending on where the need is,” he said.
“It can lift their quality of life quite substantially.”
Mr Holmes said people could drop bras to Allison Roberts at Horsham Plaza centre management.
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if
Connecting a community
The world-class wineries of the Great Western region
are now only a short bike ride away for locals and visitors alike after the Great Western Wine and Heritage Cycle Trail officially opened last week.
Federal Senator for Victoria Jana Stewart joined Northern Grampians Shire Council officials and Great Western Future Committee members to open the trail, which connects the Best’s and Seppelt wineries via the Great Western township, on Thursday.
The $425,000 project was funded by equal contributions from the Federal Government’s Building Better Regions Fund and the council.
Mayor Karen Hyslop said the council was grateful for the government’s support of the project.
She said the trail would bring benefits from improved safety to economic opportunities.
“Previously, there was no connection for pedestrians or cyclists from town to the two major wineries,” she said.
“While people could cycle between the wineries, they were sharing the roads with cars, trucks and other agricultural vehicles.
“The need for a purpose-built trail was highlighted in the Great Western master plan, so funding was sought to complete a shared path.
“The two-metre-wide trail provides a safe route for cyclists and pedestrians, reducing traffic-related risks and improving accessibility for all users.”
Cr Hyslop said the trail also provided tourism and community recreation benefits.
“We anticipate there will be a mix of local use and tourism use, with people riding and walking to the wineries at either end of the path, as well as residents using the path for recreation purposes,” she said.
“The cycling trail will help to attract more visitors to the Grampians region and give a reason to stay longer in the village, helping to grow the economy.
“The trail enables people to leisurely, safely and easily make their way between two of the town’s three wineries via the village centre.
“The route takes cyclists past the shops of the village to capitalise on spending opportunities for the pub, cafes and stores.”
The trail also includes interactive signs and an information board in Memorial Park with a map show-
casing some of the region’s heritage sites.
“Great Western is a beautiful little village that is blessed with strong heritage values in its buildings, gardens, shop fronts and verandahs,”
Cr Hyslop said.
“This town is full of passionate people who want to harness all it has to offer to help build a sustainable future.
“Attracting more visitors to Great Western means additional investment in the region, greater business opportunities, more local jobs and a greater sense of civic optimism.”
Ms Stewart congratulated everyone involved in the project.
“It takes a team to deliver a project such as this, from the planners to the people on the ground delivering the works, so well done to everyone involved,” she said.
“It’s great for us to be able to partner with local government to invest in projects the community
READY TO RIDE:
Northern Grampians Shire Mayor Karen Hyslop, Senator for Victoria Jana Stewart and Great Western Future Committee member Bill Kilpatrick celebrate the official opening of the Great Western Wine and Heritage Cycle Trail last week.
Picture: PAUL CARRACHER
are really passionate about. It’s also fantastic to have funds such as the Building Better Regions Fund to facilitate important projects like this in our regional centres.
“I love seeing investment in our regions – I grew up in Swan Hill so I’m definitely a country kid at heart.”
Long-serving Great Western Future Committee member Bill Kilpatrick thanked the council and the government for their contributions to the wine and heritage cycle trail.
“This project was added to our 10-year Great Western Future Plan in 2014 as one of the priority projects for the community and we’re thrilled to see it officially opened,” he said.
“I’ve just bought an e-bike, and as two of the heritage plaques are located on our property boundary, I look forward to enjoying the new trail along with everybody else.”
Ballot draw released
The Australian Electoral Commission has confirmed the ballot draw for each electorate – with Mallee Greens candidate Nicole Rowan scoring number one spot.
With the federal election on May 3, Australians will head to the polls from April 22 when early voting centres open.
The Mallee ballot order is as follows: Nicole Rowan, Greens; Anne Webster, The Nationals; Christopher Lahy, Australian Citizens Party; Adam Veitch, Trumpet of Patriots; Greg Olsen, Australian Labor Party; Vaughan Williams, Pauline Hanson’s One Nation; Jeff Barry, Libertarian; Ashleigh Gray, Family First.
The Mallee ballot draw was in Bendigo – a central point for the drawing of several ballots.
In the Mallee electorate, there will be early voting centres at Horsham Anglican Church Hall; Baptist Church Hall, Stawell; Maryborough Salvation Army; Stradbroke Hall, Swan Hill; Mildura Senior Citizens Club and 116 Eighth Street.
In the seat of Wannon, which takes in the Ararat municipality, there are nine candidates with independent Alex Dyson being named at the top of the ballot draw.
Then follows Lee-Ann Elmes, Family First; Kate Gazzard, Greens; Julie Ann McCamish, Trumpet of Patriots; Robbie Swan, Legalise Cannabis; Leo Curtain, Pauline Hanson’s One Nation; Dan Tehan, Liberal; Fiona Mackenzie, Labor; and Bernardine Atkinson, independent.
An early voting centre will open at Holy Spirit Centre, 304 Barkly Street Ararat, on April 22.
• The Weekly Advertiser, 3WM and MIXX FM’s Mallee candidate election forum will be on Monday, April 28, at Horsham’s Coughlin Park Community Centre. At least five of the candidates have indicated they will be present for the forum, with the audience given an opportunity to learn about the candidates and ask questions. For those who cannot attend, the forum will be livestreamed via The Weekly Advertiser Facebook page.
Stawell delivers its second theatre
BY BRONWYN HASTINGS
Grampians Health Stawell’s second operating theatre was officially opened last week with a tour showcasing staff effectiveness, flow, and patient journey considerations alongside start-ofthe-art equipment and facilities.
Representatives from fundraising groups The Foundation, Stawell Hospital Auxiliary and Y-Zetts, along with the executive, board and project group, builders Q Construction, and consumer reference group attended the opening of the $5.15-million addition.
Site director Sue Campigli said every decision made during the project was about patients and best practice.
“Those who have worked with me along the way are very values-driven and that’s the way we roll,” she said.
“I am proud and grateful to have worked with such an amazing team to make this happen; the collaboration, the trust, conversations and knowledge that was brought to the table, there was a real determination in the project to make it happen.
“It’s about the future of our patients and our community.”
Grampians Health senior program manager for delivery and capital projects Tony Van Eekelen said collaborations between stakeholders guided the direction of the build.
“It started with an idea from executive, who took it to the staff, then to a team of consultants, being architects, service engineers and acoustic engineers, who all work to the Australian Health Facilities Guidelines, which helps dictate the design,” he said.
“We then had workshops to work out the nuances of the space, such as patient experience, which is always front of mind.
“Then the intricacies of lighting, powerpoints and data points. It takes a big design team, and a lot of user engagement to go through room by room.
“We probably spent six to 12 months on the design, which is also based on the scope, you’ve got to work to a budget and the available space – it’s almost like playing Tetris, put-
ting rooms in different areas. Just by workshops, workshops, workshops, you find it’s like a painting, it just starts coming to life and you know you’ve got it.”
Mr Van Eekelen said Ms Campigli and operating theatre manager Sally Hamilton made his experience easy.
“They just wanted the best outcomes; they were right on top of it,” he said.
The five-month build meant hospital staff employment was affected.
“There was a whole HR process
behind the scenes as well,” Mr Van Eekelen said.
“Staff had the option to work at Ballarat, be redeployed elsewhere in the hospital, or take leave.”
About 60 people were part of the project, from the design phase to safety and infection control, to air quality testing and installing the final touches for patient comfort.
Black Range Photography’s Luke Ralph donated two images that were installed on the ceiling in the new build, along with images of blue sky
with clouds. The ‘healing ceiling’ tiles give patients a calming scene to look at while recovering from procedures.
Grampians Health chief executive Dale Fraser said the project, which did not receive government funding, relied on funding from reserves and donations from groups such as the hospital’s foundation and auxiliary, and the Y-Zetts.
“As a result of this work today, the capacity of operating cases in Stawell has doubled,” he said.
“Starting shortly, we will hope to see expansions in surgeries such as urology, extra general surgery and extra gynaecological surgery, all things that unfortunately our local community has great need of.
“It is through the hard work of our capital teams and the local team here that the project has been delivered on time, happily to budget and to such a high standard that we’ve already had some significant interest from surgeons who want to come and actually work here because of the facilities they have found themselves here with.”
Mr Fraser said additional capacities would be realised in coming months.
“We’ve got some further work coming in our anaesthetic spaces as well; having more critical capacity of anaesthetics means we can do more complex work relative to the need here, which means that less folk from Stawell have to leave Stawell for care elsewhere,” he said.
“Continuing to grow medical services is certainly high on our priority list.”
OFFICIAL: At the opening of Grampians Health Stawell’s $5.15-million second operating theatre are, from left, board chair Rob Knowles, Northern Grampians Shire Mayor Karen Hyslop, site director Sue Campigli, operating theatre manager Sally Hamilton, chief executive Dale Fraser, chief of redevelopment and infrastructure Veronica Furnier-Tosco, and foundation president Graeme Ellen. Picture: BRONWYN HASTINGS
Meeting outlines scaled-back East Grampians Pipeline impacts
The effect of a scaled-back East Grampians Pipeline on not only affected landowners, but recreation facilities and the Ararat economy was outlined at a public meeting in Ararat on Thursday.
The meeting, chaired by Ararat Mayor Jo Armstrong, attracted a group of about 150 people to Ararat Town Hall.
The project, about two years behind schedule and scaled back due to a funding shortfall, has resulted in farmers missing out on a secure supply of water.
Farmers are already feeling the effects of a dry season last year, where much of the East Grampians area received less than 50 per cent of its usual annual rain.
The $85.2-million project was originally funded by the Federal Government’s National Water Grid Fund, $32-million; State Government, $32-million; project beneficiaries, $21.2-million; and GWMWater, responsible for delivering the project, has committed an additional $9.3-million.
A working group, supported by Ararat Rural City Council, has now set about lobbying the State Government to help make up the funding shortfall.
Cam Conboy, of Gorst Rural, told the meeting his livestock team estimated the East Grampians area to be currently down 25 per cent in livestock after a low rainfall season in 2024.
Mr Conboy said it was a 14-20 day wait for a truckload of water, such was the demand in the area.
He spoke about farmers being careful with spending their money, which had a flow-on effect to all businesses
– not just agricultural-related – in the Ararat region.
“What it will do is flow onto the greater economy and the whole of Ararat and our region will be affected,” he said.
“And after that frost in 2017, it took us a long time to get on our feet without having access to water to manage the livestock – it’s going to make things a bit difficult.”
Briony Robertson, a crop and livestock farmer at Ross Bridge and Willaura and also a member of the East Grampians Pipeline Project Customer Consultation Committee, said funding for the full scope of the project was secured in May, 2019, with the expectation the water pipeline would be delivered by the 2022-2023 sum-
mer. But in December last year, Mrs Robertson received a letter from GWMWater saying her property was now outside the scope of works.
“ I was beyond disappointed personally, but I was also very conscious of what the broader ramifications of this revised scope meant,” she said.
Mrs Robertson told the meeting that both the Tatyoon and Mininera recreation reserves would now miss out on the pipeline water.
Tatyoon had just undergone a $375,000 upgrade with the installation of new drainage lines and watering system but the supply of water was now the biggest battle.
“ I don’t think I need to tell locals … how important our local sporting groups are, or to quantify the volun-
Share your ideas
The
AFL’s Gather Round ‘A Festival of Footy’ in Adelaide is a huge boon for the South Australian economy.
Aligning with the middle weekend of school holidays in Victoria and Queensland and the first weekend of school holidays in South Australia, Western Australia and New South Wales – it was a smart time to host such an event.
Analysis undertaken for the AFL by IER on last year’s Gather Round shows it contributed $91.6-million to South Australia’s economy – a 10 per cent increase on the inaugural Gather Round in 2023 – and by the looks of it, this year’s event was bigger and better than ever.
In 2024, across the nine matches, 265,011 people attended the games, with 33 per cent being interstate visitors.
The event attracted 45,847 visitors to South Australia – about 93 per cent spent at least one night in South Australia, with interstate visitors spending on average 4.5 nights.
And the benefit was not just for Adelaide – the analysis showed of the 191,669 visitor nights created, 52,026 were outside of the city.
It’s been an outstanding success all round – the South Australian Government was smart and strategic in brokering a deal with the AFL to host the event from its inception.
The four-year deal, which ends next year, has included a massive tourism campaign – not just this week, but several AFL players have been promoting destinations across SA for weeks.
And while many visitors to SA have no doubt travelled by aeroplane to get to the city of churches – in fact South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas said it was Adelaide Airport’s busiest period ever, with 94 extra flights scheduled – plenty have made their way by road.
From all reports, the Western Highway was as busy as ever last week, with thousands of Victorians making the trek.
So how does the Wimmera make the most of the influx passing through our region?
As the half-way point between Melbourne and Adelaide, many towns in our region are the
“ By the end of 2023, we built our stock numbers to a level that the pipeline would’ve supplied sufficiently. Then to be given the official news in late 2024 by GWMWater that due to lack of funds, all of our owned and leased farmland would not be eligible for the once fully funded East Grampians Pipeline Project connection – the economic loss to our business has just had a large shock”
– Andrew Byron, left
teer hours that go into running successful clubs,” she said.
“I see the pride that Tatyoon locals place in their facilities and the benefits they bring physically and socially to our real communities, and it is immeasurable.”
Willaura farmer Andrew Byron said he had invested significant money into water infrastructure across his property – paving the way to changing his farm to more livestock.
“ By the end of 2023, we built our stock numbers to a level that the pipeline would’ve supplied sufficiently,” he said.
“Then to be given the official news in late 2024 by GWMWater that due to lack of funds, all of our owned and leased farmland would not be eligible for the once fully funded East Grampians Pipeline Project connection –the economic loss to our business has just had a large shock.
“There’s been no mention of accountability from GWMWater’s be-
EDITORIAL
By Lauren Henry
perfect stopping point – whether it be for an overnight stay, lunch or a quick break to stretch your legs. How do we, as a region, cash in and get a slice of the pie?
Councils could step up and take the lead with signs welcoming the Gather Round visitors to town – but equally individual businesses could market themselves to entice the travellers to stop.
What about some Gather Round specials for the week? Or holding a football-related event at Horsham’s May Park or Nhill’s Jaypex Park, and have some community groups, or football clubs, cook a barbecue as a fundraiser?
Channel Nine News sports broadcaster Tony Jones broadcast live from Kaniva on Wednesday – giving a nice spruik for the town, Kaniva-Leeor United Football Netball Club and highlighting the fact that North Melbourne coach Alistair Clarkson hailed from Kaniva.
I saw Andy Munro – a football jumper collector who has a Facebook page about visiting formerly used football grounds – who outlined which jumpers he owns from towns based on the Western Highway.
Beaufort, Taylors Lake, Horsham Demons, Dimboola, Nhill and Kaniva-Leeor jumpers all rated a mention, as did a Horsham United jumper, which was an unexpected blast from the past. Footy fans will do weird things and fanatics will spend money on anything footy related.
A friend of mine went to all nine matches at Gather Round last year, selecting one team to barrack for at each game – then buying a club scarf of that team so that he could fit in with the supporters and as a memento.
So who has some ideas of what the Wimmera can implement for next year’s Gather Round? Email us at weeklyadvertiser@aceradio.com.au.
half, so the GWM board and staff –we are not going away until this once fully funded project is completed in full as the footprint initially set out.” Country Fire Authority Westmere Fire Brigades group officer Pat Millear, of Willaura, spoke of the lack of water and its effect on fire-fighting capabilities.
“A huge amount of time has been put into designing a pipeline route with CFA back in 2017. We need this to come to fruition,” he said.
GWMWater chairperson Caroline Welsh said in a statement that as a Berriwillock farmer who experienced the millennium drought, she could appreciate the significant impact of the recent dry period on farming and regional communities.
“The stories of the community were the same as those coming out of the Wimmera and southern Mallee during the millennium drought period where there was large-scale water carting, limited water for recreation reserves and industry, and businesses impacted as farmers tightened their belts,” she said.
“The board is committed to delivering the full scope and the meeting was an opportunity to demonstrate the work GWMWater has been doing to try to get further funding – and also working to do as much as we can with the money we do have now.
“The project is progressing well, with the Lake Fyans Pump Station now operational and more than 150 kilometres of pipe laid.
“Some landholders are already taking an interim water supply off the installed pipes.”
– Lauren Henry
Australian Greens: Nicole Rowan; Australian Citizens Party: Chris Lahy; Pauline Hanson’s One Nation: Vaughan Williams; Family First: Ashleigh Gray; The Nationals: Dr Anne Webster; Australian Labor Party: Greg Olson; Libertarian Party: Jeff Barry; Trumpet Of Patriots: Adam Veitch.
Chaired by The Weekly Advertiser Editorial Director Lauren Henry
Siren sounds for Sportspower
BY BRONWYN HASTINGS
Shane and Robyn Young have been the faces of Stawell’s Sportspower for the past 27 years – a joint desire to move on from their respective jobs in 1998 saw them take on an opportunity that came up ‘out of the blue’.
Mr Young was a bricklayer with an injured back, and Mrs Young was working for a bank and facing possible relocation through a restructure. Neither of them saw employment longevity where they were.
Mr Young said it was good timing, as the previous owners wanted to sell the business after owning it for 19 years.
“We had looked at different things, but this came up out of the blue,” he said.
“It was really good timing. I was going to keep laying bricks for a couple of years to keep earning money while we paid the shop off, but it just got too busy.
“I gave up the bricks and came in here, and we haven’t looked back since.”
In 2005, the Youngs extended into what was a computer store next door, opening the wall between and demolishing the residence at the back of the original sports store to create more space for their expanding stock and services.
They stocked fishing, boating and sports gear, offered a key-cutting service, trophies and engraving, fitness watches, as well as sports shoes and clothing.
Mr Young said they had seen some fashion come around again.
“We were looking at photos the other night and saw the stud-through Adidas pants from the
1990s – I hadn’t seen them in years,” he said.
Mrs Young said employing school-aged people worked well for the couple – as well as giving youth their first employment experience, it helped them keep up with the trends.
“They kept us a bit younger for a while, being able to ask them what particular new slang words meant, but they also helped us choose stock,” she said.
Mrs Young said they had enjoyed seeing generations of people come through the shop.
“There was a young guy in here who said he didn’t remember any other owners,” she said.
“I asked how old he was – he was 26 – and I said that was why.
“I said to him we’d had four generations of his family in here. He’d shopped in here with his grandparents, and he has mates with kids who shop here.”
Mrs Young said they started with the manual credit card swipe machines, saw the introduction of GST, and the evolution of payments.
When the store closes after Easter – traditionally one of its busiest times – Mrs Young said they were looking forward to more outdoor experiences.
“We want to do what we talk to people about, what they’re doing – they come in and tell us about all their adventures,” she said.
“We are disappointed we haven’t been able to sell the business. It will leave a gap in the street. We’ll definitely miss the people, and the banter.”
Mr Young said it had been a great journey.
“It’s bittersweet – you don’t spend all that time working at a business thinking that you’re going to shut it down, but it is what it is,” he said.
Council issues racism reminder
Horsham Rural City Council
Mayor Ian Ross is asking all Wimmera people to think about what they can do to counter racism whenever it occurs.
Barengi Gadjin Land Council, Goolum Goolum Aboriginal Co-operative, and community groups have reported continued examples of racism in the Wimmera.
Cr Ross said the Wimmera had an increasingly diverse population, with many migrants now calling the Horsham area home.
“But some new Australians need help to feel fully integrated and welcomed into commu-
nity life,” he said. “Our local Aboriginal community has also experienced racism.”
Cr Ross said people should be doing as much as possible to totally stamp out racism in the community.
“We want to be welcoming to our many cultural groups and faith groups,” he said.
“All of us, whenever we encounter racist behaviour and attitudes, have an obligation to call it out and condemn it.
“There is absolutely no place for that sort of behaviour here.
“Our municipality must be a welcoming place for everyone – calling out racism will
help make it so.” People who have witnessed or experienced racism and want to make a complaint, or if they just want to know more about how their rights are protected, can contact the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission at www.human rights.vic.gov.au or call 1300 292 153.
People can make a formal complaint that will be investigated with the intent of having a resolution meeting; or can use the community report tool as an alternative where they can remain anonymous.
TIME IS UP: Stawell Sportspower’s Shane and Robyn Young will close their Main Street store after almost 27 years in the business.
Arts council to support Wesley
BY COLIN MacGILLIVRAY
Horsham Arts Council will donate proceeds of a fundraiser planned during its upcoming production to a campaign to restore Horsham’s Wesley Performing Arts and Cultural Centre.
The Wesley was closed in 2017 after failing a safety audit, and requires upgrades including new seating, curtains, a fire sprinkler system and other safety measures in order to re-open.
With the upgrades estimated to cost $2-million, the Wesley Performing Arts and Cultural Centre, WPAAC, committee is attempting to raise $1-million to apply for a matching government contribution.
Horsham Rural City Council has committed $450,000 to the project, with the Wesley committee fundraising the remaining $550,000.
Horsham Arts Council, HAC, has fundraised for charitable causes during many of its past shows, and will donate proceeds from fundraising efforts at its upcoming production ‘The Last 10 Years’ to The Wesley.
Producer Chris Versteegen said the reopening of The Wesley would be a boon not only for HAC, but the wider Horsham community.
“It’s a really special place, not just for performances, but for weddings and funerals and the community in general,” he said.
“It’s a beautiful community building, which is why we wanted to align our fundraising with The Wesley this year.
“It can host some of those more intimate shows.
“A lot of travelling shows that come to Horsham don’t want to have 400 seats, which is
“It’s a beautiful community building, which is why we wanted to align our fundraising with The Wesley this year”
– Chris Versteegan
what the town hall has, they want something a bit more intimate and a bit more personal, and The Wesley is ideal for those sorts of boutique shows.”
With the WPACC committee having raised about $200,000 on top of the council’s $450,000 pledge since the fundraising drive began last year, Debbie Boutcher – a member of both the HAC and WPACC committees – said she wanted to help sustain the momentum.
“We’re hoping to raise anything that would help the Wesley committee out,” she said.
“We will have a donation tin at our shows and there will probably be some other things as well.
“We often fundraise with our shows, but we thought this time around we’d keep it local.
“We wanted to help The Wesley committee out, because once it’s up and running we’ll certainly be using it, and it’ll be used for a lot of other things as well.”
The Last 10 Years, a retrospective show celebrating HAC performances from the past decade, is set to open on May 9, with eight shows scheduled.
People can email info@horshamarts council.com for more information.
Tickets are available from Horsham Town Hall website or the box office.
Showing the spirit of giving
Peter Ryan has made and donated 80 wooden houses to students at Ss Michael and John’s Primary School.
A hobby woodworker, Mr Ryan said he made the houses from pallets for grandson Dawson Cross’s students.
“It all started when I made a couple and sent them over to Dawson,” he said.
“Then the kids saw them and wanted them, so I made more.”
Mr Ryan has also made planter
boxes, bookshelves and Christmas trees from pallets for the school and wider community.
Art teacher Kate Wade said the school was ‘blown away’ to receive the handmade wooden houses.
“The students were so excited to transform their houses into self-reflections,” she said.
“They designed their houses using photos, drawings, describing words and other items such as small toys.”
MOTEL ACCOMMODATED COACH TOURS
CAIRNS, THE GULF, BIRDSVILLE, MARREE FLINDERS RANGES
24 days Friday 30th May
$12,840
Highlights: Bourke, Darling River, Charleville, Cosmos Centre, Blackall Woolscour, Longreach, Stockman’s Hall of Fame, Thomson River Cruise, Charters Towers, Magnetic Island, Paronella Park, Australian Sugar Museum, Green Island, Cairns, Barrier Reef, Daintree River Cruise, Kuranda Train and Sky Rail, Breakfast with the Birds, Port Douglas, Undara Lava Tubes, Gulflander Train Ride, Gulf of Carpentaria Sunset Cruise, Mt Isa, Birdsville, Marree, Lake Eyre, Flinders Ranges, Burra, Renmark. CAIRNS, LONGREACH, MAGNETIC ISLAND BARRIER REEF
12 days Friday 30th May
$6940
Highlights: Bourke, Darling River, Charleville, Cosmos Centre, Blackall Woolscour, Longreach, Stockman’s Hall of Fame, Thomson River Cruise, Charters Towers, Magnetic Island, Paronella Park, Australian Sugar Museum, Green Island, Cairns, Barrier Reef, Daintree River Cruise, Kuranda Train and Sky Rail, Breakfast with the Birds, Port Douglas CAIRNS & THE GULF COUNTRY INC BIRDSVILLE
16 days Saturday 7th June $8980
Highlights: Cairns, Green Island, Barrier Reef, Daintree River Cruise, Breakfast with the Birds, Port Douglas, Atherton Tableland, Georgetown, Undara Lava Tubes, Gulflander Train Ride, Normanton, Karumba, Gulf of Carpentaria Sunset Cruise, Mt Isa, Birdsville, Marree, Lake Eyre, Flinders Ranges, Burra, Renmark SPLENDID SINGAPORE
10 days Tuesday 1st July $7870
Highlights: Luxury Hotel Accommodation, Stunning Singapore, City Sights Tour, Botanic & Orchid Gardens, Singapore River Cruise, Raffles Hotel High Tea, The Singapore Zoo, Singapore Flyer, Marina Bay Sands Lookout, S.E.A Aquarium, Changi District, National Museum of Singapore, Gardens by the Bay, English Speaking Guides.
NORTHWESTER & SOUTH WEST COAST
47 days Monday 28th July $23,970
“See the itinerary for the many tour highlights”.
DARWIN VIA CENTRAL AUSTRALIA
15 days Monday 28th July $9460
Highlights: Central Australia, Coober Pedy, Ayers Rock, Kings Canyon, Alice Springs, West MacDonnell Ranges, Tennant Creek, Katherine Gorge Cruise, Kakadu, Yellow Waters Cruise, Darwin, Mindil Market, Litchfield National Park.
COOBER PEDY, AYERS ROCK, ALICE SPRINGS
9 days Monday 28th July
$6215
Highlights: Adelaide, Port Augusta, Central Australia, Coober Pedy, Umoona Opal Mine, Ayres Rock, Kings Canyon, Alice Springs, West MacDonnell Ranges, Standley Chasm, Alice Springs Reptile Centre, Alice Springs Desert Park, Royal Flying Doctor Service, Alice Springs School of the Air, Alice Springs Telegraph Station.
WEST COAST, KIMBERLEY & SOUTH WEST COAST
35 days Saturday 9th August
“See the itinerary for the many tour highlights”.
WEST COAST & THE KIMBERLEY
23 days Saturday 9th August
$17,820
$13,240
Highlights: Darwin, Mindil Beach Market, Katherine, Kununurra, Ord River Cruise, El Questro Station, Zebedee Springs, Chamberlain Gorge Cruise, Wyndham, Halls Creek, Fitzroy Crossing, Derby, Boab Prison Tree, Broome, Cable Beach Sunset, Port Hedland, Tom Price, Exmouth, Coral Bay, Monkey Mia, Kalbarri, Perth.
BROOME TO PERTH INC TOM PRICE & NINGALOO REEF
14 days Monday 18th August
$8670
Highlights: Broome 3 nights, Cable Beach, Eighty Mile Beach, Port Hedland, Mt Tom Price Mine tour, Karijini National Park, Exmouth, Ningaloo Reef, Coral Bay, Shark Bay, Carnarvon, Monkey Mia Dolphins, Kalbarri Wildflowers, Perth 3 nights.
PERTH AND SOUTH WEST COAST
15 days Friday 29th August
$7540
Highlights: Perth, Gloucester Tree, Margaret River Chocolate Factory, Cape Leeuwin & Lighthouse, Pemberton Timber Mill, Valley of the Giants, Albany, Whale Watching Cruise, Esperance, Kalgoorlie, Super Pit Tour, Great Australian Bight, Nullarbor, Port Augusta, Adelaide, Mannum.
CANBERRA “FLORIADE”
6 days Sunday 14th September $3080
Highlights: Albury, Canberra City, Cockington Green, Australian War Memorial, Government House, Parliament House, Old Parliament House, Embassy Drive, National Arboretum, High Court of Australia, Royal Australian Mint, Floriade Festival, Wodonga.
Ms Wade said it was fun to watch the students complete the project.
“We are all very grateful for My Ryan’s time and that he was able to come and see what the students have done to their houses,” she said.
Mr Ryan visited the school to see the students’ finished products.
“It’s terrific,” he said.
CAPE YORK AND THURSDAY ISLAND
10 days Sunday 21st September $6460
Highlights: Cairns city accommodation, Cape Tribulation, World Heritage Daintree National Park, Bloomfield Track, Cooktown, Lakefield National Park, Musgrave Telegraph Station, Weipa, Bramwell Station, Fruit Bat Falls, Seisia, Cape York tip, Thursday Island.
VIETNAM
17 days Tuesday 23rd September $8690
Highlights: Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hue, Hoi An, Danang, Saigon, Cu Chi Tunnels, Long Tan, Nui Dat, Mekong Delta, Bay of Descending Dragon, Floating Village in Halong Bay, English Speaking Guides, Hue Royal Fine Art Museum, Elaborate Khai Dinh Royal Tomb, Cham Museum, Marble Mountains, Thien Hau temple.
TASMANIA
10 days Tuesday 14th October $5680
Highlights: Spirit of Tasmania, Grindelwald, Launceston, Ross, Swansea Bark Mill,
UPCYCLED: Ss Michael and John’s Primary School students, including Maella Watson, Abbey Netherway and Eadie Hartigan, show their decorated houses to Peter Ryan, who made the tiny houses for the students.
Picture: PAUL CARRACHER
Moyston
Easter Market
9am to 2pm
Easter Saturday
April 19, 2025
Moyston Recreation Reserve
Put your foot down for Breast & Ovarian Cancer Research
Join us on Sunday, May 11 at the Horsham Soundshell for a 2km walk or 5km walk or run to support those diagnosed with breast and ovarian cancer.
2 Moyston Great Western Road Schedule: On the day registrations - 8am Formalities commence - 8:45 am
Also on the day:
&
*Please bring cash as EFTPOS may not be available at all stalls/services
We will also be announcing the Winner of the Workplace Warriors Shield
Online registrations until Friday, May 9 All online registrations go in the draw to win a prize thanks to Mackays Family Jewellers!
Dogs are allowed at this event, must be kept on lead.
available along Hocking Street and Firebrace Street.
Proud major sponsors:
Fun for all at Easter festival
BY BRONWYN HASTINGS
Astreet parade, market, live entertainment and a vintage rally are among the attractions listed for the four-day Warracknabeal Easter Festival, which begins on Friday.
Warracknabeal Action Group committee member Tamara Bandy said a free cemetery tour, along with competition golf and bowls, and the Wimmera Christian Easter Convention, begin the festivities.
“The cemetery tour sounds a bit quirky, but I attended it last year and thoroughly enjoyed it,” she said.
“Our local historian and former councillor Graeme Massey runs it. He picks out a few graves and gives you the history of the person, how they significantly impacted Warracknabeal.
“It gives you a real understanding of our community and where we started.”
Saturday’s grand parade along the main street will include a variety of vehicles from the town’s community groups.
“The parade is always a huge hit, it’s always exciting to see everybody gather down the main street and support our local businesses – that’s always a huge buzz for us,” Ms Bandy said.
“A lot of our community groups put in floats, there are tractors from Wheatlands Machinery Museum, cars from the show ’n shine, as well as facepainting, and food and drinks available from our shops in the main street, as well as a coffee van.”
Saturday will also involve a dog’s breakfast – free for dogs and humans
– at Kelsall Street Dog Park in Rotary Park. Organised by Warracknabeal Rotary Club, there will be prizes including best-dressed and trickiest dogs.
There will also be a community market, two Easter egg hunts at The Community Garden, scones at newly heritage-listed Ladies Rest Rooms, Warracknabeal Easter Race meeting, and a tractor pull.
“On Saturday and Sunday Wheatlands Machinery Museum will feature 100 years of Caterpillars in their 56th annual event,” Ms Bandy said.
“They will also have demonstrations and displays of chaff cutting, shearing and bailing, the Stawell Model Railroaders, as well as refreshments and kids’ activities.”
Sunday’s family fun day features children’s activities, Snake Busters, tiny goats, food vans, a bar, and live music from Sam and Sam, and Matty Chaps.
“There really is something for everybody and every budget,” Ms Bandy said.
“It doesn’t matter what you’re into –we’ve tried to cater for everybody.”
Ms Bandy encouraged people to check the group’s Facebook page for up-to-date information on the festival, and said the group welcomed feedback.
“If people have ideas or suggestions of things they want to see in Warracknabeal over Easter, send us a message,” she said.
“We’re always happy to include new things and new ideas.”
People can visit www.facebook.com/ wbealwag for more information on the festival.
Never miss bin night again
In a bid to make bin night and recycling easier for residents, Horsham Rural City Council has launched a new waste mobile app.
The HRCC Waste App can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play.
Once downloaded, it can be set up for helpful bin night reminders, calendar notifications, and service changes or delay alerts.
Features of the app include: the A-Z waste materials guide; a bin
Changes to Good Friday kerbside collections
There will be no kerbside rubbish collection on Good Friday in Northern Grampians Shire. Bins usually collected on a Friday will instead be collected on Thursday, April 17. Please ensure bins are placed out for collection overnight on Wednesday, April 16. Anyone requiring further information can call (03)5358 8700.
collection calendar; nearby recycling points; transfer station information; which bin rubbish can be put in; and news and updates.
Horsham Mayor Ian Ross encouraged all kerbside collection residents to download the app.
“This app will make bin collection and correct waste disposal a breeze for our residents, with lots of information literally at your fingertips,” he said.
“Not only does this app give
you reminders of what bins to put out each week, but you can easily search and find out how to dispose of items.
“This will help reduce contamination in our bins, meaning less waste will go to landfill.”
The State Government Circular Economy – Waste and Recycling Act 2021 aims to increase the amount of material that can be recycled up to 80 per cent by 2030.
AT YOUR FINGERTIPS: Horsham Rural City Council Mayor Ian Ross shows off the new HRCC Waste App.
Picture: PAUL CARRACHER
Goatfest film fest
BY COLIN
MacGILLIVRAY
Rock-climbing royalty is set to grace Natimuk on Saturday, with American legend ‘Hot Henry’ Barber to speak at the town’s annual Goatfest film festival.
Mr Barber first climbed in Australia when he visited Mount Arapiles-Dyurrite during Easter in 1975, and is celebrating the 50th anniversary of his trip with a guest appearance at the festival.
First-time Goatfest director Ashlee Hendy said Mr Barber’s original visit was a watershed moment in the history of Australian rock climbing.
“We’re very excited to have Henry Barber as a special guest speaker this year,” she said.
“He will give a one-hour presentation after the film screenings.
“He first visited Australia 50 years ago and took the Australian climbing world by storm on that trip. He set a new standard for rock climbing in the country, which he did here at Arapiles.
“It was an historic trip, and he’s coming back this year to
commemorate 50 years and do a presentation at Goatfest.
“He’ll talk about the history and ethics of rock climbing, and it should be a great night.”
Goatfest has been staged in Natimuk since 2002 and celebrates rock climbing and other outdoor pursuits.
The festival is operated by Arapiles Community Theatre, ACT, Natimuk.
“It’s essentially a very lighthearted and enjoyable film competition where amateur filmmakers can submit their films to be included and screened on the night,” Ms Hendy said.
“Climbers who arrived in Natimuk in the 1960s were dubbed ‘goats’, so that’s where the name comes from.
“The theme is rock climbing and related areas, so they might not always have climbing content, but mostly it is outdoor content that might appeal to people who enjoy the outdoors as well.
“They can be films about high-performance rock climbing with high-quality cinematography, or they can be people having a bit of a laugh and not taking themselves too seriously
and just having a great time in the outdoors.”
With eight films already submitted to the festival, Ms Hendy said Saturday’s program was shaping up as an entertain ing one.
With uncertainty surrounding the future of rock climbing at Arapiles-Dyurrite following a draft Dyurrite Cultural Land scape Management Plan that proposes to curtail access to many areas of the mountain, Ms Hendy said the festival would focus on positivity.
“It’s about getting together as a community, having a good time and celebrating a shared love for outdoor spaces and outdoor recreation,” she said.
“We’re really happy to be running the event this year to try to lift spirits and keep things moving forward in the town of Natimuk.”
Ms Hendy said online tickets to the festival sold out earlier this week, with a small number available at the door.
Proceeds from the festival will fund future ACT Natimuk projects in the region.
Doors at Natimuk Soldiers Memorial Hall open at 6pm on Saturday.
Restrictions, not blanket bans
BY HENRY BARBER
I first climbed at Arapiles in 1975 and have visited several times since. I have climbed in six of Australia’s states and territories. No area during my visit was more influential to Australian climbing or more important, in my opinion, than Arapiles-Dyurrite.
I am an American citizen but have climbed in more than 40 countries and have encountered most of the issues the Arapiles community is dealing with now.
Arapiles is a Mecca – an iconic world destination for climbing – with one reason being that it is in the southern hemisphere for people to visit during the northern hemisphere winters and has a wide range of difficulties in route ratings.
It is one of the best cliffs in the world that represents some sport climbing routes like ‘Punks in the Gym’, where the gear is permanently fixed, but it also represents all levels of difficulty for traditional climbing where the gear is placed and removed on each ascent. This makes it ideal environmentally and aesthetically for climbers of all levels to enjoy.
Some issues I have encountered are Indigenous rites, bird closures, overcrowding, trail maintenance, trash, ethical climbing issues, landowner concerns about marks on the cliffs and liability. The issues are not limited to the above, but solutions for them may all exist in a comprehensive plan for Arapiles-Dyurrite.
One of our world-famous destinations is Hueco Tanks near El Paso Texas, which developed a multiple-use plan that involves climbers as guides primarily to protect Indigenous sites. They also serve to educate climbers about the historic areas they are climbing at.
Significant formations like the Totem Pole in Utah and Spider Rock in Arizona are closed to climbing. However, major archaeological formations like Newspaper Rock are protected and respected as thousands of climbers pass by in Canyonlands Utah.
Everyone respects Native American rites so as to not lose their rights to access mountain biking and climbing.
In the USA, there are many private landowners, monuments, state parks and national parks that have restrictions on the type of climbing that can be done and elimination of gear left behind. Gear that is placed can be removed or it can be coloured to match the colour and texture of the rock.
There may be issues with using chalk. Chalk is used by many climbers to dry their hands; this
can be mitigated by using coloured chalk or by eliminating the use of chalk.
I also understand that while all the climbs are not closed at this point, trail access is either blocked to other climbs or walking descents are off limits. Trails could be marked or cabled in places to force climbers to the base of routes. And, while I abhor this practice, anchors could be placed for climbers to descend to the base of climbs instead of through restricted areas.
I believe that diversity and inclusion means not only that Indigenous people’s heritage and sacred rites should be recognised, but also that public land should be made available to a wide diversity of people that use them.
This certainly means climbers, but also local people who rely on the business those climbers bring to the area.
If you are protecting Indigenous sites and artefacts, do visitors to Victoria have the right to view this history like at Uluru-Ayers Rock?
I believe the answer is yes, and any plan should answer and address these concerns for all.
Proposing to shut down climbing at ArapilesDyurrite is shutting down climbing, in a way, for Victoria.
Also, access to some of the prime cliffs in the Grampians is in jeopardy, so will people from interstate visit? I feel the nearby wineries and olive groves are connected to this central place.
I have read the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 and numerous accounts of actions taken since 2017. It seems that climbers have been blamed for not building trails and fixing erosion at Taipan Wall and that they haven’t mounted significant enough responses to the updated Parks Victoria regulations.
My experience worldwide is that climbers are excellent stewards of wild places and important heritage. No one has more to lose than them, except in this case where bushwalkers, local communities, educators and their students could lose more than they know.
It is time for the Victorian government and Aboriginal people’s entities to show their work. It is time to set a moratorium on closures so that climbers and the local communities of business people or bushwalkers can organise effectively.
Share the findings with the public so that everyone understands the scope of what is needed to consider. Otherwise, what is happening is smoke and mirrors and the public can only expect to
of what might happen next. I
cup warracknabeal SAT
The Victorian Government is making it easier for families to find a three and four-year old kinder learning program they can count on.
The
It
A guided path
BY BRONWYN HASTINGS
Ivan Smith’s white cane has given him more pairs of eyes than his own when he is out in the Horsham community – and he is thankful for the assistance people offer.
“I don’t always need help, but I’ll either say ‘yeah, that’ll be good, thanks’, or ‘no, I’m right, thank you’,” he said.
“I find people are very good here. I appreciate the fact they want to ask.
“And if I want help I always ask – no one has refused me yet.”
“I look at the ground and it’s just a mess, which is a bit disappointing, because I always liked the footy,” he said.
However, he has implemented several changes to ensure he remains as independent as possible.
“There is a tremendous amount of help out there, and you learn to accept it after a while,” he said.
“The people at Dovida are tremendous, they take me shopping and to appointments and wherever I want to go.
“I used Community Options’ volunteer drivers in the early stages, and my fellow Lions Club members help me when I need it.
Mr Smith said shop assistants had packed his shopping bag for him when asked and read messages on greeting cards to him to help him choose.
“They’ll come and help me, because I can’t read the thing,” he said.
“I also have family nearby, and my neighbours help me.”
Mr Smith has had cataracts removed, has macular degeneration and glaucoma in both eyes, plus scar tissue and membrane problems in both eyes.
“I first noticed sight problems seven or eight years ago, and it has gradually gotten worse,” he said.
“It’s like looking through fog – I say I’m blind in one eye and can’t see out of the other.”
Mr Smith has made several life adjustments; relinquishing his driver’s licence, resigning from Horsham’s headquarters fire brigade, and is no longer watching Laharum play football.
Mr Smith has a variety of aids from Vision Australia, including a magnifying device with inbuilt light and colour-changing capability, a safety link medic-alert, talking alarm clock, and a walking cane.
“I think it’s important that if anybody’s got disabilities they don’t be afraid to ask for help,” Mr Smith said.
“I do have my down days, but I also enjoy talking to people and having a joke.
“I am very grateful to the Horsham community who help me when I’m out, and people in cars who stop to let me cross the road – you all do yourselves proud.”
APPRECIATIVE: Ivan Smith wants to thank the community for accommodating him and his sight impairment needs.
Picture: PAUL CARRACHER
Do you have transmission lines on your property?
If you do, there are safety regulations that you, or anyone working on your property, must follow.
For example, if you need to operate vehicles or machinery taller than three metres under or near an existing transmission line, you need to talk to us first about a permit. Find out how to apply for a permit or how we can help you at:
New Rupanyup daycare to open
BY BRONWYN HASTINGS
Afamily daycare service will open at Rupanyup’s new Dunmunkle Community Library Precinct in coming weeks, with Yarriambiack Shire councillors unanimously approving it at their March meeting.
Mayor Kylie Zanker said historically, there had been no formal family daycare or invenue care services available at Rupanyup, a need highlighted during the community consultation stage of the precinct’s redevelopment.
“Council recognises the demand for daycare services in many towns within the shire, with Rupanyup being no exception,” she said.
“Council’s leadership team has sourced a licenced family daycare provider who will offer services Monday to Friday, who trades under the business name of Lil Bears Family Daycare.”
The council offices and library building was upgraded to become the Dunmunkle Community Library Precinct, and currently houses the library and Rupanyup Historical Society.
Building redevelopments and refurbishments include an updated library, dedicated early years area, offices, meeting rooms, kitchenettes, storage and bathroom facilities.
The outdoor areas were also upgraded to include an enclosed children’s play area.
The recommended motion to endorse the licence agreement between council and Lil Bears Family Daycare, which included a deemed paid annual fee of $1 plus GST, was moved by Cr Melinda Keel.
“It just makes sense for everyone, I think it’s a very satisfactory outcome”
– Cr Corinne Heintze
“Any form of daycare anywhere is vital, so this is going to be a great asset for the Rupanyup community,” Cr Keel said.
Chief executive Tammy Smith said the council had put measures in place to ensure child safety.
“We have worked very closely with the in-venue care provider and the historical society, as well as our library protocols, to ensure there’s no crossover between users,” she said.
Library patrons and childcare users have separate access points to the building, and the historical society has separate hours.
The historical society will also enter into an agreement to continue to use the building for storage, research and meetings, including the use of the building’s vault to preserve documents and items.
Cr Corinne Heintze said she was pleased users had agreed to work together to use the building.
“It just makes sense for everyone, I think it’s a very satisfactory outcome,” she said.
Lil Bears Family Day Care is currently awaiting final approval from the Department of Education to operate an in-venue licenced daycare service from the building, with approval expected within the next month.
The community will be notified once the service is approved, and enrolments are being taken.
Momentum builds for event
Organisers are buoyed by the level of public interest in a second Managing the Twilight Years event at Horsham on May 15.
Horsham Combined Probus Club is organising the event, in Horsham Church of Christ on River Road, from 9.30am to 3pm.
The program, set out in 30-minute slots, includes a Centrelink community engagement officer, lawyer, accountant, two segments by Grampians Health staff, a minister on issues older people raise, police officers on issues such as scams and safety and a mobility aids expert.
Mrs Smith said organising this year’s event had been made easier by a major sponsorship from Horsham mobility aids firm Oscar Care, as well as grants from Horsham Rural City Council, Horsham Rotary Club and Horsham seniors group Upper Class.
“We had amazing response after the first Managing the Twilight Years event in 2023 when 180 attended
and were urged to stage another one – so here it is,” she said.
She said a lot had changed in two years and seniors were often unaware of programs and assistance to make life easier in their latter years for themselves and their families.
“There will be new information from new speakers throughout the day,” she said.
“Morning tea and lunch are provided with cost of entry remaining at just $5 a person.
“We want people to attend and so have made the cost as low as possible.
“And it’s a great social time for people to get together. Last time we had people from five municipalities.”
Health-related groups are also encouraged to have a display in the foyer to promote their organisation.
Mrs Smith said registration was essential and urged people to contact her on 0427 821 510 or Catherine Sellars on 0417 339 219.
Senate Vote
Ants & Mice
READY: Oscar Care Horsham manager Steve Olver, centre, with mobility aids specialist Gavin Watson and Managing the Twilight Years organiser Faye Smith. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER
Thousands of dollars worth of prizes
Easter Saturday, April 19, 2025 7am to 3pm
Registration: Jeparit Anglers Clubrooms, Lake Rd, Jeparit (Jeparit Golf Club)
• Friday, April 18, noon to 6pm
• Saturday, April 19, 6.30am onwards
Online entries available from April 4 @ www.jeparitanglersclub.com
Entry Cost: Seniors – 16 & Over $30
Juniors – 15 & Under $20 – free showbag for the first 150 children to register Bank fishing only
For more info visit www.jeparitanglersclub.com or our Facebook page
• 1st Prize Senior: $2000
• 1st Price Junior: $500 & Swag
• 10 prizes for both senior & junior
• Carp Competition
SCHOOL HOLIDAY FUN: Blender Studios’ Adrian Doyle hosts a workshop at North Park, Stawell, with participants Diana Holden and her grand-daughters Chloe and Olivia.
Creators of a new mural at Stawell Skate Park are better equipped to finalise a design after hosting several workshops for Northern Grampians residents.
The Blender Studios team will start painting the mural in May this year, with an official opening planned for June.
Blender Studios’ Adrian Doyle, who hosted the workshops at North Park clubrooms on Wednesday last week, said 17 people of various ages took the opportunity to learn the art of pre-cut stencilling, along with spray-can techniques.
The participants used these skills to paint pictures of their favourite characters.
Dr Doyle said there was also a collage workshop to generate ideas and provide inspiration for the skate park mural design.
“I am looking forward to making an art piece that is space-changing and that the people of Stawell are proud of, and that becomes a tourist attraction for years to come,” he said.
Dr Doyle will host additional workshops in May, when he returns to start the mural.
Northern Grampians Shire Mayor Karen Hys-
Art inspires skate mural Service changes
West
Wimmera Shire
Council is withdrawing from the delivery of aged-care services across the shire, and is considering moving away from managing its kindergartens, childcare and maternal and child health services.
The move away from aged care comes ahead of the imminent commencement of the Federal Government’s new Support at Home Program.
West Wimmera Shire Council
Mayor Tim Meyer said the decision to withdraw was made due to legislative changes, which had seen most Victorian councils withdraw from agedcare services.
“West Wimmera Shire Council is one of the last remaining Victorian councils delivering aged-care services,” he said.
“However, council has carefully considered the viability of continuing to deliver those services following the recent changes to aged care made by the commonwealth.
“Council does not have the ability to comply with the new clinical and governance requirements, which have now been mandated by the commonwealth.
“Only specialist health service providers are adequately equipped to accommodate
lop said she was excited to see the municipality’s youth have an opportunity to shape the mural’s final design, while learning from experienced artists.
“Blender Studios is an urban and fine-art studio based in Melbourne and we are thrilled to have members of the team present workshops in Stawell,” she said.
“The workshop series provided opportunities for primary and secondary-age students to learn stencilling and spray-can street-art techniques, creating their own art to take home. Imagery and conversations during the workshops will help shape the mural design.”
Cr Hyslop said the mural project stemmed from community input calling for more public art in Stawell, particularly murals.
“After investigating several sites, council decided the skate park site at North Park sports precinct was the most appropriate,” she said.
“I’m excited to see Blender Studios appointed to deliver the project and that they are incorporating the community’s feedback in the design.
“I look forward to the finished result.”
these requirements due to their existing corporate structures.
“It is for this reason that council recommends that the commonwealth appoints West Wimmera Health Service to deliver aged-care services throughout our shire.
“We recognise that change can bring questions, and we want to reassure the community that services will continue, with familiar staff remaining in place.”
It is anticipated existing staff will be offered employment by the new provider, with no job losses resulting from the change.
Child services
The council is also considering transitioning the management of its child-related services to alternative specialist providers.
The potential transition will affect Goroke Preschool, Edenhope Early Childhood Service, Kaniva Kindergarten, as well as maternal and child-health services in Kaniva, Harrow, Goroke, and Edenhope. No formal agreements have been finalised with any providers.
Cr Meyer said any potential agreements would see families continue to receive services at their existing locations, ensuring consistency of service delivery through a smooth hando-
ver process. Cr Meyer said the transition would provide new opportunities to improve services for children and parents.
“Families rely on high-quality early years programs to give their children the best start in life,” he said.
“Through this partnership, we are ensuring that local families will continue to receive exceptional care and education in a way that meets their expectations and is sustainable for the future.”
Other shires’ services are managed by other providers, for example, West Wimmera Health Service provides free maternal and child-health services across Hindmarsh Shire, while Emerge Early Years Services manages 14 kindergartens across Horsham, Hindmarsh and Northern Grampians municipalities.
Cr Meyer said all existing West Wimmera child-services staff would be supported throughout a potential transition, with no job losses resulting from the change.
People can share their feedback and ask questions through the ‘Have Your Say’ portal on the council’s website, www. westwimmera.vic.gov.au.
Nature inspires play day
About 80 children and their guardians gathered at Alexandra Gardens to take part in a variety of nature-themed school holiday activities for the inaugural Nature Play Day.
Attendees made masquerade masks decorated with feathers, oak leaves, gum nuts and petals; used a crafted cloud viewfinder to identify cirrus, cumulus and stratus clouds; took part in a painting station with a large canvas spread out on the ground for everyone to paint; weaved long strands of flexible gum branches, leaves and flower stems to create a fairy shelter; and got messy at a popular clay play station.
Ararat Community Garden played host to a
scavenger hunt, in which children were challenged to find 12 objects around the grounds, including a seed pod, a bee, a mosaic pot, lavender and a ceramic pumpkin ornament nestled among many real pumpkins growing in the garden.
Ararat Rural City Council staff thanked attendees for their enthusiastic support of Nature Play Day, along with volunteers who helped run the event and Ararat Gallery TAMA staff.
Remaining school holiday activities organised by the council include Easter crafts at Ararat Library today from 3pm to 4pm and an extended Lego session tomorrow from 3pm to 5pm, also at Ararat Library.
Ararat council releases budget
Nearly$1.5-million for a new covered sports arena at Ararat Pony Club and millions more for road projects headline Ararat Rural City Council’s draft 2025-26 budget.
The draft budget, which is now available for community feedback, was released alongside a long-term 2025-2035 financial plan and a four-year revenue and rating plan.
The council is seeking feedback on all three documents, which are available to view on the Engage Ararat website, engage.ararat.vic.gov.au.
Chief executive Tim Harrison said the council was ‘pretty proud’ of the draft budget.
“We think we’ve contained our costs pretty well and we’ve got some really good infrastructure projects coming out around road safety and the extension of some of our major roads,” he said.
“We really welcome feedback through Engage Ararat, and we’re also going to hold a series of town hall meetings in Ararat and some of our smaller communities as well over the next few weeks.”
Items in the draft budget include: $1.49-million in grant funding for the Ararat Pony Club project; $683,000 for a Woorndoo-Streatham Road reconstruction project; $500,000
for Ararat Housing Enterprise; $148,760 for a Pomonal Community Hall battery project supported by the 100 Neighbourhood Batteries grants program; $133,000 towards a $399,000 upgrade of the Ararat Active Transport Bicycle Network; $100,000 for young people’s programs across schools; $100,000 for Community Support Grants; $100,000 for façade improvement and Kick Start Grants programs; $100,000 towards planning for a new indoor sports facility and an upgrade to Ararat outdoor pool; $100,000 of grant funding for a new dog park in Ararat; $60,000 for repair works to the former Cobb and Co staging stables in Buangor; $1-million to reconstruct a section of Buangor-Ben Nevis Road; $1.8-million to renew or resheet gravel roads; $750,000 to improve urban drainage systems; $400,000 for footpath upgrades; $312,232 in grant funding for pedestrian safety upgrades in the Ararat CBD; and $300,000 to renew kerb and channel.
The draft budget also provides for continued free access to outdoor pools in the municipality and the ongoing $6.25-million Mount William Road reconstruction.
The council will host a series of community engagement ses-
sions allowing people to ask questions of councillors and council staff regarding the budget.
Sessions will be at: Ararat Town Hall, April 29, 11am; Buangor Community Sports Centre pavilion, April 30, 2pm; Elmhurst Mechanics Institute, April 29, 2pm; Lake Bolac Complex, May 1, 7pm; Moyston Community Hall, May 1, 11.30am; Pomonal Community Hall, May 1, 3pm; Tatyoon Hall, April 30, 7pm; and Willaura Memorial Hall, May 1, 5.30pm.
Dr Harrison said the council was also seeking feedback on its revenue and rating and financial plans.
He said the financial plan outlined a financially sustainable 10-year projection of how the Council Plan 2025-2029 could be funded to achieve the Community Vision 2035, while the Rating and Revenue Plan 2025-2029 determined the most appropriate and affordable revenue and rating approach.
Feedback on all three documents is open until Tuesday, May 9 at 5pm.
People can make submissions via the Engage Ararat website; by writing to Ararat Rural City Council, PO Box 246, Ararat, VIC, 3377; or by emailing engage@ararat.vic.gov.au.
Bistro Open
7 Days
Available at lunch & dinner
11.30am to 2pm & 5.30pm to 8pm (8.30pm on Fri & Sat)
Wimmera Mallee
Umpires Association, Simon Dandy:
We got $850 and it was used for footballs and stationary ‘men’ that we can use for drills during our training. They have come in very handy and allow us to do our drills better and allows us to grow our skills.
We want to do our best, so the more training we get, hopefully that transcends into better umpires on the ground, which will make games safer, with better adjudicating. It has an impact on us and the wider football community. It was really easy to apply for the grant. You just have to get your information getter – it doesn’t take long at all, less than an hour and it’s pretty handy if you get a grant.
PLAYTIME: Amelie and Tenulie enjoy Ararat Rural City Council’s Nature Play Day.
CARNIVAL OF PECULIARITIES:
Hundreds of people dressed to impress for Dimboola’s Wimmera Steampunk Festival showcase on Saturday. The Weekly Advertiser photographer PAUL CARRACHER
captured some of the action. Pictured are, clockwise from above: Tony and Sue Fagan; Damian Jones and Karen Hapgood; Glenn Dean, Sarah Lance and Janine Sheridan; Shelly and Tom Fax; Don Haines, Jon Fuller and Paul Clarke; Joelle Browne and Justine Stephens; and centre, Leon Barents.
Sunday, April 20, 2025 10am to 1.30pm
Plants, honey, earrings, wooden garden art, Rawleighs, candles, baby and children’s items, baked goods, jewellery, flowers, food and coffee vans, raffle Easter Bunny visiting around 11am
A night to be fabulous
BY BRONWYN HASTINGS
Wimmera Steampunk Festival attendees were treated to a ‘magical’ night on Saturday at Dimboola, with a street parade, live music and costumes bringing the Carnival of Peculiarities to life.
Organiser Chan Uoy said it was a good night, complete with a full moon.
“Traders and festivalgoers alike gave positive feedback; a few of the traders said it was phenomenal – best trade ever,” he said.
Volunteer firefighters were part of the parade, in recognition of their efforts during the Little Desert National Park fire.
“It was amazing to have their presence, they looked really smart in full uniform. I felt really proud for them, and the community applauded them really well,” Mr Chan said.
About 3000 people attended Saturday night’s volunteer-run event.
“The event is run purely by volunteers, it’s a community event,” Mr Uoy said.
“To make it magical requires hard work and effort, and the good thing about Dimboola is it is a great community.
“We can create more experiences in the region, and Wimmera Steampunk Festival is an example of that – the vision was there, the drive was there, the passion was there to make it happen for the community.”
Mr Uoy said the festival enabled people to unlock their imaginations and show a different side of themselves.
“It’s a chance to be creative, to be im-
aginative, to make a concept in your head come true,” he said.
“What’s exciting about the Wimmera Steampunk Festival is it enables you to unlock your imagination, whatever’s in there, and make it happen and realise it.
“And what people experienced Saturday night was the realisation of the vision of a community event where we wanted to create a festive environment where people could escape, express their individuality and have fun, and at the same time connect with each other.”
Mr Uoy said it was profound to see people come alive and get noticed, and to see people forge new friendships.
“I had a lady come in yesterday, she said
normally people don’t ask her to have her photograph taken, but that night 10 to 12 people asked her. She said she felt alive, connected, that she existed and felt beautiful,” he said.
“That’s amazing when you think about it, and that’s what steampunk is all about.
“You can be whatever you want to be – we live in a society that’s conservative and you have to conform to fit in. For one night, you don’t have to conform. You can be fabulous.”
Mr Uoy said a debrief was scheduled with Dimboola Progress Association and other community groups before the next festival was announced, but set a tentative date of April 17, 2027.
Commercial Waste Solutions for
business
IN THE SPIRIT: Wimmera police, from left, Matt Kennedy, Sally Rodwell, Teilah Rabone, Travis Kerr and Veronica Dempsey. Pictures: PAUL CARRACHER TIME TO SHINE: Owen Anderson and Finn Minett dancing in the heart of Dimboola.
ROUND OF APPLAUSE: Volunteer firefighters were part of the parade, in recognition of their efforts during the Little Desert National Park fire.
SHINING BRIGHT: Nat Lewis looking fabulous in her steampunk creation.
FLYING HIGH: Jo-Mari Pretorius entertains.
Affordability and Availability of Insurance in Australia
A Growing Concern
Insurance is a cornerstone of financial security, protecting Australians from unexpected losses. However, the rising cost of premiums and the availability of appropriate coverage have become significant challenges. Extreme weather events, escalating property values, and the increasing complexity of policies are driving premiums up, making affordability a concern for many individuals and businesses.
Equally pressing is the issue of availability. In areas prone to natural disasters, such as floods or bushfires, insurers are withdrawing, limiting coverage or increasing premiums to match the risk. This leaves many Australians underinsured or, worse, without any protection at all. It’s a stark reminder of the vital role insurance plays in safeguarding our homes, businesses, and livelihoods. Amid these challenges, regular policy reviews are more important than ever.
Insurance is not a "set and forget" product. Personal circumstances change, and so do the risks around us. A policy that suited your needs five years ago will no longer provide adequate protection today.
This is where the expertise of a qualified insurance broker becomes invaluable. Brokers are not just intermediaries; they are advocates for their clients. They help navigate the complexities of insurance, ensuring that policies are both affordable and appropriate. Moreover, brokers have access to a wide range of insurers and products, which means they can often secure better coverage or premiums than what’s available directly to consumers.
In uncertain times, it’s easy to put insurance reviews on the back burner. However, staying proactive can save significant stress – and money – in the long run.
Make it a priority to review your policies regularly with a trusted broker. The peace of mind it offers is worth every moment spent.
“Insurance isn’t just a cost; it’s an investment in your future.
“Let’s ensure every Australian has access to affordable, reliable protection.”
Abbie Wilson, National Insurance Brokers
Driving a successful fundraiser
BY COLIN MacGILLIVRAY
AWimmera-based organiser of a charity drive that raised more than $20,000 for cancer research says plans for another event are in the works.
Horsham’s Gavin Morrow helped organise the Drive to Survive tour – a car tour involving participants travelling through three states in three days, raising money for Ballarat’s Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute, FECRI.
Mr Morrow was part of a Horsham contingent on the tour that included his wife Jodie and brothers Wade and Shannon, among others.
Mr Morrow, a FECRI board member, said he was unsure of how successful the event would be, but that it had exceeded all expectations.
“I think we’d have raised just under $22,000. We had a target of $20,000 and we achieved that, so we’d say it was successful,” he said.
“Because it was the first time we’d done it we weren’t sure how it was going to go. We wanted to make sure we’d organised everything properly, but everything went pretty smoothly.”
The tour comprised six cars and a total of 14 participants, with each car required to donate a minimum of $2000 to enter and all participants responsible for their own food, fuel and accommodation costs.
The tour started in Ballarat on March 28, where participants heard from FECRI director George Kannourakis.
“George took us for a tour of the Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute, just so everyone who had been raising money got an understanding of where the money was going and what it was being used for,” Mr Morrow said.
“We all got to meet a lot of the researchers and staff there, which was great.”
From Ballarat, the convoy drove 450 kilometres north to Mildura, stopping at a bakery in Birchip for lunch.
The following days saw the tour visit Wentworth in New South Wales, as well as the South Australian towns of Renmark, Loxton, Tanunda, Handorf and Tailem Bend, before returning to Victoria.
Mr Morrow said the three-day tour was packed with fun activities.
“In Renmark we stopped at a brewery where there was a tinny race – the
Riverland Dinghy Derby – that a couple of our guys were involved in,” he said.
“At Loxton we went to a private car collection. There’s a farmer there who has 330 cars under cover in three different sheds and it’s absolutely amazing.
“He had a big collection of Holdens, a big collection of Ford Valiants, Lamborghinis, motorbikes, Cheverolets, ones that were in TV shows – he had one shed just of Lancruisers, mainly the earlier ones.
“In our estimation, there would have been about $30-million of cars on
display. We went to the Tailem Bend motorsport park and did a tour there, then did some go-kart racing.”
At every stop, Mr Morrow said tour members took advantage of chances to raise more money.
“Each day we had a dress-up theme – the first day was hats, the second day was cross dress and the third day was dressing in disguise,” he said.
“I think dressing up was the key to it all, because everywhere we stopped people were talking to us and asking ‘what the hell are you doing?’
“That started a lot of discussions and led to fundraising.”
Mr Morrow estimated the group raised an extra $1500 in donations simply by talking to strangers.
“Everywhere we stopped and got talking to people, everyone has their own story about cancer, whether it’s themselves, a family member or friends,” he said.
“We got a lot of different stories from people on the journey.”
Mr Morrow said the money raised would go to a cause close to his heart.
“My father passed away from cancer just over 10 years ago, and we could see the work George Kannourakis was doing while he was treating our father,” he said.
“When he passed away our family could see that something big was going to happen there, so we wanted to raise money towards that.
“The money raised will go a long way in cancer research at Ballarat, which helps everyone in the Wimmera as well because they provide the oncology in the Wimmera region.
“Together with our family and the whole community we’ve raised over $100,000 for the institute now.”
Following the success of Drive to Survive, Mr Morrow said plans were in the works for subsequent tours.
“We feel that it probably won’t be annual, but it will probably be biennial,” he said.
“We’ve got other people who have said they’d love to come on it the next time we do it, but we’re mindful that we don’t want to hit up too many people locally for money every year.
“We appreciate all the donations we did get, but we don’t want to be putting our hands out to the same people every 12 months.”
WFNL FEMALE FOOTBALL F ixture
Season Opening
Sunday, May 18 at Murtoa
Game times: U14.5 – 11.30am • Seniors – 1.15pm
Round 1 – Sunday, May 18 at Murtoa
Seniors:
Minyip-Murtoa v Laharum
U14.5: Warrack/Burras v Laharum
Round 2 – Sunday, May 25 at Laharum Seniors:
Laharum v Horsham
U14.5: Laharum v Horsham
Round 3 – Sunday, June 1 at Horsham
Seniors:
Horsham v Minyip-Murtoa
U14.5: Horsham v Warrack/Burras
Round 4 – Sunday, June 15 at Laharum
Seniors:
Laharum v Minyip-Murtoa
U14.5: Laharum v Warrack/Burras
Round 5 – Sunday, June 22 at Horsham Seniors:
Horsham v Laharum
U14.5: Horsham v Laharum
Round 6 – Sunday, June 29 at Horsham Seniors:
Horsham v Minyip-Murtoa
U14.5: Horsham v Warrack/Burras
Round 7 – Sunday, July 6 at Laharum Seniors:
Laharum v Horsham
U14.5: Laharum v Horsham
Round 8 – Sunday, July 20 at Murtoa
Seniors:
Minyip-Murtoa v Laharum
U14.5:
Warrack/Burras v Laharum
Round 9 – Sunday, July 27 at Warracknabeal
Seniors:
Minyip-Murtoa v Horsham
U14.5: Warrack/Burras v Horsham
Grand Final – Sunday, August 3
PUTTING THE FUN IN FUNDRAISING: Gavin Morrow, his wife Jodie and Colin Kemp at the Mallee Bull in Birchip during the Drive to Survive Tour, raising money for the Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute.
LEADERSHIP: CFA’s Goroke group officer Justin Batson’s evacuation was a difficult but necessary decision as the Little Desert National Park fire threatened Goroke.
Tough call helps save lives in fire
The gut feeling of a volunteer firefighter and the willingness of a whole community saved the township of Goroke during the Little Desert National Park fire during the early hours of February 2.
CFA’s Goroke group officer Justin Batson said with unpredictable and erratic fire behaviour and conditions, he made the decision to evacuate the town.
“It wasn’t an easy decision, not by any means; you’re asking people to leave their homes,” he said.
“Was it the right decision?
Yes, it absolutely was. We all know how to put the fire out, we all know what it should do and shouldn’t do, but in this circumstance, it made its own rules.
“You just act with your instincts, your gut feelings, your training.
“The safety of yourself, your fellow CFA people, anybody that’s on the fire ground, is paramount.
“Not knowing what the fire was going to do was the scary part – there was no rule book.”
Leadership during a bushfire is a complicated and multifaceted undertaking – ensuring resources are where they need to be, trucks are in position, crews are supported and plans are in place.
Every decision leaders make
affect an entire community.
Conditions were worsening when Mr Batson made the call.
“It was the first time I’d ever been asked to make that kind of call, and it was something I didn’t take lightly,” he said.
“But with the fire behaviour we were seeing, there was no question in my mind. We had to get people out.”
The fire had jumped containment lines and was moving quickly. Crews had trucks and fallback plans in place, but the risk to life was high.
“We had plan A, B and C ready to go,” Mr Batson said.
“But we also knew if the fire broke through at the wrong time, we’d be dealing with houses under threat, maybe worse.
“If people left early, it meant we didn’t have to wonder who was still in the town, or where they were.
“That knowledge changes everything for our firefighters and community reassurance.”
Mr Batson said there was no pushback from the community, as people understood the risk.
“People trusted us. That’s not always the case during emergencies, and it made a huge difference,” he said.
Knowing residents were safe allowed firefighters to focus entirely on asset protection and fire suppression.
“We’re all so thankful to CFA strike teams from across the state who assisted us, working
in tough conditions, and to the local farmers and private units who did their bit too,” Mr Batson said.
“It was a team effort, and everyone was doing what they could to protect their neighbours and stop the fire from escaping the desert. The work on the ground was huge.”
No lives were lost and no lived-in homes at Goroke were destroyed. And while the nearby Little Desert Nature Lodge was destroyed, the town was spared the worst.
“People thank us for the outcome, but I think the community deserves just as much credit,” Mr Batson said.
“Their trust gave us the breathing room to do our job.
“You don’t forget the weight of that call. You think about the elderly, the families, your own mates.
“You’re asking people to leave their homes, maybe not knowing if they’ll have one to come back to. But when it’s life or death, you can’t afford to hesitate.”
In the days that followed, messages of thanks poured in, from handwritten notes by local school students to homemade meals delivered to staging areas.
“If I had my time again, I’m sure we’d make the same call,” Mr Batson said.
“I didn’t want to issue the emergency warning, but I’m glad we did.”
Emergency services thanked
An auction at Dimboola’s emergency services appreciation event has raised about $1500 for the area’s volunteer fire brigades.
Auction items included a helicopter joy flight, signed sports memorabilia, a riverboat cruise, caravan park accommodation package, and a Merv Hughes-signed stubby holder.
About 400 people attended the event to recognise the efforts of firefighters and other agencies in the 95,000-hectare Little Desert National Park bushfire that started in January.
Hindmarsh Shire Council officials will meet with CFA’s Lowan and Ebenezer group officers to discuss the distribution of the funds.
Revegetation program suspended
NG WEEKENDS Not avelling?
Police move to electronic fines
Victoria Police are now able to issue electronic roadside fines in a move that police and government officials say will result in a more streamlined process.
Beginning in February, Police rolled out new mobile devices enabling State Highway Patrol members to issue electronic penalty infringement notices, ePINS.
The devices feature built-in information on penalty codes, penalty amounts, demerit points and the ability to calculate infringement due dates.
The technology allows police to send infringement notices electronically to an email address or mobile phone number as a PDF file or MMS message on a mobile device.
If a member of the public is unable to receive an infringement notice electronically, the ePIN can be printed and mailed to their residential address.
The same processes for payment and objection apply to
ePINs as for paper-based infringement notices, with recipients given 28 days to either pay the fine, seek a payment plan or lodge an objection.
Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Wendy Steendam said police issued 5143 ePINs between the technology’s introduction on February 11 and April 7.
Ms Steendam said ePINs would gradually roll out across Victoria during 2025, replacing most of the estimated 500,000 paper infringement notices issued by police each year.
“This new technology makes a significant difference to how we issue fines, and how the public receives them,” she said.
“With Victoria now introducing digital licenses and a lot of traditional paperwork now digital, introducing electronic infringements is a natural and timely progression for the force.
“The ePINs application simplifies the process for our police and members of the com-
munity, making it quicker and easier to issue and receive infringement notices.
“Reducing the time required for police to complete paperbased administration means we can dedicate more time to policing and community safety.”
Police Minister Anthony Carbines said the $7.2-million upgrade operated through a secure central system that included information on a driver’s offence history.
He said reducing administrative paperwork meant police would be able to spend more time in the community.
“We’re cutting down on paperwork so our police can do what they do best — getting back out on the streets and keeping Victorians safe,” he said.
“We’ll always back Victoria Police with what they need to do their vital work — especially when it comes to holding dangerous drivers to account and keeping our roads safe.”
CHANGE OF SCENE: Emily Martin, 5, enjoys Horsham Library’s Storytime at May Park yesterday. Library staff took stories, songs and instruments outdoors. Staff also hosted a book sale, with a selection of books that had been withdrawn from the library’s collection. People can find more information about Baby Bounce, Wriggle and Read, Super Sonic Storytime and other early years programs at Horsham, Edenhope, Kaniva, Harrow and Goroke libraries online at www.wimmeralibraries.vic.gov.au/eventsprograms/early-years-programs.
Picture: PAUL CARRACHER
Blister-pack recycling win
Ararat Rural City Council has backed a new initiative aimed at increasing recycling efforts across the municipality and reducing waste delivered to landfill.
The council will partner with Pharmacycle, Australia’s only end-to-end recycling program for household and commercial medicinal blister-pack waste.
Council chief executive Tim Harrison said the complex composition of plastic and aluminum meant medicinal blister packs could not be processed through regular kerbside recycling, leading to hundreds of millions of blister packs being improperly disposed of annually, either ending up in landfill or as contaminants in recycling streams.
Dr Harrison said the Pharmacycle initiative would provide a sustainable solution to divert medicinal blister packs from landfill. Under the program, blister packs are collected
from selected drop-off points and processed to separate aluminium from plastic, allowing each material to find a new purpose.
The council is among several other local businesses and organisations to participate in the initiative, including East Grampians Health Service, Priceline Pharmacy and Blooms The Chemist.
Residents can recycle empty blister packs by dropping them off at designated collection bins at those locations. Collection bins will soon be in place at the council’s municipal offices at 59 Vincent Street, Ararat.
“We’re expanding opportunities for our residents to minimise landfill,” Dr Harrison said.
“This blister pack recycling initiative provides a simple yet effective way for the community to contribute, ensuring a more sustainable future for Ararat Rural City.”
Community Grants
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Duo a welcome addition
Apair of health workers have helped modernise hip and knee-replacement procedures at Horsham’s Wimmera Base Hospital after moving to the region at the end of last year.
Chhavvi and Subodh Srivastava, an anaesthetist and orthopedic surgeon respectively, moved to the Wimmera after 25 years practising in the United Kingdom, joining Grampians Health shortly before Christmas.
Mr Srivastava said he and Mrs Srivastava helped establish a post-surgery recovery program for joint-replacement procedures at the hospital.
“Chhavi and her anaesthetic colleagues are pivotal to the success of this program,” Mr Srivastava said.
“We are modernising the hip and knee-replacement pathways so that the patients can go home early using an enhanced recovery program.”
Mr Srivastava is also working to establish a same-day service for joint-replacement patients that he said had been effective in the UK.
“If patients live far away or if they are frail, they might have to stay longer but usually if they are reasonably fit and active and are medically optimised, we encourage them to go home sooner,” he said.
“Of all the cases done so far, most have been successfully discharged home the following day.
“Chhavi and her anaesthetic colleagues play an important role
in the comfort of patients post operatively, with a standardised, evidence-based pain management protocol, which will help in the timely discharge of patients.”
Mr Srivastava also reintroduced fracture surgery to the hospital, operating on broken wrists and ankles since his arrival.
“The orthopaedic clinic is up and running and the fracture clinic is for broken bones.
“We are doing hip and knee on a reasonably regular basis and that will pick up as we settle in,” he said.
“With Dr Ferraby Ling looking after shoulder surgery in Horsham, we are providing virtually a complete orthopaedic service now. As we get better equipment
spending the remaining time in Ballarat in order to be closer to their son on weekends.
“It has been a very positive introduction to the hospital. The nursing staff have tried their best to help us integrate and have always respected our requirements,” Mrs Srivastava said.
“We have been very impressed with Horsham and the team at WBH because they are so willing to learn new methods.
“People don’t always want to change but the Horsham operating suite team has been fantastically supportive toward us.”
Mr Srivastava also praised staff at Horsham’s Alan Wolff Medical Centre.
Tyre issue persists
Horsham Rural City Council is ramping up efforts to tackle the ongoing issue of illegal tyre dumping, with more piles of discarded tyres discovered on the outskirts of Horsham.
One pile contained 30 tyres stacked together, adding to a growing number of dumped tyres suspected to have been used for burnouts.
The council is continuing its investigation into whether those involved in burnouts are sourcing used tyres from local businesses.
Extra patrols and surveillance are being carried out in hotspot areas, particularly near Horsham North, to catch offenders in the act. People caught dumping tyres face fines of up to $5928.
The council is also working closely with tyre businesses to prevent improper disposal and is urging the public to report any suspicious activity.
To report illegal dumping, contact the council or call EPA Victoria on 1300 372 842.
Women’s clinic
to support our work, those services will pick up even more.”
Mr Srivastava said his wife was interested in formalising a preoperative assessment and optimisation of patients prior to surgery.
Mr and Mrs Srivastava met and married while completing medical training in their homeland of India. They worked briefly in Malaysia before moving to England 25 years ago, where they retrained to British medical standards. The couple decided to move to Australia after their son began working as a doctor at Royal Melbourne Hospital in 2021.
Mrs Srivastava said she and her husband felt settled in the Wimmera, living in Horsham from Sundays to Wednesday nights and
“The whole AWMC team got the fracture clinic up and running in a week or two, which is a major task, but they all work so well together,” he said.
“From the nursing team and the management, it has been 100 per cent support from everyone, and we could not ask for more.”
Grampians Health chief medical officer Matthew Hadfield said the Srivastavas’ inclusion to the surgical team was the perfect fit for Horsham.
“We are so pleased to be able to support the region with such highly qualified consultants as Chhavi and Subodh and we welcome them to our growing Grampians Health surgical team,” he said.
“Grampians Health is committed to adapting and innovating to achieve the best outcomes for our region and this is another great example of that commitment.”
BreastScreen Victoria and the Victorian Department of Health have partnered to bring a free mobile women’s health clinic to Nhill.
Women and adolescents can book free 45-minute appointments to talk about sexual and reproductive health, general wellbeing, and have health checks like cervical and bowel screening.
At Nhill from May 5 until May 15, women can book online at www.breastscreen.org.au/communityengagement/womens-health-mobile-clinic or by calling 9675 0050.
Join Hindmarsh panel
Hindmarsh Shire Council is inviting people to submit expressions of interest to join its council plan 20252029 community panel.
The panel is made up of about 20 people, aged 16 and over, who debate opportunities, share ideas and make recommendations for the plan.
The council’s selection process for the panel will ensure a broad cross-section of the shire is represented. People can submit expressions of interest at www. haveyoursay.hindmarsh.vic.gov.au.
JOINT DEAL: Subodh and Chhavvi Srivasatava.
The benchmark for quality
When it’s bleak, damp and cold outside, there’s little better at the end of a day than the comfort of stepping into an already-toasty warm house, and with rebates now available, it’s the perfect time to consider your options!
Escape the chill of the Wimmera’s winter months with simple and convenient home solutions –such as the Daikin split system, which will quickly and efficiently warm your home to the perfect temperature during winter and also keep you cool during the summer months.
You don’t even need to be home to activate the system, with the added convenience of smart phone connectivity allowing you to climate control your home or business from afar.
Daikin, the world leader and trusted name in heating and cooling solutions, sets the benchmark in quality, reliability and product efficiency.
They offer a range of products for your comfort — including the highwall air-conditioning system, also known as a split system.
A split system is an airconditioning system with two units — one located inside a home or building, and the other unit outside.
These systems cool and heat a space by expelling hot or cold air using the outside unit, and
replacing it with circulated cool or hot air using the inside unit.
And with Wades available to help with rebates, it will make an even more affordable option for you.
Inverter
Daikin split systems are ideal for air-conditioning one room, or a specific area of a home or business.
They are particularly useful for rooms that are semi-detached or have a limited ceiling space.
Every space is different, and
the right air-conditioner location and size will depend on a range of factors — including room orientation, size and ceiling insulation.
These are important factors to consider – because an airconditioner that’s too small won’t adequately heat or cool a home or business space; and an airconditioner that’s too large will be inefficient and expensive to run.
Daikin is not only a world leader in solutions; it’s a company thinking
about the health and wellbeing of those using its systems.
Daikin’s split system air conditioners are approved by the National Asthma Council Australia Sensitive Choice program, and are the only split systems that carry the blue butterfly symbol — recognising the outstanding effort the units undertake in purifying the air.
The air inside any home or business can contain a range of pollutants and allergens that
can contribute to poor indoor air quality, leading to potentially serious health problems for occupants.
Cleaning the Daikin split system is also a simple process.
People can simply vacuum away any dust on the filter or wash the air filter with natural detergent thinned with lukewarm water. Then, allow the filter to dry outside in a shaded area.
Wade’s is a certified Daikin ‘super dealer’.
The Horsham-based business understands from generations of family experience about the region’s variable temperatures.
Staff are proud to offer full professional installation, aftersales support and general knowhow for new and existing units.
As an added bonus, the Daikin five-year parts and labour warranty applies to all Daikin products.
Daikin is a smart choice for anyone seeking a reliable and robust heating and cooling solution for their home or business.
Rebates are available now for installing split-systems. Contact Wade’s and let them take the stress out of knowing which system to choose.
The team can present a free, noobligation proposal and a customdesigned system to suit your home or budget.
Enjoy pure warm air at a cooler price
Choose a Daikin split-system that suits you...
Come in and see Craig Irvin at Wades to start your transformation to the Daikin range!
Picture: PAUL CARRACHER
GARDEN PARTY:
Betty Lou Stewart, of Horsham, pictured with husband Alex, marked her 80th birthday on April 9 with a celebration on April 5. The garden afternoon tea, at eldest daughter Allison Roberts’ house, with other daughters Linda Stewart and Kelly Laird, included about 35 family and friends – some travelling from Melbourne and Brisbane to attend.
Fire danger period ends
The Fire Danger Period for the municipalities of Hindmarsh, West Wimmera’s north, and the remainder of Yarriambiack were lifted at 1am on March 31.
For more information and a full list of municipalities and their restrictions, people can visit www.cfa.vic.gov.au/firedangerperiod.
Ararat council works on advocacy projects
Alist of more than 20 political and infrastructure objectives will form the backbone of Ararat Rural City Council’s advocacy to the federal and state governments ahead of their respective elections this year and next.
The council last month voted to adopt the advocacy priorities, which range from improving mobile and NBN connectivity to road upgrades and new sports facilities.
Council chief executive Tim Harrison said while the lengthy list of priorities were contrary to a previously stated council goal of small, targeted advocacy, he believed each item was important.
“Of course some of these will be issues of political advocacy, others will be around funding for projects,” he said.
“We will now go forward … and adopt that advocacy strategy in further detail and prepare that plan for the council to consider at a future meeting.”
Cr Bob Sanders said he tried to rule out items from the list that could be considered superfluous, but was unable to do so.
“I think every one of those things is very imperative to the future of Ararat and I think we certainly need to advocate as hard as we can for all of them,” he said.
vocacy programs and get behind them with us.”
Cr Bill Waterson said the items listed would be ‘wonderful’ to achieve, but warned securing funding would be difficult.
“Obviously we’ll have to work pretty hard to get most of them, but we’re having a crack and I want people to understand we are doing our best,” he said.
Mayor Jo Armstrong said many of the listed projects and priorities were ready to be enacted pending funding.
“We’ve got some really significant projects here that are just waiting to go – just waiting for the right government setting, just waiting for the right government policies and frameworks,” she said.
“Work has been put into setting achievable targets and a very real vision of aspiration for what our community can achieve with the resources we have.
“Every opportunity we have – whenever we have politicians in our community, whenever we are outside our community and have an opportunity to speak to politicians – we need to do our very best to remind them that it is up to them to … be able to support us to achieve our true potential.”
Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund, ESVF; delivering Western Highway upgrades from Buangor to Ararat; creating a north-south heavy vehicle route; improving mobile phone and NBN connectivity in rural areas; giving greater confidence and support to renewable gas; bringing more train services to Ararat; a faster and more streamlined processes for Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, DRFA; realising the Aradale Development Strategy; creating mountain bike trails in the Ararat hills; and receiving continued support from state and federal governments to deliver more housing.
Major project priorities adopted by the council were: a Buangor-Ben Nevis Road upgrade; Mt William Road stage two upgrades; industrial trunk infrastructure for the Ararat Renewable Energy Park; a new Tatyoon Recreation Reserve pavilion; a new indoor sports complex at the Alexandra Oval precinct; an Ararat Outdoor Pool upgrade; an A and J McDonald Centre redevelopment; developing a Grampians Wine Discovery Centre; kindergarten infrastructure projects; childcare access in rural areas; and funding for local roads.
“I encourage the residents of Ararat Rural City to get behind this advocacy program we’re going to be running.
“I urge the community to read the ad-
Political advocacy priorities adopted by the council were: delivering the full extent of the East Grampians Rural Pipeline project; condemning the State Government’s
People can view the full list of advocacy priorities in more detail by viewing the minutes of the council’s March meeting at www.ararat.vic.gov.au/councilmeeting-25-march-2025.
SILVAN PRODUCTS
HAVE YOUR SAY: COUNCIL'S 2025/2026 DRAFT BUDGET
The Budget is the blueprint that shapes Council's priorities and outlines our financial commitments for the delivery of important services, programs and infrastructure.
Council is encouraging community members to have their say on the Draft Budget 2025/2026 as part of its ongoing commitment to community consultation
Feedback can be submitted until 9 May 2025. Scan the QR code to submit your feedback via Engage Ararat, or submit your feedback via email: council@ararat.vic.gov. au, or mail to PO Box 246, Ararat.
Face-to-face engagement sessions will also be held across the municipality on the following dates:
Ararat Ararat Town Hall: Corner of Vincent St and Barkly St, Ararat
Buangor Buangor Community Sports Centre Pavilion: 196 Coach Rd, Buangor
Elmhurst Elmhurst Mechanics Institute: High Street, Elmhurst
Lake Bolac Lake Bolac Complex: Lake Bolac Complex Road, Lake Bolac (next to the swimming pool, entrance from Montgomery St)
Moyston Moyston Community Hall: 12 Brooke St, Moyston
Pomonal Pomonal Community Hall: 3360 Ararat-Halls Gap Rd, Pomonal
Tatyoon Tatyoon Hall: 2728 Tatyoon Rd, Tatyoon
Willaura Willaura Memorial Hall: 93 Main St, Willaura
Tuesday 29 April 2025, 11am
Wednesday 30 April 2025, 2pm
Tuesday 29 April 2025, 2pm
Thursday 1 May 2025, 7pm
Thursday 1 May 2025, 11.30am
Thursday 1 May 2025, 3pm
Wednesday 30 April 2025, 7pm
Thursday 1 May 2025, 5.30pm
Can’t make it to a session? Individual drop-in sessions will be held on Friday 2 May 2025 at the Ararat Rural City Council offices, between 9am and 2pm.
HAVE YOUR SAY: COMMUNITY VISION 2035 & DRAFT COUNCIL PLAN 2025-29
Ararat Rural City Council is seeking the community’s feedback on its Community Vision 2035 and Draft Council Plan 2025-29. The Community Vision 2035 will capture the aspirations of our community over the next ten years. The Draft Council Plan 2025-29 is guided by the Community Vision 2035 and sets the strategic direction for Council for the next four years.
Feedback on the Community Vision 2035 and Draft Council Plan 2025-29 can be submitted until 9 May 2025. Scan the QR code to submit your feedback via Engage Ararat, or submit your feedback via email: council@ ararat.vic.gov.au, or mail to PO Box 246, Ararat.
Ararat Rural City Council is seeking feedback on its Draft Financial Plan 2025–35 and Revenue & Rating Plan 2025-29. These documents are key elements of Council's planning framework and outline a financially sustainable approach to achieving the outcomes of the Council Plan 2025-29 and Community Vision 2035.
Feedback can be submitted until 9 May 2025. Scan the QR code to submit your feedback via Engage Ararat, or submit your feedback via email to: council@ararat.vic. gov.au, or mail to PO Box 246, Ararat.
THE 2025 EASTER SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAM IS HERE!
Be sure to hop along to our fantastic Easter School Holiday Program, filled with lots of activities for kids of all ages! The Ararat Library, Ararat Fitness Centre, Ararat Town Hall, Ararat Gallery TAMA, and Alexandra Gardens are all hosting events across the school break including Movie Monday, Easter Craft, Lego Sessions, Pool Party, Intensive Swim Program and more! Scan the QR code to see the full program.
Doctors celebrate 30-year service
Warracknabeal
hos -
pital’s Donald and Wendy Liu are celebrating three decades at the healthcare service, and the progress it has made in serving its changing community.
Dr Liu said he started working at the hospital when it was on the verge of closing down, having lost patients and funding.
“The then-chief executive Wayne Miller said that if a doctor did not arrive soon, the hospital would shut down within months,” he said.
“He was pleasantly surprised when I came, as every other candidate had been unable to make it for one reason or another,” he said.
Dr and Mrs Liu moved from
Sale to Warracknabeal in 1995, after Dr Liu saw an advertisement for the job in the Australian Journal of Medicine.
For the first few years Dr Liu was a one-doctor operation, recalling that he saw 18 patients on his first day alone.
He has seen the reintroduction of services such as maternity care and a surgical theatre.
“Throughout these years, I have had the full support of Wendy, who has taken on many roles including practice nurse, manager, IT support, and recruitment officer,” he said.
“Together, we have recruited and trained numerous doctors, helping them become fully qualified GPs to serve rural communities, with the community often expressing how fortunate Warracknabeal is to
have a consistent team of multiple doctors at our clinic.
“This, as well as hearing newcomers to town say that our strong medical services were a major factor in their decision to move to Warracknabeal, has been heartening.”
Dr Liu said that looking back at the couple’s past three decades, their most meaningful achievement had been raising their family in Warracknabeal.
“Our son, known by locals as Dr David, has been working alongside us for the past two-and-a-half years, and our daughter, Amanda became a registered nurse,” he said.
“As parents, we are incredibly proud that they have chosen to continue serving the community, and the country, we love.”
Youth council nominations open
Horsham Rural City Council is seeking nominations for young people aged between 12 and 25 who live, work and study in the municipality, to join its youth council.
Horsham Youth Council is an opportunity for young people to make a difference in their community, while gaining real-world experience and building their resume and network.
Mayor Ian Ross said the new youth councillors would contribute to community projects and develop leadership skills.
“As a councillor group, we are committed to
fostering young leadership, and we look forward to working alongside the next generation of community leaders,” he said.
“If you know a young person passionate about making a difference, I encourage them to apply.”
Successful applicants will have the chance to engage with council members, participate in decision-making processes and represent the municipality’s youth.
For more information on how to apply, people can visit the HRCC website or contact council’s youth services team. Applications close April 27.
Protecting trees in stubble fires
The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, DEECA, is asking landowners to ensure paddock trees are protected from fire during stubble burns.
Natural Environment Programs Grampians regional manager Michelle Butler said native trees were protected by law, and landholders had options available to ensure trees were safe.
“We encourage landholders to be well prepared before be-
ginning a stubble burn,” she said.
“Creating firebreaks around trees and having enough people, water and equipment ready to extinguish the fire will ensure you can protect your valued native trees.
“Paddock trees provide shade to stock, reduce wind impacts to crops, store carbon, and provide habitat to important pollinators and birds that feed on pests.”
If fire restrictions are in place,
a permit is required to burn grass, stubble and other vegetation until the fire danger period ends.
People can find out more at www.cfa.vic.gov.au/warningsrestrictions/fire-bans-ratingsand-restrictions/can-i-or-cant-i, and can register a burn any time by calling 1800 668 511.
Anyone wanting to report the destruction of paddock trees during stubble burning should contact their local council.
SERVICE IN THE BLOOD: Dr David Liu, back right, congratulates his parents, Dr Donald and Wendy Liu, on 30 years of dedicated medical care to the Warracknabeal and district community.
Celebrating a century
Ford Australia was established on March 31, 1925, as an outpost of the Ford Motor Company of Canada, just as the reign of the Model T was coming to an end.
At the time, Ford Motor Company was already a well-established global presence, its Antipodean arm began more than two decades later, Henry Ford having first incorporated his business back in 1903.
It wasn’t until 1923 that North American Ford executives visited Australia to seek out a base from which to set up shop.
A six-person team, which included senior Ford executives Hubert French and P.W. Grandjean, then secretary of the Ford Motor Company of Canada, decided Geelong’s deep seaport, access to railways, available land, and good labour force made the location a prime choice for the role.
“The time is ripe to carry on a business in Australia with our own organisation,” Mr Grandjean said in his report to Edsel Ford.
Mr Grandjean believed the Australian market deserved a cohesive Ford operation, and by 1925, Ford Motor Company of Australia was a going thing (if you’ll pardon the reference) with Hubert French as its founding managing director.
The Model T was the first vehicle to roll off
the Ford Australia production line, costing £185 (or $18,542 adjusted) and known for its simple design and robust construction. Ford Australia built an impressive 15,273 passenger and 15,248 commercial versions of the Model T before the Model A’s arrival.
‘Tin Lizzy’, as it was dubbed, paved the way for a roll call of Australian-built Fords including the legendary Model A and subsequent V8; the world’s first Coupe-Utility; and both American and British derived models including the Pilot, Mainline, Customline, Prefect, Custom, Zephyr, Zodiac, Consul, Anglia, and Galaxie.
By 1956, Ford Australia had grown its market presence Down Under such that it required more land than Geelong could provide.
Building works began in Campbellfield north of Melbourne, opening as the Broadmeadows Assembly Plant in 1961.
The new facility joined Geelong in producing ‘overseas’ Fords but was increasingly under pressure from the stronger-selling and more affordable Holden.
After a visit to England and North America in 1959, Ford Australia executives decided the mid-sized North American Falcon was right for the local market, offering similar proportions and performance to the FC-series Holden.
From 1960, the XK-series Falcon began to roll
off Ford’s Australian assembly line. It quickly proved an ideal fit for Australian families, the model’s later upgrades proven at Ford Australia’s You Yangs Proving Ground to handle the worst our rough roads and oppressive summer heat could throw at it.
The Falcon line went on the spawn sedan, wagon, utility, panel van, coupe, and long-wheelbase Fairlane derivatives for more than five decades, joined over time by locally-made models including the related Territory; UK-sourced Capri, Cortina, and Escort; Mazda-shared Laser and Telstar; and Nissan-shared Corsair and Maverick (as well as myriad imported models from as far afield as Korea, Japan, Thailand, Belgium, and the United States).
Ford produced its last Australian-made vehicle in October, 2016.
Since then, the Blue Oval has maintained an imported engineering and development presence in Australia assisting primarily in the formation of Ranger and Everest body-on-frame models.
“This is a significant milestone for the Ford Australia team, our Dealers and Ford fans around the country,” Ford Australia and New Zealand president and chief executive Andrew Birkic said.
“Just about every family in Australia has a Ford story and we love how Ford vehicles are such a
part of the cultural landscape of the country.” In addition to the vehicles and 2500 images and brochures on display at the event, Ford Australia also included the Mustang Mach-E, Ford Ranger PHEV, Ford Everest, and some of the key Ford GT sedans and racecars that helped put Ford Motorsport on the map.
Ford fans have complete access to the Ford Heritage Vault at fordheritagevault.com which currently contains over 19,000 digital items from the Blue Oval’s past, including product brochures, assorted regional issues of the Ford Times magazine, product and concept photography, images of global Ford facilities, and press releases detailing the innovations in historic concept vehicles.
Composed by Ford heritage brand manager Ted Ryan and senior collections archivist Ciera Casteel, the material is a window into a time where Australian-made Fords ruled the roads.
“It has been a mammoth undertaking, but we’re continuing to add to the on-line archive with Australian-relevant documents, brochures and images,” Mr Ryan said.
“We want to ensure the collection is made accessible online for the general public, so everyone can re-live their favourite moments.”
– Matt Brogan
Navara Warrior to remain built in Australia
Nissan South Africa officially launched the Navara Pro-4X Warrior last month, becoming the first market outside of Australia to sell the Premcar-engineered model.
The vehicle – which is re-engineered as part of a collaboration between Nissan South Africa, Nissan Australia, and Premcar – is honed specifically for the local market, sharing its character, but not necessarily its components, with the Australian-derived original.
Speaking with GoAuto last week, Premcar Australia director Bernie Quinn said differences between global markets spoke to the individuality of customer tastes in the four-wheel drive space.
He said the ability to tailor a vehicle to suit those requirements would remain an important strength of the Warrior program.
“There are multiple strategies in place for Navara – the Navara for the South African market is a South African manufactured Navara that we do modify for the South African market, whereas the Navara that we get in Australia is manufactured in Thailand,” he said.
“While it looks much the same, it is quite different. There are multiple differences in specification, for example.
“So, what happens in the Australian market doesn’t automatically happen in the South African market, the Thai market, or North American market, which uses a different platform again,” he said in referencing the Nissan Frontier.
Mr Quinn said the Warrior program was not a one-size-fits-all program.
He said the Warrior program was being considered for other international markets, with each likely to offer their own take on the Australiandeveloped formula.
“There are other markets on the radar, but no, there is nothing I can talk about – yet,” he said.
“It (expansion) has been part of our strategy for a while, and the South African venture is the first manifestation of that strategy.
“It’s very exciting for us, and so far, it has been very successful. We’re hoping it is just the first among a bunch of steps that we take.”
When asked whether production of Navara
Warrior models for the Australian market would be shifted to Nissan’s South African facility, Mr Quinn said it was his preference that the ‘Warrior-ification’ of each model remained within the market in which it is sold.
“Strategically, we will of course look at each project on its merits,” he said.
“There is a strong need – and it makes a lot of sense for us to produce – Warriors for the Australian market, in Australia; and for various reasons, not the least of them being our very well-honed-in level of efficiency.
“From a business perspective, our Australian operation, is positive, and as far as possible our preference is to have that secondary engineering carried out within that market.
“That is the concept for now, and that is the assumption that I will carry forward until something changes.”
GoAuto understands that Premcar will continue to offer the Navara SL Warrior and Pro-4X Warrior until sometime after the new-generation Nissan Navara is launched.
The replacement Navara will leverage Nissan’s alliance partnership with Mitsubishi Motors, essentially seeing it arrive as a re-engineered Triton with Nissan-specific styling and equipment.
The next-generation Navara is slated for global roll-out between April 2026 and March 2027, with the Premcar-enhanced model expected to remain the flagship of the Australian range.
Matt Brogan
Bernie Quinn
Early sales success for Geely model
Geely Auto has announced a strong order bank for its inaugural EX5 model in Australia, with more than 600 orders placed in its first month on sale.
Further, the Chinese importer has delivered an impressive 188 vehicles in just 20 days, making what Geely Auto says is a ‘bold statement’ as to the popularity of its medium segment electric SUV Down Under.
Geely Australia chief executive Lei Li said the sales figures were a direct result of the ‘rapid pace’ at which its local operations were established, praising the efforts of its 24-strong dealer network.
“We are glad that the initial feedback has been extremely positive,” he said.
“Introducing a new brand to a unique market like Australia requires more than just bringing a great car to the market; there is a lot of work that goes with that to ensure we have the right structure and offerings to exceed customers’ expectations.
“Geely’s commitment to exceptional quality and speed of operating shows in these successful and prompt deliveries of the Geely EX5 to our first local customers.”
Launched in March 2025, the Geely EX5 is available from $40,990 plus on-road costs in entry Complete form and from $44,990 +ORC for the flagship Inspire.
Until April 30, each is available with Geely’s ‘seamless’ 3.88 per cent finance offer, complementary one-year public charging, the provision of a 7kW home charger, included premium paint, and three years of complementary scheduled servicing.
The Geely EX5 is powered by a single electric motor driving the front wheels and outputting 160kW of power and 320Nm of torque. Both grades are equipped with a 60.2kWh battery pack offering a WLTP driving range of 430km in the Complete grade and 410km in the heavier Inspire.
Equipment highlights from entry include 18-inch alloy wheels, LED lighting front and rear, a 15.4-inch central info tainment array, 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, powered front seats, seven airbags, and a comprehensive range of ADAS safety features.
IN DEMAND: Australians ordered more than 600 Geely EX5s in its first month on sale, with 188 delivered in 20 days.
“If
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On This Day
From The Weekly Advertiser archives: 20 years ago: April 14, 2005
Horsham author Simone Dalton launched her first book ‘Boring? Not Likely! Great Characters of Macarthur’, a decade-long volunteer history project about people from Ms Dalton’s hometown. The book featured stories from soldiers, doctors, farmers, housewives, ministers and midwives, from white settlement to the 1970s. The title came from a newspaper competition 20 years before, which judged Macarthur as Victoria’s most boring town.
10 years ago: April 15, 2015
A $5.29-million redevelopment of Ararat Arts Centre Precinct was set to transform into a focal point for the region’s art activities and exhibitions. Regional Development Minister Jaala Pulford confirmed the State Government’s $3.7-million election commitment; Ararat Rural City Council would contribute the remaining money. The redevelopment would create five full-time jobs and support up to 19 jobs during construction. It would include works at both Ararat Regional Art Gallery and Ararat Performing Arts Centre.
Five years ago: April 15, 2020
The physical annual Jeparit Fishing Competition was cancelled owing to COVID-19 restrictions, but organisers took the concept online, with a series of comical videos posted to the Jeparit Angling Club’s Facebook page. Competition committee member Yolande Hutson said they gave out prizes in four categories. “We gave prizes for the best corona advice, largest catfish, catch and release water safety, and best funny video,” she said. “People were getting involved and it was quite funny to sit and watch.” The event usually attracted about 500 people, doubling the town’s population during the event.
One year ago: April 17, 2024
About 4000 people attended Nhill Aviation Centre’s third airshow, for attractions including a T-28 Trojan, CT4, tiger moths, the Pacific Belles singing group, joy flights, a DeLorean, chef Tim Bone, and weathercaster Jane Bunn. Centre convenor Rob Lynch said the day was an outstanding success. “The team we had running it was spot-on,” he said. “We had the right people in the right places doing the right jobs – it just ran well.” The committee was looking to use the day’s proceeds to extend the hangar.
TaKe a BreaK
1. Born on this day in Frankfurt, Germany in 1965, was which American comedian and actor, best known for his roles in the Bad Boys movie trilogy, and Wild Hogs?
2. What Australian structure was designed by John Bradfield, who was born in 1867 and was the first recipient of an engineering doctorate from the University of Sydney in 1924?
3. What do baby emus, crocodiles, turtles and dinosaurs have in common?
4. True or false – people can die from drinking too much water?
5. What is the name of the ancient Egypt writing system?
6. What is the greatest officially recorded number of children born to one mother – 56, 69 or 82?
7. What is the traditional Easter mascot in Australia, other than the Easter Bunny?
8. ‘Singultus’ is the medical term for which condition?
9. Millipedes and centipedes are quite common, but what is a velocipede?
10. Who said, ‘I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel’?
tween 1725 and 1765, gave birth to 16 pairs of twins, seven sets of triplets and four sets of quadruplets. 7. The Easter Bilby. Bilby-shaped chocolates and merchandise are sold to raise money and awareness of the endangered marsupial. 8. Hiccups, from the Latin ‘singult’, meaning a gasp or sob. 9. A human-powered land vehicle with wheels. 10. Maya Angelou.
Valentina Vassilyeva, 1707 – 1782, in 27 confinements -be
Answers: .1 Martin Lawrence. 2. Sydney Harbour Bridge. He was also associated with the Cataract Dam, Burrinjuck Dam and Brisbane’s Story Bridge. 3. They’re all called hatchlings. 4. True. 5. Hieroglyphics 6. 69 - 67 of them survived infancy.
Our office is at 2 Stawell Road, Horsham. Mail: PO Box 606, Horsham 3402. Telephone: 5382 1351 Website: www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au Email: weeklyadvertiser@team.aceradio.com.au For classified advertisements: 5382 1351 – email: horsham@aceradio.com.au
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FOR THE WEEK APRIL 20 TO APRIL 26
ARIES (March 21 - April 20)
Lucky Colour: White
Lucky Day: Friday
Racing Numbers: 1, 3, 2, 5
Lotto Numbers: 1, 12, 15, 26, 36, 39
Cooperation is essential during this period. You’ll find that people are willing to help you achieve your goals. A person born in January could play a significant role in your progress.
TAURUS (April 21 - May 20)
Lucky Colour: Red
Lucky Day: Tuesday
Racing Numbers: 2, 6, 5, 8
Lotto Numbers: 2, 15, 29, 34, 45, 40
Business dealings and real estate may take centre stage during this period. You may be asked to take on extra responsibilities, and your ability to compromise will be crucial.
GEMINI (May 21 - June 21)
Lucky Colour: Cream
Lucky Day: Monday
Racing Numbers: 1, 3, 2, 5
Lotto Numbers: 1, 15, 24, 40, 33, 3
Improvements in your domestic life are on the horizon, and you may need to put in some extra effort. Work will also keep you busy, with changes happening around you.
CANCER (June 22 - July 22)
Lucky Colour: Yellow
Lucky Day: Wednesday
Racing Numbers: 1, 9, 5, 4
Lotto Numbers: 1, 18, 29, 34, 40, 22
Things might move slower than you would like, and your plans may face delays or even cancellations. More effort will be required to get the results you’re hoping for.
LEO (July 23 - August 22)
Lucky Colour: Peach
Lucky Day: Tuesday
Racing Numbers: 4, 6, 8, 5
Lotto Numbers: 1, 15, 24, 45, 2, 33
While you may feel like you need a break, your skills are in high demand, leaving you with little time to rest. Your reward will come, but it might take a little longer.
VIRGO (August 23 - September 23)
Lucky Colour: Red
Lucky Day: Friday
Racing Numbers: 1, 6, 8, 5
Lotto Numbers: 1, 15, 26, 40, 22, 9
^ _ ` a b c
Unexpected ideas could come your way, but it’s best to stick with what you know. Let others take risks while you remain grounded in familiar territory.
LIBRA (September 24 - October 23)
Lucky Colour: Green
Lucky Day: Monday
Racing Numbers: 1, 9, 4, 2
Lotto Numbers: 1, 15, 26, 24, 40, 33
Now is a good time to focus on self-improvement. Whether it’s shedding a few kilos or improving your fitness, you’ll find the motivation. Positive changes at work are also on the horizon.
SCORPIO (October 24 - November 22)
Lucky Colour: Orange
Lucky Day: Wednesday
Racing Numbers: 1, 6, 2, 3
Lotto Numbers: 1, 12, 26, 35, 5, 33
Something you planned for later may need to start sooner than expected. Work pressure could be high, leaving you little time to rest, but the effort will pay off.
SAGITTARIUS (November 23 - December 20)
Lucky Colour: Blue
Lucky Day: Thursday
Racing Numbers: 2, 6, 5, 3
Lotto Numbers: 2, 15, 26, 35, 36, 39
This period may allow you to catch up on some much-needed rest. People around you will be willing to assist, helping you achieve your goals more easily.
CAPRICORN (December 21 - January 19)
Lucky Colour: Dark Blue
Lucky Day: Sunday
Racing Numbers: 2, 6, 5, 8
Lotto Numbers: 1, 15, 26, 34, 40, 22
People will be looking to you for guidance during this period, and you may find yourself in a leadership role. It’s also a good time to catch up on tasks you’ve been neglecting.
AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 19)
Lucky Colour: Violet
Lucky Day: Monday
Racing Numbers: 4, 6, 2, 5
Lotto Numbers: 4, 12, 26, 35, 5, 33
Expect improvements in your love life, and your charm will help you get what you want. It’s a busy time at work, but you’ll still find ways to enjoy yourself.
PISCES (February 20 - March 20)
Lucky Colour: Cream
Lucky Day: Saturday
Racing Numbers: 4, 6, 2, 3
Lotto Numbers: 4, 12, 26, 35, 5, 33
Business matters may take up most of your time, and you’ll need to be cautious in personal dealings. Steer clear of irritable people, and avoid arguments to keep your peace of mind.
Classifieds
60th
Wedding Anniversary ~ NEAGLE ~ (nee Gooding)
Frank & Judith
Married at St Peter’s Anglican Church, Dimboola
April 17, 1965
Congratulations mum and dad.
Love from the family, Caroline, Glen, Alexander, Jacob and Willem, Tracy and Mal, Ross and Julie, Ruby, Hendrix and Gabe.
DARNELL, Michael Stephen “Mick”
Passed away on March 29, 2025 aged 83 years.
Dearly loved husband of Jean.
Loving father of Andrew (dec) and Michelle.
Adored Poppy to Ebony, Somer and Braxton.
Great Poppy to Shane and Maxwell. Forever In Our Hearts
DECKERT, Ian Maxwell
Passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on April 11, 2025, aged 82.
Loved and remembered by Aline, Sallianne, Chris, Sarah-Jane, Sam and their families.
Our hearts are broken. He leaves behind a proud legacy of hard work, love, and resilience. He will be deeply missed and lovingly held in our hearts.
‘Well done, good and faithful servant.’ - Matthew 25:21
PEARSON, John William “Mick” Passed away peacefully at the age of 92, after a long and full life.
Dearly loved husband of Patricia (dec).
Treasured father of John, Paul (dec), Karen, Andrew, and Amanda. Much-loved father-in-law of Carol, Janne, Geo , Marie, and Nicholas.
Proud and adored grandfather of Anna, Rachel, Robert, Catherine, Salina, Kartia, Grace, omas, Abby, Bethany, Matilda, Lucy, Ella, and Isabel. Cherished greatgrandfather to twelve.
A life de ned by kindness, laughter, and love. John will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
SAWYER, Keith Harding
7-2-1935 to 10-4-2025
Loved husband of Jean.
Loved father of Debra, Kim & Craig.
Loved pa of Blake, Sarina & Corey, Shanae, Justyn, Khy & Cole. Forever in our hearts.
Horsham & District Funerals
Dylan & Amity Hartwich 5382 1149
SAWYER, Keith
Dearly loved big brother to Lyn.
Brother-in-law and great mate to Frank (dec).
Uncle to Michelle, Leanne & Chris.
Will be sadly missed
STAPLES, Rex James
30-1-1939 to 10-4-2025
Loving husband of Beverley Ann Staples (nee Campbell). Father of Dean Staples & Nicole Schneider. Father-in-law to Peter Schneider.
Loving Pop to Claudia & Daniel Schneider, Talani & Miah Braeside Staples. Forever in our hearts.
Loved Nan and great Nan to all her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
A life de ned by kindness, a love of gardening, cooking and of course her greatest joy her loving family.
We are all so happy that we had you in our lives and grateful that you were our mum, mother in-law, Nan and great Nan. Passed away peacefully a er a short illness. Forever in our hearts.
As are the family’s wishes, Betty will be farewelled privately with an interment taking place.
Horsham & District Funerals
Dylan & Amity Hartwich 5382 1149
DARNELL, Michael Stephen “Mick”
e funeral of Mick Darnell will take place at St Andrew’s Uniting Church, Horsham on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 commencing at 2pm Private cremation. The service may be viewed online at www.horsham. unitingchurch.org.au/watch
Trevor Bysouth & Daughter Ph 5381 1444 AFDA Member
PEARSON, John William “Mick”
e funeral of John William “Mick” Pearson will take place at the graveside, Horsham Lawn Cemetery on Thursday, April 17, 2025 commencing at 2pm
Trevor Bysouth & Daughter Ph 5381 1444 AFDA Member
SAWYER, Keith Harding
e graveside service to farewell the late Mr Keith Sawyer will be held at Horsham Lawn Cemetery on Thursday, April 24, 2025 commencing at 3.30pm, with refreshments following at St Andrew’s Uniting Church Hall.
Dylan & Amity Hartwich 5382 1149
STAPLES, Rex James
e late Mr Rex Staples will be honored in a private farewell and will be cremated privately as are the family’s wishes.
Dylan & Amity Hartwich 5382 1149
~ BYRNE ~ Danny 11-4-1974 to 15-4-1996
Remembering the good times we shared. Fondest love from all your family.
Thank you
ank you for all of the owers, cards, gi s and phone calls for my 90th birthday, it was much appreciated. Maria Gasparini
Thank you
~ PILGRIM ~ Max
e family of Max would like to thank all the wonderful people who have shown us how much Max touched their lives by the overwhelming attendance at his farewell service. anks to all who sent cards, visited and helped in any way on the day of his farewell.
Good Bless and thank you for your thoughtfulness. Shirley and family.
2 beautiful sweet 20 yr old mares, need a perfect forever home, unfortunately I can’t afford all that I have anymore, both $500 ono, to good homes ONLY Ph 0423182267
3 year old black and tan bitch working kelpie, great yard dog, Ph or PM for details to Harry 0458318200
Aged pensioner looking to buy a male chihuahua, 1 1/2 - 2 years old Ph 0421237043
Aust White/Dorper Ewes pic# 3WWWJH126 Ph 0447275737
Beeamma White, Australian White Stud purebred rams, private sale on farm, BRUC, ACC, OJD, VAC, ewes available, Elders Alan Thompson 0427849779, Rod Donnell (08) 87582095
Birds for sale , princess parrots, cockatiels and bourkes, all colours Ph 0408535515 Stawell
out Ph 0474159010 after 6.30pm
Budgies , assorted colours $10 each Ph 0417533579
Budgies , pastel and standards $10 each Ph 0428010996 Horsham
Chihuahua puppies , last litter, one girl and two boys available, born on 20/01/25, grey/white male microchip# 953010006886663 Grey male microchip# 953010006886703
Black female microchip# 953010006886699, source MB168010, microchipped and first vaccination, ready to go Ph 0406048840
Cocker Spaniels, purebred for adoption, two females, mother and daughter pair, aged 9 and 7, vaccinated, groomed, wormed, desexed and microchipped, adoption at the discretion of owner based on assessment of compatibility, apply to 0475834545
Love birds assorted colours $20 each pick up only Warracknabeal Ph 0447776408
Princess Parrots for sale, breeding pairs, various colours Ph 0439655239 Stawell area
Purebred black faced Dorper , rams and ewes, rams 2yrs old, ewes 9months old, pic# 3HSDC083 Ph Liz 0419664345
Purebred German Shepherd, 13 weeks old, black and tan, great temperament, toilet trained, straight, 2 boys source# MB115424, m/chip# 953010007067038/7069200 Ph 0421018631
Purebred German Shepherd, 7 months, black and tan, great temperament, toilet trained, straight, one boy & one girl source# MB115424, m/chip# 956000016586733/6681104 Ph 0421018631
Roosters, ducks and guinea fowl wanted to buy Ph 0427361940
Very pretty & young budgies, assorted colours, ready to go $10 each Ph 0423182267
Goats for sale, 6mth old male goat, pregnant female goat Ph
Antiques
Bereavement Thanks
Bristlenose catfish , great tank cleaners $5ea until sold
Memorial Notices Animals & Accessories
Animals & Accessories
Funeral
2013 Jayco Starcraft, 21’, one owner, very little use, as new, many added extras
$40,000 Ph 0427909230
2014 JB dirt roader
19’caravan, full ensuite queen bed, 3 way fridge washing machine, reverse cycle a/c diesel heater, Sirocco fans, 2 solar panels, 2 batteries, 280 litres water $44,000 Ph 0427902375 Beulah
2017 Ezytrail Stirling, excellent condition, forward folding hard floor, full annex, 600w inverter, TV, 80lt WACO fridge, memory foam mattress topper, always stored undercover, $18,500 ono Ph 0439022870
2017 Jayco Starcraft caravan, 16’, queen size bed, full oven, ensuite, easy to tow, hardly used, as new van Ph 0429982394
2019 Ezy Trail Stirling GT Mark 2 camper, EC, full annex, used 4 times, full rego
$14,999 ono Ph 0428820446
Caravan 20’ full length, solid annex, ensuite shower, basin toilet, on permanent site in Portland Seaside Caravan Park, fully furnished, for holidays or permanent living $5800ono Ph 0432544164
CUB Escape camper, 2020, Australian made, off road camper that will go anywhere, queen size bed, all canvas awnings, very good condition $24,800 Ph 0490532715
Jayco Finch Pop Top, double beds with fly mesh, electric brakes, boat rack, annex $12,000 Ph 53582560
Jayco Starcraft pop-top , 18’, 4 birth, disel heater, porta potty, outdoor shower, hot water, full annex and awning, tv, GC $12,900 Ph 0419560817
MDC Highside Cruiser 2019, 3 ton McHitch, fridge, redarc
dc to dc charger, EC $14,500 Ph 0407147996
REDUCED 2006 Concept
Ascot pop-top, immac cond, shedded, low kms, new full annexe, R33763 $18,500 Ph Ray 0413445347
REDUCED 2009 Jayco
Stirling Expander , immaculate cond, front club lounge, slide out q/bed, full ensuite, roll out awning and full annex $40,000ono Ph 0428913307
REDUCED 2014 Concept
Innovation, 590R, 19ft 6in, full ensuite, WM, Q bed, full fridge/freezer, TV, new microwave, 2 batteries, AC, 2 toolboxes, awning, annex, ex cond, $42,000 Ph 0437164589
REDUCED 2018 Dingo
Ultimate Camper , heavy duty top of the line off-road trailer including boat rack, fully enclosed annexe including ensuite, lots of storage, built-in instant gas hot water to sink and shower, dual AGM batteries and built-in inverter and charger, innerspring mattress and ability to make up second double bed, two new off-road tyres, VGC, Y76535 $16,500ono Ph 0407360212
REDUCED Isuzu Outback
Express Motorhome for sale, 2 seater, sleeps 3, 4ltr diesel engine, solar panels, auto, diesel, fridge, tv, shower, toilet, stove and lots more, have to see to believe, can drive on normal car licence, 3.1m long, RWC, $38,000 with 6mth rego and RWC Ph Phillip 0428173606 or Susan and ask for Phillip 0458727370 Horsham
REDUCED New Age 2013, queen bed, TV, large fridge, microwave, gas/electric hot plates, toilet, shower, washing machine, full annex, sway bars, $44,000 Ph 0427778747
Toyota Coaster camper , 2 seater, diesel heater, 1hz motor, solar and 12v awning much more $40,000 Ph 0418325662
1997 Hercules Tipper
$76,000 plus Gst Ph 0428386295
Air Seeder RFM 30’ $20,000 Ph 0427031310
Cox ride on lawn mower $900 Ph 0407285097
Expression of interest, for sale, international 511 28 row trash floats combine, 211 33 tyne scarifier, 18 disc Connor-Shea hyd lift 4 fold, B45 baler working order, Lowan round bale carrier Ph 0407911884 evenings
Ferguson Tea20, good tyres, new clutch, resealed final drives, new dash gauges, rewired, good battery, complete re-spray, new seat, new steering wheel, fitted with 3 PL carry all, $4200 ono Ph 042949142
REDUCED 2022 Mahindra 6110, 60 HP, front end loader, 4 in 1 bucket, FWA, a/c cab, balance of new warranty, 368 hrs on clock $43,900 Ph 0428349401
Camping equipment, 2 dome tents, 10 man and 4 man, sleeping chair tent, 3 roll up tables, shower tent, 2 gas stoves, 4 spare bottles, camp kitchen, blow up q/bed $450 Ph 0429164375
Camping Equipment, including as new Yamaha 2KVa inverter generator never used, aqua cube shower, porta potty, Komodo pantry, and clothesline $2500 Ph 045868387
CCE cage on wheels 6x4 well made $400, 500 gallon ex fuel tank $100, Coolgardie safe $100, Ute crate, 6x4 tub tight $50, Bailey extension ladder 5.3 extends to 6.3 $500, leith grain measuring sheep feeder $1000, new Holland Mower GC with parts, best offer Ph 0429857207
Configura twin motor tilt recliner lift chair, beige vinyl, model S15444, $2500ono, Royale Medical over bed tilting split table $200ono Ph 0428810806 Horsham
Craftsmen ZTS700 ride-on zero-turn mower, good condition, 21 hp engine, reconditioned spindle and deck, many hours left in this machine $2850 Ph Eddy 0428922335
Galvanised trailer, 5x5 $800 Ph 53522691
Gold and opal ring, approx 80yrs old, current valuation $4500 would like $2500 Ph 0458014560 Good Clean Faber Beans, 10 tonne ready to sow, graded and treated with cruiser insecticide $650 a tonne plus Gst Ph 0429836055
Kirby Avalir 100th Anniversary, EC, clean and functions perfectly, includes filter bags, brand new home care system, all attachments some brand new $750 Ph 0429679481
Metres Console Radio, ex condition Ph 53824316
Omega gold watch , approx 65yrs old, still keeps perfect time $1500ono Ph 0458014560
Pea straw small square bales, $7 per bale, great garden mulch, pickup or delivery to Horsham Ph 0488303725
Rare 1895 Furphy tank, both casts are in good condition $6000 Ph 0428519879
Round dining table with 4 velvet chairs $340 Ph 53824788
Sherwell PTO bin $1200 Ph 0428857312
Slow juicer, Kuvings, very good condition, no further use $295 Ph 0408823136
Strongberg Carlson Console Radio, ex condition Ph 53824316
Tent Dune Eyre, 10x10, near new, easy set up for Easter Ph 0491644368 Horsham
Tradies Trailer enclosed , containing shelving storage, power points $680 ono Ph 0432544164
Turkey Bones for soup or dog food, $3 per kg, Deutscher’s Turkey Farm Dadswells Bridge Ph 53595220
Outdoor spa , sapphire, 5 person $4500 Ph 0407285097
Wall unit sliding door & shelves $30, coffee table with tiled top $25, timber corner unit $15, outdoor setting with 4 chairs & laminex oval table $80 Ph 0409967815 Horsham
LOST necklace in white Prouds The Jewellers bag, dropped in the main street of Horsham, reward offered Ph Leon 0402363355
3.7 m boat and cover , QL624, an aussie made trailer P83061, Yamaha 15 HP motor, near new $4000 Ph 53582560
3.7 savage aluminium boat, UM198, 25 HP Mercury forward steer reyco trailer, b15834 electric motor and lawrence fish finder $2600 Ph 0428523919
BMW K1200 RS, 2010 model, comes with panniers, top box, reg til Aug, RW, BY136 $4800ono Ph 0419508310
Stawell area
BMW R1100 RT, EC, reg till 5/25, 123k kms, YD865 $4600 Ph 0409954491
REDUCED BMW R1200RT
Solo, 2007, Ex SA Police, GO, HGR, EWS, CC, RW cond, unregistered, service manuals $3000 Ph 0428154961
1999 Toyota Dual Cab Ute 4x4 diesel with fold out camper $12,500 Ph 0428822730
•
•
1946 Anglia Ford Ute , engine fully rebuilt $700 Ph 0429975751
1989 Toyota Camry Sedan 2 litre EFI, red, unregistered, vin# 6T153SV2109103569, 198,000 kms $500 Ph Peter 53525927 leave message
2014 Toyota Hilux, 3 litre diesel, new shockers and springs and injectors, oil filter and oil every 600km, great for towing vans, 290,000kms $25,500 Ph 0417109816
Ford XA 1972 era Panel Van with rust $1500 neg Ph 0428501109
2013 Ford Mondeo Zetec hatch, auto, economical turbo diesel, silver colour, full service history, registered June 25, RWC, 317,000km, 1AG2PW $5500ono Ph 0428928248
Honda Civic , 1994, great condition with RWC, automatic & aircon, colour black, Vtech motor, vin JHME6548005203141
$10,000 Ph 0428501109
2014 Kia Cerato , auto, reg til Oct, RWC, s/room condition, 26,500kms 1CV8TY $15,500 ono Ph 0481285906
2014 Mitsubishi Challenger, silver, 4X4, 2.4 diesel, auto, 1 owner, full service history, elec brakes, good cond, dual batteries, reg till Aug, 220,000km, 1EB5FL $14,000 ono Ph 0408576391
MGB GT Sports car, 1974 model, burgundy colour, 4spd manual in perfect cond, built for the American market, all leather interior with original Smiths instrumentation, original 1.8 motor with twin SU carbies with only 29,000 miles, comes with many club awards and trophies, manuals etc, valued by Shannons at $31,000, selling $15,000 or nearest offer Ph David 0402 318 447
REDUCED
2013 Toyota ATARA, 2.5L sports sedan, auto, RWC, Toyota seat covers, only 2 owners, selling due to downsizing, 127,000kms, $12,000 Ph 0400728252
HSE TD4 Discovery Sport
7 seater, very economical, 7 seater 2 foldout seats in the rear, 1 owner since new, factory towbar, leather seats, great condition, diesel, auto start/S\stop, heated/cooled front seats, lane departure warning, keyless start, front rear sensors, rear camera, power tailgate, full service history, all the gadgets, USB ports, 171,579kms, CYU214 $19,990 Ph 0419597954
Mini Cooper S , 2016, 5 door hatch, 2.0L, 6speed auto, near new condition, 51,900kms AHB987 $29,900 Ph 0428320108 Horsham
REDUCED 2019 Toyota
Hybrid Camry SL sedan, with all the luxury features of a top of the range Toyota, pearl white, full service history, RWC, 2AM8IL, $30,990 ONO Ph Eddy 0428922335
REDUCED 75 series
Toyota Landcruiser ute, 4.2l diesel, dual tanks, dual batteries, comes with quality rooftop camper, TJM pro diff lockers front/back, airbagman suspension fitted, 5 new tyres, winch, Engel fridge and slide, lots of accessories, very well looked after, RWF984 $19,990 ono Ph 0487700251
Ararat man, 67 years old interests include gym, fishing, camping, singing, acting, Lions Club, bushwalking, ballroom dancing, looking for a lady aged between 40-70 years old, Ph 0467791009
Ararat
Jill Nicholson went to Dover girls tech in the 60s Adelaide, lived 5 Broadway South Brighton left Adelaide to live in rural Victoria early 70s Ph John 0423315174
Private Sale Executive, 4 bed, 2 bath, large, spacious home, in popular Horsham West, a short stroll to river, fully renovated to a quality, not a budget, contact owner Lisa 0422506969 to view
Palm tree for removal, free, located Goroke Ph Mick 0400005266
Funeral remembrance videos edited with cherished media by professional, each project individual, AI photo restoration available Ph 0478609837
Massage service, very clean, full body massages available for both men and women, very discreet, you come to us or we can come to you, call for quote and booking, in the Wimmera area and beyond Ph 0473311660
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CASH 4 SILVER
Wimmera Mallee Environmental and Agricultural Protection Association Inc.
Wind Turbines – Health Impacts
Expert legal advice to support residents to protect their health.
A very important session for anyone who lives and works in proximity to wind turbines.
Monday, April 28, 6.40pm for 7pm start
At the Warracknabeal Community Centre, Anzac Park, Warracknabeal
See us on Facebook - All Welcome
The Weekly Advertiser, 3WM and MIXX FM Easter Trading Hours
The office will be closed: Friday, April 18 (Good Friday) Monday, April 21 (Easter Monday)
Revised radio and newspaper deadlines are in place. Please contact your advertising consultant for more details. Alternatively, phone the station on 5382 1351.
Please note: classified deadlines remain the same
TERMINATION
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than ever
ears are amazing, sensitive and important. Without them so much changes, just talk to anyone with compromised hearing for any length of time at all to get an idea of how important your hearing is.
The use of hearing aids and implants are life changing for so many, but they are still not as good as properly functioning ears. What we hear is so much a part of what we think about that we are sometimes cautioned as to what we listen to. What we take in. Such as in advertising or the voices we listen to. Do we choose to only listen to and hear what we want to, or are we open to hearing the more difficult things which may make us reassess how we understand the world.
Ever present God; move us to a sense of prayer. May we listen and really hear the sounds and needs of others. May the voiceless find the language and the listeners they deserve. Amen.
TERMINATION
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A reminder that the Fire Danger Period is scheduled to cease.
The Fire Danger Period will terminate at 0100 hours on the dates shown.
GWMWater invites tender submissions for the upgrade of the Edenhope Water Treatment Plant (WTP) Upgrade Project.
This contract includes the following scope of works:
• Design and construction of: Lake Wallace pump station bypass
• 600 kL raw water buffer tank
• Raw water lift pumps
• 2.6 ML/day DAFF plant
• Building and hardstand for new DAFF plant
• PLC and electrical upgrade.
• Testing and commissioning of completed works.
A compulsory pre-tender online MS Teams presentation will be held on Tuesday 29 April 2025 at 11 am.
A compulsory pre-tender site inspection will be held at Edenhope WTP on Thursday 8 May 2025 at 2 pm.
To register for these sessions, please contact Senior Project Engineer, Jonathon Horsfall.
More information about this tender is available from the Buying for Victoria website at tenders.vic.gov.au. Enquiries may be directed to Jonathon Horsfall on 1300 659 961.
Tender closes: 2 pm, Thursday 22 May 2025
GWMWater reserves the right to accept offers in part.
The lowest or any offer not necessarily accepted.
Mark
Susan Hobbs (Ps) - Horsham & District Uniting Church
Positions available at Wimmera Laundry Services
Multiple positions needed between 10 and 38 hours per week
Please email your details to accounts@regionallaundryservices.com.au
Experienced Farrowing
Shed Attendant in Piggery
Job Summary:
• Four evenings per week 9hrs per shift
• Must be fully experienced for this position
• Expected Salary $75K
• Accommodation available if required
We are a family owned and operated 350 Sow Farr/ Finish Piggery located at Marnoo West.
As this is a new position we are anticipating the start time to be 4.30pm up to 1.30am, (to be finalised).
Please send resume to Jo: wallaloodowns@hotmail.com
Contact: Faith Hardman
Contact: Sarah Sargeant
All is set for a good Friday
BY DAVID BERRY
The response from the Volleyball Horsham community has been overwhelmingly positive for the first attempt at a Good Friday Appeal event, with 10 teams entering what promises to be a fun day of volleyball.
Volleyball Horsham’s Kara Johnson, who is the brains behind the event, is looking forward to what the day brings.
“We’ve been floating this idea around for a while now and finally the committee decided to bite the bullet and give it a try,” she said.
“To have 10 teams enter immediately opens the fundraising with $600, which is a good start, and then with the activities we have planned for the day, means we can be confident of reaching our goal of $2000.”
The teams will play a Lightning Spike format, which consists of two 10-minute halves. The competition will be split into division one and division two.
Johnson said apart from the action on the courts, there would be activities throughout the day.
“We’ll have some fun games, a silent auction and a barbecue lunch, with all proceeds going towards the Good Friday Appeal,” she said.
“The silent auction of some iconic volleyball tops has already raised more than $600, with bids from as far away as Queensland for an original Western Phantoms top worn by Brad Hassell.
“While Brad’s top has garnered interest from up north, there is one top that already sits at $115 that we think could be one that attracts plenty of attention.
“If anyone is interested in bidding on any of the five tops, they should visit the Volleyball Horsham Facebook page and place a bid, with the auction closing on Friday at 3pm.”
Johnson said there was still room for more teams or individuals should they wish to participate.
“We’ll keep the registration link open until Thursday morning, so if anyone would like to play, they are welcome to enter,” she said.
“We encourage anyone who is not doing anything on Friday to drop into the basketball stadium and play or watch the action, as well as make a donation to the appeal, whether that be by buying a sausage from the barbecue, having a go at any of the fun games or just contributing any amount they can afford, as we know the Royal Children’s Hospital Appeal is something that is close to a lot of people’s hearts.”
Sinclair, Gloury taste success
Warracknabeal bowler Rodney Sinclair teamed up with Horsham City bowler Daniel Gloury to win Horsham City Bowling Club’s Four Bowl Pairs Sets Play Tournament on April 5 and 6.
Twenty-four bowlers converged on Horsham City greens for the 29th annual tournament, with bowlers contesting for prizemoney of $3000 – the winning pair receiving $1200 and runners-up $800.
Some of the best bowlers from
Victorian metro and regional cities of Bendigo, Geelong and Wimmera played in four sections of six teams to make the play-off and finals.
Players in the four sections played five games to find the section winners and then play-offs and finals.
Gloury and Sinclair defeated a Goroke-Edenhope combination of Hugh Caldow, skip, and Geoff Lowe in the final.
In the semi-finals, Gloury and Sinclair defeated the Beulah pair of
Ross
Horsham City Bowling Club president Colin Morrell said the weather was magnificent during the weekend and it was great to see the greens full of bowlers.
“Spectators witnessed exceptional bowling on the Horsham City synthetic greens,” he said.
WINNERS: Horsham City Bowling Club’s Four Bowl Pairs Sets Play Tournament winners Rodney Sinclair and Daniel Gloury.
Williams, skip, and Geoff Roll, and in the other semi, Caldow and Lowe defeated St Leonard bowler Mick Kennedy who teamed up with City bowler Bruce Campbell.
Easter racing at Stawell
BY TONY LOGAN
Stawell Harness Racing Club has planned a bumper day of equine action, entertainment, fun and fashion for its Stawell
Toyota Pleasant Creek Plate race day on Good Friday.
Gates open at 12.30pm with free entry for young and old.
The first event is set to run at 12.54pm.
Along with a range of children’s activities, heats of Stawell’s Easter egg and spoon race will see winners score a free family pass for Sunday’s finals, which include a meet and greet with Aussie sprint sensation Gout Gout.
Frocks at The Trots on Friday will offer prizes through a host of fashion categories from tiny tots up, in support of WomenCan and Team Teal. Intending competitors need to register before race one.
The Trackside Bar and Bistro will be in operation for both lunch and dinner and the club will also provide a free barbecue.
Round up family and friends, rock up to Laidlaw Park, join in the fun and support the The Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal.
A bright future
It was great to see a number of
‘local’ stables greet the Ararat winner’s circle on April 6 as the club recognised the contribution of its inaugural, foundation members.
The Fiscalini family started the ball rolling when their promising four-year-old mare Lady Rhonda proved too strong in the opening event of the night.
Driver Jackie Barker slotted into the one-out, two-back spot early in the 2195-metre journey and waited until the 700m mark before making a three-wide, forward move.
‘Rhonda’ trotted boldly to match the leaders down the back, took the lead at the top of the home stretch and raced away to score by nine metres in a rate of 2:02.4.
Raced by a large syndicate and trained by father-son combo Ross and Trent Fiscalini, the mare looks set for a bright future.
Full of running Deep Lead owner-trainer Marnie Bibby also enjoyed success at Ararat when Swiss Lightning finished full of running to take out the Good
Friday at Stawell Pace. The sevenyear-old gelding looked in an awkward position, second-last at the 600m mark, but driver Lochie Cook managed to weave through the pack and edge out four-wide to challenge as they exited the final bend.
Feelingoodfreddie, with Neil McCallum aboard, held a handy lead at the top of the straight but their early efforts told late and Swiss Lightning rattled home to score by two metres in a rate of two minutes dead for the 1790m dash.
Bibby bred the now 12 times winner from her former smart racemare Virginia Lightning, 13 wins, which, unfortunately, left only two foals at stud.
14th career victory
Kerryn Manning’s eight-year-old gelding, The Sportz Star, notched up his 14th career victory at Ararat in the $6000 Mes and Barracks Pace.
Drawn solo on the second line at the start, The Sportz Star sat three back on the pegs the entire trip and secured a saloon passage along the sprint lane to pip the leader, Nosweetsforyou, right on the line.
It was an all-girls driving trifecta with Manning, her sister Michelle Wight and Jackie Barker coming in one, two, three.
from 6am to 9am
Help shape the future of sport
The Wimmera Regional Sports Assembly, WRSA, is calling on local sporting clubs, volunteers, and community members to help shape the future of sport and recreation across the region.
In partnership with local consultant Katherine Colbert, WRSA is developing its 20252028 strategic plan – a roadmap to guide its priorities, programs and services over the next four years.
“This is a chance for our sporting community to speak up and to help us better support clubs, volunteers and participants across the Wimmera,” WRSA executive officer Tony Caccaviello said.
“We want to know what’s working, what’s not, and what could be done differently to support clubs and groups to grow and thrive.”
WRSA is encouraging feedback from clubs and individuals, regardless of how often they interact with the assembly.
People can have their say and help shape the future of sport and recreation in the Wimmera by visiting www.wrsa.org.au/news.
Price wins croquet
Horsham Golf Croquet’s Shirley Price won Saturday’s division one competition, ahead of Greg Phillips.
Gwen McCartney won division two, with Marg Pope the runner-up and Rachel Cousins and Bev Keogh won division three.
On Thursday, Greg Phillips won division one, Rob Bahr and June Liddy division two, while Rachel Cousins again won division three.
ON A ROLL: Owner-trainer Marnie Bibby and driver Lochie Cook after Swiss Lightning posted its 12th career victory at Ararat.
Picture: ARARAT HARNESS RACING CLUB
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Basketballers in the spotlight
BY COLIN MacGILLIVRAY
While homegrown Horsham basketballers Micah Livingstone and Levi Munyard made headlines for their exploits at the Basketball Australia Under-18 National Championships in Queensland, other players from the region shone both closer to home and further afield.
Horsham product Mitch Creek and his Trabzonspor B.K. team-mates are celebrating after winning the Türkiye Basketbol Ligi championship, defeating Fenerbahce 74-62 on Sunday.
Creek, who has played in Australia’s National Basketball League, the National Basketball Association in the United States and several other professional leagues around the world, joined Trabzonspor B.K. in Türkiye last year, averaging 21.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.1 steals per game across 21 appearances.
Creek has committed to returning to the Canadian Elite Basketball League, CEBL, for the 2025 season starting next month.
Creek played for the Vancouver Bandits during the last CEBL season, averaging 26 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists while leading his squad to a grand final appearance.
Meanwhile, Creek’s Australian company Wolf Pack Hoops, co-owned by Horsham basketball official Rebecca McIntyre, has hosted a series
“I’m loving it. They’re good kids and it’s exciting to get back to regional Victoria. Obviously I was a country kid growing up, so it’s really special to be able to give back”
– Abbey Wehrung
of camps for junior girls coached by WNBL champion Abbey Wehrung.
Wehrung visited Horsham last week, taking three groups through their paces while teaching a range of basketball and fitness skills and tips. Wehrung, who grew up in the regional Victorian town of Korweinguboora and has family connections to Horsham, said she was thrilled to run the camp.
“I’m loving it. They’re good kids and it’s exciting to get back to regional Victoria,” she said.
“Obviously I was a country kid growing up, so it’s really special to be able to give back.”
The Horsham Hornets also announced their men’s and women’s coaches for the upcoming Country Basketball League seasons.
Scott Benbow will continue as the men’s coach, while Jordyn Burke will helm the women’s team after it spent a year in recess due to a lack of playing numbers. The CBL season commences in early October.
MENTOR: Wolf Pack Hoops hosted a series of camps for junior girls coached by WNBL champion Abbey Wehrung, right.
EAGER: Participants in a Wolf Pack Hoops Girls only School Holiday Camp at Wimmera Lutheran College with guest coach Abbey Wehrung, centre.
arOunD The leagues
Hawks and Eagles draw in thriller
BY COLIN MacGILLIVRAY
Athrilling draw between Tatyoon and Hawkesdale-Macarthur headlined an entertaining first round of Mininera and District Football League senior action, with mixed results for the rest of the league’s northern sides.
The Hawks had plenty to prove after missing last season’s finals by two premiership points, but were flattened by the Eagles in the first term and trailed by 46 points.
The margin crept beyond 50 at the long break before Tatyoon finally found form, although four goals to
two in the third quarter only reduced the deficit to 40 points at the final change.
What followed was a whirlwind, with the Hawks charging home as the Eagles clung on for dear life.
While Tatyoon scored 7.4 in the final term, a solitary goal to Hawkesdale-Macarthur was enough to ensure a draw, with Tatyoon finishing with 15.11 (101) to the visitors’ 16.5 (101).
Josh Lee, with four goals, was a standout for the Hawks, with Lachie McGrath, David Brady and Josh Brown all impressing in the first-game thriller.
The Ararat Eagles, eager to continue
making strides following last season’s finals berth, began their 2025 campaign with a 12.7 (79) to 7.12 (54) road win against GlenthompsonDunkeld.
Jack Wilson was a standout across half forward with five goals, with Caleb Summers and midfielder Jake Peters among the team’s many standouts.
While many Mininera league onlookers were happy to see Caramut post its first senior football win in more than 1000 days, Moyston-Willaura players were left to rue the fact the drought was broken against them. The Swans jumped out of the blocks
with six goals to two in the first term and never relinquished their lead, winning 14.10 (94) to 8.14 (62).
For the vanquished Cougars, captain Liam Kayne kicked three goals from the midfield, while half backs Brady Chandler and Ned Bohner gave good efforts.
Great Western was similarly luckless against Lismore-Derrinallum, losing 25.16 (166) to 6.5 (41).
Despite the best efforts of Tom Randone, Tom Parsons and Billy Munkara, the Lions were never in the hunt after quarter time.
Elsewhere, reigning premier Penshurst comprehensively defeated
Wickliffe-Lake Bolac in a grand final rematch, 20.18 (138) to 10.8 (68), while Woorndoo-Mortlake, 15.14 (104) downed SMW Rovers 8.9 (57).
After an Easter break, the competition will resume on April 26 with Ararat Eagles hosting Penshurst, Tatyoon away to Woorndoo-Mortlake, SMW Rovers visiting Moyston-Willaura and Great Western using its newly redeveloped pavilion at Great Western Recreation Reserve for the first time against Caramut.
Other games will see Wickliffe-Lake Bolac hosting Lismore-Derrinallum and Hawkesdale-Macarthur at home to Glenthompson-Dunkeld.
Minyip-Murtoa Burras celebrate merger anniversary
Minyip-Murtoa Football and Netball Club started its 2025 season the same way it started its first season as a newly merged club in 1995 – by facing Dimboola Football Netball Club.
Minyip-Murtoa club president Chris Delahunty said the match was fitting for the 30th anniversary of Minyip and Murtoa’s merger.
“In round one in 1995 we played Dimboola, so we put a request in to the league to be able to play them round one this season,” Delahunty said.
“It was quite a mixed day of results across the football and netball, which was great, and it was a great result in the senior football.”
Minyip-Murtoa kicked 17.9 (111) to Dimboola’s 10.10 (70).
Milestone games were played; Lucy Brand took to the court for her 50th senior netball game, while David Byrne played his 300th senior football game.
“I think there’s only four or five people who have played 300 games in the history of our club, so it was really great,” Delahunty said.
Saturday’s anniversary celebrations included live music, fireworks, and the auction of the day’s senior and reserve-worn jumpers that included all players from the past three decades, the former Minyip and Murtoa club logos and premiership wins.
Former club members Clinton Young and Leonard Clark were guest speakers during halftime of the seniors’ game.
“They both played their junior
games with us and then went off to state and AFL before returning to us later in their careers,” Delahunty said.
“It was great just to hear the stories of their time as juniors at MinyipMurtoa when we merged, and then later in life when they came back to the club.
“During the evening, club stalwarts David Delahunty, Mal Schier and Nick McIntyre spoke about the merger and how quickly it occurred.”
Delahunty said he was a junior at Murtoa when the clubs merged and played in the first Minyip-Murtoa under-14s game in 1995.
“Minyip and Murtoa were fierce rivals,” he said.
“Not that I can remember, I was only a kid, but absolute fierce rivals. But
they had the foresight to see that the writing was on the wall and to join clubs.”
What started as a rivalry became a force to be reckoned with; the club winning three senior football premierships in its first four seasons, building to now include nine grades of netball and eight levels of football, including a new senior women’s football team.
The club enjoys a strong community following.
“We had lots of families from the community join our celebrations on Saturday – about 600 people joined us over the course of the day,” Delahunty said.
“The event was done really well by a sub-committee, and it was just a great way to set the scene for hopefully a successful season.”
SING IT LOUD: Minyip-Murtoa’s senior footballers added to the celebrations with a 17.9 (111) to 10.10 (70) win against Dimboola on Saturday.
FAMILY AFFAIR: Ebony and Lochie Jordan, with sons Bobby, 3, and Will, 18 months, enjoy the celebrations.
hOrsham DisTricT league
Pimpinio takes lead
Pimpinio tops the Horsham District Football Netball League senior ladder after two rounds, dispatching Taylors Lake in a hard-fought contest on Saturday.
The Tigers rode the momentum of a six-goal third term to win 16.15 (111) to 10.11 (71) in front of their home crowd, with veteran midfielder Matt Rosier turning in a best-on-ground performance for the second straight week.
While Nick Groves and Dylan Bates were Pimpinio’s primary avenues to goal in the team’s first-round win against Edenhope-Apsley, the Tigers favoured a more balanced approach at the weekend with nine individual goal kickers – led by Dimboola recruit Tom O’Dwyer’s three.
Also firing for Pimpinio were Cullen Williams and Jason Westley, while for the Lakers it was Logan Millar, Thomas Clugston and Billy Finnigan.
Despite opening its account 0-2, Taylors Lake looks a much improved side from the one that finished last season 4-12 with a percentage of 54.
The Lakers have been competitive despite a difficult early draw – a draw that gets no easier as they host Swifts after the Easter break.
The Baggies also won their second game of the season and sit just 0.06 percentage points behind Pimpinio in second place after downing Edenhope-Apsley 22.14 (146) to 11.8 (74) on Saturday.
Swifts were ruthless from the start, kicking five goals to none in the first term, with the Saints’ eight-goal third quarter burst proving too little, too late.
Following the off-season departure of star full forward Paul Summers, it was Jordan Motton who emerged as a spearhead for the Baggies with seven goals, as onballers Chris Freeman and co-coach Ryan Folkes accrued plenty of possession.
in Saturday’s winning match against Rupanyup.
Saint centre half back James Puschmann tried to stem the flow of goals and kept opponent Angus Murray quiet, while Adam Hood provided a conduit to attack, where Ryan Obst kicked four goals.
The Saints are still in search of their first win as they prepare to host a Kaniva-Leeor United outfit full of confidence after downing Natimuk United at the weekend.
Both teams were remarkably accurate in the first half, kicking only two behinds between them, but it was the
Cougars who generated more scoring opportunities to hold off the Rams for an 18.5 (113) to 15.5 (95) win.
Big man Jacob Eats showed why he was such a highly prized off-season acquisition for the Cougars with 10 goals, as his brother Lochie and Dylan Collis chimed in for three apiece while midfielder Sam Vivian thrived off the strong ruckwork of Hamish Bennett.
For the beaten Rams, it was youngsters Archie Sudholz, who kicked three goals, and Bailey Brennan who
shone the brightest. Natimuk United faces another daunting challenge after the Easter break, taking on a Noradjuha-Quantong outfit that demolished Rupanyup in its first game of the season.
Key forward Judah Hobbs booted eight goals in the Bombers’ 27.12 (174) to 6.4 (40) win, but it was Jye Walter, who this season returned to the club after a two-year stint with Minyip-Murtoa, who nabbed best afield honours with five goals.
Defender Daniel Weetra was a standout for the Panthers for their second straight game, but apart from a four-goal haul to centre half forward Blake Turner, the team struggled to generate consistent scores.
The match of the round saw reigning Harrow-Balmoral stave off Laharum
after the Demons led by a point at quarter time.
The skill of Cody Deutscher proved the difference in the match, with the rangy utility’s eight-goal haul giving the Roos a 13.9 (87) to 8.15 (63) win, with Laharum left to rue its inaccuracy.
Co-coach Robbie Miller was the best for the Demons in the midfield, with defender Will Miller and ruckman Ryan Thomas also impressive.
Two club stalwarts celebrated milestones for the Roos, with defender Dalton Burns playing his 200th senior game and Anthony Close his 150th. Round three sees the Roos travel to play Kalkee, fresh from a bye, while the Demons take on Pimpinio at Cameron Oval in a rematch of last season’s elimination final.
Panthers live up to expectations
When Rupanyup and NoradjuhaQuantong’s A Grade netball sides last met in the 2024 Horsham District league preliminary final, little separated them.
The Panthers required extra time to defeat the Bombers after scores were knotted at 40 apiece at the end of the fourth quarter, sending them to a grand final and their opponents home.
But their round-two meeting at the weekend told a different story and showed why the Panthers are considered one of this season’s flag fancies.
After trailing by two goals at quarter time, the Panthers clicked into top gear.
They outscored the Bombers 14-5 in the second term, 12-5 in the third and 16-5 in the last to waltz away with a 54-29 victory.
Defender Holly Ross showed why Rupanyup was excited to entice her away from Pimpinio this season, helping to subdue the dangerous duo of veteran goal shooter Shannon Couch and young gun Taya Quick.
Couch was kept extremely quiet by her high standards, scoring only 12 goals after averaging about 39
per game last season. There were no such issues for the Panthers’ goalies however, with Zanaiya Bergen, 29 goals, and Bianca Drum, 21, sharing the load in attack.
Swifts also earned their second victory of the season after coming from three goals down at half time to defeat Edenhope-Apsley at North Park.
Saint defender Rebecca Heath and Swifts goalie Rebekkah Seeary fought an engrossing battle, with Heath helping restrict the Baggies’ scoring opportunities in the first half before Seeary and her team scored 28 goals in the second.
Reigning premier Laharum also made the most of a strong second half, defeating Harrow-Balmoral 55-48 after leading by only two goals at the long break.
Demon Maddie Iredell celebrated her 300th club game in style, nailing a team-high 39 goals to lead the way, with Courtney Taylor lending support with 14.
Brittany Burns, 25 goals, and coach Emily Langley, 23, shouldered the scoring load for their team.
Taylors Lake’s resurgence under new coach Sharon Fedke contin-
ued in round two, with the Lakers seizing an early advantage against Pimpinio and holding onto it for a 55-45 win at Pimpinio Recreation Reserve.
Goal shooter Tayla Eltze was impressive for the Lakers with 22 goals, but it was midcourter Mia McGrath who was named best on court, while Tilli Menzel and Jayde Ellis were the Tigers’ top performers.
Strong games from captain Danielle Hanson and defender Keeta Scown were enough to earn Natimuk United a three-goal win on the road against Kaniva-Leeor United. Hanson used her veteran nous to full effect through the midcourt, setting up Emma Uebergang for a game-high 39 goals, while Scown limited Cougars Ruby Gordon and Tahlia Pearson to 14 and 12 goals respectively at the other end. Following the Easter break, round three will see Laharum host Pimpinio at Cameron Oval, Harrow-Balmoral travel to take on Kalkee, Natimuk United at home to rival Noradjuha-Quantong, Taylors Lake host Swifts and Edenhope-Apsley head north to Kaniva.
IN CONTROL: Noradjuha-Quantong’s Jack Vague handballs
BLOCKED: Noradjuha-Quantong’s Declan Bushby tackles Rupanyup co-coach Daniel Schaper. Pictures: PAUL CARRACHER
Rupanyup’s Meg Cashin
By Colin MacGillivray
Ganley leads Rats in dominant display
Those hoping Ararat might be satisfied to rest on its laurels after two straight Wimmera Football Netball League senior premierships were left disappointed after round one of the 2025 season, with the Rats dismantling Horsham by 148 points on Saturday.
The Rats had their first goal on the board a minute into the game when Jack Ganley marked in the goal square and converted – a sign of things to come.
Ararat booted a perfect 10.0 in the first quarter and extended its lead at every change to run away with a 32.12 (204) to 8.8 (56) win.
Ganley, with seven goals, was judged best afield, but there were winners across the ground for the Rats.
Tom Mills formed a dangerous double act with Ganley, kicking nine majors, and midfielder Tom Williamson got in on the act with five.
Also impressive was ruckman Cody Lindsay, while Brayden Draffin was resolute in defence.
On a difficult day for the Demons it was the likes of Billy Carberry and Tyler Blake, alongside younger players such as Ben Janetzki, who played best.
After falling just short against the Rats in last season’s grand final, the Southern Mallee Thunder opened their account for 2025 with a loss to
Stawell in a heavyweight meeting at Beulah.
The Warriors got the jump on the Thunder, booting six goals to two in the first term and fending off any comeback attempts to win 16.12 (108) to 13.9 (87).
After booting more than 100 goals for Horsham District league side
Swifts last season, Paul Summers picked up right where he left off with nine majors for Stawell, while Josh Fowkes rucked strongly and Zach Marrow led the back line.
Brayden Ison made a solid debut for the Thunder after crossing from Rupanyup, kicking three goals, while Kai Sheers, Coleman Schache and
Lou White were the team’s other top performers.
Nhill, which last year made its first finals appearance in 14 seasons, started its quest for back-to-back top-five berths positively, beating the Horsham Saints 13.8 (86) to 6.9 (45) at Coughlin Park.
The Tigers restricted the Saints to
Saints post triple-digit winning score
Horsham Saints set tongues wagging during the first round of the Wimmera Football Netball League A Grade competition after achieving a feat rarely seen in netball – scoring 100 goals in a game.
The Saints were behind triple-digit pace for most of the afternoon in their game against Nhill on Saturday, sitting on 24 goals at quarter time, 45 at half time and 72 at three-quarter time.
But a massive 29-goal effort in the final term saw the home side eclipse the 100-point barrier, winning 101 to 38.
So spoiled for riches in attack were the Saints that three players scored more than 30 goals – Lena Marshman, 39, Jorja Clode, 31, and Abby Hallam, 31.
The final quarter was played at a fre-
netic pace as the Saints’ home crowd urged them on to notch the triple-digit milestone.
On a torrid day for the Tigers, defender Shae-Lea Fischer and goalie Ruby James, 21 goals, left it all on the court.
The result showed the Saints, last season’s runners-up, remain a premiership threat, while Horsham Demons are also in the running to collect back-to-back flags after beating Ararat 56-48 at Alexandra Oval.
The Demons led wire to wire in the win, with Harrow-Balmoral recruit Jorja Jones starring and Ebonie Salter providing her customary strong defensive presence.
Ararat captain Jess Taylor never stopped trying for her team, with Paige Biddle another standout.
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a single point in the first quarter and their defensive pressure hardly relented as key defender Liam Albrecht and centreman Deek Roberts came to the fore, while recruit Darcy Reid kicked two goals in a forward pocket.
The Saints were best served by Jacob O’Beirne and Corey Morgan, with Cody Bryan’s two goals making him the team’s only multiple-goal kicker. Minyip-Murtoa also opened its season on the right foot, beating Dimboola 17.9 (111) to 10.10 (70) at Minyip.
Oscar Gawith showed why he is regarded as one of the competition’s brightest young stars with a six-goal haul, while fellow Burras Tim Mackenzie and Tim and Ben McIntyre also shone.
Dylan Landt, Simon Hobbs and Andrew Moore were the Roos’ top players, with Jackson Calder and Jayden Kuhne kicking three goals each.
After an early break for Easter, the competition will resume with an Anzac Day meeting between the Horsham Demons and Horsham Saints at Horsham City Oval.
The following day, April 26, will see Warrack Eagles play their first game of the season against Southern Mallee Thunder at Warracknabeal’s Anzac Park, while Stawell Warriors host Minyip-Murtoa and Dimboola is at home to Ararat.
Dimboola’s quest to improve on last year’s preliminary final appearance started strongly, with the Roos cantering past Minyip-Murtoa to win 59-28.
With Bridget Dorrington holding down the defensive circle and goal shooter Nicole Polycarpou on song with 33 conversions, the Roos rarely looked troubled.
While the going was often tough for the Burras, Lucy Brand gave the home crowd something to cheer about with 15 goals and Johanna Griffiths battled strongly in the midcourt.
The Southern Mallee Thunder missed out on a finals appearance last season after finishing one spot behind the Stawell Warriors, but got the better of the team on Saturday.
With goalie Steph Thomson shooting 35 goals and Emma Mill working
hard to present across the forward third, centre Rylee Cocks was never short of options.
Stawell’s Meg Walker did her best to contain Thomson and Mill, with Alannah Deutsher working hard at wing and goal attack.
Round two will see a blockbuster grand final rematch on Anzac Day, with the Horsham Demons and Horsham Saints opening the round at Horsham City Oval.
The following day will see matches between Warrack Eagles and the Southern Malle Thunder at Warracknabeal, Stawell and Minyip-Murtoa at Central Park, and Dimboola and Ararat at Dimboola.
ACCURATE:
21 goals on Saturday.
CAUGHT: Nhill’s Xavier Bone tackles Jacob O’Beirne, Saints. O’Beirne was among Saints’ best players in their loss to Nhill on Saturday. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER
Nhill goalie Ruby James shot
Brought
from 6am to 9am
Championship ‘an incredible feeling’
BY COLIN MacGILLIVRAY
Horsham teenagers Levi Munyard and Micah Livingstone are at the top of the Australian junior basketball mountain.
The pair was part of the Victoria Country team that won the Basketball Australia Under-18 National Championships in Queensland – the first time a Victoria Country boys team had won the tournament in 35 years.
It places them in a rare lineage of Horsham Amateur Basketball Association players to win a national championship – a list including current HABA coach and administrator
Rebecca McIntyre, nee Bird; Melissa Sinfield, nee McClure; and Sydney Swans footballer Jake Lloyd.
Munyard, who captained the side, said he was ‘still coming to terms’ with the achievement.
“It’s pretty surreal. I don’t really believe that it’s happened. It hasn’t really hit me yet,” he said.
Livingstone said he was in equal disbelief.
“It hasn’t sunk in at all. I don’t think it will for a long time,” he said.
“It’s a weird feeling, because it’s something me and Levi would talk about as kids. To do it together on the same team is so cool.”
The team won through to Sunday’s final against New South Wales Metro after finishing second in its pool, dropping its first game of the tournament
to the same NSW Metro team before going undefeated the rest of the way.
In its first final, Victoria Country dispatched Queensland South 80-64, setting up a semi final against a highly fancied Western Australia Metro team that was yet to lose a game.
While WA Metro led by six points at half time, Victoria Country roared back in the second half to win 87-76.
Munyard was a crucial contributor off the bench, scoring 11 points including a three-pointer with three minutes remaining to give his side a 12-point lead.
It was a performance he would repeat in the final against NSW Metro, when, in a frenetic final term, Victoria Country led by four points with four minutes remaining.
A running hook shot by Munyard put his side up 71-65, but an even bigger shot was his three-pointer, which gave Victoria Country an 82-70 lead with only 90 seconds remaining in the game.
“The guy who had the ball, Keegan Johnson, is a great passer and as he dribbled down we made a little bit of eye contact, so I knew he was going to pass to me,” Munyard said.
“I was ready before it came to me, and I said to myself ‘I’m going to shoot it no matter what’. I got it a little bit deeper than I should have, and not much went through my mind – I just shot it.
“It took me a second to realise what actually happened.”
Munyard was mobbed by team mates after NSW Metro called time out following the shot.
“It was unreal. The adrenaline and the crowd was crazy. I didn’t know how to feel, but it was incredible,” he said.
But while his on-court heroics helped deliver Victoria Country a championship, Munyard said the attitude he and Livingstone helped embody was what led to the team’s success.
“I feel like I’ve matured in my game, realising that it’s not about me, it’s about how the team performs,” he said.
“For me, the only thing I care about is the score at the end. I don’t care about anything else, I just want to win, and that’s how I’ll always play.
“I feel like I’ve matured in my game, realising that it’s not about me, it’s about how the team performs”
– Levi Munyard, left
“I think that’s what took us over the line in the end. Every time we were down or tired, we found a way, and that’s what we tried to emphasise in our game – finding a way when it gets hard.”
Livingstone said while he and Munyard played sparingly off the bench across the tournament – Munyard averaging about 13 minutes a game and Livingstone eight – they embraced their roles.
Munyard finished the tournament averaging 4.5 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.6 assists a game, while Livingstone averaged 2.6 points, 2.1 rebounds and 0.3 assists.
“We had a really great sense of togetherness. We all knew our roles going into the tournament and we knew what we had to do to win it,” Livingstone said.
“At the end of the day it’s about playing your role and knowing what you have to do individually, whether you only get on the court for two or three minutes and grab a couple of rebounds and get a couple of stops on defence, or play 20 minutes as a starter and score 20 points.”
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Munyard paid tribute to Livingstone and the rest of his team mates.
“Micah and I have been playing together since under-12s,” he said.
“He’s been my best mate since kindergarten. It’s more than a friendship between us, it’s more like we’re brothers. It was an incredible feeling to be able to do it with him.
“The way we won was more off the court than on the court. I’ve been playing with three or four of those players for seven years. We were just mates playing.”
Livingstone and Munyard both acknowledged the sacrifice of their families, who helped transport them to numerous state training events leading up to the tournament.
Victoria Country coach Brenton O’Brien said collectively, the families of the team’s players had driven 106,000 kilometres in the three months leading up to the tournament – the equivalent of more than two trips around the world.
But Munyard’s mother Amanda said the sacrifice had been worth it.
“We do it so much harder than all the metro teams when we have to come together for training, and they set this team up with a really full-on training schedule for the last three months – a lot more than they’ve ever done with any country team before,” she said.
“We’re overwhelmed with emotion. It was the most phenomenal week.”
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Anticipation high
BY COLIN MacGILLIVRAY
Anticipation for this weekend’s Stawell Gift athletics carnival is at fever pitch after teen Australian sprint phenomenon Gout Gout obliterated his competition to win the 200m final at the Australian Athletics Championships in Perth.
Gout was announced as one of the main drawcards for the Stawell Gift – Australia’s richest and most prestigious footrace – in February, and hype surrounding his appearance exploded after he recorded a staggering 200m time of 19.84 to win the Perth final on Sunday.
While an assisting tailwind of plus 2.2 metres means Gout’s run will be ineligible for the record books, it was the second-fastest run in history by a man under the age of 20 in all conditions. His time surpassed the under-20 records of two of the fastest men in history – Usain Bolt, who ran a time of 19.93 second with a legal plus-1.4metre tailwind in 2004, and Justin Gatlin, who ran 19.86 with an illegal tailwind of plus four metres.
Gout also remains the Australian and Oceanian 200m record holder after running a time of 20.04 seconds within legal wind parameters last year as a 16-year-old.
Gout’s budding rivalry with 21-year-old sprinter Lachlan Kennedy will also be renewed at the Stawell Gift after Kennedy was disqualified for a false start before the 200m final in Perth.
Kennedy shocked onlookers by beating Gout at a meet in Melbourne earlier this year.
With middle-distance runner Peter Bol – who will return to Stawell after a thrilling secondplace finish in last year’s 1000m invitational race – setting an Australian 800m record in Perth at the weekend, organisers believe this year’s gift field will be one of the most star-studded in history.
Stawell Gift Event Management chair Murray
Emerson said this year’s Stawell Gift had drawn a record number of entrants, with tickets anticipated to sell out.
“I think it’ll be gigantic, not only because of Gout Gout but because we’ve got a lot of other top Australian runners there as well,” he said.
“Central Park is in amazing condition and all the major runners who have entered seem to be at the peak of their fitness.
“We have a record number of entries this year, so we couldn’t be going any better at the moment. We just have to hope for a little bit of good weather just to top things off.”
Mr Emerson said Gout’s performance at the weekend had driven anticipation into overdrive.
“The expectations have been pretty high ever since we contracted him to come, but with his recent performances it’s lifted it to an even higher level I think,” he said.
“And without taking anything away from the gift field, Peter Bol’s race last year was outstanding.
“He and all of the other 1000-metre runners could well make it the race of the weekend.”
Gout will start with a one-metre handicap in the 120-metre men’s gift, with Kennedy the backmarker at only 0.25 metres.
Meanwhile in the women’s gift, Bree Rizzo is set to challenge reigning champion Chloe Mannix-Power, with both women running off scratch.
Mr Emerson said with pundits drawing favourable comparisons between Gout and Usain Bolt – arguably the greatest sprinter of all time – chances to see the nascent star could be limited in the future.
“For anybody who wants to come and see this young fella run, you’d better come and see him this year, because I don’t think you’ll be able to see him after this,” he said.
STAWELL BOUND: Australian sprint phenomenon Gout Gout is one of the main drawcards for the Stawell Gift this weekend.
Horsham basketballers Levi Munyard, left, and Micah Livingstone are under-18 national basketball champions after their Vic Country team defeated a New South Wales Metro team in the championship final at South Pine Sports Centre in Moreton Bay, Queensland, at the weekend. It was Vic Country’s first boys title in 35 years. Story, page 62.
