Rupanyup’s silo art has been renewed by street artist Smug, after fading and rusting affected the original work. Julia Volchkova’s 2017 painting depicted sporting identities Ebony Baker and Jordon Weidemann. Smug, who also painted silos at Wirrabara, Nullawil, Arkona, Horsham, Murtoa and Lameroo, portrays a farming landscape in his latest work. He is pictured with supporters Regina Johnstone and Kelly Oxbrow of Rupanyup and Minyip Community Bank, Rupanyup Progress Association’s Carmel Healy and Yarriambiack councillor Corrine Heintze. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER
Changes for plaza
BY LAUREN HENRY
Horsham
Plaza will undergo significant change with the closure of four clothing stores this year.
The liquidation of the Mosaic brand in January resulted in the closure of three women’s clothing stores – Katies, Millers and Autograph.
Last week, Jeanswest announced it would close 90 stores across Australia after the brand was placed into administration, meaning another loss to women’s clothing stores in Horsham.
Tough trading conditions, fuelled by the cost-of-living crisis and a fall in consumer spending, have been blamed for the Jeanswest collapse.
Horsham Plaza centre manager Allison Roberts said there had not been many changes to stores at the plaza
since COVID, but the closure of four clothing stores would open up opportunities for new shops to open in the plaza.
“ I hope there’s some good things to come out of it, and new stores for the town as well, so that it’s good for everybody – and there’s more reasons for people to come into Horsham to shop,” she said.
Mrs Roberts said she was working with the plaza’s leasing manager to attract new stores.
“In the shorter term, I hope existing businesses, not only in Horsham Plaza but in Horsham, expand their range and sizes, and also their pricing opportunities that will reach out to a broader range of people as well,” she said.
“ I think that’s what they’ll need to do to remain relevant to customers’ needs.”
New figures show residents in regional and rural areas have led the charge of Australians spending a record $69-billion on online goods in the past year – fashion and apparel, $9.6-billion, was one of the top three categories.
Mrs Roberts said stickers handed out to shoppers during COVID that encouraged people to shop locally to support the businesses that employed their family and friends, and supported their community, were still relevant.
“It’s so important that people do buy locally – not just in Horsham Plaza, but in the town,” she said.
“We want them to buy locally because these are the businesses that are employing you, your neighbour or your friends.”
About 300 people are employed across the plaza’s 25 businesses, including
long-term anchor store KMart, which has been at the plaza since it was built in 1987.
New to the plaza this year is The Lolly Shop, originated from the Halls Gap Lolly Shop, which was forced to close in summer as fire threatened the Grampians National Park.
“They were really well-received when they came here, and offered a point of difference. They enjoy being part of the plaza family as well,” Mrs Roberts said.
“They’ve obviously gone back to Halls Gap now that the town’s opened, but they said ‘we’d like to stay here and have a second site’.
Another business to move to the plaza late last year was Exquisit, after its Firebrace Street clothing store was damaged by fire. Exquisit moved into the former Katies store last week.
HRCC NEWS
HRCC welcomes new CEO
Horsham Rural City Council is pleased to announce the appointment of Gail Gatt as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Mayor Cr Ian Ross said Ms Gatt was a stand-out candidate and would bring many years of local government leadership to Horsham.
“We are excited to welcome Gail to the Horsham Rural City Council team. Her extensive experience, leadership capabilities, and deep understanding of regional communities will be invaluable in driving positive outcomes for our region,” he said.
“She is currently General Manager Strategy and Effectiveness at Surf Coast Shire and has led various other portfolios during stints at Wellington Shire and Latrobe City Council.”
Cr Ross highlighted the competitive nature of the recruitment process, noting that several highly experienced leaders were considered for the role.
“Gail’s proven track record in executive leadership, financial stewardship and community-focused service delivery made her an outstanding choice for our council,” he said.
“I trust that our community will extend a warm welcome to Gail as she relocates to the Wimmera over the coming months,” Cr Ross said.
Ms Gatt said she was excited to be given the opportunity to lead at HRCC.
“It’s a pivotal time for Council with the development of a new Council Plan and I’m keen to work closely with Mayor Ross and Councillors to deliver on their vision and priorities,” Ms Gatt said.
“I’m passionate about leading great outcomes and value to the community and I’m looking forward to working with the team at council to ensure we are meeting community needs.”
ANIMAL REGISTRATION REMINDER
Council is reminding residents that animal registration renewals are due 10 April.
If you are an HRCC resident and you own a cat or a dog, it must be registered.
Registration payments can be made online, via BPay, over the phone or in person at the Civic Centre.
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HAVE YOUR SAY
PARKING METERS REVIEW
Council is providing the community the opportunity to provide feedback on whether parking meters, which were suspended in December 2024, should no longer be in the CBD or be brought back.
The survey aims to gather information on the impact of the temporary suspension, with residents, visitors, and local businesses encouraged to share their thoughts.
The feedback will help Council understand how this change has affected convenience, accessibility, and overall parking behaviour within the area.
Survey closes Monday 14 April, 5pm.
HORSHAM RURAL CITY TALKS
Council is developing its Council Plan and reviewing the Community Vision to ensure it is in line with the communities hopes, aspirations and priorities and want your input into that process.
We encourage all members of our community to participate in our survey and/or register to attend in person workshops which will inform the renewal of these key documents.
Survey closes Friday 2 May.
For details visit the Engage Horsham section of HRCC's website
Horsham Aquatic Center female changerooms closing for renovation
Patrons of the Horsham Aquatic Centre will need to plan ahead in the coming weeks as the female changerooms are set to close for renovation.
The changerooms closed on Monday 31 March, with renovations expected to last for six weeks.
The Horsham Aquatic Centre staff are thankful for your patience as the facility is improved to better serve the public.
Outdoor pool season over
After a fantastic season, the outdoor pool has closed. Since reopening in November 2024, the pool has welcomed an impressive number of visitors, with:
•6,147 people taking advantage of the Cool Off for Summer $2 swims on days over 35 degrees.
•2,321 participants in Aquatic Group Fitness classes, including 195 in the outdoor pool
•12,347 total recreation swims
•Six school swimming carnivals, with one more still to come
•Several memorable parties and community events
The season has been a resounding success, drawing in swimmers of all ages and fitness levels. As the outdoor pool closes, the community can continue to enjoy indoor aquatic facilities under the adjusted schedule.
Natimuk competes for
Natimuk is vying for recognition in the Victorian Top Tourism Town Awards, with locals encouraged to help highlight the town’s charm and appeal.
Community support can play a crucial role in the nomination, with residents and visitors urged to leave positive reviews for local businesses on Google or TripAdvisor.
Whether it’s a favorite café, accommodation spot, or the renowned Mount Arapiles-Tooan State Park, these reviews contribute to showcasing why Natimuk deserves the title of Victoria’s Top Tiny Tourism Town.
Horsham Rural City Council, in partnership with a dvertising agency Aubrey + Areegra, is preparing the town’s official entry.
As part of the campaign, a film crew will visit Natimuk on April 3 and 4 to capture the essence of the town and its unique attractions.
Locals will also have the opportunity to feature in the promotional film.
A community gathering at the Natimuk pub on the evening of April 4 invites residents to be extras, enjoying a drink and mingling while contributing to the town’s warm and welcoming image on camera.
With its stunning natural landscapes and vibrant local culture, Natimuk is set to shine in the competition.
The push to promote the town is an opportunity to celebrate everything that makes it a must-visit destination in Victoria.
Council advises that the 2025 Rural Revegetation Program will not proceed this year due to supplier price increases and budget constraints.
While this decision was not made lightly, the rising costs associated with the program have made it unfeasible to deliver in its current form for 2025.
However, Council remains committed to supporting rural landowners with revegetation initiatives, and the program has only been suspended — not cancelled. Plans are in place to reinstate the program in the future.
HRCC acknowledges the importance of the Rural Revegetation Program in enhancing biodiversity, reducing erosion and supporting sustainable land management practices.
Council will continue to explore options to ensure the program’s long-term viability.
Further updates will be provided as planning progresses. Council thanks the community for its understanding and ongoing support.
Next Council Meeting: Monday, April 28, 2025 - 5.30pm Horsham Rural City Council: 18 Roberts Avenue Horsham | Postal address: PO Box 511 Horsham VIC 3402 | Phone: (03) 5382 9777 | Email: council@hrcc.vic.gov.au | Web: www.hrcc.vic.gov.au
Strong response to mining feedback
R
esources Victoria will not extend its April 9 deadline for public feedback to WIM Resource’s application for a mining licence, despite a strong community response.
The Earth Resources Regulator, part of Resources Victoria, will also seek ‘further information from WIM Resource in relation to media reports about allegations of unethical practices during the Environmental Effects Statement process’.
WIM Resource has applied for a mining licence for its Avonbank project, a mineral sands mine at Dooen, eight kilometres north-east of Horsham.
The mining licence is for a mine that spans 3426 hectares, staged over 38 years, and is about 1.3 kilometres northeast of Dooen – with a footprint that is split by the Wimmera Highway.
Wilsons pass baton
Lister House Clinic’s David and Amanda Wilson are ‘passing the baton’ to the next generation of doctors, with Jagath Ranasinghe, Arvind Garg, Waruna Dissanayake and Kannan Ramanathan set to take ownership of the Horsham clinic on Monday.
Owned by Dr Wilson for 35 years, he said he and his wife and Lister House chief executive Amanda had been working towards the change of hands for about seven years.
“I wanted to hand it over to a known quantity rather than somebody who didn’t understand the community,” he said.
“Stability was also really important to us, for our community and our staff, and these doctors provide that.”
Dr Wilson and his staff have adapted to many changes during his ownership, from introducing computers and computerised records, evolving services, population growth, and a major renovation nine years ago.
“It’s changed dramatically over the course of time,” he said.
“Amanda and I thought three years ago that we were about 65 per cent right, now we’re about 95 per cent right, but there’s still room for improvement, and these doctors are going to keep going with those improvements.”
Doctors Ranasinghe, Garg, Dissa-
About one third of the mining licence area falls south of the Wimmera Highway, towards Freds Road, Longerenong, with a majority of the mining area north of the highway to Johns Road.
Since the 21-day feedback period began on March 19, Resources Victoria has received more than 100 formal submissions, with a range of feedback about the project.
The application will be assessed on the project’s viability, whether WIM Resource has the capacity to deliver the proposed project, and whether they are ‘fit and proper’ to hold a mining licence.
Resources Victoria regulatory operations executive director Chris Webb said if the applicant was not found to be fit and proper then a mining licence would not be awarded.
“The strong community response to date demonstrates that there is good
awareness of the project, the proponent and how to provide feedback ahead of the mining licence assessment for the Avonbank project,” he said.
“Part of assessing WIM Resource’s mining licence application is determining if they are fit and proper based on the facts available to the Earth Resources Regulator.
“This can be reassessed at any time during the life of a mining licence.”
Resources Victoria has also addressed concerns about the advertising of the mining licence, with affected landowners objecting to the mining licence application advertisement, published in The Weekly Advertiser on March 19.
Maryla Johns and Donna Johns wrote to the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, DEECA, and Resources Victoria with concerns about on the map omitting the Melbourne-Adelaide rail line; and
not marking the Wimmera Intermodal Freight Terminal within the mining licence, the proximity to the Wimmera Agriculture and Logistics, WAL HUB, the Dooen and Darlot swamps, Longerenong College, and the location of WIM Resource’s secondary processing plant.
But Resources Victoria says the public advertising was ‘completed correctly and complied with Victoria’s minerals legislation’, and there was no requirement to re-advertise.
Mr Webb said the strong community response demonstrated the advertising and promotion of the feedback process had been effective.
“While the statutory feedback period will not be extended, the Earth Resources Regulator will consider submissions made after April 9 prior to the assessment being completed,” he said.
“However, we encourage early sub-
nayake and Ramanathan, who have also purchased Horsham’s Maddern Street clinic, and will amalgamate the clinics with Natimuk, and introduce telehealth and teleconsultations to rural areas.
Dr Ramanathan, who will be based at Maddern Street, said it was hard to attract doctors to rural areas.
“I intend to create a teaching and training program here, to bring doctors to the area, in the hope they will stay on,” he said.
Dr Ranasinghe came to Horsham about 10 years ago as a registrar and planned to stay for only a short time.
“I’m still here, thanks to the Wilsons,” he said.
“I have wanted to be part of the management for a long time. We are here to provide a good service and better care for the community.” Dr and Mrs Wilson will remain in their positions at the clinic, albeit with some time taken for travelling.
Dr Ranasinghe said he considered Dr Wilson his mentor.
“He has done so much for the staff, the practice, and the community, I have seen so many changes in my 10 years, and we aim to continue that high standard,” he said.
Mrs Wilson said the community would not see any difference in the running of the clinic.
“It was a priority to ensure patients and the community were still getting a standard of care,” she said.
“The four doctors absolutely provide that continuity of care.
“They’ve got a great following, and we feel like we’re handing the baton over to a great core group who will look after the clinic and move it forward in the best way possible, like we’ve been able to do.
“It’s an absolute win-win for everybody.”
missions because it allows us to seek additional information, if it’s needed.”
The Avonbank project has already progressed through a planning assessment via the Environment Effects Statement, EES, process, enabling WIM Resource to prepare and submit its mining licence application.
The Avonbank project is still in the hands of Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek for approval through the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, but with the federal election now called, all government departments have entered care-taker mode, likely to delay Federal Government approval of the project.
Details of the mining licence application process, including the scope of community feedback being sought, are available on the Resources Victoria website on the ‘Have your say’ page.
Election called
The federal election will take place on May 3, with early voting starting on April 22.
People have until Monday to ensure they are on the electoral roll.
The nominations of candidates close next Thursday, with a declaration of candidates announced next Friday.
So far, in the Mallee electorate, candidates to put up their hands are sitting member Anne Webster, Nationals; Greg Olsen, Labor; Nicole Rowan, Greens; Chris Lahy, Australia Citizens Party; Vaughan Williams, Pauline Hanson’s One Nation; and Ashleigh Gray, Family First.
In Wannon, sitting member Dan Tehan, Liberals, will contest again, with other candidates including Alex Dyson, independent; Fiona Mackenzie, Labor; and Kate Gazzard, Greens. Postal votes will close on April 30.
Graffiti spree
A spate of criminal damage in Horsham is being investigated by police after several buildings in Firebrace Street and O’Callaghans Parade were graffitied.
Police believe the offenders were three to four teenagers wearing hooded tops and carrying backpacks, with one wearing a distinctive grey tracksuit. The most recent incident was between midnight and 6am on Sunday March 30, with the first on March 15. The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
IN GOOD HANDS: Dr David and Amanda Wilson, right, have sold Lister House Clinic to, from left, Dr Arvind Garg, Dr Kannan Ramanathan, Dr Jagath Ranasinghe and Dr Waruna Dissanayake, absent.
Flight of Fantasy to launch festival
The third iteration of the Wimmera Steampunk Festival officially kicks off on Saturday, with an official launch at Warracknabeal.
Flight of Fantasy will feature 230 hot air balloons decorated by school students and a sound and light show.
The festival, which started in 2022 and continued in 2023, attracting 4000 people, has injected an estimated $1.6-million into the local economy –booking out all available accommodation in Horsham, Dimboola and Nhill.
The festival this year carries the theme of Carnival of Peculiarities, inspired by Tim Burton’s fantasy film Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children.
The main festival weekend is from April 11 to 13 in Dimboola, with a riverside market, barefoot bowls, art exhibitions, a book sale, a tractor display and live musical theatre performances of Sweeney Todd’s ‘The Demon Barber of Fleet Street’.
Festival-goers can also enjoy a CWA Devonshire Tea and Sci-Fi Briar’s Peculiar Science Show for children.
A four-course dinner by Dimboola chef Cat Clarke on Friday night is already sold out, as is a high tea at Ser-
Art workshops
Northern Grampians Shire residents can contribute to the design of a new mural at Stawell Skate Park by participating in a range of art-inspired workshops.
The Blender Studios team will host five workshops during the April school holidays, aimed at teaching mural art skills to primary and secondary-aged students.
Artists will run the workshops at North Park clubrooms over two days, starting on April 9. The first, from noon to 1.30pm, is a pre-cut stencil workshop for young people in grades three and older; while the second workshop, from 2pm to 4.30pm for youth aged 10 and older, involves an artist talk and spray-can and sketch activities.
A third workshop, open to the wider community, from 5pm to 7.15pm, will enable valuable local input to help inform the mural design.
On April 10, the Blender Studios team will repeat workshops one and two, in reverse order.
People can visit www.ngshire.vic. gov.au/Projects-and-Consultation/ Have-Your-Say/Stawell Skate-ParkMural to book.
The Blender Studios team will start painting the mural in May.
viceton Railway Station on April 13.
Australian music star Mitch Tambo will headline the festival’s key event, The Costumed Street Party, from 5pm on April 12.
Eight live bands on three stages, Melbourne magician and illusionist Luke Blaze, a stilt walker, aerial acrobats, a street parade with a children’s lantern procession and a tribute to emergency services and firefighters along with plenty of food stalls will add to the street party atmosphere.
Organiser Chan Uoy estimates up to 5000 people will attend the event, with ticket sales from Victoria, South Australia, Queensland, Western Australia, the Northern Territory, New South Wales and Hong Kong.
The festival has now grown into a whole-of-region event with more than 100 Hindmarsh Shire volunteers assisted by volunteer committees from Horsham, West Wimmera and Yarriambiack councils.
Mr Uoy, a Hindmarsh councillor and owner of the Dimboola Imaginarium gift shop and accommodation, moved to the small Wimmera town in 2019 after managing restaurants in Melbourne for 20 years.
He immediately sensed the quirky nature of the town, and he said it felt
like the ‘perfect launching pad for a steampunk festival’.
“When I first arrived, I could see that a lot of people bypassed the Wimmera as nothing really stood out enough for people to come this way,” he said.
“I wanted to create an event people would travel to the region for, while at the same time, providing a vehicle for small Wimmera communities to
rejuvenate themselves.” He said the festival promoted the idea there was much more to the Wimmera than wheatfields, conservative views, and sporting culture.
“This festival is an opportunity to interpret what it means to be peculiar and express it in a steampunk costume, celebrating uniqueness and creativity,” he said.
“It’s all about creating a stage for
SETTING GOALS: Murtoa College has elected its student leaders for 2025, fronted by senior captains Bella Noonan and Adelle Weidemann. Bella said the captaincy meant a lot to her. “My focus is more on community, trying to engage our students in the community and do more school activities,” she said. Adelle said she aimed for high achievements from the students. “It’s great to be able to contribute to building a more inclusive and academic school. I’m working to encourage students to reach their full potential and hope to do some events throughout the year to help people embrace themselves and their minds,” she said. Pictured are, from left, college junior vice-captain Jagger Williams, junior captain Pippa Wilson, senior captains Bella Noonan and Adelle Weidemann, junior captain Ella Wheeler, and junior vice-captain Ellie Cowan. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER
EXCITED: Festival-goers preparing for
people who feel like they don’t fit into these rural communities.
“It’s for all the introverts and those who are different and unique – the steampunk festival is their time to shine. Extroverts are welcome, too.” For a full festival program and to buy tickets, people can visit www. wimmerasteampunkfestival.com. au and stay updated via Facebook and Instagram.
Time in textiles
Half a century’s developments in non-traditional materials, techniques and technology will be highlighted at Ararat Gallery TAMA when exhibition 50 Plus: Celebrating 50 years of Tamworth Regional Gallery’s Fibre Textile Collection opens this week. Bringing works by women artists in the Tamworth Collection to the fore, the exhibition features fibre and textile-based art, including felt making, lace design, embroidery techniques, fused ceramics and fibre, geometric patterning, and slow stitching. Guest curator Roslyn Russell said the exhibition provided unique insights into textile artists. Opening at 6pm tomorrow, attendance is free, but bookings are essential.
Holiday program
Children registered for West Wimmera Health Service’s Outside School Hours Care, OSHC, at Nhill during April school holidays will participate in an engaging range of activities. Organised by OSHC co-ordinator Taylor Darrington and educator Charlotte Dickinson, the program will run from 9am to 4.30pm on Mondays April 7 and 14, and Wednesdays April 9 and 16. People can register children by emailing oshc@wwhs.net.au
the Wimmera Steampunk Festival, front from left, Cassandra Krahe, Patrick Phelan, Sokan Sat, Claire James, Barb Leffler and Roger Leffler; and standing, from left, Shelly Fax, Tom Fax, Barb Jeffries, Ulani Hobbs, and Darrell Jeffries.
Horsham appoints chief
H
orsham Rural City Council has announced a new chief executive with Gail Gatt, from Surf Coast Shire, taking up the role.
Ms Gatt will officially start May 19, taking over from interim chief executive Craig Niemann.
Mr Niemann, the former long-time chief executive of the City of Greater Bendigo, took on the role in September last year following the resignation of Sunil Bhalla.
Mr Bhalla resigned after a tumultuous 2024 for Horsham council, including failing to adopt council’s annual budget on time, prompting a Local Government Inspectorate investigation; councillors publicly criticising each other; and a Municipal Monitor being appointed.
Ms Gatt comes to Horsham with 25 years’
Unique event
Rupanyup’s Dirt Music Festival has unique appeal – a variety of acts all within walking distance of each other, as well as the blessing of Australian author Tim Winton.
Organising committee member Unmani said the group had taken a quote from Dirt Music novel character Luther Fox.
“We have taken the quote and put it into action: ‘music that you play on the veranda ... without electricity’,” she said.
“Tim Winton has given us permission to use the quote, making us quite unique. I don’t know of any other festivals like it.”
Unmani said people could stroll between the six music venues on the main street, which would feature acts of folk, covers, 50s and 60s, blues, Irish, a choir, and a group of 50 ukeleles.
“The choir will bookend the event, starting at 11am and closing with everybody gathering to sing and play Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’ around 4pm,” she said.
Sunday’s free event will see other community groups involved, including the Lions Club with a lunchtime barbecue, and the bowling club bar opening towards the end of the day.
For more information people can visit the event’s Facebook page.
Restrictions lift
Fire Danger Period restrictions will lift at 1am on Monday for some municipalities in fire districts 18 and 20.
This includes Buloke, Loddon and the northern portion of Yarriambiack Shire Council – north of the line defined by Galaquil West and Galaquil East roads.
Landowners burning off will still need to register, either online at www.firepermits. vic.gov.au or by calling 1800 668 511, to avoid an emergency response.
Landowners should also notify neighbours and those nearby who may be sensitive to smoke.
experience in local government, most recently the general manager of strategy and effectiveness at the Surf Coast Shire.
Prior to that, she worked at Latrobe City Council for nearly 15 years, and Wellington Shire for eight years, serving in various roles at both councils.
Horsham Mayor Ian Ross said Ms Gatt was a stand-out candidate.
“We are excited to welcome Gail to the Horsham Rural City Council team,” he said.
“Her extensive experience, leadership capabilities, and deep understanding of regional communities will be invaluable in driving positive outcomes for our region.”
Cr Ross highlighted the competitive nature of the recruitment process, and said several highly experienced leaders were considered for the role.
“Gail’s proven track record in executive leadership, financial stewardship and community-focused service delivery made her an outstanding choice for our council,” he said.
“I trust our community will extend a warm welcome to Gail as she relocates to the Wimmera over the coming months.”
Ms Gatt said she was excited to be given the opportunity to lead Horsham council.
“It’s a pivotal time for council with the development of a new council plan and I’m keen to work closely with Mayor Ross and councillors to deliver on their vision and priorities,” Ms Gatt said.
“I’m passionate about leading great outcomes and value to the community and I’m looking forward to working with the team at council to ensure we are meeting community needs.”
On track for rescheduled ride
The rescheduled 2025 Grampians Ride to Remember is on Sunday with an estimated 500 riders and pillions participating.
The original ride did not go ahead in February due to bushfires in the Grampians region, prompting Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation – Ararat Branch and the ride sub-committee to postpone the event.
Led by chairman Dean Pinniger, the sub-committee with patron and chief marshall Paul Margetts has been working behind the scenes with Northern Grampians police to organise the 180-kilometre ride, which leaves from the Ararat RSL at 9am.
Led by Victoria Police solos from Bendigo, the ride travels the Pyrenees Highway to Crowlands, then onto Joel South and through to Stawell via Barnes and Seaby streets to the Western Highway, then onto Pomonal for morning tea.
Co-ordinated by Pomonal Tennis Club and supported by the Pomonal community, the morning tea will inject money back into the Pomonal community.
After the morning tea break the ride
will travel around Lake Fyans, Lake Lonsdale and back along the base of the Grampians through Pomonal and Moyston to finish at Ararat for a picnic lunch at Alexandra Gardens, arriving at about 12.30pm. Ararat Lions Club, which has been involved with the ride every year since its inception 17 years ago, will provide lunch before a Show ’n Shine for participating bikes, where there will also be a Blue-Ribbon merchandising van, health checks plus a coffee van, raffle and much more.
Mr Pinniger said organisers had regrouped the ride marshals, along with the vehicle support and medical support volunteers and all was on track for a safe and enjoyable ride.
The ride will perpetuate the memory of Victoria Police officers killed in the line of duty and money raised will go towards the new $110,040 anaesthetic machine at East Grampians Health Service.
People can register online via www. trybooking.com/CVEUM or on the day from 7am to 8.15am at Ararat RSL.
OFFICIAL: From left, vehicle support person Ian Sargent, medical support person Noel Baird, ride chairman Dean Pinniger, Northern Grampians Acting Sergeant Jason Brown and patron and chief marshall Paul Margetts.
To all those Unsinkable Guys out there –
We’ve got some really exciting news to share with you.
Our air-conditioning division has teamed up with Bondys Contractors, and we’re thrilled about what this means for you. With this new partnership, we can now o er electrical, plumbing, heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration services all in one place.
This allows us to take on bigger projects and give you even faster, more e cient solutions.
And don’t worry – it’s still the same friendly faces you’ve always trusted, providing the same great service.
We’re excited about this
You might think it’s safe to have a few drinks around water, skip the life jacket when you’re out on the boat or go for a swim without checking the conditions.
But statistics prove that 4 out of 5 drownings are men.
Just remember that no one’s unsinkable.
next chapter and can’t wait to continue supporting you with our expanded team.
Thank you for being such an important part of our journey.
We’re grateful for your trust and support.
Leigh Stewart, Grant Bethune and Brett Brain
The Team at Laser Electrical Horsham & Bondys Contractors
Priorities in masterplan
A$5.6-million Natimuk Showgrounds masterplan will invest in assets for the ground’s user groups across the next decade, including a combined netball and climbing facility.
Project priorities and costs have been allocated following consultation with the community and the user groups – Arapiles Historical Society,andNatimuk’sagricultural and pastoral society, men’s shed, primaryschool,pre-school,andthe town’s cricket, tennis, football and netballclubs.
Committee member Mikayla Mackley said the masterplan outlined29recommendations.
“We have prioritised the recommendations based on what was at end-of-life and what was creating immediateissues,”shesaid.
“For example, the netball club’s facilities are rundown and not re-ally fit-for-purpose, so that was a key priority. “The climbing groupisverykeentocombinewith the netball club to do a combined climbing and netball facility, and they’ve been making things happen in terms of applying for funding, so they have moved up thelist.”
MrsMackleysaidtheagricultural and pastoral society secured the fundingforthedevelopment.
“We wanted to make sure we
“We have prioritised the recommendations based on what was at end-of-life and what was creating immediate issues”
–Mikayla Mackley
were developing the showgrounds in a way that made sense for all the different stakeholders that use the site, so we engaged an external consultant,” she said.
“The recommendations are all subjecttofurtherfundingandmore community consultation, but it gives us something to work with andsomewheretoaimfor.”
The masterplan includes rabbitproof fencing; resurfacing tennis courts; a permanent, powered ticket box; historical society shed demolition, if the group was to relocate; road and carpark sealing; pur-chase of a portable electronic score-board; cricket storage area; female umpires changeroom development; and poultry shed expansion. In its first year, the plan will see a shade structure installedbetweenthemainpavilion and changeroom, oval surface and site drainage im-provements, shearing pavilion upgrades, and design of a multi-purpose facility to house netball, climbing, gym, show office, changeroomsandtoilets.
POSITIVE
START:
Ararat Early
Learning Centre
owner and centre
director
Kerri Turner, Member for Ripon Martha Haylett, and Children Minister Lizzie Blandthorn at the Ararat centre last week.
Celebrating kindergarten expansions
Early years educators at 29 services, including Emerge Early Years and Westcare’s Ararat Early Learning, will share in $580,000 for programs that aim to build a more experienced workforce and improve staff retention.
This year’s funding recipients will join an early career growth program, completing four-week rotations with a mentor to connect with early-career educators at other sites for career guidance, professional development and wellbeing resources online.
Short courses in mental health and wellbeing, adaptability and teamwork will be undertaken by Westcare’s Ararat providers, and Emerge’s providers at their 14 centres at Rainbow, Jeparit, Nhill, Dimboola, Natimuk, Horsham and Stawell.
Member for Ripon Martha Haylett said supporting staff was vital, particularly in the rollout of extra kindergar-
ten hours. “Supporting educators in the early years of their careers is crucial,” she said.
“We’re doing just that with extra funding and support, on top of the rollout of more free kindergarten hours for Victorian kids.”
The Innovation Grants Program is part of a suite of free professional learning and career supports available to early childhood professionals.
Children’s Minister Lizzie Blandthorn said by supporting educators, children were getting the best start in life.
“The program supports educators to give Victorian families high-quality early childhood education,” she said.
“Helping the educators who work with our children during some of their most pivotal years will mean better outcomes for kids, keeping our workforce strong as demand across
Victoria grows.” Ms Haylett and Ms Blandthorn visited Ararat Early Learning Centre last week to celebrate the first term of increased hours in regional Victoria.
Centre staff are delivering 30 hours of kindergarten each week, to children enrolled in the four-year-old program.
All kindergarten services in the local government areas of Ararat, Gannawarra, Hindmarsh, Murrindindi, Northern Grampians and Yarriambiack are moving from weekly 15-hour programs to between 16 and 30 hours as part of the $14-billion Best Start, Best Life reforms.
By 2036, all children in a four-yearold program will have access to 30 hours of kindergarten each week.
The phased approach allows time to grow the workforce and build the infrastructure required.
Intimidation, suggestive jokes, exclusion...
Gendered violence comes in many forms. All are OHS issues. All are unacceptable.
WorkSafe Gendered Violence
Reducing workplace harm.
Too little, too late
I refer to Dr Anne Webster, The Weekly Advertiser March 26, 2025.
Yes, I agree that income tax has increased under Labor.
So, I find it troubling the LNP, under the original phase three tax cuts, wanted to give people earning $200,000 a $9000 tax cut but nothing to the real battlers on $45,000.
Moreover, the LNP is going to repeal the further tax cuts passed last week. They are supposed to be the parties of lower taxes who are not reducing the tax burden they complained about.
Yes, I agree there has been a substantial fall in household incomes, but according to independent economist Saul Eslake much of this was beyond the control of the government – global factors such as disruptions to supply chains and the effects of Putin’s invasion of Ukraine on energy and food prices.
But why have the LNP voted against cheaper medicines, urgent care clinics, reducing student debt, increases in rent assistance, increases in minimum wages, increases in childcare and aged care wages, and free TAFE, etc?
Instead, the LNP in response to the new tax cuts have plumped for a oneyear reduction in fuel excise, which they said 18 months ago was not good policy.
This is not as broad as the top-up taxes of Labor, which are permanent.
Dr Webster rightfully complains about the state of our roads but excise revenue which is used to fix roads will be reduced.
I notice the LNP has run dead over the last several months on building the seven nuclear reactors which come online much too late, cost much more than renewables, and only increase
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
supply by between four and eight per cent.
Desperately, the LNP has now jumped on a domestic gas reservation policy to increase gas supply and lower prices, but they are not saying how they will do this.
This policy should have been developed by Labor and the LNP years ago and has the support of some crossbenchers in the parliament.
But there is no media release from the LNP, no background papers from them and looks like a very recent decision which will take years to organise and come to fruition.
According to Tony Wood, energy director at the Grattan Institute, this is ‘easy to say and I suspect, quite hard to do’.
Unfortunately, it is more free advice from Frontier Economics, the same mob that came up with the nuclear reactors policy fiasco.
Too little, too late Mr Dutton.
Robert Blakeley Horsham
CFA milestone
This week, CFA marks 80 years as an organisation, protecting and serving Victorians through the commitment and dedication of our volunteers over the decades.
The Volunteer Brigade movement has been around in Victoria for greater than 170 years.
CFA was created following the findings of the 1939 Black Friday disaster, but our rich history mirrors that of the state, with the earliest brigades emerging on the Goldfields in the 1850s.
This milestone encompasses an immeasurable legacy of sacrifice, commitment and stories, which go to the heart of the Australian psyche; exemplifying mateship and the principle
of being there for others in their time of need.
The iconic ‘yellows’ are instantly recognisable and synonymous with selfless service and bravery in preparing and protecting communities across Victoria and beyond.
Our members and brigades can be found in every part of Victoria, providing a deep and unparalleled connection with their communities.
We are part of them, and they are part of us.
We have learned from the many devastating events throughout our history and continue to evolve and improve our understanding of fire, while ensuring that our frontline firefighters and the community are as safe as possible as they carry out their work.
Fire prevention and suppression techniques have advanced significantly, boosted by the use of aerial appliances, telecommunications, improved weather modelling and cutting-edge predictive fire behaviour tools, as well as a focus on planned burning and other fuel reduction methods.
While many Victorians associate CFA with bushfire, our members and the work they do is so much more than that.
We attended more than 37,000 incidents in the past year alone, in addition to the continuing community preparedness activities which help communities stay safe.
The roles of our CFA members cover a broad range of skillsets; from specialist rope rescue, air observers, road crash rescue, mine rescue, alpine, forest and coastguard operations and frontline firefighting, structure firefighting to research, community education and incident management.
As one of the most fire-prone ar-
It takes a village
It’sthat time of year when country football and netball returns for another season.
To mark the occasion, readers will find a 48page liftout inside this week’s edition of The Weekly Advertiser, covering all you need to know about Wimmera, Horsham and Mininera leagues.
As well as previews on each of the clubs, there are columns from the league chairs, AFL Wimmera Mallee, plus stories on the umpires’ association and the new female competitions.
It’s an action-packed season ahead – and we can’t wait to see how it all unfolds.
Our team of journalists have spoken to all senior coaches, club presidents and other leaders in the past month to provide readers with a comprehensive guide to how each club is shaping up ahead of the 2025 seasons.
Sport plays a fundamental role in our society – and there is nothing like the popularity of football and netball in our region.
Senior football and A Grade netball provide the top-tier competitions – and are the focus of much of our lift-out.
Country footy is the closest thing we have to a professional sporting competition in our region. Like it or not, the payment of footballers is a part of the game, and from what we’re hearing, it is now starting to creep into A Grade netball as well.
While so much focus is on the players, the overall importance that clubs play in many people’s lives is paramount to our communities.
Clubs not only provide a social outlet, an avenue to form friendships, and a place for connection to a wide range of people in our community, they are integral in supporting any of their members who need a helping hand.
In some communities, particularly smaller or remote locations, they form the central hub for people to gather, socialise and have fun.
At the end of the day, they bring a lot of joy to a lot of people’s lives.
EDITORIAL
By Lauren Henry
Aside from the actual physical benefits of playing, umpiring or filling another volunteer role, clubs provide several advantages to people’s health and wellbeing.
And with more opportunities for clubs to expand and provide football for women and girls at a local level, it also opens up more options to engage more members, families and sponsors.
Clubs must adapt to a changing society – and embracing change will result in greater engagement, greater inclusion, and greater success.
No longer can success be measured in senior football flags – while that’s what everyone is striving for – there is so much more involved in the current era.
Take, for example, Minyip-Murtoa Football Netball Club which is in the midst of driving two key infrastructure projects for both Murtoa and Minyip, that will not only benefit their club but their wider communities.
And can we take a moment to appreciate each of the club’s committees, particularly their presidents, who give up countless hours of their time to ensure it all comes together.
Honestly, the role of club president is akin to a full-time job these days and the support required, by both their families and committees, is an example of it taking a village to ensure the club functions successfully.
So, to all the clubs – players, committees, volunteers and supporters, league officials, and umpires – we wish you the best of luck for the season ahead.
eas in the world, CFA has been at the forefront of research and innovation to provide our members with the best possible equipment, training, tools and resources for their critical mission.
CFA’s work depends on a whole of emergency sector response and we thank our partner agencies for supporting us in the work that we do.
We also acknowledge and appreciate the support of the many thousands of employers who understand that when a call comes in, a volunteer must turn out to protect their community.
In recent months, we have seen just how volatile a fire season can be, with thousands of volunteers and staff responding across the state.
Victoria is a safer place thanks to the millions of hours of dedicated service provided by CFA volunteers and staff, and we are excited and inspired to continue our work for another 80 years.
This week, take a moment to thank CFA volunteers for their service by visiting cfa.vic.gov.au and leaving your thoughts.
Jason Heffernan, CFA chief officer
Red Cross thanks
Red Cross Horsham branch would like to thank the Horsham community for joining the many thousands of Australians this year who generously supported Red Cross Calling.
Red Cross Horsham branch organised a donation point in the Horsham Plaza for three days in the first week of March and raised in excess of $600, which will support the life-changing work of Red Cross – whether it is making a daily check-in phone call to someone older and living alone, lending a hand to newly-arrived migrants,
or being ready to support Australians for the next unknown, like a pandemic or other emergency.
If you haven’t donated yet, there is still time.
Go to redcross.org.au or call 1800 RED CROSS.
Jill Sinclair, Horsham branch chairman
Let’s make change
Well now that we have the date of the next Federal Election – May 3 – let’s vaccum-seal this federal seat for all time.
I say this with a healthy dose of cynicism because this seat hasn’t changed at all politically since creation. What does that mean?
Well, the sitting party doesn’t have to try too hard to influence the electorate and other parties don’t even try or bother ... and they desperately need to as we fall further behind with lack of services and facilities, etc.
lf you want change and you want what’s missing – become a swinging seat ... that’s when the money pours in, that’s when you get change quickly because all parties come knocking with cheque books.
It makes perfect sense to use their system for our community gain –otherwise continue to complain endlessly into the wind, because no one politically will be listening, as we fall further behind and notice more and more things that are missing and do nothing about it.
Opportunity grasped – or missed yet again – what will it be?
Scott Neil, Address withheld at writer’s request
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We specialise in retirement advice, and can answer your questions, to help you find peace of mind.
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Only a short, 10 minute drive south west of Horsham and nestled halfway between the Grampians and Mount Arapiles, picturesque Norton Estate produces some of Australia’s finest boutique wines.
With a warm welcome, Chris and Sam want you to enjoy the friendly and relaxed atmosphere that people keep coming back for.
With a variety of tasting spaces indoors or on one of the outdoor decks and a beautiful lawn area, there is room for everyone. Wine, beer, spritzers and ciders available. Pet friendly.
Easter Trading hours: Good Friday 11am-4pm, Easter Saturday 11am-5pm and Easter Sunday and Monday 11am-4pm.
Goroke Library BOOKINGS: via the Wimmera Libraries website
Budget response
BY LAUREN HENRY
W
hile agricultural groups described last week’s Federal Budget as ‘underwhelming’ and ‘vanilla’, some regional groups acknowledged the investment in cost-of-living assistance, health and childcare.
With major key infrastructure investments centred on capital cities, the Budget lacked bigticket items for regional areas.
Victoria will receive $26-billion in GST revenue in 2025-26, an increase of $3.7-billion, marking the first time the state will be a net beneficiary of GST distribution.
Labor Senator for Victoria Jana Stewart said the Budget was ‘responsible’ and helped with the cost-of-living through a new tax-cut for every taxpayer, energy bill relief for every household, cheaper medicines and backing higher wages.
Ms Stewart said the Budget outlined funding to strengthen Medicare – with more bulk billing and urgent care clinics; made it easier to buy and rent a home through an expansion of the Help to Buy scheme and training more construction workers; and invested in every stage of education – including a 20 per cent cut to student debt and putting all public schools in Australia on a path to full and fair funding
She said the Budget aimed to create a stronger economy through $3-billion for green metals, competition reforms, support for small businesses and infrastructure investments.
“Under Labor, inflation is down, incomes are strengthening, unemployment is very low, interest rates are coming down and now growth is rebounding solidly as well,” she said.
Regional Cities Victoria, RCV, chair Shane Sali cautiously welcomed the cost-of-living relief for taxpayers outlined in the 2025-26 Federal Budget but said broader investment was needed to help regional Victoria.
He welcomed budget initiatives for regional areas to deliver more homes, boost health, education and childcare, and complete the NBN rollout, but noted Victoria’s share of big-ticket infrastructure investment included $2-billion for a suburban railway station and $1-billion for a suburban roads blitz.
“Regional Victorians rely on our cities as ‘hubs’ for access to education, health, financial, transport and social services, as well as retail, sport and recreation, and cultural amenities,” he said.
“The Australian and Victorian governments must work with our regional cities in a genuine partnership to ease the strains of population growth on our capital cities and reset government investment priorities to capitalise on the economic opportunities the regions offer.”
Victorian Farmers Federation president and Quambatook farmer Brett Hosking said while investments into rural childcare facilities and the commitment to develop a National Food Security Strategy was welcome, overall it was an ‘underwhelming Budget for Victorian farmers’.
“In this election year, we must see major investments into fixing our crumbling rural road network and ensuring there’s adequate resources to manage the renewable energy transition,” he
said. National Farmers’ Federation president and Murra Warra farmer David Jochinke acknowledged there was some new funding targeting the agricultural sector – like the $3.5-million for a National Food Security Strategy – the budget fell short of the investment needed to unlock agriculture’s full potential.
“Farmers are grappling with major geopolitical, environmental and societal shifts. We need a sharper focus from government to ensure we keep farmers farming, and keep food affordable for Aussie families,” he said.
Missed opportunity
But industry body GrainGrowers was more damning in its assessment – describing the Budget ‘like a single, small scoop of vanilla ice cream for the bush – predictable and lacking the flavour to truly satisfy regional Australia’.
GrainGrowers chief executive Shona Gawel said while the government had pitched the Budget as a responsible platform for prosperity, it had missed the opportunity to deliver on a range of regional investment opportunities that would strengthen grain-growing regions and bridge the gap between urban centres and the bush.
“There are positive small steps in this Budget in areas including regional housing, low carbon liquid fuels and childcare, but they fall short of the meaningful investments the grains industry would like to see,” she said.
“We welcome the additional funding to support greater economic engagement with India and the provision of technical market access services. However, given the current global trade dynamics, further investment and focus in this area is essential.”
Ms Gawel said GrainGrowers was disappointed in the lack of additional funding for regional freight routes.
“Regional roads are the backbone of Australia’s supply chains. Targeted investment in road infrastructure is essential to support growing freight demands and to keep regional communities connected,” she said.
Member for Mallee Anne Webster said the Budget wouldn’t deliver cost-of-living assistance for another 425 days, but Opposition leader Peter Dutton announced in his budget reply the Coalition would provide a 50 per cent cut per-litre to fuel excise for 12 months, if elected.
Under a Coalition government, petrol and diesel excise rates would reduce from 50.8 cents to 25.4 cents per litre for one year, with potential to save $14 each time people filled their tanks.
Member for Wannon Dan Tehan said Labor had no new funding for key programs that built community infrastructure in Wannon, such as the Stronger Communities, Local Roads and Community Infrastructure, Growing Regions and Regional Precincts and Partnership programs.
“There’s nothing for roads around Warrnambool, Hamilton, Colac, Ararat, Portland, and Port Fairy,” he said.
“Meanwhile there are 41,000 new public servants under Labor in Canberra, at a time when services have not improved. And Labor’s Big Australia keeps getting bigger with 1.8-million new migrants in our country, as Australians endure a housing and rental crisis.”
SERVICE AWARDS: Wimmera Lodge brethren Mike John and Jeff Pay are being celebrated for their respective 60 years’ service to Freemasonry; they were each presented with certificates and pocket jewels at last month’s meeting. Mr John, second from left, and Mr Pay, right, are pictured with secretary John McTaggart and Worshipful Master Geoff Evans. Mr
and Mr Pay have both been active Freemasons and continue to be lodge officers.
John
BY BRONWYN HASTINGS
Glenn Connor has retired from his homebased accounting business after beginning to ‘line the ducks up’ for Heath Watson to take over his clients about two years ago.
Mr Connor said he had been wondering when he would finish up, working out a good time for Mr Watson to take over, until a cancer diagnosis gave the thought a timeline.
“I found out about three months ago that I’ve got cancer, so I thought that was the knock on the door, and the time to retire,” he said.
“I want to focus on staying well as long as I can, and getting well, or whatever works out, and the timing seemed to work out for Heath too – it seems it was meant to be.”
Mr Connor is undergoing chemotherapy in Horsham, and will also receive immunotherapy.
“I think it’s getting positive results, but we won’t know until we look back a little bit further down the track,” he said.
“I was having trouble even sitting in the chair because of growth and stuff, and that seems to have gone away to some degree, so I know there must be some positive changes.”
Mr Connor started his business in 1988, although accounting was not his first career.
“I was in the army and was doing training in the engineers’ corps in Sydney. I had a motorbike accident on the way to work and ended up a paraplegic,” he said.
“A few years later I decided to study accounting and have been working for myself since.”
Mr Connor said he saw about 16,000 clients in his 36 professional years, and had several interests that would serve him in his retirement.
“I found out about three months ago that I’ve got cancer, so I thought that was the knock on the door, and the time to retire”
– Glenn Connor
Mr Watson started his career in 1999, pre-GST, and worked at Horsham firms and then-Grampians Water before working for himself.
He said he had made a few adjustments to accommodate Mr Connor’s client base.
“I looked at systems and just getting ducks aligned, to be able to take on the extra clients, and have a few things in place, which will allow me to grow the business,” he said.
“My wife Angela helps with the business, and she has cut back a day a week with her other job, but we will see how things go as I get to know Glenn’s clients and just shuffle things to make sure they’re getting the service they deserve.”
Mr Watson also works from home, but also visits clients in their homes and offices.
“I tend to put the laptop under my arm and go and visit a lot of clients at their places of work or at their homes, whichever suits – it’s a bit more relaxed,” he said.
Mr Connor said he was thankful for his clients, many of whom had become friends.
“To find Heath – someone that I have confidence in to continue that close professional relationship – has been great,” he said.
“I have a 600-acre property at Mitre that I’ve gotten to the stage where I can actually grow some crops and different things, and I do a lot of metal sculpture work,” he said.
“Rather than just have to abandon my clients, I’ve found someone I believe will continue on in a similar manner and look after them, through not just tax time, but in major financial planning and decisions throughout their lives.”
Mr Connor retired at the end of March.
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Promotion boost
With support from Visit Victoria, Nine News
broadcast its weather segments live from Halls Gap on Wednesday, reminding Victorian viewers why the Grampians is a special place to visit.
Weather presenter Livinia Nixon broadcast live during the 4pm and 6pm crosses, and also featured an interview promoting Grampians Grape Escape.
Travel and lifestyle program Postcards will also film two episodes in the Grampians featuring various tourism operators, accommodation providers, cafes and restaurants.
The episodes are slated for April 13 and May 4.
The promotion is part of a state and federal government fire recovery package aiming to bring visitors back to the region to help the significant economic impact on businesses after a summer of fires.
The package includes $5000 grants for small businesses and
eligible primary producers; a Business Recovery Advisory service; tourism marketing and promotional activities; and $100,000 for Grampians Wimmera Mallee Tourism to deliver immediate, on-the-ground industry support activities for affected businesses in the region.
The package also includes funding for environmental recovery to support the survival of native species and the recovery and restoration of fireimpacted public land, waterways and catchments within national park.
Visit Victoria chief executive Brendan McClements said with the school holidays, Easter and the Anzac Day long weekend in April, there were plenty of opportunities for people to experience the Grampians.
“We’re working closely with Grampians Wimmera Mallee Tourism and the community to drive much-needed visitation through a range of marketing and public relations initiatives that will bring people back
to this beautiful part of the world,” he said.
Ms Nixon said all Victorians had a special place in their hearts for the Grampians.
“It’s great to be able to help the recovery effort in any way we can,” she said.
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos said the resilience of the Grampians community had been ‘incredible’ and the government was encouraging Victorians to visit and support the region as it bounced back.
“We know tourism operators and small businesses in the region have done it tough, which is why we’re backing events that bring people into town, fill accommodation and boost spending in local cafes, restaurants, and wineries,” he said.
“We’re proud to support the Grampians Grape Escape through the Regional Events Fund and we’re expecting thousands of attendees, who provide a much-needed boost to the local economy.”
FULL OF ACTIVITIES: U3A Horsham offers people a chance for learn and form friendships through its various classes and groups, including bridge.
Busy year ahead for U3A
U3A Horsham has again resumed a year of activities, learning and friendship, offering 31 classes. With a membership of about 200 people, the classes are offered from Monday to Friday –mostly at Horsham Railway Station, except for a Reading for Pleasure class at the Wimmera Library and two exercise classes at Hamilton Lamb Hall.
Members are able to choose from classes involving art and craft, local history, German conversation, creative writing, a book club, as well as a variety of card and board games.
“In fact, there’s something for everyone,” class co-ordinator Rhonda Coffey said.
“Additional activities are planned for later in
the year, including a Biggest Morning Tea event on Tuesday, May 20 at 9.30am and in June, a board game day to celebrate International Tabletop Day.”
Horsham U3A’s annual general meeting is at 10am on April 11 at the railway station, with all welcome to attend.
Guest speaker will be Wimmera Southern Mallee Development chief executive Chris Sounness. As well as the election of committee members for 2025-26, there will be an Easter raffle and an Easter surprise for a lucky member in attendance.
The Board of the Horsham Sports &Community Club is distributing at least $135,000 in sponsorships to local sporting and community groups from this financial year’s trading
Since the Clubs inception in 1992, they have provided sponsorships to help hardworking local organisations, with a grand total of just over $3.4-million Groups that may qualify can find criteria and application forms at www.hscc.org.au or by scanning the QR code above.
Applications open from February 27 to 5pm, April 3, 2025.
For further information please contact the Club during office hours.
One year for $11 or five years for $50 SCAN HERE TO APPLY!
SCAN HERE TO RENEW!
Horsham Sports & Community Club Membership Renewals are now open for 2025
The Club e way y ke .
PROMOTIONAL MODE: Grampians Grape Escape festival director Kate Kirkpatrick and Channel Nine weather presenter Livinia Nixon at Halls Gap last week.
Campbell 0438 596 682 | cambo098@gmail.com
68-70 Faith Street, Dimboola
3 parcels spanning across 5 titles
Important Information:
• Parcel 1: Lot 30 – 776 sqm | $80,000
• Parcel 2: Lots 32 & 33 – 1,523 sqm | $75,000
• Parcel 3: Lots 34 & 25 – 1,542 sqm | $75,000
Additional Details:
This rare offering includes three parcels of land across five titles, presenting an excellent opportunity for developers, investors, or those looking to build their dream home in a peaceful rural setting.
DAY OUT: Natimuk showgoers enjoyed a range of free entertainment, competitions, food and music at the town’s 133rd annual Agricultural and Pastoral Show on Saturday.
soaking up the atmosphere
from
Pictured
are, clockwise
left: Sam Mackrill shearing; Ash Cannell, 15, of Nhill, showcases her skill in whip cracking; Addie Hartigan, 3, of Horsham with grandmother Adele Hartigan; Kristy Wilson, of Portland, with Little Drummer Boy; Alice Reichman, 11, of Horsham; Sharon Trimble, of Stawell; Hugo Byrne, 7, of Blackheath, and his puppy ‘Hotdog’, winners of the Best Puppy competition; and centre, Kerry Walker, of Natimuk.
Pictures: KAREN REES
Gavin Hynam was a finalist in Victorian Volunteering Awards for his commitment to learner drivers and his Cars 4 Youth program.
Drive to educate, assist learners
BY BRONWYN HASTINGS
Horsham’s Gavin Hynam has been recognised in the Victorian Volunteering Awards for his commitment to learner drivers through his Cars 4 Youth gifting initiative and mentor driving programs.
Mr Hynam, known as ‘Bear’, sources cars and repairs as needed, gains a roadworthy certificate, and signs the vehicle over to the recipient with six months’ registration.
He said he found teaching driving and gifting cars in the Cars 4 Youth initiative rewarding.
“It’s not just teaching young people how to drive, it’s offering a listening ear and forming relationships,” he said.
“Being able to help young people find independence and access to the community, assisting them with study and work commitments, is so rewarding.
“What I get back is way more than what I give.”
Along with his family, Mr Hynam worked to set up a fundraiser in remembrance of their late son and brother, Preston, to enable Cars 4 Youth to continue.
“Being able to help young people find independence and access to the community, assisting them with study and work commitments, is so rewarding. What I get back is way more than what I give”
– Gavin Hynam
Almost $8000 was raised, and in December 2024, a Wimmera business group donated $10,000 to support him to continue his work.
So far, 13 cars have been gifted to young people.
Mr Hynam was one of more than 500 people in contention for the award. He was nominated by people associated with Centre for Participation, where he volunteers with the L2P and P21 driving practise programs.
Mr Hynam attended the awards ceremony in Melbourne last month, where the winners were announced.
People who would like to discuss donating or selling a second-hand, automatic car in support of the Cars 4 Youth program can call Mr Hynam on 0417 030 424.
Second round of community grants
Applications for a second round of Ararat Rural City Council’s Community Grants Program will open next month.
The program supports sporting and community groups within the municipality to organise community-led initiatives that increase engagement with sports, recreation, cultural events, the arts and-or sustainability.
Local organisations can apply for grants of up to $5000 on a two-for-one basis across four distinct categories: sports and recreation and-or health and well-being; culture and arts; environment and sustainability; and events.
In the previous round, the council awarded six organisations with grants totalling $17,780.
Recipients included: Ararat and District Historical Society, to support a school engagement project ‘Linking our Future and our Past’; Ararat Railway Heritage Association, to purchase a display showcase for the museum to house donated memorabilia; Ararat Rifle Club, for the installation of stage two of a target marking system; Elmhurst Fire Brigade, to purchase of expand-
able temporary safety barriers for members to undertake training on the service road; Pomonal Primary School, to support the 2025 Pomonal Art Show; and Western Highway Shootout Show and Shine, to support a free community event to provide relief to the community following the region’s bushfires.
“We’re investing directly in initiatives that matter to our community,” Ararat Rural City Council Mayor Jo Armstrong said.
“This program provides crucial financial support for projects that boost participation in sports, celebrate our culture, enhance community well-being, and promote sustainability.
“If your local group or organisation is considering a new project or initiative, we strongly encourage you to submit your application”.
Applications for the upcoming round of the grants program will be open from April 1 until April 30 at 5pm.
Interested groups can apply online at www. ararat.vic.gov.au or obtain hard-copy applications from municipal offices.
HONOUR: Horsham’s
Picture: PAUL CARRACHER
Compatibility and tolerance the key
Asolid friendship and being ‘unable to stay angry’ are the lynchpins of a successful longrunning union between Ken and Helene Greenberger, who first crossed paths at a dance in Stawell in 1951.
Ken, 20, and Helene Brent, 16, met at a dance in the old ‘Assembly Hall’ – a now-renovated section of Stawell Town Hall – a regular highlight on the region’s social calendar.
“Ken walked me home that night and the rest is history,” Helene said.
The Greenbergers married on March 12, 1955, at Stawell’s St Matthew’s Presbyterian Church – on the site of the current Uniting Church – and last week celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary.
They have three children, Peter, Wendy and Alison, along with eight grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.
Ken and Helene reflected on their life together during anniversary celebrations with their family.
Among the highlights was an exclusive around-the-world cruise, which they won by entering a competition for Oscar Mayer.
The pair wrote a jingle for the pairing of beans and franks in a can, which resulted in almost four months away from their young family while they toured countries including Greece, Italy, Switzerland, France and Singapore.
It was a long way from Concongella, where Ken’s family owned a dairy.
In his youth, he was responsible for delivering milk throughout the region and would often leave some out for local cats, particularly along Main
Street in Stawell. Ken went on to work for Cliff Earle, stringing tennis racquets following training in Melbourne, before becoming the exchange technician at the post office.
“I remember there being eight women who worked the switchboard,” he said.
“It was my job to resolve issues when people’s phone lines failed.”
After Ken met Helene, the couple –along with Helene’s sister and brotherin-law – purchased a delicatessen and grocery store in Melbourne, which
Ken and Harold ran for eight years.
Ken and Helene’s relationship was long-distance for two years, with Helene moving to Melbourne after the pair married.
Helene was born in Beaufort, mov-
ing to Glenorchy at 18 months of age before relocating to Stawell, where her father had a job as a train station signalman.
She left school after form four aged 14, because in those days, further education options for girls were few and far between.
Helene wanted to apply for nursing school, but the minimum age was 17. She started school at just four years of age, because she wanted to go with her sister, and her parents and the school allowed it.
With limited options, Helene entered the workforce, employed by stock and station agent Australian Estates, which brokered deals for wool and produce.
Later, after returning to Stawell fol-
lowing her stint in Melbourne, Helene worked for a district inspector with the Department of Education.
Based out of Stawell 502 Primary School, the district inspector role involved monitoring teacher performance. Helene helped with tasks such as report writing.
“I did this role while our youngest, Alison, was in school,” Helene said.
“It allowed me to go home once school was out, so the hours were great given I had a young family to care for.”
Funnily enough, Helene and her son Peter worked together for a short period, within the Education Department. Peter ended up being her boss.
The importance the Greenbergers place on strong family ties is evident
after spending even a short time in their presence.
“We were lucky to have great relationships with each other’s parents, and now with our children, grandkids and great-grandkids,” Helene said.
“It’s so important to us that everyone gets along.”
Compatibility is a vital part of any relationship and Ken and Helene’s is no different.
When they were courting, they had standing reservations at the Stawell cinema on Saturday nights, and they went on to play golf and bowls together for a long time.
Ken, somewhat jokingly, attributed the marriage’s longevity to ‘his good nature’. Helene said she believed tolerance was as important as compatibility.
“Understanding each person’s differences and respecting their individual point of view is a significant factor,” she said.
“Ken would sometimes get cross with me and say a few angry words, but then five minutes later we would be back to normal – we never stayed angry for long.” Ken replied ‘I could never stay angry at you’.
Northern Grampians Shire Mayor Karen Hyslop attended the Greenbergers’ anniversary celebration, presenting the couple with a bunch of flowers on behalf of the council.
“It was so much fun spending time with Ken and Helene on their special day – you can clearly see the love and respect between them,” she said.
“I hope they enjoyed their milestone celebration, surrounded by their family.”
Northern Grampians Shire Mayor Karen Hyslop, centre,
Stawell couple Ken and Helene Greenberger on their 70th wedding anniversary.
Council calls for pickleball interest
Northern Grampians Shire Council is investigating the launch of a formal pickleball competition in Stawell – a first for the region.
Pickleball is a mix of tennis, table tennis and badminton played on a badminton-size court with a paddle and a small, perforated plastic ball.
It is one of the fastest-growing sports in Australia, with many Stawell and district residents participating in a social competition following a successful come-and-try day in July last year.
The come-and-try day, at Stawell Sports and Aquatic Centre, SSAC, was instigated through a partnership between the council, Pickleball Victoria and Wimmera Regional Sports Assembly.
Mayor Karen Hyslop said following the success of the come-and-try event, which attracted more than 40 participants, the council launched a short-term social pickleball program.
“The people who tried their hand at the game quickly noticed the benefits,” she said.
“It is low-impact physical exercise, the sport is easy to learn, suitable for any age and is simply a lot of fun. Some people enjoy the competition aspect, while others play primarily for the social benefits.”
Pickleball Australia Association executive officer
Brendan Lee said the sport could be played in singles or doubles format, but the big draw was the ease at which a new player could pick up the game.
He said he believed underarm serves and small courts made it more a game of chess than an athletic contest.
Cr Hyslop said the council’s social pickleball program – which was free for anyone who wanted to participate and ran for 16 weeks – was wellattended.
Since then, SSAC has been offering casual pickleball sessions for $5 a person on Tuesday afternoons from 10am to 12pm, and Thursday afternoons from 5pm to 7pm.
More recently, pickleball has also been running on Saturdays from 9.30am to 11.30am.
“The competition takes place from the comfort of the indoor basketball court,” Cr Hyslop said.
“It’s wonderful to see the sport taking off in our own backyard given it is perfect for people of all ages. I’ve watched a few matches myself and have seen the enjoyment it brings people from all walks of life, despite their physical abilities, background or exposure to playing sport in the past.”
The emerging popularity of SSAC’s Pickleball program has led to council investigating the opportunity of rolling out the sport in St Arnaud and other locations in the shire.
Cr Hyslop said it had also spurred momentum for launching a formal competition.
“There are several social players coming every week who are wanting a try a formalised competitive program now they understand how the game is played,” she said.
“This would be the first of its kind in our region.”
Cr Hyslop urged anyone interested in participating in a formal Pickleball competition to fill out an online expression of interest form.
“The beauty of the sport is that it’s extremely social and easy to play, there are no barriers to picking up a bat and ball and giving it a go,” she said.
“We have juniors through to people in their twilight years participating and playing together, which is a fantastic result given the program is still in its infancy in our shire. Even if you’re yet to give the game a try, if you are considering participating, we would love you to fill out a form.”
People can visit ngsc.elementorg.com/eoi-ssacpickleball-competition to fill out an expression of interest, which includes nominating preferred days and times should a competition come to fruition.
People can call 5358 0550 for more information. Registrations close at 5pm on April 27.
the Philippines, and Nausheen Hashmi, right, who was born in India but spent most of her life in Dubai.
New faces ‘here to stay’
Edenhope is maintaining its world-class care with a global recruitment drive, with 15 new staff members coming to its Grampians Health campus in the past six months.
Travelling from interstate and overseas, many bringing their families, they are working at the service’s urgent care centre, acute ward, and Lakeside Living care community.
Campus manager Tricia McInnes said the healthcare professionals had come from India, Dubai and the Philippines.
“I’m proud of how welcoming and inclusive our teams are,” she said.
“These healthcare professionals are competent and comfortable in their roles, but outside of work it can be difficult adapting to a quiet country town.
“If locals see a new face down the street, I hope they’ll reach out and help our new residents embrace our wonderful Wimmera lifestyle; they’re not passing through, they’re here to stay.”
Free nature play session in Ararat
A free Nature Play Day offered to children at Ararat’s Alexandra Gardens will include clay play, painting with watercolours, bush craft, nature walks and a scavenger hunt.
Ararat Rural City Mayor Jo Armstrong said the session, on Tuesday at 11am, promoted children’s healthy development.
“Playing outside nurtures physical fitness,
- 4.00pm
a strong immune system, and provides our kids with avenues to imaginative play and exploration,” she said.
“But far beyond the physical, it means our young people cultivate their social skills and learn how to reduce stress, alongside contributing to a lifelong connection with nature.”
WELCOME: Grampians Health Edenhope has welcomed staff members from across the globe, including Princess Leganson, left, and Gwyn Balacuit, centre, from
Community Grants Program
West Side Horsham will be allocating $10,000 to its Community Grants program for 2025.
Grants will be available to community groups that meet the relevant criteria, and range up to a maximum of $1,000 per application.
Application forms can be collected in the venue between 10am and 5pm from Friday, March 14.
Applications close at 5pm on Monday, April 7, 2025.
Please contact West Side Horsham on 5382 1416 if you have any questions.
We look forward to receiving your application so we can support our community! Scan here to find out more
1C Bennett Rd, Horsham 5382 1416
www.westsidehorsham.com.au | D facebook.com/westsidehorsham
Refurbishment for future ease
Works have started to improve accessibility at Stawell’s Health and Community Centre.
While the renovations are creating some shortterm access challenges, they will have long-term benefits for clients, visitors and staff.
The centre is the head office for Grampians Community Health, GCH, and home to Grampians Health’s allied health services, mental health services, Patrick Street Family Practice GP clinic, Clinical Labs Pathology, the SHACK café, and many different community groups including quilters, performing arts and youth groups.
The renovation project started late last year with a new exterior disability ramp and improvements to existing stairs to make them more userfriendly, resulting in the temporary closure of access off Patrick Street.
GCH manager of quality and resources Luke Bibby said the upgrades would create lasting benefits for the organisation and the community.
“We started planning for this in 2021,” he said.
“During the pandemic we found that reception staff were quite vulnerable because it was such an open area. The changes will be better for safety but also improve the flow of people through the area.”
The second phase of the project is now underway with internal renovations, which have led to the temporary closure of the main reception area.
An alternative reception area has been established at the northern end of the building.
The works include renovating consulting rooms
on the ground floor, upgrading the waiting area allowing clients to be separated if required and to improve privacy, and upgrading and enclosing the reception area, enabling heat retention and better traffic flow.
The Patrick Street entrance remains closed for public access but will reopen when the works to the disability ramp and stairs are completed.
At that stage the main entrance to the carpark will remain completely closed.
Visitors are being redirected to an alternative entrance and reception at the north end of the building near the public library.
The SHACK café has an alternate entrance but remains open for business. There are no changes for the GP clinic or pathology services but access to the other services is through the alternate entry.
Another key factor of the project is increasing internal accessibility for people with disabilities with swinging doors being replaced by automatic doors.
There will also be minor changes to car parking to create more and easier to access spaces and an upgrade to two disability parking spaces to make them compliant to current standards.
Mr Bibby asked the community to be patient during the works.
“We know there will be some inconvenience, but the refurbishment will make access much easier in the future,” he said.
The works are expected to be completed by the end of October.
RAILWAYS REUNION: Employees of Horsham’s freight centre and surrounding stations reunited in Horsham to tour the railway station and enjoy a meal together. About 60 former employees from Horsham, Dimboola and Murtoa met to reminisce about the centre that, in its 114 years, was known as titles including Victorian Railways, Vic Rail, V/Line, V/Line Freight, and Freight Australia. The centre closed in March, 1998. Some of the attendees who represented the many roles and faces of the centre were, back from left, Gino Roiter, Dennis Giles, Colin Wilde and Rob Porter, and front, Brian Wilde, Mark Griffin, Kevin Smith, John McDonald, co-organiser Tony Kernick, Ron Jenkins, Barb Eldridge and John Guerin.
Health and wellbeing grants
Community organisations across the Wimmera and southern Mallee are invited to apply for grants of up to $5000 as part of the newly established Wimmera Primary Care Partnership, PCP, Health and Wellbeing Fund.
Applications are now open for the fund, which will provide an opportunity for local initiatives to secure funding for projects that improve health and well-being in the region.
Developed by the Wimmera PCP Committee of Management, the fund has been designed to create a legacy ensuring the organisation’s work continues to benefit the community.
The fund will support charitable and non-profit organisations addressing key health priorities including mental health, chronic disease prevention and social inclusion.
Ballarat Foundation chief executive Andrew Eales said the foundation would manage the grant application process, with the advisory committee to ensure funding decisions reflect the needs of Wimmera and southern Mallee communities.
“These grants are a great opportunity for not for profit and community organisations to obtain funding for projects which improve the lives of people in Horsham and the Wimmera,” he said.
“This is a community-led fund which creates a substantial legacy in the Wimmera and our foundation is proud to help administer the grants process.”
Community organisations interested in applying can view the grant guidelines and application form at ballaratfoundation.org.au.
The Board of the Horsham Sports & Community Club has decided to distribute a minimum of $135,000 in sponsorships to local sporting and community groups from the current financial year’s trading. This brings the grand total to in excess of $3.4-million in cash sponsorships since the Club’s inception in 1992 and certainly makes life easier for many hardworking sporting and community group workers.
Organisations who believe they may qualify for a sponsorship are able to access the relevant criteria and application forms by logging on to the Clubs website at www.hscc.org.au Applications for sponsorships open on Thursday, February 27, 2025 close on Thursday, April 3, 2025 at 5pm.
For further information please contact the Club during office hours.
11.30am to 2pm & 5.30pm to 8pm (8.30pm on Fri & Sat)
Goroke Golf Club captain, Steve Charlton:
“We received $900 for the Horsham Sports and Community Club to go towards new flags and markers.”
“It makes the club look well cared for and the new markers and flags make it easy to see.”
“Applying was very easy, all online.”
“We’ll apply again but understand there are lots of clubs needing grants so we’ll sit back for a while and then throw our hat back into the ring later.”
HSCC – “Working for the community with pride”
We know there are important discussions happening in our community right now, and we want to reassure the community that we are committed to being a steady and open partner in these conversations.
Our approach over the past decade has always been built on transparency, care, and collaboration, and we are committed to protecting what matters most to the Wimmera community.
The Avonbank project will bring significant benefits to the region through new long-term opportunities for individuals and businesses which will help diversify the local economy and revitalise the region.
Avonbank will coexist with farming so that Avonbank farmland can be returned to productive land use. WIM has invested heavily and taken its time to ensure we get our rehabilitation right, and is confident, given the successful completion of the demonstration trial mine, processing and rehabilitation trials.
Coexisting with the environment and having a positive socioeconomic impact is important. We were pleased to receive a favourable Minister’s Assessment of the Environment Effects Statement (EES) – which noted that the Avonbank project has obvious merit and potential for significant economic benefits for the Wimmera Southern Mallee Region and the State of Victoria. The environmental effects were assessed to be acceptable, subject to the measures set out by the Minister.
The EES process is the highest and most stringent level of environmental assessment in Victoria. It is widely regarded in Australia as the most comprehensive, rigorous and scrutinised process for a mine, and involved rigorous Technical Reference Group review and several years of scrutiny by a range of agencies including the EPA and the Horsham Rural City Council (HRCC).
The Avonbank project is about more than mining. It’s about jobs, investment, and a future that supports the Wimmera region. For this project to be a true success, it needs to be something we do together with you, the community. Your input is invaluable, and we want you to help shape this future with us.
We are here to listen, and to show – through our actions, not just words – that we are here to be a responsible and trusted partner for the future of the Wimmera Southern Mallee Region.
Please keep the conversation going with us. Reach out, stop by our Community Information Hub in Horsham, send us a question via email and let’s talk.
Yours sincerely,
On behalf of the team at WIM Resource Pty Ltd
MICHAEL WINTERNITZ Director of Projects
FLOORSTOCK
History brought to life
Amemorabilia
wall display -
ing plaques presented to East Grampians Health Service since the 1930s has been constructed at Ararat’s hospital.
Originally hanging across various areas of the health service, the plaques were removed and stored during the many renovations and redevelopments.
Director of support services Stuart Kerr said he had always wanted to display them again, in a prominent place.
“These plaques date back many decades and were erected to acknowledge generous donations from past and current members of the community,” he said.
“It also acknowledges past medical and
“These plaques date back many decades and were erected to acknowledge generous donations from past and current members of the community”
– Stuart Kerr
nursing staff, and we wanted to make sure that our history didn’t remain in boxes in storage, but was displayed for all to see.”
Mr Kerr said he also ensured the old Ararat and District Hospital signage that was originally on the front of the hospital was also safely removed and stored, with the intention of displaying it again one day.
Trucks, Farm Machinery,
Following extensive renovations, the hospital’s support services and education teams moved into the former Ballarat Psychiatric Services building at the rear of the hospital and the walkway at the side of the building, between the hospital and the back of 70 Lowe Street, which offered a place to display the signage and plaques.
Apprentice carpenter Arie Cavanagh, together with maintenance worker Lauchie Stewart, worked on the memorabilia wall.
“Arie and Lauchie did a fantastic job in erecting the memorabilia wall and it is great that the history of our health service is now on display for all to see and enjoy,” Mr Kerr said.
FRIDAY 4th April 2025- Gates open 8.30am, Commencing 10am 2371 Stawell Avoca Road, GREENS
Plant & Machinery
John Deere 7720 Titan II Header • John Deere 930 30ft Finger Wheel Open Front • McCormick International A554
• McCormick International 3250 • Chamberlain C670 Front Loader Tractor
• Chamberlain 4480 Tractor with Duals • Massey Ferguson 3342 Harvester • Massey Ferguson MF80 Combine x 2 • International A-511 Combine • Wheatlands Scari er x 2
• John Shearer Scari er • Alfarm Scari er
• Massey Ferguson 701 Self Powered Small Squares Baler • Chamberlain 16 Disk Plough • Bamford & Finger Wheel Rakes
• Sheep Loading Ramps • Bale Buggy
John Shearer Chaser Bin x 2 • Goldacres Ground Glider Boomspray • 2 Axle Grain Bin • Various Saw Blades • Various Auger
Offset Disks • 3PL PTO Post Hole Auger • Stock Crates Various Sizes • Hobbs Hoist • Miscellaneous
Large Quantity of Scrap Metal • Various Truck Parts • Drum Pumps • Air Compressors • Quantity Bottle Jacks • Ammunition Boxes • Tractor Rims • PTO Welder • Irrigation Pump PTO • Trawalla Jacks • Swing Saw
Vehicles
1980 VC Brock Commodore • Benz 2623 Bogie Prime Mover Sleeper Cab • Benz 2232 V8 Series Prime Mover with Hyd (Engine Blown) • Benz 1418 / 1924 / 1418 Hi Torque Prime Movers • International AB180 Tray Truck • International Acco C1800 Tipper • ACCO 1830 B Tray Truck • Ford V8 (Flat Head) Tray Truck • Blitz Bogie Axle Crane Truck • Blitz Tray Truck • 1988 Landcruiser Wagon (Blown Engine) • Ford BA Falcon XR8 Ute • FJ Holden Ute - Ex Shell Fuel Company Colours (off site) • FJ Holden Ute • Chrysler Simca Sedan • Landcruiser Ute HJ75 (Running - naturally aspirated) • XF Falcon Ute • XH Falcon Ute Antiques
McCormick Deering WD40 • Lister
Shearing Plant with Grinding Stand • Wood Combustion Stoves x 2 • Horse Drawn Wagon • Various Steel Wheels • FJ Sedan Shell
Outside entries
• 1930 Ford Model A Tudor, all steel with 3” chop. Built on an original mint chassis. 221 Flathead V8 with e- re ignition system. • 1930 Ford Model A Tudor. 4 banger engine and drivechain in excellent running order.
*NO GST Applicable on Outside Vendors* **Select LOTS are available to bid online via A+, commencing 2pm** Auctions Plus
Solar for Pomonal Hall
Pomonal Community Hall will be fitted with solar panels and battery storage after Ararat Rural City Council received a grant from the State Government.
Victorian Energy and Resources Minister Lily D’Ambrosio announced last month the council had received funding under the second round of the government’s $42-million 100 Neighbourhood Battery Program.
The Pomonal project was funded as part of a joint initiative led by the Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance in partnership with 10 councils across regional Victoria.
Mayor Jo Armstrong said climate change and extreme weather posed an increasing risk to electricity infrastructure in Ararat Rural City.
Pomonal and the surrounding areas have experienced multiple bushfires and other extreme weather in recent years, resulting in extended grid outages.
Cr Armstrong said with extreme weather events in the region becoming more frequent, there was a growing need for the establishment of an energy-resilient hub in the municipality.
The council identified Pomonal Community Hall as a suitable lo-
cation for a community energy hub following detailed feasibility and business case work undertaken in partnership with the Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance in 2024.
Cr Armstrong said an energy backup system comprising a 25 kW-50 kWh battery integrated with an existing solar PV battery would future-proof the hall as an energy resilient hub for residents of Pomonal and surrounding areas to access in the event of an extended grid outage.
The proposed system is expected to provide up to two days’ back-up power for critical power and lighting circuits from the battery alone, with capacity to charge from solar to extended back-up power duration if required.
The State Government’s 100 Neighbourhood Batteries Program forms part of an effort to achieve at least 2.6 gigawatts of energy storage statewide by 2030 and 6.3 GW by 2035.
Cr Armstrong said the council was grateful to the State Government for its support and looked forward to the successful completion of the Pomonal project in 2026.
Council prepares fire guides
People in West Wimmera Shire Council’s areas of extreme bushfire risk will benefit from information published in Fire Ready Guides by council and the Wimmera Emergency Management Team.
Apsley, Dergholm, Edenhope, Goroke and Harrow residents can use the guide to prepare their
bushfire survival plans, view a map of the area, and find emergency contact information, and an overview of the Australian Fire Danger Rating System.
The Fire Ready Guides are available at Edenhope and Kaniva municipal offices and other key locations.
Clearing Sale
MEMORABILIA WALL: East Grampians Health Service director of support services Stuart Kerr, apprentice carpenter Arie Cavanagh and maintenance worker Lachie Stewart with the old hospital signage now on display.
TaKE a BrEaK
On This Day
From The Weekly Advertiser archives: March 31, 2005 –Horsham’s Roberts Avenue Kindergarten was set to auction four autographed, framed AFL jumpers as its main fundraiser for the year. The silent auction included a Collingwood jumper signed by the 2004 team, and three jumpers signed by Coleman medallist Matthew Lloyd, and Brownlow medallists James Hird and Adam Goodes.
10 years ago: April 1, 2015
Rainbow band The Lazy Farmers Sons played at the Mallee Fire Recovery Festival in Rainbow. The event featured live bands, children’s entertainment, a car display and a bushfire photo exhibition, recognising and celebrating the efforts of all who were involved in the firefighting and recovery efforts for the Mallee Complex fires in January 2014.
Five years ago: April 1, 2020
Bringalbert South farmer Natalie Dearden and Taylors Lake truck driver Tim Kelm were recognised by the Governor-General with bravery medals. The pair retrieved a woman and her daughter from a burning vehicle near Edenhope in October 2015. Mr Kelm used a piece of pipe and a hammer to break the sunroof and remove the child, but they could not remove the woman until they levered the vehicle up to then drag her out under the right-hand window.
One year ago: April 3, 2024
Horsham City Oval’s netball courts were officially opened, but work on the pavilion was yet to begin, with the need for portable toilets at Horsham Demons’ home games. The courts were to be used for the first time in round two, when the Demons would host Horsham Saints for the Anzac Day match.
1. On this day in 1932, which aviator and conservationist turned over $50,000 as ransom for his kidnapped son, known at the time as the ‘crime of the century’?
2. A brood or a peep is a collective name for which animal?
3. Name the boy band that consisted of Michael Jackson’s nephews?
4. Bronze is an alloy made if which two elements?
5. In what film does the notorious Judge Doom stir up chaos in a world where cartoons meet real life?
6. Arborio rice is typically used in which Italian dish?
7. What were the Three Stooges’ names?
8. Which video became the first to reach one billion views on YouTube?
9. Parts of the Wimmera rely on underground water. If this water contains a high concentration of magnesium ions, is it ‘hard’ or ‘soft’?
10. Who said, ‘In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: it goes on.’?
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Lucky Colour: Red
Lucky Day: Wednesday
Racing Numbers: 7, 8, 9, 3
Lotto Numbers: 1, 6, 8, 23, 35, 22
It’s time to set aside personal feelings and give someone a chance to explain themselves. Your luck is on the rise, and that sparkle in your eye will soon return.
GEMINI (May 21 - June 21)
Lucky Colour: Silver
Lucky Day: Saturday
Racing Numbers: 6, 3, 4, 6
Lotto Numbers: 3, 5, 45, 13, 39, 40
Avoid mixing work with personal life during this period. Long-distance travel plans should be forming soon, so get ready for future adventures.
CANCER (June 22 - July 22)
Lucky Colour: Orange
Lucky Day: Tuesday
Racing Numbers: 7, 3, 1, 5
Lotto Numbers: 6, 12, 24, 34, 45, 11
Keep your emotions in check and don’t get too worked up over others’ opinions. Trust your instincts and pursue your own path, as there will always be someone who doesn’t support your vision.
LEO (July 23 - August 22)
Lucky Colour: Green
Lucky Day: Monday
Howard again, Joe Besser and Curly Joe DeRita – born Joseph Wardell.
– born Samuel Horwitz, Curly Howard – born Jerome Horwitz, Shemp
Answers: 1. Charles Lindbergh. 20-month-old Charles Lindbergh -Jun ior was kidnapped on March 1, 1932 and was later found dead on May 12 the same year. This event led to the Lindbergh Law, or Federal -Kid napping Act, making kidnapping a federal crime in the United States. 2. Chickens. 3. 3T. Tariano Adaryll Jackson II, Taryll Adren Jackson and Tito Joe Jackson are Tito and Delores Jackson’s sons. They were mentored by their uncle and signed to his label MJJ Music. 4. Copper and tin 5. Who Framed Roger Rabbit. It grossed more than -$351-mil lion, the second highest of 1988, behind Rain Man. 6. Risotto. 7. Moe, Larry and Curly. The American vaudeville and comedy team was active from 1922 until 1970, with a total of six Stooges during its run. Moe Howard – born Moses Horwitz, and Larry Fine – born Louis Feinberg, were mainstays, with the third Stooge played in turn by Shemp Howard
8. Gangnam Style by Psy. 9. Hard. 10. Robert Frost. Getting in
Our office is at 2 Stawell Road, Horsham. Mail: PO Box 606, Horsham 3402. Telephone: 5382 1351
Expect a whirlwind of activity, and be prepared for a few surprises. Be flexible with your schedule and let things progress naturally. A pleasant surprise could come from someone far away.
VIRGO (August 23 - September 23)
Lucky Colour: Lilac
Lucky Day: Monday
Racing Numbers: 6, 7, 3, 4
Lotto Numbers: 2, 13, 24, 34, 41, 11
Domestic concerns could arise, but your organisational skills will soon restore order. Sometimes it’s better to hold off on pushing your point of view and revisit matters later.
LIBRA (September 24 - October 23)
Lucky Colour: Cream
Lucky Day: Wednesday
Racing Numbers: 8, 9, 5, 4
Lotto Numbers: 1, 14, 23, 34, 42, 33
Finances are on the rise, and social invitations could lead to unexpected surprises. Someone special might show how much they care during this time.
SCORPIO (October 24 - November 22)
Lucky Colour: Violet
Lucky Day: Tuesday Racing Numbers: 2, 4, 3, 7
Lotto Numbers: 2, 4, 12, 23, 31, 22
You’ll be able to follow through with your plans and achieve success. After a period of stress, you’re now entering a phase of inner healing.
SAGITTARIUS (November 23 - December 20)
Lucky Colour: Green
Lucky Day: Monday
Racing Numbers: 8, 9, 3, 4
Lotto Numbers: 5, 12, 23, 34, 45
Finances are looking much better, and this period should bring success in many areas. However, be cautious with any romantic advances to avoid getting caught in a tricky situation.
CAPRICORN (December 21 - January 19)
Lucky Colour: Blue
Lucky Day: Tuesday
Racing Numbers: 8, 4, 5, 6
Lotto Numbers: 1, 13, 24, 34, 42, 22
You’ll be the life of the party and in high demand on the social scene. Some of you might even strike it lucky financially.
AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 19)
Lucky Colour: Red
Lucky Day: Friday
Racing Numbers: 4, 5, 6, 2
Lotto Numbers: 1, 3, 12, 24, 34, 45
It’s an exciting time for love, and you’ll want to spend as much time as possible with your significant other. Consider playing the lottery with a Cancer sign for some extra luck.
PISCES (February 20 - March 20)
Lucky Colour: Silver
Lucky Day: Wednesday
Racing Numbers: 7, 8, 3, 4
Lotto Numbers: 2, 13, 23, 34, 41, 11
Life is becoming more exciting, and your hunches could lead to positive results. News you receive this week could bring joy and open up new opportunities.
Volkswagen Australia is launching the T-Roc R Wolfsburg Edition, the sporty SUV focused on ‘delivering an exclusive exterior look and unmistakably emotional sound’ priced from $69,290 plus on-road costs – or $4300 more than the variant on which it is based.
Just 200 examples of the 2025 Volkswagen T-Roc R Wolfsburg Edition will be offered, with no plans for an extended run once the vehicles are sold out.
The German importer says the Wolfsburg Edition takes what Australian customers embrace about its most affordable ‘R’ model and dials up the visuals and soundtrack with ad-
ditional equipment including Indium grey matte paint, an Akrapovič titanium exhaust system, 19-inch Pretoria alloy wheels in a dark graphite finish, carbon-look C-pillars, gloss-black décor and ventilation frames, and black display control panel.
The extras join a strong list of standard equipment including adaptive damping, 4Motion all-wheel drive, progressive steering, ‘R’ exterior and interior styling, IQ.Light Matrix LED headlights, dynamic light assist, powered tailgate, heated front sport seats, Nappa leather-appointed upholstery with blue stitching, electrically adjustable driver’s seat adjustment with memory function, sport leather multifunction steering wheel, gearshift paddles, Discover Pro 9.2-inch infotain-
Volkswagen dials up visuals and soundtrack
ment system, and Digital Cockpit Pro digital instrumentation.
A panoramic glass sunroof is the only option offered, priced at $2100.
Safety and driver assistance technologies include IQ.Drive with travel assists combining adaptive cruise control with lane, and side assist, front assist, AEB, with pedestrian monitoring, park assist, and a rear-view camera.
There are no power upgrades or mechanical alterations to the variant, retaining the T-Roc R’s turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine making 221kW of power between 5300-6600rpm and 400Nm of torque from 2000-5300rpm.
Power is channelled to all four wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, promising a 0-100kmh
acceleration time of just 4.9 seconds.
“Australia is a very significant market globally for T-Roc R and now the Wolfsburg Edition gives Australian customers the opportunity to own the definitive version of the ultimate TRoc,” Volkswagen Passenger Vehicles head of marketing and product Nathan Johnson said.
“Performance has always been a strength of T-Roc R and the unique matte paint and Akrapovič titanium exhaust system further elevate it to where it now looks and sounds its absolute best.”
Volkswagen has raised the price of its T-Roc range as the MY25 line-up arrives.
The entry-grade CityLife jumps $2000 to $38,990 plus on-road costs,
Style $1400 to $41,990 plus on-road costs, R-Line $1200 to $49,990 plus on-road costs, and R $1500 to $64,990 plus on-road costs.
The Volkswagen T-Roc has outsold every entrant in the small SUV over $45,000 segment in Australia this year, with 974 units sold since January 1.
That figure places the T-Roc comfortably ahead of rivals including the Audi Q3 with 546 units year-to-date, BMW X1, 528, Mercedes-Benz GLAClass, 490, Toyota C-HR, 422, Volvo XC40, 417, and Mini Countryman, 352.
– Matt Brogan
Volvo EX90 arrives in dealerships
Volvo Car Australia launched its important new EX90 seven-seat SUV into Australian showrooms last week, priced from $124,990 plus on-road costs.
Joining the petrol-powered XC90 in Volvo Cars’ local range, the EX90 gives prestige family buyers a choice in motive power and is offered in ‘Plus’ twin motor and ‘Ultra’ twin motor performance guise, priced from $134,990 plus on-road costs, as a rival to the likes of the Audi Q8 etron, from $153,984, BMW iX, from $136,900, and Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV, from $134,900.
Powered by a 111kWh nickel manganese cobalt battery pack, the EX90 features two powertrain options, the twin motor delivering 300kW of power and 770Nm of torque, and the twin motor performance 380kW and 910Nm.
Zero to 100kmh acceleration times are quoted at 5.9 and 4.9 seconds respectively, while top speed is limited to 180kmh.
Each permanent synchronous motor is paired with a single-speed transmission allowing a braked towing capacity of up to 2200kg.
Range is listed at 570km for both variants, the EX90’s 800-volt electrical architecture offering 11kW AC and 250kW DC charging, the latter allowing a 10 to 80 per cent top up in
30 minutes. Designed to be the ‘safest Volvo car ever made’, the EX90 features Volvo’s Safe Space technology combining camera, radar, and LiDAR systems to provide the vehicle with a ‘real-time, 360-degree view of the world’.
Volvo Cars says the EX90 can ‘see’ small objects hundreds of metres ahead, creating time to inform, act, and avoid potential collisions.
The sensors also contribute to improve the reliability and overall performance of the EX90’s pilot assist semi-autonomous driving aids.
Inside the cabin, the Volvo EX90 features a Scandinavian-inspired décor
with Nordico upholstery, a full-width fixed glass panoramic roof, 14.5-inch infotainment screen, 25-speaker Bowers and Wilkins surround sound system, and an array of Google built-in technologies including Google Assistance, Google Maps, and Google Play.
The EX90 is also compatible with wireless Apple CarPlay and a suite of smartphone connectivity features, including those capable of locking and unlocking the vehicle, and activating a driver’s personalised profile.
“The Volvo EX90 is the first car we have made as a pure battery electric vehicle from the start,” Volvo Cars EX90 business program manager
Marten Wahlstedt said. “It is also the first Volvo car to feature a new kind of electrical architecture with a core computer that is super powerful and connected to all the nodes of the car to support any node with the computational power that it needs at any given time.
“Coupled to this core computer is software that we control entirely ourselves, meaning this is truly a software defined car that we can really control all its functions through the software.
“Together, we call this the Volvo Superset Tech Stack. These are building components that we can scale in terms of performance, in terms of size, and
in terms of cost to become the basis of all future Volvo electric vehicles.”
While providing obvious connectivity and infotainment benefits, that processing power also allows the EX90 to instantaneously process information from LiDAR, radar, camera and various other sensors, contributing to the model’s ‘safest ever’ standing.
“The EX90 is designed to be the safest Volvo ever,” Mr Wahlstedt said.
“In terms of active safety, this car has a very impressive sensor set to support any active safety or ADAS system simultaneously. It has 12 ultrasonic sensors, eight cameras, five radars, and one LiDAR unit.”
Mr Wahlstedt said the information was ‘fused’ with other safety features including cameras studying the driver’s fatigue levels and capacitive sensors in the steering wheel.
“We have what we call the driver understanding system, which means that the two cameras are looking at you as the driver, and we have capacitive sensing in the steering wheel so we will always know that you are ‘in the loop’ and that you are driving in a safe way; and if that should happen not to be the case, you will receive an alarm,” he said.
The list price of the Volvo EX90 includes a five-year/75,000km service plan.
– Matt Brogan
Yet to make an appearance Down Under, but expected to arrive mid-year, is the Alfa Romeo Junior small SUV in various petrol and electric denominations – including a red hot Veloce version with 207kW spinning through the front wheels and a just announced 4WD mild hybrid.
Australian Junior pricing is unknown, suffice to say the model starts at €29,900 or roughly $A51,000 for the entry-level model in Italy, with the 4WD’s kick off at €37,400 or roughly $A64,000.
Alfa Romeo is adding the four paw Junior to further stimulate demand as the new tiddler has proven somewhat popular, at least in its home market Italy even though it’s made in Poland.
It is no doubt seen by Alfa as a tonic for poor sales of the dated Giulia and Tonale.
Called the Junior ‘Q4’ – Alfa’s name for all-wheel drive – the newcomer will be available in Europe mid-year. GoAuto was unable to ascertain if the model would make it here or when with no response received from Stellantis Australia.
The Q4 system is lifted from the Stellantis Group’s Jeep Avenger and similar to that in Toyota’s Yaris Cross.
It is a 48-volt mild hybrid powertrain using a 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with two 22kW electric motors, one on the front integrated into the six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, eDCT, the other on the rear axle running a new multilink rear suspension.
Alfa Romeo said the 4WD system in Junior Q4 ‘can deliver 4WD traction even when its 0.9-kilowatt-hour battery is depleted because, when needed, the electric motor on the front axle acts as a generator to deliver power to the rear motor’.
It said 4WD was permanently active on the Junior Q4 variant at speeds of zero to 30kmh, while at 30 to 90kmh the system only engages if the front wheels lose traction.
At higher speeds, the car switches to frontwheel drive only. The system is called Power Looping Technology.
Publication Automotive News reported the rear electric axle helped the Junior Q4 achieve CO2 emissions of 118 grams per km, marginally more than the FWD hybrid version of the car.
Alfa Romeo marketing director Christian Fiorio, at the unveiling of the variant in Turin last week, said the company expected the Junior Q4 to cover a fifth of the model’s sales.
This is optimistically based on the assumption
that 80 per cent of customers for the Giulia midsize sedan and Stelvio mid-size SUV buy the Q4 versions, the system accounting for only about 20 per cent of sales for the Tonale compact SUV.
After launching in September last year, the Junior’s current order bank stands at 27,000 from 38 countries, with the BEV variant accounting for some 19 per cent of that number with sales aspirations at between 50,000 and 70,000 units globally.
After the first two months of 2025, Alfa Romeo has sold 5929 Juniors, making it the brand’s best-seller in the region and boosting its overall European sales 29 per cent to 9859 during the period, according to figures from market researcher Dataforce.
In mid-2024, GoAuto reported Stellantis Australia saying the handsome little Junior would make its Aussie debut in the second half of 2025, with both petrol and electric versions expected.
At entry level, the petrol-powered Junior features a 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with 48-volt mild hybrid assistance. It develops 100kW of power, put to the front wheels via a six-speed dual-clutch transmission. Add to this the all-wheel drive Q4 variant.
Two battery electric, BEV, Junior variants will also be offered from launch, a 115kW standard option and the high-output 207kW Veloce. Both are front-wheel drive and feature a 54kWh lithium-ion battery pack. WLTP range is listed at up to 410km with a 100kW DC charging time of 30 minutes detailed for the 10-80 per cent standard.
As seen elsewhere in the Alfa Romeo range, the Junior features the brand’s unique DNA drive selector offering dynamic, natural and advanced efficiency settings.
In the cabin, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster sits ahead of the driver with a second 10.25-inch set central in the dashboard for infotainment duties. The infotainment screen controls most of the Junior’s ancillary functions, including the climate control.
The air vents are shaped in the Quadrifoglio, four-leaf clover motif, while high-grade models score Sabelt sport seats.
LED ambient cabin lighting, sat nav, massaging seats with electronic adjustment, keyless entry and ignition, aluminium pedals, and Alcantara upholstery are also available throughout the Junior range.
Alfa Romeo’s hybridised
Quick Workout
Fit the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 into the hexagons so that where the hexagons touch, the numbers will be the same. No number is repeated in any hexagon.
Fit the given numbers into the hexagons so that where the hexagons touch, the numbers will be the same No number is repeated in any hexagon
Created: Ted Whillier Qxpress:
JB Cameron Pty Ltd
With
retail customers and manufacturers. All with friendly service and generations of experience.
Generations of locals know Camerons for our service. They don’t just sell you a product, they are there for you to make sure that product meets your needs, now and in future.
Five generations of trade know-how counts for a lot. It means Camerons understand their products and services inside out, and they are pleased to pass on the benefits of that experience to you.
They are open from 7am to 5pm Monday to Friday and 8.30am to noon on Saturdays.
You can find the Stawell store at 21 Lake Road.
Based on unprecedented reader and listener demand, we encourage regional trade-based businesses to become part of The Weekly Advertiserʼs Local Trade Directory.
The Local Trade Directory offers the only true multimedia platform combining print, radio and online services for businesses to ʻspread the wordʼ in across the Wimmera, Mallee and Grampians.
It’s affordable and effective! For a small weekly investment you will receive an advertisement (as above) PLUS... Receive bonus radio credit mentions on MIXX FM and 3WM throughout your paper advertising period.
ARGALL (nee Arnold), Denise June ‘Niecey’
Passed away on March 24, 2025 aged 68 years.
Dearly loved wife of Neville (dec).
Loving mother and motherin-law of Lisa; Samantha & Danny.
Special Nan to Kahlee and Mitch, Jack and Amy.
“All my love”
ARGALL,
Denise ‘Nan’
We will treasure the memories of our special friend and Nan.
Forever in our hearts.
Col, Marnie, Jack & Amy
ARGALL, Denise
30.06.1956 - 24.03.2025
When your best friend you love becomes a memory, the memories become a treasure.
If tears could build a stairway, and memories a lane, I’d walk right up to Heaven and bring you home again.
Forever in our hearts Neicey.
Sympathy to Lisa, Samantha and Danny.
All our love
Colleen and Dave, Katrina and Jason, Jason and Abbey, Alicia and Sil and families
BENNIE, Craig Geoffrey
23-6-1971 to 29-3-2025
Cherished son of Geoff (dec) & Lyn.
Loving brother of Sue & Michelle.
Partner of Jo.
Loving father of Shaun, Emma & Tahlea.
Friend to many. “Gone fishing”
DARNELL, Michael ‘Mick’
Our Deepest Sympathy to Jean and family.
Brother-in-law of Ron and Ana.
Uncle to Phillip, Edwin, Diana, Charmaine and their families.
Gone fishing with Andrew.
JEFFERY (nee Seater), Gayle Maree of Warracknabeal on March 27th, 2025
Loved Wife of Brett Mother & Mother-in-law of Madison & Jacob, Cassandra and Shannon.
PENNY-PADITZ, Hans-Albert
Passed away peacefully surrounded by family on March 30, 2025 aged 70 years.
Dearly loved father of B’Elanna (Brinten).
Best friend of Ree & Bob.
A special thank you to the Wimmera Base Hospital, Wimmera Palliative Care team and the Wimmera Cancer Centre.
JEFFERY (nee Seater)
The Funeral of Mrs Gayle Maree Jeffery will leave the Catholic Church Warracknabeal on Thursday April 3rd, 2025 after Prayers commencing at 11am for the Warracknabeal Lawn Cemetery.
W.B. Gardiner & Son Funeral Directors Warracknabeal 0407 340 064
PENNY-PADITZ, Hans-Albert
As was his wish, HansAlbert Penny-Paditz will be privately cremated.
Trevor Bysouth & Daughter Ph 5381 1444 AFDA Member
~ CHAMPNESS ~ Barbara Jean
October 29, 1949 to March 31, 2015
In memory of a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend.
Harvey; Andrew and Anne; David, Yvette, Kade, Ayden and Rohan; Christopher and Susan; and Brendan. In our hearts always!
2 beautiful sweet 20 yr old
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
Bristlenose catfish, great tank cleaners $5ea until sold out Ph 0474159010 after 6.30pm
Budgies, assorted colours $10 each Ph 0417533579
Budgies, pastel and standards $10 each Ph 0428010996
Horsham
ARGALL, Denise June “Niecey”
The funeral of Denise June
Argall will take place at the graveside, Nhill Lawn Cemetery on Friday, April 4, 2025 commencing at 11am.
Trevor Bysouth & Daughter Ph 5381 1444 AFDA Member
BENNIE, Craig Geoffrey
23-6-1971 to 29-3-2025
Craig’s funeral service will be held at the Edenhope Racecourse, Friday, April 11 at 2pm
To be privately cremated. Emiley & Mathew Bone Nhill, Dimboola & Kaniva District Funerals 0419 008 464
DRUM, Angela ‘Ange’
A memorial service for the late Ange Drum will be held at Banyena Hall, 3568 Banyena Rd, Banyena on Friday the 4th of April commencing at 11:00am.
Following the service
Ange’s family warmly invite everyone to stay for a light lunch and refreshments.
Ange’s ashes will be interred with Mum and Dad in a private family gathering.
Details will be updated with www.davidbull.com.au
0423182267
Aged pensioner looking to buy a male chihuahua, 1 1/2 - 2 years old Ph 0421237043
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
Goats for sale, 6mth old male goat, pregnant female goat Ph 0414851313
Goats for sale, mixed breeds, pic# 3YKHS059, from $60 each Ph 0427361940
Love birds assorted colours $20 each pick up only Warracknabeal Ph 0447776408
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
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
2014 Lagoon Pasadena Caravan, 2 single beds, showr & toilet, diesel heater, air con, annex & rear camera, sat king TV, $38,000 Ph 0427861784
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
till May 25, as is $8500 Ph 0487750540
1998 Jayco Westport , full annexe, a/c, oven, microwave, always shedded, many extras $18,000ono Ph 0419514118
2000 Jayco starcraft , full annex, TV lots of extras, very good condition, one owner, very little use $20,000 or nearest offer Ph 0456601681
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
MDC Highside Cruiser 2019, 3 ton McHitch, fridge, redarc dc to dc charger, EC $14,500 Ph 0407147996
Ascot pop-top,
low kms,
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
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
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 Toyota Coaster camper , 2 seater, diesel heater, 1hz motor, solar and 12v awning
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 0458683879
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
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
Tyres and rims, brand new from 2023 Dmax, Bridgestone Dueler H/T 265/60R18 $890
lot for 5 tyres and 4 rims Ph 0407553804
Dimboola
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
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
23 of PVC pipes, 39” long x 6 1/4” diameter, ideal planters $150 for the lot or $5 each Ph 0428504301
30 ton silo $650 ono Ph 0427361940
5 step platform ladder , galvanised, on wheels with brakes $450 Ph 53522691
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
Flip Billiard/ Air Hockey table, 110cm x 210cm, accessories included, trailer required $300 Ph 0409122968
Galvanised trailer, 5x5 $800 Ph 53522691
Gold and opal ring, approx 80yrs old, current valuation $4500 would like $2500 Ph 0458014560
Hot potato mobile van , bought new 2018, never used $980 ono Ph 0432544164
REDUCED 1 Bridgestone
Turanza Tyre , R35 55 R17, done 10,000kms $30 Ph0428504558
REDUCED 4KW 240V Generator, gauges and trolley $550 Ph 0428504558
Round bale hay ring $350 Ph 0429200566
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
Quintrex FishAbout MKII Repowered 40HP Yamaha, low hours, new Oceanic Trailer Bimini Hummingbird Finder 40Ib Elec Motor Dec Estate Ph 0491644368 Horsham
Aspire wheelchair, as new condition, barely used once a day for 3 months, extremely comfortable, cost $3500 from Action AIDS, reduced price $950 Ph 0427562913 Horsham
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,
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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
2001 Nissan Pulsar, 2 keys, as new tyres, auto, just serviced, reg to April 30, RWC, 1WD5ZZ, 143,000km, $5000 Ph 0413960612
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Honda Civic , 1994, great condition with RWC, automatic & aircon, colour black, Vtech motor, vin JHME6548005203141
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1999 Toyota Dual Cab Ute, 4x4 diesel with fold out camper $12,500 Ph 0428822730
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
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Tenders are invited for Auxiliary Generator Servicing and Maintenance at nominated facilities and locations across GWMWater’s operational area.
These services are to be carried out on a 12-monthly basis for a period three years as per the conditions outlined in Contract Number C01362.
More information regarding this tender is available from the Buying for Victoria website, tenders.vic.gov.au
Enquiries may be directed to Miles Norton, Manager Planning and Scheduling on 1300 659 961.
Tenders close 2 pm, Wednesday 30 April 2025. GWMWater reserves the right to accept tenders in part. The lowest or any tender not necessarily accepted.
Mark Williams Managing Director
GWMWater is an innovative water corporation providing, managing, operating and protecting water supply and sewerage systems within the Grampians, Wimmera and Mallee regions of Victoria.
Contract Number:
GWMWater invites suitably qualified and experienced consultants to submit a quotation for Dam Safety Services for 12 of its dams. Geotechnical inspections at two infrastructures (Bellfield outlet tunnel and Rocklands outlet tunnel) are included as provisional items.
The quotation should cover an initial three-year contract starting from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2028, with the option for two one-year extensions (3+1+1-year contract). The two one-year extension periods will be from 1 July 2028 to 30 June 2029 and 1 July 2029 to 30 June 2030. Works will extend over the whole 12 months of each financial year of the agreement period. The scope of works includes the following:
Dam Safety Services
• Monitoring, interpretation and storage of dam safety data.
• Annual intermediate dam safety inspections.
• Five-yearly comprehensive dam safety inspections.
• 24/7 access to emergency response.
Provisional Items
• Geotechnical assessment of Bellfield outlet tunnel and rock steps.
• Geotechnical assessment of Rocklands outlet tunnel.
More information regarding this tender is available from the Buying for Victoria website, tenders.vic.gov.au
Enquiries may be directed to Deni Dominic, Graduate Engineer Dams on 1300 659 961.
Tenders close 2 pm, Wednesday 30 April 2025.
GWMWater reserves the right to accept tenders in part.
The lowest or any tender not necessarily accepted.
Mark Williams Managing Director
GWMWater is an innovative water corporation providing, managing, operating and protecting
CAREERS
As our Graduate Engineer, you will work alongside our experienced engineering team on real-world projects, gaining valuable hands-on experience in a supportive and collaborative environment. You’ll be encouraged to take initiative, challenge conventional thinking, and contribute to innovative solutions that benefit the Ararat Rural City municipality.
For more information, please visit: www.ararat.vic.gov.au or contact Human Resources on (03) 5355 0200. Applications, including a cover letter and current resume, should be submitted via email to: hr@ararat.vic.gov.au
Applications close: Friday 11 April 2025 at 4:00pm.
Dr Tim Harrison Chief Executive Officer
Batch Plant Operator
Duties Include:
• Oversee the operation of the concrete batch plant.
• Accept, set up and dispatch customer orders, including truck scheduling.
• Follow company policies and procedures including any required training.
Submit resume in person (Selkirk Dr, Horsham) or email personnel@conholdings.com.au
For site safety information, company overview and career opportunities visit our website at www.conholdings.com.au/careers
VACANT POSITION
We
Family Preservation & Reunification - Intensive Family Supports Practitioner
DO YOU HAVE
Knowledge
Contact:
Get in touch for more details: ceo@goolumgoolum.org.au
Closing Date: 5pm 25 April 2025
Exciting opportunities at Emerge Early Years Services!
Written applications together with Curriculum Vitae and names of three referees should be forwarded to: principal@stbc.vic.edu.au
We are a non-for-profit early years management looking for dedicated professionals ready to join the team!
• Early Years Coordinator Role for Hindmarsh Services
• Executive Assistant Role based in Horsham
• 4 days per week educator role at Dimboola Early Learning Centre
• Causal educator roles at various locations including, Hindmarsh, Hopetoun, Horsham, Stawell
Why join Emerge Early Years Services?
• Supportive team environment
• Professional development offered
• Rewarding career with opportunities for growth
• Work in your local community
Contact us to find out more about these exciting roles!
To discuss the roles or receive a copy of the position description, please contact:
Elicia Napoli, CEO
Emerge Early Years Services
ceo@eeys.com.au
Apply at: https://www.eeys.com.au/careers EEYS
Positions
Multiple
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
Board Vacancies
Are you interested in joining the Wimmera
Catchment management authorities (CMAs) are responsible for the integrated planning and coordination of land, water and biodiversity management in each catchment and land protection region.
The board meet every two months in Horsham.
Applications close 8th April 2025. For more information, refer to our website www.wcma.vic.gov.au or search CMA Board member on boards.vic.gov.au
– the largest circulating newspaper in the Wimmera, southern Mallee and Grampians. Telephone (03) 5382 1351 Email horshamreception@ team.aceradio.com.au
St Brigid’s College Horsham
Join the team at St Brigid’s College
Surfe La Mer victorious
BY TONY LOGAN
Smart filly Surfe La Mer re-
sumed from a five month absence at Swan Hill on Tuesday last week with a fighting victory in the $6000 Beck Legal NR 50-55 Pace.
Beginning smartly from gate five at the start of the 1720-metre dash, Kerryn Manning was content to sit outside the leader Ivana Bytheseaside, Ellen Tormey, given the moderate middle-half tempo.
At the 500 metre mark, Tormey slipped Ivan Bytheseaside more rein for a 27.7 quarter and Surfe La Mer was able to move down to the markers for a trail round the final bend.
Half-way down the home stretch the daughter of American Ideal, USA, and Onthecrestofawave overhauled the leader to post her third win from nine starts for a large group of owners led by Manning and Ken Salmon.
After an impressive win on debut at Hamilton back in May and another at Terang in August, the filly was not at her best during the Vicbred Series, but the layoff seems to have done the trick and hopefully the team has plenty more wins to look forward to.
Stable trifecta
The Ainsworth family of Moyreisk recorded a stable trifecta at Swan Hill when six-year-old mare Boutika defeated Night Whisperer and Singara Ted in the $6000 trainer of the yearJulie Douglas Trotters Handicap.
The Barry Ainsworth-trained Boutika, with Kerryn Manning aboard, stepped away smartly from the tapes to lead early before handing over to Night Whisperer, Jordan Leedham, with Ashley Ainsworth and Singara Ted in third spot.
The trio remained that way, fending off a couple of challenges with 500m remaining and at the top of the home stretch looked the only possible placegetters.
Manning then switched Boutika off the back of Night Whisperer to challenge and the mare proved too smart in the run to the line, scoring by eight metres in a rate of 2:01.6.
Boutika is raced by Ainsworth’s wife Katrina and has to date won 12 of her 85 starts.
Dunn quinella
Horsham trainer Aaron Dunn landed a quinella at Swan Hill in the $6000 Make Your Will @ Beck Legal Pace with lightly raced five-year-old gelding Neatntidy and three-year-old stablemate Ruff Nut, but not in the order that most punters expected.
Dunn led early on the heavily supported $1.45 favourite Ruff Nut, with Ryan Backhouse, and Neatntidy camped outside and most expected they’d stay that way for another lap or so.
Shortly after, Ruff Nut jumped a shadow and mixed his gear leaving Neatntidy in the front-running posi-
tion with Backhouse then in control of the tempo.
After a steady mid-race section, Neatntidy gathered momentum and final splits of 28.7 and 26.8 saw a three-metre victory in a rate of 1:56.8 for the 2240m journey.
The son of A Rocknroll Dance USA has had a few issues during nearly three years of racing, but fingers crossed, stays sound and adds further to his record of five wins from just 15 starts.
Win for Dee Roe
Earlier in the night, Dunn took out the $8000 Beck Legal Pace with the very smart, four-year-old entire Dee Roe.
Drawn the inside of the second row at the start, Dee Roe settled second last but was able to come away from the markers and into the running line with 1200-metres to go.
At the 800, Dunn latched onto the back of Invitation Only, Ryan Sanderson, for a three-wide forward tow into the action.
Easing four-wide and poised to pounce on straightening, Dee Row proved too classy over the final stages and scored by a neck in a rate of 1:52.9.
Building a fine record with 11 wins, six minors and $150,000 from 29 outings, the son of Art Major USA should go on to even better things for Dunn and co-owner Helden Friend.
‘In the zone’
Ararat trainer driver Michael Bellman has six-year-old trotting gelding Blackrange Glory well and truly ‘in the zone’ this season.
Since resuming from a spell in early January, the son of Tennotrump has notched up six wins and a second from eight outings, with the only blot on his copybook being at Maryborough when he galloped away from the mobile.
There were no such shenanigans at Hamilton on Wednesday last week, with Bellman slotting his charge into the one-out-one-back, sweet spot early in the contest and waiting until turning for home before pressing the go button.
Blackrange Glory was untroubled to score by two metres from a very brave Mattyo, John Meade, in a rate of 2.00.0 dead for the 2160m trip.
Feelingoodfreddie
Concongella-trained five-year-old gelding Feelingoodfreddie strolled to
a 10-metre victory in the Dan
Pace at Hamilton, with driver Neil McCallum never really asking his charge for an effort.
‘Freddie’ led them easily out of the gate and looked the winner a long way out. His dash to the finish line in 28.2 seconds proved too slick for the chasers and the son of Mr Feelgood USA recorded his fourth career victory for owner Ben Martin.
Eight card event at Ararat Ararat Harness Racing Club will race on Sunday night with an expected eight event card to kick off at 6.03pm. The night will honour those who made possible the move from the old track at Alexandra Park to the current location after the building project ran short of funds.
Thanks to a passionate group of supporters joining as foundation members, a substantial sum was tipped in to ensure the facilities were completed and ‘the trots’ commenced under the lights at R.T. White Raceway.
Tehan
SUCCESS: Surfe La Mer and trainer/driver Kerryn Manning after their win.
A winning start
BY DAVID BERRY
Phantoms Volleyball made a winning start, setting up all teams with confidence for the Victorian Volleyball league season 2025.
Highlights for Volleyball Horsham members included Tyler Puls assuming the premier one men’s libero role, Jack Hannan given the captain’s honours for the premier two men, Oscar Jackman and Sophie Quick debuting in premier two, Tim Carter making a successful return after injury and Laelah Robertson refereeing at the premier one women’s level for the first time.
Puls said the premier one men were given an almighty fright by Latrobe Uni, who refused to yield under the onslaught of key Phantoms players in Scott Johnson, James Haythorne and Cam Robinson.
“To Latrobe Uni’s credit they threw everything at us and we had to dig deep to register the two wins,” he said.
“I know they certainly gave me a hard time, especially on serve receive, so I know what I’ll be working on at training over the next two weeks.”
For Tamikah Dockrill and her premier one women’s team, the
biggest highlight came early when former Volleyroo and professional player Karly Hynes was presented with her Phantoms top as she made her debut for the club.
“Just her presence was nerve wracking, and she showed that she is going to make life tough for a lot of teams,” Dockrill said.
“Karly glided around the court like the true professional she is, and she is going to make us both individually and as a team so much better.”
Two wins over Latrobe Uni have set the team up well for their next encounter against Dandenong and VIP next week.
For the premier two women, they absolutely smashed Latrobe Uni in their morning game and repeated the dose to Western Region Wolves in their afternoon game.
Robertson, Quick and Paige Hemley all enjoyed their time on court in their team’s demolition of both opponents.
Tyler Snowden’s state league men’s one team split their results against Alliance Gold, going down in straight sets in their morning match but showed good character to bounce back and win a tough five-setter in their afternoon match.
“We were a bit slow to get going early on, but we had a good chat
in between games and made some adjustments, which proved to be the difference in the end,” he said.
“Winning five-setters is always a good show of determination and character and that win will do the world of good to our team going forward.”
Mercedes Arnott’s state league one women’s team split their results against Carrum Downs Royals, winning in four sets in their morning match, and going down in four in their afternoon match.
“We blew our chances in the afternoon match leading what we thought was comfortably in the fourth, but to Carrum Downs’ credit they overran us, but as a young team we will learn from that going forward.”
Noah Werry’s state league two men’s team had a gutsy five-set win over Carrum Downs Royals in their morning match but could not quite back up against an enthusiastic Heidelberg team in the afternoon.
“They made plenty of noise and really let us know when they won a point, which was difficult for our team to counteract, as we were young and still finding our way around each other as a team,” he said.
“We’ll learn from that and take plenty into our next game.”
For more photographs go to theweeklyadvertiser.com.au
LAUNCH: Hundreds of students made a splash during School Sport Victoria’s Greater Western Region swimming sports at Horsham War Memorial Swimming Pool last week. Among those was Aleara Madex, of Ararat’s Marian College. Successful students now move on to state championships. For more pictures from Black Ranges and Greater Western Region events, visit theweeklyadvertiser.com.au. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER
Livingstone, Munyard in action
Horsham basketballers Micah Livingstone and Levi Munyard will play the biggest tournament of their young careers as they suit up for Victoria Country at the Basketball Australia Under-18 National Championships starting Sunday.
The pair were announced as members of Victoria Country earlier this year, marking the first occasion either has been picked in the state squad after Munyard missed out as an emergency last year.
During the tournament in Brisbane, the
pair and their team-mates will play pool matches against squads representing New South Wales Metro, Queensland North, South Australia Metro, Western Australia Country, the Northern Territory and Australian Capital Territory.
Victoria Country must place in the top two in its pool to advance to the finals, which begin on Friday, April 11.
See next week’s The Weekly Advertiser for an update on the team’s progress.
Thomson, Hobbs club champions
BY COLIN MacGILLIVRAY
Horsham Golf Club wrapped up an enthralling 2025 edition of its club championships at the weekend, with Nick Thomson taking the men’s club champion title on a countback from Lewis Gebert.
Thomson trailed Gebert by four strokes after two rounds of play, but shot a superb 68 – the lowest gross round of any competitor in the tournament – in round three to claim a lead he would not relinquish.
Thomson shot rounds of 74, 72, 68 and 72 for a scratch total of 286, with Gebert recording 71, 71, 74 and 70 for the same total.
Gebert was named the nett winner, edging out Thomson by one stroke after handicaps were applied.
Tracey Hobbs defended her women’s club championship, taking an 11-stroke lead after round one and never looking back, with scores of 76, 84, 82 and 88 for a total of 330.
June Crabtree was the women’s A Grade nett winner, with Hobbs second
after handicaps were applied. The intermediate men’s champion was Tim Officer, shooting 86, 80, 85, 83 for a 334 total, four strokes ahead of runner-up Bowen Friend, with Ben Taggart claiming the nett trophy.
Lil Mayer, 96, 116, 96, 95, 403, won the women’s intermediate championship by a single stroke from Shirley
Val Scott took the women’s C Grade honours with rounds of 116, 101, 112, 113, 442, easily outdueling nett winner Shurlee Skiller by 25 strokes in gross score.
The club also presented the Puss Smith Trophy for the best nett score by a player over the age of 65 to Sue Walter, whose gross total of 340 was reduced to 308 once handicaps were applied.
In an encouraging sign for the club, five of the top eight finishers in the women’s C Grade competition were new members who had never contested the championships previously.
The club thanked its members and sponsors for a successful tournament.
Sproule, with Kaye Smith taking the nett win.
Stephen Wik, 85, 86, 90, 85, 346, won the B Grade men’s category by a comfortable seven strokes from Geoff Burdett, with Josh Mahoney shooting the winning nett score.
The B Grade women’s trophy went the way of Marg Moore with scores of 102, 106, 107, 104, 419, who beat Ange Montgomery by four strokes, while Montgomery had to settle for the nett trophy.
•Horsham Golf Club will host its annual Pink Lady Day on Monday, raising money for the Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation.
Tyron Hammerstein is the club’s C Grade men’s champion, shooting 90, 92, 91, 99, 372 to beat nett winner Peter Scott by 10 strokes in the gross standings.
The nine-hole tournament, open to all men and women, will feature prizes and raffles. To register, people can contact Horsham Golf Club pro-shop or visit horshamgolfclub.com.au/pinklady-day-registration.
BACK ON: Lewis Gebert, chipping out of the bunker, finished runner-up to Nick Thomson in Horsham Golf Club’s championships at the weekend. Pictures: KAREN REES
Sue Walter was awarded the Puss Smith Trophy for the best nett score by a player over the age of 65.
Tracey Hobbs
Nick Thomson
Jeremy Schmidt
Adrian Taylor
Tennis ‘of the highest quality’
BY COLIN MacGILLIVRAY
Organisers of the weekend’s Tennis Victoria State Teams Championships were thrilled with the event, which saw Horsham Lawn Tennis Club host more than 170 of Victoria’s best young players.
The championships drew junior players from regional and metropolitan associations across the state, with teams of two competing in male and female under-12, under-14 and open categories.
Eight teams represented the Wimmera region at the tournament, with the girls under-14 duo of Lydi Boyd and Sienna Wood winning the section two grand final three sets, 22 games to 0-6 against a Mornington Peninsula team of Chalwe Bowler and Tora Harris.
The Wimmera team dropped only one set for the tournament, beating the Mornington side 3-22 to 0-11 in their first pool match before dispatching Central Highlands 3-22 to 0-5 in round two and Central Gippsland 2-21 to 1-14 in round three.
A Wimmera under-12 boys team of Nicholas Gillespie and Nixon Beattie finished third in section two, winning two of their four pool games, while the Wimmera under-12 girls team of Maya Smith and Maggie Kelm tried hard but went winless.
The Wimmera under-14 boys side of Frazer Shurdington and Yassasri Sumanapala also missed the section two final after finishing third
with two wins and two losses. In the open boys section two division, Harry Allan and Eli Bailey were competitive but finished without a victory, while in section three August Koch and Jake Maher also went winless.
Wimmera players Ella Thompson and Mia Rees came close to their first win of the tournament in their final pool game in section two, losing a doubles tie break that would have given them their first points.
In the girls’ division one open section, Adele Joseph and Emma Streeter finished on a high note, defeating the Peninsula Tennis Association two sets to one in their final pool match, but were unable to qualify for the final.
The Pat Cash Cup, presented to the best-performing overall association at the tournament, went to Bayside Regional on 188 points, narrowly edging out North Suburban on 186.
Tournament director Cam Govan paid tribute to Horsham Lawn Tennis Club for hosting the tournament, saying it had been a ‘magnificent weekend’.
“The weather was almost perfect, the club was superb, merchandise was a hit and the tennis on court was of the highest quality,” he said.
“A huge thank you to the Horsham Lawn Tennis Club and their 40-plus volunteers that made it as welcoming and accommodating as they could – the canteen, clubhouse and courts were all presented amazingly.”
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Frazer Shurdington competing in under-14 competition. Maggie Kelm in action in under-12 competition. Nixon Beattie competing in under-12 competition.
Nicholas Gillespie shows his form in under-12 competition.
Wimmera representative Mia Rees in open competition.
Winning under-14 duo Lydi Boyd, above, and Sienna Wood, right. Pictures: KAREN REES
spOrT
Ready, set for nationals
BY COLIN MacGILLIVRAY
Wimmera
athletes Charlie Inkster and Asha Meek are set to represent the region on the national stage as they prepare for the Australian Athletics Championships starting on Friday in Perth.
Inkster and Meek will contest the under-20 and under-16 heptathlons respectively at the championships.
It is the second straight year Inkster has qualified for the Australian Athletics Championships, while it will be Meek’s first appearance after qualifying for the Australian Little Athletics Championships last year.
Horsham athletics coach Ricky Price, who works with both athletes, said both had made impressive strides since they began training, crediting their strong work ethics.
“When I look at an athlete to coach, it’s more about their passion for it and their commitment,” he said.
“When Charlie started five years ago, to say she was going to make the nationals was doubtful.
“She wasn’t winning medals at state level or anything, but she stuck with it and persevered – it’s a long journey.
“When Asha started training I wouldn’t have thought she’d be at this point either.”
Price said both athletes had their respective strengths and weaknesses in the heptathlon, which ranks competitors based on their results in seven separate competitions.
“Charlie’s best point scoring has been in the 800 metres and the 100-metre hurdles, whereas the javelin has probably been her
weakest event,” he said. “For Asha, probably the 200 metres and 90-metre hurdles are her strengths. For different ages they have different lengths and different weights in shot put and javelin.”
Price said the pair both competed with Eureka Athletics Club in Ballarat, allowing them access to a synthetic running track, while Inkster had also trained in Melbourne.
“Charlie has been training in Melbourne with a decathlete, so hopefully she picks up a few pointers running on the track instead of the grass we’ve got here,” he said.
“There are definitely advantages to training on grass because you’ve got to work harder, and it’s quite easy if you’ve been running on
grass all the time to go on a synthetic track and get personal bests.
“But when it comes to hurdles and the surface is as rough as what it is here, it makes it very difficult.”
Meek, 14, said she was looking forward to her first appearance at the championships. She said she was committed to pursuing athletics as far as it would take her.
“I joined after doing it for school sports. I won by a bit and thought ‘this is fun’,” she said.
“At the championships I’m just aiming to get more personal bests and get the most points I can get. It doesn’t really matter too much, but I’d like to be up there.”
• Full time hours Mon - Fri + overtime opportunities
• PPE supplied & maintained annually
Road Workers required for an immediate start! Join a great team where you gain valuable exposure to civil projects in Regional Victoria.
Duties will include:
• General Labouring
• Compacting, leveling, and spreading of materials to form roads
• Required for overtime and after hours call outs
For more information, please contact Tamira Cullinan on 0408 109 324.
Murtoa – Applications close: ASAP
• Friendly work environment
• Casual part-time role 12-18hrs p/week
• Exciting work opportunity at a National Heritage listed site
Part-time casual position at The Stick Shed based in Murtoa, you will be available to work 2-3 shifts per week. About the role:
• Greet visitors as the arrive to the premises
• Basic merchandising and sales
• Process cash and Eftpos transactions
To discuss this opportunity further, contact Tamira Cullinan on 0408 109 324.
Part-time Sport Development Traineeship
Natimuk – Applications close: ASAP
• Fast track your career possibilities with a traineeship
• Great positive working culture
• Flexible hours with some during the day and evening
Want to make a difference in children’s lives? Join our team at Natimuk & District Gymnastics Club learning to assist in the gym in all facets and supporting the students.
Duties:
• Co-ordinate administrative duties, rostering and schedules
• Take on beginner coaching roles.
• Social media and Business’ website
For more information contact Brendan Schier on 0427 346 655.
Maintenance and Grounds
Longerenong College – Applications close: April 16
• Professional maintenance and grounds person
• Salary range $69,716 - $74,479 with 12.5% Super
• 30 hours per week, Monday to Friday
Hands-on maintenance role ideal for a tradesperson seeking change. Perform carpentry, plumbing, fencing, repairs, plus OH&S and admin tasks.
About you:
• Be a team player and able to work independently and collaboratively.
• Undertake general maintenance duties and have a trade background.
• Be physically fit and able to perform manual tasks.
For a confidential discussion about the role contact Jacinta Langdon on 0439 630 661.
to you
Wehrung clinic host
Fresh from winning a Women’s National Basketball Leaguechampionship with the Bendigo Spirit, Australian basketball star Abbey Wehrung will host a school in Horsham on Tuesday.
Wehrung will take junior girls through a series of drills aimed at improving not only their basketball skills, but conditioning and mindset techniques, with contests and giveaways.
The camp will be in three sessions, with the first session from 10am-11am for girls aged four to six, the second from 11.30am-12.30pm for ages seven to 10 and the third from 1pm-2pm for ages 11 and older.
Wehrung’s visit is part of a series of camps organised by Wolf Pack Hoops – a business co-owned by Horsham-bred basketball star Mitch Creek and Horsham basketball coach Rebecca McIntyre.
Creek, who is currently overseas as he pursues professional basketball opportunities, has previously run Wolf Pack Hoops clinics himself, but said he wanted the business to grow and offer new opportunities.
“Doing them all year round, whether it’s with me or with other coaches, is something we’ll continue to do,” he said.
“We wanted to have female coaches who were not just important to the development and the brand of women’s basketball in Australia, but someone who comes from a regional area, has grassroots connections already and has got a great name. We thought Abbey fit the bill perfectly.
“Knowing that we’re going to have Wolf Pack represented the right way, with what I believe is one of the best female coaches and rising stars in Australia, is something that is going to help everybody, especially all of the girls at the camp.”
Wehrung grew up in regional Victoria and has connections to the Wimmera, with extended family in Horsham and Natimuk.
“Abbey has just won the WNBL championship and is a phenomenal high-level basketball player who is running our camp,” McIntyre said.
“We’re really trying to increase our female participation and want to offer some elite female role models to the country.” The cost of the camp is $50 per participant. People can register by visiting www.trybooking.com/CZWSS.
Horsham – Applications close: ASAP
• Casual position based between Warracknabeal and Horsham
• Flexible work hours 2-5 days per week
• Immediate start available
Farm hand required for a role with local Wimmera Farmer, you will have flexible availability and be happy to work varying hours per week.
Duties:
• Fencing
• Tractor and other farm machinery operations
• General farm/labouring duties
To learn more about this opportunity, please contact Tamira Cullinan on 0408 109 324.
Horsham – Applications close: ASAP
• Based locally in Horsham, Victoria
• Above award wages for the right candidate
• Great work-life balance
Are you a reliable and customer-focused individual? We are seeking a motivated Furniture Storeperson / Delivery Offsider to join our client’s team!
Duties include:
• Delivery of furniture throughout the Wimmera / Western/Northern Victoria
• Receival of goods and general store duties
• Assembly of furniture
To learn more about this opportunity, please contact Tamira Cullinan on 0408 109 324.
Farm Hand
NEXT STEP: Asha Meek, pictured with parents Matt and Kiandra and coach Ricky Price, right, is heading to national athletics titles. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER
District league season kicks
BY COLIN MacGILLIVRAY
Anticipation is high as the Horsham District Football Netball League kicks off its 2025 senior football and A Grade netball competitions on Saturday.
Football premier Harrow-Balmoral will officially begin its quest for a third successive premiership – a feat not accomplished since the Kalkee dynasty of 2008-12 – when it travels to Dock Lake Reserve to take on Taylors Lake.
While the Roos and Lakers finished poles apart last season, Taylors Lake coach Justin Beugelaar is confident his team is capable of climbing the ladder in 2025, and the Lakers will receive an excellent first-up test against the reigning premiers.
Swifts’ quest for a long-sought grand final appearance will begin anew at Natimuk Showgrounds as the Baggies travel to take on Natimuk United.
The Baggies were stung by a preliminary final loss to Noradjuha-Quantong after finishing second on the ladder in 2024, and co-coach Brett Hargreaves has declared nothing less than a grand final appearance this year will satisfy his team.
The Rams meanwhile, are eager to put a wooden spoon season filled with injuries and narrow losses behind them, with coach Jarred Combe confident the development of his younger players will bear fruit.
Laharum is another team that believes a grand final is within reach after retaining most of its players and recruiting a host of players – both returnees and newcomers.
The Demons will host a young Kalkee outfit that coach Andy Devereaux says is readying itself to make strides up the ladder after a season of development in 2024.
Pimpinio, fresh off its first senior finals win in 17 years, will open its account against an Edenhope-Apsley team that coach Adi Campbell believes can be this year’s surprise packet, with new recruits adding firepower up forward and in the midfield.
Rupanyup had arguably the biggest off-season facelift, with a number of key players depart-
ing, while several former premiership players returned to take their places.
The Panthers will host Kaniva-Leeor United in round one, with the Cougars boasting their own list of impressive recruits as they look to develop their young core.
Noradjuha-Quantong, last season’s runner-up, will watch on from the sidelines with a firstround bye.
Netball
Reigning A Grade netball premier Lahaurm will begin its title defence with a test against one of last season’s best sides – Kalkee.
Although both teams have lost key players –star goalie Caitlin Jones-Story for Laharum and defender Penny Fisher for Kalkee – both have retained the majority of their players and figure to remain among the top premiership contenders.
Rupanyup is another team tipped to challenge for the premiership after narrowly losing to the Demons in last year’s grand final, and will start its season by hosting a Kaniva-Leeor United side looking to build on last year’s surprise finals appearance.
Edenhope-Apsley, too, could return to contention after winning back-to-back flags in 2022 and 2023, enticing some former premiership players to return to the club as well as picking up talented new recruits.
The Saints will open their season by hosting a Pimpinio team that co-coaches Hayley Hatcher and Lana Ellis expect to be a stout defensive squad.
Natimuk United and Swifts were both among a pack of teams in the middle of the ladder that ultimately fell short of finals in 2024, but both are confident they can make strides towards the post-season when they kick off their season at Natimuk Showgrounds.
Taylors Lake will embrace a new era under head coach Sharon Fedke as they too look to climb the ladder, hosting a Harrow-Balmoral side that has added depth and maturity during the summer.
Noradjuha-Quantong, which lost in extra time in last season’s preliminary final, has a roundone bye.
Frost takes out croquet competition
Donna Frost took out division one honours in Horsham Golf Croquet’s Saturday competition, with Brian Drendel the runner-up. June Liddy won division two, Marg Pope was the runner-up. Elizabeth Todd and Lorna Mills topped division three.
On Thursday, Ian Rees and David Wortley tied for division one’s top spot ahead of Marj Weidermann.
Rob Bahr won division two, with Phil Jackson and Bev Keogh heading division three.
® racey Hobbs are Horsham Golf Club champions for 2025. Thomson, right, defeated Lewis Gebert, left, in a two-hole playoff after both carded 285 over four rounds. Hobbs, inset, carded 330 to win the A Grade women’s title by 10 shots over Sue Walter. Gebert won a handicap title by one shot
ON THE BALL BALL BALL2025
ON THE BALL
Positive pathways
and girls across the region will have a more accessible opportunity to play football this year, with the introduction of Wimmera Football Netball League’s senior and under-14.5 competitions.
Five clubs are set to participate across the two grades – with the senior competition hoping to feature three teams, Horsham Demons, Minyip-Murtoa and Horsham District Football Netball League club Laharum. Laharum, Horsham, and a combined team of Warrack Eagles and Minyip-Murtoa.make up the junior girls competition.
Meanwhile, Horsham Demons will continue to field a team in the Western Victoria Female Football League, WVFFL, under-18 competition.
The Wimmera’s first season, to consist of nine rounds, is set to start on May 18, playing each Sunday to not clash with the club’s full schedule of football and netball matches on a Saturday.
WFNL subcommittee female football competition chair Terry Arnel said the games were also scheduled for Sundays to provide the opportunity for Saturday netballers to play.
Mr Arnel said the league was hoping the competitions would expand in following years, once the inaugural year was underway.
“I think locally when the product is more widely seen by a lot more people in the area, and hopefully there’s a lot of evidence on how much easier it is to get involved – being that everything is delivered locally – that will hopefully generate more interest from the clubs if they’ve got members who are looking to get involved,” he said.
“So when they see it, and – hopefully the experience is positive for the ones who are involved and they can comment on how little time it’s taken up and that they can combine netball and Sunday footy – it opens up a whole new path.”
Mr Arnel said introducing women’s teams brought a multitude of benefits to clubs.
“Not everyone is necessarily a netballer if they’re female, so it gives families who are connected to the club options for all their members to be involved and play,” he said.
Mr Arnel said clubs would find volunteer fatigue a challenge to manage – with help required for matches on both days of the weekend.
“But then if you are sharing the Sunday responsibilities with a different set of people than the Saturday ones, obviously you’re not going to have that issue,” he said.
Mr Arnel said with the women’s and girls’ competition being previously played in the WVFFL, based in southwest Victoria, travel had prohibited the growth of women’s football in
the Wimmera. He said the under-14.5 competition would provide both an introduction to football for many players, as well as the next step for girls who have played Auskick or junior football.
Girls can then progress to under-18 level, where they can follow pathways to Greater Western Victorian Rebels –such as Horsham players Greta Arnel, Violet McGennisken, Poppy Peters and Amaya Woodward, who have made the 2025 Rebels squad.
While some girls will be keen to progress their football to a higher level, and may eventually make it to AFLW level like the likes of Wimmera products Ella Friend, Nekaela Butler, Maggie and Rene Caris and Alex Morcom, the local women’s competition will also provide a fun, social outlet for women to enjoy playing footy.
“The senior competition is probably driven more out of a social aspect –it’ll obviously be an emerging competition with the standard and the skills that are initially there, but all that stuff grows over time,” Mr Arnel said.
With Women’s Health Grampians coming on board to partner with the new competition, clubs have also found sponsors have shown interest in supporting individual teams.
Minyip-Murtoa Football Netball Club president Chris Delahunty said it was exciting for the club to participate in the first women’s competition.
WFNL
female
“We’ve got a great coach, we’ve got good team managers and all the other helpers on board, so we’re well on track,” he said.
“It’s great for the region. It’s great there’s the opportunity for people to play locally. It’s been really positive for us. We’ve got a lot of new families coming into the club now.
“We’ve got some new sponsors that specifically want to get on board the women’s football, so, it’s been a really positive inclusion to our club.”
Laharum president Hamish Roberts said his club jumped at the opportunity to be included in the new league.
“For us it seemed like a no-brainer,” he said.
“Strategically for our club it made a lot of sense.
“Having a women’s football team
strengthens the entire club and it enriches the club.
“We’d like to think that we’re a leading club in the things that we do.
“Having the girls footy up, we’ve got a bunch of different people at our club that we never would have had otherwise. It opens up a whole new avenue of different relationships.”
Roberts said the entire club was invested in the team’s fortunes.
“I can’t wait for round one. I don’t know if we’ll be playing at Laharum or away, but you can guarantee there will be a big Laharum crowd there,” he said.
“It’s not just going to be our girls playing and their loved ones watching, the whole club will be right behind them. It’s been nothing but a great success already.”
subcommittee
football competition chair Terry Arnel, Laharum player Olivia Lenehan, Minyip-Murtoa player Tash Mustafa, AFL Wimmera Mallee region manager Ange Ballinger and AFL Wimmera Mallee operations officer Chloe Haughton.
ON THE BALL
Exciting developments in play
BY BILLY BALLAGH, WFNL CHAIR
The 2025 season is set to be a landmark year for the Wimmera Football Netball League, WFNL, following a big offseason filled with exciting developments.
One of the most significant changes is the introduction of the Under-8s football competition, which expands the league to six grades of football.
The new initiative creates pathways for young players, starting at Under-8s and progressing all the way through to senior football, ensuring a clear and supportive structure for the region’s future stars.
Another major step forward is the creation of the female competition, featuring Under-14.5 and senior competitions.
This is a huge leap for female sport in the region, offering young women and girls the chance to compete at a higher level and further grow the sport.
It’s a proud moment for the league and will undoubtedly open up new opportunities for female athletes.
In 2025, the league will also be running junior representative programs for both football and netball.
The netball teams will participate in two tournaments in Bendigo in June, while the footballers will represent the WFNL at the South West Carnival in May.
These tournaments are an excellent opportunity for young players to showcase their talents, build new friendships and enjoy the experience and pride of representing the league.
In November last year, the WFNL signed on to become a CoRE Alliance, a network focused on promoting gender equality and social inclusion.
The WFNL as part of their alliance aims to contribute to the prevention of gendered violence by the active promotion of respectful relationships, gender equality and inclusivity both on and off the field.
From a governance perspective, the league will see at least four board
members stepping down at the end of the season.
We are actively working with clubs to identify new candidates to join the board.
The experience of serving on the board is highly rewarding, and while it doesn’t require a large time commitment, it plays a crucial role in shaping the future of football and netball in the region.
The WFNL would like to express its heartfelt gratitude to our sponsors.
Their continued support and commitment makes all of this possible and allows the league to keep growing and thriving.
We also encourage everyone to follow the league on social media, which is where we share updates, announce key events, and celebrate milestones.
Looking ahead to the 2025 season, there are plenty of exciting storylines shaping up across both football and netball.
In football, questions are flying around the region: Can Ararat win three in a row? Can Thunder use last year’s heartbreaking loss to spur them on and get their hands on the cup?
Can Nhill and Stawell build on their strong 2024 form and go one better, or is there another team flying under the radar, ready to surprise?
In netball, the Demons are coming off a long-awaited flag – can they go back to back? Will the Saints have the fire in their belly to win back the title? Ararat has recruited hard this offseason – will they return to the finals race and be a force to reckon with?
The WFNL is proud to offer a competitive competition for both junior and senior grades of football and netball, and we can’t wait to see all the action unfold this season. We look forward to seeing you at the games.
Can Ararat win three Wimmera league senior premierships in a row?
Billy Ballagh
The team to beat COACHES
BY LAUREN HENRY
It will be a case of the hunted
for Ararat this season with the reigning premiers set to be raging favourites to win a three-peat of Wimmera league flags.
The 2024 premiers primed themselves for finals last year, beating Southern Mallee Thunder by nine points in a thrilling grand final.
The Rats finished second on the ladder last season, only losing to Stawell and Horsham and drawing with Nhill.
They won their way through to a grand final with a dominant win over Stawell, followed by a strong win against the Thunder in the second semi-final.
In fact, with co-coach Tom Williamson winning the league’s best and fairest, the Toohey medal, the Rats’ season couldn’t get much better in 2024.
But with the addition of some handy recruits, and retaining every one of its premiership players, Ararat will be the team to beat this season.
Naish Roberts, from Ararat Eagles; Brayden Draffin, Camperdown; Nick Pell, Greta; Sam Lowes, White Hills; and the return of Harry Ganley from East Point in Ballarat, will add further depth to the Rats in 2025.
Senior co-coach Tom Mills said luck had fallen the Rats’ way with nailing the recruits.
“Nick Pell moved here from Wan-
Seniors: Tom Mills and Tom Williamson
Reserves: Tyler Cronin and Chris Jerram
Under-17s: Brett Chammings and Codey Lindsay
Under-14s: Leigh Jeffery and Mark Dohnt
garatta, and Sam Lowes from Bendigo – so it was just luck that we got them, and they’re both pretty handy players, which is nice,” he said.
Mills said with not losing any premiership players from last year –which he admitted was rare – plus the inclusion of a handful of new players, the Rats again had their eyes firmly on another premiership.
“Once you’ve been there a couple of times, you want to keep doing it – it’s definitely what we are aiming for,” he said.
Mills, who will co-coach with Williamson again this year, said he was looking forward to seeing the progression of the squad’s younger players, who were maturing in handy footballers.
“It’s always good to see them just grow a bit and understand the game a bit more,” he said.
“Naish McRoberts, who is one of our recruits, is going to be a massive in for us.
“He can sort of play anywhere on the ground, which is nice.
“Brad Draffin is a key position player for us – he plays across centrehalf-back, and Nick Pell is a big fella so he can play centre half-back and ruck for us as well.”
Mills said he expected this year’s Wimmera league season to again be competitive.
“When teams play us we want them to be playing their best – it gives us the best chance to play our best as well,” he said.
“You want to have a healthy competition, so if they want to come hard at us, then let them come hard.”
The Rats entire premiership team last year were one-point players, meaning they all played junior football at Ararat.
President David Hosking said the club had worked hard on junior retention in the past 10 to 15 years.
“We managed to pull it together in the last two to three years, but it’s taken a long time to get there,” he said.
“It’s always been something that we’ve tried to do, but we didn’t set out to have 21 one-point players.”
Ararat’s first game of the season, hosting Horsham on April 12, will also feature a president’s lunch, sponsored by new club sponsor Manhari, with guest speaker former Western Bulldogs assistant coach Chris Maple.
Senior co-coach Tom Williamson celebrates last season’s grand final win.
ARARAT ON THE BALL
Rats bouncing b ack
BY LAUREN HENRY
After not winning a game in 2024, Ararat A Grade has bolstered its playing stock and will be more competitive this season.
The Rats relied on a young side to take to the court in A Grade last year, but with a year under her belt since returning to the club, coach Sally Noble set about a recruitment drive in the off-season.
Sisters Paige and Faith Biddle, fresh off an Ararat Eagles premiership in the Mininera District league, lead the list of recruits.
Paige won her club and the league best-and-fairest in 2024, while Faith, a star defender, was runner-up in the Eagles’ bestand-fairest.
The recruiting coup has created a buzz at the club, with Noble telling The Weekly Advertiser she was excited about the season ahead.
“ Pre-season is going so well –we’re pretty excited about this season,” she said.
“After last season – we had a really young team and were on the bottom of the ladder – we contested a lot of them, but unfortunately we didn’t win a game.
COACHES
A Grade: Sally Noble
B Grade: Lucy Mills and Megan Shea
C Grade: Gaye Peoples
C Reserve: Mandy Karslake
17-and-under: Bec McMaster
15-and-under: Bree Fratin and Kate Bligh
13-and-under: Sharon Basset
“We have recruited well this year.
“It’s looking promising and we’re looking very competitive.
“Across the board, the teams are looking really competitive, so it’s great to see – it’s been a while, so hopefully this season starts to show a little bit more of what we’ve done.”
Noble said the future looked bright for the Rats, who have strong numbers in their junior ranks, including a handful of rising stars in the under-17 team.
Bridie Price is one of three Wimmera league netballers named in Netball Victoria’s 2025 Talent Academy.
She will be a training partner for Ararat A Grade in 2025.
“There’s so much potential –there’s probably three or four that could potentially come up to seniors, but because we did have big numbers, we’re all good at the moment, so they’ll be tasked in under-17s,” Noble said.
Former A Grade best-and-fairest and coach Jess Williamson will also return to the side after having a baby.
“Everyone wants to aim for finals, and from hearing stories from other clubs having lost a few players, potentially we can become a united team and go for finals,” Noble said.
“The recruits and returning players are a little bit more seasoned, so it makes for a better mix in the team.”
With practice matches against Rokewood and Hamilton under their belt, the Rats are keen to get back on court and redeem themselves in the Wimmera league.
It will be a tough assignment early for the newly-formed Ararat side, who starts its season with a match against reigning premier Horsham in round one.
Ararat goal shooter Laney McLoughlan on court last season.
High standard set
BY LAUREN HENRY
After a heart-breaking 2024 grand final loss, Southern Mallee Thunder will be champing at the bit to taste premiership glory this season.
The Thunder finished on top of the ladder last season and were so close to winning the Wimmera league senior footy flag – but couldn’t quite close out the game against Ararat.
With momentum swinging their way, the Rats over-ran the Thunder to win the see-sawing seasondecider by nine points.
Senior coach Kieran Delahunty said the Thunder would again be aiming for a top-three finish.
“Obviously grand finals are hard to win and we gave it a really good shake – being up at the 27-minute mark of the last quarter, but we had a couple of injuries and we couldn’t quite hang on,” he said.
“Ararat is a quality side, and we’ve shown the past two years, we’ve both been the best two sides in the comp.
“Top three is the aim again and then once you finish in the top three, anything can happen, but a lot of work has to go into it.
“We gave ourselves a really good chance to win it, but unfortunately you need a little bit of luck in footy and we didn’t get it, but Ara-
COACHES
Seniors: Kieran Delahunty
Reserves: Nathan Wright
Under-17s: Luen Credlin
Under-14s: Dale Shannon
rat was really deserving as well.”
Delahunty said he expected the Rats to be a top contender again in 2025, but he was focused on his own side’s fortunes ahead of the season-opener on April 12.
He said the 2025 season was shaping up well for the Thunder after a strong pre-season, which had seen three players leave the club and three recruits come on board.
The Thunder will welcome Brayden Ison into the fold this season.
“He’s come across from Rupanyup – and he’ll look to fill the void of Brad Lowe and be a key target for us up forward,” Delahunty said.
Lowe has left the Thunder after kicking 40 goals in 11 games last season.
Harry McLeod, who played in a premiership with former Southern Mallee Giant player Luke Mahoney at Torquay, has also join the Thunder.
“Harry has moved to Horsham –
he’s a doctor doing his 12-month medical placement at the hospital,” Delahunty said.
“Harry is 24 and he looks like he will be a midfield acquisition. He’s a good size and quite fit. Both those guys, McLeod and Ison, have been going really well at training.”
Former Giants premiership player and best-and-fairest winner Haydn Drew has returned from London, and will slot back into the Thunder’s side.
“Those three boys are certainly going to help our senior side and as well there’s probably four younger kids around 16 who have had really good pre-seasons and I’d like to think would get an opportunity this year to play senior footy,” Delahunty said.
Joining Lowe in the departure lounge is two-time club best-andfairest winner Liam Nelson, who will return to Broadbeach, and Leigh Stewart who will play at Noradjuha-Quantong in the Horsham District league this season.
The Thunder will face Stawell at Beulah for its first round of the season, before the Easter break, then play Warrack Eagles in round two, followed by a bye in round three.
Senior coach Kieran Delahunty is hoping to turn his sides fortunes this season.
Fostering conne
BY LAUREN HENRY
With a season under their belt as a new team, Southern Mallee Thunder’s A Grade side is looking to cement a place in finals in 2025.
The Thunder finished with eight wins and eight losses, just missing out on a finals berth.
Wins against Stawell, Dimboola and Nhill – all above them on the ladder – instilled confidence into the team.
But despite a strong second half to the season, the Thunder finished in sixth place, eight points – two wins – behind Stawell.
Returning to coach A Grade this season is Steph Thomson, who was outstanding last year in goal-attack, and Jodie Hayes, who did not play last year but will return to the midcourt in 2025.
Thomson said the Thunder had not finalised its squads yet, but with minimal player movement in the off-season, she did not anticipate too many changes.
“ Jodie had a baby last year, so she is going to be back on the court this year, which is really exciting,” she said.
“ Coming from last season,
COACHES
A Grade: Jodie Hayes and Steph Thomson
B Grade: Shelby Donnan
C Grade: Bronte Eckermann
17-and-under: Rachel Watson and Kim Decker
15-and-under: Emma Mill
13-and-under: Jayne Shannon and Bridget Williams
it was the first time we’d all played together. It was a brand new club because of the merger, and in the second half of the season, we all come together and actually started playing well – we were up there playing some of the top teams and beat them.”
Thomson said she hoped the strong connection from the latter part of last season would flow into the 2025 season.
“We all know each other know and we’ve connected,” she said.
Thomson said she was looking forward to seeing the development of Taya Horman in 2025.
“She was our development player last year, and did an incredible job. She also won the 17s league best and fairest,” she said.
“So she’ll be looking to cement her spot on the team, and get more court time.”
Other players set for a big year are defender Abby White, and Thomson herself, who was last year third in the league best and fairest and earned selection into the Wimmera league netball team of the year.
Following a pre-season focused initially on fitness, then court time and a practice match against Birchip last week, the Thunder is focused on round one against Stawell.
“They are who kept us out of the finals last year, so it will be a good test,” Thomson said.
The Thunder will fill all senior grades, except C Reserve, this season, as well as three junior teams.
Southern Mallee will host Stawell at Beulah on April 12, but then face a disjointed start to the season – with a break for Easter, followed by a match against Warrack Eagles, then a bye, before playing MinyipMurtoa in round four.
Defender Abby White will be a key player for Southern Mallee Thunder in 2025.
Proud supporters of local sport
ctions
Connie Rule in action for Southern Mallee Thunder last season.
BALL
New line of attack
BY LAUREN HENRY
New coaches, new recruits and a new game plan will be a feature of the Stawell Warriors in 2025.
Coming off a topsy-turvy season last year, the Warriors’ year ended with a heavy preliminary final loss to Southern Mallee Thunder.
It was a big year for Stawell in 2024 –the club celebrated its 150-year anniversary, and began the year strongly with a win over Ararat in round one, followed by another four wins.
The Warriors sat atop of the Wimmera league senior football ladder for weeks, but were then plagued by inconsistency.
But pundits could never write them off – just when you put a line through them, they would come out with a win, like in the thrilling semi-final win over the redhot Nhill Tigers.
With Stawell stalwart Tom Eckel announcing from the outset last year that it would be his final year as coach, the Warriors appointed James Sullivan, in his first year at the club, mid-season to take the reins.
Post season, the Warriors have added a non-playing co-coach into the mix, with the experienced Perry Meka to reunite with Sullivan.
Meka and Sullivan’s paths have crossed in the Goulburn Valley – Sullivan was a premiership player with Tatura and Meka has earnt legend status in the Goulburn Valley and Kyabram District leagues.
STOCKING AMMO!!
COACHES
Seniors: James Sullivan and Perry Meka
Reserves: Jake McConville
Under-17s: Jarrod Illig
Under-14s: Matt Freeland
Meka boasts a resume of more than 500 senior football games, winning four premierships, then turning his hand to coaching in the Queensland AFL, before becoming a development and forwards coach at VFL level, and most recently the opposition analyst for Richmond and Melbourne in the AFL.
But levelling out the boost in experience is the loss of Eckel, who will play footy at St Albans this year.
The seven-time best-and-fairest winner and Toohey medallist leaves the Warriors after five years as senior coach.
While Stawell will miss Eckel’s onfield leadership and around the ball, his departure opens up opportunities for Warriors’ midfielders to step up.
Sullivan said while fitness had been the focus early in the preseason, since returning after a Christmas break, the side was now concentrating on its gameplan.
“ Post Christmas we’ve been really able to focus on the game plan and implementing some changes,” he said.
“Using my experience and Perry’s experience in both VFL and AFL, we’ve
been able to implement some structural changes that we’re really confident in.
“ Obviously, the personnel has changed a little bit, but there’s definitely going to be some changes to our game plan, which I think will put us in good stead.”
A major change up forward will be the injection of Paul Summers, who returns to the Warriors after playing with the Swifts last year, where he kicked 124 goals.
“We wanted to have a big focus on having as many locals as possible and developing from there, and obviously being an ex-Warriors player, there was a big focus on trying to get him back to the club,” Sullivan said.
“We’re really looking forward to having him in our forward line group and really confident in what he can bring to our side.
“We’re stoked to have the players that we have got and a couple that we have brought in, so we’re really excited about the year.”
Sullivan said his team had set an initial focus on the first three matches of the season – where they play Southern Mallee Thunder in round one, Ararat in a round three clash on Good Friday, and Minyip-Murtoa in round two – before having a week off on May 3 when the other clubs play their round three games. • Stawell is fundraising for a new electronic scoreboard for Central Park by raffling a Toyota Hilux – for more information, see the club’s Facebook page. Stawell’s Koby Stewart in action last season.
STAWELL ON THE BALL
Season for buildin
BY LAUREN HENRY
It will be a matter of build-
ing to take that extra step for Stawell’s A Grade team this year, as a new-look side aims to press further into finals.
Stawell A Grade coach Jemma Clarkson said due to some netballers being pregnant, there would be a mix of regular and fresh faces in the A Grade team this season.
The Warriors will look to rising junior star Ava Mitchell, defender Meg Walker and Holly Greaves, stepping up from B Grade, to be key players in season 2025.
A strong number of players made themselves available for team selections in early February, and have since played intra-club games as well as practice matches against Hamilton and St Arnaud.
“ We’ve a few different girls in there who have either stepped up from juniors, come in from our B Grade side, or are new to the club, so we’re working really hard at the moment to get those connections happening on court, but it’ll be really exciting once we get out there to see what we can do with each other,” Clarkson said.
“We’re really impressed with the girls’ attitude and how hard they’re working in the off-season to make sure that we’re ready as a club to go forward into the 2025 season.”
COACHES
A Grade: Jemma Clarkson
B Grade: Christine Graveson
C Grade: Sam Cook
C Reserve: Michelle Beaton
17-and-under: Lauren Homden
15-and-under: Naomi Hunter and Amber Mitchell
13-and-under: Madi Freeland
Stawell’s B Grade premiership win last year, defeating Horsham by three goals, is evidence of the club’s depth.
“Our B Grade won the flag, which was really exciting – it’s been a while since we’ve brought home a netball trophy, so we really celebrated that win and hopefully we can take that forward and that success into this season and really build as a club and maybe come home with a few extras at the end of the season,” Clarkson said.
Stawell’s A Grade team snuck into the top five last season, winning its elimination final against Nhill by one goal before being knocked out by Dimboola in the first semi-final.
“We really enjoyed the season together and we probably fin-
ished about where we thought we would,” Clarkson said.
“At the start of the season, we were just really hoping to make finals – again we were looking at a different team than what we’d had the year before, so that’s always a bit of a challenge, especially at the start of the year to get your team working well together.
“Horsham and Saints are really classy netball outfits, and it takes a fair bit to get up to their level.
“They have some really strong players who have played together for a number of years, so you are just hoping that you can get out there and match it with them a lot of the time, and it’s always nice to sneak a win or a really close game against them.
“We really want to work with our girls on just making sure that we’re being really competitive and then hopefully getting through into finals.
“Then finals is a whole different ballgame, that can bring a whole different element into a game.
“You just never know once you’re there, what can happen – we’re looking to build possibly on what we did last year and go at least one or two games further into that final series.”
Stawell A Grade coach Jemma Clarkson is looking forward to the season ahead.
Tigers take it up a COACHES
BY LEIGH ROGERS
Nhill is shaping up to be a major force in this year’s Wimmera Football League senior competition.
Following a semi-final finish in 2024, the Tigers have added more experience, versatility and firepower to their line-up.
“I’d love to finish top three or four, that would be ideal,” returning senior coach Jake McQueen said.
“I don’t want to put too much pressure on us by saying any higher, but I’m pretty pleased and confident with where we’re at at the moment. I think we can be a top contender, that’s for sure.”
McQueen was named the Wimmera Football League’s Coach of the Year in 2024.
In his second year at the helm of his hometown club, he will share coaching responsibilities with Trevor Ryan.
Ryan is a distinguished ninetime premiership coach and most recently coached Birchip-Watchem in the North Central Football League.
He played more than 400 senior games across his playing career and joins the Tigers in a nonplaying capacity.
“Trevor brings a lot of professionalism and will take our game
Seniors: Jake McQueen and Trevor Ryan
Reserves: Bailey McQueen
Under-17s: Luke Oldaker
Under-14s: Jack Mason
Under-11s: Daniel McEldrew and Aaron Webb
up another notch,” McQueen said.
“He’s been really good since he first walked in the door.” McQueen, who finished fifth in the Wimmera Football League’s bestand-fairest count last season and won a Northern Territory Football League premiership in March, is hoping the new coaching arrangement will allow him to focus more on match days.
“I felt like I was doing a lot of coaching out on the field, and it took away from my game a little bit,” he explained.
“It will be good to have Trevor on the bench overseeing everything.”
The Tigers have signed two new recruits from Darwin, with Kobe Hodges and Clay Shadforth joining the club.
Darcy Reid from Birchip-Watchem has also signed on for the 2025
season. Dylan Ridding is the only major omission from last year’s team.
“We’re very pleased with the amount of numbers we’ve had at training and with the training structure that we’ve put in place with Trevor coming on board,” McQueen said.
“It’s been really good so far.”
McQueen believes Connor Jones and Jarryd Dahlenburg are two young players with the potential to make their mark this season.
“Connor was a little bit in and out for us last year, but he’s been training the house down and hopefully will find a bit of form coming into round one,” McQueen said.
“Jarryd has also been exceptional at training.
“We’ll be looking for our young players to hopefully bring a bit more this year.”
McQueen believes playing with greater maturity is the key for his side to take the next step and challenge for a premiership title.
“Sometimes we can get a bit blasé or try to go 100 miles an hour all the time,” he said.
“Just having the maturity to be calm when we need to be calm is important.
“Our new players have all played a lot of footy, so they’ll definitely help with that.”
Drew Schneider will run out with the Tigers again this season.
NHILL ON THE BALL
‘Totally new
BY LEIGH ROGERS
Anew-look
A Grade team is set to take to the court for the Nhill Tigers this season.
The Tigers showed plenty of promise to finish last year’s home-and-away season in fourth place.
However, their finals campaign proved short lived, suffering a one-goal loss against Stawell in the elimination finals.
Ruby James and Ashleigh Batson are the only returning players from that team.
Nhill stalwart Melissa Polkinghorne steps into the A Grade coaching role in a non-playing capacity, replacing Tracey Bell and Emma Hawker.
“It’s a totally new side,” said Polkinghorne, who was recently bestowed life membership at the club.
“We were struggling a bit with numbers, so we’ve had to recruit some players.”
Former Nhill local Shae-Lea Fisher will travel from Adelaide each week to play, and Tess McQueen is returning after taking a season off to travel.
The Tigers have also welcomed Brooklyn Fraser from Natimuk United and Ashley Hobbs from Horsham Saints.
Both did not play netball last season, taking time out for injury and travel respectively.
Polkinghorne said the club would look to promote internally this season too, with goal shooter Charlotte Foulds likely to move into A Grade.
COACHES side’
A Grade: Melissa Polkinghorne
B Grade: Melissa Polkinghorne
C Grade: Cherylee Shandley
C Reserve: Cherylee Shandley
17-and-under: Ally Mills
15-and-under: Courtney Hillier
13-and-under: Tarrah Dodds
“It’s going to be a development year for us,” Polkinghorne said.
“Our numbers are a bit low, so we’ll also look to develop our juniors throughout our senior grades.”
Polkinghorne attributed a mass exodus at the club to several reasons, including some players relocating and others taking family leave.
Despite the offseason challenges, Polkinghorne is excited for the new season to begin.
She identified growing the club’s positive and inclusive culture as one of their major goals for 2025.
“We’re rebuilding, but it’s also about having fun, going back to basics and trying to enjoy our netball,” she said.
“That was the vibe we had in a recent practice match against Pimpinio, which was good to see, and we are hoping that will continue.”
Ruby James, pictured, and Ashleigh Batson are the only returning players from last season’s A Grade team.
ON THE BALL
Turnover opens doors
BY LAUREN HENRY
The loss of some senior players will open the door for Horsham Demons’ young brigade to step up and make a name for themselves in Wimmera league football.
Senior coach Jordyn Burke said although there had been a turnover in the off-season, numbers at training had been solid.
“Probably numbers are down on what we’ve had in the past – in regards to middle-tier players leaving to go for other opportunities, mostly to district league for money, but that’s all part of it,” he said.
“The beauty of it is we’ve been able to keep our numbers solid with a decent amount of six to eight top-age 17s coming through, and have been able to pick up a few guys as well.”
Burke expects at least four under17 players to play for the Demons this season – but won’t be putting too much expectation on the youngsters in their first season of senior football.
“You’ve got to ride the roller coaster with young blokes because it is a shock and they’re going to have their ups and downs, but overall you just keep giving them opportunities,” he said.
A key signing for the Demons is Bronte Campbell, originally from Donald, and comes to Horsham after playing for Maribyrnong Park in
COACHES
Seniors: Jordyn Burke
Reserves: Jeremy Hartigan and Bronson Durack
Under-17s: Jye Smith
Under-14s: Mark Sulic and Steven Both
Under-11s: Daniel Cross and Marcus Anson
Essendon District Football League.
Burke said the Demons had also picked up new players Nash Foscarini and Deacon Briggs, both from Kalkee, and Aidan Laffy returns from Lake Wendouree, while other ex-players have returned to the club as well.
But with the departure of Brody Pope, Ben Lakin, Ryan Kemp, Hugo Papst and Jordan Motton, the Demons will field a very different looking team to 2024 – where they finished fourth on the ladder, bowing out to Nhill in the first week of finals.
Another positive is Ben Janetzki stepping into the assistant coach role this year – Burke said last year’s cocaptain was primed for a big season.
“Benny hurt his ankle last year, so he had a bit of an interrupted year, which hurt us, but he’s looking great,” he said.
“Billy Carberry and Jack Dalziel – I’m really expecting a big year from them.
“With the age of our group, the growth is exciting as well, as they’re getting older, you see the improvement.”
Burke is optimistic about the season ahead, and said the turnover presented an opportunity for the club’s younger players to step up.
“I think you always look to play finals – it’s something that you always want to achieve. Probably the goalposts have shifted a little bit for us, on last year’s side – from what we’ve lost – but I think also we’re very unpredictable in a positive way in regards to what we’re capable of because we haven’t seen it in full flight yet, so time will tell,” he said.
Seeing what the Demons are capable of will be evident in round one when they come up against reigning premier Ararat.
“We had them the last couple of years first up and I don’t mind it, to be honest, it’s a bit of benchmark and you know where you’re starting pretty quick,” he said.
“ I’ve never really subscribed to worrying too much about what’s going on around us, besides us, until about midway point – you’ve got to find each other once and then you can see where you’re at.”
Tyler Blake in action for the Demons last season.
Round 1 – Saturday, April 12
Southern Mallee Thunder v Stawell (Beu)
Minyip-Murtoa v Dimboola (Min)
Ararat v Horsham
Horsham Saints v Nhill
Warrack Eagles, bye
Round 3* - Good Friday, April 18
Ararat v Stawell
Round 2 – Friday, April 25
Horsham v Horsham Saints
Saturday, April 26
Warrack Eagles v Southern Mallee Thunder
Stawell v Minyip-Murtoa
Dimboola v Ararat
Nhill, bye
Round 3 – Saturday, May 3
Minyip-Murtoa v Warrack Eagles (Mur)
Nhill v Horsham
Horsham Saints v Dimboola
Southern Mallee Thunder, bye
Round 4 – Saturday, May 10
Warrack Eagles v Ararat
Stawell v Horsham Saints
Dimboola v Nhill
Southern Mallee Thunder v Minyip-Murtoa (Jep)
Horsham, bye
Round 5 – Saturday, May 17
Horsham Saints v Warrack Eagles
Nhill v Stawell
Horsham v Dimboola
Ararat v Southern Mallee Thunder
Minyip-Murtoa, bye
Round 6 – Saturday, May 24
Warrack Eagles v Nhill
Stawell v Horsham
Southern Mallee Thunder v Horsham Saints
Minyip-Murtoa v Ararat (Mur)
Dimboola, bye
Round 7 – Saturday, May 31
Horsham v Warrack Eagles
Dimboola v Stawell
Nhill v Southern Mallee Thunder
Horsham Saints v Minyip-Murtoa
Ararat, bye
June long weekend, league bye
Round 8 – Saturday, June 14
Warrack Eagles v Dimboola
Southern Mallee Thunder v Horsham (Rain)
Minyip-Murtoa v Nhill (Min)
Ararat v Horsham Saints
Stawell, bye
Round 9 – Saturday, June 21
Stawell v Warrack Eagles
Dimboola v Southern Mallee Thunder
Horsham v Minyip-Murtoa
Nhill v Ararat
Horsham Saints, bye
Round 10 – Saturday, June 28
Stawell v Southern Mallee Thunder
Dimboola v Minyip-Murtoa
Horsham v Ararat
Nhill v Horsham Saints
Warrack Eagles, bye
Round 11 – Saturday July 5
Southern Mallee Thunder v Warrack Eagles (Beu)
Minyip-Murtoa v Stawell (Mur)
Ararat v Dimboola
Sunday, July 6
Horsham Saints v Horsham
Nhill, bye
Round 12 – Saturday, July 12
Warrack Eagles v Minyip-Murtoa (Brim)
Stawell v Ararat
Dimboola v Horsham Saints
Horsham v Nhill
Southern Mallee Thunder, bye
Round 13 – Saturday, July 19
Ararat v Warrack Eagles
Horsham Saints v Stawell
Nhill v Dimboola
Minyip-Murtoa v Southern Mallee Thunder (Mur)
Horsham, bye
Round 14 – Saturday, July 26
Warrack Eagles v Horsham Saints
Stawell v Nhill
Dimboola
HORSHAM
Back-to-back flags the goal
BY LAUREN HENRY
Reigning Wimmera league A Grade premiers Horsham
Demons will have a new leader in 2025, with 2022 Hatcher medallist Georgie Carberry appointed as coach.
While last year’s coach Ebonie Salter has officially relinquished the coaching role, she will remain as an A Grade player this season.
Salter spent time last year mentoring Carberry, one of Wimmera league’s best players, to take the step into the A Grade coaching role.
“I’ve coached the C Grade in previous years and I’ve done some other coaching, helping out the young juniors and whatnot,” Carberry said.
“It’s really exciting but nervewracking. However I’m in good hands having Ebonie as my mentor and the support of the club.”
Horsham’s 63-58 grand final win saw the Demons wrestle the premier’s title back from their old rivals Horsham Saints – but there was not much between the two sides all season, with the Demons versus Saints win-loss at two-apiece for 2024.
While the Demons have lost centre Tahlia Thompson and goal defence Romi Miller from last year’s premiership-winning team – make no mistake, back-to-back flags is their aim in 2025.
COACHES
A Grade: Georgie Carberry
B Grade: Dan Smith
C Grade: Ella Walsgott
17-and-under: Pauline Butler
15-and-under: Janelle Knight
13-and-under: Lucy Hartigan
“I think that’s always the main goal, but I think it’s also about the little things as well as working as a team and having strong connections on and off the court,” Carberry said.
“ I think ultimately that’s what makes you successful and if we can do that, then it puts us in good stead to hopefully win the flag again.”
In the way of recruits, the Demons have picked up Georgia Jones, from Harrow-Balmoral – a fit, fast and agile centre-court player who will provide drive through the midcourt; while 15-year-old Sienna Manserra will play A Grade full-time this season.
Manserra, an agile netballer who plays beyond her years, was runnerup in the league under-17 competition last year and has played at interleague level.
But Salter said the Demons would focus on their team game, rather
than individuals. “ I think something we did well last year as a club was really bonding as a team unit and taking away from those individual games,” she said.
“It’s really proven, like with Georgie who is a Hatcher medallist, you cannot rely on one or two players, so we’re still focusing on that.”
Salter said while the aim was to earn a spot on grand final day, the Demons would focus on teamwork and building the basics.
“Our attack lineup has stayed the same as it was last year, and I think we’re really excited to see what another year brings. Obviously last year we were somewhat fresh in those positions anyway, and we’re expecting for that to continue to build,” she said.
“We’re also looking forward to seeing what the new girls Georgia and Sienna are going to be capable of – they’ve got a lot of potential and they’re already showing us some great signs.
“And Keely Pope last year had a fantastic year in wing defence – it’s a bit hard to put your finger on one name, but we’re really excited and have a lot of potential across the board.”
The Demons will start their premiership defence with a round one clash against Ararat on April 12.
Demons goal-shooter Imogen Worthy, best on court in last year’s grand final, will be a player to watch in 2025.
Ebonie Salter will remain as an A Grade player this season after relinquishing her coaching role.
Season for redempti
BY LAUREN HENRY
After missing the Wimmera league’s senior football finals in 2024, Minyip-Murtoa has set itself for redemption this season.
It was only 2022 when Minyip-Murtoa were Wimmera league premiers.
The Burras slipped to fourth place in 2023, bowing out in the first week of finals, before missing finals completely in 2024.
Senior coach Gareth Hose said the Burras were disappointed in their sixth placing last season but had enjoyed a solid pre-season, bolstered by recruits.
“I feel like we’ve had a really, really positive and strong pre-season,” he said.
“We’re getting excellent numbers on the track. We’ve had between the 30 and 40 mark almost throughout the entire pre-season.
“ The guys are really fit and we’re looking forward to the season starting.”
While the off-season has seen the loss of three senior players from the club – Warwick Stone has retired, Jye Walter will return to Noradjuha-Quantong, and Charlie Gibson has returned home to play for Moyhu – the Burras have recruited strongly.
Past premiership players Jake Ballagh and Jake Boschen have returned to the club, while other recruits include Aidan Kidd, from South Belgrave; Joe Clancy from Osborne in the
COACHES
Seniors: Gareth Hose
Reserves: Jake Leith
Under-17s: Sam Griffiths
Under-14s: Chad Frost and Oscar Gawith
Under-11s: Luke Chamberlain
Auskick: Kade Petering, Horsham, John Delahunty, Minyip-Murtoa
Hume league; Cooper Anderson, Donald; and Dustin Okely, Ararat Eagles.
Hose said Kody Leith, Jimmy Whitehead and Ash Rogers would also add depth to the list.
“Compared to last year, we’ve been able to strengthen our list,” he said.
“For us it was more we wanted to add to our overall squad – we didn’t feel like we had depth in our squad last year.”
Hose said injuries had exposed the Burras last year, forcing them to play youngsters earlier than planned.
One of their biggest injury blows for the season was Oscar Gawith, who injured his knee in round 13.
Before then, Gawith had made quite an impact on the Wimmera league –named in the best in eight of his 12 games last season.
“He’s done the majority of the preseason, he’s only missed a couple of
sessions, and has been training fully,” Hose said.
While ruckman Nick Cushing may miss the first couple of games after having minor surgery last month, Sam Griffiths, new to the Burras in 2024, Dusty Cross, and Kade Petering are primed for opening round after strong pre-seasons.
The Burras will host Dimboola in round one on April 12, when the club will celebrate its 30th anniversary of the amalgamation of Minyip and Murtoa.
President Chris Delahunty said there were a lot of exciting developments at the club in 2025, with the introduction of a senior women’s football team, and establishing an Auskick program in both Minyip-Murtoa and Horsham.
The club’s Auskick program launched at Horsham’s Dimboola Road oval last month, with Hawthorn footballer Lloyd Meek the special guest.
“We’re looking to start an Auskick program in Horsham as well, so across term two, we’re looking for any families who are interested to join – it’s a long term goal that we can bring families into our club from that very junior level,” he said.
“We’ve got Kade Petering taking that Auskick – most people will be aware of Kade, he’s quite a well-established footballer within the region and a school teacher at Horsham College, so that’s exciting for us.”
Nic Ballagh, pictured last season, will be back in action with the Burras this season.
MINYIPMURTOA
Sights set on finals
BY LAUREN HENRY
Minyip-Murtoa could well be the surprise packet of Wimmera league netball this season fielding a mixture of youth and experience in their A Grade side.
New A Grade coach Kristy Davidson brings a wealth of knowledge and commitment to the Burras, which is sure to hold the team in good stead in 2025.
Davidson has taken on the A Grade coaching role for the first-time after coaching other grades at the Burras.
A Grade finished season 2024 with six wins, 10 losses and in seventh position on the ladder – two wins off making the finals.
This year, they have their sights set on finals.
“We really want to find a good connection between the girls, have fun and put some wins on the board,” Davidson said.
“We are definitely hoping for a berth in the finals this year.”
Last season’s best and fairest Tamika Mentha – also named in the Wimmera league netball team of the year – will be missing from the midcourt this season, as will sharp-shooter Kirby Knight, who scored 450 goals last season.
However, the ever-reliable Lauren Dodgshun will be one to watch in defence, set to combine with Johanna Griffiths.
“We’ve certainly kept a lot of players, and then we’ve had some more experienced netballers coming back from
COACHES
A Grade: Kristy Davidson
B Grade: Laura Schuckar
C Grade: Taylor Cameron and Claire Mackay
C Reserve: Annie Robbins and Amy Leith
17-and-under: Tamira Cullinan and Kristin Starick
15-and-under: Jorja Gardy and Amelia Leith
13-and-under: Jessie Newell and Lili Wilson
having babies, and we’ve got a couple of juniors stepping up, so there’s some good talent among the ranks this year,” Davidson said.
Pre-season has involved practice matches, including against St Arnaud and Birchip, with great numbers of netballers across all grades.
Davidson said the new netball facilities being built at Murtoa and Minyip were exciting developments for the sport, and the community.
“Two courts at each facility to accommodate 50 seniors trying to train at the one time, it’ll be really good,” she said.
“It’s an exciting year, it’ll be a busy year – quite hectic in trying to coordinate it all happening at the same time, but certainly worth it in the end.”
Murtoa’s new netball and tennis court
project involves two courts for dual use, with the addition of lighting, fencing and player shelters; while at Minyip, a second court will be added, as well new changerooms and a safety upgrade.
President Chris Delahunty said the Murtoa project was underway, with construction to start at the end of July –which would cause a slight disruption to playing home netball games at Murtoa.
“We’ll play four Murtoa games – our last home game there is on July 18th –and then we’ll play the remaining home games at Minyip,” he said.
Mr Delahunty said the Minyip project would start later in the season.
“It’s going to be massive for the club, and for the two towns to have new facilities in both locations,” he said.
“Hopefully it brings new people in and retains netballers and what it’ll do is keep everyone in the same location.
“If you’ve got two netball courts operating at the same time, it’ll allow for junior games on Saturdays to be played at later times to keep people together.
“There’s going to be a lot of benefits for netball, and the changerooms for AFL and netball and also the Minyip pool have access to use the changerooms for their facility as well, so it’s going to be a really wide community benefit for that project.”
Minyip-Murtoa has its first game against Dimboola on April 12 at Minyip.
Claire Mackay will return to the court with the Burras this season.
THE BALL
Consistency the ke
BY LAUREN HENRY
Consistency is the key for Horsham Saints senior footy success in 2025.
With a strong group of young players progressing through from the club’s junior level to play senior footy, coach Ben Knott is hopeful the Saints’ focus on developing local youth will pay off.
“We’ve added a lot of depth to our young group, the 17 to 20 year-olds – we’re shaping up really well in that department, so we’re hoping to build a foundation for sustained success over a 10-year period,” Knott said.
Fielding a young side last year, the Saints finished the season in seventh place, with six wins and 10 losses.
“ They’re a year older now, those young blokes, and then we’ve just topped up with a few more 17, 18, 19 year-olds, which is really pleasing,” Knott said.
“We’ve got some good competition for spots. With all these young blokes, hopefully that’s what drives them forward.”
But with losing Pat Knott, Billy Taylor and Jordy Keyte, the Saints’ experience has taken a hit in the off-season.
“We lost a few players this year – through travel and not coming back to Horsham, so numbers are probably a little bit down on what
COACHES
Seniors: Ben Knott
Reserves: Gavin Kelm
Under-17s: Gage Wright
Under-14s: Peter Kafegellis
Under-11s: Grant Bethune
they’ve been for the past couple of years, but there’s still enough to work with,” Knott said.
A key signing for 2025 is Keegan Mellington, who comes to the Saints from Ballarat in the Ballarat Football Netball League.
“He’s a Horsham lad originally, who moved to Ballarat for work but played junior footy at Saints,” Knott said.
“He was captain of Ballarat Swans last year, so he’s probably our biggest recruit.”
Knott said working on the young Saints’ consistency would see an improvement in 2025.
“I thought some games we played really well in and then just fell short in – there was a game where we played Ararat in Ararat and we were right up to our eyeballs in at half time, and then I think we kicked pretty poorly – I think we kicked two or three goals, seven points,” he said.
“I’m not saying we would have won that game, but we competed really well against the best team in the league.
“And then in other games we let ourselves down.
“ I would like to get a bit more consistency out of this season, which is harder with a young group, but that’s what we’re aiming to do.”
Knott said standout player last season Sam Clyne would miss games early in the season with a shoulder injury.
He said he would be looking at Gage Wright and Jackson Davidson to back up their performances last season and have another strong year.
“Consistency is our biggest issue –from game to game, and throughout each game too, so if we can just rein that in a little bit, we’ll be in a lot more games for a lot longer, so that’s what we want,” Knott said.
“If we can get that down pat or bridge the gap between our best and our worst, then we’ll give ourselves a bit more of a chance.”
Other young players the Saints are hoping to cement themselves as senior players this season are Judd Wright, Max Inkster, Jack Henry and Luke Miller.
The Saints kick off their season on April 12 with a home game against Nhill.
Jackson Davidson will be looking to back up his stellar performances of last season.
HORSHAM SAINTS ON THE BALL
Youth joins experi
BY LAUREN HENRY
With a mixture of youth and experience, and bolstered by a new coach, Horsham Saints will be eager to return to A Grade netball premier status.
The Saints will be ruing their fivegoal loss to Horsham Demons in last year’s Wimmera league grand final, in a season where the two teams were standouts and took turns in taking wins.
But after winning the premiership for the previous three years, a fourth was not for the Saints in 2024 as the Demons proved too strong on grand final day.
2025 A Grade coach Vernetta Taylor said the Demons were the better team on grand final day and deserved the win.
“They did it exceptionally well. I understand their team looks relatively unchanged as well so it’s going to be another tough competition and we’re here for it – we’re excited,” she said.
“We’ve got a fantastic balance, particularly in our A Grade side, of experience and youth.
“It’s really been fantastic to see our mature, older and more experienced players combine with our younger players throughout the preseason, things are looking really good.
“We are really connected as a club and we’re really excited for what lays ahead.”
COACHES
A Grade: Vernetta Taylor
B Grade: Holly Combe and Abby Hallam
C Grade: Tegan Ward
C Reserve: Annie Mintern and Deidre Harrington
17-and-under: Zeena Kelm
15-and-under: Vernetta Taylor
13-and-under: Jorja Clode
Taylor said the Saints A Grade squad would be largely unchanged from 2024, featuring Hatcher medallists Ashlee Grace and Abby Hallam, the league’s best under-21 player last year Maddison Bethune and the league’s leading goal-shooter Jorja Clode.
Erin Martin will return to the team after having a baby, Shannon Cross, who mainly played B Grade last year will step up to A Grade.
Taylor said Clode would play for Bendigo Strikers Under 23 team in the Victoria Netball League, but that should not interfere with her Saints’ duties.
“We also welcome a very talented young player in Lena Marshman. She’s been the league best-andfairest for the last two years in a row in the under-15,” she said.
We would like to recognise and thank all our club sponsors for their valued support in the
“She’s also been filling in up in the under-17 when the opportunity arose, and she’s in the Netball Victoria Northern Zone Talent Academy, so she’s already been identified as one of Victoria’s hot, young, talented players coming through.
“She’s so versatile, she can literally play any position on the court equally well – so she will add an extra dimension for our A Grade line-up.”
Taylor returns to coaching A Grade after many years of focusing on coaching junior netball at the Saints.
“To coach the seniors is quite different. But given the talent of the team at the Saints, it was just too good an opportunity to pass up, so I’m really excited about it,” Taylor said.
In fact Taylor has already coached many of the A Grade players as they progressed through the club’s junior ranks throughout the past decade.
“That was a big drawcard because I have worked with a lot of the players in the current A Grade side as they came through the junior ranks, or I’ve watched them progress – players like Ashlee Grace, I remember watching her when she was starting out in under-13,” Taylor said.
“It is wonderful to be able to now work with them at that A Grade level and really push them to see how far they can go.”
SKIPS FOR HIRE
Hatcher medallist Ashlee Grace will return to the court with the Saints this season.
Added strength COACHES
BY LEIGH ROGERS
Former AFL player Andrew Moore is stepping up as the senior coach at Dimboola.
Adelaide-based Moore was the number nine pick in the 2009 AFL National Draft and went on to play 60 games with Port Adelaide and Richmond.
He will share coaching duties at the Roos with Dean Toet this year.
Moore played 14 games in his debut season at Dimboola in 2024 and was named among the club’s best players on 12 occasions.
“It’s really good to have someone who has played at the highest level leading the way,” Toet said.
“He’s a very level-headed bloke and has a good understanding of how the game is played.
“He’s the brains trust behind it all, I’m just making things happen on a Tuesday and Thursday night.”
Outgoing coach Jack Landt will remain at the club as a player. His brother, Dylan Landt, and key forward Jackson Calder have also recommitted.
Departees include Connor O’Dwyer, Thomas O’Dwyer and Alex Jakiel, who have joined Pimpinio, and Paddy Clarke, who has signed with Taylors Lake.
“They’ve all left on good terms,” Toet said.
“It’s just sometimes there is an itch that blokes have got to scratch, to go somewhere to see whether the grass is greener on the other side.”
The club welcomes several former players back this season.
Jonathon Ross returns after a season playing with his hometown club, Red Hill, in the Mornington Peninsula Football League, and then winning a premiership with Southern Districts in the Northern Territory Football League in March.
Jayden Kuhne is back after a stint at Kalkee, while the Roos have also signed Kalkee’s Simon Hobbs.
Seniors: Andrew Moore and Dean Toet
Reserves: Jack Wood and Isaac Eldridge
Under-17s: Isaac Eldridge and Will Griffiths
Under-14s: Sam Taylor
“We haven’t lost any of our core players from last year and those three are going to be pretty handy inclusions,” Toet said.
“They add a bit of flexibility.”
Dimboola is looking to build on a 2024 campaign, which netted just three wins.
“We recognise last year was a disappointing year. I think the top five or six of our players were right up there with the best, but we lacked depth,” Toet said.
“We’ve tried to recruit to help that mid-range of our playing group and to strengthen up our team.
“Hopefully we’ll be a lot more rounded and not relying on the top five or six as much as we were last year.”
Toet identified teenager Declan Paech as a young player with potential to shine in 2025.
“He played a few senior games last year, which was pretty tough going in the season that we had, but I think he’s definitely one that will blossom in his second year,” he said.
“He’s done all the hard work and is looking good on the track. I think he’s capable of having a real standout year.”
After a recent practice match against HarrowBalmoral, the Roos are raring for the new season to begin.
“I think we’re definitely capable of playing finals,” Toet said.
Key forward Jackson Calder, above, has recommitted for the 2025 season. Below, Jackson O’Neil, Hamish Sellens and Ash Clugston are pictured in action last season.
BY LEIGH ROGERS
Dimboola’s A Grade netball team is determined to build on back-to-back preliminary final appearances.
“Of course, the start of every season is a little bit of an unknown, but you can’t ignore that the last two seasons we’ve made it to the preliminary finals, which is something we haven’t done for years,” Dimboola’s netball director Ant Toet said.
“We’re obviously hoping to make finals again and also looking for that something extra this year, but as the old saying goes, it’s best to take it a week at a time.”
Toet returns as coach of the Roos’ A Grade team, a position she last held in 2023, and will share responsibilities with Olivia Beugelaar. They replace Ashlee Morrish, who has left the club.
The Roos have maintained most of their team otherwise, with Paige Glover committed to travelling from Geelong.
Toet said the club was also excited to welcome back midcourt player Rianna Kuhne.
“Rianna played her juniors at the club and played in A Grade
COACHES
A Grade: Ant Toet and Olivia Beugelaar
B Grade: Nicole Polycarpou and Maryam Yahiat
C Grade: Kayla Mibus
17-and-under: Katie Griffiths and Alyssa Petschel
15-and-under: Maddie Marra and Bridget Dorrington
13-and-under: Lyla Barry and Emily Taylor
NetSetGo: Tahlia Avery
as a 14-year-old,” Toet said.
“She has returned after some time with Kalkee in the Horsham District league and having a baby.
“She’s looking amazing and is super fit. She’s really impressing at training and looking set to have a big season.”
Toet identified Indy Ward, a teen talent who competed at the 2025 Netball Victoria State Titles in March, as another player to watch.
“She’s just come off playing for Wimmera Mallee in the
DIMBOOLA ON THE BALL
A week at a time...
open team and is super keen and super fit,” Toet said.
Toet has been thrilled with the efforts of her team across the pre-season, especially when bushfires impacted their early plans.
The Dimboola Recreation Reserve became a base for firefighting efforts, which meant restricted access for the club.
Ongoing smoky conditions presented another challenge.
“We started a bit later than expected due to the fires, but now the senior netball group is training two to three times a week,” Toet said.
“Majority of the girls have played together, but it might still take some time for us to gel.
“We’ve got a good culture at the club and the team seems to be working together quite well, so we’re looking to build on that.”
Practice matches against Horsham District clubs Taylors Lake and Rupanyup in recent weeks have also provided valuable match-play opportunities in the lead-up to the new season.
Dimboola has opted not to field a C Reserve team this season.
DIMBOOLA FOOTBALL & NETBALL CLUB
Thank you to all our sponsors and volunteers for the 2025 season
COACHES
SENIORS Andrew Moore & Dean Toet
RESERVES: Jack Wood & Isaac Eldridge
UNDER-17s: Isaac Eldridge & Will Griffiths
UNDER-14s: Sam Taylor
A GRADE: Ant Toet & Olivia Beugelaar
B GRADE: Nicole Polycarpou & Maryam Yahiat
C GRADE: Kayla Mibus
17-AND-UNDER: Katie Griffiths & Alyssa Petschel
15-AND-UNDER: Bridget Dorrington & Maddie Marra
13-AND-UNDER: Lyla Barry & Emily Taylor (M Ant Toet)
NSG: Tahlia Avery
2025 A Grade joint coach Olivia Beugelaar in action last season.
Warrack ready to soar
BY LEIGH ROGERS
The only way is up for the Warrack Eagles’ senior football side after collecting the wooden spoon last season.
The Eagles are ready to soar too, according to returning coach Matt Walder.
“We have a stronger, deeper list than we did last year,” declared Walder, a dual Wimmera Football League premiership coach.
Adelaide-based stars Kyle Cheney, a former AFL player who grew up in Warracknabeal, and Machok Garang, the Eagles’ 2024 best-and-fairest winner, have signed on again this season.
They will travel each week alongside a horde of new recruits from the Hills Football League in South Australia – including brothers Sam and Ben Hanna, Sean Arney, Sam Hayden, Luke Winrow and Ned Grieve.
“They are all versatile players who can play through the middle, or key roles for us front or back,” Walder said.
Nullawil’s Lachlan Braine has signed on too, along with returning players Nick Ingram, Brandon Walsh and Keegan King.
Ingram is back after a season playing with Torrens Valley in the Hills Football League.
Melbourne-based Walsh is a for-
Rump Night
COACHES
Seniors: Matt Walder
Reserves: Clinton Jonasson and Mathew Crisp
Under-17s: Mal White and Kyle George
Under-14s: Chris Roche and Beau Duthie
Under-11s: Ben Spicer and Mark Williams
Under-8s: Daniel Keam
ward who last played with the Eagles in 2014, while King returns after a 10-year absence.
King won a premiership with Horsham in 2018 and has spent the past four seasons at Pimpinio.
They will help fill roles vacated by departing players John Martin, Jayke Hellmanns, Tyson Hunt, Jai Kovatseff and Jake O’Donnell.
“We’ve obviously been a bit off the mark over the past few years,” Walder said.
“We made some inroads at the backend of the season last year, but we certainly want to close the gap between those above us.”
Walder, a non-playing coach, said his team had been ‘working on every facet of our game’ during the pre-season.
TUESDAY
260g rump cooked to your liking, served with chips & salad
“We want to be more attacking and dangerous forward of the centre,” he said.
“We obviously leaked the most points as well last year, so our focus has been on tightening up our all-round game.”
Walder named promising teens Kobe McGregor and Nick Stein as standout performers on the training track over summer.
“Kobe is a small forward and Nick is an emerging key defender,” he said.
“They came into the fold at the end of last year to play a handful of senior games and they’ve both had strong pre-seasons.”
The Eagles’ pre-season schedule has included several practice matches in recent weeks, testing themselves against Keith and Merbein.
“To be super competitive week in, week out is our baseline expectation,” Walder said of the Eagles’ season goals.
“Every club aims to play finals and we’re no different. We’re aiming high.
“We want to see improvement in our performances, how that relates to wins, losses and our position on the ladder, well that’s the $64,000 question. We’ll just have to wait and see how quickly we can close that gap.”
WEDNESDAY
Pot & Parma
Eight options to choose from, served with chips & salad
FRIDAY
5pm to 7pm &
Kyle Cheney, in action last season, has re-signed with the Eagles for 2025.
WARRACK EAGLES ON THE BALL
Eagles remain
BY LEIGH ROGERS
Although Warrack Eagles are yet to sign an A Grade netball coach for 2025, the mood at the club remains upbeat ahead of the new season.
The Eagles have a bye in the opening round, meaning they are not scheduled to play their first matches until after Easter.
“We’ve still got a couple of weeks until we need to finalise anything, so hopefully we can touch base with a couple more people and go from there,” Warrack Eagles’ netball director Brooke Holland said of the club’s ongoing quest to fill the A Grade coaching role.
“We’ve got some really good coaches across B Grade, C Grade and C Reserve, plus our junior teams.
“Everyone’s working together well, there’s great communication and a great feel across the club, so we’re looking forward to getting stuck into it.”
The Eagles boast plenty of depth across their netball numbers, with the club fielding a full slate of senior and junior teams.
“It’s just no one wants to step into the A Grade coaching role,” Holland said.
“A lot of girls in our A Grade team are also studying, so to take two nights out a week to run training and then Saturdays as well – it’s a big ask when they’re studying full-time plus working full-time, too.”
The good news for the Eagles is their A Grade line-up looks stable, with no omissions from the team that finished in eighth spot in 2024.
Ava Koschitzke is relocating for universi-
COACHES upbeat
A Grade: TBC
B Grade: Rikki Nitschke
C Grade: Bonnie Gunn
C Reserve: Gracie Hurlstone
17-and-under: Jonti George
15-and-under: Courtney Williams
13-and-under: Sarah Spicer and Macie Nitschke
ty, however the Eagles are hopeful she may still make some appearances this season.
“We have had no luck with recruits, so we are hoping we can make it work with what we’ve got,” Holland said.
“We’re a great club. We’ve got a great atmosphere and hopefully we can show the wider community that’s what we’re all about. Who knows? We might still score some new players.”
The club is set to continue a training partner initiative that was introduced last season, which sees juniors allocated to one of the four senior teams to gain valuable experience.
“They are not guaranteed court time, but it’s to help them learn the ropes of senior netball,” Holland said.
“They can see how senior games work, learn from how they are coached and experience what it is like sitting on the bench.
“Last year a majority of the junior players all stepped onto the court at some stage too.”
Ashlynn McKenzie is expected to take to the court again this season.
ON THE BALL
Umpire recruitment drive
Football matches would not go ahead if it wasn’t for umpires, and Wimmera Mallee Umpires Association is well on the way to boosting its stocks in 2025.
The WMUA is in the midst of a recruiting blitz – attracting more boundary, goal and field umpires for this season and beyond.
The recruitment drive has already begun, tapping into schools and football clubs to help.
New WMUA president Amy Stasinowsky is the first-ever female to take on the group’s top job, after joining the association hierarchy last year.
She is also the second-ever female president of an umpiring group in Victoria.
For Mrs Stasinowsky, being involved with the WMUA is a family affair.
“ I got involved because I had children who were involved – I have three boundary umpires in my house,” she said.
Mrs Stasinowsky said people took up umpiring for many different reasons – from the love of football to, for juniors, getting paid.
“ As far as umpiring, it gives former players an amazing opportunity to still be part of the game and still use their knowledge and their skills – just in a different way,” she said.
“Obviously, there’s also the fitness, you’re with a great group of people, and you get to travel to lots of different destinations … and there’s the social aspect.”
As part of the AFL-wide push in 2025 to recruit more women to umpiring, there is a female umpire experience hub visiting Horsham on April 2.
The AFL has set a target for
associations to reach 40 per cent of female umpires – Wimmera Mallee currently sits at about 10 per cent of their pool of 80 umpires.
“The most important thing to remember is that age and gender are no barriers,” Mrs Stasinowsky said.
“Everybody is able to fill a role and is more than capable of taking part in which discipline they want to have a look at. There’s something there for everyone.”
The female experience hub comes on the back of WMUA hosting key AFL Victoria umpiring personnel last month in a recruiting and training initiative.
The visit promoted umpiring to students, to developing umpires, providing opportunities to upskill volunteer umpires and clarifying with AFL Vic policy writers on important de-
velopments in the vilification and auditory offences space.
This year, the WMUA’s new coaching appointments include Cameron Pickering as head field coach; Kynan Stasinowsky, boundary coach; David
Thomas, goal coach; and Ashley Wright and Michael Stasinowsky, appointment officers.
For more information on umpiring, people can visit AFL Wimmera Mallee Umpires’ Fa-
Big season ahead for region
BY ANGE BALLINGER,
AFL WIMMERA MALLEE REGION MANAGER
It’s been a very busy off season for AFL Wimmera Mallee, working closely with local leagues to prepare for a great year of community football in 2025.
Planning commenced immediately following the 2024 season, with new competitions and new playing opportunities made possible due to the tireless work of many wonderful volunteers.
Junior pathways
The AFL Wimmera Mallee is committed to supporting leagues and clubs with an uninterrupted junior pathway for the first time in the region, with an under-eight age group ensuring that young athletes can begin developing their skills and passion for football at their local club and remain there for their whole career if they wish.
This initiative is part of the broader 2025 plan to enhance participation, support junior pathways, and strengthen overall community football sustainability in the region.
Female football
We are thrilled to support the Wimmera Football Netball League, WFNL, as they launch the region’s first female football competition.
This groundbreaking initiative will allow women and girls to play football in their local area without having to travel vast distances. By providing a platform for female athletes to compete and develop their skills, we are promoting inclusivity and diversity within the sport, ensuring that everyone can participate.
Lead Your Way
We are also proud to announce that Tereasa Hobbs, president of Harrow-
Balmoral Football Netball Club, has been chosen to participate in the prestigious AFL Lead Your Way program. This program is designed to develop leadership skills and empower participants to make a positive impact within their communities.
Tereasa’s selection is a testament to her dedication and passion for football, and we are confident she will continue to be a driving force for growth and development in the region.
Development officer
We are excited to announce the appointment of Sally Pymer as a new game development officer for Wimmera Mallee.
Sally brings much enthusiasm to her role, where she will be responsible for bringing participation programs to schools and organisations across the region.
Her efforts will focus on introducing young students to football, nurturing their interest in the sport, and assisting in the growth of junior players.
Sally’s appointment marks a significant step forward in our mission to cultivate a strong foundation for football in Wimmera Mallee.
U15 Academy
The AFL Wimmera Mallee Under 15 Academy program enters its second year, continuing to provide young athletes with the training and development they need to become the best football players they can be.
Under the expert guidance of head coach Stuart Farr, the academy offers a rigorous and supportive environment where players can hone their skills and prepare for future opportunities in the sport.
The program aims to inspire and equip young players with the tools they need to succeed, both on and off the field.
Who knows where their football journeys will take them, and we all love to see our local players competing in the elite competitions.
Coaching development
Our focus on improving coaching capabilities and quality is a cornerstone of the 2025 Action Plan.
By providing local coaching development opportunities, we aim to ensure that coaches are well-equipped to deliver high-quality training and guidance to their players.
This, in turn, will enhance the playing experiences of young athletes, fostering a positive and supportive environment that encourages growth and development.
Tom Dunn has recently been appointed as an AFL Vic coach developer and will be available to visit Wimmera Mallee clubs should you wish him to.
Umpire retention
Maintaining a great relationship with the Wimmera Mallee Umpires Association is crucial for the sustainability of local football.
We will continue to support the recruitment and retention of local umpires by bringing experts to the region for skill development and training.
This initiative is designed to ensure that our games are officiated by knowledgeable and skilled umpires, contributing to the overall quality and integrity of the sport.
I am delighted to share with you my preparations for the season about to commence and I look forward to watching local footy with you all in 2025.
cebook page, visit play.afl/um pire or speak to an association representative. Umpires train each Wednesday at Horsham City Oval, starting at 6.30pm this week, but from 6pm for the remainder of the season.
Wimmera Mallee Umpires Association head field coach Cameron Pickering, goal coach David Thomas, female liaison officer Chloe Haughton, president Amy Stasinowsky and boundary coach Kynan Stasinowsky.
Ange Ballinger
FOOTBALL NETBALL LEAGUE
Striving for a year to remember
BY STEVE HOFFMANN HDFNL CHAIR
It seems like just yesterday we were crowning the premiers at North Park, and now here we are on the eve of round one for the 2025 season.
Time flies, but it also brings with it exciting opportunities, and the league has been hard at work during the offseason to ensure the upcoming season will be one to remember.
There have been significant strides made in several key areas, all aimed at ensuring the success of the 2025 season.
One of the most notable developments this year has been the addition of new board members.
I am pleased to welcome Geoff Maddern, Paula Wiedermann, Ben Tait, and Maree Thompson to the board. They each bring a wealth of experience and fresh perspectives that will help guide the league as we continue to grow and evolve.
The league would also like to acknowledge and thank Rosemary Langley, Joanne Thomas and Nathan Neumann for their hard work and dedication during their time on the HDFNL board.
In addition to welcoming new board members, we have been focused on strengthening our governance.
tournaments in Bendigo, while the football teams will participate in the South West Carnival.
Additionally, both netball and football teams will face off against the Maryborough Castlemaine League in June.
A huge thank you to all the coaches and volunteers who have generously given their time to support these programs.
Without your dedication, these valuable opportunities for young players would not be possible.
In the junior space, we have seen some teams come together this year, with a few clubs combining their players to form competitive teams.
While some clubs won’t be fielding certain teams this season, we are happy to report there are still plenty of opportunities for kids to play and develop their skills.
We are committed to providing a platform for all youth to participate in our programs and enjoy the benefits of being part of a team.
As we shift our focus to the 2025 season, the excitement is building.
Laharum will be back to defend its A Grade title, but after Rupanyup’s heartbreaking loss in last year’s grand final, we know they will be hungrier than ever to go one step further.
Edenhope-Apsley and Kalkee will also be in the mix, and as we’ve seen in the past, on any given day, it could be anyone’s game.
The league would also like to extend its gratitude to our naming rights sponsor, The Weekly Advertiser, and our platinum sponsor, Priceline, along with all our valued sponsors. Your support is absolutely vital to the survival and success of our league, and we encourage all our members to show their appreciation by supporting the businesses that make these opportunities possible.
Please be sure to follow the league on our social media platforms to stay connected and updated on the latest news throughout the season.
These changes are crucial in ensuring that we operate with transparency, fairness, and efficiency in the years to come.
This has included working on updating our governance models, reviewing the league’s bylaws, and drafting a new constitution.
Looking ahead to the 2025 season, I am excited to announce the league will once again be running junior representative programs for both netball and football.
These programs are a fantastic opportunity for young players to showcase their talents and develop their skills in a competitive environment. The netball program will feature two
It’s been great to see new recruits being shared across social media, and we are eager to see how these new players will contribute to the teams.
On behalf of the board, I would like to wish all our clubs, players, and supporters the very best for the 2025 season.
Let’s make it a year filled with competitive and enjoyable sport, one that will be remembered for years to come. Together, we can make this season a great success.
Harrow-Balmoral is chasing its third consecutive flag, but we know that Noradjuha-Quantong and Swifts will be right there, gunning for the cup as well. The competition in football and netball will be fierce, and it’s shaping up to be an exciting season.
Steve Hoffmann
Something special br
BY COLIN MacGILLIVRAY
Complacency has been an enemy for Harrow-Balmoral’s senior footballers this summer.
The Roos have set the pace for the rest of the Horsham District Football Netball League across the past two seasons, not losing a single game on their way to back-to-back premierships.
But playing coach Jai Thompson said he hoped the promise of more history would spur his players to greater heights in 2025.
“Hunger is something I’ve spoken about a lot. We’ve got some mantras and other things this year to keep ourselves pumped up,” he said.
“Sometimes it’s easy enough to rest on what you’ve done and fade away a little bit, but I think this group is special. They have the hunger to continue to play.
“The older guys getting towards the end of their time in footy aren’t going to get too many more opportunities to do something special like what we’re trying to achieve this year.”
That special achievement would be joining the HDFNL’s truly immortal teams – Laharum in the 1960s, Rupanyup in the 1990s and Kalkee in the late 2000s and early 2010s – by winning three consecutive senior flags.
It is a goal Thompson believes is within the Roos’ power to attain, with the bulk of last season’s premiership team returning.
The team will lose Scott Addinsall, as
COACHES
Seniors: Jai Thompson
Reserves: Tim Crick and Sam Hutchins
Under-17s: Matt Jones and Quentin Willmott
Under-14s: Ed Ferguson
well as impressive youngster George Austin due to work opportunities elsewhere, while veteran Clint Robinson will step back from regular senior football to allow the club’s youth more development opportunities.
But the Roos have covered their losses with the return of former clubmen Harry Robertson from university in New South Wales and Charlie Johnston, who played last season with the Victorian Amateur Football Association’s University Blues.
Simon Close, who missed all of last season with a knee injury, will also be eased back into action.
Thompson said the recruits, coupled with the development of the team’s other young talents such as goalsneak Rhys Daffey and big man Noah Hildebrand, could allow the Roos to improve while lessening the burden on their ageing core.
“We’ve been really impressed with the pre-season that Archer Cameron has had. He played in the under-17s grand final in the combined team with Laharum last year,” he said.
“I could see Noah Hildebrand taking a
lot more of the number-one ruck duties, which gives us a good opportunity to play Anthony Close in a few different positions and float him around a bit.
“Noah has been training really well and has put on a bit more size, and he seems to be moving around the ground really well.”
Thompson said the added versatility would ensure the Roos’ game style did not stagnate.
“Every team is continually getting better and they’re going to work out ways to be able to counteract some of our game plan from previous years,” he said.
“I believe if you don’t continue to change things up and find different avenues to make things work that you become stale, and that’s how teams can get the upper hand on you.”
And in an ominous sign for the competition, Thompson, the league’s reigning Dellar medallist, said he would enter the season feeling fresh.
“We gave ourselves a little bit more time this year in terms of the pre-season because we’ve had some pretty deep runs into the finals,” he said.
“I’m feeling really good body-wise. Hopefully I can still come out and play the sort of footy I played last year.
“Obviously as you continue getting older you just hope your body can still do the things you want it to do, but I’ve put myself in the best position to be able to do that with the work I’ve done.”
Veteran Peter Staude in action last season.
Harrow-Balmoral’s Nick Pekin, left, was judged best player in last year’s grand final at North Park, Stawell. Another key player for the Roos is forward Michael Close, below.
HARROWBALMORAL
Roos ready to rise
BY COLIN MacGILLIVRAY
The past two seasons have constituted foreign territory for a Harrow-Balmoral netball team that won its third A Grade premiership in four years less than a decade ago and had remained a consistent finals threat since.
The Roos took home wooden spoons in 2023 and 2024 after fielding one of the competition’s youngest sides, but coach Emily Langley believes they might be ready to return to finals contention this year after an off-season facelift.
Harrow-Balmoral has lost the bulk of last season’s A Grade team, with Tori Dunstan, Edwina Lees and Amber McClure all departing for study opportunities, while Jorja Jones has moved to the Wimmera league’s Horsham Demons and goalie Tara McIntyre will play for Natimuk United. In their stead, the club will look to Rori Mason, a 17-and-under developmental player who appeared in six A Grade matches last season, to hold down a defensive post next to bestand-fairest runner-up Megan Little. Former premiership player Bec Francis has also returned to shore up the Roos’ midcourt, while goalie Brittany Burns comes back after a one-year stint with Horsham Demons.
Langley said the high turnover of players would result in a more mature
COACHES
A Grade: Emily Langley
B Grade: Bec Francis
C Grade: Donna Hobbs and Maddi Uebergang
C Reserve: Jae Smith
17-and-under: Bethany Harris
15-and-under: Mel Matthews
13-and-under: Ash Simons
Harrow-Balmoral team taking the court this season.
“We’ve got some really solid figures to come in and take over from the spots we lost,” she said.
“The average age of the team has increased with the players we’ve brought in, which will make a big difference.
“We were well aware when last season finished that there was going to be a bit of turnover, so it wasn’t a shock to us.
“We worked quite hard early in the off-season to fill those gaps.”
Langley said despite the team’s new look, most of the players were familiar with each other, negating any potential chemistry issues.
“We’ve had a couple of inter-club practice matches and the team is merging really well together,” she said.
“We’re pretty lucky that nearly all of the players that are returning have played netball together in the past in some capacity.
“Now it’s just about getting together and working well. We’ve got a really good leadership group with the girls.
“We’ve got good communication and the girls are coming together really well, which has made my job a lot easier considering how much turnover there has been.”
Langley said the addition of more veteran experience would also aid the Roos’ remaining youngsters, who she said had learned valuable lessons during the past two fallow seasons.
She said the team’s sights were firmly set on a return to finals.
“We had a really young side last year and the girls did incredibly well under that pressure, which I think we will have learned from and will build on this year,” she said.
“The girls are really keen for a couple more wins this season, and from what I’ve seen at training that’s definitely a possibility for us.
“We’ve got a tough start in the first couple of rounds but it will be a good test for us to see how we go.
“Our push is to really try to aim for a finals berth.
“If we’re looking at anything less, I don’t know what we’re looking for.”
ON THE BALL
HARROW-BALMORAL FOOTBALL NETBALL CLUB
– Ed Ferguson and Maddox Blake.
Go Roos!
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Harrow-Balmoral A Grade player Rori Mason will take to the court again this season.
ON THE BALL
Ready for next step
BY COLIN MacGILLIVRAY
After a grand final loss to Harrow-Balmoral by just 13 points last season, Noradjuha-Quantong’s senior footballers faced a choice.
“It can go one way or the other. You can get a bit complacent and just think it’s going to look after itself in the years to come, or you can knuckle down and make sure you get another crack at it,” coach Damian Cameron said.
Given the way the Bombers have trained during the summer – with many hitting the track before Christmas – it is clear Cameron believes his side has chosen the latter option.
“The way we’ve gone about training as a group, there are really good signs,” he said.
“From the word go we’ve had good numbers and commitment, and we’ve picked up a couple of new players over the summers, so the vibes are good at the moment.”
Among the new recruits for the Bombers is long-time Southern Mallee Thunder and Giants player Leigh Stewart, who Cameron said the team was thrilled to add.
“He’s got some mates at the club and has trained here a little bit in the past,” he said.
“We’re pretty excited to have him on board, because he’s super fit and
COACHES
Seniors: Damian Cameron
Reserves: Jay Hogan, Jason Kerr and Brent McIntyre
Under-17s: Heath Francis
Under-14s: Jason Rowe and Rowan Adams
Under-11s: Shane Oakley
Auskick: Brian Harrison
in a pretty successful Thunder team.”
Also joining are Thomas Pridgeon and brothers Declan and Lachlan Phyland, who hail from the Geelong region.
“We’re happy to have those three because they’ve all played some really good footy and we’re hoping they slot in nicely,” Cameron said.
“Declan and Thomas are midfielders, so we’re hoping they’ll slot straight into our midfield, and then Lachlan is a six-foot-three key-position player.
“We might play him across half forward or half back, so we’ve got a bit of flexibility.
“Leigh Stewart might play through the midfield as well, so between them they’ve bolstered our midfield a little bit.”
Adding to that flexibility is the return of former Noradjuha-Quantong player
Cameron said the added depth would help offset the loss of skipper James Hallett, who will miss this season due to pre-existing travel plans.
But Cameron said apart from the loss of Hallett and uncertainty about the health of Dawson Cross, the Bombers had retained nearly all of their 2024 playing group.
“The frustrating part of the last few years is that we might’ve picked up a couple, but then we’ve lost a couple as well over the summer,” he said.
“To pick a few up and not lose too many will hopefully mean we take a step forward.”
And with Noradjuha-Quantong coming so close to a premiership last season, one step forward could be all the Bombers need in 2025.
But Cameron warned his team not to become complacent or to begin dreaming of another grand final appearance.
“We’re not getting too far ahead of ourselves,” he said.
“We played some really good footy at the right time of the year, and Harrow-Balmoral is going to be a class act all year round.
“If we play the right type of footy I’m confident we can be thereabouts again, but we’ve got a lot to work on and a lot of improvement to come with the age of the group.
“Hopefully if we do the right things we can take that step or two forward
NORADJUHAQUANTONG
ON THE BALL
Challenge remai
BY COLIN MacGILLIVRAY
For perennial powerhouse Noradjuha-Quantong, the 2025 A Grade netball season will be about building on last season’s success and remaining among the Horsham District Football Netball League’s elite.
The Bombers came painfully close to a grand final appearance last season, going down to Rupanyup in a preliminary final by seven goals in extra time.
But after retaining their squad and adding a pair of handy players during the summer, returning coach Fiona Rowe said the team was in a good position to match or exceed its results from 2024.
“We’re trying to build on last year. We’ve added a bit of depth to the team,” she said.
“We hope to remain competitive and we are very much aiming to make finals. Then we’ll go from there.”
Adding firepower to the Bombers this season will be former Wimmera league players Ash Morrish, who last year coached Dimboola, as well as young goalie Taya Quick from the Horsham Saints.
With Quick likely to slot into the goal ring alongside veteran Shannon Couch, who remained
A Grade: Fiona Rowe
B Grade: Carly Shields
C Grade: Chloe Gabbe
C Reserve: Michelle Hair
13-and-under: Fiona Rowe and Bella McIntyre COACHES
among the league’s top scorers last season, Noradjuha-Quantong will be spoiled for options in attack.
Rowe said the team had trained strongly during the summer and was focused on delivering its best netball week to week.
“Our fitness is looking really good,” she said.
“We’ve got two new girls coming into the side who are strong, dynamic, attacking-style players, so we’re looking at continuing to develop our strategies and improve on them every year.
“What worked for us last year we’ll continue with, with a few tweaks, and we’ll try to put our best game on the court each week in order to be competitive.”
With the Bombers not fielding 17-and-under or 15-and-under sides this season due to a lack of numbers, Rowe said the A
Grade squad would not have junior depth to draw on, but she believed the additional recruits would more than make up for it.
She said Noradjuha-Quantong was hell-bent on re-establishing all junior grades next season.
“There was a lack of numbers this season, but we’re definitely looking at getting them back up and running next season,” she said.
“We’ve got a fantastic NetSetGo program and we have many participants in it.
“Our 13-and-unders this year will be able to move up to the 15s next year and the NetSetGo participants will move into the 13s.
“We’ll be able to field those sides moving forward, we’ve just had a bit of a lull in the last couple of years.”
But regardless of the Bombers’ junior ranks, Rowe said the challenge remained clear for its senior side.
“You have to be on your game and ready to put your best performance on the court, because if you don’t, one of these other teams can easily take the win away from you,” she said.
“Our main goal is to be consistently competitive every week no matter who our opposition is. If we do that it will put us in good stead come September.”
Izabella McIntyre is among last season’s players expected to return to the court.
ON THE BALL
Swifts’ spirits high
BY COLIN MacGILLIVRAY
At the outset of a long football season many team leaders can be cagey about premiership aspirations, not wanting to put undue pressure on their players.
Swifts co-coach Brett Hargreaves has no such reservations on the eve of the team’s 2025 campaign.
Following last season’s narrow preliminary final loss to Noradjuha-Quantong, in which the Baggies led by 31 points at quarter time, Hargreaves is encouraging his players to embrace expectations.
“It’s got to be a grand final or nothing. That’s what we’re aiming for. In the pre-season we’ve spoken about it pretty openly,” he said.
“We were pretty hurt by it. We thought it was our opportunity last year and we missed it, so we’ve got to make amends for it this year, and that’s all we’ve been working towards.”
Hargreaves said the Baggies had also modified their pre-season training regimen in an effort to peak at the right time.
“Last year we got really fit during the pre-season and started the year really well,” he said.
“I reckon we worked so much on fitness stuff that we started to fade a bit towards the back end of the season and copped a few injuries.
“This year we’ve done heaps of footy stuff during pre-season. Pretty much everything we did, we did with a ball in hand. There was a lot more match simu-
COACHES
Seniors: Brett Hargreaves and Ryan Folkes
Reserves: Ben Martin and Barry Neville
Under-17s: Noah Stirling
Under-14s: Mack Padley and Seth Blake
Under-11s: Todd Matthews
Under-8s: Jimmy McLeod
lation stuff, and the boys seem to have responded really well to it.”
Hargreaves said the addition of star midfielder Ryan Folkes as co-coach this season had also brought a fresh perspective to the team.
“It was a good fit. I was keen to get someone else on board because it’s a hard job and I’ve been doing it now since 2021,” he said.
“We needed a new voice, which is what Ryan is bringing.
“He’s a lot younger and fitter than I am, so he’s able to drive a few more things at training. I’ve really enjoyed having him on board.”
While spirits have been high at Swifts during the summer, the team will be forced to contend with the loss of last season’s league-leading goal kicker Paul Summers, who departs for Wimmera league team Stawell, while ruckman Matt Healy has transferred to Pimpinio.
Hargreaves said replacing Summers’
124 goals would be no easy task, but that it could prove beneficial for the Baggies in the long run.
He said the addition of Jordan Motton from the Horsham Demons would help, but that the team would need to create other avenues to goal.
“It’s going to be a more dynamic forward line. We’ll probably go small and fast and hope that our pockets and wingers can generate some goals for us,” Hargreaves said.
“We were pretty Paul-centric last season, so it won’t hurt to have a different look. Teams were able to plan for that, and they won’t be able to plan for us as easily now, which I think is good.”
With the additional signings of Sean Mantell, who returns after nearly a decade at Stawell, Martin Carey from Newcomb in the AFL Barwon league, and Matt Smith from Tatyoon, Hargreaves said the team’s depth would be solid. But he said the development of younger players such as Joseph Martin and Noah Stirling, who won the league’s best under-21 player award last season, was the biggest reason the Baggies were capable of reaching their grand final goal.
“A lot of our younger guys are getting into that 50 to 100-game range, so rather than us older boys being the leaders, I think it’s their turn to start being the difference they want to see,” he said. Liam
Scott in action with the Swifts last season.
ON THE BALL SWIFTS
‘Don’t write us off’
BY COLIN MacGILLIVRAY
Swifts A Grade netball co-
coaches Amy Kenny and Kristy Dodds have a message for the Horsham District league ahead of round one – ‘don’t write us off’.
The Baggies have been a competitive outfit for the past two seasons following a winless campaign in 2022, but have fallen just short of finals appearances.
Kenny said with players from last year’s B Grade team, which reached a preliminary final, adding depth to this season’s A Grade squad, the Baggies could be ready to take the next step.
“This year we’ve got a solid 10 players in the A Grade and a really versatile bunch, so I feel like we’ll have the legs to go the extra mile this year, whereas last year we were struggling a little bit more,” she said.
“Some of them have come up from B Grade last year so they’ve got that real fire in their bellies.
“We’re not finished. We didn’t quite get to where we wanted to last year, but adding that experience of having played finals netball in B Grade helps them to relax that little bit more.”
Midcourt player Jacqui Scott and defender Isabella Robson are the only losses from last season’s A Grade side, while former Baggie Emily Hanns will return from Tatyoon.
Midcourter Kathryn Boag, a lifelong Swifts player, also looks set to earn
STOCKING AMMO!!
COACHES
A Grade: Kristy Dodds and Amy Kenny
B Grade: Emily Gay
C Grade: Amanda McLeod
C Reserve: Rachel McLeod
17-and-under: Sophie Bird
15-and-under: Kat Boag
13-and-under: Amy Kenny and Katie Lovett
Modified: Briony Cann
more opportunities in this season’s A Grade side after playing much of last season in B Grade.
Dodds said year-to-year consistency among the A Grade squad, which Swifts has notably lacked in recent seasons, would only aid the team’s finals push.
“We’ve been consolidating a lot of what we’ve worked on for the last couple of years,” she said.
“The biggest thing we’re excited about, and the players have said it as well, is the consistency in the team we’ve got.
“Over the years we have had pregnancies that have really impacted the team in certain ways. We’re a big family club and we appreciate that, but we knew the time would come
when we would eventually have this consistency.
“I think from the years of coaching, we’ve often had new players and it can take a while for everyone to get used to one another, but this season we’ve just picked up where we left off last year.”
Kenny said maintaining a larger A Grade squad would make the Baggies more flexible this season.
“Having the versatility we have this year is really going to help us, because it will mean we can line up players that suit the opposition we’re playing a lot better,” she said.
“Kristy and I are quite analytic, so we pay attention to what the other teams are doing a lot and we adjust our game plan based on what we need to do on that day.”
When it came to setting a goal for this season, both coaches were on the same page.
“I think making finals is what we’re really aiming for this year,” Kenny said.
“Ultimately we’d love to go right to the end – every team would – but I think if we can make our mark and make finals that would be great.
“We’re the underdogs at the minute, and that works to our advantage, but we had quite a few teams say to us throughout the season last year that they thought we had a real presence on court.
“I think that’s something that is really positive for us. Don’t write us off.” Olivia Barber will line up with the Swifts again this season.
Eyes on top-three s pot
BY COLIN MacGILLIVRAY
After one of the most dramat-
ic season-on-season turnarounds in recent Horsham District league history, Laharum’s senior footballers are keen to sustain their momentum.
The Demons went winless in 2023 but, on the back of a strong recruiting campaign, roared back into the top six last year, narrowly losing to Pimpinio in an elimination final.
Now, with another handy list of inclusions during the summer, cocoaches Shannon Argall and Robbie Miller believe their side is capable of a top-three finish.
“Aspirationally we want to finish top three, because that will give us two finals at least,” Argall said.
“Sometimes with finals you can just have a bad day, but having two finals gives you a fair-dinkum crack at the premiership.
“Even though we’ve got a challenging draw with a lot of the top sides doubled up, we’re backing ourselves and aiming for that top-three spot.”
Laharum has retained most of its list from last season, with only Campbell Mason, John Doyle and Josh McCluskey departing.
But the Demons have more than made up for their losses, with former Dellar Medal runner-up Todd Heynen returning after last playing for the club in 2018, while Hor-
COACHES
Seniors: Shannon Argall and Robbie Miller
Reserves: Daniel Down
Under-17s: Tom Dunn
Under-14s: Dale Dridan
Under-11s: Jason Przibilla
Under-8s: Glenn Steadman
sham Demons duo Brodie Mines and Hayden Kemp will cross alongside Monty Wynne – a former Laharum junior who left when the club was unable to field an under-17 side in 2022.
With the additional signings of Tarkyn Benbow from Kalkee and Jack Gardner from Noradjuha-Quantong, Argall said the Demons were shaping up to be a quicker, more athletic side this season.
“We probably lacked those speedy, skilled outside players, and we’ve certainly recruited that,” Argall said.
“In terms of our ins and outs, we’ve done really well. That continuity of the playing group over the past couple of years has been steadily building. Not only do we have some highcalibre recruits, we’ve seen natural development with guys like Pat Lattanzio coming along, Reuben Launder, juniors like Josh Hutchinson
stepping up into the seniors – they’re almost like new recruits themselves because they’re showing that they’ve vastly improved on last year.”
Argall said he and Miller had reworked Laharum’s game style to take advantage of its newfound leg speed.
“We were stifling in defence last year but we lacked the ability to kick really high scores – 15 or 20-goal scorelines weren’t very common for us,” he said.
“With these new recruits on the outside and that increased speed, we have adapted our game style very deliberately.
“It’s a style of play I haven’t seen at Laharum in many years, probably going back 10 years, in terms of aggressive and quick ball movement that we haven’t had the capacity to do in the past.”
Promisingly for Laharum supporters, 10 years ago was the last time the Demons won a senior premiership.
Argall said if the team achieved its goal of a top-three finish, that type of success could be on the horizon again.
“If we finish top three we’ll throw everything at it,” he said.
“We’ve shown it in the past. I’ve coached and Robbie played in finals where we finished third and threw everything at it and won a premiership.
“We know if we give ourselves that opportunity, anything can happen.”
Laharum’s co-coach Robbie Miller in action against Kaniva-Leeor United last season.
LAHARUM
ON THE BALL
Rejuvenated, ready
BY COLIN MacGILLIVRAY
After years of self-imposed pressure that came from toiling towards a collective goal, Laharum A Grade netball coach Rebecca McIntyre believes last year’s premiership has relieved her players of their burden.
The Demons were the class of the Horsham District league in 2024, going undefeated through the home-and-away campaign before a nail-biting two-goal win against Rupanyup in the grand final.
McIntyre admitted the weight of premiership favouritism had worn on her team last year, but that Laharum had returned rejuvenated and ready to defend its title.
“It was something that was important to all of us, because it was the culmination of a lot of years we put together since we won in 2019,” she said.
“It was something we’d been working towards and it was such a relief to be able to achieve it, so I feel like the pressure is off for us and this year is just about really enjoying it.
“Last year we had constant pressure because we were obviously the favourites.
“This year we’re just able to focus week by week and we’ve got no other expectations other than that we want to be competitive and we want to be in the finals come the end of the year.”
Another goal for McIntyre and the Demons is to develop players of the future.
With 2024’s league-leading goal shooter Caitlin Jones-Story set to assist McIntyre from the bench as she misses the season
COACHES
A Grade: Rebecca McIntyre
B Grade: Rebecca McIntyre
C Grade: Hayley Crute
C Reserve: Sarah Matthews and Ellysha Shields
17-and-under: Leah Askew
15-and-under: Peta Bond
13-and-under: Emily Humphries and Gemma Hutchinson
Modi’s: Casey Quick and Sophie Quick
due to a pregnancy, McIntyre said there would be plenty of opportunities for the club’s youngsters to prove themselves.
“It will be an interesting opportunity for us to showcase some other people in that role,” she said.
“We are going to need to find those 700odd goals that Caitlin shot for us, but what it means is we’ve got someone who’s the best in the business on the bench for us as an assistant coach.
“I’ve got 11 games until I play my 300th A Grade game, so I’ll be looking to do that and then also play some games in the B Grade as well.
“We’re looking at building for the future so we can see where we’re going to be in two, five and 10 years from now.”
McIntyre said there was no shortage of
candidates to fill both positions. “Courtney Taylor has come back from New Zealand. When Caitlin hurt her ankle in 2022 she was out for eight games and Courtney filled her position, so she’s a really established goalie,” McIntyre said.
“We’ve also just signed Jemma Thomas who comes from Horsham with years of elite netball experience. She can play both ends, so we’ve got her as an option to rotate in as well.
“We’ve also got Maddie Iredell who is the strongest goalie going around, has got a massive leap and is a super intense rebounder.
“She’s a massive part of the Caitlin and Maddie duo – without her, Caitlin isn’t Caitlin generally.
“Then we’ve got Rylee Hateley who it feels like has been with us since she was a baby and has the capacity to play in goals as well, so we’ve got options.”
The Demons have also recruited Taylors Lake young gun Lilly Weir, who McIntyre said could be used in multiple positions across the court.
With the pressure off, McIntyre said her team would simply focus on enjoying its netball in 2025.
“We’re all really lucky because we’re friends off the court as well, so it’s like getting to play with your family,” she said.
“Just being part of that is exciting. We’ve got our women’s football starting and a lot of other things happening as a club, so it’s exciting at Laharum and we want to focus on being as successful as we ever have across the whole club.”
Rylee Hateley is an integral part of the Laharum team.
BALL
Time will tell...
BY COLIN MacGILLIVRAY
After breaking a 15-year finals drought in 2024, Pimpinio’s senior footballers are hungry for greater success in 2025.
And with a lengthy list of offseason additions giving the Tigers the greatest depth they’ve enjoyed in years, coach Guy Smith believes they have the list to push deep into the finals.
A key piece of the puzzle for Smith is mobile ruckman Matt Healy, who crosses from Swifts and should add potency to the Tigers’ onball unit.
Long-time Horsham Demon Cullen Williams has also joined the Tigers, with the ability to line up as a forward, defender, or tall midfielder.
Tom O’Dwyer, who crosses from Dimboola, will give Pimpinio a focal point at centre half forward, joined by brother Connor O’Dwyer.
Other recruits include Alex Jakiel, Dimboola; Connor Marsh, Minyip-Murtoa; and Reece Hammond and Jett Munyard, Horsham Saints. Tom Arthur, a previous Pimpinio player, is also set to return from Rupanyup.
The Tigers will lose promising young players Jye Brown and Ryder Cerny to Taylors Lake, while
COACHES
Seniors: Guy Smith
Reserves: Kyle Dumesny and Hayden Fleay
Under-17s: Brett Thompson and Steve Thomas
Under-14s: Dean Frew and Luke Ellis
Under-11s: Bernard Ward
Auskick: Josh Friend
Keegan King will return to the Warrack Eagles, but Smith said the team’s list was the best it had been in years.
“Depth-wise, it’s looking pretty good. Our player manager was telling us there were 58 players on the list, which is pretty important for us as a club,” he said.
“In the reserve ranks, Kyle Dumesny is coming in as a reserves coach with Hayden Fleay and they have got really good rapport.
“They’ve been able to bring some fresh faces to the reserve ranks as well.”
The team’s new recruits burnish Pimpinio’s reputation for attracting talent, with the likes of Matt Rosier and brothers Adam and Jason Westley adding class to the side in recent seasons.
The club has also bolstered its ranks through a strong junior program, with under-17 premiership players Austin Simpson and Link Smith ready to hit the senior side in 2025.
“Without wanting to be biased, both of those guys were probably two of the standout players in the under-17s last year. Austin was the league best and fairest and Link probably slipped under the radar,” Smith said.
“They’re both extremely talented and ready-made senior players.
“We think they’re ready now to go to the next level.
“It’s a credit to the junior program we’ve got to propel them to where they need to be.”
Smith said the Tigers’ enviable depth left them with no excuses for failing to match last season’s finals berth.
“The old saying is that you always want to better what you did the year before. With our recruiting we expect to match it and go better,” he said.
“If we don’t, then it’s going to be a disappointing result for sure.
“Who knows what the year is going to throw at us? Are we going to be a top-four side? Are we going to be better? I don’t know, but time will tell as the year gets going.”
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are proud to be a major sponsor of Pimpinio Football & Netball Club for the 2025 season!
Senior coach Guy Smith hopes to push deep into finals this season.
ON THE BALL PIMPINIO
Building opportun
BY COLIN MacGILLIVRAY
Strength, consistency and defensive structure are three factors that new Pimpinio A Grade netball co-coach Hayley Hatcher believes will point the team in the right direction this season.
The Tigers showed flashes of competitiveness in 2024 – including a narrow five-goal loss to eventual grand finalist Rupanyup after scores were tied at three-quarter time, as well as a 38-goal thrashing of Taylors Lake – but ultimately finished with a disappointing 3-13 win-loss record.
Hatcher and co-coach Lana Ellis are determined to add more wins to the team’s total this season, and Hatcher said it would begin with greater depth and consistency.
“I think we’ve got a fair bit of depth in the A Grade team this season,” she said.
“Our training has been more consistent and our numbers have been big, which is great because it means we’re able to feed up and down between our squads.
“We’ve got a few quality 17-andunder players who have finished their juniors and a few of them will be stepping up into A Grade.”
Among those young players in line for more opportunities are goalie Ada Binney, who split her
COACHES
A Grade: Hayley Hatcher and Lana Ellis
B Grade: Annie Felini
C Grade: Lacey Fleay
C Reserve: Maree Thompson
17-and-under: Maree Thompson and Kellie Slorach
15-and-under: Erin Muller and Kate Waterworth
13-and-under: Ash Brooks
time between Pimpinio’s 17-andunder and A Grade squads in 2024, and Ava Fitzgerald, who was named best on court in Pimpinio’s 17-and-under grand final victory.
The Tigers have also recruited a trio of players, with Tilli and Tori Menzel crossing from Wimmera league club Dimboola, while Stefanie Cooper will join the team from Noradjuha-Quantong.
With Cooper and Tori Menzel playing as defenders and Tilli bolstering the midcourt, Hatcher said she hoped the team could more effectively negate opposition scoring.
“I think we would like to be a little bit more consistent and more defensively structured and strong,” she said.
“We want to be able to dictate the play, not the other way around.”
Making way for Cooper and Tori Menzel at the defensive end is Holly Ross, who has crossed to Rupanyup, while Ellis is hoping to take a step back from A Grade playing duties.
“Our old stalwart Lana is hoping to play more B Grade and not have to play A Grade all the time,” Hatcher said.
“As coaches I think we work very well together.
“We are very good friends and we communicate all the time.
“Our number one thing this year is to communicate not only with each other, but with everyone on the team.
“We make a plan month by month with all of the coaches to see what we’re doing every week at training.”
And Hatcher said the construction of a new netball court at Pimpinio this year would only boost the team’s training efforts once complete.
“We’re hoping to get our new court towards the middle or end of the year and training will be wonderful then,” she said.
“It’s an exciting time for the club.”
ities
Goalie Ada Binney is expected to step up to A Grade this season.
Kees keen for fina
BY LEIGH ROGERS
Kalkee has high hopes that its senior team can make a triumphant return to finals football in 2025.
Although the Kees have finished outside the top six for the past two seasons, returning coach Andy Devereaux believes his side has the potential to make giant improvements on last year’s seventh-place finish.
“We showed some really good signs late last year, especially with so many of the injuries that we had,” Devereaux said.
“We’d like to improve our position from last year, so we’re definitely eyeing a spot in the finals.”
A strong pre-season, which has included several intraclub matches in recent weeks, has helped to boost morale at the club.
Devereaux, who takes the reins solo after co-coaching with Steve Schultz last year, said he was happy with the numbers on the training track.
“We were averaging around the 20-25 mark even before Christmas,” he said.
“We’ve got lots of keen, young players, so I’m excited to see what we can do this year. With a young side anything is possible.”
COACHES
Seniors: Andy Devereaux
Reserves: Nick Mumford and Dyllan Kemp
Under-17s: Ben Lawson and Paddy Mills
Under-14s: Adam Carter
Under-11s: Andrew Brown
Under-8s: Brendan Hobbs
Devereaux said quicker ball movement had been a major focus on the training track during the summer.
“We’re not a very tall side, so we can’t allow teams to set up defensively against us,” he said.
“We’re trying to move the ball quicker. We want to be a bit chaotic and unpredictable, so we’ve been working on changing angles and that kind of thing in attack.”
Devereaux said the club was still actively recruiting and hoped to land some last-minute signings.
“There’s nothing official as yet, but we are in talks with a few players from Geelong and Ballarat way to see their availability,” he said.
“We will have a few old faces
back at the club too, with Zavier Hobbs and Karl Campbell coming off the long-term injury list.”
The only major omission for the Kees is Jayden Kuhne, who has signed with Dimboola in the Wimmera Football League.
Devereaux is predicting a big season ahead for Isaiah Adams.
He labelled the young forward, who is set to play just his fourth season of senior football, as a standout performer across the preseason.
“He’s been at every session and is looking really good,” he said.
“Paddy Mills proved himself last year and I think he’s also going to make a bigger step up.
“Doug Grining is another one that’s been really consistent as well and put in a big preseason.
“It has been a long preseason. I feel like it gets longer every year, but maybe that’s just because of my date of birth.
“It can be a bit tricky with training.
“You can train and think you’re doing alright, but it’s not until the season rolls around that you know where you sit, so we’re definitely keen to get going.”
Consistent Doug Grining has put in a big pre-season, ready to return to the field.
KALKEE
Signs are pro
BY LAUREN HENRY
Kalkee boasts one of the proudest histories in Horsham District’s A Grade netball competition, winning an incredible 28 premierships across the past 50 years.
The Kees, however, are experiencing a rare title drought by their lofty standards, with their most recent A Grade flag won in 2010.
Determined to re-establish themselves as a powerhouse of the competition, the signs are promising that 2025 might deliver more premiership glory.
“We have an abundance of new and returning senior players for 2025,” Kalkee’s netball director Bec Hudson said.
“It’s the best numbers we have had for a couple of years across all grades.”
Paula Wiedermann will once again lead the Kees’ A Grade team, as they look to better last year’s semi-final appearance.
Kalkee held a two-goal advantage late in their 2024 semi-final showdown against Rupanyup, only to suffer a heartbreaking one-goal loss.
The Panthers went on to reach the grand final and finish just two goals short of winning the premiership.
Recognising they were right in the mix, there is no shortage of motivation as Kalkee prepares for another title tilt.
“Our A Grade team will have a great mix of youth and experience,” Hudson said.
“And we are looking to go further into finals.”
ON THE BALL
COACHES mising
A Grade: Paula Wiedermann
B Grade: Herb and Jessie Lakin
C Grade: Amy Beddison
C Reserve: Emma Kemp
17-and-under: Mel Schultz
15-and-under: Meaghan Pohlner
13-and-under: Katie Ruwoldt
Modified: Alicia McGrath
The Kees have lost several members of last season’s A Grade team, with veteran defender Penny Fisher moving to Geelong and mid-courter Molly Lakin relocating for university. Clair McDonald has also retired.
Alex Lucas joins from Adelaide, while the Kees are excited to welcome back Millie McRae.
Defender Casey Rentsch also returns to the club following a two-year stint with Horsham in the Wimmera league.
Hudson identified junior talents Abbey Williams and Georgia Schultz as two players to keep an eye on this season.
“Abbey and Georgia have both impressed during pre-season and will play A Grade in 2025,” she said.
Ready and raring to go, Kalkee faces a fierce test in the opening round against reigning A Grade premiers Laharum. Jenna
Bywaters in action last season. This year’s team offers a mix of youth and experience.
A complex equation
BY COLIN MacGILLIVRAY
Determining the likely trajectory of Rupanyup’s senior football side in 2025 is akin to solving a complex mathematical equation.
On one hand, there are subtractions
– the Panthers have lost several talented players from a team that last year reached an elimination final, including 2023 Dellar medallist Mitch Gleeson and 2024 Dellar Medal runner-up Bill Hansen, along with 2024 coach and leading goal kicker Brayden Ison and Jacob Christie.
While the loss of such top-end talent would be difficult for any club to replace, the Panthers have counteracted the subtractions with the addition of several players who took the field in the team’s 2022 senior premiership.
Elliot Kelly, Ryan Timmins, Joe Tormey, Daniel Weetra, Mitch Musgrove, Zack Robinson and Jack Kreuzberger – each of whom played in the Panthers’ last flag – will be welcome inclusions after spending a year or more away from the club.
And new co-coach Daniel Schaper is hoping the inclusion of some rising young talents will serve as a multiplying force for the side.
“Jimmy Finnigan played his first year of seniors last season, but he’s shown at training that he’s ready to take the next step this year,” Schaper said.
“Riley Downer and Alby Kingston are another two young guys who have
COACHES
Seniors: Daniel Schaper and Cam Weston
Reserves: Jakob David and Geoff Stevenson
Under-17s: Scott Finnigan and Matt Downer
Under-14s: Combined side with Taylors Lake
had some knee issues, and hopefully they’ll be right after about round six or seven.”
With Kade Bergen joining the Panthers from Noradjuha-Quantong in search of more senior playing opportunities, Schaper said his team’s depth would be solid.
He admitted it had been a difficult recruiting campaign for him and fellow co-coach Cam Weston after the pair were appointed relatively late in the off-season, but said he was happy with the Panthers’ final list.
“We’ve obviously lost a few good ones. Cam and I probably were appointed a bit later than what the club was hoping for, so some of those players let the club know they wouldn’t be returning before we were appointed,” he said.
“We tried to pick up the pieces and got on the phone to a few of those other players who we already had
connections with, and as soon as they found out Cam and I were coaching together they all were happy to jump back on board.
“It’s been pretty good. Obviously we know those players from them having previously played at the club a couple of years ago, and not only are they great people to have, but they bring good leadership for a few of the younger players who are coming through the ranks as well.”
Schaper said he was enjoying coaching alongside Weston.
“It’s been really good. We have a chat before each session about what we’ve got planned and share the training together,” he said.
“I think it’s also good for the boys that we’re coaching to have two voices rather than the same voice over and over again. We’re bringing some new drills and some game plans to the group as well.”
While Schaper was unsure of what the result Rupanyup’s off-season machinations would produce – putting no expectation on where the team might finish this year – he said he was eager to find out.
“We played an intraclub match last week and now we’re ready to get stuck into round one,” he said.
“It’s crazy to think how quickly it comes around. It seems to get earlier every year.”
Cam Weston, pictured, has joined Daniel Schaper in a joint senior coaching role.
ON THE BALL RUPANYUP
No stone unturned
BY COLIN MacGILLIVRAY
Will last season’s heartbreaking two-goal grand final loss to Laharum be the making of a premiership campaign in 2025 for Rupanyp’s A Grade netballers?
Only time will tell, but one thing is certain – the Panthers are leaving no stone unturned in their effort to find out.
The team set to take the court in round one will be largely similar to the one that played in last season’s grand final, with two key additions.
Star midcourt player Georgia Hiscock, a former Hatcher medallist in the Wimmera league, will return from a year of overseas travel to retake the coaching reins after previously leading the team in 2023, while rising young defender Holly Ross crosses from Pimpinio.
The side will lose Anna Sudholz, who is unable to commit to travelling from Melbourne this season,
COACHES
A Grade: Georgia Hiscock
B Grade: Kayla Weidemann
C Grade: Maeve Rickard
C Reserve: Holly Rickard
17-and-under: Editha Davis
15-and-under: Emily Hurley
13-and-under: Maddi Morgan
Modified: Leni Hopper
NetSetGo: Lara Webb and Lauren Oram
most of last year in the United Kingdom, and had followed their fortunes closely while she was away.
“I followed it along closely over in London with all the games being videoed, so I was able to watch them back,” she said.
“I honestly did wake up halfway through the night to check the scores on PlayHQ, so I’m very keen to get
growing more confident playing at a high level.
She said while Laharum set the standard with an undefeated premiership season in 2024, the grand final result showed how narrow the gap between the Panthers and the league’s best was.
“Over the past few seasons we’ve been right there with them,” she said.
“In the last season I coached we had a one-goal loss to Laharum. We seemed to be right there and we got in front, then dropped it in the last quarter.
“In the past there was probably a case of us saying ‘oh my gosh, I can’t believe we’re winning these games’.
“Now we know we’re a strong side, we know we can match it with this calibre of team, so we’re feeling more comfortable this season.”
But Hiscock warned Laharum would be far from the Panthers’ only competition, and said simply
Goal attack Maddi Morgan in action last season.
‘We’re aiming big this year’
BY COLIN MacGILLIVRAY
Edenhope-Apsley senior football coach Adi Campbell was bullish about his side’s finals prospects on the eve of his first season at the helm in 2024.
Things failed to go as planned.
The Saints contended with injuries throughout last season, dropping a handful of games Campbell believed they were capable of winning on their way to an eighthplace finish.
But with a clean bill of health throughout the pre-season and a handy list of recruits set to bolster the team’s depth, finals are back on the agenda for Campbell in 2025.
“We 100 per cent think we can push for finals. That’s what we want this year,” he said.
“Injuries, especially with our recruits, put us on the back foot a bit last year, and we lost four or five games that we probably should have won.
“Hopefully everyone stays healthy this year and we can have a real crack at it.”
Among the Saints’ new recruits is Jason Eagle, a veteran full forward who has kicked 100 goals in multiple seasons during a career spent playing football for clubs across Victoria, South Australia and Queensland.
COACHES
Seniors: Adi Campbell
Reserves: Rob Marks
Under-17s: Allan McIntyre
Under-14s: Patrick Kealy
Under-11s: Adam Dunstan
Under-8s: Grant Coxon
The Saints have also picked up goal sneak Arkiel Williams from Proprietary-Risdon in South Australia’s Spencer Gulf Football League, hard-running left-footed defender Charlie McAdam from Southern Districts in the Northern Territory Football League, intercepting defender Angus Wood, and brothers Ricci, Mitch and Kobi Marks.
The Marks brothers played with the Doveton Eagles in Melbourne’s Southern Football Netball League last season, with Ricci playing as a ruckman or key position player, Mitch as a midfielder and defender, and Kobi as a utility.
Their father, Rob Marks, will also be Edenhope-Apsley’s reserves football coach this season.
Campbell said two other players – Toby Ferguson and Ryan Obst – had also been training strongly and would be as good as new
recruits after having their first seasons in Edenhope-Apsley colours curtailed by injuries last year.
Campbell said the Saints had also retained most of last season’s senior list, with the only losses being Ben Campbell, who is pursuing a professional golf career, as well as Charlie Campbell and Brock Summerhayes who moved for work reasons.
He said he expected big things from the likes of Heath Keatley and Adam Hood, who impressed in their first full seasons of senior football last year.
While admitting the Saints’ offseason recruiting campaign had been ‘tough’, Campbell said he and the club hoped it would yield fruitful results in 2025.
“We’ve got hold of a few players we wanted, and they’re looking pretty good for us at the moment,” he said.
“Other than that, a lot of the blokes who played last year will have the continuity of playing together from last year, and hopefully we can stand up and go a bit further this year.
“We’re aiming big this year –it’s finals and above for us. The training has been pretty full-on in pre-season, so the boys are going to be super fit.”
HORSHAM DISTRICT Football Netball League
Fraser Thompson in action with the Saints last season.
EDENHOPEAPSLEY
An ability to adapt
BY COLIN MacGILLIVRAY
After back-to-back A Grade netball premierships in 2022 and 2023, Edenhope-Apsley took a small step backwards last season.
While the Saints qualified for finals in fifth place, they were soundly beaten by Kalkee in an elimination final.
But new coach Lavinia Fox believes her team is capable of returning to premiership contention this season after picking up some highly credentialled recruits, as well as enticing former players back to the club.
The Saints have re-signed goalie Mia McCrann-Peters, a 23-and-under development player for the Bendigo Strikers of the Victorian Netball League, VNL, who made five appearances for EdenhopeApsley in 2024.
Another VNL-aligned signing is defender Olivia Spence of the Peninsula Waves, while Fox herself will play for the VNL’s Southern Saints this season after previously playing for the Melbourne University Lightning.
Mereana Crawford, a local player, has rejoined the team after taking time off to raise her young family, while dualpremiership midcourter Hayley Campbell will return following a year with MinyipMurtoa in the Wimmera Football Netball League.
Fox said she was also excited about the retention of other local players from last year’s team, including young talent Jasmine McIntyre, who was recently selected
COACHES
A Grade: Lavinia Fox
B Grade: Michelle Penrose
C Grade: Paris Hardwick
C Reserve: Abby Perks
17-and-under: Morgan Kealy and Nashira Lees
15-and-under: Carolyn Middleton and Nicole Marks
13-and-under: Alex King and Sarah Domaschenz
Modified: Bec Carter and Georgia Thompson
in a 17-and-under Wimmera-Mallee representative team.
Midcourt player Rebecca Heath will serve as Fox’s assistant coach and has the added responsibility of running many of the team’s training sessions with Fox living in Melbourne.
“I’ve been writing up session plans and Bec has been running them on a Thursday night. It’s been a bit of a different set up this year,” Fox said.
“I’m trying to bring back as much knowledge as I can from playing VNL back in Melbourne as well, because I’m being coached by Sharni Norder, née Layton and Jane Searle, who are both exAustralian Diamonds.
“I’m just taking up as much of their knowledge and drills as I can, and I think
the girls have been enjoying having some different drills and variety at training.”
Fox said the team had cohered impressively despite the fact that some players, including herself, were unable to train with the main squad regularly.
“The reality of our club over the past few years is that we’ve had to support travellers coming back to bolster our numbers in the A Grade,” she said.
“But we’ve got a very collaborative and supportive team environment, and I think we balance things really well.
“For our travellers, I think they come in on a Saturday, but throughout the season we sometimes train on weekends when we can all be there to help build that team connection.
“I hope I’m able to give them some more tools to be able to bring out the best in their games – that’s what I’m most excited for as a coach this year.”
Fox said a return to upper-echelon titlecontender status was a goal for the Saints this season.
“We’re definitely looking at going deeper into finals this year compared to last season, and I really believe the girls do have the ability to do that,” she said.
“We’ve got an exciting list, but I don’t want to put any pressure on the girls by saying we have to get to a grand final.
“I think it’s going to be a methodical, week-by-week process for us, and it’s going to be our ability to adapt throughout the season that will hopefully mean that we can achieve some good results through the finals.”
3wm: your home for
Lavinia Fox has taken on the A Grade coaching role this season.
Reaping rewards
BY LEIGH ROGERS
Aproactive recruiting drive has reaped major rewards for Taylors Lake, with an extensive list of new players joining the club this season.
“Our focus wasn’t on big-name recruits, it was more so getting locals from other clubs that we saw potential in,” returning Lakers coach Justin Beugelaar said.
“We wanted to target players who could help improve the culture out at Taylors Lake, as well as help us improve on the field.
“We’ve really gone for depth this year, which will hopefully help us when there are really close games.”
New players include Paddy Clarke and Ashton Stott from Dimboola, Logan Millar from Horsham, Jayden Scott and Sam Cole from Newcomb, Dante Stotten from Natimuk United and Pimpinio’s Jye Brown.
Alex Baker, a key forward who played in a premiership with Tyrendarra last season, and Brock Summerhayes from EdenhopeApsley have also signed with the Lakers.
Beugelaar believes Summerhayes is one to watch, describing him as ‘an absolute jet, with all the talent in the world’.
Only two players, Melbourne-
COACHES
Seniors: Justin Beugelaar
Reserves: Craig Healey
Under-17s: Ryan Gebert
Under-14s: Travis Mackley
based Michael Graham and Adelaide-based Matthew White, have departed from the team, which finished in ninth position last year.
Beugelaar will continue as a playing coach and expects to play a different on-field role this season.
“For the first time in a long time, the body is actually feeling really good,” he said.
“We’ll have a really balanced forward line this year, so that will allow me to float back and that’s where I play my best footy.”
Beugelaar agrees all the signs point to a promising season ahead for the Lakers.
“We’ve got to make finals in my mind and the playing group completely agrees with that as well,” Beugelaar said of how the club would measure success this year.
“We had a training camp a couple of weeks ago in Roses Gap
where all the boys did their goals for the year and making finals was the number one thing we spoke about.
“The boys are really gearing up for a big year.”
It is the second year the Lakers have held an overnight training camp during the offseason.
As well as fitness sessions, the camp also involved team building and goal-setting activities.
“It’s a really good thing to do to build culture and it allows the playing group to set their own foundations,” Beugelaar said.
“My mantra has always been as a coaching group you can guide the boys, but you can’t make the rules. They’ve got to make the rules themselves.”
Although Beugelaar anticipates his new-look team may take some time to gel, he was buoyed by a promising performance in a recent practice match against Horsham Saints.
“With such a new group, the biggest challenge for the first few weeks will be learning everyone’s game,” he said.
“But I think once we can gel and get some consistency, we’ll be alright.
“We’re all excited for the year ahead.”
The mighty Lakers
Returning Lakers coach Justin Beugelaar in action last season.
Lakers TAYLORS LAKE
Fedke at the he lm
BY LEIGH ROGERS
An exciting new era is set to begin at Taylors Lake, with esteemed netball coach Sharon Fedke at the helm.
Fedke joins the Lakers from NoradjuhaQuantong, where she has held numerous coaching positions across senior and junior level throughout the past eight seasons.
She has also previously coached at Horsham United and Horsham Saints, as well as at interleague level for the Wimmera and Horsham District leagues.
“I’ve watched Taylors Lake for many years from the sidelines and I know as a club they’ve struggled, but I’ve always maintained they have some real talent out there,” Fedke said.
“They’ve reached out to me for a number of years and this year, it just seemed like an opportunity that I couldn’t pass up.
“A lot of girls have come through their junior program, and they have stayed loyal to the club, which is great to see. Over the last few years there has been a lot of improvement, and I hope to see that continue and grow.”
Appointed as a non-playing coach, Fedke hopes to play in the Lakers’ lower grades this season.
She said numbers were strong across the club, allowing them to field a full slate of four senior and three junior teams.
“We’ve had really good numbers at our preseason and now that we’ve had our tryouts, we continue to maintain good numbers,” Fedke said.
“We’ve retained a majority of the girls that have been out there for some time, so I like
COACHES
A Grade: Sharon Fedke
B Grade: Sharon Fedke
C Grade: Melinda Preston
C Reserve: Jodi Rabl and Biannca Featherstone
17-and-under: Kelly Knoop
15-and-under: Kristy Kelly
13-and-under: Summer Campey
the fact that we have that stability at the club. We’ve also managed to recruit a couple of new girls as well, so that’s really exciting.”
The Lakers’ new recruits include Mia McGrath from Kalkee and Kyra Clarke, who has returned to the area and previously played with Natimuk United.
Fedke, who has coached McGrath and Clarke at interleague level in the past, expects them to strengthen the Lakers’ A Grade midcourt line-up.
She said along with building fitness, introducing a new game plan has been a key focus over the preseason.
“Getting the girls ready for games is important, but it’s also been about teaching them the style of play that I would like them to play and teaching them what is expected,” she said. Fedke is maintaining measured expectations as her young side looks to improve on last year’s 10th-place finish.
“I’m not setting specific goals. This year is all about development. If I can see improvement, that for me will be success,” she said. Zoe
ON THE BALL
Gray on the court in A Grade competition last season.
ON THE BALL
Coaching duo opti
BY LEIGH ROGERS
With a new senior co-coach on board, optimism is high as Kaniva-Leeor United prepares for the 2025 season.
Jacob Eats, a key position forward, will lead the Cougars alongside returning senior coach Jonno Hicks.
Eats joins from Bordertown, where he was the Kowree-Naracoorte-Tatiara Football League’s leading goal kicker last year.
“It’s fantastic to have some help and someone to bounce ideas off,” Hicks said of his new coaching partnership with Eats.
“He’s brought in a really good attitude and is setting high training standards for our group.”
Eats’ brother Lochie also joins the Cougars and will be a welcome addition to their midfield line-up.
“Their dad played football with Kaniva, so it’s great to have them back at the club,” Hicks said of the Eats brothers.
Blake Dodson, a former Kaniva local who last played at the club in 2019, is also returning.
The highly touted defender played division one with Payneham Norwood Union in the Adelaide Footy League in 2024.
“It’s fantastic to have players with a connection to the club coming back, that helps to build the club on and off the field,” Hicks said.
COACHES
Seniors: Jonno Hicks and Jacob Eats
Reserves: Dave Willersdorf
Under-17s: Daniel Stimson and Jock Maddern
Under-14s: Brett Jewell and Patrick Munn
Under-11s: Sam Salt
Under-8s: BJ Hawker
Auskick: Brad Witmitz
“We still have a really young side, so we’ll be looking to develop our local core and show improvement each week.
“I think we’ve got a fantastic group we can build on, which is great.”
Hicks said there were no key player losses in the offseason.
“Our senior numbers have improved on last year, so that’s looking really good,” he said.
“We face the same challenges as lots of clubs from small country towns, but hopefully a few more numbers in reserve gives us a bit more depth and a bit more pressure for selection.
“We’re trying to build on making us a healthier group and a healthier club.”
Hicks expects several top-age jun-
THE WEEKLY ADVERTISER HORSHAM & DISTRICT FOOTBALL NETBALL LEAGUE
Round 1 – Saturday, April 5
Rupanyup v Kaniva-Leeor United Natimuk United v Swifts
Edenhope-Apsley v Pimpinio (Eden)
Laharum v Kalkee
Taylors Lake v Harrow-Balmoral
Noradjuha-Quantong, bye
Round 2 – Saturday, April 12
Harrow-Balmoral v Laharum (Bal)
Pimpinio v Taylors Lake
Swifts v Edenhope-Apsley
Kaniva-Leeor United v Natimuk United Noradjuha-Quantong v Rupanyup
Kalkee, bye
April 19 – League bye
Round 3 – Friday, April 25
Kaniva-Leeor United v Edenhope-Apsley
Saturday, April 26
Natimuk United v Noradjuha-Quantong
Taylors Lake v Swifts
Laharum v Pimpinio
Kalkee v Harrow-Balmoral
Rupanyup, bye
Round 4 – Saturday, May 3
Pimpinio v Kalkee
Swifts v Laharum
Kaniva-Leeor United v Taylors Lake
Noradjuha-Quantong v Edenhope-Apsley
Rupanyup v Natimuk United Harrow-Balmoral, bye
Round 5 – Saturday, May 10
Edenhope-Apsley v Rupanyup (Eden)
Taylors Lake v Noradjuha-Quantong
Laharum v Kaniva-Leeor United Kalkee v Swifts
Harrow-Balmoral v Pimpinio (Har)
Natimuk United, bye
Round 6 – Saturday, May 17
Swifts v Harrow-Balmoral
Kaniva-Leeor United v Kalkee
Rupanyup v Taylors Lake
Natimuk United v Edenhope-Apsley
Noradjuha-Quantong v Laharum
Pimpinio, bye
mistic
ior players to push for senior selection, including cousins Willis and Xavier Stimson.
“They’ve spent most of the summer training with our senior team and have really impressed,” Hicks said.
After a productive preseason, Hicks is quietly confident the club’s senior team can better last season’s tally of four wins.
“We are aware of where we are sitting in the league, we’ve got ground to make up,” he said.
“We know we’re a long way behind the competition. But we’re trying to improve how professional we are, how we approach our training, how we approach our games.
“We want to do a better job with the ball once we win it. I thought last year we’d fight hard to win a contested ball, then quickly turn it over, so we’re trying to lift our skills and running game on the outside.
“It would be nice to hit the scoreboard a bit more effectively too. The games we won last year were all dour, low-scoring affairs, so that’s been another focus of ours over the summer.”
In the junior grades, Kaniva-Leeor United and neighbours EdenhopeApsley will field combined under-14 and under-17 teams.
Fixture 2025
Round 14 – Saturday, July 19
Round 7 – Saturday, May 24
Taylors Lake v Natimuk United Laharum v Rupanyup Kalkee v Noradjuha-Quantong
Harrow-Balmoral v Kaniva-Leeor United (Bal) Pimpinio v Swifts
Edenhope-Apsley, bye
Round 8 – Saturday, May 31
Kaniva-Leeor United v Pimpinio
Noradjuha-Quantong v Harrow-Balmoral Rupanyup v Kalkee Natimuk United v Laharum
Edenhope-Apsley v Taylors Lake (Eden) Swifts, bye
June 7 – League bye
Round 9 – Saturday, June 14
Laharum v Edenhope-Apsley
Kalkee v Natimuk United Harrow-Balmoral v Rupanyup (Har)
Pimpinio v Noradjuha-Quantong Swifts v Kaniva-Leeor United Taylors Lake, bye
Round 10 – Saturday, June 21
Noradjuha-Quantong v Swifts Rupanyup v Pimpinio
Natimuk United v Harrow-Balmoral Edenhope-Apsley v Kalkee (Eden)
Taylors Lake v Laharum
Kaniva-Leeor United, bye
Round 11 – Saturday, June 28
Kalkee v Taylors Lake
Harrow-Balmoral v Edenhope-Apsley (Bal)
Pimpinio v Natimuk United Swifts v Rupanyup
Kaniva-Leeor United v Noradjuha-Quantong Laharum, bye
Round 12 – Saturday, July 5
Laharum v Harrow-Balmoral
Taylors Lake v Pimpinio
Edenhope-Apsley v Swifts (Eden)
Natimuk United v Kaniva-Leeor United Rupanyup v Noradjuha-Quantong
Kalkee, bye
Round 13 – Saturday, July 12
Kaniva-Leeor United v Rupanyup
Swifts v Natimuk United
Pimpinio v Edenhope-Apsley
Harrow-Balmoral v Taylors Lake (Har)
Kalkee v Laharum
Noradjuha-Quantong, bye
Noradjuha-Quantong v Natimuk United
Edenhope-Apsley v Kaniva-Leeor United (Eden)
Pimpinio v Laharum
Harrow-Balmoral v Kalkee (Bal)
Rupanyup, Taylors Lake, Swifts, byes
Round 15 – Saturday, July 26
Kalkee v Pimpinio
Laharum v Swifts
Taylors Lake v Kaniva-Leeor United
Edenhope-Apsley v Noradjuha-Quantong (Eden)
Natimuk United v Rupanyup
Harrow-Balmoral, bye
Round 16 – Saturday, August 2
Rupanyup v Edenhope-Apsley
Noradjuha-Quantong v Taylors Lake
Swifts v Kalkee
Pimpinio v Harrow-Balmoral
Natimuk United, Kaniva-Leeor United, Laharum, byes
Round 17 – Saturday, August 9
Harrow-Balmoral v Swifts (Har)
Kalkee v Kaniva-Leeor United
Laharum v Noradjuha-Quantong
Taylors Lake v Rupanyup
Edenhope-Apsley v Natimuk United (Eden)
Pimpinio, bye
Round 18 – Saturday, August 16
Natimuk United v Taylors Lake
Rupanyup v Laharum
Noradjuha-Quantong v Kalkee
Kaniva-Leeor United v Harrow-Balmoral
Swifts v Pimpinio
Edenhope-Apsley, bye
FINALS
August 23
COACHING STAFF
FOOTBALL
Auskick – Brad Witmitz
U8’s – BJ Hawker
U11’s – Sam Salt
U14’s – Patrick Munn & Brett Jewell
U17’s – Jock Maddern & Daniel Stimson
Reserves – Dave Willersdorf
Seniors – Jonno Hicks & Jacob Eats
NETBALL
A-Grade – Kylie King
B-Grade – Carlee Feder
C-Grade – Alice Maddern & Mikala Deckert
We are still seeking applicants for C-Reserve
U17’s – Nikki Hawker
Modified – Robyn Staehr
Thanking all our valued sponsors for the 2025
Top-age junior Xavier Stimson will push for senior selection this season. Picture: Symone Mitchell
Changing faces
BY LEIGH ROGERS
Kaniva-Leeor
United’s A Grade netball team is set to feature a new-look attacking line-up this season.
Blair Burke and Nikki Hawker, who played a pivotal role in helping the Cougars contest finals last year, are taking family leave.
Sinead Kuchel is another key out, having moved away from the area for work.
Hawker finished one vote shy of winning the Horsham District Football Netball League’s A Grade best-and-fairest count last season, making her a major omission.
The good news is the accomplished goal attack will remain involved at the club, developing the next generation as coach of the 17-and-under team.
Kylie King, who returns as A Grade coach, said there had been a few changes.
“We’ll have a few new faces this year,” she said.
Carlee Feder is joining from Edenhope-Apsley and is set to move into one of the vacated offensive positions in A Grade.
The Cougars also welcome back defender Sophie Bennett, who returns after taking a twoyear break from the sport.
King identified talented teen Ruby Gordon as one to watch, noting the versatile defender may be an option to switch into the attacking circle.
Gordon proved herself as an A Grade player last season and has been selected as a member of Netball Victoria’s Talent Academy for 2025.
“It is looking like we will have a strong team. We’re hoping we’ll go pretty well,” King said.
Kaniva-Leeor United emerged as one of the biggest surprise packets in last year’s A Grade
COACHES
A Grade: Kylie King
B Grade: Carlee Feder
C Grade: Alice Maddern and Mikala Decker
C Reserve: TBC
17-and-under: Nikki Hawker
Modified: Robyn Steahr, Keira Jewell
competition, reaching finals after being unable to field a team in 2023.
King, a non-playing coach, said back-to-back finals appearances were now in their sights.
“Making finals is always the goal, I guess every club would say the same thing,” King said.
“We’ll try to make the top six, then we’ll go from there. Anything can happen if you make it to finals.”
King said after recent practice matches against neighbouring club Border Districts, the Cougars were excited to begin the new season.
“We’ve had really good preseason attendance and we’re really happy with how everything has been going,” she said.
“Overall, it’s looking like we’ll have a few less players than last year, but still enough to fill our four senior sides.
“Luckily, we’ve got a strong junior development program, so we’ll have a few juniors who will be able to step up and play senior netball as well.”
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Alannah Furmston on court last season.
ON THE BALL
Continuity key this s
BY COLIN MacGILLIVRAY
While Natimuk United finished at the foot of the Horsham District senior football ladder in 2024, coach Jarred Combe says the season ‘wasn’t exactly a write off’ and could serve as a springboard for greater success this year.
After defeating Kaniva-Leeor United by 28 points in round one, the Rams lost 15 straight games to claim last season’s wooden spoon, but several factors pointed to a greater level of competitiveness than their win-loss record suggested.
The Rams were desperately unlucky not to win more games, going down by three points or less on four agonising occasions.
The team also contended with a lengthy injury list and was forced to fill its ranks with young players.
Combe estimated more than three quarters of last season’s regular senior players were between the ages of 16 and 22, making Natimuk United one of the most inexperienced sides in the league.
But with a year of growth and hard lessons under their belts, Combe said signs of serious on-field maturation from his young charges could come as quickly as this season.
“Our depth was really tested after suffering an extended injury list, not allowing us to play the style of football we were wanting,” he said.
“We were plugging gaps for the ma-
COACHES
Seniors: Jarred Combe
Reserves: Tom Murray
Under-17s: Matt Lee
Under-14s: Evo Hennessy
Under-11s: Sean Schmidt
Auskick: Jason Skiller
jority of the season. In saying that, we were competitive in 13 of the 16 games.
“A positive with the challenges we faced were that players had greater exposure to senior football and more responsibilities from positions to roles within the team.
“From that we unearthed and fasttracked the development of quite a few players.”
Among those players are young trio
Ned Glascott, Christian Macalinga and Archie Sudholz, who helped lead Natimuk United to within one point of a grand final appearance in the under-17 competition last season.
Sudholz and Glascott played regularly in the senior side last year, while Macalinga made his senior debut in round 18 and is likely to earn more opportunities in 2025.
Combe said retaining existing senior players and building continuity within the team was another focus for Natimuk United.
“We managed to retain all bar two senior players – Craig Britten and Dan Werner, both due to work commitments,” he said.
“The retention of senior players and a healthy list of recruits combined with under-17s from last year will help add greater depth to our playing list.
“We definitely have a lot more continuity heading into this season.”
Combe said the Rams remained committed to their youth movement, and said the team was still a while from true contention.
“We’ll again field arguably the youngest team in the league, even younger than we were last season,” he said.
“With such a young list we are working hard on building consistency throughout games and maintaining standards.
“Even in games where we suffered heavy defeats, we broke even for a quarter or a half – we’re aiming to build on that and extend for longer periods in games.
“Having such a young team comes with its challenges, but also a great deal of enthusiasm. We now have younger guys like 2024 best and fairest Kaiden Sudholz and Cody Frizon becoming leaders amongst the group.
“The kids bring a different energy to the group, we want to embrace it and transition that out into the way we play.
“We are genuinely excited to see our improvement this year.”
Ned Glascott will
Driving youth deve
BY COLIN MacGILLIVRAY
When speaking with new Natimuk United A Grade netball coach Di Hayes, one word tends to come up often –‘win’.
But another word that emerges equally often is one that is not always synonymous with winning – ‘young’.
The Rams are set to field a youthful team again this season after pivoting from a pre-COVID era of sustained A Grade premiership contention built on a core of veteran players.
Natimuk United has been a developing side in the past two seasons, and while Hayes said her team would maintain a youth focus, she saw no reason it was unable to push for a finals berth at the same time.
“We’ve got a very young list of girls in A Grade, but hopefully we can work on their development and get some wins this season,” she said.
“We’ve got a few 17-and-under players who are still eligible to play in that age group but are coming into the A Grade squad.”
Spearheading the Rams’ youth movement are the likes of goalie Emma Uebergang, who made 13 A Grade appearances for the team last year as a 15-and-under player.
Uebergang and others such as
COACHES
A Grade: Di Hayes
B Grade: Courtney Cameron
C Grade: Zoe Hanson and Sophie Murray
C Reserve: Codi-Rae Fisher
17-and-under: Ebony Rintoule and Keeta Scown
15-and-under: Courtney Cameron
13-and-under: Cheryl Sudholz
Modified: Sigrid Darrington and Tayla Hateley
NetSetGo: Janelle Bales
Phoebe Sudholz are likely to make regular appearances in both the 17-and-under and A Grade teams as Hayes looks to build their experience base, while Olivia Sudholz is likely to remain a fixture in A Grade after graduating from the 17-andunder team in 2024.
“We hope to give both of them a fairly good run in A Grade,” Hayes said.
“Yes, they’re young, but I’m big on bringing development opportunities to kids and teaching them how to win.”
Fast-tracking the team’s development will be the addition of another young gun, Tara McIntyre, who won
last season’s 17-and-under league best-and-fairest award while playing for Harrow-Balmoral.
Hayes said enticing McIntyre would give the team additional talent and flexibility.
“She’s a great asset for us because she’s got nice height, good movement and she’s a good shot for goal,” she said.
Hayes said she would push the Rams to perform at a standard beyond their tender years.
“We’ll try to push the pace and use our young legs. I always try to push the young ones, because often they don’t know their own ability until someone pushes them a bit harder,” she said.
“It’s promising. It’s good for the club to have these young ones up there in A Grade.”
But while the team will fight for every win, Hayes admitted that garnering enough of them to play finals would be a difficult task.
“Obviously you can tell I’m big on winning, but I’m also realistic – we are a young side, so it’s not going to be an easy season by any means,” she said.
“I’d love for them to experience finals netball. That would be our main goal – to play finals in some capacity.
“We’ve just got to go out and win the games that we can, and hope fully the rest will take care of itself.”
ON THE BALL
ON THE BALL
Productive off-seasons set to
BY COLIN MacGILLIVRAY
The Mininera and District Football League’s northern teams are all eyeing moves up the ladder after a successful summer of recruiting.
Moyston-Willaura, Great Western and Tatyoon all finished outside the finals last season, while Ararat Eagles finished fifth but were ousted in an elimination final by HawkesdaleMacarthur.
But with leaders at all four clubs reporting productive off-seasons, their respective fortunes could soon turn for the better.
Great Western president Dale Hurley said his club was ‘absolutely thrilled’ to return to its home at Great Western Recreation Reserve after a major clubroom redevelopment saw the Lions play their home games at Central Park and North Park in Stawell last season.
He said the Great Western community was excited to have the team back in town and had shown great interest in the official opening of the redeveloped rooms.
“We had our community opening last week and it was really well received,” he said.
“We had people from all over the community take time out of their night to come and check it out.
“The feedback was fantastic and there was a really good buzz.
“The players out on the track talked
about how good it was to look across the oval and see a wall of faces chatting away and catching up. It created a real air of excitement.”
New Great Western coach Nigel Sibson said he hoped a return to familiar
environs would help the Lions perform more consistently after a 4-12 season in 2024.
“If I’m honest, the challenge of not playing at Great Western and not having a home-base was something I
underestimated at the time,” he said.
“Footy seasons in general are always challenging, and not having that homebase was probably a bigger challenge than what we all anticipated.”
The Lions have lost several mem-
bers of last season’s team – most notably club best-and-fairest Dylan Whitney and leading goal-kicker Nick Costello – but have added a host of talented recruits.
Speedy midfield-forward Silver Yousif played for Euroa in the Goulburn Valley league last season and has played high-level football in the Western and Essendon District suburban Melbourne leagues in recent years.
The Lions have also picked up several players from the Northern Territory, including half forward Damien Dunn, defenders Kurt Dunn and Xavier Grant, and small forward Billy Munkara.
Malachi Walley, a key forward from Western Australia, will bring WAFL experience, Nathaniel Cooper crosses from the Adelaide Footy League’s Goodwood Saints, and a trio of Geelong-region footballers – key position players Lochie Morrissey and Josh Arkell, and midfield-forward Tom Randone – round out the list of recruits.
Sibson said while the Lions’ list had plenty of talent, the team was not setting external benchmarks in 2025.
“The Mininera league has been getting stronger and stronger every year, and with that comes a real evenness across the competition,” he said.
Penshurst celebrate winning the 2024 Mininera and District Football League senior grand final. Picture: Tracey Kruger
MININERA & DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE ON THE BALL
bolster Mininera league teams
“Internally we’ve got our own goals and expectations, but we don’t really put a floor or a ceiling on it.
“Every side would be the same in saying they hope to play finals footy, but we’ve obviously got some work to do to put some things in place to give us an opportunity to do that.”
Returning Moyston-Willaura coach Rhys Cronin had no hesitation to set a benchmark for his side, claiming a finals’ berth was the only acceptable outcome despite the Pumas winning just two games in the past three seasons.
With Adam Bennett the sole departure from last season’s side and a strong list of inclusions, Cronin said his team had the depth needed to push for the top five.
He said the recruitment of Will Bell from Great Western as an assistant coach was a coup, with Bell bringing experience as a premiership coach at the Lions.
Joining Bell in crossing from the Lions are utility Marcus Elliott and ruckman Jeremy Cronin, while bigbodied midfielder Riley Van Dyke, tall utility Brady Chandler and rangy onballer Daniel Harms join from the Geelong Football Netball League’s Grovedale Tigers.
Ararat’s Izzy Turner, Skipton defender Brad Uwland, Old Collegians winger Sam Walker and former Edenhope-Apsley standout Taylor Mil-
ner round out the list of inclusions.
Cronin said he was determined to return the Pumas to the glory days he experienced in 2013 and 2014 when he was a member of a team that contested back-to-back grand finals, winning one.
“The two years prior to last year were probably our two lowest years as a footy club,” he said.
“Being around for the past 10 to 12
years and then having those two years was pretty rough and probably part of the reason I took the coaching job on as well.
“Last year was a stepping stone. It was a full rebrand of the club.
“We had new jumpers, a new logo –we wanted to start fresh last year and try to build our way back up.
“The guys we’ve brought in are solid additions, so it’s another step in the
SENIORS
Best: Penshurst, Josh Rentsch, Jayden Watson, Kieran Neeson, Archie Page, Sam Weston, Sam Hassell; Wickliffe-Lake Bolac, Harley Hunter, Robert Brown, Izaak De Agrela, William Hutchison, Charles Vallance, Cooper Handley.
Goals: Penshurst, Ian Milera 3, Archie Page 2, Josh Rentsch; Wickliffe-Lake Bolac, William Hutchison 2, Liam Zavaglia 2, Patrick Brice 2, Harley Hunter.
fender Clay Gorman and speedy midfielder Cameron Anderson will all suit up for the Hawks in 2025.
The club will be led by new playing coach Andy Challis from Central Highlands team Springbank, while midfielders Logan Dixon and Brad Horsham cross from the Geelong and District Football League, and Hugh Plowman adds pace and skill from Newtown and Chilwell in the AFL Barwon league.
Tucker said Tatyoon was pleased with its recruiting and looked forward to strong seasons on both the football field and netball court.
right direction. Finals or bust is our benchmark for this season.”
Tatyoon is also keen on a return to finals after missing out by half a win last season.
Hawks president Andy Tucker said connections at the club enabled it to pull off a recruiting coup, with four former WAFL-listed players signing.
Ruck-forward Lachlan McGrath, midfield-forward Max Terpsis, de-
Meanwhile, Ararat Eagles are looking to maintain their 2024 finals berth. Returning co-coach Tom Taurau said the team had lost several players from last season’s squad but recruited well, picking up players such as left-footed goal-kicker Jack Wilson from Melbourne’s Chelsea Heights, former Swifts midfielders Chevy Elliot and Andrew Cameron, Ivanhoe workhorse Joel Petrie, South Barwon premiership midfielder Jake Peters and forward-ruck Zach Louder from Ararat Rats.
Taurau said the team aimed to build on its finals berth this season but was tempering expectations early, looking to build slowly and play its best football at the right time of the year.
2024 A Grade netball premiers Ararat Eagles. Picture: Tracey Kruger
Delivering live local footy coverage
Wimmera sports fans can get ready for another exciting footy season with ACE Radio 3WM’s live broadcasts of the Horsham District Football Netball League and Wimmera Football Netball League matches every Saturday.
The local trio of Grant ‘Kuges’ Kuchel, Brian ‘Cobber’ Cassidy, and Daryl ‘Easty’ Eastwell return to host the coverage.
The action kicks off each Saturday morning at 8am with 3WM’s ShirtFront, where Kuges, Cobber, and Easty discuss the latest sports news and results with local guests, providing expert analysis and predictions.
3WM will broadcast live coverage of HDFNL and WFNL matches throughout the 2025 season, commencing with HDFNL round one on Saturday.
Kuges, Cobber, and Easty will be boundary-side, calling the action and bringing listeners all the excitement and drama of the games.
3WM general manager Brendan O’Loughlin expressed his enthusiasm for providing the comprehensive local sports coverage.
“We are just as passionate about local footy and netball as our listeners, and we’re delighted to continue our commitment to the local leagues,” he said.
“With Kuges, Cobber and Easty at
the helm, listeners know they can expect expert commentary and analysis, as well as plenty of laughs.”
3WM content director Anthony Thompson said everything was in readiness for Local Footy Live’s best season of broadcasting yet.
“We’ve been busily preparing everything for the season ahead, from decking Kuges, Cobber and Easty out in their brand new strip for the 2025 season, and applying extra polish to Cobber’s statue at Edenhope,” he said.
“We’re certain our listeners will love our local footy and netball coverage this season.”
Behind the mic Kuges brings a wealth of sporting expertise to his role as lead com-
mentator for 3WM’s local football coverage.
Kuges played football for Leeor in the Tatiara League and later in the Kowree-Naracoorte-Tatiara League. He also played football for Kalkee, and served as a Horsham District League board member for 10 years, including seven years as president.
He is a life member of the HDFNL and an inaugural member of AFL Wimmera Mallee Commission, including three years as chairman. He is now a member of the AFL Wimmera Mallee advisory board, and has been calling football with 3WM since the first Local Football Live broadcast in 2016.
Kuges’s extensive involvement in
Brian ‘Cobber’ Cassidy, Grant ‘Kuges’ Kuchel, Daryl ‘Easty’ Eastwell and Riley O’Loughlin form 3WM’S ShirtFront team in 2025.
local football, both on and off the field, gives him a unique understanding of the game and the people involved.
Cobber brings a lifetime of football experience to his role as commentator for 3WM’s Local Football Live as a veteran of more than 300 senior games, with stints at Edenhope, Goroke, and Naracoorte, winning four best-and-fairest awards at Edenhope, and another at Goroke.
A premiership player at Goroke in 1981 and at Edenhope in 1987 and 1988, Cobber was also Kowree-Naracoorte Football League’s best-andfairest in ’83, ’85 and ’88, as well as Wimmera Football League interleague coach in 2009 and 2010 and named in the Edenhope Team of the Century.
Cobber’s knowledge and passion for the sport shines through in his commentary, making him popular with listeners.
Easty boasts a wealth of footballing experience as player, coach and commentator, highlighted by being the team mascot for Horsham’s Homers where his dad Ron was part of the 1965 premiership team, and then Homers coach for their second flag in 1992.
Starting his senior footy career at just 16, Easty’s experience includes playing in Horsham’s 1982 and 1983 premiership winning teams, playing about 330 senior games across the Horsham District and Wimmera leagues, three club best-and-fairest awards, a slew of interleague appearances and coaching stints at GerangKiata, Pinpinio, Homers and Taylors Lake, as well as coaching at mini and junior level.
A one-time board member with Horsham District Football League and junior league chairman, Easty is a true footballing journeyman.
His intimate knowledge and love of the game shines through in every Local Footy Live broadcast.
3WM’s ShirtFront can be heard every Saturday morning from 8am to 10am, while Local Footy Live broadcasts every Saturday afternoon from 1pm, as well as the traditional local Good Friday and ANZAC Day games, for the 2025 season.
