The Weekly Advertiser – Wednesday, August 13, 2025
TAKING STOCK: Balmoral’s Glenelg Regional Merino Field Day saw 71 of the 95 rams offered sold, for an average of $2362 and a top price of $8000. Awards were given to Glenera North for the best group of sale rams, Glenpaen for champion long wool sale ram, and Stud Park South for champion short wool sale ram. Field day president Warren Russell said the event offered wool growers and sheep breeders the opportunity to see what animals were available locally, while enjoying a day out. Sarah Harvey and Holly Wittig are pictured at the event on Monday. For more pictures and stories, see The Weekly Advertiser’s next edition of AgLife, on August 27.
Reconciliation
BY LAUREN HENRY
Broadening people’s understanding of reconciliation and Indigenous-related issues will be the focus of a community-led event at Natimuk next week.
A Community Conversation on Reconciliation will be on Tuesday, from 6pm to 8pm, at the NC2 building, at 62 Main Street, Natimuk.
The event is a response to a community-identified need for a respectful space to deepen its understanding of reconciliation. It comes after community unrest following the release of Parks Victoria’s Dyurrite Cultural Landscape Management Plan.
The plan proposes to close more rock climbing routes at Mount Ara-
piles in an effort to protect Aboriginal cultural heritage sites.
Uncle Charles Pakana, founder and editor of Victorian Aboriginal News, and Professor Andrew Gunstone, cochair Reconciliation Victoria, will be guest speakers at the event.
Mr Gunstone, also executive director of the National Centre for Reconciliation, Truth, and Justice, and Mr Pakana have spoken at many community events throughout metropolitan and regional Victoria.
“The aim of the event is to engage the local community in discussing reconciliation and a range of related areas, such as truth-telling, allyship, community engagement, education, and self-determination,” Mr Gunstone said.
He said he hoped people in attend-
ance would learn, discuss, reflect, and engage in respectful dialogues on reconciliation.
Shared, Not Shut campaign manager, Climbing Victoria board member and Natimuk resident Melissa Edwards said while access to Mount Arapiles was a catalyst for the community discussions, the event came about from a community need for proactive moves towards understanding and learning about reconciliation.
“The event is not, at all, about the issues of the mount. That’s not expertise of Uncle Charles or Andrew Gunstone. They’re not from this region or involved in that process at all,” she said.
“But more broadly speaking, we’ll be discussing reconciliation, how to be an ally, people may want to ask
questions about Indigenous rights and about land rights – those broader themes absolutely may be discussed.”
Ms Edwards said it was the community’s first opportunity to sit down with each other and understand what reconciliation meant.
She said Barengi Gadjin Land Council, BGLC, representatives had also been invited to the event.
“There’s definitely a tension in town at the moment – we can fully acknowledge that’s happening,” Ms Edwards said.
“That tension, I very personally feel like is manifested from poor governance and poor processes delivered by our government and by Parks Victoria.
“I wouldn’t say that prior to this, there was any tension at all.
“If anything, there was a connection
that was very evident between the local Indigenous community and the local community at Natimuk.
“It’s a real shame to see that poor process has manifested an issue, and part of this event – coming from the community – is our proactive steps towards trying to look after ourselves because we’ve asked the government, we’ve asked the minister and we’ve asked Parks Victoria to deliver a reconciliation-led process and to consider how their poor governance has led to this point, and they haven’t done anything to respond to that.”
Ms Edwards said reconciliation discussions were particularly important as the State Government worked towards Treaty with Indigenous people in Victoria.
Continued page 3
Picture: PAUL CARRACHER
Housing projects win support
BY LAUREN HENRY
Four projects in the region have received State Government funding to deliver more affordable housing for regional workers.
Regional Development Minister Jaclyn Symes last week announced 23 new projects to receive funding under round two of the State Government’s Regional Worker Accommodation Fund.
Projects across the Wimmera, southern Mallee and Grampians include two Elmstone Investments Trust projects; and Buloke Shire Council – key worker accommodation.
Wimmera Housing Innovations Pty Ltd, auspiced by Wimmera Southern Mallee Development, also received funding for its housing innovations project to establish key worker accommodation at four Wimmera-southern Mallee towns.
But not all Wimmera projects were successful in the funding – West Wim-
Fair view through a new lens
Artist Lauren Larkin will judge Rotary Club of Horsham East’s annual Wimmera Art Fair, which will showcase artwork and photography of novice and practiced artists.
Larkin said she was looking forward to seeing what the Horsham region art scene had to offer.
“It’s my first time judging in Horsham, which is exciting because I’ve lived here on and off for the past 20 years, so it’s nice to be judging a show,” she said.
“It’s not particularly nice to be judging my peers, but nice to see what the art scene has here in Horsham and the wider region.”
Larkin said she appreciated the photography aspect of the fair, as Horsham’s gallery had been photography-based since 1971.
“It’s always fantastic to see the entries, what sort of styles they are, and the different techniques.
“I find they change or evolve over time, and I know some of the artists and I’ve seen their work before, so it’ll be nice to see what they come up with this year.”
“By
supporting shovel ready worker housing projects, we’re enabling better access to affordable housing and accommodation across the state, which is crucial for health, agriculture, tourism, hospitality and manufacturing”
– Jaclyn Symes
mera Shire Council announced early this year it would apply for $5-million through the fund to address a ‘critical’ housing shortage in its shire.
With only five rental properties available across the entire West Wimmera Shire at the time of application, the council’s proposal included constructing six new homes in Kaniva and Edenhope on four council-owned properties.
Also part of the proposal was the
activation of another 13 blocks of land, allowing them to be connected to power, water and sewerage services in order to encourage private investment on the sites; and a detailed design for a housing development at Kaniva, creating a shovel-ready project that would open up an additional 42 blocks of land.
The exact costs of the successful projects and funding totals were not disclosed due to commercial-in-confidence.
The projects will unlock more than $120-million in public and private investment in new worker housing, delivering more than 750 bedrooms for workers across regional Victoria.
Each accommodation project will bolster workforces in key regional industries including health, agriculture, tourism, hospitality and manufacturing – supporting employers and strengthening the industries.
Ms Symes said the affordable accommodation was being built in or-
der to maintain stable employment.
“By supporting shovel ready worker housing projects, we’re enabling better access to affordable housing and accommodation across the state, which is crucial for health, agriculture, tourism, hospitality and manufacturing,” she said.
Round one of the Regional Worker Accommodation Fund also allocated funding for key worker accommodation for Rural Northwest Health’s Hopetoun campus; Nhill; and Buloke Shire Council.
Applicants could apply for a minimum of $150,000 and up to a maximum of $5-million in grant funding per project, and were encouraged to make a cash co-contribution towards the total project budget.
Under funding guidelines, the projects must be completed by June 30, 2026.
For more information about the fund and the project, people can visit www. rdv.vic.gov.au/rwaf.
From page 1
“Governments are making decisions and they’ve got strategies and action plans, and I think communities should be talking at a community level as well,” Ms Edwards said.
Everyone is welcome at the free event – not just people from the Natimuk area – registration is required at events.humanitix.com/a-communityconversation-on-reconciliation.
Dyurrite update
Parks Victoria plan to release a finalised Dyurrite Management Plan by the end of the year, following further consultation with traditional owners and the Dyurrite Working Group.
Parks Victoria staff hosted drop-in sessions at Natimuk last month, with about 40 people attending.
Topics discussed included Indigenous cultural heritage values and the role of BGLC; climbing access, protection buffers, and how harm is assessed; ideas to improve park facilities, signs and access for all abilities; the future of the picnic shelter and what local ranger presence will deliver; and the timing of the revised management plan amendment and what happens next.
Parks Victoria staff, including chief executive Lee Miezis, also met with Climbing Victoria representatives last week, and the working group will meet again on August 19, with BGLC to attend for the first time.
A Parks Victoria spokesperson said they would continue to work closely with BGLC on additional cultural heritage assessments to explore opportunities to increase access to climbing areas, particularly for children and people with disabilities; and continue to undertake targeted engagement, including with the working group to help shape options for the revised management plan.
Mine inspections
Committee member Gary Green said the show was set up on October 7 for the October 8 opening at Horsham Town Hall.
“Entries are now open – people can go to our Facebook page or see the information on the electronic notice board next to Horsham’s pool,” he said.
“There are QR codes that people can use to download entry forms, or they can get in contact with me, 0428 821 213, and I can organise it for them.
“We have entrants from Nhill, right across to St Arnaud, we have them from Casterton, Edenhope – we received an enquiry from Tasmania, so anybody can enter.” People can enter at www.facebook.com/Horsham EastRC.
The fair is from noon to 4pm on October 8, 10am to 4pm on October 9 until 11, and from 10am to 3pm on October 12. Entry is $5 for adults, children can enter free of charge.
Resources Victoria will inspect mines and quarries throughout Yarriambiack and Mildura municipalities next week. The visits, between August 19 and 21, are part of a program aimed at better understanding how risk is being managed and involves inspecting every mine and quarry across the state. The next phase of site visits will focus on ensuring operators are not exceeding the extraction limits detailed and that site rehabilitation obligations are up to date.
Information gathered will inform future audits and inspections.
Mine and quarry operators are required to understand and implement the commitments in their work plan.
OPPORTUNITY: Horsham East Rotary Club members Peter Robertson, left, and Gary Green chat to 2025 Wimmera Art Fair judge Lauren Larkin. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER
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Threeroads in the Wimmera and Grampians regions will undergo significant upgrades after being named recipients of funding through the Federal Government’s Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program.
Buangor-Ben Nevis Road, at Buangor, was allocated $5-million in funding; Wallaloo East Road, Wallaloo East, $2.1-million; and Kadnook Connewirricoo Road, at Kadnook, $1.2-million.
The government announced last week that 23 new projects would receive a portion of more than $63-million in funding, with $19.5-million for seven projects in Victoria.
Money for the Wallaloo East Road will go towards Northern Grampians Shire Council’s $2,650,000 project to widen and rehabilitate pavement along the significant freight corridor.
Truck fire
A truck was destroyed by fire after it collided with another truck on the Western Highway at Dimboola on Sunday morning.
One driver, a man in his 40s, was transported to Wimmera Base Hospital with upper-body injuries after the 7.20am incident.
One of the trucks, a car carrier, sustained damage during the collision, while the other truck, carrying a mixed load, was destroyed by fire.
An advice message was issued by CFA to nearby residents, and trains were advised to reduce speed, owing to smoke in the area.
CFA, with 14 units on scene, was joined by VICSES, police and paramedics to manage the incident; traffic diversions were in place for several hours.
Awards open
Applications for the 2025 East Grampians Business Awards are now open.
The awards celebrate business talent and recognise the role businesses play in supporting the community and boosting the region’s economy.
Ararat Rural City Council invites local businesses to submit their applications for entry into one or more of seven award categories
Applications close on September 7.
To apply, or to find out more, people can visit www.ararat.vic.gov.au/ awards2025.
West Wimmera Shire Council will use its funding to design, reconstruct and widen the Kadnook Connewirricoo Road to a 6.2-metre width seal and 1.5-metre width shoulders for 3720 metres from Chainage 990m – Chainage 4710m from Casterton Edenhope Road. The total project cost is $1.5-million.
The Ararat Rural City Council will reconstruct, widen and seal BuangorBen Nevis Road, an essential link between the Pyrenees and Western highways servicing a large number of freight transport vehicles, as well as local and tourist traffic.
The $6,250,000 project will reconstruct and widen about 6.2 kilometres of Buangor-Ben Nevis Road, with the road seal width to be widened to a minimum seven metres.
Works include excavation and removal of existing pavement, new road base course layers, drainage works,
“We have increased funding under the Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program to make sure we continue to invest in better, safer local roads across all states and territories”
– Catherine King
sealing, line marking, safety barriers and signage.
Ararat Rural City Council chief executive Tim Harrison said the renewal works aimed to reduce heavy vehicle traffic through Ararat, alleviating the impact on local roads and improving transport efficiency.
“We’re thrilled to see this announcement from the Federal Government in support of upgrading regional infrastructure,” he said.
“This funding will allow us to ex-
tend crucial reconstruction works to Buangor-Ben Nevis Road, improving both safety and connectivity throughout our municipality.”
Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said the government was working with local governments to deliver and maintain transport infrastructure that increases productivity and makes communities safer.
“We have increased funding under the Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program to make sure we continue to invest in better, safer local roads across all states and territories,” she said.
“This funding will enable local councils to improve road safety in a way that reduces the burden on them, cutting red tape and administrative burden to allow more money and time to be spent directly on projects.”
Goroke farm forum for
A diverse group of speakers will lead Goroke’s annual Farm Community Forum on Friday, an event that brings people together for connection, conversation and practical insights.
Speakers include sheep farmer and author of ‘You are not your farm’ Jack Owen, who will speak about identity, purpose and wellbeing in agriculture; Murdeduke Angus Stud manager and board member of Angus Australia Simon Falkiner, presenting on soil health, livestock genetics and landscape productivity; NAB senior market manager Jeremy White; and comedian and Let’s Get Rural ambassador Brett Hunter.
Supported by a Look Over the Farm Gate grant, host Grant Hausler said the free event was for the whole community.
“We’re thrilled with this year’s lineup. It’s a real community event,” he said. From 11.30am at Goroke Community Complex, the forum includes lunch and is for farmers, family and community members.
People can register for the event by calling Mr Hausler on 0427 861 013.
Horsham man wins $15m
A Horsham man won half of Oz Lotto’s division one prize of $30-million in last week’s draw, after decades of playing the same numbers.
“I always thought I was going to win, ever since I was in my 20s – it’s just taken a while,” he said. “I’ll help the kids and grandkids pay off their homes, and buy a new car and caravan so we can do a few trips, maybe eventually do a lap around Australia.”
The man, and a winner from Queensland, won with numbers 11, 32, 40, 42, 38, 29 and 34, and supplementary numbers 15, 3 and 47.
Charges over green damage
Five people will be charged after damaging Horsham Golf Club’s chipping green on Wednesday last week. The people were witnessed hitting balls on the green, ultimately creating about 80 divots.
Video footage has been provided to police.
The club’s practice range remains open, with the chipping green closed until repairs were carried out.
ANNIVERSARY: Wimmera Hospice Care Auxiliary raised about $2000 with a wedding gown parade last week, attended by 100 people. Organiser Rae Hill said the oldest dress was about 87 years old. “It was nice for the lady’s family to see the dress on display, and also nice for my granddaughter Marni Saunders to wear her mother’s dress from 2001, the newest one in the parade.” Models, from left, Erika Willmore, Marni Saunders, Maree Thompson, and Maddi Hall are pictured with Marg Woodford. Ms Hall is wearing Mrs Woodford’s wedding dress from 65 years ago to the day.
Picture: PAUL CARRACHER
HRCC NEWS
Horsham community urged: Recycle batteries, don’t bin them
Council is urging residents to safely recycle batteries following a fire earlier this week during routine garbage collection in the Horsham urban area.
The fire began when the truck driver noticed smoke coming from the truck and promptly moved the truck to the outskirts of town where the contents of the truck were dumped safely on the road reserve.
The Horsham CFA attended rapidly to extinguish the blaze. Thankfully, the driver was unharmed, and the truck sustained only minor cosmetic damage.
It is highly likely the fire was sparked by a lithium battery incorrectly placed in general waste.
Mayor Cr Ian Ross thanked emergency services and praised the driver's quick response.
“When a fire breaks out in a garbage truck, it puts people in danger— including drivers, emergency responders and the broader community.
Safe disposal of batteries is one small thing that we can all be doing to reduce the risk of these types of fires” he said.
Council promptly notified EPA and followed their clean-up directions. The extinguished waste was then safely transported to Dooen Landfill.
While the truck suffered minor cosmetic damage, the driver acted decisively under pressure and is commended for her professionalism.
In the past year, Horsham residents recycled nearly 1.1 tonnes of batteries—equivalent to over 47,000 AA cells— and approximately 70 tonnes of e-waste through Council collection points.
Lithium-ion batteries are a growing fire hazard in household waste streams.
Since these batteries can ignite when crushed—such as during compaction in trucks—they pose serious risks to waste management staff.
These fires are difficult to extinguish, can reignite, and release toxic gases.
Council encourages community members to avoid placing any battery - AA, C, D, 9V or rechargeable lithium batteries in household garbage or recycling bins. Recycle through designated collection points:
• Horsham Transfer Station (Kenny Road, Haven)
• Civic Centre (Roberts Avenue)
• Horsham Library (McLachlan Street)
Council is soon installing new battery and e-waste stations at Kalkee Children’s Hub and Horsham Aquatic Centre.
To further reduce fire risk - tape over battery terminals before recycling so contacts can’t spark when coming into contact with metal.
“Recycling batteries correctly is a simple but crucial step we can all take to prevent fires and protect our community.
By disposing of batteries in the right way, we safeguard not only the people handling our waste but also our environment and infrastructure. It’s a shared responsibility that can make a real difference." Cr Ross said.
Local leader secures spot on National Saleyards Board
Council employee Paul Christopher has been elected to the Board of Directors of Saleyards Australia Limited, marking a significant milestone for both Paul and the Horsham region.
Paul’s appointment was confirmed following a national member ballot, prompted by seven available Board positions. With more nominations than vacancies this year, the election process was highly competitive — highlighting the esteem in which Paul is held by his peers across the industry.
Paul will serve on the Board for the 2025–2026 term, bringing decades of experience and leadership to the national body. His election is a notable achievement not only for him personally, but for Horsham, placing the region firmly on the map as a key player in the national saleyards industry.
Mayor Cr Ian Ross said Paul’s appointment reflects his longstanding dedication and influence within the livestock sector.
“Paul’s election is a remarkable achievement and one that brings national recognition to Horsham,” said Cr Ross.
“His presence on the Board means Horsham will now have a voice at the top level of industry decision-making, including key government committees.”
Paul has previously served for 18 years on the Board of the former Australian Livestock Saleyards Association, where he established a strong reputation for strategic, industry-focused leadership.
Saleyards Australia Limited was formed in 2024 following the merger of the Australian Livestock Markets Association and the Australian Livestock Saleyards Association — creating a unified, national body to represent the industry.
With more than 35 years of hands-on experience in the livestock sector — from running his own stock to leading industry initiatives — Paul brings a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the saleyards network. His journey began at just 16 years old in the shearing industry, and since 2005 he has been a key figure at the Horsham Livestock Exchange.
In addition to his role at Council, Paul serves on several other boards and committees including the Longerenong College Animal Ethics Committee and National Saleyards Quality Assurance. His commitment to professional development has seen him travel internationally to research best practices — from studying foot and mouth disease management in Nepal to exploring electronic ear tagging in Europe.
“This appointment comes as Paul marks his 20th year at the Horsham Livestock Exchange. Being elected by his peers to a national leadership role is a fitting way to celebrate his two decades of service and continued commitment to advancing the industry,” said Cr Ross.
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Next Council Meeting: Monday, August 26, 2025 - 5.30pm Horsham Rural City Council: 18 Roberts Avenue Horsham | Postal
Q02-2026
ALBERT STREET, BOWDEN STREET AND RAILWAY AVENUE SPEED TREATMENTS
Closes Wednesday 20 August
26-005
OCALLAGHANS PARADE UPGRADE - FIREBRACE STREET TO HOCKING STREET HORSHAM Closes Tuesday 5 September
Wimmera Libraries is here for the community — and we are keen to know what you think about your local “community living room”.
This survey is your chance to share what you love about your library, what could be improved, and where you would like us to focus our attention next. Whether you visit often, occasionally, interact with us online, or from home, your input helps us grow and evolve.
The survey takes only a few minutes, and invites your feedback on everything from our programs and collections to our spaces and services. It’s an important part of making sure we stay responsive, inclusive, and community-led.
Have your say by completing the survey before Monday 25 August.
ROAD MANAGEMENT PLAN REVIEW
The Road Management Plan is a document that describes the responsibilities for road management, including those of Council, landowners and a range of utilities.
For Council, it also identifies the thresholds at which a defect in the road or its surrounds triggers a maintenance response, and the timeframe for those responses.
The Road Management Plan establishes the minimum maintenance standards Council aims to achieve in relation to its road network (rural and urban). This includes aspects like:
• The frequency of inspection of different classes of roads and footpaths
• The size of defects at which an intervention is triggered
• The response time for different types of defects.
You can have your say by submitting an online feedback form, emailing your feedback to council@hrcc.vic.gov.au or posting your feedback to Horsham Rural City Council, PO Box 511, Horsham VIC 3402 before Wednesday 17 September.
For details visit the Engage Horsham section of HRCC's website HAVE YOUR SAY
The State Government will deliver urgent cash-flow relief to drought-affected farmers in southwest Victoria following an announcement last week of a $2-million Household Financial Relief Program.
Payments of up to $1000 will be open to farming families in 12 drought-affected local government areas including Ararat and southern parts of West Wimmera for urgent household expenses.
The support program will be delivered by the Country Women’s Association, CWA, of Victoria, which is part of the Premier’s Drought Response Taskforce.
Mental health is also a key focus for the taskforce, and with funding allocated to the Look Over the Farm Gate program, supporting community-led events that promote social connection and mental health awareness through the National Centre for Farmer Health.
So far more than 60 events have applied for funding through the program, and the government will add another $500,000 to continue to provide grants of up to $5000 for more events.
Agriculture Minister Ros Spence said the cash flow relief would support farming families in the south west who have been experiencing the worst drought conditions over the past two years.
“We are pleased to be working with the CWA of Victoria on a program that will give farming families support, which they can manage in a way that suits their individual needs and budgets,” she said.
CWA Victoria president Jenny Nola said the CWA looked forward to work-
ing with the government to deliver direct support to those who need it most.
“The CWA of Victoria knows only too well the toll drought takes on families and has seen first-hand how relief programs such as this can ease the pressure at home,” she said.
To apply for a Household Financial Relief payment, people can visit cwaofvic.org.au or to view the full range of financial, technical and wellbeing support available, go to agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or phone 136 186.
Interest-free loans needed
Nationals leader and shadow minister for agriculture David Littleproud visited Victoria’s south-west last week, calling for the Federal Government to reinstate interest-free drought loans for Victorian farmers to help producers manage through and recov-
er from the drought. Mr Littleproud joined Member for Wannon Dan Tehan and Victorian Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie in advocating for the loans.
“While recent rains have provided some optimism for new growth and relief from drought in the spring, Victorian farmers will continue to face months of severe feed shortages,” he said.
“Farmers have endured record drought conditions in some regions of Victoria, which have been beyond their previous experience, placing significant pressure on farm budgets.
“Unfortunately, the Albanese Labor government has failed to re-instate measures which successfully assisted farmers to hold onto their farms in previous droughts.”
In 2020, the Coalition introduced a two year interest-free period for loans
up to $2-million for farmers experiencing drought hardship.
The zero per cent interest-rate applied to new and existing drought loans under the Regional Investment Corporation enabled farmers to refinance existing debt from commercial lenders to save on cashflow and give them breathing space to restock and replant.
Mr Tehan said many southwest farmers had found the financial strain of the drought to be unbearable, needing to truck in feed and water and de-stock animals that had taken generations to breed.
“Local support agencies have been doing outstanding work in very trying conditions to assist farmers manage through this severe drought, but our farmers need more help and support on the ground here and now,” he said.
Register for rates support
Ararat Rural City Council is urging all eligible property owners within the municipality to ensure their details are up to date and registered as soon as possible.
New property owners are encouraged to complete their enrolment as soon as possible to avoid any delays, and council recommends all eligible people act early to ensure their information is accurate and current ahead of the 2025 rates notice distribution.
As part of a drought support package, the State Government has now provided Ararat Rural City Council with key details regarding its Primary Producer Support Payments initiative, which will enable a 40 per cent ratereduction for primary producers in designated drought-affected areas.
The aim of the initiative is to provide financial relief from council rates to farmers significantly impacted by ongoing drought.
The reduction applies to the farm rate and municipal charge on all properties rated as a farm for the 2025-26 financial year and will appear as a credit on eligible valuation and rates notices.
Eligible ratepayers can find more information, including enrolment forms and eligibility criteria, at ararat.vic.gov.au/council/elections/ enrolling-ratepayer or by calling council on 5355 0200.
Chief executive Tim Harrison said council recognised that every property owner had a vested interest in Ararat Rural City’s future.
“Having your voice heard starts with checking your eligibility and making sure you are enrolled as a ratepayer,” he said.
ON TOUR: Senator Bridget McKenzie, Member for Wannon Dan Tehan, Nationals leader David Littleproud and Sean McGuane, of Rhys Evan Machinery, on the Coalition’s tour of drought-affected Victoria.
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ON THE ROAD: Jay Arvind, John Schilling and Les Smith.
IN THE SPIRIT: Lisa and Andrew Neale, and Gill and Guy Ward.
FAVOURITE: Horsham Special School student Luke Deckert with staff member Darcy Hogan.
UP CLOSE: Horsham Special School students Robbie Turmine, left, and Austin Jones with Barbara and Ray Blackett.
Spreading cheer along journey
BY BRONWYN HASTINGS
Variety’s
B to B Bash has donated $65,000 in grants to 13 regional schools along its Bomaderry to Blacktown route, including Horsham Special School and Moyston Primary School.
The Horsham students were granted $5336 for two pieces of musical sensory equipment, while the Moyston students will use $5500 for kitchen garden items and equipment.
More than 80 classic cars and 250 participants stayed in Horsham on Wednesday night, enjoying a breakfast and presentation at the school on Thursday.
Horsham principal Ben Tait said the equipment – thunder drums and a marimba stream – would complement the school’s music program.
“These pieces of equipment have been chosen to complement our well-loved music program and to provide a point of interest for students when outside,” he said.
“We have a number of students who love being creative and exploring sounds, so this equipment will be perfect for them to become involved in imaginary and creative play, something that is currently less catered for in our yard space.”
Mr Tait said the school was adding to its outside space to provide learning opportunities that could be accessed during class time as a direct link to music, science, physical education and many other subject areas.
He said the musical equipment would be installed by a group of students.
“Our Hands on Learning students will be directly involved in the installation, making great connections with another
THANK YOU: Horsham Special School captains Natalie Fox and Robbie Turmine accept a $5336 cheque on behalf of students at the Variety B to B Bash presentation last week. Pictures: PAUL CARRACHER
one of our well-loved programs,” he said.
“The equipment will go into our shaded space between the two classroom wings.
“Ironically, it’s called the quiet area at the moment – it is a designated no-ball sports space – so it will be perfect for some sensory play equipment such as these two pieces.
“But we may need to rename the area
once they have been installed.”
Known for its flair and fanfare, the Variety Bash is Australia’s longest-running and most iconic charity motoring event.
Celebrating its 50th year in Australia, the bash is an 11-day, 3600-kilometre journey across New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia, which aims to raise $1.5-million for children who are sick, experiencing disadvantage or living with a disability.
CHARACTER: Duncan Ross and Diane Dennett show Horsham’s Reed Muller their Mater truck.
BEWARE: Jake Loong, Nicholas Ward and Jason Lin.
‘Forever Loved’
Lastweek marked National Missing Persons Week – an annual week of action across Australia to raise awareness of the significant issues surrounding missing persons.
The week is also used to profile long-term missing persons, and to educate community.
The disappearance of Tony Jones in 1982 was the catalyst for the establishment of National Missing Persons Week in Australia.
The Jones family instigated the week with a memorial service in Townsville in 1988, where the mayor of Townsville planted a tree in commemoration of Mr Jones.
The week continues to this day, and is supported throughout the missing persons sector and within the broader community to bring much-needed awareness and hopefully answers for those left behind.
One such case is Kay Maree Corp who was last seen in Horsham on February 2, 2021. I have seen Kay’s picture on missing persons posters around Horsham – but some further research found some information on the Australian Missing Persons Register Facebook page.
Kay, from Werribee, had been in Halls Gap but left on January 29, 2021 before travelling to Horsham on February 2, 2021.
On that same day, she was last sighted checking into the Smerdon Lodge motel in Horsham. She was believed to be wearing a yellow t-shirt and jeans, and carrying several bags on this day.
Last year, Kay’s sister-in-law posted on the page about it being Kay’s 50th birthday. She pleaded for information on behalf of her brother and niece – Kay’s daughter.
Last month at the Blue Ribbon Foundation Horsham branch’s Crime Night, a former detective with the Victoria Police Missing Persons Squad was a guest speaker.
He spoke at length about various cases he had worked on – and just how many people
EDITORIAL
By Lauren Henry
went missing each day. It was a thoughtprovoking presentation on a topic most people probably see through the media but essentially don’t think too much about until it affects them personally.
The Australian Federal Police, AFP, say more than 50,000 missing persons reports are made across the country each year.
While most people are found within days, about 2700 people remain missing longterm. For the family and friends left behind, it leaves a range of emotions – heartbreak, shock, sadness, questions of why and wondering if their loved one will ever be found.
In support of National Missing Persons Week, the AFP coordinates an annual police campaign with state and territory police, highlighting a different theme each year to raise awareness of the significant issues associated with missing persons, and profiling long-term missing persons to reduce the incidence and impact of missing persons in Australia.
This year’s theme ‘Forever Loved’ honours the enduring grief, love, and hope held by families whose loved ones have vanished without a trace – and whose absence is felt every single day. For the families left behind, the search never ends.
The AFP is urging people to come forward with information that could help bring answers to families of missing persons.
Anyone with information that may assist in locating the whereabouts of Kay or anyone who is missing is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
BOWERS CHIROPRACTIC CENTRE
SHOULDER JOINT PROBLEMS
Is the shoulder joint really a joint?
Colourful reflections of 100 years
Claire McKenry, who celebrated her 100th birthday on Monday, is a keen artist who spent much of her life on Toolondo’s shoreline.
Born in Sydney, Mrs McKenry moved to Geelong when she was 10. She was a teenager when the Second World War began; those days are forever ingrained in her memories.
While serving his country, Mrs McKenry’s father was captured by the Japanese and was one of 2800 Australian prisoners of war who died of starvation while working on the Burma-Thailand Railway. Her mother also served as a nurse in the Royal Australian Navy.
Mrs McKenry remembers Geelong being inundated with British and American soldiers.
“Geelong was full of soldiers from when the submarines would come into the bay there,” she said.
“My uncle would bring sol-
Not really, it’s a shallow cavity with the A/C joint on top. The shoulder has a wonderful range of movement. If you think of a cup and saucer, the hip is a bit like a cup (a ball and socket joint) and the shoulder is more like the saucer, shallow with a small lip on one side. The average person can move their shoulder in a number of ranges of motion: up, down, in, out, large circles and up behind your back, or in your case, maybe not.
The shoulder is supported by 16 muscles and they’re a bit like a union, one out all out. Also, it has close association with the neck and upper back. So, when there is a problem with the shoulder as chiropractors, we often see locked up muscles in the shoulder region, the shoulder joint not moving as freely as it should and tight, locked up upper back and neck, shoulder blade and clavicle.
So how does a Chiropractor help? With adjustment to move the jammed-up areas in the neck, upper back, and shoulder, corrective posture and sometimes massage, you can see a huge improvement. This is also relevant care if you have had shoulder surgery or a fracture in your arm which means you haven’t been able to move it properly. Getting all these areas to move better means that any physio or other treatment, will work better with better results.
Dr. Pauline Walsh
B. Clinc Sci B. App. Sci (Chiropractic), DACCP
diers home for Sunday dinner so we got to know them, and they would tell us all about their families.
“We had ration cards for everything. We had a club in the church grounds and the US soldiers would come there for coffee. They were all very brash, but they were homesick and missing their families.”
Mrs McKenry worked for the State Electricity Commission after finishing school, and met her future husband Doug, who lived nearby in Geelong.
Mrs McKenry would watch Mr McKenry play cricket, and she remembers going to the pictures and to dances with him.
After they married, Mr and Mrs McKenry moved to their home on the shoreline of Lake Toolondo, where they raised three boys – John, Gordon and Keith – and mainly produced sheep.
Mrs McKenry has been a keen
artist since she was young, and likes to paint in water colours. She has many of her paintings on display in and outside her room at Kurrajong Lodge; her favourite is a painting of Lake Toolondo with her and Mr McKenry fishing from a boat. She still works on her art but draws mainly with coloured pens or pencils.
Mrs McKenry said apart from art, she also enjoyed quizzes and was currently working on a jigsaw one of her sons gave her. She said she really enjoyed living in Kurrajong Lodge.
“Until six years ago I was living in a unit and driving to the supermarket to get food then bringing it home and putting it away, then I would have to cook it,” she said.
“Now I can just sit down at the table and enjoy a nice meal each time and I don’t have to do anything.”
Richard and Dean
CREATIVE: Claire McKenry celebrated her 100th birthday on Monday. She is pictured with her artwork, which is displayed outside her Kurrajong Lodge room.
A celebration of country life
BY BRONWYN HASTINGS
Les Down and Kevin Emonson were made life members of Speed Lions Club for their respective 46 years of active service, it was announced at Speed’s Mallee Machinery Field Days last week.
Both charter members in 1979, they have been instrumental in the field days event since its inception, have voluntarily served their community through events and working bees, and have taken executive roles within the club.
Lions’ acting president Phil Down said the club was honoured and proud to run the 45th annual event, and thanked committee members for their efforts, particularly Matt and Michelle Brady.
“We’d also like to thank the 23 community groups who are here – if you support the field days, you’re supporting all these local community groups,” he said.
“For a bunch of local farmers, I think it’s very exciting and we’re very proud, so thanks for our sponsors and for the crowd.”
Guest Tom Hawkins, former AFL Geelong player and now working in agriculture for Nutrien, officially opened the event.
Mr Hawkins, from population-2000 New South Wales town of Finley, said he loved the community of country places.
“I understand the importance of rural and country towns and the impact that football and netball clubs and events like today, the field days, have on the community,” he said.
“I’m no expert around this area, but already I can see from standing up here today, the people who are here, and the connection they have.”
Mr Hawkins, reflecting on his football career achievements and his new career in agriculture, said luck was needed in some capacity across both.
“We’d also like to thank the 23 community groups who are here –if you support the field days, you’re supporting all these local community groups”
–
Phil Down
“I think you need luck in anything you do, whether you’re a farmer, or you’re in the ag industry in some capacity, you need luck,” he said.
“There’s a lot of hard work, don’t get me wrong, but I had an abundance of both.
“I was so fortunate to be able to play for the team I loved, and then to win a premiership and do some other pretty special things. Forming some pretty amazing relationships was great as well.”
Mr Hawkins said he always had a connection to the land and wanted to be involved in the ag space at some capacity, and since leaving the game, had noticed a lot of parallels between farming and ag and football.
“I keep being reminded of these three things – resilience, connection, and the sense of community,” he said.
“This is one of the most iconic events and it has been really nice and humbling just to be around, walk, see the exhibitors, speak to people, connect with the kids.
“I’ve loved seeing the next generation of kids coming through. It reminds me of myself when I was their age.”
Awards were presented to exhibitors: best undercover award, Maloney Anderson Legal; best craft and interest, TJM Designs; best small exhibit, the CFA; best medium site, local machinery dealers Poole and Jackson, who have been to every field days at Speed; and best large machinery exhibit, Grower Services.
UNVEILED: Les Down, left, and Kevin Emonson, Speed Lions Club’s newest life members, with the honour board displaying supporting community groups at the Mallee Machinery Field Days at Speed. Picture: BRONWYN HASTINGS
OFFICIAL: Special guest Tom Hawkins with Longerenong College students, from left, Christine Oliver, Georgia Anderson, Olivia Sudholz and Bella Hardy.
From Paddock to Policy
Why a Bush Broker is Your Best Mate
The Right Tools For the Job
Life in the country runs on a mix of hard work, community spirit, and a fair dose of “make do.” If the gate breaks, we wire it up. If the tractor dies, we raid the shed for parts. And if a storm’s rolling in, we get the hay under cover and hope the power stays on.
But when it comes to insurance, “she’ll be right” isn’t always enough. Disasters, whether it’s a shed re, a machinery breakdown, or a ood don’t just cost money. ey take time, energy, and sometimes the livelihood you’ve spent years building.
at’s where a broker comes in. We’re like the neighbour who shows up with the right tool for the job, knows exactly how to x it, and sticks around until it’s done. We understand the challenges of life outside the city limits; from
frost and drought to the fact your “commute” can involve a dirt road, a mob of sheep, and a gate that won’t open properly.
While an online insurance policy might look good on paper, it won’t sit across the table from you and go through your farm, home, and business piece by piece. It won’t think about how that old tractor, the one you’ve rebuilt three times, actually costs a small fortune to replace. And it de nitely won’t ght your case if an insurer drags its heels.
A broker will.
We tailor policies to t you. Not just your postcode.
We read the ne print, so you don’t end up discovering your “comprehensive cover” is about as useful as a chocolate teapot when you need it most.
"In the bush, you can’t stop the storms or predict every mishap, but with a broker, you can make sure those surprises don’t knock you down for good.
A broker doesn’t just sell insurance, we make sure you can keep doing what you do best, rain, hail, or shine."
The Year
Abbie Wilson, National Insurance Brokers
NIBA VIC / TAS Broker Of
Proud supporter of local farmers
CONNECTION: From left, Hindmarsh Shire councillor Rosie Barker; Emily McGuire and Carolynne White of Mind Australia; Hindmarsh Mayor Ron Ismay; Grampians Community Health chief executive Greg Little; Rael Cartledge, Mind Australia; Del Taite and Faith Hardman, Grampians Community Health; and Belinda McCullough, Mind Australia; at the opening of the Grampians Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect Centre at Nhill.
Wellbeing centre opens in Nhill
Anew service offering community-based mental health and wellbeing support opened in Nhill last week.
The Grampians Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect Centre was officially opened on Wednesday at 9 Clarence Street, Nhill.
It will provide support for family members, carers, kin and other people who support someone experiencing mental health and substance use challenges.
The innovative, lived-experience led service is funded by the State Government and is being delivered by Grampians Community Health, GCH, in partnership with Mind Australia.
GCH chief executive Greg Little said the centre was part of the service’s mission to provide accessible, quality services in local communities.
“This centre is about making sure people in Nhill and the surrounding communities can get the support they need, close to home,” he said.
“We know how hard it can be to access community-based mental health and carer services when you’re living in a remote area.
“This is about bringing care to where it’s needed most, and doing it in a way that’s welcoming, visible, and part of the community.”
Mr Little said the need for the centre became apparent when he met with Hindmarsh Council early last year.
“While GCH was already delivering services there, people still had to travel to Horsham or Ballarat for many specialist supports,” he said.
“If you’re on a low income and need help quickly, public transport isn’t much of an option. The further west you go in the Wimmera, the more that geographic disadvantage kicks in, especially when it comes to critical social and welfare services.”
The Mental Health and Carer Wellbeing Centre in Nhill will also serve as a hub for surrounding towns across the Wimmera.
“We wanted a visible, central location and thanks to support from the council and Nhill Neighbourhood House, we’ve leased The Patch, just off the main street,” Mr Little said.
“The site has been transformed into a safe, accessible, and fit-for-purpose space. It’s now our Nhill home, a place where carers can get the sup-
port they need, and where GCH can base other vital services.”
Mr Little said the opening of the centre was timely.
“The Wimmera is a predominantly agricultural region, and right now, people are doing it tough,” he said.
“Farmers, supply chain workers, and township communities are feeling the pressure. If ever there was a time for local support services to be in place, it’s now.”
Mr Little said the centre would allow people to connect with peers, access tailored information, resources, advocacy, individual and group-based support, and brokerage funds through Tandem’s Carer Support Fund.
He said all staff have a lived experience of supporting someone.
“We are here to listen to families, carers, kin and supporters, and we offer a variety of supports based on specific needs,” he said.
Mind Australia Victoria operations executive director Belinda McCullough said the centre would provide everything from a ‘cuppa and a chat’ to professional and caring support.
“Mind Australia is delighted the Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect service will now be available to people in the Wimmera region, thanks to our partners, Grampians Community Health,” she said.
“People who care for someone with mental health or substance use challenges often have their own challenges, including social isolation, burnout and financial pressures, which are exacerbated in remote regions like the Wimmera.
“Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect is a special place where a carer can walk in and be among people who have walked in their shoes and understand their situation.”
Grampians Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect is one of eight new connect centres funded by the State Government in response to Recommendation 31 of the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System.
For more information about Grampians Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect, people can call 1800 962 008 or email grampiansmhwconnect@ mindaustralia.org.au.
Community grants opportunity
Community groups and not-for-profit organisations in the Northern Grampians Shire can apply for a share of $120,000 in funding through the 2025 Bulgana Green Power Hub Community Benefit Fund.
The fund supports community-led projects that create lasting, positive change across the shire. Eligible organisations can apply for up to $5000 for small-scale projects and $20,000 for larger initiatives, with a co-contribution. Northern Grampians Shire Council is admin-
istering the grants on behalf of Bulgana Green Power Hub. People can visit ngshire.vic.gov.au/Residents/ Grants/Other-grant-funding-opportunities/ Bulgana-Green-Power-Hub-CommunityBenefit-Fund.
More information is available via the link –also accessed through a banner on council’s website homepage – or by emailing community@ ngshire.vic.gov.au. Applications for the fund close on August 31.
Council continues to voice concerns
Northern Grampians Shire Council will continue to advocate for a fairer way to fund emergency services amid ongoing concerns about the impact the State Government’s controversial new tax will have on the region’s residents.
The Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund, ESVF, levy came into effect on July 1, with local government mandated to collect the tax on behalf of the State Government despite many councils opposing it.
Several councillors attended various protests and meetings in the lead-up to the official implementation of the levy, including Cr Jack Blake who went to a meeting on July 26 with representatives from 21 other councils from across the state.
The meeting, organised by United Firefighters Union Victoria, was organised in a bid to co-ordinate further opposition and joint advocacy efforts.
Council has also written to the Premier, outlining their concerns and asking her to ‘scrap’ the new ESVF.
They also called on the Premier to have the ESVF collected by the State Revenue Office and not be the responsibility of local government.
Mayor Karen Hyslop said ratepayers would notice a new-look rates notice – to be delivered from mid-August – featuring a new structure to help ratepayers differentiate between council fees, including general rates and rubbish, and State Government tax.
“Legally, council is obligated to pay a portion of your rates money to the State Government,” she said.
“So, while the ESVF tax amount is clearly differentiated from council’s general rates and kerbside collection charges on your rates notice, it isn’t possible to charge the ESVF separately.
“Ratepayers would also risk falling into arrears, which council is then legally obligated to retrieve,
and it will cost them more in the long run.”
Cr Hyslop said under the direction of the State Government, the levy would be applied to all council rates notices, however, rebates were available for volunteers of the Country Fire Authority and Victorian State Emergency Service.
“We have also had some success with the lobbying we have done for the farming community, which was to be hardest hit by the new levy,” she said.
“The government has agreed to cap the levy at the 2024-25 rate for primary production properties this financial year. It’s a small win, but the concern is what happens after that.”
Cr Hyslop said all money collected through ESVF charges went directly to the State Revenue Office – no ESVF money would be retained by council.
Cr Hyslop said council’s 2025-26 Budget included a rate-rise of three per cent, in line with the State Government’s rate cap for this financial year.
Waste collection charges will also increase, which will be clearly identified on rates notices.
Collection costs compared to 2024-25 are:
Compulsory bins, one waste and one recycling: $480 per annum – previously $467; additional waste: $164 per annum per bin – previously $159.
Additional recycling: $195 per annum per bin –previously $190.
FOGO, food organics-garden organics: St Arnaud residents only: $52 per bin – previously at no cost due to trial period, which has now ended.
Council is keeping the fee below the full cost of delivering the service to support St Arnaud households during the transition period.
Cr Hyslop said she understood many residents were feeling financial pressures and reminded people that council offered hardship support.
People can visit ngshire.vic.gov.au/Residents/ Rates-and-valuations/How-rates-are calculated for more information about how rates are-calculated.
Celebrating seniors in West Wimmera
West Wimmera Shire Council will celebrate the 2025 Victorian Seniors Festival with a series of free community events, beginning with a special Muster Dogs showcase.
The event, at Kaniva Recreation Reserve on October 9 from 10.30am, will feature guest speakers Helen McDonald, Jack Kennedy, Kim Dodson and Rob Tuncks from the ABC series Muster Dogs.
They will share stories from the show, talk about their experiences working with dogs, and reflect on the strong bonds formed with their canine partners.
After lunch, each guest will take part in a live sheep dog trial, showcasing their dogs’ impressive herding skills.
Council chief executive Da-
vid Bezuidenhout said it was an all-ages event, not just for seniors.
“Bringing the Muster Dogs team to West Wimmera will be an exciting drawcard,” he said.
Food and drinks will be available for purchase, including coffee, hot food, sandwiches and sweets from Kaniva-Leeor United catering committee and Big Guys Pizza.
Official Muster Dogs merchandise will also be available.
The seniors festival celebrations continue on October 21 with a concert at Kaniva Shire Hall at 1.30pm, which will include the announcement of the 2025 West Wimmera Senior Citizen of the Year.
This will be followed by the Everly Brothers and Buddy
No CCTV? They Walk
your property & business
Tickets
be booked at bit.ly/WWSC Seniors2025.
Rounding out the month, country music performer Kevin Sporer will perform at Apsley Hall on October 30.
The concert, at 1pm, will follow a light lunch.
With more than four decades of experience and an induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame, Sporer will bring his heartfelt sound and stage presence to the event.
Although the event is free, bookings should be made by calling council or at bit.ly/ WWSCKevinSporer.
For further information or assistance with transport to any of the events, call West Wimmera Shire Council on 13 99 72.
Holly Tribute Show, featuring Rick Gauci and Steven Burns, and an afternoon tea.
to the concert can
LAUNCH EVENT: Kim Dodson from the ABC series Muster Dogs, will be in Kaniva for West Wimmera Shire Council seniors festival celebrations.
Grow Local, Eat Local
Changes to tourist hub
Buloke Shire Council is exploring future options after Lake Tyrrell Salt Company advised it would end its lease of the Horace Street property early.
The company advised the council on July 21 it would give notice, prompting council to meet with members of Advance Sea Lake Inc, businesses and community to support a transition and ensure continuity for tourists and businesses.
Since 2021, the hub, operated by the company as part of its promotion efforts, has played a central role in growing Sea Lake’s prominence as a tourist destination.
Mayor Alan Getley said the hub was more than just a welcome point, it had served as a wayfinding hub, connecting visitors with local stories, art, culture, businesses and the experience of Lake Tyrrell.
“Julie Pringle’s vision, Advanced Sea Lake Inc and the broader community’s belief in
this place has helped turn Lake Tyrrell into a global tourism destination,” Cr Getley said.
“There is a strong commitment to see it continue to evolve and Sea Lake has proven what’s possible when passion, place and community come together.”
Council will continue to provide the hub as a meeting space for Advance Sea Lake Inc within the site, as required, until a future for the site is determined.
Advance Sea Lake Inc and local businesses have committed to sharing brochures and tourism information across multiple outlets in the interim.
Alternative uses for the DEECA-owned site are currently under review and will be presented to councillors for consideration.
Council is also meeting with Grampians Wimmera Mallee Tourism to explore additional regional support during the transition.
Injured man transported
A man in his 20s sustained upper body injuries when his car left the road in a single-vehicle incident at Dooen on Wednesday last week.
Advanced Life Support para-
ALL WELCOME: Pictured enjoying the first Rock Up to Pickleball event
Terence, Jane, Lisa and Caleb; and front, Kim,
Wednesdays from 10am at St Arnaud Sports Stadium and are open to the community.
Rock up and enjoy pickleball in St Arnaud
Following the success of an introductory Rock Up to Pickleball session at St Arnaud, the latest sporting craze is set to continue.
Northern Grampians Shire Council’s Thrive 50+ Healthy Ageing Hubs team will host ongoing pickleball sessions at St Arnaud Sports Stadium on Wednesdays at 10am.
The sessions are free of charge and all equipment is supplied.
Pickleball is a mix of tennis, table tennis and badminton played on a badmintonsize court with a paddle and a small, perforated plastic ball.
medics attended the scene. The man was transported by road ambulance to Wimmera Base Hospital in a stable condition. Police, fire and VICSES crews also responded.
It can be played in singles or doubles format, but the big draw is the ease at which a new player can pick up the game.
Mayor Karen Hyslop said the come-andtry event was well-attended, with plenty of interaction between participants.
“It was great to see people of all abilities
and fitness levels come along and give pickleball a go,” she said.
“A couple came along just to watch, due to existing injuries, but they were able to participate and loved it.”
Cr Hyslop said organisers had received great feedback from participants, including from Tracey.
“I wasn’t sure my knees would be able to cope with the game, but I felt really good and had so much fun,” Tracey said.
Linda said she also enjoyed the rock-up event.
“I had physio on my leg the day before and thought I’d just pop in to see what the hype was all about,” she said.
“I loved it. I played and felt great.”
Cr Hyslop said an after-hours session could be arranged if there was enough interest and that people could call the Thrive team on 5358 8700 for more information.
She said the council had introduced the
casual pickleball sessions at St Arnaud following the successful introduction of the sport in Stawell, through a partnership between council, Pickleball Victoria and Wimmera Regional Sports Assembly.
Stawell Sports and Aquatic Centre continues to host casual pickleball sessions on Tuesday mornings between 10am and noon, Thursday afternoons between 5pm and 7pm and Saturday mornings between 9.30am and 11.30am.
Sessions are $5 per person and bookings are not required.
Council is also investigating the possibility of a formal competition in the region, at Stawell Sports and Aquatic Centre.
People can visit www.ngshire.vic. gov.au/Sports-Recreation-and-Leisure/ Stawell-Sports-and-Aquatic Centre/Play to express their interest.
at St Arnaud are, from left, back, Linda, Tracey,
Sheryl, Marie, Rose, Lea and V. Rock Up to Pickleball sessions are on
Human behaviour drives investment
often think investing is about the numbers – profit margins, balance sheets, dividend yields and all that jazz.
Yes, they are important, but if you ask me, there’s something even more powerful that determines your success in the share market – human psychology.
Markets go up. Markets go down. That’s not the interesting part. What really matters is how people behave during those times.
When markets are booming – when we’re seeing record highs – it’s like a sugar rush. People get greedy. They chase returns. They pile into shares they do not understand because ‘everyone else is doing it’. And when the market corrects, or worse, crashes – that same crowd panics. They get scared. And often… they sell. We all know the theory: buy low, sell high. But in practice? Many people do the opposite. Why? Because we are human.
Just last week, a client told me about someone they knew – let’s call him Steve – who had found what he thought was Queensland’s best financial advisor. He invested $2-million. Then the COVID pandemic hit. The markets fell off a cliff and Steve’s $2-million dropped to $1.6-million.
So, he did what many would do – he panicked. He pulled the money out, locked in the $400,000 loss, and walked away.
In hindsight? Painful. The market rebounded faster than anyone expected. We saw 18 months of booming returns, especially in tech. Microsoft, Zoom, and plenty of other companies surged as the world shifted to working from home.
So, what should Steve have done?
FINANCE focus
with Robert Goudie CFP GradDipFP Consortium Private Wealth
could not stomach investing more, there was a third option: just hold. Stay the course. Turn off the news. Stop checking the portfolio. And take a long-term view.
Because here’s the thing. Steve is also a business owner. He knows that building a great business does not happen overnight – it takes years, even decades. That same logic applies to the businesses listed on the stock market.
One of the best – and worst – features of share markets is liquidity. You can sell at the click of a button. That instant access means your portfolio is at the mercy of every emotional investor on the planet. Fear and greed can trigger massive market swings in days. But for the patient investor – for those who understand how humans behave –that’s the opportunity.
My advice to new investors? If you are just getting started in the share market, do not make your first priority learning how to read a balance sheet or calculate dividend payout ratios.
Start by learning about investor psychology. Learn how people behave when markets are flying – and when they crash. Understand how emotions can override logic. And once you have got that part sorted, the rest will come easier.
TRAINING: Cyclists can choose from three routes, all starting and finishing in Natimuk and centred on Mount Arapiles
Entries open for ACE Ride
Cyclists are encouraged to start training for this year’s Arapiles Cycling Event.
The community bike ride, which is based in Natimuk and centred on Mount Arapiles, is on Saturday, October 4.
This year there are three new routes for cyclists to choose from: 105km; 77km; and 45km – all starting and finishing in Natimuk.
All roads on the three circuits are sealed and there is also a 20km option that follows the Big Sky Bike Trail.
The ACE Ride is not a race. Pedal-assisted e-bikes are welcome.
Online entries have opened and already cyclists from Bendigo, Ballarat, Port Fairy, Stawell, Melbourne and Adelaide have signed up.
The ACE Ride supports Wimmera Against Cancer in Kids and Natimuk Lions Club. More information can be found at www. aceride.com.au.
New Hindmarsh library programs
library, staring today, is a creative after-school program for children aged from 10 years.
The best option – if he had the cash – would have been to tip more in while markets were down. Buy when everyone else was fearful. The worst option? What he actually did – sell at the bottom and lock in the loss. But even if he
The truth is, investing success is not just about knowing numbers. It’s about knowing yourself –and everyone else, too.
• The information provided in this article is general in nature only and does not constitute personal financial advice.
The ‘Creation Station’ and ‘Rainbow Crochet Corner’ will launch at Hindmarsh Shire Libraries, adding to a program that includes sessions such as Storytime, Get Creative, Kids Craft Club and Book Chat.
The Creation Station, from 3.30pm to 4.40pm every second Wednesday at Dimboola
The Rainbow Crochet Corner, each Friday from 9.30am at Rainbow library, is a result of requests from the library community. It is an opportunity for people to meet and have a ‘yarn with other yarners’.
Tea, coffee and hot chocolate will be supplied.
Dates and times for library in-house and outreach programs are listed in the events section of the Hindmarsh Shire Council website. www. hindmarsh.vic.gov.au/upcoming-events.
What does it mean?
Victoria is poised to become the first Australian state to officially recognise ‘working from home’ as a legal right.
Premier Jacinta Allan has unveiled proposed legislation that, if passed by 2026, will ensure employees who can reasonably perform their tasks remotely are entitled to work from home at least two days a week.
This move is seen by many as a stride towards better work-life balance, but it also raises concerns for small businesses already operating at their limits.
Currently in Victoria, work-fromhome arrangements are usually negotiated between employers and employees.
Employers have to consider workplace health and safety regulations, as they are responsible for maintaining safety standards even in home offices.
They must also consult with staff and health and safety representatives about risk controls.
All these arrangements must align with the Fair Work Act, relevant modern awards, and any existing enterprise agreements.
While employers often include workfrom-home policies as part of flexible work strategies, these come with administrative and legal responsibilities. Is this too much pressure?
Small business owners are already juggling these legal obligations with commercial realities, often reporting that regulatory complexities and paperwork add to their burdens.
The Victorian government has made reducing this regulatory load a priority, especially as businesses consider moving to states with less restrictive policies.
Over the past decade, efforts have included digital reforms ‘Small Business Regulation Review’ initiatives, and targeted simplifications of licensing requirements.
Common challenges for small businesses include navigating multiple layers of licensing and permits at local and state levels, excessive compliance reporting, and inconsistent regulatory frameworks across sectors and
BUSINESS
with Stacey Taig West Vic Business Ambassador
municipalities. The Allan government defends the reform by highlighting benefits such as enhanced support for families and caregivers, projecting savings of about $110 per week, or over $5300 annually, per worker in commuting costs.
Research shows remote workers may log around 20 per cent more hours, and workforce participation is now 4.4 percentage points higher than preCOVID-19 levels.
The proposed legislation is also seen as a way to promote workplace equity by including women, people with disabilities, and caregivers through flexible arrangements.
While supporters view legal protections as progress, small business advocates such as West Vic Business and the Victorian Regional Chamber Alliance express serious concerns.
They argue that mandated workfrom-home policies undermine an employer’s ability to manage workforce needs collaboratively, leading to a loss of flexibility and managerial discretion.
There are warnings that remote mandates could fracture workplaces, exacerbate workplace inequality, since not all roles can be performed remotely, and stifle productivity and innovation.
Given that private sector industrial relations fall under federal law, mandating ‘work from home’ at state level may conflict with existing enterprise bargaining agreements, potentially becoming a target for High Court challenges.
Some employers worry this legislation could trigger a further exodus of businesses from Victoria, as companies seek to relocate to states with fewer regulations on workplace policies.
The government is however, planning a consultation process throughout 2025, led by the Department of Premier and Cabinet, to outline the scope
of the legislation, including which industries will be affected, how ‘reasonably able’ will be defined, and how compliance will align with federal frameworks.
During this consultation period, small businesses, unions, employer groups and legal experts will have the chance to contribute to the details before a bill is presented.
What might this mean for small businesses if the bill is enacted? It could reduce the HR negotiation burden, as clear entitlements will simplify requests and approvals.
However, administering fixed minimum work-from-home entitlements may create new compliance responsibilities.
Employee cost savings could lower absenteeism and turnover, but frontline industries like hospitality, retail, and trades may face exclusions, resulting in negative impacts.
While it may improve the ability to attract talent and meet the growing demand for flexibility among workers, legal uncertainties, potential federal disputes or constitutional reviews, could complicate matters.
Although it may encourage workforce participation among caregivers, the effects might not be evenly distributed. SMEs with limited role flexibility may derive less benefit compared to larger organisations.
No matter your perspective, the government is set to redefine how flexible work is governed, transitioning from a negotiated workplace benefit to a legislated right.
While advocates see this as a significant step toward equality and supporting families, many in the small business sector fear it will add regulatory burdens to already strained operations, diminish employer autonomy, and potentially jeopardise business viability.
With consultations taking place throughout 2025, the final details of the legislation, including who it affects, how it aligns with federal regulations, and how to mitigate red tape, will be crucial in determining whether small businesses perceive this as an opportunity or a burden.
GRATEFUL: Grampians Health clinical nurse educator EN traineeships west Susan Roberts, Federation University assistant discipline lead Diploma of Nursing Gab McCulloch, Federation University
nursing teacher Jane Dunn and Grampians Health engineering services leading hand Adam Simmons with the donated IV pumps.
New life for old pumps
In a win for both education and the environment, 20 infusion pumps and poles that could no longer be used at Grampians Health’s Horsham campus have been gifted to nursing students at Federation University.
The donation is part of Grampians Health’s ongoing commitment to sustainability – ensuring equipment is recycled and repurposed where possible, rather than sent to landfill.
Chief redevelopment and infrastructure officer Veronica Furnier said she was pleased the multidisciplinary approach would maximise the lifecycle of resources and minimise waste.
“Grampians Health is extremely pleased to donate the equipment, which will now allow every nursing student in the classroom to have access to their own IV pump for hands-on training in the simulated clinical environment,” she said.
Environmental sustainability officer Sam Harris said the donation was a great example of sustainable think-
ing in action and a positive outcome for students and the environment.
“Recycling goes beyond just paper and plastics, it involves rethinking the value of all the materials we use,” she said.
“Since we launched our environmental sustainability plan last year, it has been encouraging to witness both significant and minor strides towards transforming the linear takemake-dispose model into a more circular one.”
Federation University Diploma of Nursing teacher Jane Dunn thanked Grampians Health for the donation, recognising the immediate impact it would have on student learning.
“Federation University currently has a number of IV pumps, however we’re extremely grateful for this generous gift,” she said.
“It’s going to make a huge difference during practical sessions, giving all students the chance to develop their skills individually using real clinical equipment.”
TAFE
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Market buoyant
Consumer sentiment across the new car market remained buoyant in July despite Australia’s lingering economic woes.
New vehicle registration data supplied by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, FCAI, showed 103,097 unit sales for the month of July, an increase of 3611 units on the same time last year.
While the passenger car market continues to trend downward – falling 2245 units, or 19.3 per cent year-onyear – SUV and LCV sales were up, growing by 6489 units and 722 units respectively.
“We are now seeing confidence return to the market, supported by a recent interest rate reduction and anticipation of further easing,” FCAI chief executive Tony Weber said.
“Consumers are responding with interest across most segments, particularly utes and SUVs.”
The FCAI’s sales data revealed the strongest July for new-vehicle sales on record, led again by the Toyota HiLux utility with 4676 units, Toyota RAV4 SUV, 4415 units, Ford Ranger, 3930, and Everest, 2425, and ever-
green Isuzu D-Max, 2351. Toyota remained Australia’s favourite new-car brand in July with 21,722 recorded registrations – however this number is down 4.3 per cent, or 22,705 units, on the same time last year as growing competition from Chinese brands takes hold.
Mazda came in second place with 7452 unit sales, down 12.1 per cent, Kia in third with 7402 units, up 11.8 per cent, Ford in fourth with 7279 units, down 6.1 per cent, and Hyundai in fifth place with 6687 units, up 11.1 per cent.
Interestingly, Chinese brands including BYD rose considerably in July with a 158 per cent gain on June sales numbers, to 4067 units. Chery grew its sales by 267.4 per cent to 3149 units, and GWM up 42.2 per cent to 4271 units.
On the flipside, LDV was down 19.9 per cent to 1113 units, and MG down 26.7 per cent to 3008 units.
Overall, sales of Chinese-made vehicles have increased by 22.6 per cent when compared with the same period last year.
Looking at motive power types,
there was rapid growth in the sales of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, PHEVs, with a 183 per cent increase year-to-year to 4031 units across July – 29,644 sales year-to-date.
“With more than 50 models available in 2025, plug-in hybrids have emerged as an important transition technology for many Australians, particularly those in regional areas or those with limited access to charging,” Mr Weber said.
“They offer the ability to drive short distances on electric power while retaining the flexibility and range of a conventional engine.”
Conversely, sales of battery electric vehicles, BEVs, fell 30.2 per cent to 6072 units in July, while hybrid electric vehicle, HEV, sales grew 11.9 per cent to 17,757 sales for the month.
Data published by the Electric Vehicle Council showed Polestar sales for July tallied 230 units, while Tesla sales finished at 917 units, down 64.6 per cent.
The two outliers have amassed sales of 1403 and 15,063 units respectively for the year to date.
Internal combustion engine, ICE, powered vehicles remain the dominant preference among Australian
buyers with diesel sales of 31,611 units for the month of July and petrol sales of 39,991 units.
Across the regions, July sales showed gains across the Australian Capital Territory, up 1.6 per cent, New South Wales, up 1.9 per cent, the Northern Territory, up 10.6 per cent, Queensland, up 8.9 per cent, Victoria, up 3.1 per cent, and Western Australia, up 3.0 per cent.
Sales across South Australia and Tasmania were both down in July, falling 1.4 per cent and 1.0 per cent respectively.
– Matt Brogan
ALL-NEW KIA TASMAN X-LINE
FAVOURITE: Toyota remains Australia’s favourite new-car brand, topping July sales figures.
Kia bets on small car resurgence
Kia
Australia is set to make substantial changes to its long-term product planning, perceiving that Australia’s New Vehicle Emissions Standard, NVES, will jointly see buyers move back to smaller cars while seeing battery-electric vehicles, BEVs, win out, despite an interim surge in hybrid powertrains.
Immediate changes to Kia Australia’s strategies include confirming the EV2 for Australia, reversing its prior decision not to bring the Slovakianbuilt, BEV light SUV to this market.
Kia Australia executives are even investigating whether to bring the forthcoming, entry-level EV1 to Australia to fight Chinese BEVs, while a hatchback version of the segmentstraddling EV4 passenger car is back on the menu after being previously doubted.
The cheapest BEV models Kia sells in Australia are the Korean-made EV3 small SUV, from $47,600 plus onroad costs, and China-built EV5 midsize SUV from $56,770 plus on-road costs.
The new plan should allow Kia Australia to bring its BEV cost of entry down into the high $30,000 range.
Relative success of the EV5, which has drawn unexpectedly strong interest from fleet operators, was a factor in Kia Australia’s change of heart on
broadening the BEV line-up. However, NVES was the main driving force, with Kia Australia having completed additional modelling on its need to generate emissions credits to avoid costly financial penalties, while also allowing the diesel Tasman ute to sell strongly.
Kia Australia chief executive Damien Meredith told GoAuto the Korean brand would import ‘an array of BEVs that are more applicable to what is happening’ in a bid to raise its BEV sales proportion from the current level of 11 per cent.
“I think smaller, more efficient vehicles will play a huge part in metropoli-
tan Australia. There is metropolitan and there is rural Australia. Sometimes, their needs and wants are not the same,” he said.
Attaining sufficient NVES credits, which will be generated mainly by the sale of BEVs and PHEVs, will be key to offsetting the CO2 emissions of the Tasman, which will not be available with a hybrid drivetrain for some years.
Kia Australia’s senior leadership team has theorised that NVES will lead to a resurgence in small, frugal cars on city roads, charged by domestic solar power in many cases, while provincial Australians keep
buying utes. That picture will only fully emerge around 2028, Kia Australia believes, with a passing renewal of hybrid powertrain demand set to occur in the meantime – which Kia will meet by expanding its PHEV and HEV trim grades on key models.
Kia Australia general manager of product planning Roland Rivero said with NVES doing what it is planned to do, products like Seltos and Sportage would become strictly hybrid, alongside strictly BEV product.
“That is going to be the natural progression,” he said Availability of HEV variants for Kia’s top-selling SUV, the midsize
Sportage, recently expanded and a plan is in place to reduce the cost of entry to Kia’s HEV line-up further.
While Kia Australia is less bullish regarding PHEVs than some other manufacturers, it is also understood to be working on plans to increase supply of PHEV units – such as in the Sorento large SUV – in order to bring down the price.
Meanwhile, Mr Rivero said while Kia’s early BEV plays involved halo vehicles – the slower-selling EV6 and EV9 models – Kia Australia would increase its focus on cheaper and admittedly less sophisticated BEVs at lower prices.
“The EV5 formula and value proposition is being appreciated,” he said.
“Initially, we thought it would only be private, but fleets are latching onto the EV5. We have had a couple of months where we have sold 700.
“Keeping on that path will mean some sacrifices, like an 800-volt architecture. I think the products to come that are targeting more volume will do so.”
While Kia Australia’s BEV concentration will shift to the more affordable end of the spectrum, it still plans to cater to higher-end customers.
A facelifted version of the EV6 lands in Australia shortly, while a highperformance EV9 GT super-SUV is still expected before Christmas.
– Tom Baker
Kia Australia has commited to bringing more BEVs to the market.
TaKe a BreaK
On This Day
From The Weekly Advertiser archives: August 11, 2005 –Minyip’s main street was given a splash or colour by its grades five and six primary school students as part of the innovation and excellence project, ‘Emma’s Fence Mural’. Led by cluster co-ordinator Susan Harley, students were guided by artist Melanie Obst, pictured with students Sean Walsh and Emma Clark, to each paint a metal sheet depicting a meaningful icon of Minyip. The panels were attached to the corrugated iron fence next to Emma’s Café, made famous in the popular Australian television drama The Flying Doctors during its filming at the town.
10 years ago: August 12, 2015
Statistics showing the Wimmera-Mallee had the worst five-year cancer survival rates were driving a project to build a major cancer centre in Horsham. Fundraising appeal Rachael’s Wish, named for cancer survivor Rachael Littore, raised money with a telethon. Wimmera health group chief executive Chris Scott said the appeal was a chance for people to put their hard-earned money back into their community.
Five years ago: August 12, 2020 Horsham’s Austin Simpson had spent four years growing his hair to ultimately cut it and donate it to Variety’s Hair with Heart program. Austin cut off 65-centimetres of his hair to have made into a wig for someone who had lost hair owing to a medical condition. Austin said he was ‘a little sad’ to be losing his hair, but was pleased it would go to a good home.
One year ago: August 14, 2024
Runner Anthony White completed the Wimmera River parkrun’s 100,000th kilometre, which was compiled by hundreds or runners and walkers across six years of the Horsham event. White, in his ‘first of many’ parkruns, he said he was pleased to have achieved the milestone.
1. Born on this day in 1899, and dying in 1980, was which English film director, known as the ‘master of suspense’ for his suspenseful narratives, clever use of camera techniques, and psychological depth?
2. How many rooms are there on a standard Cluedo board game?
3. Billy Joel gave a lengthy list of 20th century events in which song?
4. What was the biggest comeback in AFL history?
5. Who said, ‘To infinity and beyond’?
6. Which actor received Emmy nominations for playing the same character on different shows?
7. What does the Beaufort Scale measure?
8. A puggle is a baby what – echidna, pug, or hippopotamus?
9. Where do you find Ganymede – A: in stories of Greek mythological characters, B: orbiting Jupiter as a giant moon, C: both A and B, or D: as a family of unique microorganisms, in decomposing plant material in household compost bins?
10. What’s the name of the world’s largest sand island, found in Australia?
5. Buzz Lightyear in Pixar’s Toy Story. 6. Kelsey Grammer. He played Dr Frasier Crane on Cheers and its spin-off, Frasier. 7. Wind speed. 8. Echidna. 9. Both A and B. Ganymede is a massive moon orbiting Jupiter and was identified by Galileo in 1610. Ganymede is also a divine Trojan hero in Greek mythology and the ‘most beautiful of mortals’. 10. Fraser Island.
3. ‘We Didn’t Start the Fire’. Joel reportedly said writing down the events from when he was born in 1949 until his 40th birthday in 1989 was a mental exercise; he also reportedly said he usually -pre ferred to write the music first, as the melody was ‘horrendous – like a mosquito droning’, one of the worst melodies he’d ever written, but he liked the lyric. 4. St Kilda versus Melbourne, on July 27 this year. In 128 years of VFL and AFL football, no team had previously been 46 points down at three-quarter time and then won the game.
Answers: 1. Alfred Hitchcock. 2. Nine: hall, lounge, dining room, kitchen, ballroom, conservatory, billiard room, library and study.
Getting in touch with The Weekly AdverTiser
Our office is at 2 Stawell Road, Horsham. Mail: PO Box 606, Horsham 3402. Telephone: 5382 1351. Website: www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au Email: weeklyadvertiser@team.aceradio.com.au For classified advertisements: 5382 1351 – email: horsham@aceradio.com.au
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sTars
FOR THE WEEK AUGUST 17 TO AUGUST 23
ARIES (March 21 - April 20)
Lucky Colour: Silver
Lucky Day: Tuesday
Racing Numbers: 1, 2, 1, 9
Lotto Numbers: 1, 12, 19, 25, 28, 37
Opportunities abound to advance your career goals. Doubts about existing relationships may arise, but it is wise to leave things as they are for now. Your social calendar could bring unusual invitations.
TAURUS (April 21 - May 20)
Lucky Colour: Yellow
Lucky Day: Wednesday
Racing Numbers: 2, 4, 3, 4
Lotto Numbers: 4, 13, 22, 31, 39, 40
Be cautious of friends meddling in your personal affairs. Trust your instincts, as your ideas are likely to be accurate. Your social life will see you in high demand.
GEMINI (May 21 - June 21)
Lucky Colour: Pink
Lucky Day: Wednesday
Racing Numbers: 4, 5, 3, 2
Lotto Numbers: 4, 13, 22, 31, 32, 42
Avoid rushing into impulsive romantic decisions – they may backfire. Take care of your health and focus on advancing your ideas at work. This could be a transformative time.
CANCER (June 22 - July 22)
Lucky Colour: White
Lucky Day: Sunday Racing Numbers: 5, 1, 6, 5
Lotto Numbers: 5, 14, 23, 26, 35, 41
Emotions may run high, prompting you to overspend in an attempt to please loved ones. Financial opportunities are available, but consider them carefully before committing.
LEO (July 23 - August 22)
Lucky Colour: Peach
Lucky Day: Saturday
Racing Numbers: 1, 4, 6, 4
Lotto Numbers: 5, 14, 25, 30, 32, 44
New friendships offer exciting opportunities to combine business with pleasure. Love relationships are set to improve, and travel may bring surprises.
VIRGO (August 23 - September 23)
Lucky Colour: Green
Lucky Day: Wednesday
Racing Numbers: 1, 4, 1, 7
Lotto Numbers: 1, 10, 14, 17, 27, 33
This is an excellent time to ask for favours, start new ventures, or make investments. Romantic opportunities abound, and someone special may catch your interest.
LIBRA (September 24 - October 23)
Lucky Colour: Pink
Lucky Day: Friday
Racing Numbers: 1, 1, 3, 4
Lotto Numbers: 1, 11, 25, 35, 40, 43
Something from your past may resurface, providing answers and closure. Seek help from influential people to further your ambitions. Many Libras may embark on new paths during this time.
SCORPIO (October 24 - November 22)
Lucky Colour: Red
Lucky Day: Tuesday
Racing Numbers: 3, 7, 4, 3
Lotto Numbers: 3, 7, 16, 30, 37, 43
Family relationships may face obstacles, so ensure everyone contributes equally. Career prospects look bright, and a romantic surprise may appear.
SAGITTARIUS (November 23 - December 20)
Lucky Colour: Blue
Lucky Day: Thursday
Racing Numbers: 2, 2, 7, 6
Lotto Numbers: 2, 11, 20, 27, 29, 38
Renewed friendships and relationships may bring joy. The unusual and mysterious may catch your attention, but remember to pace yourself.
CAPRICORN (December 21 - January 19)
Lucky Colour: Blue
Lucky Day: Monday
Racing Numbers: 3, 3, 2, 1
Lotto Numbers: 3, 12, 21, 26, 30, 39
An old friend may reconnect, offering a financial opportunity. This is a good time for socialising and enjoying the company of others, and financially, it could be a fortunate period.
AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 19)
Lucky Colour: Green
Lucky Day: Saturday
Racing Numbers: 1, 8, 9, 2
Lotto Numbers: 9, 18, 24, 34, 36, 42
Expect surprises and rewards during this period. Greater responsibilities may come your way, but the hard work will pay off. Financial windfalls are possible. PISCES (February 20 - March 20)
Lucky Colour: Green
Lucky Day: Friday
Racing Numbers: 3, 2, 8, 3
Lotto Numbers: 12, 21, 30, 38, 39, 40
People may try to sway your opinions, but trust your ability to expand your ambitions. Believe in yourself and take action towards your goals. yOur
Sudoku
Fill in the blank cells using numbers from 1 to 9. Each number can only appear once in each row, column and 3x3 block.
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
bmpuzzles Distributed by Knight Features
must be four letters or more
* Find at least one nine letter word
* No swear words
* No verb forms or plurals ending in ‘s’ * No proper nouns and no hyphenated words
Good: 10 words FOCUS Very good: 16 words Excellent: 26 words
LOCAL TRADE DIRECTORY
Classifieds
21st Birthday
BETT, Heather Margaret
A graveside service will take place on Friday, August 15, 2025 at 11.30am at the Woomelang Cemetery
W.B. Gardiner & Son
Funeral Directors Warracknabeal 0407 340 064
ETHERTON (nee Magrath), Betty Ada
As was her wish, Betty Ada Etherton will be privately cremated.
A Celebration of her Life will be held at a later date.
Please see future editions for details.
Trevor Bysouth & Daughter Ph 5381 1444 AFDA Member
BETT,
Heather Margaret
28-9-1926 to 1-8-2025 at Ballarat, late of Lascelles.
Loved wife of Ron (dec).
Loved mother of Margery, Colleen, Richard and Geoffrey.
Fond mother-in-law of Brian, Kevin, Dianne and Robyn.
Loved Grandma of 12 grandchildren and GreatGrandma of 23 GreatGrandchildren.
ETHERTON (nee Magrath), Betty Ada
Passed away peacefully at home on 3rd August 2025, aged 77 years.
Dearly loved wife of Ken (dec).
Devoted Mother to Debra, Peter and their partners
Owen and Lou.
Adored baby sister of John and Max.
Cherished Nanna to Molly and Max.
Loved Step-Grandmother of Kirstyn and Ainsley.
Treasured Memories Forever in our Hearts
SCHWARZ, Jean
Much loved sister-in-law of Aileen Farnham & friend of Allan.
SCHWARZ
The funeral of Mrs Jean Barbara Schwarz will leave the Lutheran Church, Dimboola on Friday, August 22nd, 2025 after a Service commencing at 11am for the Dimboola Lawn Cemetery.
This Service will be live streamed via the following link: http://livingitlive.com.au/ jean-schwarz
W.B. Gardiner & Son
Funeral Directors Warracknabeal 0407 340 064
TABERNER, Clint “Tabs”
The Funeral of Clint Taberner will take place at St Andrew’s Uniting Church, Horsham on Friday, 15 August 2025 commencing at 2pm.
Private interment. The service may be viewed online at horsham. unitingchurch.org.au/watch
Trevor Bysouth & Daughter Ph 5381 1444 AFDA Member
Thank you
LOCKE, June Ivy
June’s famly would like to thank all those who celebrated her life in person or online. Also the cards and flowers were much appreciated.
Thank you to Wimmera Funerals, Susan Hobbs, and the Uniting Church ladies. June now rests with family.
Port Fairy 4-bedroom off-peak escape, ocean views, just $1140! Call Langley’s now to book 0355682899
12 week old Miniature Dachshund puppy, female, ready for new home, microchipped and vaccinated, currently 12 weeks old, m/chip# 985141007722153/4
$2000 Ph 0421756746
3 year old black and tan bitch working kelpie, great yard dog, Ph or PM for details to Harry 0458318200
Aged pensioner looking to buy a male chihuahua, 1 1/2 - 2 years old Ph 0421237043
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
Bristlenose catfish , great tank cleaners
$5ea until sold out Ph 0474159010 after 6.30pm
Budgies, assorted colours $10 each Ph 0417533579
Kelpie puppies for sale, good working parents, great temperaments, 2 male brown/tan, 2 female black/tan and 2 male black/tan available, currently 7 weeks old and have been vaccinated and microchipped, source# MB 286176, 956000018852127, 956000017246586, 956000017239009, 956000017249996, 956000017239349, 956000018852851, $500 Ph 0408575398
Love birds assorted colours $20 each pick up only Warracknabeal Ph 0447776408
Mixed breed of goats, pregnant females, young male goats, mixed sheep available for sale, call for prices Ph 0414851313
Princess Parrots for sale, breeding pairs, various colours Ph 0439655239
Stawell area
Purebred black faced Dorper , rams and ewes, rams 2yrs old, ewes 9months old, pic# 3HSDC083 Ph Liz 0419664345
Purebred German Shepherd , 7 months, black and tan, great temperament, toilet trained, straight, one boy & one girl source# MB115424, m/chip# 956000016586733/66811 04 Ph 0421018631
Welsh Pembroke male and female Corgi puppies red and white, born 11/6/2025, vet checked vacc and microchip, available on the 8/8/2025 for there new home, microchip# 953010007914643, 953010007914649, 953010007914762, 923010007914686, the pups are reg with MDBA and come with Pedigree paper on limited reg, source# RB110579 Ph or text for pic and info 0448024815
13' 1992 Colt Caravan, tv, a/c, 2way fridge, awning, VGC, reg till May 25, as is $8500 Ph 0487750540
2000 Jayco starcraft, full annex, TV lots of extras, very good condition, one owner, very little use $20,000 or nearest offer Ph 0456601681
Reduced price to reflect age of puppies, Spoodle puppies, 2 Spoodle girls - could one of these girls be the missing piece in your life, raised in a loving family environment with sweet natures, 6 week vacations, microchip and vet checked, ready to join their new furever families born 9 May, microchip# 956000017221175 & 956000018924045, source # EE223376 $2000 price neg Ph 0400035456
2013 Jayco Starcraft , 21', one owner, very little use, as new, many added extras suit retired couple planning to travel $39,000 Ph 0427909230
2014 JB dirt roader 19’caravan , full ensuite queen bed, 3 way fridge washing machine, reverse cycle a/c diesel heater, Sirocco fans, 2 solar panels, 2 batteries, 280 litres water $44,000 Ph 0427902375 Beulah
Bereavement Thanks
Accommodation
Animals & Accessories
Animals & Accessories
Antiques
caravans
2015 Jayco StarCraft 20ft 6' dual axle, full ensuite, queen bed, L shape seating, full oven, agm battery bike rack, full size fridge freezer, reverse cycle heating cooling, washing machine, new tyres 12 months rego, ESC $39000 ono Ph 0429227860
2017 Ezytrail Stirling, excellent condition, forward folding hard floor, full annex, 600w inverter, TV, 80lt WACO fridge, memory foam mattress topper, always stored undercover, $18,500 ono Ph 0439022870
2017 Jayco Starcraft caravan, 16', queen size bed, full oven, ensuite, easy to tow, hardly used, as new van Ph 0429982394
2019 Ezy Trail Stirling GT Mark 2 camper, EC, full annex, used 4 times, full rego $14,999 ono Ph 0428820446
Caravan 20' full length, solid annex, ensuite shower, basin toilet, on permanent site in Portland Seaside Caravan Park, fully furnished, for holidays or permanent living $5800ono Ph 0432544164
Caravan 2015 Jayco starcraft , 16ft, queen sized bed, tv, full sized fridge freezer, microwave, gas electric hotplates and oven, toilet and shower, full annex, sway bars $42,000 ono Ph 0417573022
Colorado Summit 210E 21' Queen bed, large ensuite, full oven, 3way fridge, washing machine, A/C, diesel heater, sirocco fan, solar panels., lithium battery, AC-DC charger, rollout awning Great condition many extras $48000 ONO Ph 0400189163
Jayco Finch Pop Top , double beds with fly mesh, electric brakes, boat rack, annex $12,000 Ph 53582560
Jayco Optimum 2013 motor home 28.5', 2 slides, extras inc, 400 watt solar, diesel heater, bulbar, security system, 92,000kms, also Suzuki 2008 4 door w/afame
$155,000 Ph 0438951101
MDC Highside Cruiser
2019, 3 ton McHitch, fridge, redarc dc to dc charger, EC
$14,500 Ph 0407147996
REDUCED 2014 Jayco Silverline Outback
23-72-1 , satellite dish, gas heater, 4 x 130 watt solar panels = 520 watts, Epever Triron 42ION
MPPT 40 AMP controller, 2 x llithium batteries, 227 litre compressor fridge/ freezer, full annexe
$52,000 Ph 0448099981
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 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
REDUCED Toyota Coaster camper, 2 seater, diesel heater, 1hz motor, solar and 12v awning much more $35,000 Ph 0418325662
Slingshot campervan , light weight, easy to tow and setup, annexe, two single beds, EC $13,900 Ph 0429585845
4080B with forks and bucket, GC $15,000 Ph 0419389693
Expression of interest, for sale, international 511 28 row trash floats combine, 211 33 tyne scarifier, 18 disc Connor-Shea hyd lift
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, new Holland Mower GC with parts, 44g drums ideal for grain feeding cattle, best offer Ph 0429857207
Folding bike with training stand $350, Snow sled 1050x500 $45 Ph 0418992631
Galvanised trailer , 5x5 $800 Ph 53522691
Gold and opal ring , approx 80yrs old, current valuation $4500 would like $2500 Ph 0458014560
J Berends pasture harrows 8' $400 Ph 0429309491
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
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
Strongberg Carlson Console Radio, ex condition Ph 53824316
Tent Dune Eyre, 10x10, near new, easy set up for Easter Ph 0491644368 Horsham
Toledo 4 berth dog float, good condition, reg til Dec 25 $950 Ph 0400192571
Round dining table with 4 velvet chairs $340 Ph 53824788
Single bed , excellent condition, includes mattress if needed and doona covers $100 ono Ph 0417566140
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
Pietscraft 3.5m Fishing
Boat , 15hp, Johnson tilt trailer, boat cover, all accessories $5000 Ph 0428822730
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
excellent condition with push on tarp $1200 Ph 0484355030
Please is there anyone who can help puppy girl and I, buy our car so we can buy a new scooter? Ford Territory, 3mths reg, RWC and letter from Autotech, 2BT9VM Ph 0402363355
1994 Ford ED Futura Auto
4.0i, drives strong, great duco, no RWC or rego
$5500 Ph 0409423541
2005 SP Mazda 3
Hatch, 5 speed manual, power steering & aircon, black in colour, 1YD6TE, 193000km, RWC, $4500, Ph 0423335246
2012 VE SV6 Commodore, excellent condition, auto, silver in colour, 4 months rego, full service history, near new tyres, 117,000kms, ZFC921 $19,500 Ph 0400823904
REDUCED 75 series
Toyota Landcruiser ute, 4.2l diesel, dual tanks, dual batteries, comes with quality rooftop camper, TJM pro diff lockers front/back, airbagman suspension fitted, 5 new tyres, winch, Engel fridge and slide, lots of accessories, very well looked after, 12 mnths reg, RWF984 $18,888 ono Ph 0487700251
Please is there anyone who can help puppy girl and I, buy our car so we can buy a new scooter? Nissan X-Trail, letter from Autotech, call for details Ph 0402363355
REDUCED 2013 VE Commodore V6, grey,
exhausts, aftermarket speakers in doors, subs in boot, GC, will provide road worthy certificate, 240,000km, ZOT852 $9000 Ph 0488050839
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
2019 Ford Ranger XLS grey double cab with full screen, very good condition 125,000km, 8 mths rego, new tyres, snorkel, arb bull bar, air bags, side steps, black duck seat covers, under tray tool boxes, many extras always shedded, minimal towing $45,000 inc Gst Ph Andrew 0427923236
Toyota Ute, no Ev tax on this one, dual cab SR5 auto transmission, 3 litre motor, diesel, 2011 model, RWC supplied, high rise canopy, tub liner, trailer pull, electric brakes, as new inside, 106,500 kms, YFK992 $32,500 plus Gst Ph 0428 832 227
Stawell Lady recently moved to Stawell, interests include art, camping, ukulele, singing, bushwalking, dancing, looking for a respectable man for possible relationship aged between 60 -70yrs Ph 0413375338
Sheep slaughtered at $15 per head Ph Andy 53838240
TOP STUDENT
TUTORING , one-to-one individualised tutoring for Years 7-12 English, working with Children Check Ararat & Stawell, email Philippa: philippak1@bigpond.com
Landcruiser Prado 150 series 31/8/90 alloy nudge bar, PZQ2960420, serial# 0110 $155 Ph 53569340 or 0412482521 Landsborough
Landcruiser ute with slide on camper, 2002, 4.2 litre diesel, 4x4, Millhaven tray towbar, bullbar, Superwinch, tool lockers, Polyair bellows, Davsher hitchhiker camper, new 90L, 3-way dometic fridge/ freezer, fiamma awning, 2 burner gas cooktop/griller, sink,120kW fold up solar panels, 200W inverter, 200AH AGM house batteries, queen bed, robe, spacious storage, midge-mesh screening, Highjacker hydraulic legs, 2nd spare wheel, plus extras, excellent condition, 228,961km, HZJ79R Ph 0427482976
48 year old separated/ single true gentleman bloke from Horsham who likes reading, music, occasionally going out for dinner then next the movies or watching movies at home, fishing and camping, walking and swimming, looking for 48+ old lady for serious relationship Ph 0491230835
Ararat man, 67 years old , interests include gym, fishing, camping, singing, acting, Lions Club, bushwalking, ballroom dancing, looking for a lady aged between 40-70 years old, Ph 0467791009 Ararat Jill Nicholson went to Dover girls tech in the 60s Adelaide, lived 5 Broadway South Brighton left Adelaide to live in rural Victoria early 70s Ph John 0423315174
3 bedroom house to share, near Horsham cbd, own walk in robe and ensuite, semi-furnished Ph 0427963906
Aged pensioner looking to buy a male chihuahua, 1 1/2 - 2 years old Ph 0421237043
Wanted, Billy Goat service for 2 milking goats Ph 53840253
Looking to Buy a Home
in Horsham I'm a genuine buyer seeking a house in Horsham. If you're considering selling-now or in the near future-please get in touch. No agents, just a straightforward sale, any condition considered, call or text Ara on 0425906535
2 tanker loads of water as running low Nhill area cash paid ph 53928295 and leave message
Wanted Mackenzie punch and shear, have you got one in the shed not being used? Ph 0499911102
Golf cleveland halo XL senior flex 5 & 7 Loft Fairway Woods, R.H, covers, mint condition, $150 each Ph 0353824210
Funeral remembrance videos edited with cherished media by professional, each project individual, AI photo restoration available Ph 0478609837
Keyte's mowing service, lawn mowing, lawn aeration (coring), block slashing, general pruning Ph 53826461 or 0429309491
Massage service , very clean, full body massages available for both men and women, very discreet, you come to us or we can come to you, call for quote and booking, in the Wimmera area and beyond Ph 0473311660
Massage......Don't deprive yourself of time to be completely pampered, to made feel like you've not felt in a very long time, discreet in all aspects, is here at your service, can have all your sensual desires catered for including massage oils to help you relax, feel comfortable and put you in a state of euphoria, clean in all regards, a safe home environment, including off street parking that you can arrive at your appointment at ease, catering for both male and female Ph 0422275320
Hilux Toyota tray ,
Notice is given that the ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING of the HORSHAM & DISTRICT RACING CLUB will be held at West Side Function Rooms, Bennett Rd, Horsham on Friday, October 3, 2025 6.30pm – AGM 7.30pm – Finger Food and Beverages
The agenda will include nomination of committee members and receival of the financial statements & annual report for 2024/2025.
Eligible members are invited to nominate for election onto the Committee. These nominations must be made in writing, signed by two voting members and be received by the Club Manager by 5pm Friday, September 26, 2025.
For nomination forms and RSVP’s contact Club Manager, Charmayne Parry on 0417 404 185 or email c.parry@countryracing.com.au
Wednesday, August 27, 2025 at 5.30pm To be held at the Horsham RSL,
Horsham Country Music Inc.
Statewide Integrated Water Management (IWM) Coordinator
Wimmera CMA
Horsham, Victoria
2 year xed term, 0.8 to full-time Salary: Band 4 ($93,581)
Are you seeking an opportunity to take on a statewide leadership role?
Wimmera CMA is seeking a motivated and experienced coordinator to join its vibrant and modern workplace.
The successful candidate will focus on coordinating and building the capacity of a statewide group of CMA Integrated Water Management (IWM) O cers.
The Wimmera CMA provides a workplace and work practices that embraces, re ects, respects and promotes the diversity of our community and supports inclusion and participation for all.
For further information visit www.wcma.vic.gov.au to download a position description and key selection criteria.
Applications close 10.00am, Monday August 18 2025.
HEAVY VEHICLE MECHANIC Field & Workshop
Inroads (part of VSA Roads) has grown into one of the largest bituminous sealing companies in Victoria, with a proven track record of innovation and specialty work throughout Western Victoria and South East South Australia.
This full-time position located in Horsham, is a genuine opportunity to be part of an organization experiencing continuous growth.
We are seeking a qualified and/or experienced Heavy Vehicle Mechanic – Field & Workshop to join our maintenance team.
The successful applicants should possess the following attributes:
• Suitably trade qualified with experience on diesel engines, preferred
• Light and heavy vehicle and machinery repairs and preventative maintenance
• Ability to demonstrate safe work practices
• Maintaining the workshop to a high standard
• Liaise with other staff members and suppliers
• Work well in a team, show initiative and be responsible
• Accurate record keeping
• Be able to travel when required
You must be able to work flexible hours to meet operational requirements, some weekend work may be required.
An attractive full-time hourly rate plus overtime and allowances, a fully maintained service vehicle, mobile phone and company iPad are supplied.
For further information contact on 5382 4406, or forward your resume to:
• Email: reception@inroads.com.au
• Post: P.O. Box 708, Horsham VIC 3402
• In person: 8 Bracken Street, Horsham VIC 3400
Join the headspace Horsham Team
Senior Mental Health Practitioner
Full Time
Make a lasting difference in the lives of young people. Join a collaborative, multidisciplinary team supporting mental health and wellbeing for 12–25-year-olds in Horsham.
• Permanent full-time role, SCHADS Level 5 + super
• Meaningful work in our respected local headspace team
• Build therapeutic relationships and help shape better futures
Enjoy generous benefits including salary packaging, paid parental leave, extra leave options, and discounts on childcare.
If you are a mental health OT, social worker, nurse or psychologist, or provisional psychologist ready to walk alongside young people in a safe, inclusive, and empowering space, scan the QR code to find out more and apply or visit our careers page: https://qrco.de/horshamMH
Accounts Payable Coordinator
Position available for immediate start
Applications close 22/08/2025 unless position filled prior
If you think you have what it takes to join our diverse team, we’d love to hear from you:
• Join an evolving business with aspirations of future growth
• Unrivalled workplace culture that fosters a positive and inclusive environment
• Full training and support provided
• Position description available
Prior experience in a similar role preferred
To apply, email your resume to: hrwhs.horsham@laserelectrical.com.au
Confidentiality will be assured
POSITION
Team Leader: Wurrp Nungarwil – Goolum
Goolums Aboriginal Children in Aboriginal Care (ACAC) program GGAC has commenced pre-authorisation for this program which enables the Secretary of DFFH to authorise the principal officer of an ACCO to undertake specified functions and powers in relation to the care and protection of Aboriginal children pursuant to S18 of the Children Youth & Families Act 2005 (CYFA2005).
DO YOU HAVE
Understanding of issues impacting Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples. Passion for building family strength & resilience.
High level management skills. A strong team ethic. WE OFFER
Attractive Remuneration
Salary Packaging Flexibility
Additional Paid Leave
Professional development & supervision
An opportunity to make a difference!
Contact us for a PD & other details ceo@goolumgoolum.org.au
Applications close: Friday, 22 August 2025
Pivotal matches in penultimate round
BY SIMON KING
The penultimate round of Wimmera Hockey Association’s regular season this Saturday will feature pivotal matches in each division that could lock in line-ups for semi-finals.
Second spot in the open competition could be confirmed with a Hoops’ victory, Horsham Jets’ slim chances of making the women’s finals could remain alive for another week if they come out of the round with a win, and one of the last two places in the under16 top-four will be decided.
Open
The big clash in open competition will pit second against third and could decide which earns the double chance alongside the minor premiers in the finals.
Warrack Hoops currently holds second place by two points, ahead of Kaniva Cobras, and with a win would clinch that place, but a Cobras’ victory would move them ahead by two points.
With the Hoops getting two points from the bye in the last round, for the Cobras to remain in the top two they would then need at least a draw with the Hurricanes in the last round.
Last weekend, the Hoops showed some spirited form in a narrow loss to the Tigers, and the Cobras overcame the tenacious Rangers, so with the
finals’ second chance on the line, the scene is set for a cracker of a game that could go either way.
The other open match features the Hurricanes and Rangers, and while the Horsham team excels on the artificial turf of their home ground at Dimboola, they are not as polished on a grass surface.
With the first two rounds of finals to be played on grass, they need to find some form away from home, but the Rangers also have the motivation to
register their first win for 2025 after having come close on several occasions.
The Tigers have the bye and have already done enough to finish the regular season in first place.
Women
The match between Nhill Thunderbirds and Horsham Jets could lock in the top-four in the women’s division.
A ’Birds victory would give them an unassailable lead over the Jets, while a Horsham win would put them two
points behind, then requiring a victory over Kaniva and relying on a Thunderbirds loss to Yanac in the last round to sneak into the top four.
Recent form suggests the Thunderbirds should win this one.
The top two teams will clash in the opening women’s game of the round, and although Yanac has already claimed the minor premiership regardless of results in the last two rounds, the Dimboola Roos would dearly like to dent Yanac’s confidence before they meet again in the semi-finals.
After the high of their first win two weeks ago, and the low of a loss to the ladder-leaders last round, the Warrack women could bounce back on their home ground against a Kaniva team that has shown some patchy form over recent rounds due to the absence of several key players.
Under-16
In the under-16s, the winner of the Warrack Revengers versus Kaniva Raiders match will claim third place on the ladder, and given recent form, either team would be worthy of this spot, while Dimboola Kangaroos will struggle against Yanac Warriors, although even with a loss, the Kangaroos will remain a challenger for fourth place when they play the Revengers in the last round.
Nhill Leopards should enhance their claim to the top of the ladder with a win over the Horsham Bombers.
results –
Schultz;
L.
J.
J. Bedford) d Nhill Rangers 1 (S. Carew; J. Knoll, J.
Yanac
2 (J.
C.
S.
B. Alexander, S. Alexander, T. Alexander) d Warrack Hoops 0 (H. Wagenknecht, T. Jorgensen, B. Williamson). Women: Kaniva Women 2 (J. Braisby, L. Stimson; J. Wallis, L. Stimson, H. Braisby) drew with Nhill Thunderbirds 2 (K. Clark, N. Rowe; C. Shurdington, K. Clark, B. Clark). Yanac Women 14 (C. Alexander 4, A. Farmers 4, E. Wheaton 2, E. Alexander, S. Hedt, M. Mackley, I. Hedt; E. Alexander, S. Hedt, M. Mackley) d Warrack Women 0 (E. Williamson, Mel Bentley, Madisson Bentley). Dimboola Roos 6 (J. Hauselberger 3, V. Elliott 2, B. McMaster; B. McMaster, A. Baker, A. Rintoule) d Horsham Jets 0 (C. Lawson, B. Batchelor, A. Heal).
Under-16: Nhill Leopards 2 (D. Bee, B. Clark; O. Bone, T. Bee, D. Bee, B. Cannell) d Kaniva Raiders 1 (R. Williams; L. Williams, J. White, C. Champness, R. Williams). Yanac Warriors 2 (S. Pedie, A. Pedie; S. Pedie, A. Pedie, L. Cramer) d Warrack Revengers 0 (N. Eilola, S. Williamson, E. Williamson). Dimboola Kangaroos 2 (R. Hadzig, W. Hadzig; R. Hadzig, R. Williams, C. Elliott, W. Hadzig) d Horsham Bombers 0 (J. Mills, R. Hobbs, H. Di Pietro, C. Austin).
Development Program: Kaniva Rampagers 2 (K. Bedford, R. Williams) v Nhill Bandits 3 (N. Krelle 2, Z. Chequer). Warrack Avengers 1 (M. Marra) v Yanac Lowan Stars 5 (P. Dart 2, C. Alexander, R. Dickinson, S. Hedt). Dimboola Kookaburras 2 (L. Hauselberger 2) v Horsham Black Hawks 2 (A. Lacey, H. Mills).
Round-13
Open: Kaniva Cobras 4 (goals, J. Bedford 2, K. Glasgow, L.
best,
Mills,
Clark,
Reichelt,
Schultz).
Tigers
Honeyman,
Alexander;
IN FORM: Nhill Thunderbirds’ Cally Shurdington, left, and Kaniva’s Lisa Stimson were both among their team’s best players in a drawn match on Saturday. Picture: SIMON KING
Heidelberg hits ground running
BY DAVID BERRY
Heidelberg has hit the ground running, winning their first two games of Volleyball Horsham’s A Grade winter season competition in a bold statement to the rest of the competition.
The new look team, spearheaded by premier setter Nathan Berry and veteran Tim Popple, showed their wares when challenged by Tyler Snowden’s young Tsunami team to record a close but important victory, which was the highlight of round two.
Heidelberg took the first set 25-23, but Snowden’s team showed grit and determination to come from behind to take the second set 26-24.
Up stepped Popple and Jake Myerscough in the third, and with good service pressure got Heidelberg out to a 14-2 lead and from there the set and the win was in the bag.
The second game saw Rangers bounce back onto the winner’s list with a three set win over an undermanned Hellenic Nuggets.
Missing key setter Kara Johnson, cap-
tain Dimitrios Vettos had to reshuffle his line up, moving himself into the setter’s role, Lloyd Baker to pass-hitting, Cleo Baker to libero and the returning Oliver Garth-Lindsay into the middle.
The Vettos brothers, Dimitrios and Loucas, threw everything at Rangers to get back into the first when it looked forlorn at 8-13, and together with Cleo Baker showing outstanding defensive skills, they managed to get their noses in front at 23-22, but Hannan said ‘not on my watch’ and served his team to a first set victory 25-23.
Hannan and James Davidson got Rangers off to the dream start in the second set and busted the set wide open leading 18-8.
Despite a late rally from Loucas Vettos, Hannan’s team took the second set 25-17.
The third set was better for Nuggets as Cleo Baker moved into the setting role, but Rangers proved too strong on the night winning 18-13 and taking an all important 3-0 victory.
Hannan’s milestone
Volleyball Horsham recognised the
and Kyaw Mu Wah.
Pictures: PAUL CARRACHER
major milestone of 400 games for Jack Hannan with a presentation before his game last week.
Hannan began his volleyball career in 2009 in B Grade with a team called Phantom Dockers, which won the premiership in its first season together.
The rangy kid with long arms and legs progressed into A Grade pretty quickly and has been a staple since.
His 400 games include 139 with Phantoms in state league and more than 50 country championships games.
Hannan has won seven A Grade premierships, three Robinson Medals as A Grade MVP, three Abud Medals as most consistent and has came runnerup once in his career.
Hannan was captain of Phantoms premier two men’s team this year.
He is the only current day member to have a men’s division-one gold medal, as he played a key role in the team’s 2019 maiden gold medal victory.
Hannan thanked his teammates for their support over his 16 year volleyball journey and the 30 year old still has plenty ahead of him.
Racing home
Horsham Racing Pigeon Club’s Sunday race, the first of two from Mildura, saw Leigh Arnott’s pigeon cover the 283 airline-kilometre distance to its home loft in three hours, 19 minutes at an average velocity of 1420 metres a minute or 85 kilometres an hour, to win the event.
Arnott’s pigeon won by a margin of three seconds from second-placed pigeon owned by Bill Hartigan and Paul and Sue McPhee’s pigeon was 51 seconds slower than the winner. The club released 755 pigeons from this race point. On Thursday the club conducted a southeast line race from Ballarat, a 154 airline-kilometre distance flight to lofts in the centre of participating Horsham lofts.
The release of 243 racing pigeons was with the aid of a south-to-south easterly breeze of seven to 13kph.
The leading pigeons arrived after a flight of two hours, 19 minutes.
They averaged 1114 metres a minute, or 67kph. Bruce Rentsch’s winning pigeon was one minute, 49 seconds ahead of a pigeon owned by Rob Nelson. The winner was four minutes and two seconds ahead of the thirdplaced pigeon owned by John Muszkieta.
Mid-week racing continues today, Wednesday, with a race from Lismore on the southeast line, 170 airline kilometres from Horsham.
Jack Hannan
SPORTS FEST: Wimmera Filipino Australia Club continued its Sports Fest on Saturday with a volleyball tournament. More than 80 players took to the basketball court for friendly competition the weekend before, gathering on Saturday for a volleyball tournament.
Pictured in action are, clockwise from above: Lynn Aneban; Chassidy Loresco; Jasper Ponseca;
AFL LIVE ON
Chaotic round leaves ladder in flux
BY COLIN MacGILLIVRAY
The Mininera and District Football League ladder remains in flux after a chaotic penultimate round at the weekend.
Tatyoon took a huge stride towards securing an unlikely finals berth with a thrilling three-point win over Wickliffe-Lake Bolac on Saturday, while the Ararat Eagles’ grip on the top ladder position they have held virtually all season slipped in a shock six-point loss to SMW Rovers.
Playing on the road at Lake Bolac, Tatyoon faced a virtual elimination final against the Magpies.
The Hawks, after winning only one of their first eight games, returned to finals contention with a strong second half of the season, winning five of their previous six games entering Saturday’s clash.
But after a lopsided first quarter it looked as if Wickliffe-Lake Bolac would cruise to victory, with only an errant 3.8 display in front of goals preventing a 19-point lead from being greater.
In the second term the Magpies’ goal kicking continued to go astray, while the Hawks got back into the game with six goals to retake the lead.
The third term was an exhibition of inaccuracy on both sides – WickliffeLake Bolac managing a disastrous 0.9, and Tatyoon kicking 1.6.
With the game on the line in the final quarter Wickliffe-Lake Bolac finally found its range, managing to kick more goals than behinds for the first time in the game, but the Hawks did just enough to hold on for an 11.14 (80) to 9.23 (77) win.
Key for the Hawks were a trio of Joshes – Lee, Brown and Bibby – with
WEEKEND SPORT:
Wimmera and Horsham District football and netball leagues are heading into the pointy end of the season. Players giving their all for their teams on Saturday are, clockwise from above: Kalkee’s Matt Nield handballs; Keely Pope, Horsham, and Ash McKenzie, Warrack Eagles; Brandon Walsh, Warrack Eagles marks in front of Hudson Hair, Horsham; Kaniva-Leeor United goal shooter Tahlia Pearson; Tyler Blake, Horsham, and Sam Hayden, Warrack Eagles. Pictures: PAUL CARRACHER
Josh Lee slotting three goals to take his season tally to 49, matching Lachie McGrath who also kicked three in the game.
Other top players for Tatyoon included Thomas Quick, Trent Baird and Angus Johnston.
With one round remaining the Hawks currently control the last finals berth in fifth place on the ladder, with a two-premiership-point lead over the trailing Woorndoo-Mortlake and SMW Rovers.
If the Hawks beat Moyston-Willaura, currently second-last on the ladder, they will guarantee themselves a spot in the post-season.
But while the fortunes of the Hawks have improved by the week, Ararat Eagles will need to reassess their own situation ahead of a final-round meeting with Hawkesdale-Macarthur.
A minor premiership had seemed
likely before Saturday’s 10.11 (71) to 9.11 (65) loss to the SMW Rovers – a team they beat by 54 points earlier in the season.
The Eagles trailed after a slow start in the Alexandra Oval clash, but looked to have done enough for their 14th victory of the season after restricting the visitors to just nine combined points in the second and third terms, taking a 24-point lead into the last quarter.
In a frenetic final 30 minutes however, the Bulldogs turned the tables on the home side, kicking 5.2 to only two behinds to steal a thrilling win that sent Ararat to second on the ladder behind Lismore-Derrinallum.
With reigning premier Penshurst, currently third after a 14.14 (98) to 8.6 (54) win over Glenthompson-Dunkeld at the weekend, all but certain to defeat cellar dweller Caramut in the
final round, Ararat needs a win against Hawkesdale-Macarthur this weekend to guarantee itself a top-two finish. Ararat could also retake the ladder lead with a win and a LismoreDerrinallum loss to SMW Rovers at Lismore.
Meanwhile, Moyston-Willaura and Great Western will wrap up their years with no prospect of finals action.
The Lions are coming off a 20.21 (141) to 8.5 (53) loss to WorndooMortlake, with Tom Randone and Sam Cocks the sole bright spots, and will close their account against Glenthompson-Dunkeld in front of a home crowd.
The Pumas will attempt to shake off a 26.11 (167) to 7.5 (47) loss to Lismore-Derrinallum as they prepare to host Tatyoon in their final outing at Willaura.
hOrsham DisTricT league
Games of chance
Supporters of the Kaniva-Leeor United, Laharum and Swifts football sides might be forgiven for bringing calculators to their respective Horsham District league matches this weekend as all three teams scramble to qualify for the top five.
The Cougars, Demons and Baggies are in a game of musical chairs, with one set to miss out on finals action when the music stops.
Kaniva-Leeor United is currently fourth on the ladder, with a one-win lead over the trailing Laharum and Swifts.
But the Cougars face a daunting task in the final round as they host reigning premier Harrow-Balmoral – a team that appears to be hitting health and form at the right time of the season as it comes off a 14.13 (97) to 7.10 (52) win over the Baggies on Saturday.
Kaniva-Leeor trails Laharum on percentage and could fall behind Swifts if it loses by a large margin and the Baggies post an equally large win over this weekend’s opponent, Pimpinio.
The Demons, meanwhile, will travel to take on Rupanyup – a team they beat by nearly 200 points earlier in the season – and can guarantee themselves a finals berth with a win.
The final-round intrigue was set up not only by the Baggies’ loss to Harrow-Balmoral on Saturday, but a Laharum defeat at the hands of Noradjuha-Quantong and a Cougars victory over Kalkee.
Kaniva-Leeor’s result was an important one, and came with a fight despite the Kees’ lowly ladder ranking.
The Kees led the Cougars at quarter time and scores were locked at
SPOIL: Kaniva-Leeor United’s Charlie Maddern spoils Bradie Thomas, Kalkee. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER
33 apiece during the long break as Kalkee’s Deacan Campbell played one of his finest games of the season, Ben Lawson and Bradie Thomas were dangerous around goals and Isaiah Adams, Matthew Rollo and coach Andrew Devereaux were prominent.
It took some second-half brilliance from the recently re-signed Lochie and Jacob Eats – who kicked seven and two goals respectively – to overcome the Kalkee resistance en route to a 14.9 (93) to 7.5 (47) win. Other top-performing Cougars in-
Bombers punch ticket to finals
The Horsham District A Grade netball finals sides are set, as NoradjuhaQuantong punched its ticket to the post-season with a win over reigning premier Laharum at the weekend.
The Bombers’ 46-31 win over the Demons – combined with Natimuk United’s 60-35 loss to Edenhope-Apsley – ensured they will finish in fifth place, with their round 18 opponent, Kalkee, a likely match-up in an elimination final the following week.
Noradjuha-Quantong controlled Saturday’s match against Laharum from the outset, winning every quarter.
Both teams were below full strength, with the Demons missing goal attack Maddie Iredell and coach Rebecca McIntyre, while Ash Morrish was absent from the Bombers’ line-up.
Noradjuha-Quantong co-coach Taylor Shelley said it had been one of her team’s best performances of recent weeks.
“We take a lot of positives out of that match. We had a really strong connection all down the court from defence to attack,” she said.
“We were missing a couple of players too, so they were undermanned but so were we, and we take a bit of pride in that as well.
“Our goalies really performed on the weekend and we were able to use our height with Shannon Couch and Taya Quick down at the goal end, combining Taya’s accuracy and Shannon’s ability to rebound.
“Brooke Pay and myself in defence provided a lot of the turnovers for them to be able to convert, and the midcourters were able to carry it down, so I think it was a real team effort.”
While Shelley said the Bombers’ belief in their own abilities had never waned, it was nice to have a reminder of how well they could play.
With Kalkee coming off its own impressive win on Saturday – a 49-28 romp over Kaniva-Leeor United led by Casey Rentsch and Lotus Martin – and looming as a likely opponent in a cutthroat first final, Shelley said her team would hold nothing back tactically this weekend.
“It’s looking likely that we’re going to have Kalkee twice in a row, which isn’t a bad thing really. This weekend will give us a bit of an insight into how it might look the week after,” she said.
“I don’t think we hold anything back. I think we go in to win the game and show them who we are and what we’re capable of – we make them need to be better rather than us holding anything back.”
The most exciting match of the weekend was played between Harrow-Balmoral and Swifts, with a 4343 draw a fitting result after a game that featured swings of momentum.
Scores were locked at 11 after the first term but the Roos, egged on by their home crowd at Harrow, took a
cluded midfielder Sam Vivian, ruckman Hamish Bennett and half-back flank Patrick Munn.
Laharum’s clash with NoradjuhaQuantong at Cameron Oval was also close early before the Bombers ran away with the game in the second half.
Captain Dylan Shelley led the way for his side with five goals, with Brock Orval kicking six and Jack Vague rucking strongly to the likes of Jayden Besford and James Gregg.
Going toe-to-toe in the ruck with Vague was Laharum co-coach Shannon Argall, but despite the best efforts of he, fellow coach Robbie Miller and Daniel Easson in the middle, the Demons were outpointed in the second half of the 15.9 (99) to 9.6 (60) loss.
Teenager Chase Whelan kicked
five-goal lead into half time thanks to the strong goaling of Mia Rees. It was up to Baggies co-coach Michaela Carey and Jade Ralph to drag the visitors back into the match.
Swifts took the lead in the final quarter and the Roos looked set for a heartbreaking loss after missing multiple shots to tie the scores in the final two minutes.
But after the Swifts missed a shot of their own to win the game it was Harrow-Balmoral coach Emily Langley who levelled proceedings just four seconds before the final horn.
Elsewhere, Rupanyup rubber stamped a minor premiership with a 45-21 win over Taylors Lake led by the defensive tandem of Holly Ross and Victoria Taylor.
The headline match of the final round will be Rupanyup’s meeting with Laharum in a rematch of last year’s grand final.
While the Panthers are destined to finish atop the ladder no matter the outcome, the Demons remain the only team Rupanyup has not beaten this season and could earn a psychological advantage on the eve of finals with a win.
Meanwhile, a Laharum loss, coupled with a Kalkee win over NoradjuhaQuantong, could see the Demons drop to fourth on the ladder and enter an elimination final rather than a qualifying final.
A win would see Laharum surpass
three for Laharum in his return from a successful campaign with the Victorian team at the School Sport Australia football championships.
The final two matches of the round were lopsided affairs, with Taylors Lake 24.7 (151) defeating Rupanyup 7.10 (52) and Natimuk United crushing Edenhope-Apsley 20.12 (132) to 7.8 (50).
The victors of those two matches – Taylors Lake and Natimuk United –will go head to head in this weekend’s final round, while Edenhope-Apsley has a bye.
Noradjuha-Quantong will host Kalkee, and can rubber stamp a minor premiership that has looked likely for much of the season with a win.
Edenhope-Apsley, which has a finalround bye, and finish second. This weekend’s remaining matches – Swifts against Pimpinio at North Park, Natimuk United versus Taylors Lake at Natimuk Showgrounds and
Kaniva-Leeor United against HarrowBalmoral at Kaniva – have no bearing on the finals, with the combatants eliminated from contention and playing for pride only.
IN FRONT: Kaniva-Leeor United’s Lauren Brown grabs the ball in front of Abbey Williams, Kalkee. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER
SUPPORTER: AFL coaching and playing legend Paul Roos travelled to Kalkee on Saturday to watch his son Tyler, who plays for Kaniva-Leeor United, in action. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER
By Lauren Henry
Wimmera league
Thunder finds form in run to finals
Anine-goals-to-three second
half over Nhill saw Southern Mallee Thunder show some ominous form ahead of the Wimmera league senior football finals.
The Thunder was off to a solid start to lead by 23 points at Hopetoun Recreation Reserve on Saturday, but it was its second half where it truly shone.
Sam White, with five goals, Lou White and Jarrod Stokes led the way for the Thunder, who sit comfortably in fourth spot and are a chance to claim third, depending on Stawell’s results.
But it’s fifth spot that will be hotly contested, and possibly not decided until the last home-and-away round on August 23.
Dimboola’s strong 42-point win over Stawell has put itself four points clear in fifth position, but Minyip-Murtoa is hot on the Roos’ heels in sixth spot.
However the Burras will need big wins over Nhill and Horsham Demons to make the final five.
Meanwhile, Dimboola faces Warrack Eagles and Southern Mallee Thunder in its two final rounds of the season.
goals to be right back in the game at half time.
With just two points the difference at the main break, the third quarter was an arm-wrestle as the Saints edged out to a 10-point lead.
Despite Oscar Gawith’s eight goals for the match, and the efforts of him, Kade Petering and Tim Mackenzie, the Burras could not gain the ascendency in the final quarter and will rue a loss that could mean missing out on a finals’ spot.
Meanwhile, Horsham Demons scored its first win of the season, defeating Warrack Eagles by 36 points.
The Demons’ Tyler Blake, Archie Elliott and Jasper Gunn impressed as they lea at every quarter to finally find that elusive win.
The Roos showed they were serious about making finals with a win at Central Park, Stawell. Coming out strongly in the first quarter to take a 35-13 lead, Dimboola built on that in the second term to be in front by 28 points at the main break.
also standouts. With their usually potent twin-attack, Paul Summers and Cody Driscoll being held to five goals, Stawell failed to put any real scoreboard pressure on the Roos.
Jackson Calder was dominant up forward, kicking six goals and taking his season tally to 51 goals, while Ben Miller and Simon Hobbs were
The Roos extended their lead to 53 points by three-quarter time before being outscored in the last term when the result was beyond doubt.
Despite its season still being alive, Minyip-Murtoa could not muster up a win over Horsham Saints.
Playing at Minyip, the visitors, through Cody Bryan, Gage Wright and Keegan Mellington, were impressive after quarter time.
After scoring just three points in the first quarter, the Saints piled on seven
Round 17 matches this weekend pose many questions – will MinyipMurtoa resurrect its finals chance with a win over the out-of-form Nhill; can Horsham Saints show some might against flag favourites Ararat; will Dimboola continue its strong push for finals with a home-ground victory over Warrack Eagles; and can the Thunder show the competition that it is a genuine premiership threat with a strong win over the Demons?
Top four sides show dominance Van Zyl and Clode win selection
Results played out as expected in round 16 of Wimmera league A Grade netball with the top four sides showing their dominance over the bottom four teams.
Horsham Demons were too good for Warrack Eagles with a 26-goal win, Dimboola scored a 23-goal win over Stawell, Southern Mallee Thunder won 68-40 against Nhill; and Horsham Saints dominated MinyipMurtoa to score a 98-20 victory.
The Demons showed their strength in attack as goalers Georgia Batson and Imogen Worthy shared the goals around, shooting 31 and 30, respectively.
The Eagles tried everything to keep up with the Demons, swapping around positions, particularly in the midcourt, but couldn’t match the reigning premiers on the scoreboard.
Dimboola used the rolling sub rule
to full effect, using 11 players against Stawell.
After a relatively even first quarter, the Roos jumped out to an eight-goal lead by half-time, and continued its strong form in the second half to increase its lead.
Paige Glover, in wing defence, and defender Bridget Dorrington, were named the best for the Roos, while for the Warriors, Alana Graveson, who just about played every position on the court, and goal-attack Jemma Clarkson performed well.
Southern Mallee Thunder showed it is ready for finals with a convincing 28-goal win, thanks to the efforts of goal-attack Steph Thomson, with 43 goals, and wing-attack Luca Landrigan.
Horsham Saints’ captain Ashlee Grace led the way for her side, starring alongside goal-defence Mad-
dison Bethune in their 78-goal win.
The Burras struggled to score against the strong defence of the Saints, shooting just six goals to half-time, while the Saints piled on 53. Despite giving some court time to some young Saints in the second half, they continued to dominate and just about reached triple figures – largely due to the goal-shooting prowess of Jorja Clode, who shot 66 goals.
In the second-last home-and-away round of the season, two top-four teams – Horsham Demons and Southern Mallee Thunder – will face off.
Other matches are Dimboola versus Warrack Eagles; Nhill host MinyipMurtoa; and Horsham Saints will play Ararat, who will be well rested after a bye. Stawell has a bye this weekend.
Laser therapy stimulates a local tissue response which allows muscles to relax, reduces inflammation, and provides immediate relief from pain. It also promotes cellular metabolism that stimulates tissue repair processes and improves functional recovery.
Two Wimmera netballers have been named in Victoria’s top young players.
Netball Victoria’s state team selectors named squads of 50 players for 17 and under and 19 and under squads in preparation for the 2026 National Netball Championships.
Rupanyup’s Ilze Van Zyl, 17 and under, and Horsham Saints’ Jorja Clode, 19 and under, are in the squads which will be narrowed down to 12 players each.
The netballers will undertake trials over coming weeks with the Victorian teams to be announced in December.
CAUGHT: Warrack Eagles’ Lachie Stewart tackles Tyler Blake, Horsham.
Picture: PAUL CARRACHER
FOCUS: Horsham’s Georgia Batson, and Isabella Orszulak, Warrack Eagles.
spOrT
Shoot boosts target
BY BRONWYN HASTINGS
Organisers of the annual CFA claybird shoot at Natimuk and District Field and Game at the weekend were elated by generous donations at the event, surpassing the fundraising efforts of previous years.
CFA’s Dale Russell said $3100 was raised for The Alfred hospital’s burns unit, with another $2500 gifted to the winning brigade.
“One of our gun club members who’s also a firefighter, Tony Tartaglia, put up $1000 to The Alfred’s burns unit,” Mr Russell said.
“Paul Margetts from the Blue Ribbon Foundation put up $100, then the club said, okay, we’ll put in $2000.
“It’s way, way more than we’ve raised in the past – I was just blown away by it.”
Mr Russell said the rolling amount the event had donated to the burns unit was boosted from $26,000 to nearly $30,000 at the weekend.
Favourable weather conditions brought 148 shooters to compete.
“Pimpinio brigade’s three-person team of Simon Porter, Jock Baker and Shanan Baker won their event with 129, and Pimpinio also won the aggregate with about 13 shooters achieving a score of 422,” Mr Russell said.
“So, the more people, the more scores, and the bigger the numbers.
“But the other thing with the three-person team event, which Baker, Porter, and
Baker won, is that Tony Tartaglia put up $2500 for their fire brigade as well.
“I thanked him a hundred times – I just don’t know what else I can do.”
Woorak’s team of Rod Bone, AJ Bone and Wallace Wheaton shot 105 to place second, winning on a countback ahead of Casterton’s Nathan Faroe, Lee Condon and David Harvey.
Vectis placed second in the brigade aggregate with 153, and Casterton third with 131.
Simon Porter shot 47/50 to win the open section; Shanan Baker won AA Grade with 45/50, followed by Richard Emmerson and Bill Jorgensen, both shooting 44/50.
In A Grade, Lachlan Hendy shot 45/50, Nathan Peddlesden 43/50, and Zakk Taylor 43/50, in B Grade, Greg Cooper shot 39/50, Lee Condon 39/50 and Brendan Moylan 37/50 and in C Grade, Zachary
Jorgensen shot 37/50, Harry Denovan 35/50 and Darcy Morley 32/50.
Mitchell Wilson won sub-juniors, shooting 39/50. Chase Porter placed second with 38/50, with Evie Hendy shooting 31/50 to place third.
Mayci Porter won the ladies’ 40/50, Viv Moore was second with 33/50, and Larelle Souter third, with 30/50.
David Rissmann led the veterans, shooting 43/50, Ray Morris placed second with 37/50, and Dale Russell was third, with 33/50.
Rob Nelson won super veterans with 35/50, Peter Potter shot 29/50 to place second, and Dakka Robinson was third with 28/50.
Brendan Smith led the non-members with 39, Sam McIntosh was second with 37, and Geoff Sawyer third on a countback with 36.
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Seasonal Harvest Intake 2025/2026
FOR A CAUSE: Above left, Adam Hinch and Darren Bloomfield support young shooter Sasha Hinch. Left, Krystal Ross during the shoot.
Above, Sally Russell keeps score.
Pictures: PAUL CARRACHER
Horsham cricket restructure
BY COLIN MacGILLIVRAY
Horsham Cricket Association administrators are restruc-
turing all three senior grades of competition for the upcoming 2025-26 season after adding a staggering five new clubs at this month’s annual general meeting.
Three former members of the nowdefunct Grampians Cricket Association senior competition – Swifts-Great Western, Halls Gap and RhymneyMoyston – have found a new home in the HCA, while the Donald-Jeffcott and Warracknabeal-based St Mary’s cricket clubs have transferred from the Wimmera Mallee Cricket Association.
With Blackheath-Dimboola, which only fielded sides in the HCA’s junior divisions last season, now set to relaunch a senior team, the association’s senior competition is set for its largest expansion in recent memory.
Justtin Combe, who was reappointed HCA president for another year at the meeting, said it was ‘a pretty exciting time’ for the association.
“St Mary’s, Swifts-Great Western and Donald-Jeffcott will all have an A Grade side and we’ve just got to work out whether their second sides are in B or C Grade,” he said.
“We’ll work with those sides in the coming weeks and see where they fit in.
“Halls Gap will bring a B Grade
side and Rhymney-Moyston will be C Grade. We’ve also got BlackheathDimboola, which didn’t have a senior side last year and have managed to get a C Grade side back together this year. So that’s a sixth senior club back in the fold for this season, which is great for the community over there.”
Merger on hold
Combe said a mooted merger between the HCA and Wimmera Mallee association had been too complicated to finalise this off-season, but the HCA board would continue to communicate with its Wimmera Mallee counterpart in an attempt to finalise an agreement for next season.
St Mary’s and Donald-Jeffcott join Brim-Kellalac-Sheep Hills as the second and third teams to cross from the Wimmera Mallee to Horsham in the past 12 months, leaving the Wimmera Mallee A Grade competition with only four clubs for the upcoming season.
St Mary’s president Colby Schmidt said his club’s move was not an indictment of the Wimmera Mallee competition but an opportunity to grow in the Horsham association.
“Horsham’s foundations have been a bit more set than what the Wimmera Mallee foundations are, so it was just about club longevity,” he said.
“Obviously this year there was a bit of merger talk, but that fell through, so as a club we had a conversation and decided it was probably in our
best interests if we moved over early.
“We have nothing against the Wimmera Mallee league – it’s got nothing to do with either of the leagues or the boards. They’ve all been really good when we’ve spoken to them all.”
Schmidt said the potential for St Mary’s to re-establish a junior cricket program and a chance for its senior sides to play two-day matches were other factors that drew it to the HCA.
“Five years ago we only had one B Grade side and there were a couple of blokes going down to the pub every Friday night just to find five or six players to play cricket on a Saturday morning,” he said.
“Now we’ve got our club to the stage where we’ve got 20-odd fulltime cricketers and we didn’t really want to take a backwards step, so we thought Horsham was probably the best place to go for club stability.
“We found it really hard to try to get a junior side up-and-running in the Wimmera Mallee association, just because of the travel that is involved in that league.
“In the Horsham league we know we’ll have to travel, but at least the majority of the sides are based in Horsham, so you know where you’re going most weeks and you’re not travelling two or three hours on a Friday night to play cricket.”
Search for board
Combe said the HCA had decided to expand its board from five to
nine members to keep up with the administrative demands of a larger competition.
He said the association was still searching for people to fill its secretary and treasurer positions, with all seven other board positions filled at the AGM.
“I’m still the president, Tim Bell is vice-president, secretary and treasurer haven’t been filled yet and then you’ve got five ordinary board members, which are Tony Wills, Andrew Sostheim, David Hopper, Gavin Young and Ash Wright,” he said.
“We’ve delegated a lot of roles that we absorbed last year. People have certain little roles within the organisation to look after to take some of the heat off the other blokes,” he said.
“One of the tough parts of being a volunteer organisation is that trying to find those volunteers is getting harder and harder every year.”
Combe said the new-look board would meet before the end of the month to work on reshaping the competition.
“We’re probably looking at starting the season in early October with the extended amount of teams,” he said.
“The AGM was just to tick off the clubs coming in and fill board positions, and now we have those worked out we’ll go into the finer details.
“Within the next two to three weeks we’ll have a fair structure worked out and potentially a draw.”
Annual enduro
About 150 riders from across Victoria and interstate took part in the annual Black Range Enduro motorcycle race west of Grampians National Park earlier this month.
Horsham Motorcycle Club officials, who helped run the event, said the weather leading up to the August 3 endurance event had been perfect.
“We had some good local rain the weekend before, which put the track in a great position to not be dusty,” club secretary Kenny Watts said.
“We had about 150 riders compete, ranging in age from about seven through to maybe 60.
“We had riders from South Australia right across to the other side of Melbourne and up to Robinvale on the Murray. It was a good spread of competitors.”
The Black Range Enduro comprised junior and senior classes, with juniors racing for an hour while the seniors competed for four hours.
Nhill rider Beau Taylor and team-mate Jayden Pilgrim from Bordertown were the defending champions in the senior category, but were pipped by just 1.3 seconds after 12 laps by a pairing of Will McInnes and Max Midwinter in this year’s race.
Watts said the event was one of the last on the Horsham Motorcycle Club’s calendar for the 2025 season.
“We’ve got one more club day later in the year to finish the season off,” he said.
“It’s been a pretty good year. We’ve had some good events like the Western Region Series, a round of the Vic titles and the MX Amateurs.”
Picture: PAUL CARRACHER
READY TO RUN: Mason Kennedy, 9, with race medals he won at school cross country events and the Ballarat five-kilometre marathon.
Big strides for young athlete
Young Horsham athlete and school state cross country champion Mason Kennedy will compete in the School Sport Australia Championships at Queensland next month.
Mason, 9, began running at a Goolum Goolum event, and runs Horsham parkrun each week.
He has placed well in regional and state-wide school-run events, finishing the state championship two-kilometre event in 10:36.05.
A student at Horsham Special School, Mason’s principal Ben Tait said Mason’s achievements were ‘absolutely amazing’.
“Mason is a young man who pretty much started running at the start of this year, doing parkrun with his carers,” Mr Tait said.
“He just keeps on enjoying his running, and because of that, I think he keeps on just pushing and pushing and pushing.
“So, we sent him off to cross country locally, then Warrnambool, then Melbourne.
“It’s so good to see an enjoyment and passion turn into something that he can hold on to and say, ‘this is my thing, this is my talent, this is my ability’, and for that to be recognised, is just amazing.”
Mason said he was excited to run at Queensland, and was looking forward to visiting Sea World during the trip.
– Bronwyn Hastings
Kaniva-Leeor United vice-captain Lochie Eats celebrates one of his seven goals against Kalkee on Saturday. The Cougars have one hand on a finals spot and take on defending premiers Harrow-Balmoral this week. If they win they will book a finals place, but lose to the Roos and the results of Swifts, Pimpinio and Laharum games will dictate ladder position. Story, page 40.
