The Weekly Advertiser – Wednesday, December 23, 2025 by The Weekly Advertiser

Vol. No. Vol. 2818No. 2627

Wednesday, January 23, 13, 2025 2016 Tuesday, December

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r a e Y w e N and Happy The Weekly Advertiser and radio stations 3WM and MIXX FM wish our valued readers and listeners across the Wimmera, Mallee, Grampians and Western District a very happy and safe Christmas. The next edition of The Weekly Advertiser, after a Christmas and New Year break, is on January 14.

From the team at IN THIS ISSUE • Dimboola murder not guilty verdict • New police superintendent • 2026 calendar 21,505 COPIES DISTRIBUTED EACH WEEK (average)

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Murder accused not guilty

odie Hill was found not guilty of murder and not guilty of the alternative charge of manslaughter on Friday, following the death of Dimboola man John Hunter in January 2023. Ms Hill, who was remanded at Dame Phyllis Frost Centre after her February 2023 arrest, faced a four-week trial at the Supreme Court in Melbourne where she entered a plea of not guilty. The jury heard from experts who presented physical evidence of Mr Hunter’s injuries and of fingerprints and DNA from people at the scene, and from eyewitnesses who outlined the movements of Ms Hill in the days leading up to the discovery of Mr Hunter’s body. Mr Hunter, who was 72 at the time of his death, was found dead with ante-mortem skull, eye and neck injuries.

Post-mortem afflictions to his body included the removal of his genitals, and lacerations to his chest and legs. While his cause of death was undetermined, several factors were found to have contributed. Forensic pathologist Professor Noel Woodford’s findings of three possible mechanisms of death were outlined by prosecution lawyer Nadia Kaddeche in her closing remarks. The possible causes were: concussive head trauma resulting in impaired consciousness and compromise of airway patency; reflex cardiac arrest as a result of ocular trauma; or compression of the neck. Ms Kaddeche asked the jury to consider Mr Hunter’s head and eye injuries. “The prosecution submits to you that the injuries to the head and eyes in and of themselves led to an inevita-

ble conclusion that whoever inflicted them intended to cause death or really serious injury,” she said. “Think about the injuries, members of the jury. Hitting someone over the head with a weapon or implement multiple times with sufficient force to fracture the underlying skull and stabbing both of someone’s eyes. “Individually, we say these are acts that are done with an intention at the very least to cause really serious injury, and if you are satisfied that Ms Hill caused either or both of those injuries or was complicit with [the co-accused] when he caused them, that she had the requisite intention for murder. “We can’t say what caused Mr Hunter to die and the cause of death is not in fact an element of murder. “What you have to be satisfied of is that Jodie Hill’s acts either alone or

with [the co-accused] caused the death of John Hunter.” In his closing remarks to the jury last week, defence lawyer Tim Marsh said what happened to Mr Hunter could not be laid at Ms Hill’s feet. “She may have been there, but there is no evidence that you could possibly be satisfied by that she knew who John Hunter was, bore him any ill will, formed a plan to harm him in any way, participated in an assault upon him in any way, or encouraged and assisted [the co-accused] to harm him or do any of those things,” he said. “And no matter how you squint at it, my argument to you will be the prosecution case just is not supported by the evidence. It makes no sense.” Ms Hill sobbed in court as the verdict was read. Her co-accused has pleaded guilty and will face court at a later date.

Rising the Star

Plans are underway to restore Dimboola’s Star Theatre to its former glory, with contemporary creature comforts and a wall of fame, of sorts. Dimboola couple Shane and Kylie Harman’s purchase of the theatre will settle next month, and with pencil-drawn plans and a $250,000 budget, the theatre is set to host Shane Harman Productions. Mr Harman said he had his eye on the building since moving to the town two years ago, and as a builder by trade, had plans to do the majority of the work himself. “It’s a bit run-down. There is termite damage in the floor, we need to rip all that up and get that properly fixed,” he said. “I’ll do most of the building and painting work myself, with my wife of course, and we’ll just contract out the bigger stuff, like the seating and the air-conditioning.” Mr Harman plans to extend the stage to be 4.5-metres deep by about 11.5-metres wide – the width of the building. “That’ll span right across, which will step down from the original stage and give us a bit more flexibility with the sort of shows we can put on,” he said. “There’s a lighting rig to go in, a full sound-system, a VIP lounge, a

PLANS: Shane and Kylie Harman are aiming to sell 500 personalised plaques to feature in Dimboola’s Star Theatre foyer, part of its restoration and refurbishment that will begin next year. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER control room up the back, a traditional-style kiosk and a bar with a ticket box. “We want to bring back the traditional, but also have the modern inside the hall – bridge the two together.” Mr Harman said his vision was to put on live shows rather than screening movies. “We’re theatre people, we want to put on live shows – that’s our vision,” he said. “Whether it’s bands or comedy acts or magic shows or whatever it is, we’re going to be bringing all that

entertainment through the year, and we’ll put on one major production every year. “We haven’t quite worked out what’s going to work in our area yet, but we’ll cross that bridge when we get down the track.” Mr and Mrs Harman have a niche business with The Forbidden Forest. “It’s our own special, unique thing where we’re not stepping on other peoples’ toes and we’re complementing what’s already here,” he said. “We’ll have the same kind of feel with the theatre. We want to bring people here for whatever we’re do-

ing, and they can still go to the other venues and for their special thing that they do.” Mr Harman is inviting people to purchase star plaques, to feature in the theatre’s foyer. “They are a black plaque with a white star and a white name and will be featured in the UV-lit foyer – it will look spectacular when it’s done,” he said. People can contact Mr Harman on 0411 460 793 or visit The Forbidden Forest to find out more or buy a plaque. – Bronwyn Hastings

Black Dog ride delivers for Ararat Ararat Neighbourhood House is using a grant of $8000 to deliver Mental Health First Aid training and other mental-health programs, funded by Black Dog Ride Australia Community Grants. So far 12 participants from the Ararat community have been trained in how to recognise common mental health problems, provide initial help using a practical, evidence-based action plan, seek appropriate professional help, and respond in a crisis. Ararat Neighbourhood House manager Teli Kaur said being not-for-profit, the organisation needed funding to host the courses. “We sincerely thank the Black Dog Ride Australia Community Grants program, because without their support, we would not be able to run mental-health training for our local community,” she said. “We provide food, we have got a lot of other things, but on the other hand, we are always keen to give support programs, which can help to prevent isolation, and this is one of them. “We’re doing it for our community, especially with the limited access to mental-health services. “We’ve got good staff, we’ve got good volunteers, we are here every day Monday to Friday, from 9am to 3pm, and always encourage everyone to chat to us. “Contact us if we can help in any way.” The grants help fund programs that make a cost-effective, demonstrable and sustainable difference to mental health and suicide prevention for local communities across Australia. Founded in 2009, Black Dog Ride has raised almost $4-million through community events and rides, including the annual ‘One Dayer’ and ‘Long Ride Home’, to give back to the community through its grants.

Fire destroys Horsham home A fire that destroyed a Wawunna Road, Horsham house on Wednesday last week is being investigated by CFA and Victoria Police. Volunteers from Horsham and Vectis brigades worked to extinguish the fire, after arriving on the scene at about 2.45am to find the house about 50 per cent involved in fire. Ambulance Victoria and Victoria Police were also on scene.

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Tuesday, December 23, 2025

New power plan for mineral mine

esources Victoria has approved Donald Mineral Sands’ plan for a hybrid onsite power solution, combining diesel generators and solar panels on DMS-owned land within its mining licence east of Minyip. The new power solution will replace an original proposed 70-kilometre transmission line from Horsham. DMS’ power plan comes as a 14-kilometre water pipeline to the DMS project has been completed, marking the first major infrastructure for the planned mine. The new pipeline runs under the road reserve from Minyip Rural Pump Station, along Minyip-Banyena Road and Gun Club Road, to the mine site off Walsh Lane. The pipeline attracted a strong protest in October as landowners from the area drove farm machinery, trucks

and vehicles to interrupt work on the pipeline, with concerns raised by community members about the mine’s water use. Protesters questioned DMS’ water use in summer, catering for total fire ban days, and how many days’ supply DMS would be required to keep in advance. Their concerns are part of longrunning community concern about the project, which in addition to mining land owned by DMS, will mine neighbouring farmland – with many landowners opposing the mine. The water will be primarily used for the DMS project – a joint venture between Astron Corporation and United States critical minerals company Energy Fuels that will mine 7.5-million tonnes of mineral sands annually for 19 years. DMS plans to mine zirconium, tita-

nium, and rare-earth elements including neodymium and praseodymium at the site. DMS plans to start site construction in 2026, with the first production in 2027, subject to securing project financing and completing a positive final investment decision. Resources Victoria’s west deputy chief inspector inspected the project site last month, focusing on risks and planning, ahead of construction. The inspector viewed the new pipeline and locations for other key site infrastructure, including the tailings storage facility, process plant, mine blocks, and surface water dams. DMS managing director Tiger Brown said completing the pipeline was an important step for the project. “We’re pleased to have worked with local contractors to deliver quality infrastructure that connects us to the

regional water network and demonstrates our commitment to responsible development,” he said. DMS holds a 6.975-gigalitre annual allocation and expects to use about a third, 2.4GL, each year. It purchased the water allocation for $17.95-million in 2011 as part of 20 gigalitres of growth water, created by the Wimmera-Mallee Pipeline savings, earmarked for intensive agriculture, viticulture, and mining. Mr Brown said DMS had since paid about $8.3-million in headworks payments while unconnected to the network. He said GWMWater had confirmed the DMS supply would not affect service standards for other customers. GWMWater managing director Mark Williams said the pipeline extension would become part of GWMWater’s network infrastructure.

“The original investment by DMS in 2011, which secured water from the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline savings, has played a significant role in keeping water prices affordable for our region,” he said. “With the completion of the pipeline, DMS will now meet its obligation to fund the reinstatement of pumping capacity at the Lubeck Pump. “This will unlock unused pipe capacity, ensuring that the benefits of affordable water continue to be shared by all GWMWater customers.” Horsham-based construction company CHS Contractors installed the pipeline over four months, beginning in August. Forty workers spent 20 weeks installing 1897 pieces of pipe, which have a 100-litre design flow-rate. The pipeline’s route also included one creek crossing.

Warracknabeal awardees celebrated A high calibre of people are Warracknabeal and district’s 2026 Australia Day awardees across various categories, with Emma Mansfield named citizen of the year. Australia Day award winners will be acknowledged at the Warracknabeal Rotary Club’s Australia Day Breakfast celebrations at Warracknabeal Racecourse on Monday, January 26, 2026. Other recipients are Maryann Conduit, unsung hero; and Clinton Jonasson and Casey Phelan, both sportsperson of the year. Tony Gregson, chair of the judging panel, said two awardees had been chosen for the sportsperson category, an example of the quality of nominations. “We were most impressed with the calibre of nominations for all three categories – citizen of the year, young achiever of the year and

sportsperson of the year – and are very thankful to community members who took the time to submit nominations,” he said. “We have also included another presentation this year for a local unsung hero – a person who makes a difference to the lives of many in our community, but their contribution often goes unseen.” Warracknabeal Rotary Club works hard every year to source a quality guest speaker – someone who hails from the Warracknabeal area and has gone on to make their mark in the wider world. This year’s selection is Alex Morcom, who now works as Essendon Football Club’s AFL operations coordinator and is also a Bombers AFLW player. The Rotary club will cook a free breakfast from 8am, before proceedings begin.

SUPPORT: Volunteer Dan Berendsen and project social enterprise advisor Pablo Gimenez in The Wimmera Food Security Project’s pantry at Horsham’s Centre for Participation. More than 80 people attended a free lunch at the centre last week, with most being supplied food for the Christmas period. Picture: BRONWYN HASTINGS

Feeding Wimmera food hub The Wimmera Food Security Project has supplied food items and meals to more than 200 people in the lead-up to Christmas as it seeks fundraising options upon the end of its State Government funding. Project social enterprise advisor Pablo Gimenez said the State Government Food Relief Program funding, which aimed to improve food security across the region, gave scope to purchase a wider range of foods for people in need. “We supply donated food and then use the grant money to buy fruit and vegetables from local suppliers, to give to local organisations that provide emergency food relief,” he said. Mr Gimenez said the funding period had finished, and people were invited to the project’s base at Horsham’s Centre for Participation on Friday, to enjoy a free meal and collect groceries for Christmas. “It is the end of that funding period, so we thought that we would put on a community lunch,” he said. “We had about 80 people turn up and 56 of them took the opportunity to collect free groceries for their households. “Normally we’re giving food away in bulk to community organisations, but today, because we’re at the lunch, we thought we’d give direct. “This time of year a lot of organisations have closed down for two weeks, so we thought we’d stock everyone up.” Mr Gimenez said one in three households in Victoria were food insecure. “Particularly in this region, there a lot of lowincome people,” he said. Tuesday, December 23, 2025

“We’ve been dropping off to Kaniva, Navarre, Ararat, Rupanyup, Goroke, Donald, St Arnaud and Horsham.” Mr Gimenez said the group had secured a small amount of funding to set up the Wimmera Food Security Network, which represented the different food-distribution organisations. “We have been working closely with the Christian Emergency Food Centre, supplying them with free meals that we’ve been able to source from Melbourne,” he said. “We’ve got food coming from Food Bank, and SecondBite food share. The idea is to create a bit of a hub here in Horsham to supply the Wimmera. “We’ve supplied 14 organisations over a sixweek period, which is about 300 people a week that we’ve been supporting.” Mr Gimenez said the plan was to find ways to keep the hub operating, without being reliant on grant funding. “We will be running a fundraising campaign to buy the food that can’t be donated – the big thing is fruit and vegetables,” he said. “A lot of the charities have arrangements with Aldi, Woolworths and Coles that goes to the Christian Emergency Food Centre, but they are only at Ararat and Horsham, so we need to source fresh produce for other communities.” People can make tax-deductible donations at Centre for Participation’s website centrefor participation.org.au/donate. – Bronwyn Hastings

Community Update Discover the beauty of lakes the GWMWater region

Visit gwmwater.org.au/reservoirs to explore facilities, activities, current water levels, and more at each of our stunning lakes in the Grampians area. Visit gwmwater.org.au/pipeline-supplied-lakes before travelling to enjoy recreational activities at these beautiful water bodies.

Having trouble with your water or wastewater service? If you’re experiencing difficulties or notice a fault, help is just a phone call away. Call 1800 188 586 anytime, including public holidays to report service issues.

Office arrangements over the festive season

Our offices will close over the festive season from noon on Wednesday 24 December 2025 and reopen 8 am Monday 5 January 2026. If you want to pay your water bill during this time, payments can be made at Australia Post outlets or via BPay. If you need assistance paying your water bill, please contact us during office hours on 1300 659 961.

gwmwater.org.au 1300 659 961 (general enquiries)

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Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Three road fatalities

LEADER: New Wimmera Superintendent Dan Davison will build on the work of retired superintendent Sharon McCrory and team and is encouraging people to consider taking on a career with Victoria Police as the region is currently recruiting. Picture: BRONWYN HASTINGS

New super takes helm BY BRONWYN HASTINGS

drive for community has led new Wimmera Superintendent Dan Davison across the country and to his latest posting at Horsham.

After working in the Northern Territory, Superintendent Davison was an inspector within the Western Region, an area commander at Swan Hill and Ballarat, a detective inspector at Bendigo, and has now taken his role at Horsham following Sharon McCrory’s retirement. “I was lucky enough to spend time in some really remote locations in the Northern Territory, which I think has held me in really good stead for my career,” Superintendent Davison said. “I really got to learn about community policing and the importance of working with community. “It really does reinforce the importance of close-knit communities remaining close, inclusive, caring and being compassionate for each other, showing that kindness in every part of our day. “I’ll certainly be pushing that with the members across the Wimmera, but to be honest, I think they’re already doing that.” Like Superintendent McCrory before him, Superintendent Davison said road safety was his mantra, particularly during the Christmas period, when people were socialising more. “Impaired drivers are not what we want on our road, that’s for sure,” he said. “It’s a great time of year to have a beer

with friends or a glass of wine and enjoy the warmer weather, but we’re out in force this Christmas and New Year period, making sure we don’t lose any more lives on our road. “We’ve already lost 15 lives within Western Region Division 4 this year, and that’s 15 empty places at the Christmas table across our area. “It’s not something we want.”

Family violence

Superintendent Davison said there had been an increase in family violence rates, which are traditionally at a high during the Christmas break. “Unfortunately, we do see an increase generally in incidents of family violence this time of year,” he said. “We want to make sure that they’re curbed as well, and that people again are acting with compassion and kindness, not only to others in the community, but also within their own family units.”

Less crime

Victoria’s crime statistics have been released, showing a drop in crime in the Horsham area. “The good news is that here in the Horsham end of the patch, our crime is going in the right direction – it’s reduced slightly,” Superintendent Davison said. “Obviously, we want to see even bigger reductions as we move forward.” Horsham’s total criminal incidents this year were 1752, down three per cent on last year’s 1806.

Northern Grampians had an increase of 25.9 per cent in 12 months – 823 criminal incidents last year compared with 1036 this year. “We’ve had some shop-steal increases and we’ve had some other offences that are property related that we don’t want to see,” Superintendent Davison said. “We’ve put resourcing into that, and certainly under Sharon’s reign, that work had already begun. “So, we’ll continue to focus on – and I’ll pick apart with my intelligence team – the data that’s come out. “We’ll focus on what those core issues are within the community that we can tackle in the short, medium and long term. “We certainly want to see a drive down in all crime types across the board.”

Two fatalities occurred in the Wimmera on Sunday, taking Victoria’s road death toll to 284 lives lost. Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives are investigating the circumstances surrounding a fatal collision in Clear Lake after a Nissan Dualis SUV collided with a Ford Ranger on JallumbaDouglas Road at about 3.10pm Sunday. The female passenger of the Nissan, who is yet to be formally identified, died at the scene. The male passenger of the Nissan was airlifted to hospital with serious injuries. The female driver of the Nissan was taken to hospital by road ambulance with non-life-threatening injuries. The male driver of the Ford Ranger sustained minor injuries and was taken to hospital. The investigation remains ongoing. Police are also investigating the circumstances following a fatal car crash in Rich Avon East on Sunday morning. A vehicle was travelling along Donald-Stawell Road when the driver lost control and left the road before crashing into trees at about 7am. The male driver, aged in his 20s, and sole occupant of the vehicle, died at the scene. On Monday last week, a 32-year-old Kaniva man died when his car crashed into a tree on Broughton Road. Emergency services were called to the scene following reports a car had crashed about 7am. Police are investigating the circumstances, and an investigation is ongoing Anyone who witnessed any of the three collisions, with CCTV/ dashcam or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or anonymously at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.

WorkSafe investigation A 65-year-old man was fatally crushed during harvesting operations at a Balmoral farm on Sunday last week. It is believed he was run over by the tractor and trailer attachment he was operating on a steep hill at about 6pm. WorkSafe is investigating the incident. The death is the 55th confirmed workplace fatality in Victoria and the fifth in agriculture for 2025. There were 51 work-related deaths at the same time last year.

Recruiting

Superintendent Davison said there were some capacity challenges across Victoria Police as a whole, with vacancies in the Wimmera. “We have vacancies to fill, a lot more down in our southern end of the patch – we want to recruit people who want to remain within their own communities,” he said. “There’s a real opportunity for people to have a look at our job. It’s a fantastic career, Victoria Police is a fantastic organisation to work for. “I encourage people to come and join us in our ranks and stay local – hopefully we can convince some people to come and join us and keep our community safe with us.”

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Ararat makes ‘Hot 100’ list A

BY COLIN MacGILLIVRAY

rarat municipal and real-estate industry leaders believe a range of factors have influenced the region’s reputation as a ‘sleeping giant’ property hotspot.

Australian property website realestate. com.au recently listed Ararat on its Hot 100 list for 2026 – a list of the 100 suburbs country-wide expected to see the biggest growth in property value in the coming year. Analyst Simon Pressley nominated Ararat for the list based on its affordability. “I won’t at all be surprised if Ararat’s real estate values increase to be among Victoria’s highest growth rates over the next three to five years,” he said. “Ararat is classic salt-of-the-earth Australiana. From the heritage buildings that line the main street, to a wide range of precious minerals, locally grown produce, various wineries, and impressive flora and fauna throughout the Grampians National Park.” Elders Real Estate Ararat director Michael Fratin said he agreed with Mr Pressley’s assessment and had noticed a growing trend of investors targeting the region. “Ararat has probably been a bit of a sleeping giant for a few years, and I believe it has awoken a bit now and is coming to the attention of property seekers,” he said. “In terms of trends, certainly there is a higher demand now for investors. We’ve noticed, particularly in the last six to nine months, investors have really started to step back into the market. “They obviously see Ararat as being af-

fordable with relatively good rental returns and very high occupancy rates. Not a lot of rentals are available at any one time, which means it is making that rental market quite buoyant. It’s a pretty secure return on investment when you put that scenario together.” Data from realestate.com.au listed Ararat’s median house price at $390,000, having risen by five per cent in the past year. Mr Fratin said many factors contributed to the area’s growing popularity. “We’re seeing demand from tree-changers but also from investors because of its proximity to Melbourne and Ballarat in particular,” he said. “We do have the train service here, which takes you into Ballarat and Melbourne multiple times a day, which I think is a big drawcard. I also think the way our council is quite proactive in trying to bring more industry into the area contributes. “We’re also on the doorstep of Grampians National Park, so between tourism and wineries, there are a whole cohort of factors I believe are contributing to this.” Ararat Rural City Council chief executive Tim Harrison said recognition on the Hot 100 list was ‘fantastic’ for the region. “We’re experiencing real momentum here, with major developments underway, strong investment interest, and a council that works hard to cut red tape and support growth,” he said. “Ararat offers genuine lifestyle appeal, a friendly and connected community, and outstanding value for both homebuyers and investors. It’s a great place to live, work and build a future.”

DONATION: Wimmera Against Cancer in Kids, WACK, has been gifted $5000 by the Horsham Carols by Candlelight committee following this year’s Christmas event. Community donations totalled $2400 from the evening, with the committee contributing the rest. Carols committee member Simon Dandy said more than 3000 people attended the evening, which was headlined by Wimmera talent. “It was cracking weather, and the performances were great,” he said. “I think that’s what everyone loves, seeing all local people, and the high standard that we have. WACK is such a great organisation, supporting the people who have kids with cancer, it’s great that we can take any opportunity to give it profile.” Pictured are, from left, Simon Clark and Brendan McKinnon of WACK, and carols committe members Lucy McKinnon, Pauline Schmidt, Colin Kreymborg and Simon Dandy, and front, Venetia Elbourne-Hobbs. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Council issues 400 notices

Horsham Rural City Council fire prevention officers are continuing inspections across the municipality. Property owners who have completed initial works may need to undertake further maintenance to ensure their blocks remain compliant during the fire danger period. If a fire-risk is identified during an inspection, the property owner may be issued with a fire prevention notice. More than 400 fire prevention notices have been issued so far this season, with about half of

those properties now due for reinspection. Council officers have already completed inspections across the northern part of Horsham, as well as Wail, Pimpinio, Jung, Dadswells Bridge, Haven, Bungalally, Lower Norton, Noradjuha and surrounding areas. Inspections are now progressing through the remaining areas in the south and west of the municipality. Property owners are reminded to cut or mow grass and weeds taller than 10cm; clear away flammable materials around homes, including

cleaning out gutters; remove dead vegetation such as undergrowth and fallen branches; store firewood and other flammable items well away from homes or sheds; and set up a regular maintenance schedule to keep the property firesafe. For more information on fire prevention requirements, visit www. hrcc.vic.gov.au/Residents/LocalLaws/Fire-Prevention or contact the community safety team on 5382 9777.

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Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Moving forward, together

Fire-prevention inspections

alls Gap fire brigade has had an influx of new members since last year’s fires at the Grampians.

The brigade has welcomed seven new members, with another two new potential recruits to go through general firefighter training early next year. Halls Gap captain Justin Cozens said the return of warmer weather naturally brought back memories of last summer. “Coming into this time of year, it does sit in the back of your mind,” he said. “A lot has happened over the past 12 months, and you naturally start reflecting on what the brigade and the town went through. “There’s still a section of the Grampians that didn’t burn, so the potential is always there.” The Yarram Gap Road fire was ignited by lightning on December 17 and later merged with the Wallaby Rocks fire, ultimately burning 76,000 hectares of national park and agricultural land. Multiple emergency warnings were issued for towns around the Grampians, resulting in the loss of four homes, more than 40 outbuildings, significant stock losses and widespread disruption to business and tourism in the area. “Seeing people step up and want to be part of the brigade after such a tough year has given everyone a real lift,” Mr Cozens said. The past 12 months has also marked a shift in how residents, old and new, engaged with the brigade.

Ararat Rural City Council has commenced annual fire-prevention inspections to help reduce bushfire risk across the municipality as it enters an official fire danger period, which will last until May 1, 2026. Council fire-prevention officers will visit properties across the region in coming weeks, assessing compliance and advising on actions to reduce fire risks in line with CFA and local requirements. The inspections aim to ensure all landowners maintain properties in accordance with local laws and CFA recommendations, including clearing long grass, removing combustible material, and addressing fire hazards identified in previous seasons. Property owners found to be non‑compliant will receive notices outlining steps required to meet safety standards, and council officials can undertake follow‑up inspections to ensure works are completed. Council chief executive Tim Harrison urged residents to prepare their properties, understand what they could and could not do under fire restrictions, and act promptly if they received a fire-prevention notice. Dr Harrison said community safety remained a top priority as the municipality entered the height of the fire season. “Each year, we work with property owners to make sure our region is prepared for fire season, and these inspections are an important part of that process,” he said. “Maintaining your property is not just about following guidelines; it demonstrates care for your neighbours and the wider community, especially now that fire restrictions are in force,” he said. “We’re asking everyone to take proactive steps now, so we can all head into summer with greater peace of mind.” Dr Harrison encouraged residents to act promptly to minimise bushfire risks, support inspection efforts, and seek advice if unsure about compliance. For further guidance and to report concerns, people can call the council on 5355 0200.

NEW RECRUITS: Halls Gap fire brigade has welcomed seven new members, including, from left, Matt Furlong and Dave Kingan, with captain Justin Cozens, and Leighton Boyd and Shane Caruana. “Halls Gap is a transient town, and that can make getting safety messages out tricky,” Mr Cozens said. “But after such a big event so close to home, people are taking planning and preparation more seriously than we’ve seen in years. “We’ve held community events where more than a third of the town’s population have attended, which is a great result.” Beyond the fireground, recovery in Halls Gap has been driven by a locally led grassroots group known as the Kitchen Cabinet. Kitchen Cabinet member Blanche Leithhead said the group formed

after a town meeting, as residents looked for ways to support one another while tourism was halted. “When tourists couldn’t come back, it was incredibly hard, so we focused on bringing people together,” she said. The committee delivered dozens of community recovery events including the successful GLOW festival, held over the traditionally quieter winter months. “GLOW brought people back to Halls Gap, and the data shows it genuinely boosted the local economy,” Ms Leithhead said. The Kitchen Cabinet has since led to the formation of a formal

fire recovery committee, ensuring the community remains focused on recovery and preparation for future fire seasons. Mr Cozens said the brigade was focused on fundamentals, ensuring members, particularly newer recruits, were confident in their roles. “We’re treating it like any other year. We’re hammering the basics and making sure everyone understands what’s expected when they turn out,” he said. “Our community is getting back on its feet. There’s real confidence heading into summer, and a strong sense that we’re moving forward together.”

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Building on 60 years of memories “We’re just going to go out to Natimuk pub with the seven of us – our three girls, and two sons-in-law – for tea. It seems like five minutes ago that we had our 50th wedding anniversary”

BY BRONWYN HASTINGS

orsham’s Alex and Betty Stewart, who first noticed each other as students in the school yard, will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on New Year’s Day.

The pair married at Horsham’s new Presbyterian Church before a wedding dinner at the Royal Hotel and dancing at Hamilton Lamb Hall. Mrs Stewart said she first remembered Mr Stewart as a fellow pupil, standing out because he was always in trouble, to the point of being kicked out of one class. “The girls used to sit on one side of the lawn and pretend they weren’t watching the boys,” she said. “The boys would show off and pretend it wasn’t for the girls. I remember he was always in trouble.” Mrs Stewart said their wedding day was in the middle of her family’s apricot and peach harvest at their Quantong farm. “We would have loved to have bought the farm, but I think we were in Melbourne, or close to it, when dad sold it,” she said. “Quantong was going downhill because they just didn’t have the room to expand, and Shepparton took over with all the flat land they had. “Quantong was a big bowl down to the river; you could see from Dimboola. “I remember dad having good years – we had some rotten ones at the finish – but it was a great life for kids, running around in your knickers, charging down the little channels and things.” After marrying, the couple lived in

– Betty Stewart

DIAMOND ANNIVERSARY: Betty and Alex Stewart have been creating scrapbook memories of their family since they were married – 60 years ago on New Year’s Day. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER a ‘very little house’ in Albert Street before building a home in Bleakley Street. “I think we were the first house there, and suddenly we were surrounded by the housing estate,” she said. “Alex’s father built it – it backed onto Kalkee Road. We had some fun and games there, too.” A cabinet-maker by trade for 13 years, Mr Stewart said he trained to be a teacher after hearing of a teacher shortage from a friend. “I didn’t know anything about it at that stage, and I had a friend who was a teacher – he was out of a trade as

well – and they had a problem up at the tech school with teaching staff,” he said. “This bloke came to see me and asked if I’d like to come and do a bit of teaching. I had to think about it, and I talked with a number of friends, and they said I’d be mad if I didn’t have a go at it. So, I started the next week.” The couple moved to Melbourne with their young daughters Allison and Linda, where they lived for six years. Mrs Stewart said her husband taught for three days and went to college for two days each week.

“We had Allison here in Horsham, and Linda here,” she said. “When we went to Melbourne, Linda was just about to go into a cot, so we had to go and buy a bed. “We came back here to have Kelly, – they tried to bring her on but she wouldn’t come. “She was finally born on the 1st of February, and then Alex had to go back to school.” Mr Stewart said going into teaching was a great decision. “It was very hard to actually pack the bags and leave town, because we’d only just built a house,” he said.

“But we thought we’d probably end up staying in Melbourne after that time, and then we thought about the family back here, all getting older and needing help. “The opportunity came up for a shift back here and we took it.” The couple enjoyed lots of trips overseas after their children grew and left home. He said they had holidayed in their caravan at Lake Fyans each year for about 20 years. Mr Stewart said both he and his wife had been active in Legacy for about 20 years. “It’s sort of getting towards the end of it for me and for Betty, because our widows are virtually gone,” he said. “Charity work has kept us going, we’ve met lots of nice friends. Same as the RSL – I’m not an ex-serviceman, but I’ve been an affiliate member for over 50 years.” Mrs Stewart said they would enjoy a quiet celebration at Natimuk’s hotel. “We’re just going to go out to Natimuk pub with the seven of us – our three girls, and two sons-in-law – for tea,” she said. “It seems like five minutes ago that we had our 50th wedding anniversary.”

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Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Time for reflection

hat a year 2025 has been for the Wimmera and Grampians regions.

Reflecting on the stories that made the pages of The Weekly Advertiser across the year has been quite the walk down memory lane – when you produce as much content as our team does, it is difficult to remember every single story. January is often a quiet time for local media – but 2025 was anything but as bushfires first ravaged the Grampians, then hit the Little Desert. It was a frightening time for many people across the region, and many properties and businesses are still feeling the effects 12 months on. Proposed mining projects were firmly back on the agenda in March, as Horsham Rural City Council paused its memorandum of understanding with WIM Resource. In April, events dominated the region, with The Wimmera Steampunk Festival and Stawell Gift – featuring teenage superstar Gout Gout – bringing joy to our patch. The federal election in May saw incumbents Anne Webster and Dan Tehan re-elected in their respective electorates, but it was no doubt the Emergency Services and Volunteer Fund levy that dominated the headlines – right across Victoria. Wimmera people were front and centre at a major protest at Parliament House, as farmers and fire brigade volunteers represented regional Victoria to oppose the significant tax rise. A landmark day that we will never forget – driving down to Melbourne

EDITORIAL By Lauren Henry

and back in a day, filing the stories and photos from the car, The Weekly Advertiser was able to give our readers the news direct from the protest. Drought funding was next on the agenda, as farmers and regional councils made pleas to government to help out those struggling with a severe lack of rainfall, particularly those in the south-west. But there was plenty more happening with By Five fighting for survival after missing out on funding in the State Budget, councils pulling memberships from Wimmera Southern Mallee Development, and more protests against proposed renewable-energy projects. By July, mining concerns were again front and centre, but there was some good news as the State Government part-funded the East Grampians Rural Pipeline. West Wimmera Shire Council hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons as issues with service cuts and staffing emerged, and in August, more farmers protests ensued, opposing the government’s energy plans – particularly those proposing to effect Wimmera properties. And the story that is everlasting in the Wimmera – duplication of the Western Highway – returned to the front page as a series of road accidents east of Ararat prompted calls

for that project to be finally finished. September saw all about footy and netball finals, but we didn’t expect it on the front page. Issues with an A Grade netball scoring discrepancy and an investigation into Ararat senior football coach Tom Williamson took the attention away from what was happening on the field and court. A shortage of foster carers, another protest – this time against Donald Mineral Sands’ water pipeline – and a need for more funding for neighbourhood houses featured in October. November saw its fair share of good news on the front page – major hotel plans unveiled for Horsham Golf Club and a funding win for The Wesley. But the overarching theme of 2025 – farmer protest – ran true right until the end of this year, as about 150 turned up at a Wallaloo East farm to firmly oppose access to VicGrid staff wanting to do ecological surveys for the Victoria-New South Wales Interconnector, VNI, West transmission line project. While the end of the year doesn’t mean it will be the end of the story for many of the issues mentioned, the holiday period may well give everyone time to re-set for 2026. With a state election due in November, 2026, and genuine feeling of discontent across regional Victoria, next year is shaping up to be a political hotbed. Wishing all readers a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year thank you for all your contributions, feedback and support in 2025.

SERVICE: Gift wrapping co-ordinator and past Rotarian Tania Barnes, with Rotarians Neil Popple and Pam Clarke gift wrapping at Horsham Plaza.

A tripartite partnership Three Horsham organisations have come together this Christmas to donate items to those in need. The Rotary Club of Horsham East contributed toiletries to Horsham’s Christian Emergency Food Centre – with volunteers donating items and also purchasing goods through Priceline Horsham. This year, the club purchased $1000 of toiletries from Priceline Horsham, which matched the amount dollar-fordollar, making the total $2000 in toiletries. Members and guests attending the club’s annual Christmas dinner contributed personal donations valued at about $1000, bringing the overall value to $3000. President Rick Hopper said some items were on display at the dinner, while a substantial number of boxes were delivered earlier that day. “The club has been doing this for the past eight years, since past presidents Steve Holmes and Penny Flynn introduced the idea,” he said.

“It has been the past three years that the club has been in partnership with Priceline Pharmacy.” Priceline Horsham owner Coby McQueen said it was a ‘truly worthwhile initiative’, and the business was pleased to partner with the club. Horsham Christian Emergency Food Centre client assessment manager Bev Miatke gave an overview of the services the centre provided to the Wimmera. She outlined how appreciative the centre was to receive toiletries that were expensive for its clients to buy. “People will put purchasing food first, before deodorant,” she said. Guests at the dinner included Nellie Driller and Jesse Jolley, who are youth exchange students about to leave on their overseas exchanges, while Alma Christiansen, a visiting Danish exchange student and past 2023 student Sofie Laursen, were also in attendance. To complete the year, the club is also gift wrapping at the Horsham Plaza, with the public able to have their gifts wrapped for a gold-coin donation.

Fighting for Mallee And just like that, 2025 is as good as over! May’s federal election seems an age ago and back then, I was honoured to be returned as your Member for Mallee with an increased margin and close to 50 per cent of the primary vote. While The Nationals held all our seats, we did not return to Government as a Coalition as the Liberals lost so many city seats. We had a brief but necessary separation in the Coalition because The Nationals stood ﬁrm on our election commitments to the bush, such as improving mobile phone coverage and a Regional Australia Future Fund which will fund infrastructure in the regions in a sustainable way. We also committed to divestiture powers for supermarkets, which Labor have since followed although with less teeth. The Liberals came to the party on our commitments pretty quickly, and later on our Cheaper, Better, Fairer Energy plan, which you can read about at www. powering.au. I have also been honoured to be promoted within the Coalition team to be the Shadow Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories, and Shadow Minister for

Regional Communications. Councils need federal funding to maintain and upgrade local roads, and mobile connectivity is a high priority. My main role is holding the Albanese Labor government to account for failing to fairly fund regional communities. The barbaric atrocity in Bondi on Sunday 14 December makes tackling antisemitism and national security a key focus going into 2026. I am horriﬁed that terrorist acts are occurring on our soil I hope and pray nothing worse occurs and we eliminate this danger from our communities. I am relieved that conversations with Wimmera farmers about growing conditions are very different now than the same time last year. The winter crop is not a ‘bin buster’ but farmers won’t be going bust either, which is great news.

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Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Councils unite in joint submission

joint submission by four Wimmera councils to a VicGrid consultation has called for a holistic, co-ordinated approach to energy transition for the region.

Horsham Rural City Council, together with Northern Grampians, Buloke and Yarriambiack shire councils, made a joint submission to VicGrid’s Victorian Access Regime papers, which proposed a project-by-project approach to addressing the effects of energy projects. The councils’ submission calls for VicGrid to ensure the energy transition ‘creates lasting and meaningful benefits’ for communities and a strategic investment framework be established to provide clarity and certainty for all stakeholders. The submission’s key themes were the impact on local government’s finances and resources; community cohesion – the uncertainty, complexity, and lack of genuine consultation; workforce and skills shortages; infrastructure – existing transport and service infrastructure under pressure; housing – a lack of available and affordable housing; and community services – access to essential services such as health care, childcare, and education is limited. At last week’s Horsham council meeting, the council endorsed the submission. Cr Rebecca Sluggett said the submission highlighted the importance of agriculture in the economy – not only in western Victoria, but the nation. “It calls for a holistic approach from State Government, project developers and key industry bodies so that we ensure there’s enough strategic investment to ensure the proposed projects are of benefit, not a detriment to our community,” she said. Cr Sluggett said a significant amount of western Victoria would be impacted by proposed energy projects. “We are asking that when considering the impacts to our community, that each project is not looked at in isolation, but altogether, and it is important that the level of investment reflects that

there’s not much greater impact to the region and rural Victoria due the sheer number of projects proposed,” she said. “The submission details the council’s concerns that without thorough and continued consultation with both local councils and community members, the community benefit will be less than it should be. “The issues of local government concerns, community cohesion and anxiety, workforce and skills infrastructure, housing and community services are all recognised and discussed as they’ll affect not only outcomes of the proposed projects, but also that of existing businesses, people, and services being in the host communities.” Cr Cameron McDonald congratulated council chief executive Gail Gatt and her team on ‘another fantastic submission’. “Hopefully the State Government is starting to wake up to itself and they’re starting to take notice on how you do go about putting these projects forward and engaging with the community,” he said. Since becoming a state business corporation in November, VicGrid is responsible for the co-ordination, planning and developing of the state’s renewable energy zones and transmission. It is formulating a new Victorian Access Regime to prescribe a set of requirements that renewable generation and storage projects must meet in order to gain access and connect to Victoria’s transmission network. The new access arrangements aim to improve co-ordination of new projects and transmission network development, remove barriers to connecting to the network, give investors certainty they can supply energy to the market, and set clear expectations about community engagement and benefits. Three papers were released for consultation: Access and Connections; Draft Grid Impact Assessment Guidelines; and Draft Community Engagement and Social Value Guidelines.

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Young leaders honoured West Wimmera Shire Council has recognised the achievements of three outstanding secondary students, presenting its annual Student Citizenship Awards at school presentation nights last week. This year’s recipients are Aria Wilson from Goroke College, Keira Jewell from Kaniva College and Charlotte Henderson from Edenhope College. The awards acknowledge students who demonstrate leadership, commitment to their studies and positive contributions to their school and wider community. Each secondary college in the shire selects its recipient using criteria set by the council, including willingness to accept responsibility, active participation in school life, ability to set a mature example, and strong interactions with staff, peers and younger students. Awarded students must also demonstrate sound and responsible attitudes to learning and be involved in activities that benefit the broader community. At Goroke College, Cr Tom Houlihan presented the award to Aria Wilson, recognising her enthusiasm, leadership, and strong involvement in school and community activities. Aria took on leadership roles in college events, supported Tuesday, December 23, 2025

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Departs July 11, 2027 RECIPIENT: West Wimmera Shire Council chief executive David Bezuidenhout with Edenhope College’s Charlotte Henderson. younger students and shared her musical talents at community fundraisers. At Kaniva College, Cr Richard Hicks presented an award and the R.G. Hicks Memorial Cup to Keira Jewell, acknowledging her consistent leadership and commitment to her school and community. Keira served on the student representative council and college council, acted as school captain, and was involved in community organisations and advocacy programs for rural students. Charlotte Henderson received her award from council chief executive David Bezuidenhout at Edenhope College, recognising her dedication to her studies, positive attitude and

respectful engagement with others. College leaders described her as a committed student and a strong role model within the school community. Each recipient received a framed certificate and $300 to support their future education. Mr Bezuidenhout said all recipients were extremely deserving. “Council believes it is important to acknowledge and encourage students who strive for excellence. It’s inspiring to see so many young people striving to make a difference,” he said. Eligible recipients are students undertaking a Victorian Certificate of Education, VCE, or VCE Vocational Major, VCE VM, in 2025.

Merry Christmas from the Helloworld Horsham Team Our office will be working remotely for the January Holidays, please call or email through any enquiries.

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Page 13

Iconic Langlands Corner

For Sale By Tender – 114-128 Firebrace St, Horsham A rare opportunity to secure one of Horsham’s most recognisable commercial properties, offered to the market for the first time since 1981. Positioned on a prominent CBD corner, this high-exposure site is surrounded by strong local and national operators. Key Features: Site Area: 1,960 m² Building Area: 1,490 m²

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Please note, this collection calendar is subject to change. Please refer to ngshire.vic.gov.au/residents/bins-recycling-and-waste to check your collection date or to report a missed bin. You can also contact council's Waste Management Team by calling (03) 5358 8700.

71 Wilson Street, Horsham

The Future of Bale Handling Is Here: Meet the Verti-Stack Australian farmers are no strangers to innovation, and the arrival of the VertiStack marks a major step forward in modern bale handling. Proudly Australian made, this new piece of equipment has been designed with real-world farming conditions in mind delivering smarter, faster and more efficient results in the paddock. Built to improve efficiency, manoeuvrability and overall performance, the Verti-Stack revolutionises the way bales are collected. By reducing collection time by more than 50 per cent compared to traditional methods, operators can significantly cut labour requirements, machinery wear and fuel costs.

Reduce collection time by over 50%

Just as importantly, fewer passes across the paddock mean reduced ground compaction, helping protect soil structure and long-term productivity. Versatility is another key strength of the Verti-Stack. It is engineered to handle dry hay bales ranging from 185cm to 260cm in length

and works seamlessly with all major 120cm wide balers. The system is also fully compatible with Gazeeka moisture meters, ensuring accurate data collection without disrupting workﬂow. Protection has been carefully considered in the design, with both electronic and mechanical safeguards built in. These systems protect the baler and the Verti-Stack should abnormal bale formation occur, offering peace of mind during operation and helping prevent costly downtime. For producers looking to save time, reduce costs and improve paddock efﬁciency, the Verti-Stack represents a smart investment in the future of bale handling. If you need any further information, feel free to call Travis for a chat.

Contact Travis 0457 278 486 Page 14

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Tuesday, December 23, 2025

VNI West on track

icGrid chief executive Alistair Parker says the continual protests refusing access to land earmarked for a major transmission project through the east of the Wimmera is not holding up progress.

The Victoria-New South Wales Interconnector, VNI, West project has been plagued with landowner protests in the past two months, refusing VicGrid staff access to their land for ecological studies. In response to The Weekly Advertiser’s questions following a protest at a Wallalloo East property earlier this month, Mr Parker said the ecology surveys were essential to helping understand and protect the local environment. VNI West continues to progress its planning and environmental assessment work, including time-critical spring and summer ecology surveys required for the Environment Effects Statement. The surveys identify vegetation, wildlife habitat and sensitive environmental areas, and will help identify where native vegetation including trees may be affected, and where it needs to be protected. “We respect people’s right to express their views. Where access has been blocked our crews have left calmly and safely,” Mr Parker said. About 150 protesters – many landowners also affected by the project but also people from as

far as Melbourne – gathered at Ben Duxson’s farm on December 2 with a clear message of ‘access denied’. Mr Parker said where voluntary access had not been agreed in time for seasonal surveys, VicGrid was using Section 93 under the Electricity Industry Act 2000 Victoria to complete non-invasive ecology surveys. He said recent protest activity had been peaceful, and survey crews have acted with care by departing whenever asked. “These interactions have not changed the project timeline,” he said. Mr Parker said further repeat access attempts on properties blocking initial entry were being paused to focus on surveys where access was available. He said survey activities for properties where access had not been granted would be rescheduled in line with the Land Access Code of Practice applying the land access provisions under the Electricity Industry Act.  Mr Parker said VicGrid’s strong preference remained voluntary access to land. VicGrid claims that across the broader project area, more than 160 properties have agreed to survey access, allowing landholders to set the terms for timing, access points, biosecurity and seasonal considerations. To date, the project has completed more than 840 field surveys, 307 of which have been on private properties. Mr Parker said VicGrid would

continue engaging openly with landholders, traditional owners, councils and communities as environmental assessments progressed. “I have met with many landholders across the region and VicGrid is committed to continuing to listen to locals, understand their concerns and work towards solutions,” he said. “Listening to landholders has resulted in the relocation of more than 250 towers on the VNI West project and to the recent confirmation of a preferred easement in Meering West.” Mr Parker said VNI West was a critical infrastructure project that would play a key role in ensuring Victorians continue to have access to reliable and affordable electricity as coal-fired power closes down. He said the project would enable the development of new renewable energy sources in the state’s west and also connect Victoria with generation and storage in New South Wales to ensure reliability in periods of high demand. “VNI West is a crucial project to keep the lights on for all Victorians as we replace ageing coal-fired power with new renewable energy sources,” he said. VicGrid has been presented with an alternative proposal to VNI West, commissioning a detailed independent assessment of the proposal, but found it did not stack up.

CENTRE FRONT: Horsham Rural City Council’s community safety unit, from left, Alan Frankham, Hannah Munn, Alisha Bunting, Nigel Sibson and Julie Flint, right, with Cr Rebecca Sluggett.

Safety team on paw patrol Horsham Rural City Council’s community safety team has launched dedicated bike patrols along walking tracks across the municipality to keep an eye out for dogs off leashes and owners failing to pick up after their pets. Team members will ride along trails and reserves, including the river precinct, as part of a new council initiative, part of the domestic animal management plan. The plan aims to strengthen council’s ability to address nuisance behaviours and improve safety for residents and their pets. It also responds to issues raised by the community, which include dogs wandering at large, and dog owners not adhering to leash requirements in public spaces. Community safety officers will also use the patrols to identify unregistered dogs and ensure pets are being safely contained. “We’re encouraging all pet owners to do the right thing,” Cr Rebecca Sluggett said.

“This is a wonderful initiative. These new bike patrols will help encourage responsible behaviour and allow officers to interact more closely and positively with residents, providing education and support where needed. Responsible pet ownership not only keeps pets safe but also helps protect the community, local environment, and public spaces enjoyed by all.” Under the Domestic Animals Act 1994, penalties of $407 apply for breaches relating to animal management. Dogs must be kept on leash in all public areas across Horsham, except in council’s designated off-leash areas at Langlands Park, Houston Street; Central Park, Natimuk Road; Weir Park, Barnes Boulevard; and Lion Park, Plant Avenue. Community safety officers may issue infringements to any owner for failing to immediately remove and appropriately dispose of animal excrement.

The perfect gift... EVERY time 46-48 Firebrace St, Horsham opp post office ph. 5382 1876 Tuesday, December 23, 2025

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Page 15

Everyone loves the beer & cocktails here at

ON THE LOOKOUT: Community volunteers have joined Project Platypus members armed with thermal scopes and red-light torches to scan treetops and roadside vegetation for squirrel gliders.

Surveys spot But it’s not squirrel gliders

what goes into our beer & cocktails that makes them great.

It’s what our beer & cocktails go into.

The community. Proceeds from all drinks & meals sold help fund initiatives throughout our region. We’ve given out more the three million dollars since inception… including $50K to Christian Emergency Food Centre to purchase a food transport van.

ommunity volunteers have joined Project Platypus members for a series of night-time surveys in the northern Grampians this month to find new locations where squirrel gliders live.

Armed with thermal scopes and red-light torches, groups of up to five volunteers have set out at night to scan treetops and roadside vegetation for squirrel gliders. Project Platypus manager Mark McLean described the evenings as ‘parts science, wildlifewatching and fun’. “We have been overwhelmed with the popularity of the surveys, with 36 volunteers joining in so far,” Mr McLean said. Project Platypus initially offered the surveys as a unique opportunity for the community to see nocturnal wildlife and help identify important locations for squirrel gliders, with the first sessions booking out within days. The surveys have covered more than 50 kilometres of roadsides in the northern Grampians region, targeting areas with mature gum trees with hollows. Project Platypus field crew leader Lee Parry said the survey had so far discovered 16 new active locations of squirrel gliders between Stawell and Dadswell’s Bridge. “We have found squirrel gliders, particularly

where neighbouring properties have large old remnant trees relatively close to the roadside,” he said. Mr Parry said the findings suggested the local squirrel glider population was relatively healthy, which he said was encouraging for Project Platypus and the community volunteers. “It has been very rewarding seeing the excitement on volunteers’ faces when they get to spot a squirrel glider for the first time,” he said. “We have also managed to find plenty of sugar gliders and other species, which is also providing useful information for us.” The new identified locations are being used to help map priority areas for protection, revegetation and the creation of future biolinks. “The surveys are doing more than what we’d hoped, thanks to the amazing community support. They are bringing people together, building local knowledge, and giving us valuable information to guide our next steps,” Mr McLean said. The surveys will continue in 2026, with opportunities for volunteers during February and March. People interested in taking part in the surveys can contact Project Platypus by calling 5358 4410 or emailing manager@platypus.org.au, or visit platypus.org.au for more information.

Bushfire plan for animals essential

That’s worth a drink.

Come and get yours. Horsham Sports & Community Club

The Club the way you like it. Over $3.33 Million has been donated to local communities in cash sponsorship since the club’s inception

Horsham Sports & Community Club 177-181 Baillie St, Horsham | Ph 5382 6262 Visit us online at www.hscc.org.au or www.facebook.com/horshamscc Page 16

Agriculture Victoria officials are calling on Wimmera residents to include pets and larger animals such as horses in farm and household bushfire planning this summer in an effort to ensure both people and animals are as safe as possible during an emergency. Agriculture Victoria veterinary officer Lee Manning said having a clear fire plan would help horse owners establish their priorities and give them time to practice a plan, especially if it included floating horses to a safer location before high-risk fire days. “Owners should prepare a safer area for horses – this area should be as large as possible with minimal pasture and vegetation length and secure boundary fencing. Ideally include a dam or secure water source not reliant on electric pumps,” Dr Manning said. “Internal gates can be opened for more space, but horses need to be taught they can move through freely so they can escape even when highly stressed. “On high-fire-danger days, move horses to your safer area and take all gear off them, so they are free to move if you aren’t home during an emergency. Rugs get tangled, halters get hot and burn, and fly veils may melt, so being naked gives your horse the best chance of survival.’ Dr Manning said people should be aware it

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would take extra time if they plan to leave early with horses, and in the morning before a fire was an ideal time to leave. He said people should plan where to take their animals ahead of time and not assume a pony club or showgrounds would be open or in a safe area. Dr Manning said it was unrealistic to evacuate horses with little notice, and called for all members of a household to know and have practiced contingency plans. “Horses’ flight instincts will be to run away from the danger of fire, and if cornered their fight instinct will have them gallop through flames if necessary, so please leave them free to run and survive alone,” he said. After a fire, people should check all horses for burns, smoke inhalation, eye irritation and leg injuries. First aid for equine burns is similar to with humans – hose them with clean, cool water for at least 10 minutes and call a veterinarian immediately for advice. People should consult with their CFA brigade for information on fire behaviour and weather patterns, and develop a household fire plan and trigger points for actioning it with their animals included. Further information on animal bushfire plans is available online at go.vic.gov.au/46KMngC. Tuesday, December 23, 2025

‘Horse has bolted’

ember for Mallee Anne Webster has hit out at a new Federal Government consultation into critical minerals, saying the ‘horse had bolted’ on key projects within her electorate.

Residents across the Wimmera, Mallee and Grampians are being encouraged to have their say, informed by their experiences on mining licence approvals in the electorate. The government’s House of Representatives Standing Committee on Primary Industries has launched an inquiry into factors shaping social licence and economic development outcomes in critical minerals projects across Australia. Committee chair Meryl Swanson said the inquiry was seeking written submissions to guide the inquiry’s findings. “Critical minerals are vital to the economic development of Australia and the world. They underpin technologies integral to modern communications, manufacturing, transport, energy and defence,” she said. “They also provide Australia – a country rich in critical minerals – with a key competitive advantage, economically and strategically. “Just as important, critical minerals offer significant opportunities for regional development, job creation, and skills growth, particularly in remote and Indigenous communities. “A vital factor in delivering benefits that are both economically and socially sustainable is ensuring critical mineral projects are developed responsibly, with strong community engagement and social licence.

“Capturing these development opportunities will require co-ordinated policy and effective collaboration across all jurisdictions.” But Dr Webster shared her dismay, saying yet again, mining-related consultation was occurring during the harvest and Christmas season. Dr Webster was also critical about the inquiry occurring after mining projects in the Mallee electorate had received Federal Government approvals. The Donald Mineral Sands mine has already received state and federal government approval, with the Federal Government granting it Major Project Status in October, classifying it as ‘of national significance’ because of its potential contribution to economic growth, employment, and regional Australia. WIM Resource’s Avonbank mineral sands mine at Dooen also received Federal Government approval earlier this year, with a delegate of the Federal Minister for Environment and Water under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. “The main critical minerals projects in Mallee have largely been cleared to proceed, so locals would be telling the Commonwealth how consultation could have been done better,” Dr Webster said. “We have seen across Mallee that social licence has been given lip service by the Allan Victorian Labor government on a range of projects. “The government’s priorities are all that matters, not the views of farmers, landowners and communities on whether projects should occur on prime agricultural land.”

Dr Webster said the Victoria-New South Wales Interconnector, VNI, West project was ‘a cautionary tale about what happens when you get social licence wrong’. “Social licence must be secured freely and fairly from the start and throughout the project, including – in the case of mining – well after the project ends,” she said. “Not only that, local communities have been sceptical about the genuine, long-term financial benefits from mining projects and that is a key element of social licence.”   Dr Webster said governments had ‘taken so much from farmers and their communities in consultation after consultation, with little apparent ‘give’ in return’. “I encourage people to make a submission about how the lived experience has been in Mallee, because we must get the critical minerals projects and processes right,” she said. “Rehabilitation back to full or better productivity, and allowing farmers to stay in their homes and keep farming, must be a paramount consideration. “Food security is a key element of national security and energy security, which are sometimes mentioned in the critical minerals debate. We can get the balance right.” Written submissions providing recommendations in response to the terms of reference will be accepted until February 27. More information on the inquiry can be found at www.aph. gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/ Committees/House/Primary_ Industries/CriticalMinerals.

GIVING SPIRIT: As Christmas draws closer, Hindmarsh youth councillor Chelsea Elliott has been overwhelmed by the generous and giving spirit of the Hindmarsh community which has donated gifts to the Giving Tree Appeal. Chelsea and her mother Vicki collected the donated gifts from the giving trees at Hindmarsh Shire Libraries, with 243 items donated including plush toys, games, craft activities, prints and paintings, and décor items. All gifts were given to The Salvation Army for distribution throughout the community. “We are very grateful, people haven’t been able to give as much this year so the donation has really bolstered what we can distribute,” The Salvation Army’s Annie Ferguson said.

Council proposal to transfer land Yarriambiack Shire Council is seeking community feedback on its proposal to gift the land at 2 Wood Street, Rupanyup to the State Emergency Services. Currently occupied by VICSES’s Dunmunkle unit, it has occupied the premises under tenancy arrangements, initially with Country Roads Board, VicRoads, the Shire of Dunmunkle, and most recently, Yarriambiack Shire Council. The building has been used primarily

for member training, equipment storage, and emergency response operations. As the premises are surplus to council requirements, it is proposed the asset be transferred to VICSES to manage and maintain going forward. Council is inviting feedback on the proposal via its website, or by email to info@yarriambiack.vic.gov.au or letter to PO Box 243, Warracknabeal Vic 3393. Feedback closes on January 17.

Merry Christmas!

PH: 5398 2020

Brad, Dan and the team from Krahes Pest Control would like to thank all their valued customers for their support and would like to wish them a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. www.krahespestcontrol.com.au d

Christmas & New Year Trading Hours DMD Horsham and Nhill Branch will be CLOSING AT 3PM from Wednesday 24th December to Wednesday 31st December We will be CLOSED Thursday 25th & Friday 26th December and Thursday 1st & Friday 2nd January Reopening Monday 5th January 2026 as usual NHILL 95-97 Nelson Street, Nhill (03) 53 912 106 nhill@dmdagents.com.au

HORSHAM 105 River Road , Horsham (03) 53 812 828 horsham@dmdagents.com.au

Wednesday, December 17, 2025

STAWELL Nev Routley 0428 584 333 nevilleroutley@dmdagents.com.au

www.dmdagents.com.au

Facebook @dmdnhillhorshamstawell

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Page 17

g n i ir h e We ar We are currently looking for a Store Manager to join the small team at Horsham PaintRight!

‘TIS THE SEASON

FOR

FULL-TIME POSITION Your role will include, but not be limited to: Mixing and selling paints

BEARINGS MURRAY TRUCK PARTS WISHES EVERYONE AN INCREDIBLE CHRISTMAS, AND AN EXCITING NEW YEARS CELEBRATION

STAY SAFE OVER THE HOLIDAYS, WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU IN 2026!

Serving and assisting both retail and trade customers General retail duties such as cleaning, stock maintenance, etc. Experience in retail management or with paint preferred but not essential, as on job training is provided Someone motivated to work in a small team or alone Basic computer skills required If this sounds like you, please email your resume to: horsham@paintright.com.au

5 URQUHART ST, HORSHAM

For enquiries phone 5382 4941

(south side of the overpass)

PARTS@MTPARTS.COM.AU 0447 413 928

14A Sloss St, Horsham

from your local businesses

Josh, Mark and the team would like to wish all their clients and partners and very merry Christmas, and a wonderful, safe New Year. We looking forward to seeing you all in 2026! Rick, Jen and the team at Hopper Electrics would like to thank all their valued customers for their support in 2025 and wish everyone a wonderful Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year! We are closed from Dec 24, reopening Jan 12, but we will be available for emergencies during this time on 5382 3238. Remember to turn off your Christmas lights when you're away!

5382 3238 Horsham Rural City Council wishes everyone a happy Christmas and a safe holiday period. Council Offices will be closed from 2pm on Christmas Eve until Monday, January 5, but you can still contact us on 5382 9777 or use the Council website to lodge a service request. Waste will not be collected on Christmas Day. If your waste collection day would fall on Christmas Day, put your bins out a day early.

31 Darlot Street, Horsham Ph 03 5381 1951 E advice@planrite.com.au W www.planrite.com.au

TORY, TARA, AND THE TEAM FROM

The team from Planrite Advice Group would like to wish all their clients a very happy and safe Christmas. They thank you for your support throughout the year and look forward to seeing you in the new year!

wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a safe holiday season

The Planrite office will be closing on Tuesday, December 23, returning on Monday, January 5. Best wishes!

Thank you for your support throughout 2025 and we look forward to seeing you next year! The team will be taking a break over Christmas, returning on the 5th of January

HORSHAM AUTO WRECKERS & CAR SALES Gilbert, Debbie & staff wish you a Merry Christmas and thank you for your support throughout the past year. They look forward to providing you with the same great service in the new year.

Dianne Marchment and Associates wish all their valued clients a very merry Christmas and safe New Years!

The team is closing their ofﬁce 5pm Tuesday, December 23 and re-open at 9.30am, Monday, January 19. Seasons Greetings from Dianne Marchment & Associates!

Warracknabeal | Ph: 5394 1078 | www.dmatax.com.au

WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS & A HAPPY NEW YEAR Thanks to the community for your ongoing support through 2025 and in the years to come

WEDNESDAY 24 7AM-4PM THURSDAY 25 CLOSED FRIDAY 26 8AM-LATE SATURDAY 27 8AM-LATE SUNDAY 28 8AM-LATE

MONDAY 29 8AM-4PM TUESDAY 30 8AM-4PM WEDNESDAY 31 8AM-4PM THURSDAY 1 8AM-4PM FRIDAY 2 8AM-LATE

Horsham Truck Company want to thank all our customers for their support in 2025. Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a safe, happy New Year. And to the blokes and ladies keeping the wheels turning over the holidays — stay safe, stay hydrated, and look after your mates. We’re here when you need us, only shutting the doors on the public holidays.

Merry Christmas from the team at

Page 18

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Tuesday, December 23, 2025

HORSHAM

Industrial Land For Sale • Large sized allotments 4685m2 – 11,410m2 • 3 Phase Power • Sewerage • NBN • 8mt Wide Crossovers • Zoning: Industrial 1

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Secure your site and start planning your new business location.

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RADIO REUNION: From left, David Dalkin, Ian Toull, John Tamb, Craig Huggins, Mark Girdwood, Mark Thomas and Bruce Lees.

Fond memories

he voices behind the changed face of Wimmera and Mallee radio reunited this month, reminiscing of their lived transition from sports and local announcing to broadcasting ‘nothing but hits’.

Ian Toull, general manager for about six years, said the station was in Horsham’s main street when he started in 1976. “When I got there, it was 3LK. We had six announcers in the radio station – it was a small AM station serving the Wimmera and Mallee,” he said. “Most regional radio stations today have maybe two announcers, and the rest is all network. “We were doing pretty well. On a Thursday night, we did our football show covering the Wimmera league and North Central league. “We had Robin Letts, who owned the Donald Times, do a segment that night, and we’d have people come in from Horsham to do a segment on Wimmera league.” Mr Toull said the only external voices broadcast were those reading the national news, with the staff sometimes broadcasting around the clock. “I can recall when Ash Wednesday occurred, we had the station on 24-7 because Horsham was covered in smoke from the fires from southeast, South Australia, and beyond, and we had to try and convince everybody to stay at home and not get in their cars and leave town,” he said. “The town was absolutely smothered in smoke, the Ash Wednesday fires were horrific.” Mr Toull said in the late 1970s most radio station’s transmitters were two-kilowatt, while Horsham had a five-kilowatt transmitter. “We could be heard as an AM in those days, from Bordertown all the way through to Ararat, and then at night, that used to go all over the countryside – it was amazing,” he said. “The night-time guys said they had a guy out there, halfway between Adelaide and the Nullarbor, listening to 3WM.” A move to be more progressive was made in 1977. “We decided to get rid of all racing, get rid

of the talk, and just go to music and make it a contemporary radio station, and that’s where we came up with all hit music, 3WM, and it was a whole lot of fun,” Mr Toull said. “I think the last programming to do with racing was the greyhounds on a Monday or a Tuesday night from the showground in Horsham.” Mr Toull said Colin Cameron, who owned 3WM, 3SH and 3CB, was a visionary. “He said, ‘We need to build, we need to get out of here, do it down on the river’,” Mr Toull said. “So, plans came forth, and we built that building that’s there today, and about 14 staff moved in, in 1982, it was a momentous occasion.” The 3WM building was uniquely designed to read a joined ‘W’ and ‘M’ from the air. “It was big for regional radio in many ways, 3WM was quite groundbreaking, because we converted from 3LK in Lubeck, which was where the transmitters were,” Mr Toull said. “We thought we needed to have a call sign that reflected the area we covered, which was the Wimmera Mallee.” Mr Toull went on to buy Horsham nightclub Jacades with co-manager Richard Nichols before receiving a job offer to return to radio at Bendigo and then moving to Melbourne’s 3DB and 3TT. “Little did I know, 10 years after leaving 3WM, I’d be doing the same thing in Melbourne – we made them music stations,” he said. “I retired five years ago, I did 50-odd years of radio, and was fortunately able to get out of the business on my own terms – the radio industry can be a bit cut-throat at times.” Mr Toull said he returned to Horsham occasionally, where he made lifelong friends during his radio stint. “I still enjoy going back, although some of my friends have moved on, and sadly, a couple have passed away,” he said. “But I’ve got to say, when I drive over the bridge down Stawell Road back into Horsham, and look to the left, I look at what we developed, and that it’s still very much vibrant and alive today, and I think it’s great. “I’m very proud of that. I have fond memories of the old radio station.”

SES holiday hiking caution Bushwalkers and hikers are being urged by Victoria State Emergency Service, VICSES, to know their limits and take precautions when setting out on expeditions this holiday season. People should also download the Vic Emergency mobile app and establish a watchzone for their hike location and monitor emergency broadcasters and select commercial radio stations to remain aware of any warnings in their area. Since January this year, VICSES volunteers across the state have received more than 500 requests for assistance for people lost in bushland, or to support paramedics in accessing hard-toreach patients, and have been called to more than 150 technical rescues, often supporting intricate, multi-agency rope rescues. VICSES’s 3000 volunteer hours were worked alongside other agencies, including Parks Victoria, Ambulance Victoria and Victoria Police Search and Rescue personnel. Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Parks Victoria regional director Southwest Victoria Clare Purcell said there had been an increase in assistance calls statewide. “We’re urging all hikers and bushwalkers to take extra care,” she said. “Despite increased signage, and ongoing education and patrols in high risk areas, Parks Victoria has seen a rise in injuries and rescue callouts across the state.” Ms Purcell said that nature was beautiful, but it could also be unpredictable. “A little planning and common sense can make all the difference,” she said. “With a bit of foresight, you might not need to make that call to VICSES, and everyone can enjoy a safe and memorable experience in Victoria’s great outdoors.” For VICSES emergency assistance, people can call 132 500, or call triple zero in the event of a life-threatening emergency.

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Completion & Titles expected mid-2025. Lot prices range from $565,000-$1,100,000 plus GST

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FOR SALE

Land Subdivision – Titled & ready to build Quantong – Lanes Avenue & Snowball Drive Secluded acreages with character, undulation and established remnant trees. Ideal sandy loam soils for building. All bitumen road access. Located only 10 mins from Horsham or Natimuk. Lot 1 – 4.16ha/ 10.27 acres $285,000 Lot 2 – 4.14ha/ 10.22 acres SOLD Lot 3 – 5.53ha/ 13.67 acres SOLD Lot 4 – 5.75ha/ 14.22 acres SOLD

Lot 5 – 1.90ha/ 4.70 ac $255,000 Mark Clyne M 0417 568 200

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1189 Brimpaen-Laharum Road, Brimpaen 952.05ha / 2352.56 acres Southern Wimmera Cropping/Grazing – Great opp. to secure reliable farming land all in one location in 6 titles. Well-drained with brown loam soil types & a good clover history. Exc. water assets & fencing, good 3BR home, 3-stand shearing shed, sheep yards. 40kms south of Horsham with Grampians views. PRICED @ $4,250 per acre – $9,998,380 Mark Clyne

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Degenhardt’s Road, Murtoa 148.10ha / 365.95 acres FOR SALE: By Expressions of Interest For more information call Mark Clyne 0417 568 200

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Page 19

Farm, food, wine festival

entral Highlands Growers and Producers Hub’s Forage and Feast festival will return from January 12 to February 15 next year, with hospitality businesses set to showcase the Ararat region’s food, wine and farm experiences.

Ararat Rural City Council Mayor Bob Sanders said the festival was fast becoming a fixture on the regional events calendar, drawing visitors to discover the stories behind local farm gates, cellar and kitchen doors. “Forage and Feast is about encouraging people to slow down, meet the makers, and understand just how much care goes into every bottle, loaf, and plate that comes out of our part of the world,” he said. “Events like these keep people in our region longer, support local jobs, and help our producers and hospitality operators to build longterm, sustainable businesses.” The month-long festival program will feature experiences in Ararat Rural City, including a Taste and Stay experience at Mount William Station, as well as a Black and Ginger Wines Antipasti and Vino d’Italia event. Cr Sanders said both offerings highlighted the depth of food, wine and agritourism talent across the Grampians and Central Highlands, pairing locally grown pro-

duce with the landscapes and heritage settings that made the region distinctive. He said the council was encouraging residents and visitors to explore the full program, make a weekend of it and book early to avoid missing out on the most popular sessions. “From olives to bakeries, eggs to wineries, our producers are putting Ararat Rural City on the map as a place where quality is matched by genuine country hospitality,” Cr Sanders said. “Council is proud to support opportunities that showcase local talent, attract new visitors, and strengthen partnerships with our neighbours across the Central Highlands.” The Forage and Feast festival is co-ordinated by Central Highlands Growers and Producers Hub, in partnership with councils and tourism partners across the region. While expressions of interest have officially closed, local producers are still welcome to participate. For more information, people can visit the Central Highlands Growers and Producers Hub website at www.centralhighlands growers.com.au/forageandfeast.

DONATION: GJ Gardner Homes Ararat general manager Corey Heard, right, presents a cheque to EGHS chief executive Nick Bush.

Health service benefits from program GJ Gardner Homes Ararat this month donated nearly $600 to East Grampians Health Service through its Community Growth Program. GJ Gardner Homes Ararat general manager Corey Heard presented a cheque for $570 to EGHS chief executive Nick Bush on behalf of clients Romaine and Cameron Lawrie. Mr Heard said GJ Gardner clients had an option to sign up for the Community Growth Program, nominating their pre-

ferred local club, charity, school, kindergarten or not-for-profit organisation, with GJ Gardner Homes contributing 0.1 per cent of the contract price to the nominated charity. “GJ Gardner Homes prides itself on being part of the local community and through the Community Growth Program shows its appreciation by giving back to the locals who support us,” he said. Mr Bush thanked GJ Gardner Homes

and clients Romaine and Cameron Lawrie for their generosity. “Funds donated will go towards equipment and services to benefit our patients and consumers,” he said. “We are grateful for the support of GJ Gardner Homes and their Community Growth Program. The support of our community and generosity of local businesses enables us to continue to provide quality care to our community.”

Hindmarsh extends youth council nominations Hindmarsh Shire Council has extended the nomination date for Hindmarsh Shire Youth Council 2026 until all positions are filled. People between the ages of 12 and 18 years who live, work or attend school in Hindmarsh shire and would like to make

a positive change in their community can apply. Youth council, established in May 2015, has 12 members, plus the recipient of the council’s youth of the year award. The youth council meets monthly to plan, organise and deliver activities, outdoor movie screenings, pool parties,

live music events and hands-on training opportunities. Application forms can be downloaded from the council’s website at www. hindmarsh.vic.gov.au/apply-for-youthcouncil, or at its customer service centres and libraries.

We would like to all sincerely thank r our customers fo d their support an out loyalty through 2025. We will be closing on December 19 and re-opening on January 5 Western Victorian Wholesalers | 119 Stawell Road, Horsham | (03) 5382 6886 Page 20

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CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNERS!

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and emergency call-outs through to larger residential and commercial projects, the team continues to position itself as a trusted, all-in-one solution for the region. Their commitment to quality workmanship and customer service has helped establish Laser as a first point of call across the Wimmera Mallee, backed by their strong ‘Totally Dependable’ reputation. The decision to run this promotion also reflects Laser’s ongoing focus on continuous improvement and leadership within the industry. By showcasing the depth of their services, they are reinforcing their role as industry leaders while ensuring customers understand the full scope of support available to them. It’s an approach that allows them to consistently exceed expectations, while remaining accessible, reliable and community-minded. In regional areas, community plays a vital role in the success and sustainability of local businesses. For Laser, the community is not only their customer base, but also their workforce. Maintaining strong local connections ensures they can

continue servicing the Wimmera Mallee and surrounding areas, while also creating ongoing employment and career opportunities for locals. Investing in people and skills locally is a priority that supports both the business and the wider region. Giving back is another important part of this connection. Laser actively looks for opportunities to support the community through grants, donations and local initiatives. These contributions help strengthen the towns they operate in and reflect their belief that success is shared. When the community thrives, so does the business. Ultimately, this initiative is about more than a promotion. It’s about recognising loyalty, celebrating community and reinforcing the values that have shaped Laser Plumbing, Electrical and Heating & Cooling Horsham over time. By staying connected, dependable and communityfocused, they continue to play an important role in supporting local homes, businesses and the region as a whole.

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Page 21

Northern Grampians Shire Council COMMUNITY UPDATES

COUNCIL OFFICE CLOSURE AND SUPPORT

SUMMER HOLIDAY FUN FOR EVERYONE

Customer Service offices in Stawell and St Arnaud will be closed from 12pm on Christmas Eve, Wednesday, December 24 and re-open as normal from 8.30am on Monday, January 5, 2026. There is still support available for some services or incident events during this period. Please scan the QR code above for more information. The entire team at Northern Grampians Shire Council wishes you a very Merry Christmas and safe holiday period. The past year has been a hive of activity and involved a lot of strategic and proactive planning, and we look forward to delivering on those efforts in 2026.

The summer school holidays are fast approaching and soon you will be looking for ways to keep your family entertained. Stawell Sports and Aquatic Centre, St Arnaud Swimming Pool and Northern Grampians Libraries’ Stawell and St Arnaud branches have just launched their summer events calendars. We have compiled a dedicated list of holiday activities on our website, which you can access via the QR code above or by visiting www.ngshire.vic.gov.au/Events/ All-Events-Calendar. Our pools will be a hive of activity for the kids, with activities for all ages. Highlights include pool parties, family fun days and intensive swimming programs. At our libraries, popular entertainer Suzi Sparkz will return to the region on Tuesday, January 20 - you will not want to miss her Stawell and St Arnaud performances. Both libraries have several fun activities planned, so make sure you check out the schedule and book your spots. Our libraries are participating in the Big Summer Read again this year, until January 31. Sign up at the library, start reading and go in the draw to win prizes. Our Early Years team is hosting pop-up playgroup ‘messy play’ sessions at Central Park, Stawell on January 21 and Market Square on January 23.

2026-27 BUDGET ENGAGEMENT UPDATE Residents can help influence council budget priorities for 2026/27 during a community consultation period in January. Council will release a list of year two Council Plan priorities on January 14, with feedback due by 4pm on January 28, 2026. You can scan the QR code for more details, with updates available in January.

Mental health resources: St Arnaud and district residents are set to receive a suite of easy-to-navigate mental health resources detailing where and how to access support in the region and beyond. Magnets and postcards featuring contact details for a mix of local, state, national, in-person and online services will be mailed out in January. Scan the QR code for more information.

Council meetings: Meetings will move to Tuesdays in 2026 and will continue to alternate between Stawell and St Arnaud. The first meeting will be on Tuesday, February 3 in the Council Chamber, Pleasant Creek Historic Precinct, Stawell, at 12.30pm. For a list of meeting dates, you can visit www.ngshire.vic.gov.au/Council/Council-Meetings or scan the QR code above.

ngshire.vic.gov.au Page 22

(03) 5358 8700 www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au

facebook.com/ngshire Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Services unite to spread message M

ental-health support packages are set to be delivered to households across the St Arnaud district in January.

The packages contain easy-to-navigate mentalhealth resources detailing where and how to access support in the region and beyond, including magnets and postcards featuring contact details for a mix of local, state, national, in-person and online service providers. The resources also detail the importance of seeking help early and checking in with friends and loved ones. The packages are part of a co-ordinated and targeted mental-health campaign launched by a group of stakeholders including representatives of regional health services, farmer advocacy groups, agricultural businesses, community groups and organisations, and the council. Mayor Karen Hyslop said the campaign stemmed from conversations between Victorian Farmers Federation St Arnaud branch president Colin Coates and representatives of the National Centre for Farmer Health. “Colin said these conversations highlighted growing concerns within our farming community, including that many of our community members are unsure of where to turn for support during these challenging times,” she said. “Through these conversations, it became clear that there needed to be a broader, more co-ordinated approach to communicating what support is available, along with advocating for muchneeded additional support for our community.” The council and East Wimmera Health Service staff, along with Mr Coates, hosted a stakeholder meeting in St Arnaud in August, bringing together representatives of Grampians Community Health, Driscoll Ag, O’Connors, Rural Financial Counselling Service, North West Ag and St Arnaud Lions Club, with additional stakeholders including the National Centre for Farmer Health, DEECA, St Arnaud Neighbourhood House, SCAN, St Arnaud Community Action Network, and Authentic Conversations later joining the campaign. Cr Hyslop said the region’s farmers were impacted by a range of stressful factors, including transmission lines, mining, the introduction of the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund, ongoing drought and concern about funding cuts to the National Centre for Farmer Health. “There were a lot of questions asked in re-

sponse to these issues, such as, ‘What services are available for farmers?’, ‘Are there waiting lists?’, ‘Do farmers know where to access support?’,” she said. “Everyone agreed on a community awareness campaign to provide the answers to these questions and others. “Alongside the campaign, the stakeholders will use a co-ordinated approach to advocate for additional local services on the ground to meet the growing needs of our community.” Along with the resources mailout, East Wimmera Health Service health-promotion staff have created wallet cards to be made available at key locations including health services and agricultural businesses. Stickers will be distributed through agricultural businesses and Country Fire Authority, CFA, branches for people to display in prominent places, while organisations will also create social media posts relating to the campaign. Grampians Community Health is providing an outreach worker for St Arnaud one day a week while it continues to advocate for specific funding for outreach services in the region. “The support is flexible and can be arranged to suit individual needs,” Cr Hyslop said. “People who need the service can access it in a way that suits them – whether that be online, via a phone call or by the outreach worker paying a farm visit throughout the district.” Cr Hyslop said people could contact Rochelle Walters by texting 0426 307 518 or emailing eap@gch.org.au. People need to include their name, contact number and quote ‘Farmer EAP’. “While this work is place-based and focused on St Arnaud and surrounds – as that is where we are finding the issues are compounding for farmers – Grampians Community Health has a range of counselling and support services available to communities throughout the shire,” she said. “Several agricultural businesses have agreed to send text messages out to their customers informing them of the availability of the support service.” People can visit ewhs.org.au/community/ wellbeing-support for a list of health, wellbeing and other support services. People can also follow St Arnaud-based health and wellbeing group Authentic Conversations on Facebook for updates.

FESTIVE TRADING HOURS Nathan Griggs

Whip-cracking entertainment World record whip-cracker Nathan Griggs will present an all-age, high-energy performance also packed with music and humour at Kaniva in February. West Wimmera Shire Council is bringing the performance to the town’s recreation reserve on February 4 from 6pm. Council chief executive David Bezuidenhout said it was a fantastic opportunity for the community to come together and enjoy world-class entertainment. “Griggs’ performance promises something for Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Monday, December 22 ____ 9am-5.30pm

Monday, December 29 ______ 10am-2pm

Tuesday, December 23 ____ 9am-5.30pm

Tuesday, December 30 ______ 10am-2pm

Wednesday, December 24 ____ 9am-3pm

Wednesday, December 31 ___ 10am-2pm

Thursday, December 25 _______ CLOSED

Thursday, January 1 __________ CLOSED

Friday, December 26 _________ 9am-1pm

Friday, January 2 ___________ 10am-2pm

Saturday, December 27 ______ 9am-1pm

Saturday, January 3 __________ 9am-1pm

Sunday, December 28 _________ CLOSED

Sunday, January 4 ____________ CLOSED

everyone, and it’s a great way to kick off the year with family fun,” he said. Food, drinks, and merchandise will be available for purchase. The Kaniva Cricket Club will be cooking a barbecue, and the Kaniva-Leeor United Football Netball Club will be running the bar and selling lollies at the canteen. Entry to the show is free, guests are encouraged to bring their own chair. For more information, people can contact West Wimmera Shire Council events co-ordinator Amanda Munn on 13 99 72. www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au

Page 23

s ' n o s s g Sea n i t e e r G from

WE THANK AND APPRECIATE ALL OUR FRIENDS AND LOYAL CUSTOMERS FOR SUPPORTING J&A THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

OPEN FOR BUSINESS: Stage one of the St Arnaud Swimming Pool redevelopment – which includes the upgraded kiosk area – is officially open, with stage two to begin in February. Pictured is lifeguard Keegan Amos serving a patron.

Redevelopment nears final stage

onstruction on the final stage of the $2.57-million St Arnaud Swimming Pool redevelopment is set to begin in February.

As a result, the pool’s summer season will close slightly earlier than usual to facilitate the works. Stage one, which included refurbishment of existing change rooms to include upgraded shower and toilet facilities, along with an upgraded administration, first aid and kiosk area, is already complete. Member for Ripon Martha Haylett joined Northern Grampians Shire Council leaders to officially open stage one this month. Mayor Karen Hyslop said the pool looked ‘absolutely fantastic’. “We are excited for the St Arnaud community to make the most of these new facilities,” she said. Stage two involves structural repairs to the pool, along with resurfacing and compliance upgrades. It also includes the construction of a new beach-entry ramp to improve accessibility, works to the concourse and surrounds, including additional service installation and underground investigations. The pool will close for the 2025-26 summer period at close of business on February 22 instead of mid-to-late March. “While we understand cutting the summer season a little short is not ideal, it will help ensure the entire project is finished in time for the 2026-

We wish you all a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! FROM THE TEAM AT J&A

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Page 24

27 season,” Cr Hyslop said. “The reason we did not deliver both parts at once was to avoid delays that could have resulted in the pool opening late or not at all this summer. “This project is a great win for the St Arnaud community, and council is very excited to see delivered in full.” The council awarded a tender for the project – which is funded by a $1.94-million grant from the State Government’s Regional Community Sports Infrastructure Fund and $650,000 from council – to Hydrilla Commercial Swimming Pools and Aquatics. St Arnaud residents and visitors can participate in the pool’s 2025-26 summer school holiday program, which features a range of activities including pool parties and a family fun day. People can access a copy of the program via the council’s website homepage, www.ngshire. vic.gov.au, or on the St Arnaud Swimming Pool Facebook page. Children can also further their swimming skills by participating in a five-day intensive swimming program, which is free for currently enrolled swim students and $80 for non-enrolled children. Classes run for 30 minutes and are scheduled between 2pm and 5.30pm, Monday to Friday. The pool will run two programs, from January 5 to 9, and from January 12 to 16. Spots are limited and people can call Stawell Sports and Aquatic Centre on 5358 05550 to book.

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Ararat Rural City Council is evaluating tenders for planned improvements to wastewater infrastructure at Mininera and Buangor recreation reserves. At Mininera Recreation Reserve, the council will replace an outdated effluent dam that no longer meets current environmental and publichealth requirements. The new system will be installed ahead of a planned toilet block replacement so the upgraded amenities can connect to modern, compliant wastewater infrastructure. Buangor Recreation Reserve will receive a larger commercial-grade system that brings together the existing septics servicing the new sports pavilion and the Cobb and Co venue into a single, more efficient 10,000 litre tank. The upgraded system will include digital monitoring alerts and be securely fenced, supporting safer, more reliable operation while catering for current and future use of the site. Council chief executive Tim Harrison said the

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works reflected the council’s commitment to getting the basics right in small communities. “These sorts of projects are not glamorous, but they are the foundation that allows our sporting clubs, event organisers, and community groups to get on with what they do best, which is bringing people together,” he said. “By investing in modern, fit-for-purpose wastewater systems at Mininera and Buangor, we are setting these reserves up to serve local residents and visitors well into the future.” Dr Harrison said the council looked forward to confirming the successful tenderer and moving into delivery. “Once the contract is awarded, we will be in a position to share more detail with the community about timelines and any temporary impacts on reserve users,” he said. “The end result will be more reliable, compliant infrastructure that supports the long-term use of these important community hubs.” Tuesday, December 23, 2025

New leadership...

s 2026 arrives with the quiet confidence of a fresh page, leaders everywhere are, consciously or not, rewriting their own rulebooks.

These are not resolutions about productivity hacks or sharper KPIs. They are deeper commitments, about how power is exercised, how people are treated, and what kind of legacy leadership leaves behind in times that remain complex, pressured, and unforgiving. If recent years have made one thing clear, it is this, leadership shapes culture far more than strategy ever will. Resolution 1: Be the calm, not the chaos Challenging times have a way of exposing leadership for what it truly is. In moments of uncertainty, teams look upward not for heroics, but for composure. Leaders who regulate themselves help regulate their organisations. Those who react emotionally, catastrophise, or lead through fear leave a wake of anxiety that spreads quickly. Calm leadership does not deny difficulty, it contextualises it. It allows people to focus, think clearly, and move forward together. Panic fractures trust. Steadiness builds it. Resolution 2: Choose collaboration Modern challenges are too complex for isolated decision making. Effective leaders intentionally surround themselves with collaborative stakeholders. People who will test ideas, broaden thinking, and prevent blind spots. This is not about consensus for its own sake, but about informed leadership. Toxic leadership, by contrast, hoards power and filters voices. It rewards loyalty over competence and agreement over insight. The result is predictable. Fractured working relationships, disengaged teams, and decisions made in echo chambers rather than reality. When collaboration is absent, respect erodes, and once respect is lost, it is rarely recovered. Resolution 3: Reject the combative mindset A leader who views every challenge as a fight to be won will eventually find themselves standing alone. Combative, adversarial leadership creates winners and losers inside ‘and out of’ organisations, breeding resentment, silence, and passive resistance. Over time, people stop offering ideas and start protecting themselves by moving strategically and effectively around the obstacle they face. In 2026, mature leadership means understanding that conflict can be navigated without hostility. Constructive disagreement strengthens outcomes, perpetual opposition weakens them. Leaders set the tone, either modelling respect and curiosity, or normalising negativity and division. Resolution 4: Guard against bias Perhaps the most insidious damage of toxic leadership is not always visible inside the organisation, it is felt by the community it serves. Leaders who operate from unchecked bias, personal grievance, or narrow self-interest make decisions that disproportionately harm those without a voice. When leadership becomes about ego rather than service, fairness is compromised and trust in institutions declines. Professional maturity demands self-awareness. It requires leaders to question their assumptions, seek diverse perspectives, and understand the SANTA PAWS FOR A CAUSE: Horsham Plaza, in conjunction with Your Family Vet, raised $940 through allowing people to have their dogs photographed with Santa at the plaza. The money will be distributed to rescue agencies Horsham Paws and Phoenix Animal Rescue. Pictured is Bindi with owners Josh Bull and Alicia Ryan. Tuesday, December 23, 2025

BUSINESS with Stacey Taig West Vic Business Ambassador

real world impact of their decisions. Integrity is not a slogan, it is a discipline. Resolution 5: Lead with integrity Integrity is tested most in moments of pressure. It shows in how leaders treat dissent, how they handle mistakes, and how consistently they apply standards. Toxic leadership often reveals itself through double standards, rules for some, exemptions for others, creating cynicism and moral fatigue within those who interact or work with them. In contrast, leaders who act with fairness and accountability create psychological safety. They build environments where people are willing to invest not just their skills and expertise, but their belief in the organisation’s purpose. Resolution 6: Build stronger relationships At its core, leadership is relational. When toxic leadership takes hold, relationships deteriorate, between colleagues, across teams, and with the wider community. Repairing that damage can take years, long after the leader has moved on. The leaders of 2026 must resolve to be builders, not burners. To understand that progress is collective and collaborative, respect is foundational, and positivity is not naïve, it is intentional. True leadership lifts the standard of behaviour, decision making, and discourse for everyone it touches. As we step into a new year, perhaps the most important leadership resolution is this, to wield influence responsibly – because leadership does not just determine outcomes, it shapes cultures, communities, and the trust people place in the systems meant to serve them. Leadership should come from a place of qualified and educated experience, and a sound understanding that the role they play is more than just a power play. Leadership is a privilege, not a right. Not taken lightly, not because one simply put their hand up when no one else did. It is a responsibility that is transparent in nature and on full display for everyone to see, analysis, and build their future direction upon. With this in mind, 2026 needs to be a year of change, ‘will’ be a year of change. Making this change, and our leadership focused upon building positive outcomes for the wider community is imperative to ensuring our region becomes stronger, becomes greater, whatever the challenges. Henry Kissinger said ‘the task of leadership is to take people from where they are to where they have not been’. With the Wimmera-Mallee region approaching unprecedented and unavoidable change, this seems particularly relevant. How leadership is actively employed will determine if we as a community fold, crumble, self implode, or if we unite, we build, we grow, we succeed. Here’s hoping the new year chooses the later, for everyone’s sake.

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Horsham’s Mother’s Day Classic will use a $660 Horsham Sports and Community Club grant to update event signs. MDC’s Jackie Exell said the event had evolved to include raising money for ovarian cancer research. “We now raise money for ovarian cancer research so the teal colour will be well represented.” “There’s no early detection of ovarian cancer, so all the money goes to research.” “Applying for the grant was really easy and I encourage groups to apply,” she said.

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SUNDAY 4 JANUARY, 2026 STAWELL RACECOURSE On Sunday 4 January, the Lakeside Tourist Park Halls Gap Cup is as real as it gets! There’s something for everyone with umbrella packages, live acoustic music from Aaron Murray, FREE merch packs and Kelly Sports activities for the kids, a jumping castle, water slide (weather permitting), face painting, and up-close racing action! Free Bus Transfers from Halls Gap Lakeside Tourist Park.

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Tuesday, December 23, 2025

New award honours founding chief

rampians Community Health’s values are being celebrated with a new annual award that honours the contribution, values and lasting impact of its first chief executive, Jill Miller.

NDIS support co-ordinator Rebecca Hardy is the first winner. The award is given by the GCH executive to a staff member who demonstrates the values of empowerment, professionalism, inclusiveness, compassion and courage through their actions. The award was presented by Ms Miller’s daughters, Nadya and Kristy Miller, during GCH’s annual general meeting in Stawell earlier this month. Kristy Miller said she and her sister were pleased the richness of the organisation and its people was being recognised. “This is an absolute honour,” she said. “Nadya and I are so proud that Mum’s legacy will continue through this award.” General manager health, aged and disability services Kate Astbury said Ms Hardy was a worthy inaugural winner.

CONGRATULATIONS: NDIS support co-ordinator Rebecca Hardy, centre, is the inaugural winner of a new award that honours the contribution, values and lasting impact of its first chief executive, Jill Miller. Ms Miller’s daughters Nadya Miller, left, and Kristy Miller present the award. “Jill was a fierce champion for client empowerment and inclusion and Bec lives these values daily in her work,” she said. “She is professional, compassionate and a fierce advocate for the NDIS

clients she works with. Her inclusive approach not only enriches the lives of her clients but also strengthens our workplace culture. Bec is a very humble person, which makes this recognition special for us all.”

Ms Hardy said that while she had not met Jill Miller, she was aware of her contribution to the community. “I wasn’t privileged enough to meet Jill, but I’ve heard amazing things about what an incredible woman she

was and what she did for the community and I’m honoured to receive this award,” she said. Ms Hardy also paid tribute to the current GCH teams. “You benefit from people you’re surrounded by and I’ve been lucky that the teams I work with are amazing,” she said. “The support I have received from all people in my teams and throughout the entire GCH has been fantastic.” Jill Miller, who died earlier this year, was GCH’s inaugural chief executive and dedicated 32 years to the organisation after being instrumental in its formation in 1985. Chief executive Greg Little said it was fitting that her legacy be remembered. “This award ensures Jill’s contribution to GCH and the local community will never be forgotten,” he said. “Jill’s impact is felt in every service we provide, in every life we touch and in the very spirit of GCH.” Ms Hardy will now compete for a state-wide values award that will be announced at the Alliance of Rural and Regional Community Health conference in March.

Celebrating four decades Grampians Community Health is launching a booklet to mark the organisation’s four decades of service to its community. A 44-page publication, it features 40 stories about the people, programs and clients who have contributed to and benefitted from GCH’s services throughout its 40 years. Chief executive Greg Little said the booklet, ‘Celebrating 40 Years – Stories of Community Health’ would be a keepsake to show how GCH supports the local community. “We wanted a publication that leaves a legacy so in the future, people can look back and see what Grampians Community Health did across its first 40 years,” he said. “The 40 stories paint a picture of what Grampians Community Health has meant to people over the years and show examples of what community health can do for people. “It’s a fantastic read that gives you a laugh, makes you reflect and sometimes brings a tear, but overall makes us proud of what we do.” Ms Little said GCH’s strength stems from its people and its ability to evolve. “Over its 40-year history, the organisation has never stood still,” he said.

Tuesday, December 23, 2025

“It has grown and adapted in response to changing local needs, expanding beyond its Stawell base to become a vital presence in smaller communities as well as larger town centres. “This responsiveness ensures that GCH remains connected to the people it serves.” Mr Little said everything done by GCH was reinvested back into the community. “Not every achievement over the years has been dramatic or headlinegrabbing, but each one has made a difference to someone, somewhere,” he said. GCH started with a suggestion by Stawell District Hospital Board member Graham Fuller in 1984 that Stawell needed a community health program. This led to an organisation that now helps more than 5000 people each year across the Grampians and Wimmera regions, employing more than 230 people and contributing $65-million a year to the regional economy. In November 1985, the Victorian government funded a part-time coordinator, Jill Miller, and the forerunner of GCH was born, setting up office in the old nurses’ home at

MILESTONE: Board members Patricia Flood, Phillip Sabien, chief executive Greg Little, David Baird, Claire Evans, Tom Mendes and Rhys Duncan cut a 40th birthday cake. A booklet released at the event tells some of the stories and highlights of GCH’s 40 years. 40-44 Wimmera Street, later to be known as Wimmera Street Community Centre. Following a merger with the Stawell Alcohol and Drug Dependence Association in 1987, the organisation became known as Grampians Community Health Centre Inc.

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In 2009 it was shortened to Grampians Community Health and it now has offices in Horsham, Ararat and, more recently, Nhill. GCH is one of 22 stand-alone community health services in Victoria. The history booklet was compiled by GCH’s media officer Rick Bayne and

designed by program leader quality and engagement officer Kerry Heinrich. The limited edition printed booklet is available from GCH and it is also available at gch.org.au/gchcelebrates-40-years.

Page 27

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Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Supervisors stay on N

orthern Grampians Shire Council has resolved to retain school-crossing supervisors on council-managed roads in Stawell.

Councillors made the decision at an unscheduled meeting this month. The council assumed control of school crossings at Barnes Street, servicing Stawell Primary School, and at Cooper Street, servicing Stawell West Primary School, in January last year. The decision was a temporary measure after VicRoads announced it would no longer manage school crossings located on councilmanaged roads. The council initially withdrew from providing school-crossing services in 2014, due to concerns about government cost-shifting and a lack of appropriate subsidies to fund crossing supervisors. Mayor Karen Hyslop said the Department of Transport and Planning took over the service until September 2023, when it informed the

council it would no longer provide school crossing supervisors at sites on Cooper and Barnes streets as the roads were not the department’s responsibility. “In response, council made the decision in December of that year to fund the school crossing supervisors temporarily, despite not having the forecasted budget to do so,” she said. “Council was already focused on improving road safety around both affected school sites. We have invested in safety treatments such as roundabouts, pedestrian crossings and improved car parking to ensure areas around schools are safe for children and parents, with the aim of eventually withdrawing from school crossing services.” Cr Hyslop said councillors and council staff had researched the pros and cons of withdrawing from the service, including participating in conversations with affected school leaders and community members. She said feedback highlighted risks to vulnerable children, concerns

about trucks, concerns about speed, added pressure on the education system, a lack of time to support the changeover and the need for additional infrastructure to make the roads safe. “There has been quite a bit of input from the community and school representatives and councillors have carefully considered whether or not to retain the service or continue to withdraw from the service as planned,” she said. “Despite no legal requirement obligating local governments to provide school crossing supervisors and not meeting eligibility requirements for State Government funding, council believes it is in the best interest of our children to continue to provide the crossing supervision service. “Our children are precious, and we need to do everything we can to keep them safe.” The council is in the process of completing road-safety treatments alongside the affected primary schools.

Murtoa skate park project gets wheels Murtoa’s Rabl Park skatepark upgrade project will come to fruition with $200,000 State Government funding. Yarriambiack Shire Council chief executive Tammy Smith said a consultation process had been carried out for the project, with the allocation coming from the 2025-26 State Budget. “Over the past 12 months, the council has undertaken continuous project planning and consultation

with Sport and Recreation Victoria to develop a deliverable scope for the Rabl Park skatepark upgrade project,” she said. Mrs Smith said councillors approved a project scope and preliminary plans last month. “The scope and plans address community needs, respond to the 2020 petition submitted by students from Murtoa College, comply with funding requirements, and can be delivered within the allocated budget,”

she said. The project includes the construction of a new 20 metre by 10 metre concrete slab featuring six modular skateable elements; repurposing of the existing skatepark slab to create a half-court basketball court; and completion of the concrete footpath to connect the pump track, basketball court and skatepark. “We expect to finish the project by June 30, 2026,” Mrs Smith said.

GOT YOU: Hindmarsh Mayor Ron Ismay at a colour run. Hindmarsh Shire Council supported colour runs at Rainbow, Dimboola and Nhill.

Events highlight campaign Hindmarsh Shire Council hosted a series of successful events to mark the 16 Days of Activism Against GenderBased Violence. The United Nation’s international campaign, from November 25 to December 10, aims to unite community and call for the elimination of gendered violence. A youth panel on November 26, moderated by Hindmarsh Shire youth councillors Lisa and Savior, featured a panel of representatives from Headspace, Uniting Wimmera VicTas and The Orange Door. Students in years seven to 10 from all local secondary schools were invited to participate in the day. The panel focused on anxiety man-

agement techniques, friendships, helping a friend in need, and how to contact or utilise support services. Council also hosted a series of colour runs in Rainbow, Dimboola and Nhill. The Jeparit event was cancelled due to unfavourable weather conditions. Participants enjoyed running around spraying each other and onlookers with colour and then came back together afterwards to listen to representatives from Allied Justice speak on the services they offer for people experiencing violence or other hardships. A barbecue tea was provided by volunteers, and council thanks Rainbow Lions Club, Dimboola Progress Association and Nhill Fire Brigade for their help and support.

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Council to trial Wimmera gravel H

orsham Rural City Council will further develop two potential quarry sites – just south of Mount Arapiles and another at Tooan – in an attempt to find less expensive gravel for the municipality’s roads.

Council approved the proposal at last week’s meeting, and will use $100,000 from the 202627 gravel re-sheeting budget for an initial pilot using material from the Tooan quarry site and on a trial section of road. The cost of gravel is a significant component of council’s annual road maintenance budget – using 30,000 tonnes and costing $440,000 last year – excluding carting costs. Councillors were told some of the betterquality gravel was sourced from outside the municipality, resulting in higher costs for cartage. Mayor Brian Klowss excused himself from the council chamber due to a conflict of interest. Deputy mayor Rebecca Sluggett, who took over as chair of the meeting, said council had worked on the project over the past two years. “Maintaining safe and accessible roads is extremely important for our community, as is doing all we can to ensure we are looking for ways to optimise every dollar we spend,” she said. Several landholders have contacted council to offer access to potential gravel sources on their properties. Council has previously operated a series of its own quarries, most recently the Arnotts quarry at Laharum until 2019. Works are scheduled to start early next year, once formal approvals have been completed.

“Further information on the project and its outcomes will become available during 2026, which will lead to a decision on whether to proceed with a full-scale quarry with the newly sourced material,” Cr Sluggett said. “Based on the initial assessment, the quality of material looks to be better than some other sources we are currently using, and it offers us potential cost savings as well as increased life of roads between re-sheeting, which will help make our roads budget go further.” The next proposed stages of the investigation are to excavate a series of pit tests across a larger area at both sites, to confirm the likely extent of the available resources; and extract sufficient material to sheet a pilot section of road with the chosen material to confirm its suitability in onroad trials. Council will also need to start relevant approval processes in relation to native vegetation removals – particularly at the Arapiles site; planning permits; approvals from Earth Resources for the quarrying works; and formalising access arrangements with the landowners. Infrastructure director John Martin said the landowners at both potential quarry sites had been highly cooperative in the investigations to date. In the case of the Tooan site, the operation of a quarry and subsequent rehabilitation are considered by the landowner to be beneficial to their farming operation, by improving the ability to crop the area that currently has an uneven terrain.

HORSHAM CHRISTMAS TRADING HOURS: Tue, Dec 23 ___________________ 8am-9pm Wed, Dec 24 ___________________ 8am-6pm Christmas Day___________________ CLOSED Boxing Day ___________________ 8am-9pm New Yearʼs Day ________________ 10am-5pm

NEW CATALOGUE OUT BOXING DAY

QUIET SPACE: Brodie Smith and her daughter Remi Kitcher enjoy some time reading at Ararat Library. Ararat Library, Ararat Gallery TAMA and Ararat Fitness Centre will all host summer school holiday program activities. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Affordable fun in Ararat Ararat Rural City Council is inviting families from across the region to make the most of its Summer School Holiday Program, with a full calendar of free and low-cost activities at Ararat Library, Ararat Gallery TAMA and the Ararat Fitness Centre. During January, Ararat Library will host Movie Monday screenings, giving families an easy local option to escape the heat and enjoy a relaxed afternoon together. Children can also join Play and Stay, Lego Club sessions and special kite and penguin craft workshops – all designed to encourage creativity, play and social connection. Ararat Gallery TAMA will host an NGV Kids on Tour program across multiple days in January, offering free art-based activities. The sessions bring National Gallery of Victoria-inspired projects into the local gallery, giving children a chance to experiment with new techniques, explore big ideas through art and spend time in a welcoming cultural space close to home. The council’s summer program will extend to the Ararat Fitness Centre, with a dedicated school-holiday pool party. Tuesday, December 23, 2025

The council will share details of the pool party, including date, time and ticket information, on its website and social media channels, along with updates about other Ararat Fitness Centre activities. Swim intensive programs will be at Ararat indoor pool, Willaura pool and Lake Bolac pool from January 12 to 19. Council chief executive Tim Harrison said the Summer School Holiday Program was a great opportunity for families to stay engaged and connected over the break. “Parents are always looking for free or costeffective ways to keep kids entertained during the holidays, and council’s program brings together our library, gallery, and leisure services to offer a real mix of activities,” he said. “Whether it is a movie afternoon, a hands-on art activity, or fun at the pool, we want local children to have safe, enjoyable places to spend time with friends, learn something new, and feel part of their community.” For more Summer School Holiday Program information, people can visit www.ararat.vic.gov. au, view the council’s Facebook page, or call its customer service line on 5355 0200.

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Congratulations to our

YEAR 12 STUDENTS Our 2025 VCE Dux

VCE Dux

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Sasha Woltjen

Darcy Meyer We congratulate all our Year 12 students and welcome our Year 7 students and families to follow in our senior student’s achievements

STAWELL SECONDARY COLLEGE T: (03) 5358 1700 | W: stawellsc.vic.edu.au [ PO box 202 ] 79-97 Patrick Street, Stawell, Victoria 3380 We acknowledge the Djab Wurrung and Jardwadjali people as the traditional owners of this land

s a m t s i r h C y Merr r a e Y w e N y p p a H and Thank you to our valued clients, listeners and readers for your continued support throughout 2025. We look forward to returning in 2026 to entertain, inform and educate on all things happening in our region.

CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR TRADING HOURS: The Weekly Advertiser, 3WM and MIXX FM oﬃce will be closed from Wednesday, December 24, 2025. We will re-open on Monday, January 5, 2026 from 8.30am.

The Weekly Advertiser will take a break over the Christmas / New Year period. The last edition of The Weekly Advertiser for 2025 is TUESDAY, December 23, 2025. The next edition will be Wednesday, January 14, 2026.

From the team at Page 32

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Tuesday, December 23, 2025

New model for council budget N

orthern Grampians Shire residents can help influence council budget priorities for 2026-27 during a community consultation period in January.

Residents traditionally have an opportunity to provide feedback submissions to a draft budget, however the council will adopt a new consultation model moving forward. Mayor Karen Hyslop said the council had started preparing its 2026-27 budget in accordance with a strategic direction set out in the 2025-29 Council Plan. “For our next budget, we will implement a revised approach to public consultation,” she said. “The formal submission process will concentrate on the initiatives – referred to as tasks – that council may choose to fund through the budget, which will be accessible to the public. “By introducing a more streamlined process, our community will be able to share feedback with us before we determine the budget. “The new process will begin in midJanuary, before the final budget allocation process has been done and I think this will result in a more genuine engagement process with our residents.” In January the council will release a list of year-two council plan priorities. “These will be individual tasks that councillors believe are appropriate and a logical ‘next step’ as we move forward in our fouryear council plan journey,” Cr Hyslop said. “The tasks are derived from the already published council plan material and are endorsed by council to complete by the

end of the current council term in 2029.” The council will present the tasks to the community for review on January 14, with feedback due by 4pm on January 28. “Depending on the community feedback received, council may adjust the tasks to incorporate feedback, which will be at our discretion,” Cr Hyslop said. “Once we have confirmed the tasks, council will align the 2026-27 budget to achieve these outcomes. “This shift starts with deciding what council will deliver for the community, then allocating the necessary funding and resources. “Rather than starting with the available budget and working backwards, we prioritise what matters most and commit resources accordingly.” Cr Hyslop noted the council was operating in a rate-capped environment, with its 2025-26 budget featuring a strong focus on long-term viability. “Given the rising cost of materials and inflation, along with fewer funding opportunities from state and federal governments, we are in the midst of a period of cost analysis and consolidation,” she said. “We will continue to review ways to become more cost-efficient and effective to ensure we continue to maintain quality services and assets on behalf of our community, without compromising on safety.” People can visit ngshire.vic.gov.au/ Council/Governance-and-transparency/ Council-publications/Council-Plan for a copy of the endorsed council plan. The council will provide updates and information about the process following the Christmas-New Year period.

GRATEFUL: Grampians Health continence nurse Jodi Burford and district nurse Lucy Spasic adjust the new treatment bed for patient Sheena.

New treatment beds put to use Grampians Health’s Horsham campus and Stawell Medical Centre have new treatment beds, purchased with a donation from a Ballarat company. The new fit-for-purpose beds aim to provide improved patient safety and comfort, while making the clinician’s role of adjusting the bed simpler and safer. Grampians Health complex care manager Pauline Amos said the beds were donated by Ballarat medical equipment manufacturer Alevo. “The bed in Horsham will get daily use in a variety of programs such as stomal therapy, continence care and pain management,” she said. “The previous bed used in this area had seen more than two decades of work, so it was definitely

in need of replacement, and this one is much more adjustable. “The bed features electric controls for multiple positions, so it is much easier for staff to operate, and it eliminates risk of injury from manual adjusting.” Stawell Medical Centre manager Kelly Lee said the bed was being used for a variety of purposes, but its key purpose would be for patient comfort during wound care. “The bed’s adjustable settings mean patients can sit or lie in the best possible comfort while nurses dress their wounds,” she said. “The bed is also quite manoeuvrable, so we can use it in different rooms when necessary.” Ms Amos said Grampians Health was appreciative of

Alevo’s generosity and both beds were already getting plenty of use. Alevo sales and marketing manager Jackie Haylett said her company was pleased to be able to support patient care in local communities. “We are just pleased to know that Grampians Health will be able to make good use of the beds and patients will be treated in the best of comfort,” she said. Grampians Health chief operating officer Ben Kelly also thanked Alevo for its donation. “The health needs of our ageing population are complex and changing, so having access to the latest equipment helps us to put the patient at the centre of care,” he said.

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From The Weekly Advertiser archives:

10 years ago: December 23, 2015

Brisbane-based artist Guido van Helten was working on a mural on the Brim silos, with the first stage of the project – Brim farmer Peter Martin on the left silo – almost complete. Brim Active Community Group was behind the project, supported by GrainCorp, Regional Arts Victoria, Marianne Ferguson, Yarriambiack Shire Council and Shaun Hossack from Juddy Roller. Five years ago: December 23, 2020

Wimmera-Mallee farmers were primed to finish the year on a high note – their harvest was set to contribute to a fifth consecutive year of ‘above average’ grain receivals. GrainCorp area manager Gerard Bibby said sites at Murtoa and Nhill had performed particu-larly well, with each receiving more than 150,000 tonnes. Sites at Beulah, Charlton, Donald, Hopetoun, Jeparit, Rainbow, Warrackna-beal and Wycheproof had received a combined 560,000 tonnes, with Warracknabeal receiving the most – more than 120,000 tonnes. One year ago: December 18, 2024

Horsham Skate Park’s main bowl was the focus of Blender Stu-dios’ collaboration with Horsham’s youth groups, being painted in a street art theme. The project was part of a council initiative to try to combat graffiti vandalism.

1. 2.

W hich famous scientist was born on December 25, 1642?

What year did Mariah Carey’s ‘All I Want For Christmas Is

In which country is it tradition to eat KFC for Christmas dinner?

W hat fairytale inspired the first gingerbread house?

What are the names of Santa’s reindeer?

T he idea of Santa Claus dressed in a red and white outfit started as an advertisement by what beverage company?

W hich Christmas song did Sir Paul McCartney release in 1979 as a response to the commercial success of ‘White Christmas’?

D uring World War II and the rationing of food, what did people eat instead of Christmas pudding?

In Home Alone, how many brothers does Kevin have, and what are their names? You’ come out?

10. W hich song was the Christmas number one in 1975 and again in 1991?

11. W hat are the names of the three wise men? 12. H ow many ‘las’ are after the ‘fa’ in ‘Deck the Halls’? 13. A popular dessert choice for the holiday period, what is a Croquembouche tree made of?

14. W hat do Charlie Chaplin, Dean Martin, James Brown and George Michael have in common?

Answers: 1. Isaac Newton. 2. Two – Buzz and Jeff. 3. 1994. 4. Japan. 5. Hansel and Gretel. 6. Comet, Prancer, Cupid, Dasher, Dancer, Blitzen, Donner, Vixen and Rudolph. 7. Coca-Cola. 8. ‘Wonderful Christmastime’. 9. Carrots or carrot pudding. 10. Bohemian Rhapsody. 11. Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar. 12. Eight. 13. Profiteroles. 14. They all died on Christmas Day – respectively in 1977, 1995, 2006 and 2016.

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MULTI MEDIA As part of an all-inclusive

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Death Notices

Funeral Notices

MADDERN, William Robert Lloyd

WILLIAMS (nee Macfie)

15.12.25 Dearly loved grandson of Noreen and Lloyd (dec).

~ STEWART ~

Alexander & BettyLou

Close to my heart you will always stay, Loved and remembered every day. Sending love to all the family, Nan

accommodation

The funeral of Mrs Sheila Emma Williams will be held at the Beulah Uniting Church on Wednesday December 31, 2025 after a service commencing at 11am for the Beulah Cemetery.

ABN 16 064 882 042

Animals & Accessories

Port Fairy 4-bedroom tank cleaners $5ea until sold getaway with pool table – just out Ph 0474159010 after $1500! Call Langley’s now 03 6.30pm 5568 2899 to book Budgies, including white to

W.B. Gardiner & Son

Funeral Directors Warracknabeal

0407 340 064

Animals & Accessories

Rest in peace

yellow, assorted colours $10 each Ph 0428010996 Cocker Spaniel pups for sale, purebred pups black, female

available

September,

R185238 Ph 0429912620

MADDERN, William Robert Lloyd 15.12.25 Loved nephew of Geoﬀrey and Sharon, big cousin of Kate, Alice and Jock.

Creative & igns Traditional Des

Horsham Florist 51 Roberts Ave, Horsham

www.horshamflowerdelivery.com.au

5382 1834

You had a smile for everyone, you had a heart of gold, you left behind the memories, that we will always hold.

CAMERON, Bob

The Horsham City Pipe Band extends our deepest condolences on the passing of Life Member Bob. Bob will forever remain in our hearts as a true bondsman and gentleman. Our thoughts and heartfelt wishes are with his family during this diﬃcult time.

CHARLES (nee Quickensted), Melva June 5-6-1924 to 16-12-2025

WRANS WR 2505 Passed away peacefully at Lutheran Homes Horsham. Loved mother of Pam and Ralph Kelly. Nan to Alison & Paul, Lisa & Dave. Great Nan to Chelsea, Arabella, Charlie & Miles. A long life well lived Privately interred

Tuesday, December 23, 2025

from

microchip#

978142000982266, Source#

Married at St Andrew’s Uniting Church, Horsham on January 1, 1966

Death Notices

Animals & Accessories

Our thoughts are with Kate and boys, Robert, Fleur and family. Rest in peace

Available now 3 Spoodle boys & 2 Spoodle girls are looking for their Furever Families, born on the 16th of October, raised in a loving family home with children and other dogs, cats and farm animals have had their 6 week vet check with first vaccination, microchip and have been wormed regularly, microchip# 95600019516180, 956000019521435, 956000019515465, 956000019523017, 956000019519593, source# RB265884 located just out of Stawell $3000 please call Simone on 0400035456 for more information!

Kelpie

at Ballarat, formerly of Beulah on December 19, 2025 Loved wife of Keith (dec). Loved mother & mother-inlaw of Ailsa & Peter, John & Denise, Heather & Brenton. Much loved Grandma of 6 grandchildren & 10 great grandchildren.

WILLIAMS, Sheila Emma

sandy #

26-2-1925 to 19-12-2025 Gone from our lives, but forever in our hearts. We are comforted by our special memories of you. In your life you were a strong resilient lady, who loved her family deeply. Now reunited with Keith. Loved, remembered & cherished as a special Mum, Mother-in-law, Grandma & Great Grandma of John, Denise, Chantelle, Justin, Hayley, Harlo, Aston & Lottie.

Staghound

colour,

microchip

2014 Billabong Grove 17'6 twin beds, toilet & shower, large fridge, lots of storage, stored undercover when not traveling, more extras $30,000 Purebreed Dalmation Ph 0419434790 Puppies, 12 weeks old, 1 male, 1 female, all vaccinated and microchipped, source# MB29299295301000 m i c r o c h i p # MB2929927970314, MB2929927970359 $1800each Ph Rob 0439878845 2014 Coronet prince Roosters, ducks and guinea FS2-6150, Queen bed, fowl wanted to buy Ph ensuite, full oven, microwave, 0480137184 HWS, washing machine, 3 way fridge, air conditioner, solar panel, has gas, 12 volt, 240 volt and awning $38,000 Ph 0481481902

953010007025025280,

vac x 3, basic handling, is affectionate, big, and boisterous,

POA

0428994210 The Weekly Advertiser welcomes your advertising. We are required strictly by law to include specific information on some items when publishing your adv your obligations are as follows: ANIMALS *All “for sale” or “to give away” advertisements, for either cats or dogs must include one of the following: • Individual microchip numbers • Vet certificate to exclude individual animals from needing microchips • Domestic animal-business number PLUS a source number from the Pet Exchange Register LIVESTOCK *Selling, giving away or bartering of all livestock must include a Property Identification Code (PIC number) in the advertisement.

Our professional staff will ensure your family is provided with the highest level of care available.

Ph: 5382 1149 | Email: admin@hdf.com.au

When you pre-arrange your funeral, you’re thinking of your loved ones as well as yourself.

male pup, 6.5 months old,

Funeral Directors WILLIAMS (nee Macfie), Sheila Emma

caravans

Bristlenose catfish, great

Event Services

Love and best wishes to you both on your amazing milestone!

DEADLINE 10am Tuesday before publication, this includes payment and advertisement details.

Run It Till You Sell It advertisements are subject to review after six months with a lowcost fee to continue. Only applicable for one item per advertisement. The publisher reserves the right to omit or alter any advertisement. It is the responsibility of the advertiser to notify the publisher of any errors on the first day of publication. Every care is taken to prevent errors and accidental omissions but no financial responsibility can be accepted for loss resulting from such an error or omission.

Phone 5382 1351 email: horsham@aceradio.com.au online: www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au

wedding anniversary

PAYMENT: Mastercard or Visa card payments via phone or online. Alternatively, cash or eftpos available at 2 Stawell Road, Horsham.

*The Weekly Advertiser reserves the right to accept or refuse advertisements.

When the times comes, it’s a relief to know everything has been taken care of.

The Weekly Advertiser

Pre-arrange your wishes with Trevor Bysouth & Daughter of

5381 1444 (All Hours) www.wimmerafunerals. com.au www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au

@theweeklyaddy

SquareMeater x Murray Gray, 4 yr old gray bull, 3yr old brown bull, a few cows, proven breeders, compact and muscly, commercial herd, NLIS, vaccinated, PIC# 2017 Franklin Core 22', one 3YKM L014 Ph 0428994210 owner, excellent condition, gas Warracknabeal heater, twin bunks, washing machine, $1000+ extras, caravans $59,900 Ph 0401986201 Annexe 3 sides and poles, and pole container, suits 13' awning, GC $250 Ph 5387 0522

2006 Concept Ascot 18', low kms, EC, stored under cover, lots of extras $17,000 Ph 0413445347 Black series total off road, all extras $50,000 Ph 0428788212

2007 Billabong pop-top caravan, EC, double bed, air con, 3way fridge, elec brakes, gas and elec cooking, new awning $19,500 Ph 0409182376 2012 Regent Cruiser, 18', Tare 1800kg, shower & toilet, single beds, all modern comforts, as new tyres & battery, semi-offroad, only travelled a few thousand km's, priced to sell $31,000 ono Ph 03 53870522

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 Page 43

caravans

farm machinery

for sale

marine

MOBILITY AIDS

Kayak Dragon, 3.6m, 2.5 seater, green & white, very good condition, support seats, paddles, buoyancy vests, $450 Ph 0407340345 Jayco Journey Outback, independant suspension, single beds, all Jayco features 4080B with forks and bucket, plus diesel heater, shedded GC $15,000 Ph 0419389693 &spotless $46,500 Ph 0429842224

Kimberley Off Road Kamper, genuine all Australian made in Ballina NSW $8000 Ph 0427535212 Motorhome Jayco Fiat Conquest, model FA 25.3, 4yrs old, $13,000 of extras, EC, 10,000kms $148,000 Ph 0428340802

Inter Truck C1600, 72 Butter Box model, Jonker hoist, 14', new head and radiator, front new tyres $5000 Ph 0429857207 Silyan Boom Spray, 80ft Superior Boom 3,000 + 1,000 litre tanks custom, made to suit J, C, B, Tractor $20,000, Chamberlain 30 disc plough oversize 26 inch heavy duty discs $3000 Ph 0427824233 Slasher 3PL J.Berands EP135, 4'6'' cut wheel kit as new $2300, Small Bale Pickup loader Irish $120, Hay Stack Elevator $120, PH 0427 871 404 Queen bed camper trailer, Small square bale hay stack make an offer Ph 0407179433 elevator $120 Ph 0494034244

REDUCED 1998 Cameron Canvas Camper, fully enclosed annexe, off road tires, double innerspring mattress, always stored undercover $4000ono Ph 0439553575

REDUCED Jayco Optimum 2013 motor home 28.5', 2 slides, extras inc, 400 watt solar, diesel heater, bulbar, security system, 92,000kms, $150,000 Ph 0438951101 REDUCED New Age 2013, queen bed, TV, large fridge, microwave, gas/electric hot plates, toilet, shower, washing machine, full annex, sway bars, $39,000 Ph 0427778747 REDUCED Toyota Coaster camper, 2 seater, diesel heater, 1hz motor, solar and 12v awning much more $30,000 Ph 0418325662

Clothes & Accessories

Deb Dress For Sale, Size: 10-12, worn once, excellent condition, dry cleaned, $400 Ph: 0429802767 Page 44

Motor Vehicles over $20,000

2004 Mitsubishi Magna, all wheel drive, not going, vin# 6MMTL9F424T024238, 320,000km $800 Ph 0419303839

Motor Vehicles $3000 - $10,000 15' fibreglass clinker inboard boat, no motor, make an offer Ph 0407179433 L shaped lockable 5 glass shelf display case, with 5 downlights, 500mm lockable storage at bottom, 2.125 mm x 3.180mm x 400mm wide x 2.14mm high, $6200 ono, or lay by, can be dismantled to 16' Yacht TS16 446, 2 & 6 HP a flatpack, MINERALS NOT Suzuki OB`s, 2 sets of sails, INCLUDED Ph 0428564422 Dunbier tilt trailer U58751, reg TS446 $4000 Ph 53542787 Immaculate family ski boat, 1993 Ski craft 5.6 meters, 350 Chev, regularly serviced, new gel coat, new bimini, refurbished rolco easy tow trailer, stereo system, and high pole included, boat rego CV679, trailer rego D81783 $15,900 Ph 0409180016

2007 Ford Mondeo hatchback, diesel, very good condition, 150110 Quickie electric wheelchair, kms, UPS985 $7000 Ph hardly used, EC $16,000 neg 0487313892 Ph 0429881523

Motor Vehicles $10,000 - $20,000

Motorcycles

Masseuse Therapeutic Dual-Pro massage chair, 2 yrs old, as new, cost $11,000 sell $5,000 ono Ph 0413832765 Ararat Pea straw small square bales $8 per bale, great garden mulch, pickup or delivery to Ph 0488303725 Radial arm saw bench OMGA 240v, tungsten blade, $460 Ph 0428535646 Stereo $200, Outdoor setting $150, a round table and chairs REDUCED $290, a beautiful organ paid $8000 selling for $3500, Chiffonier paid $950 selling for $350, ironing board $60, green leather couches,1 x 2 seater and 1 x 3 seater, pristine condition, paid $6500 sell for $4000, all needs to go by 27th October Ph 53824788 Toro zero turn 42 inch deck, 2 years old, just had full service with new blades, great condition, less than 15hrs use, $6000ono Ph Tim 0418258787

Stacer Aluminium boat, 3.6m boat with trailer and 9.9hp Evinrude motor, comes with 3 adult life jackets, 2 child life jackets and fish finder $1800 Ph 0417105439 Stacer Aluminium fishing boat, 25 horsepower Yamaha outboard motor, trailer & boat registered, VGC $6000 Ph 0498549832 The Weekly Advertiser welcomes your advertising. We are required strictly by law to include specific information on some items when publishing your advertisement. A snapshot of your obligations are as follows: BOATS All advertisements for boats must include: • Hull number or registration number of the boat If a trailer is included with the boat, the advertisement must also include: • Registration number or chassis number of the trailer.

2004 Harley Davidson Heritage softail, screaming eagle pipes saddle bags, great condition, 25xxxkms, $17,000 Ph 0409406366 Stawell

Motor Vehicle Accessories

PROMOTE YOUR

HERE!

Only $52.25 Includes a notice like this PLUS mentions on the radio!

personals REDUCED Commodore VS 49 year old separated/single Series 2 Ute, auto, very good true gentleman bloke from order, 139,000kms, OFF349 Horsham who likes reading, $9,500 Ph 0427894200 music, occasionally going out for dinner then next the movies Motor Vehicles or watching movies at home, over $20,000 fishing and camping, walking and swimming, looking for 48+ old lady for serious relationship Ph 0491230835

Trades & Services

Keyte's mowing service, lawn mowing, lawn aeration 2014 Isuzu D-Max, 5 speed, (coring), block slashing, auto, 3.0lt turbo diesel, general pruning Ph 53826461 4x2, Tommy Gate loader or 0429309491 460kgs, RWC, reg til 19/1/26, 285,658kms, 1DQ6HB Wanted $23,990 Ph 0466375088 2018 Toyota Landcruiser Care for 12 year old female 2011 Honda 750 Shadow Prado GXL, auto, 4x4, greyhound, odd times, some Shaft, as new cond, reg EC, 1LZ3FW, 190,000kms overnight Ph 0427864628 til 2/26, spares inc some $39,500 Ph 0431603221 new, 27,700kms $5250 Ph 2022 Nissan Navara cab Real Estate 0488023477 chassis, 4 by 2, turbo diesel, 7 speed auto, RWC supplied, bullbar, driving lights and towbar, extended warranty, 65,100kms, $29,000 Ph 0429942637

2018 KTM 65, 2nd owner, powerful little motorbike, ready to go! $3200 ono Ph 0447316525

garage sales

REDUCED 1988 BMW 320i convertible, 6cyl.5sp manual, recently unregistered, always serviced and undercover, original paint, drives beautifully, extras, engine# 206KA25194243, 240,000kms $18,000 non-negotiable Ph 0438297899

REDUCED Nissan Navara ST 4x2 2018, automatic diesel, white color, very good condition, engine 2.3L 4Cyl, service car at 121,654km, canopy , front bar sport, one new tyre, towbar, one owner, registered till 28 June 2026 in Vic, 1PR4MJ, 150,500km Holden Trax 2016 auto, $21,500 Ph 0434282826 excellent condition, RWC, Toyota Troopcarrier, 2005 Sweetrich I-FOLD Carbon 1GY7EC, 70,720kms $11,000 1HZ, 3 seat, cruise control, lightweight power + Gst Ph 0439975206 diff locks, winch, bullbar, LED wheelchair, less than six spotlights, twin batteries, solar months old, very little use panel, drawers/shelves, 16" excellent condition $2500 sunraysias, one owner since Phone 0437899398 new, 1RY5UP, 296,000kms $38,000ono Ph 0427790754

for sale 2 swags $300 total, health sauna $4000, electric boat motor $200, taking best offers on: igloo tent, train set and antique wooden table Ph 0429948774 20ft shipping container, $3500 ono Ph 0407285097 6x4 trailer with cage, $900 ono Ph 0407285097 7x4 tool trailer, $3500 ono Ph 0407285097 Bath Cast Iron, EC Pale Pink $200 Ph 53826461 or 0429 309 491 Bikes one ladys one mans, good order, $170 each ono Ph 0429820692 Brick pavers, H shaped, beige colour, 1600 $800 Ph 0459027575 Stawell Camper Trailer, all excellent condition $1500 Ph 0478254195 CCE cage on wheels 6x4 well made $400 ono, 500 gallon ex fuel tank $100 ono, Coolgardie safe $100 ono, Ute crate, 6x4 tub tight $50 ono, Bailey extension ladder 5.3 extends to 6.3 $500 ono, new Holland Mower GC with parts, 44g drums ideal for grain feeding cattle, best offer Ph 0429857207 Flat deck tandem trailer, 4.2m x 2.3m, $4500 onoPh 0407285097 FOR SALE Teak TV Cabinet 2 shelves 2 glass doors at bottom, 151H x 104W x 700 as new $60. Outdoor setting laminex oval table 4 chairs washable cushions $90, Bird bath large $60, large towing mirrors $40. Ph 0409967815, Pick Up Horsham. Fresh Farm eggs! $5 a dozen Ph 0423182267 Industrial Extensions Ladder (Gorilla), closed 3.7 EXT 8.5 $475, Ph 53826461 or 0429 309 491

Motor Vehicles under $3000

For sale and removal, Nissan Navara 2004 ute, front wheel and passenger door damaged, engine gearbox diff tray ok $1000 Ph Jill 0488570250 leave message. Reduced alloy nudge bar, will suit Land Cruiser Prado 150 Series, $125 Ph 53569340 or 0412482521 Landsborough

www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au

The Weekly Advertiser welcomes your advertising. We are required strictly by law to include specific information on some items when publishing your advertisement. A snapshot of your obligations are as follows: ROAD VEHICLES All advertisements for road vehicles must include a price, as well as: • A registration number, if registered • Either an engine number, VIN or chassis number if the vehicle is not registered.

Wanted Land to share-farm or lease anywhere south of Horsham and accross to the Grampians, from 50 to 600 acres, cropping country preferred Ph Roger Hallam at Mockinya 0418822700 Wanted, Billy Goat service for 2 milking goats Ph 53840253

Work Wanted Help Wanted, Spring/ House cleaning, located in Warracknabeal, price and time negotiable Ph 0435592080 Tuesday. December 23, 2025

PUBLIC NOTICES

New Year’s Eve

St Paul VI Catholic Parish Wimmera-Mallee

Mental health contacts

Ballroom Dance

Dimboola Natimuk Lutheran Parish

Lifeline �� 13 11 14 1800Respect �� 1800 737 732 MensLine �� 1300 789 978 Suicide Callback Service �� 1300 659 467 Beyond Blue �� 1300 224 636 Kids Helpline �� 1800 55 1800 Headspace �� 1800 650 890 Mental Health Access Line �� 1800 011 511 13YARN Crisis Line �� 13 96 76

Hamilton Lamb Memorial Hall, Kalkee Rd, Horsham Wed December 31 - 8pm $5 Admission

Christmas Eve Carol Services

Plate of supper to share

Goroke 7.30pm LR Natimuk 7.30pm LR Vectis 7.30pm LR Dimboola 7.30pm LR

Christmas Mass Times 2025

Beattie’s CDs!

Vectis: 9.00am LR

All Welcome

Have a Safe and Merry Christmas!

PUBLIC NOTICES

Christmas Day Mass Horsham - 9am Hopetoun - 9am

Need help spreading the word?

@theweeklyaddy

The Weekly Advertiser

CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR TRADING HOURS: The Weekly Advertiser, 3WM and MIXX FM oﬃce will be closed from Wednesday, December 24, 2025. We will re-open on Monday, January 5, 2026 from 8.30am.

Christmas Day

Christmas Eve Vigil Mass Murtoa - 5:30pm Nhill - 6pm Horsham - 7pm Carols, prior to 7:30pm Vigil Mass Warracknabeal - 8.30pm

Black Dog Institute www.blackdoginstitute.org.au Suicide & Mental Illness www.mindframe.org.au Indigenous supports www.wellmob.org.au

PUBLIC NOTICES

Call The Weekly Advertiser on 03 5382 1351 or email

www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au

weeklyadvertiser@team.aceradio.com.au

“ I NEVER THOUGHT I’D BE HOMELESS.”

Situations Vacant

That’s the unimaginable reality Megan* and countless other Aussies are living right now. In fact, for every person experiencing homelessness you can see, there are 13 more you can’t. Together we can help stop the rise in homelessness.

Visit salvationarmy.org.au or scan the QR code

Administration Support / Works Coordinator Immediate Start | Applications close 16/01/2026 Unless ﬁlled prior | Full-time

*Name changed for privacy

horsham@ontgroup.com.au

Laser Plumbing, Electrical, Heating & Cooling Horsham is looking for an enthusiastic team player to join our administration teams as a Works Coordinator. This varied, fast-paced position suits someone who enjoys coordinating tasks, supporting ﬁeld teams, delivering great customer service and keeping operations running smoothly. Full on the job training is provided, offering a strong opportunity to develop your skills in operations and coordination. Key Responsibilities • Coordinate and schedule daily maintenance jobs • Manage incoming calls, emails, and customer enquiries • Prepare job ﬁles, quotes, work orders, and invoices • Assist with tracking job progress, parts orders, and technician notes • Support compliance documentation, safety processes, and reporting What We’re looking For

Situations Vacant horsham@ontgroup.com.au

www.ontgroup.com.au

LOOKING FOR SOME EXTRA CASH?

DUE TO COMPANY GROWTH WE HAVE MULTIPLE VACANCIES FOR HC & MC DRIVERS Christian Devotion Evil at it’s Worst Australia seems to be losing the battle against the rise in Neo Nazi ideologies. Years ago, I visited Dachau Concentration Camp, a death camp run by the Nazi regime. In it there is a poignant memorial with the simple words “Never Again”. Yet here we are. Perhaps the rise of Neo Nazi sympathy in Australia is being fed by the state led, permission giving, immigration ‘cleansing’ currently taking place in the ‘Home of the Free’! The coming of the Wise Men to worship the baby Jesus is symbolic on so many levels. Firstly, they practiced an alternative religion, scanning the stars for spiritual cues, secondly, they were noblemen (as evidenced by their lavish gifts), but more interested in truth than politics. But finally, they were foreigners, indicating that this event they were to witness was of global significance. Let me pick this last point up. When Jesus came to the world, he came for the world! It staggers me that we can so readily judge people by the colour of their skin, or the language they speak. It is unworthy of a modern democracy to do so. In the Kingdom of God, all are welcome. Jesus said 29 People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God is a prejudice free zone! Dave Tolputt - Ararat Life Links Church of Christ

Tuesday, December 23, 2025

WE HAVE NEWSPAPER DELIVERY POSITIONS AVAILABLE ASK ABOUT OUR NEW PAYMENT RATES!

in Warracknabeal, Horsham, Stawell, Ararat, Murtoa & Dimboola

To find out more contact S hannon: email horsham.distribution@gmail.com or phone/text 0438 064 269

www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au

• Strong organisational and multitasking abilities • Excellent communication and customer service skills • Confidence working in a busy office with moving priorities • Competence with computer systems • Ability to work independently and as part of a team • Positive attitude, reliability, and willingness to learn For the full job description or more information please call the office on (03) 5382 1375 or Email your resume to: hrwhs.horsham@laserelectrical.com.au

Plumbing, Electrical, Heating & Cooling

Laser Horsham 89 Plumpton Road, Horsham Phone: 03 5382 1375 horsham@laserelectrical.com.au Plumbing Lic: 23112 REC: 14579 ARC: 26861

Catalogue distributors wanted

• Horsham

• Stawell • Ararat Weekly pay Smartphone required ivehub.com.au Page 45

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Weekdays from 6am

SANTA DAY RACES: Despite a wet start to Sunday’s MIXX FM Santa Day Races, a large crowd gathered for the annual Horsham event. Pictured enjoying the festivities are, clockwise from above: Asha Ellis, Indi Walker and Jordyn Fleay; Ben Janetzki, Matt Tracey and Riley Williams; Annabelle Walker, Imani Baker and Poppy Murray; Green Park Lions members Wayne Lentsment, Mark Maltry and Colin Henderson; Danielle Musgrave with Anakin, Ayla and Keely Musgrave and Cooper Carrigg; Tami Lane, Siobhan Delaney and Bec Bull; Geoff and Jenny Ough; and Gary McIntyre, Paul Johnson, Edward Johnson, Carlo Sordello, Terry Sartori, Bernard Kennedy, Hans Schampers and Jeff Milton. Pictures: BRONWYN HASTINGS Page 46

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Tuesday, December 23, 2025

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The Morning Crew Weekdays from 6am to 9am

Growing gap in top-tier BY COLIN MacGILLIVRAY

hree A Grade teams completed outright wins as the final round of Horsham Cricket Association action before the break highlighted a growing gap between the upper-echelon team and the chasing pack.

Round eight’s two-day matches concluded on Saturday, with ladder leader Laharum and third-placed NoradjuhaToolondo each winning by an innings plus in their respective matches. Laharum’s bowling attack made short work of the Horsham Tigers at Sunnyside Recreation Reserve, with the Tigers resuming at 4-19 in pursuit of the Demons’ first-innings total of 222. Grant Connelly, 22, and Marty Knight, with an unbeaten 24, were the only Tigers to reach double-digit totals as Laharum skipper Josh Mahoney claimed four wickets in the span of 26 balls to help bowl the home side out for 84. With a first-innings lead of 138, Laharum enforced a follow-on, sending the Tigers back to the crease. Knight was moved up the order to open the batting alongside Brenton Hallam, and the pair put on an opening stand of 23 before things went awry. Demon bowler Jim McInnes struck in back-to-back overs to remove both openers, with the Tigers shifting into survival mode thereafter. Gavin Brown, Martin Jones, Tyler Puls, Callum Jackson, Archie Knight and Joel Plazzer collectively made 19 runs at a strike rate of only 17 as they sought simply to last at the crease, but the bowling of Joel Pymer, who finished with 4-21, Mahoney, 2-20, and Chaminda Gamage, 2-30, brought them undone. David Puls’ unbeaten 28 in the lower order was not enough to prevent his side from being bowled out for 98, handing Laharum maximum points with a win by an innings and 40 runs. Noradjuha-Toolondo also needed to bat only once, wrapping up a win by an innings and 62 runs against Lubeck-Murtoa at Horsham City Oval. The Bullants had already secured first-innings points on day one of the match and had the Mudlarks in trouble at 4-20 when play resumed on

Saturday. Matt Combe quickly ended any hope the Mudlarks harboured of making the home side bat again by picking up three wickets in his first four overs, with the day’s play lasting less than 16 overs. Only Blake Turner, with an unbeaten 38, was able to resist the Bullant attack as Combe finished with 5-30 from 10 overs to go with his two wickets from the first innings. While Swifts-Great Western was required to bat a second time in its match against St Mary’s, the Lions needed less than three overs to secure an outright win. The Lions resumed at 3-114 – already with a first-innings lead of 35 – and built on it without loss. Max McMahon, 68 not out, and Jesse Eckel, 62 not out, each scored at better than a run a ball as skipper Aiden Graveson declared at 3-221. The Saints had a better showing in their second dig, reaching a total of 163 as Brodie Dennes made 43 in an innings that included three sixes and two fours. But Swifts-Great Western’s Zach Marrow proved irresistible, picking up 6-68 in 17 overs of work to complete an outstanding 10-wicket haul for the match. Set a victory target of only 22 runs, the Lions reached it inside three overs as opener Jacob Dunn hit a four and a six from seven balls faced. Reigning one-day premier West Wimmera had to settle for first-innings points against Donald-Jeffcott at Nhill’s Davis Park. The Warriors had already surpassed the DJ side’s first-innings total of 81 when play resumed, and declared without loss at 158 after opener Brad Alexander brought up a well-earned century. With an advantage of 77 runs, the Warriors pressed to dismiss the DJ crew for a second time, but the visitors dug in and refused to go quietly. While Dylan Ruurds, 22, and Thomas Reekie, 26, were the only batsmen to surpass 20 runs, Donald-Jeffcott soaked up 49 overs to bat out the day at 8-119. Not even Nathan Alexander’s brilliance, with 6-26 from 19 overs, was enough to dismiss the visitors. The Colts’ mid-season revival continued at Dudley Cornell Park in the

SOLID: Laharum skipper Josh Mahoney claimed four wickets in the span of 26 balls to help bowl Horsham Tigers out for 84. Picture: KAREN REES final match of the round, with the home side surviving a determined second-innings fightback from BrimKellalac-Sheep Hills. The Colts, with four wickets to Josh Colbert and three to Jake Mclean, bowled the visiting Eagles out for 91 when play resumed, giving themselves a first-innings lead of 11 runs. But while the home side started its second innings brightly, with opener Dylan Arnott making 26, the Eagles’ attack began to cause problems. Charlie Dean picked up 3-13 while three other Eagles had two wickets each as the Colts were all out for 90, giving the visitors 10 overs in which to come up with a winning total of 102. The Eagles gave it their best shot, with Isaac McPherson smashing 46 runs from 31 deliveries to give his side hope before time ran out on the visitors, who were still 24 runs short of victory at 6-78 at the close of play. The competition’s top teams appear evenly poised entering the mid-season break, with little separating top five sides Laharum, West Wimmera, Noradjuha-Toolondo, Swifts-Great Western and Donald-Jeffcott, while Brim-

Kellalac-Sheep Hills and Colts have also kept themselves in the finals race.

Other grades

The B Grade finals race appears similarly tight after Noradjuha-Toolondo skipper John Heard’s unbeaten 120 with the bat and six-wicket haul with the ball, along with Kent Hair’s 80 at the top of the order, powering his side to an innings-and-231-run demolition of Brim-Kellalac-Sheep Hills. The result put the Bullants firmly among the finals mix, with top side Horsham Saints suffering its first loss of the season at the hands of RupMinyip, thanks largely to 61 runs from Panther batsman Ryder Hudson, overcoming the work of Saint bowler Pradesh Venu Kudililparambil, who took five wickets. Other noteworthy performances from round eight included Colt Beau Purchase’s 108 against West Wimmera and Warrior Liam Preston’s fivewicket innings in the same match; Dale Dridan’s seven wickets across two innings for Horsham Tigers against St Mary’s; and Swifts-Great Western bowler Emmanuel Kuriayan Joseph’s 6-21 in an innings-and-sixrun win against Donald-Jeffcott.

Treat for racegoers at Nhill

Organisers of Boxing Day’s Nhill Cup are buoyant, with the weather gods seemingly smiling on this year’s event. The cup was postponed amid extreme heat last year, but Wimmera Racing Club manager Penny Penfold said forecasted conditions were ideal for the cup on Friday. “We’re thrilled with the forecast for this year because – and last year was a good example of this – it can be affected by the weather, particularly if there is extreme heat,” she said. “We’re pleased that it’s going to be a nice, mid-20s temperature, which will be perfect. “We’ve got seven local races, we’ve got plenty of entertainment and activities ready for racegoers, live music – we’re just looking forward to a great day.” Ms Penfold said while fields for the cup would not be finalised until this afternoon, nominations had been strong, as had early ticket sales. “We’ve got a nice number of marquees and umbrella packages booked, which is wonderful,” she said. “It’s generally a pretty big general admission day as well, so everyone who’s home visiting family and friends over the Christmas period tends to come out to the Boxing Day races to have a good time and catch up with all the locals. “In a good year we usually hope to get around 1600 to 1800 there, and I think we’re on target to be around those numbers this year, which will be good for the club.” Nhill and District Racing Club has organised a courtesy bus to ferry patrons between the racecourse and the Farmers Arms Hotel from noon to 3pm and again at the conclusion of the races. With Horsham band HeadRush playing live music following the races until 7.30pm and the popular fashions on the field competition returning, Ms Penfold said there was plenty to keep patrons entertained. People can book tickets and find more information online by visiting country.racing.com/nhill/calendar/nhill-cup.

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s we head into the holiday period and take a well-earned break from what has been another big year for Volleyball Horsham, it is opportune to reflect on what has made this year so great and look forward to what members can expect in 2026.

To do so, I have chosen my top 10 moments from the 2025 year. 1. Volleyball Horsham’s 30th anniversary Horsham Tournament. A huge risk was taken to make our tournament invitation only as an open-entry process can be unpredictable. In previous years a rogue element had caused trouble for us, disrespecting our event and the spirit in which it had always been played. So by making it invitation only, we were able to bypass this rogue element and only have teams/ clubs that wanted to play and understood fully what the Horsham Tournament has been all about. To get 52 entries and have to close off entries five weeks out from the event underlined exactly the importance teams and clubs put on participating in what has become one of the must-attend tournaments on the annual calendar. 2. Vice-president Matt McLoughlin put forward an idea on how best we could give our junior members their own time in the sun and Big Smash ’25 was instituted. A one-day event played under lightning-spike conditions, with players drafted into teams to ensure a degree of equality, the event attracted 57 registrations, which helped to form eight teams, and a great day of junior volleyball was the outstanding result. 3. A 12-month plan to redeem the team’s efforts from 2024 came off when Volleyball Horsham’s year-nine girls won division one at the Volleyball Victoria Junior Open. The team came runner-up the year before and vowed they would go one better in 2025. That is exactly what they did, going through the tournament undefeated in six games, dropping only

BREAKING BARRIERS: Kara Johnson achieved a 500-game milestone this year. She is pictured with Jack Hannan, Noah Werry and Tyler Puls earlier this year. one set and defeating Monbulk in straight sets to claim a welldeserved gold medal. 4. You won’t see too many players in any sport break through the 500-game barrier, so when that barrier is broken it deserves to be recognised. Kara Johnson has been a member of Volleyball Horsham for 17 years and has fought back from so much adversity to reach the 500-game milestone, at the same time becoming the first female in Volleyball Horsham history to do so. 5. Hot on Johnson’s heels was veteran Tim Popple, who also had his fair share of adversity during his volleyball journey, but to see him back playing again with a smile on his face, underlines to me just how important volleyball is to so many people. Popple started his career in 1996 and is the third player to reach the 500game milestone. 6. We have been watching from afar for many years the work of the Victorian public to raise money for the Royal Children’s Hospital Appeal, and in 2025 we thought it was time Volleyball Horsham contributed, especially as so many of our members are parents now. A Lightning Spike

was arranged with division one and two teams to try and reach out to as many members as possible. That was easily achieved, with a team even coming up from Warrnambool to participate. With tins rattling, canteens running and a market stall, more than $2000 was raised, in a promising firstup effort that will be challenged again next year in an event that will more than likely become a staple on the volleyball calendar. 7. Harry’s Match VII again showed how important shining a light on men’s mental health is. When you have participants leaving work early to play and mates coming from across the state answering the call, it goes to show just how important it is to keep the flame burning when to comes to remembering a mate. Raising more than $2000 for Beyond Blue is a positive outcome for a volleyball match that is becoming an important part of the Volleyball Horsham annual tournament. 8. Participating at country championships is what Volleyball Horsham places great importance on for all our members, both senior and junior, and to win a gold medal is great reward for hard work. When our under-15

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girls defeated Macedon Ranges to win gold, it capped off a great 2025 country championships for Volleyball Horsham, as it followed silver by our senior women, bronze by our under-19 girls and bronze by our under-17 girls. 9. All Star Seven selections are the individual rewards for a great country championships and to have Kara Johnson, Sophie Quick and James Johns at senior level getting recognised was fitting for those individuals. Then to have Paige Hemley, Clare Whyte, James Johns, Fletcher Hawken, Malakai Van Buuren, Bonnie Grieger, Gurshaan Marwaha, Roan Prasad, Maci James and Stella Angue recognised at junior level was just reward. Laelah Robertson and Rachel Reichelt were also recognised for their outstanding efforts as referees. 10. The year finished with 298 registered members, which keeps Volleyball Horsham in the top three across regional Victoria. Thanks to everyone who made the year as great as it was and we look forward to 2026 as we celebrate our 50th anniversary. Merry Christmas and happy new year to all our members, their families and friends.

Horsham Table Tennis Association members are already looking ahead to next season after concluding 2025 with presentations to winners and club champions. Participants in the association’s Access All Abilities program celebrated the culmination of their season with a tournament followed by a barbecue lunch in the clubroom’s gardens, with each competitor receiving a certificate and a ribbon. Tournament winners received sashes and trophies, with trophies also presented to the runners-up, while individual members were acknowledged with prizes for their contributions or improvements in each of the grades. Committee members reported being ‘blown away’ by the support and donations from businesses, club members and friends. “There was certainly no shortage of food choices, and no-one went home hungry,” club president Leon Forrest said. Participants were predominantly from Horsham and Warracknabeal, but Tom Leembruggen and his parents travelled from Port Fairy for the day, with his parents reporting there was ‘no way’ he would miss the opportunity to catch up with friends. The club’s winter and spring competitions saw rising stars cause upsets, and Mr Forrest said he was most impressed with the improvement of players. “We regularly have people join who hadn’t played competition table tennis since they were kids, or those who had social hits with their friends,” he said. “This year, the B Grade competition and closed tournament was dominated by Lachie King, who hadn’t played since he was a kid about 15 years ago. “His tennis background and good eye-hand co-ordination certainly helped kick in his skills very quickly, and he is a great asset to the club given his friendliness and cheeky personality.” Horsham also hosted Naracoorte in an inter-regional competition and won on rubbers. Mr Forrest said the club welcomed new members irrespective of age or ability, with people unable to commit to a team due to work, family or other commitments able to register as fill-in players. People interested in participating, either socially or in a team, can visit the club’s Facebook page or call Leon Forrest on 0419 419 919 for more information. The club’s winter competition starts in April, with bats available for anyone requiring one. The winners were – Closed championships: A Grade, Rhys Hermans; A restricted, Mahbub Sayed; A doubles, Trevor Niblett and Mahbub Sayed; B Grade, Lachie King; B restricted, Lachie King; B doubles, Lachie King and Rocky Rahman. Winter competition: A Grade, Leon Forrest and Daryl Sinclair; B Grade, Jodie Morrow, Lachie King and Paul Paterson. Spring competition: A-B combined, Trevor Niblett, Jodie Morrow, Spencer Campbell and Neil O’Connor. Access All Abilities Kerry Tepper Tournament: A Grade, Andrew Lang; B Grade, Jaden Dumesny.

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Price relishing fresh start Final call for BY COLIN MacGILLIVRAY

nominations

Price had long been affiliated with Horsham Little Athletics Centre but said he had considered a step back from coaching this year before Stawell talked him into a move. Now, alongside former decathlete Greg Carter, Price said he was feeling re-energised at a new home. “I was going to give it up, but Stawell talked me into coming down there and it’s been great so far,” he said. “Coaching with Greg Carter has been good. He used to do the decathlon years ago and he really knows what he’s on about. “It’s been a positive move, for sure.” Price said the importance of athletics in Stawell was highlighted by the centre’s growth in recent years. “I think the Stawell club has about 100 kids now, and it’s risen from about 50 three years ago, so they’re doing quite well,” he said. “They’re building it up, and hopefully it keeps building. “Really, when you look at it,

The Wimmera Regional Sports Assembly is calling for final nominations ahead of February’s Wimmera Sports Star of the Year Awards. The awards celebrate athletes, coaches, volunteers and clubs who highlight the region’s sporting talent, passion and dedication. Nominations can recognise sporting achievements at local, state and national levels, as well as celebrating community volunteers who work behind the scenes and emerging young athletes. Nominations are open until December 31, with award finalists set to be named in early 2026 and the winners announced at a gala dinner at Horsham Town Hall on Friday, February 13. Anyone including team-mates, friends or family members are able to nominate a person they believe is deserving of recognition across award categories including: sports star of the year, administrator or official of the year, all-abilities local athlete sports star, all-abilities national athlete sports star, club of the year, coach of the year, grassroots contribution by a former Wimmera athlete, Indigenous sports star, youth athlete of the year, school of the year, sportsmanship award/spirit of the community, team of the year, unsung hero of the year, valued volunteer of the year, veteran of the year and a women in sport award. Last year’s winners included water skier Peter Smith, who won sports star of the year for his success at world championships; Laharum A Grade netball side, which won team of the year for an undefeated premiership campaign; Volleyball Horsham, club of the year for its growth, community impact and junior development; and cyclist Tim Decker, who took home the grassroots award for coaching Australia’s Olympic gold-winning team. People can make a nomination online by visiting wrsa. org.au/sports-star or call 5382 4599 or email tonyc@ wrsa.org.au for more information.

ong-time Wimmera athletics coach Ricky Price is relishing a fresh start at Stawell Little Athletics Centre this year.

POSITIVE MOVE: Ricky Price is enjoying coaching athletes at Stawell Little Athletics Centre after joining the centre this year. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER Stawell is the athletics centre of the Wimmera with the Stawell Gift.” Price said the Stawell club had other advantages, including the region’s only synthetic running track. After coming from the Horsham centre, where members train on a grass surface at Dudley Cornell Park, Price said he encouraged Stawell athletes to make the most of their facilities. “When you’ve got a synthetic

track like they’ve got, a lot of people just take it for granted, and some of the kids don’t realise that other clubs don’t have one,” he said. “I noticed that a few years ago when some of the kids were surprised to find out we were running on grass at Horsham.” Price said he and Carter were firmly focused on development – both of the centre’s athletes and themselves. “We do varied events, and we

try to coach the events where the older kids are competing as well to help them out, instead of just having them compete and they learn nothing,” he said. “With the kids it’s just about improving – learning how to get better and learning how to compete. “Even for me, learning how to coach at training and at competition is something I’ve had to learn too.”

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Turgoose to chair Wimmera board B

BY LAUREN HENRY

art Turgoose will be chairman of the Wimmera Football Netball League in 2026 following the appointment of a newly formed board.

Mr Turgoose took over as acting chairman at the start of the 2025 finals series after Billy Ballagh quit, effective immediately. The league faced a challenging end to the 2025 season, notably a scoring discrepancy in an A Grade elimination final, and then the investigation into Ararat senior football coach Tom Williamson after he was reported for vilification in an semi-final against Southern Mallee Thunder.

At 21 years old, Mr Turgoose is the youngest ever board chair in the history of the WFNL. He will lead the new board, which consists of treasurer Neil King; secretary Diedre Harrington; and board members David Johns, John Haughton, Justin Knorpp, Amanda King and Luke Hutchinson. Mr Turgoose said his appointment marked a new chapter for the league as it continued to deliver premier football and netball competition across the region. With more than three years’ experience serving on the WFNL board, Mr Turgoose expressed his enthusiasm for the role ahead. “I am honoured to be elected chair-

man of the Wimmera Football Netball League,” he said. “I want to thank all the board members I’ve had the privilege of serving alongside over the past three and a half years. “Their expertise and passion for our competitions have been uplifting. “I would like to say a massive thanks to the outgoing board members this year, Jodie Hendy, Toni Stewart, Billy Ballagh and Peter ‘Hec’ Hamilton.” Mr Turgoose also thanked past leaders of the WFNL. “I must particularly acknowledge the outstanding leadership of Billy Ballagh and Pauline Butler, the two chairs I’ve served under,” he said. “Their guidance has been invalu-

able, and they have left the league in an incredibly strong position. “This board comprises outstanding individuals who are committed to the future of football and netball in the Wimmera. “I’m excited to work collaboratively with each of them as we navigate the opportunities and challenges ahead. “As we look toward the 2026 season, I am committed to continuing to support the highest quality of football and netball in our region. “Our clubs, players, volunteers and communities deserve nothing less.” The WFNL board will commence its duties immediately, with preparations already underway for the 2026 season, which starts with a Good Friday

match between Stawell and Ararat on April 3. The remainder of teams play round one on April 11, with Horsham Saints hosting Warrack Eagles; Minyip-Murtoa playing Horsham Demons; Nhill taking on Southern Mallee Thunder; while Dimboola has a bye.

HDFNL board

The Horsham District Football Netball League announced its board with Steve Hoffman again elected chairman. Other appointments for the 2026 season are deputy chairman Ben Tait, treasurer Kim Kelly and secretary Geoff Maddern, while Maree Thompson, Sharon Fedke and Paula Wiedermann will serve as board members.

Players set for tennis country championships The Wimmera has named full squads for January’s Inter-Regional Country Championships in Wangaratta, with five players set to represent the region for the first time. Team manager Brendan Nitschke said there had been strong support from local players. “We’ve got a full team named already, which is good because some regions are still chasing players,” he said. “This time of year and with a late harvest, it’s been a challenge, but I think we’re going in with a pretty balanced team. “Adele Joseph, Harry Allen and Jordy Friberg are going up into the open division, which is really good because Jordy would be eligible to play 25-and-under and Adele and Harry are still 16-and-under. “It’s going to be really good experience for them to play against some of the better country-based players in Victoria.” Nitschke said a long journey to Wangaratta for the tournament, which will be from January 2-4, did not deter players, with Olivia Robinson, 12-and-under, Sam Borgas, 16-andunder, Archie Wardlaw and Remi Bailey, 18-and-under, and Shaun Alexander 30-49, all set to represent the Wimmera for the first time.

“Those guys are all champing at the bit to get to it,” he said. “It’s great to be able to represent the Wimmera at this level and play against the best country-based players across the state. “It’s a good challenge and everyone generally lifts up another gear.” The Wimmera teams for the tournament are: 12-and-under, Nick Gillespie, Desmond Coffey, Maya Smith, Olivia Robertson, Maggie Kelm; 14 and under, Yassasri Sumanapala, Archer Reading, Sienna Nitschke, Daniella Gillespie; 16-andunder, Eli Bailey, Sam Borgas, Sienna Wood, Natasha Gillespie; 18-and-under, Archie Wardlaw, Remi Bailey, Violet Mcgennisken, Tara McIntyre; 25-and-under, D’Artagnan Walls, Dylan Thompson, Tahlia Thompson, Ella Thompson; 30-49, Jeff Friberg, Shaun Alexander, Kate-Lyn Perkin, Sandra Casey; 50-and-over Brett Thompson, Shane Gillespie, Maree Thompson, Luisa Boddi; open, Harry Allan, Jordy Friberg, Adele Joseph, Meaghan Pohlner. More information on the tournament is available online at www.tennis. com.au/vic/representative-events/ interregionalcountrychampionships. – Colin MacGillivray

SELECTED: Horsham footballer Oakley Farr, pictured in action earlier this year against Horsham Saints, won selection in the Greater Western Victoria Rebel’s under-18 Talent League squad next year.

Rebels announce Talent League squad Four Wimmera footballers received early Christmas presents last week after being named in the Great Western Victoria Rebels’ under-18 Talent League squad for 2026. Rupanyup’s Riley Downer, Horsham pair Archie Elliot and Oakley Farr, and Horsham Saint Levi Mu-

nyard were all picked among the Rebels’ 46-player squad. The Talent League is considered one of the main pathways for AFL aspirants, with the majority of draftees each year selected from the competition. Recent Wimmera-based AFL draft-

ees who played for the Rebels include Western Bulldogs’ Joel Freijah, drafted in 2023, and Ben Hobbs, drafted by Essendon in 2021. A fixture for the 2026 Talent League season is yet to be released.

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Sport Vol. 28 No. 26 Wednesday, December 23, 2025

Warrnambool trainer Daniel Bowman leads So Regal in the mounting yard at the MixxFM Santa Day races at Horsham Racing Centre on Sunday. So Regal was the middle leg of a Dean Yendall hat-trick of wins during the popular pre-Christmas social racing event. Yendall, below on So Regal, won the first three races. Pictures, page 46. Pictures: BRONWYN HASTINGS

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