Horsham Town Hall launched its season on Sunday, the celebration also marking the 10th anniversary of the redeveloped arts and entertainment venue. Guided tours of the theatre and art gallery, children’s activities, local produce tastings, and the release of its 2026 program, outlining a range of programs, performances, events and exhibitions, featured on the day. Pictured is Joseph Shepherd entertaining guests playing piano.
BY LAUREN HENRY
Greater transparency and improved process in the planning and impact of mining, renewable energy and transmission line projects on agricultural land were among key policies adopted by the Across Victoria Alliance at its inaugural conference in Horsham on Monday.
AVA chairman Andrew Weidemann outlined six policy priorities: wholeof-government impact assessment to be complete before any major project approval; prime agricultural land to have statutory protection; forced farm entry laws repealed; transparent planning processes, supported by regulation commensurate with risk; water for communities and food to be a priority; and the Fire Services and Volunteers Levy repealed.
The alliance plans to ramp up its
pressure on MPs and candidates about the key policies ahead of November’s state election.
“The AVA primarily seeks to ensure the formal protection of farming land, and the food and fibre it delivers to the state, our nation and the global economy,” Mr Weidemann said.
“Our inaugural conference has recognised the huge threat that a range of large-scale projects – wind turbines, transmission lines, battery energy storage, mineral sands mines – pose to Victoria’s food production.
“Many of these projects are being installed on, or proposed for, prime agricultural land.
“Whatever issues our state may face, be they energy challenges or critical resources required for supply chains and our modern life, the answer is not destroying prime agricultural land.
“If we continue in the direction the Allan government is heading, farm-
ers, agriculture and food supply chain companies, and the agriculture department and its minister, will soon be obsolete.
“The importance of food-production land must be recognised, and no one should have the right to enter a farm without the farmer’s permission, particularly with the biosecurity threat this poses.
“Our farming members recognise that water is a scarce resource and over generations we have sought to use water as efficiently as possible for food production.
“It is unacceptable that mineral sand mines have effectively been granted as much water as they need, thereby threatening water supply for rural and regional communities, livestock, and crop production.”
As well as advocating for landowner rights, the alliance has also played a key role in the widespread opposi-
February 16, 2026 from 11am
tion to the government’s Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund levy – a topic of discussion at the conference.
The alliance includes 27 groups with concerns about mining activity, transmission lines and large-scale renewable energy projects, and collectively has more than 140,000 members.
Attendees at the conference were mostly made up of alliance members, as well as local government representatives from across Victoria.
State MPs Bev McArthur, Liberal leader of the opposition in the Legislative Council, and One Nation’s Rikki Lee Tyrell were the only politicians to attend the full day of the conference.
The conference attracted national media attention in the lead-up, and many metropolitan-based news outlets were in attendance.
Premier Jacinta Allan was invited to speak at the event but did not respond to organisers, and publicly labelled the
conference a ‘misinformation convention’.
Ms Allan also criticised Liberal leader Jess Wilson for being listed a guest speaker at a conference where One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce was speaking. Ms Wilson withdrew citing a scheduling conflict, with Mrs McArthur named as her replacement.
The conference opened with a welcome dinner at Horsham Golf Club on Sunday night where Mr Joyce immediately won over the crowd with talk of landowner rights and criticism of both levels of government.
On Monday, Nationals Victorian leader Danny O’Brien and Mrs McArthur topped a host of speakers, including experts, affected landowners, and leaders of the community-based member groups.
• More stories, pages 6-7.
Council has opened applications for its Community Development Grants Program, providing funding support for local projects that strengthen community wellbeing and connection.
The program supports initiatives aligned with the Council Plan 2025–2029, focusing on improving liveability, sustainability and accessibility across the municipality.
The program provides funding of up to $10,000 per organisation, with most successful grants typically ranging between $500 and $5,000.
In 2025, Council awarded $137,684 to 41 community organisations through the program, supporting a wide range of projects across the municipality.
The Community Development Grants Program is one of four Council grant streams.
The Events Grants round is scheduled to open in May, while Urgent Need Small Grants and Youth Grants are available year round.
Council encourages applications that align with the Community Vision and Council Plan themes of Liveability, Sustainability and Accessibility, as well as other key strategies including the Youth Strategy, Disability Access and Inclusion Plan, Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan and the Age Friendly Communities Implementation Plan. Support for Applicants
To support organisations applying for funding, Community Information drop in sessions will be held in Horsham and Natimuk throughout February.
Council’s Community Grants Team will be available to discuss the Community Development Grants Program and provide guidance on preparing strong applications.
• Thursday 19 February – Council Reception, 18 Roberts Avenue, Horsham | 2pm–6pm
• Wednesday 11 February – Natimuk NC2, Main Street, Natimuk | 10am–2pm
• Wednesday 18 February – Natimuk NC2, Main Street, Natimuk | 10am–2pm
The program is open to not for profit organisations, or groups with an auspice body, delivering projects within the Council municipality. Funded projects must commence after 1 July 2026 and be completed by 30 June 2027. The Community Development Grants Program does not provide funding for events.
Applications must be submitted online.
For a full list of previous grant recipients and further details on eligibility, application requirements and guidelines, visit the HRCC website.
Applications close: Monday 2 March 2026.
Horsham Rural City Council is inviting residents and stakeholders to help determine Council’s preferences for a potential Horsham Bypass.
They will join Councillors on a Community Reference Group (CRG) so that the issues and views of the community are well understood during Council’s deliberations.
Council approved a plan in December for a CRG to help inform its considerations for a potential bypass to link with the Western, Henty and Wimmera Highways. Council has not yet established a position in relation to a bypass, or an intended route, and recognises that this can only be achieved with strong community involvement in the decision making process.
Council is now seeking nominations from the community to join the CRG. These will comprise eight area based community representatives, and one each from the retail sector, agriculture, the transport industry and an invitation to Barengi Gadjin Land Council as the Federally recognised representative of the Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia and Jupagulk Native Title Holders of the region.
Membership will include Councillors, chaired by the Mayor, and non voting Council officers.
Council will engage with Government agencies through a separate forum, and reports of those meetings will be presented to the CRG for information, or discussion as required.
A comprehensive framework has been developed to guide the CRG through its deliberations, with final recommendations to be presented to Council in early 2027.
The broader community will be kept up to date with meeting minutes and related material through a dedicated Council web page.
Nominations for the CRG positions will be open until the end of February 2026.
Council Welcomes Mental Health Funding for Natimuk Primary School
Council has welcomed the Victorian Government’s announcement, made on 4 February 2026, of new funding to support the mental health and wellbeing of students and staff at Natimuk Primary School following the January bushfires.
The funding is part of a $2 million statewide package announced by the Deputy Premier and Minister for Education, providing additional mental health and wellbeing support to public schools in communities most impacted by recent bushfires.
The funding will be delivered as a top‑up to the school’s existing Schools Mental Health Fund and can be used to provide trauma‑informed support, as well as disaster, grief and loss programs aligned with the Victorian Government’s Recovery and Resilience Model for schools.
Ballet Under the Stars to dazzle beneath the Horsham summer sky
Horsham Rural City Council is thrilled to welcome The Australian Ballet to Horsham for a magical evening of world class dance, transforming the City Oval into an outdoor theatre.
Ballet Under the Stars will delight audiences with a varied program of ballets covering classic fan favourites and more contemporary works.
The free family friendly event on Saturday 21 February is a rare opportunity to see Australia’s national ballet company in this unique outdoor setting.
Tickets are free but booking is essential, scan the QR code or visit the Australian Ballet Company's website to book.
Council will commence culvert removal and repair works on Freight Terminal Road as part of ongoing drainage maintenance within the industrial estate.
The works are expected to take approximately two weeks, beginning on Monday 16 February.
During this time, minor traffic delays may occur. There will be no full road closures, and vehicle access will be maintained at all times.
Traffic management will be in place to ensure the safety of road users and workers, while minimising disruption to local businesses.
BY LAUREN HENRY
Horsham Rural City Council is preparing for a decision on the approval of a mining licence for WIM Resource’s Avonbank mineral sands mine at Dooen next month.
The Avonbank mine, located 1.3 kilometres northeast of Dooen, spans 3426 hectares, with the project to be staged over 38 years.
Council is continuing to actively pursue improved outcomes for the community ahead of any decision.
Mayor Brian Klowss met with officials from Resources Victoria, a State Government body, earlier this year, reinforcing concerns that council had earlier raised in a letter to Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio, at the end of last year.
Resources Victoria had initially advised it would make a decision this month but has delayed the decision until March.
The government awaits further information requested from WIM Resource before it makes its decision.
The Earth Resources Regulator has received more than 300 submissions from the public about the mining licence.
Cr Klowss said the proposed mine was a significant development for the Horsham municipality and the region, and it was important the social, environmental and economic impacts were appropriately considered and managed.
“I need to be assured that Minister Lily D’Ambrosio understands how the community are feeling about this project,” he said.
“Late last year the minister committed to meet with council on this matter.
“As the holiday period has now past, I’m anticipating I’ll have a date for that meeting to occur in the very near future.”
Ms D’Ambrosio’s office has now contacted council to schedule a meeting soon.
“Not only does the community want assurances that the minister understands community concerns, we also want assurances as to how the project proponent WIM Re-
“Until there is further consultation to address these matters, it is difficult for council to be satisfied that the mining licence should be granted”
– Brian Klowss
sources will respond to these concerns,” Cr Klowss said.
“How are they going to ensure there are no negative impacts from this proposal?”
“Until there is further consultation to address these matters, it is difficult for council to be satisfied that the mining licence should be granted.
“We know Resources Victoria and the minister are considering this decision right now and council is calling on Minister D’Ambrosio to demonstrate how she is listening to our concerns and responding, for everyone’s benefit.
“This decision is too important for current and future generations to get wrong.”
In April last year, the Avonbank mine received approval by a delegate of the Federal Minister for Environment and Water under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
The approval authorises WIM Resource to develop and operate the project, subject to conditions designed to protect the environment and ensure the project is carried out responsibly.
It followed State Government approval of the Environment Effects Statement in 2024.
WIM Resource director of projects Michael Winternitz would not be drawn on when the mining licence would occur.
“The timing of a decision on the mining licence is a matter for the Victorian government and Resources Victoria,” he said.
“WIM respects the role of Horsham Rural City Council and remains committed to respectful, ongoing engagement with council, landholders and the broader community.”
including guided
to Horsham Mosque’s open day.
Donald Mineral Sands announced on Monday it had reached an agreement with Barengi Gadjin Land Council to work together on cultural heritage aspects of the proposed mine near Minyip.
The ‘Journey and Understanding Agreement’ establishes a framework for a long-term relationship, which DMS says is based on ‘trust, mutual respect, and transparency, supporting the self-determination of the Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia, and Jupagulk people’.
The agreement includes a cultural and environmental governance framework with a joint strategic oversight committee and technical and operational working group.
There will also be employment, training, and procurement opportunities for the Indigenous people and aligned businesses.
The agreement also covers Indigenous participation in environmental management, rehabilitation, and mine closure planning; and cultural awareness training delivered by BGLC.
A best-practice implementation protocol, ensuring project approvals uphold Indigenous cultural values, and cultural heritage protection measures consistent with current best practice will also be established.
DMS has also committed to financial contributions supporting Indigenous people’s selfdetermination principles programs throughout the life of the project.
A BGLC liaison officer, part-funded by DMS, will serve as the key point of contact between the parties.
DMS managing director Tiger Brown said the next steps would include DMS and Barengi Gadjin Land Council establishing an agreement governance structure and developing implementation protocols.
“The journey and understanding agreement reflects our commitment to working in a genuine partnership with the WJJWJ peoples, the traditional owners of the lands where the Donald Project will operate,” he said.
“Barengi Gadjin Land Council has been a constructive and valued partner in advancing the Donald Project and this agreement lays the foundation for an ongoing relationship built on respect, transparency, self-determination, and shared benefit.”
Mr Brown said the agreement complemented existing cultural heritage management arrangements under Victoria’s Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 and aligned with best-practice for partnerships between traditional owners and the resources sector.
The Donald Project, near Minyip, is forecast to contain a total mineral resource of 1.81-billion tonnes, with a planned 58-year-plus minelife over two phases.
It will produce zirconium, titanium, and rare earth elements including neodymium and praseodymium.
Construction of the project, a joint venture between Astron Limited and US critical minerals producer Energy Fuels, is expected to start this year, with the first production in 2027, subject to securing project financing and completing a positive final investment decision.
BY LAUREN HENRY
Horsham Town Hall cel-
ebrates its 10th birthday this week – marked with its season launch on Sunday.
Guided tours of the theatre and art gallery, children’s activities, local produce tastings, and the release of its 2026 program, outlining a diverse range of programs, performances, events and exhibitions, featured on Sunday.
Horsham Town Hall is now firmly established as the region’s premier arts and entertainment venue, a vibrant community hub providing world-class performance, visual arts and conference facilities.
But the redevelopment, where a state-of-the-art 500-seat theatre, including professional sound and lighting systems and backstage facilities, was added to the existing Heritage Hall and Horsham Regional Art Gallery, took eight years before it got off the ground.
Community opposition – some to the entire project, others to the original design – put the project in danger with the then-Horsham council.
As former councillor Mark Radford said at the opening on February 12, 2016: “It has not been an easy road.”
A cafe space, plus an education space and improved collection space in the art gallery, was also added into the design, all while incorporating a usable foyer linking Wilson and Pynsent streets and preserving the Art Deco Wilson Street façade.
The $19.8-million redevelopment was funded through $6.5-million from the State Government, the Federal Government chipped in $5-million as part of a bushfire fund after Horsham was damaged in the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires, while Horsham Rural City Council made the sizeable contribution of $7.3-million; and the community fundraised $1-million.
But by the time then Regional Development Minister Jaala Pulford officially opened the complex in 2016, she described it as a ‘cultural revitalisation’, providing
a facility designed for conferences, large events and community activities – and it has many times in the past decade.
In the past financial year, the venue has hosted 104 performances and 42 events, along with 19 exhibitions and another 131 workshops and 35 events through the art gallery.
This year’s program features a broad range of artists and performers, from local productions and graduation ceremonies to internationally acclaimed ballet, comedy and theatre, as well as national touring art exhibitions.
Mayor Brian Klowss described Horsham Town Hall as ‘the cultural heart of our city and region’.
“There is no better venue in the Wimmera for performances, exhibitions and events, attracting some of the best performers from throughout Australia and overseas, and showcasing an unparalleled collection of regional artwork,” he said.
“Most importantly, it has been embraced by our community in so many meaningful ways, and we are incredibly proud to be celebrating its 10-year anniversary.”
The region’s biggest event, the Wimmera Machinery Field Days is set to showcase entertainment, machinery and lifestyle at its purpose-built site at Longerenong on March 3, 4 and 5.
WMFD manager Vanessa Lenehan said the event brought people together and showcased the region, boosting economic opportunities and community connection.
“It’s a massive boost for Horsham and the region,” she said.
“It has flow-on effects in terms of accommodation being booked out, and all of the pubs and dining places are fully booked.”
One of about 30 members of the Association of Agricultural Field Days of Australasia, AAFDA, nationally, the Wimmera Machinery Field Days is among events offering a plethora of benefits to the wider community.
Highlighted by the AAFDA’s Field Days Awareness Week earlier this month, the WMFD contributes to attracting about one million visitors and up to $100-million to communities nationally, while strengthening community connections and resilience, and supporting regional tourism.
“It’s a really big draw card and a good way to promote the region,” Ms Lenehan said.
“We encourage people to stay for a couple days longer, and explore what’s around – such as the Grampians, or staying for the fishing competition. It’s just a really big boost for the community.”
Ms Lenehan said spaces across the site were being booked quickly, including in the lifestyle pavilion, general exhibitors and Wednesday’s market square.
“The site’s actually getting fairly full – there’s going to be a lot to look at,” she said.
“And after the success of last year’s theme ‘big tractors’, the committee has chosen ‘fantastic farm trucks’ for this year’s theme.
“So far we’ve got about 20 trucks in varying ages and sizes – it’s just something different for people to come and have a look at.”
For more information on the Wimmera Machinery Field Days, watch out for The Weekly Advertiser’s bumper feature in its February 25 edition.
NORFOLK ISLAND (NO PASSPORT REQUIRED)
10 days Saturday 21st March $6590
Highlights: Sound & Light Show, Norfolk Island tour, Fletchers Mutiny Cyclorama, Bounty Show & Dinner, Scenic BBQ, Island Fish Fry, Over the Cattlestops, Paddock to Plate, Convict Settlement Tour, South Pacific Resort Hotel, Progressive Dinner, Glass Bottom Boat Cruise, 4WD Tour, Night as a Convict Dinner, Breakfast Bush Walk. YARRA VALLEY – MARYSVILLE MELBOURNE – THE DANDENONGS
6 days Monday 4th May $3210
Highlights: Yarra River Cruise, Queen Victoria Market, Marysville, Bruno Torf’s Gallery, Healesville Sanctuary, Steavenson Falls, Yarra Valley, Puffing Billy, MCG tour, Parliament House, Eureka Observation Deck, Rayner’s Fruit Orchard, Coombe Cottage, Yarra Valley Chocolaterie, Mt Dandenong Lookout, Tea Leaves Australia, Southbank, Cloudehill Gardens.
CAPE YORK AND THURSDAY ISLAND
10 days Sunday 17th May $6810
Highlights: Cairns city accommodation, Cape Tribulation, World Heritage Daintree National Park, Bloomfield Track, Cooktown, Lakefield National Park, Musgrave Telegraph Station, Weipa, Bramwell Station, Fruit Bat Falls, Seisia, Cape York tip, Thursday Island.
CAIRNS, THE GULF, BIRDSVILLE
MARREE & FLINDERS RANGES
24 days Monday 25th May $13,360
Highlights: Bourke, Darling River, Charleville, Cosmos Centre, Blackall Woolscour, Longreach, Stockman’s Hall of Fame, Thomson River Cruise, Charters Towers, Magnetic Island, Paronella Park, Australian Sugar Museum, Green Island, Cairns, Barrier Reef, Daintree River Cruise, Kuranda Train and Sky Rail, Breakfast with the Birds, Port Douglas, Undara Lava Tubes, Gulflander Train Ride, Gulf of Carpentaria Sunset Cruise, Mt Isa, Birdsville, Marree, Lake Eyre, Flinders Ranges, Burra, Renmark.
MAGNETIC ISLAND & BARRIER REEF
12 days Monday 25th May $7240
Highlights: Bourke, Darling River, Charleville, Cosmos Centre, Blackall Woolscour, Longreach, Stockman’s Hall of Fame, Thomson River Cruise, Charters Towers, Magnetic Island, Paronella Park, Australian Sugar Museum, Green Island, Cairns, Barrier Reef, Daintree River Cruise, Kuranda Train and Sky Rail, Breakfast with the Birds, Port Douglas
CAIRNS & THE GULF COUNTRY INC BIRDSVILLE
16 days Tuesday 2nd June
$9350
Highlights: Cairns, Green Island, Barrier Reef, Daintree River Cruise, Breakfast with the Birds, Port Douglas, Atherton Tableland, Georgetown, Undara Lava Tubes, Gulflander Train Ride, Normanton, Karumba, Gulf of Carpentaria Sunset Cruise, Mt Isa, Birdsville, Marree, Lake Eyre, Flinders Ranges, Burra, Renmark.
SINGAPORE GARDENS FESTIVAL
10 days Thursday 2nd July
$8530
Highlights: Luxury Hotel Accommodation, Stunning Singapore, City Sights Tour, Botanic & Orchid Gardens, Singapore River Cruise, Raffles Hotel High Tea, The Singapore Zoo, Singapore Flyer, Marina Bay Sands Lookout, Singapore Oceanarium, Changi District, National Museum of Singapore, Gardens by the Bay, English Speaking Guides, Singapore Gardens Festival.
NORTHWESTER & SOUTH WEST COAST
47 days Monday 27th July
“See the itinerary for the many tour highlights”.
DARWIN VIA CENTRAL AUSTRALIA
15 days Monday 27th July
$25,290
$9860
Highlights: Central Australia, Coober Pedy, Ayers Rock, Kings Canyon, Alice Springs, West MacDonnell Ranges, Tennant Creek, Katherine Gorge Cruise, Kakadu, Yellow Waters Cruise, Darwin, Mindil Market, Litchfield National Park.
9 days
COOBER PEDY, AYERS ROCK, ALICE SPRINGS
Monday 27th July
$6370
Highlights: Adelaide, Port Augusta, Central Australia, Coober Pedy, Umoona Opal Mine, Ayres Rock, Kings Canyon, Alice Springs, West MacDonnell Ranges, Standley Chasm, Alice Springs Reptile Centre, Alice Springs Desert Park, Royal Flying Doctor Service, Alice Springs School of the Air, Alice Springs Telegraph Station.
WEST COAST, KIMBERLEY & SOUTH WEST COAST
35 days Saturday 8th August
“See the itinerary for the many tour highlights”.
WEST COAST AND THE KIMBERLEY
23 days Saturday 8th August
$18,680
$13,910
Highlights: Darwin, Mindil Beach Market, Katherine, Kununurra, Ord River Cruise, El Questro Station, Zebedee Springs, Chamberlain Gorge Cruise, Wyndham, Halls Creek, Fitzroy Crossing, Derby, Boab Prison Tree, Broome, Cable Beach Sunset, Port Hedland, Tom Price, Exmouth, Coral Bay, Monkey Mia, Kalbarri, Perth.
DARWIN TO BROOME AND THE KIMBERLEY 12 days Saturday 8th August $8930
Highlights: Darwin, Mindil Beach Market, Katherine, Kununurra, Ord River Cruise, El Questro Station, Zebedee Springs, Chamberlain Gorge Cruise, Wyndham, Halls Creek, Fitzroy Crossing, Derby, Boab Prison Tree, Broome, Cable Beach Sunset.
BROOME TO PERTH INC TOM PRICE & NINGALOO REEF
14 days Monday 17th August $9100
Highlights: Broome 3 nights, Cable Beach, Eighty Mile Beach, Port Hedland, Mt Tom Price Mine tour, Karijini National Park, Exmouth, Ningaloo Reef, Coral Bay, Shark Bay, Carnarvon, Monkey Mia Dolphins, Kalbarri Wildflowers, Perth 3 nights. PERTH AND SOUTH WEST COAST
15 days Friday 28th August $7820
Highlights: Perth, Gloucester Tree, Margaret River Chocolate Factory, Cape Leeuwin & Lighthouse, Pemberton Timber Mill, Valley of the Giants, Albany, Whale Watching Cruise, Esperance, Kalgoorlie, Super Pit Tour, Great Australian Bight, Nullarbor, Port Augusta, Adelaide, Mannum.
BY LAUREN HENRY
Victorian leader Danny O’Brien faced jeers at the Across Victoria Alliance conference in Horsham on Monday, with many attendees dissatisfied with his failure to commit to policies against mining and transmission lines on agricultural land.
In his address to the conference at Horsham Church of Christ, Mr O’Brien said if elected at the state election in November, the Coalition would introduce independent audits and economic assessments of the impact a project would have on agricultural land.
Mr O’Brien spoke about the Coalition’s plan to reintroduce people’s right to appeal projects at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, VCAT; reinstating two-kilometre buffer zones between homes and wind farms, as well as so-
lar farms; and scrapping VicGrid’s land access powers.
But when pressed on the Coalition’s policies and if they would oppose mines on agricultural land and the Victoria New South Wales Interconnector, VNI, West and Western Renewable Link projects, Mr O’Brien said the Nationals would be ‘having more to say on that between now and the election’.
Mr O’Brien and Member for Western Victoria Bev McArthur, leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council, spoke at the conference after Liberal leader Jess Wilson withdrew as a guest speaker due to a scheduling conflict.
Ms Wilson had been on the end of sharp criticism from Labor, including Premier Jacinta Allan, for speaking at a conference where One Nation’s Barnaby Joyce was the headline speaker.
Mr O’Brien was taken to task about not having a policy to oppose transmission line projects, to
which he replied the project was ‘looking like it was going to fall over itself’ due to a cost blowout.
“We’ve asked the government to consider plan B. They’ve refused to do so. We are currently looking at it,” he said.
Farmer Donna Johns’ question about whether the Nationals would support farmers’ right to veto mining on their land was followed with applause from the crowd.
“We don’t want to leave our farm. We’ve been told that we will not be able to live at or farm our land for 36 years. How is that fair and where are the policies that you have in place to give people like myself and all the other people in the Wimmera and the Mallee an option to choose not to have it?” she said.
Mr O’Brien replied: “It’s a policy that we’re all working on … there are established laws when it comes to minerals – that you don’t own what’s under the ground…”
Mr O’Brien was heckled by some in the crowd who were unhappy with a lack of detailed policies, and on the subject of potential radiation from mines, he attempted to mount a case for controlled radiation, replying that televisions and bananas were radioactive – which also drew jeers. He later said he was jeered because the ‘angst was focused at us in the room because no one from Labor turned up’.
Mr O’Brien said the Nationals and Liberals were committed to ensuring the protection of farm land.
“We need to ensure that these projects don’t impact on agricultural land, that we protect food security in this state,” he said.
“That’s why I’m also announcing today that if we’re elected in November, the Nationals and Liberals will introduce independent audits and economic assessments of the impact on agricultural land of any of these renewable energy developments and transmission lines to ensure that we protect food security, that land values are protected, and that we’re not sacrificing good farm land for energy projects.
“We value our farms, we value our farmers, and we ensure the balance is right between energy developments and protection of agricultural land.”
Mr O’Brien and Mrs McArthur spent a large part of their speeches focused on the State Government’s Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund levy and cuts to the Country Fire Authority budget.
Mr O’Brien accused Labor of ‘gaslighting’ Victorians – twisting facts and denying reality to make people doubt their memory – and providing examples of wasteful government expenditure, such as CFA stations that were waiting years for promised funding to be delivered.
“ We got $50-billion of cost overrun on projects in the city, all those tunnels, all those freeways, all those level crossing removals, $50-billion of cost overruns. Meanwhile, us in the country, we’re driving around on goat tracks,” he said.
Mr O’Brien said Labor was also gaslighting Victorians about the cost of energy decreasing, saying ‘we all know they are going up’.
“We can’t continue to have a situation when it comes to energy developments, all the benefits accrue in the city and all the costs are borne by every one of us in rural and regional Victoria,” he said.
New One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce wasted no time in endearing himself to Wimmera people as he ramped up his party’s voice ahead of the Victorian election.
Mr Joyce was guest speaker at the Across Victoria Alliance welcome dinner at Horsham Golf Club on Sunday night, opening the alliance’s inaugural conference.
About 150 people attended the dinner, keen to hear more about One Nation policies.
Horsham Mayor Brian Klowss, Yarriambiack Mayor Andrew McLean, Swan Hill Mayor Stuart King, along with Victorian One Nation upper house MP Rikki Lee Tyrell were at the dinner, along with a host of national media outlets.
The New South Wales-based MP flew into Horsham for an overnight visit before heading to Canberra where Parliament sits this week.
He was quick to make a joke about his former party the Nationals – which he led on two occasions – and its on-again, off-again relationship with the Liberals.
The two parties announced a reunification on Monday after splitting last month due to differing opinions on the Federal Government’s hate speech laws – the second split in the past year.
Mr Joyce revisited his stoush with Premier Jacinta Allan, who had criticised Victorian Liberal leader Jess Wilson last week for planning to speak at the same conference as the One Nation recruit.
He said both Ms Allan and Ms Wilson should be at the conference.
“We’re not primates running around the jungle throwing rocks at each other – within this room, people would have strong views. They may disagree with you, but they’re not going to assault you,” he said.
“And that is part of your job as a politician, not just to turn up to when it’s easy, but to turn up when it’s hard, and to get around the room and find out what’s going on, because it might sway you, it might temper you in some of the more virulent views that you had.”
Mr Joyce spoke to the crowd about landowner rights, accusing the governments of ‘basically coming into your lives and removing your rights as Victorians’.
He dismissed renewable energy.
“ They’re not going to change the temperature of the globe. They’re just going to make really rich people really, really, really rich,” he said.
“ I believe in building coal-fire power stations. They’re a really good idea.
“We used to have some of the cheapest energy in the world. We used to have coal that goes from Gippsland to Mackay, but apparently everybody else can use it, but not us.
“We don’t need VNI West. We had it all working. It was working really well until Jacinta and Chris Bowen came along.”
Mr Joyce said One Nation’s rising popularity could be attributed to the frustrations of Australians with the current major parties.
He implored people to make Australia ‘much safer for your children … make this nation strong again’ by making a change in voting habits.
“We’re not primates running around the jungle throwing rocks at each other – within this room, people would have strong views. They may disagree with you, but they’re not going to assault you”
– Barnaby Joyce
“For you to have real political effect, they’ve got to believe that they’ve lost you, and you’re gone, and to try and get you back, they’re going to have to come up with the policies, but deal with the issues that they successful ignored of yours,” he said.
“What I want to make sure is that you’ve got somewhere else to go, and we’re going to have this political marketplace where your issues are truly benefited and you really do have options and you drive the agenda.
“But for that to happen, you have got to be prepared to change.”
Mr Joyce took questions about how One Nation would appeal to city voters – to which he said the party already had a strong following in cities, but also appealed to many small business owners.
When questioned about the perception of One Nation being racist, he said he did not believe in multiculturalism, and anyone wanting to migrate to Australia needed to adopt the Australian culture.
A ‘critical building block’ for community groups and landowners fighting renewable energy, mining and transmission line projects was unveiled at the Across Victoria Alliance conference.
Experienced strategy, policy and communications advisor Cate Mercer-Grant, from 37 Degrees Partnership, detailed the draft of a land-use policy framework, which the AVA would lobby governments to adopt.
Ms Mercer-Grant addressed the conference on Monday, to present a national land-use framework ‘to genuinely future-proof food and fibre production’ through identifying and protecting strategic high-value agricultural land while balancing competing land uses and regional development needs.
Ms Mercer-Grant said land-use decisions had consequences, undermining regional processing, transport efficiencies, and workforce stability. “ This is not about stopping development,
it is about making deliberate, evidence-based choices so Australia can continue to feed and clothe itself, support regional economies and maintain social, economic and environmental values that underpin rural and regional communities,” she said.
Ms Mercer-Grant spoke about how other countries had created policies to protect their agricultural land – the United States, France and Japan.
“Every nation we compete with has worked this out. Every country that takes food and biosecurity seriously has a framework to protect the very land that underpins it,” she said.
“Australia is the outlier, and that’s not because we’re more innovative or more flexible, it is because we haven’t made it a priority.
“These frameworks exist under governments of every political strut. Progressive governments in Canada, centrist governments in France. Conservative governments in Germany and Japan,
it doesn’t matter who’s in power. Agricultural protection is treated as a national interest issue, not a partisan issue.”
Ms Mercer-Grant said the policy framework would require mining companies or energy developers who wanted to use farms to demonstrate why removing that land from food and fibre production was in the national interest.
She said once finalised, the plan for the policy framework would be to establish a Victorian mandate, led by industry co-ordinated participation from key stakeholders, before then commissioning comprehensive statewide mapping that integrated all data sets to create a clear picture of current land use across Victoria.
The policy would then undergo stakeholder consultation with farmers, industry and councils to ensure the framework was informed, practical and workable, before lastly, drafting legislation.
– Lauren Henry
Central Victorian firefighter and Australian Firefighters Climate Alliance, AFCA, member Cam Walker was one of the few people at the conference to support renewable energy.
With an interest in the politics of regional Victoria, Mr Walker believes the fire risk of wind farms was regularly overstated.
“ I think it’s great to have these conversations. I think regional Victoria really does matter – it needs to matter in this state election, and it’s important rural communities put their issues on this statewide agenda,” Mr Walker said.
But he said he was disappointed by ‘a very weak position from the Coalition on the question of mining on farms’ in regards to Nationals leader Danny O’Brien’s failure to commit to a policy.
“Obviously mining has to happen for our lifestyles to continue, it’s important for our economy,” he said.
“They need to occur to the very best ability of how we can manage them, and having seen the previous mineral sands mines in western Victoria, I don’t think there should be any further mineral sands mining in northwest Victoria because the rehabilitation has not been up to standard.”
Mr Walker said while the AFCA did not align with any side of politics, it developed policies and sought all parties to adopt them.
He said the AFCA mostly consisted of grassroots volunteer firefighters who understood science and ‘the sciences that fire seasons are getting longer and more intense under humaninduced climate change’.
“We feel quite perturbed by the misinformation that gets spread around renewables and fire,” he said.
“We feel the hype around the threat of electric vehicles, of battery and storage systems and of wind turbines are radically overstated by antirenewables campaigners, so we seek to contest some of the misinformation.”
Mr Walker said the ACFA was disappointed that some firefighters had reportedly refused to turn out to fires at renewable energy projects.
“What we understand about firefighting is, good firefighting is you get on scene quickly when you fight a fire while it’s small, there is a risk if people stand back and let these turbines burn, they can get away on it,” he said.
“So we are actually really disappointed that some of our fellow firefighters are saying they’re not prepared to fight fires on properties that host turbines. I hear community concerns and I’m not expressing a view on any individual renewable energy project, so whether they’re good or bad or ugly.
“In general, I support energy transition and I want the individual wind farms to be well supported and to have good social licence.”
Mr Walker said a fire in a turbine was incomparable to fires that occurred at coal energy plants.
“Whenever we talk about fire and energy, I can’t help but think about the Hazelwood mine fire that lasted for 45 days. I know many people who left the CFA after that because their lungs were just destroyed,” he said.
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BY BRONWYN HASTINGS
Fewer young people are entering adulthood with criminal records since the Children’s Court Youth Diversion Service was implemented, reducing the likelihood of further offending.
Since January 2017, the service has provided a pre-plea option for young people appearing before the criminal division of the Children’s Court.
It aims for offenders to successfully complete a diversion plan and avoid the negative stigma associated with a criminal record.
In the 2023-24 financial year, there was a six per cent decrease in youth processed by Victoria Police compared with the previous year.
Horsham Local Area Commander
Acting Inspector Eddie Malpas said Victoria Police would always prioritise cautions and diversions for young people who were first time offenders or committing low level offences.
“We know this approach helps to divert young people away from the criminal justice system and instead connects them to support services and programs,” he said.
“However, we also have zero hesitation in laying charges against a young person who has committed serious or violent offending.
“Youth offending is a whole-of-community issue, and we will continue working closely with partner agencies and programs to steer young people away from a life of crime.”
The Children Youth and Families Act 2005 requires both the prosecution and the accused to consent to diversion.
Goolum Goolum Aboriginal Co-operative general manager John Gorton
said none of the Wimmera’s young Aboriginal people have been left with a criminal record in the past seven years.
He said the co-operative had exercised several intervention strategies and programs, while working alongside Victoria Police and services such as Orange Door.
“Early intervention and prevention is our bread and butter – we want to avoid any negative outcomes, because those records follow you forever,” he said.
“We did intensive case management work and developed this model, and we still use that to this day to be able to work with the kids, to make sure they don’t progress further into the justice system.”
Mr Gorton said many of the children they supported came from self-referral.
“I guess it speaks to the service that we provide, because it’s not just about youth justice – if something happened to the family as a whole, we assess the whole lot and then try to work with the whole family to help address any other issues that may be popping up,” he said.
“When you know what’s intimately happening with a family, you know some work could be done to help heal the family.”
Mr Gorton said work was done to ensure children remained engaged at school, whether it be mainstream or alternative education, and that children found a sense of identity within community.
“There’s research out there that suggests Aboriginal identity plays a big issue – if you’re not closely linked in the community, it affects your mental health because you don’t have that sense of belonging,” he said.
“People need to feel like they can be a part of something bigger than themselves. And that’s what we try to teach these young kids coming through, because without our next generation, there is no Goolum as such, there is no Barenji Gadjin, none of these Aboriginal organisations.
“If the next generation of kids don’t take the responsibility that we’ve taken as the current generation to carry the legacy of those who have come before us, these places won’t exist without us, because we have responsibilities as Aboriginal people.”
Mr Gorton said the co-operative had strong relationships with multiple levels of Victoria Police.
“It’s probably the best it’s been in 20 years,” he said.
“We work with VicPol for the best
outcome, and depending on the kid, the severity of the charges, and if they’re first offences and things like that, we work with them so they can stay out of the system.”
Prior to the introduction of the cooperative’s intensive case management model, Mr Gorton said there were about eight youth on about 32 different orders.
“At the time we did a lot of work to get those kids to complete the orders they were on,” he said.
“Now they’ve got the proactive policing unit and they’re policing in a different manner, it’s just a different conversation that we have with them, but we’re on the same page.
“We’re always striving for the best outcome.”
Regfest organisers have announced a new date for its Horsham event, earmarking October 24 for the country music concert. The event, which will feature singers Lee Kernaghan, Travis Collins, Max Jackson and Jayne Denham, will also have gourmet food trucks, bars and a familyfriendly atmosphere.
People can view ticket options at www.regfest.com.au/horshamevent-info.html.
Pancake Day in the Park, a Shrove Tuesday event hosted by Uniting Wimmera, will raise money to support suicide awareness in the region.
At Horsham’s May Park from 11.30am to 1.30pm on Tuesday, pancakes and toppings will be available for $10.
Empowerment coach Sally Pymer will be guest speaker. People who cannot attend the event but would like to support the cause can donate money online via Uniting’s Wimmera Pancake Day Donations site.
CFA volunteers extinguished a tree fire at Dimboola on Sunday, with support from aircraft. The fire started near the intersection of Horseshoe Bend Road and Banksia Court at about 12.45pm. Five crews responded. Crews remained on scene for the afternoon before handing control back to the landowner.
The politicians may have grabbed the headlines prior to and during the Across Victoria Alliance conference in Horsham, but it was the people stories that were at centre stage.
Putting aside any political alliances, beliefs about the net-zero policy and renewable energy, and opinions on mining projects, at the heart of the conference were how government processes are affecting landowners, farmers and families every day.
Farmers and families that are a part of communities not only in our region, but across Victoria, and Australia.
One such story was from Emma Muir, from Myrniong near Bacchus Marsh, who outlined her experience as a landowner affected by the Western Renewables Link.
Emma was honest, articulate and affable when she was part of a panel ‘The impact on citizens, communities, councils and traffic corridors’.
She outlined her experience going through the process of an Environmental Effects Statement, quipping:
“ I can’t tell you how much energy that took and how hard it was to sit there and not cry, because after five and a half years having been told ‘just wait for the ESS – you’ll get your say’, we had our say and it went nowhere. So don’t put all your bickies in that pile.”
Emma paid tribute to her ‘amazing community’ who has fought against the WRL project for the past six years – a community her family has been a part of for 162 years.
The WRL is 190-kilometres of 80-metre high towers with transmission lines from Sydenham, in Melbourne, to Bulgana, near Stawell –linking up with the Victoria New South Wales Interconnector, VNI, West project.
She spoke about the impact the stress of the project has had on herself, her husband, family and community, and reminded everyone to check in on each other.
Emma outlined the court cases, the government changing laws at the last minute, the authorities downplaying the community’s concerns, and the
By Lauren Henry
initial offer of $200 for the project to go through their property.
It was a familiar tale, and resonated with many in the audience who had been through or are currently facing a similar situation.
Botched consultations, flawed ESS processes and the unanswered questions about whether people’s properties were insurable are a common thread in the many communities who are facing projects being built in their neighbourhoods.
And there were the examples that popped up during the conference –like Russell from Rokewood who is continually picking up pieces of wind turbines on his farm or the incident at the Skipton fire last month where the turbines continued to operate as the district burnt.
POSITIVE START: Stawell Fire Brigade member Jai Smith is encouraging junior members to register for the state firefighter championships in Stawell next month.
The joint Country Fire Authority and Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria annual state firefighter championships will be hosted by Stawell this year, and brigades are invited to participate.
After 20 years, CFA’s showcase event returns to the historic North Park Oval with the urban junior competition on March 21 and 22, followed by the urban senior, rural junior and rural senior events on March 28 and 29.
CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan said it was great to see the event come back to western Victoria after five successful years at Mooroopna.
“After several consecutive challenging fire seasons in the west, this is an opportunity to come together, reflect on the strength of our people, and celebrate what CFA does best,” Mr Heffernan said.
“One organisation, one competition and everyone’s welcome.”
For 18-year-old Stawell Fire Brigade member Jai Smith, getting involved in the championships was a key step in his CFA journey.
Mr Smith said he joined CFA at 14 years old through the junior development program before progressing into the senior competition.
“Champs is where I learnt a lot early on, both on and off the track,” he said.
“It gave me confidence, helped me build skills, and introduced me to people right across CFA.”
Now an operational firefighter, Mr Smith has
been deployed on multiple strike teams across western Victoria in recent fire seasons, including recent deployments to Skipton and Natimuk during the January bushfires.
He now plays an active role in supporting and mentoring younger members in the brigade.
“When you’ve been involved from a young age, you want to help the next group coming through,” he said.
“Champs gives younger members something to aim for and a way to feel part of the brigade early on.”
Mr Smith said having the championships return to Stawell would be an important moment for the town and the wider Northern Grampians region.
“It’ll bring the community alive across both weekends,” he said.
“I’m not old enough to remember the last time state champs came to Stawell, so for younger members seeing it in their own backyard makes a big difference.
“If you’re on the fence about registering a team, just give it a go. It’s a great chance to compete, have fun and meet people from all over the state.
“We can’t wait for competition to begin.”
Brigades interested in competing in the state firefighter championships are encouraged to register their teams, with entries open now via the VFBV website. Entries close Sunday, February 15.
How can the government, energy authorities and proponents get it wrong time and time again?
Rules, regulations and laws need to change to make it a fairer process for all parties involved.
Then there were guest speakers Kevin Butler from BlazeAid and Graham Cockerell from Need for Feed.
If these blokes aren’t eligible for Australian of the year awards or King’s honours, then I don’t know who deserves such recognition.
Kevin began BlazeAid after his property was burnt in the Black Saturday bushfires and he received an outpouring of help from his community to help rebuild fences.
He spoke at the conference about that same spirit of generosity circulating through BlazeAid over the years – many landowners who have been on the receiving end of help, then turn around and repay the favour to someone else in need later on.
It’s happening at Natimuk right now – a farmer from Kangaroo Island is helping our local farmers rebuild fenc-
es after the Grass Flat fire last month. Kevin said ‘people don’t follow what you say, they follow what you do’ – a notion that many of our country’s leaders could do with taking note of. Then there was the other legend –Mr Cockerell – who has organised 200 truckloads of hay in the past month to the many farmers across Victoria who were affected by last month’s fires. He, too, spoke of farmers who had been affected in the past and received help, then stepping up to donate hay when they were in a position to do so.
Graham outlined an example of Willaura farmers – affected by last year’s Grampians fires, and drought too, who donated a truckload of hay to farmers burnt out in this summer’s fires.
Importantly, all three speakers touched on mental health.
Whether it’s drought, fires, or government-driven projects imposing on properties, there is plenty of services available for people needing a little bit of help – and it all starts with communities looking after each other.
West Wimmera Shire Council will begin a corella dispersal program at Edenhope from this week as part of its corella management plan.
Scare guns will be used in the Henley Park area, near Lake Wallace and at Edenhope Lakeside Tourist Park during the late afternoon and early evening, when birds are most active before roosting.
Council chief executive David Bezuidenhout said large flocks could cause ongoing issues for communities.
“West Wimmera has experienced significant problems with corellas in the past,” he said.
“In large numbers they can damage trees, cre-
ate ongoing noise and can impact buildings and community infrastructure.”
Scare guns produce loud intermittent noise, which encourages birds to move on before they settle for the night.
“This is a co-ordinated and humane approach aimed at preventing long-term roosting and minimising damage across the town,” Mr Bezuidenhout said.
Residents and visitors may notice loud noises during these periods. Activities will be supervised and limited to appropriate hours. For more information, people can contact council on 13 99 72.
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BY LAUREN HENRY
The Parliament of Victoria will launch an inquiry into January’s bushfires that affected communities across the state, including Natimuk and Quantong.
Labor had initially opposed a call for an inquiry but agreed in parliament on Wednesday last week.
The Across Victoria Alliance, United Firefighters Union and CFA Volunteers Group last month launched a petition, which was signed by 12,847 Victorians, demanding an investigation into fireservice funding, resources and the response to the summer fires.
The Victorian Liberals and Nationals were successful in pushing for the inquiry last week, moving a motion calling on the Environment and Planning Standing Committee to inquire into, and report on, the bushfires by June 1, 2026.
The Nationals Victorian leader and shadow Minister for Emergency Services Danny O’Brien said volunteers, firefighters, farmers, emergencymanagement personnel and communities affected by the bushfires had all raised questions about preparation, resourcing of emergency-services agencies and management of the fires.
“Victorians impacted by the bushfires deserve a voice. They deserve to have their experiences heard,” he said.
“This is the best way to get to the bottom of the Allan government’s bushfire preparedness and response and ensure we learn from these fires and strengthen our state’s future strategies.”
The motion called for the inquiry to consider the preparation and planning by government, including management of public and private land and roadsides.
It also sought investigation into the causes of the bushfires, their impact on the community, business and the environment, including native wildlife, and resourcing and funding of emergency services agencies.
“We need to learn from these fires, just as we did from the Bushfire Royal Commission, so that Victorians are better protected going forward,”
Mr O’Brien said.
“There must be an opportunity for public hearings, and for those involved in planning, preparation and fighting of the fires, to come before the parliament and explain to the Victorian people what decisions were made, and why.”
The inquiry will cover: preparation and planning by government, emergency-services agencies and the community ahead of the fire season, including management of public and private land and roadsides; causes and circumstances of the bushfires; forecasts, warnings and public education on bushfire threats; funding, equipment and appliances for the Country Fire Authority, Fire Rescue Victoria and Forest Fire Management Victoria, and recruitment and retention of CFA volunteers; and the emergency responses to control and contain the fires, including adequacy of resources and communications.
It will also look at the resilience of critical services and infrastructure such as electricity, water and telecommunications during and after the fires; the impact on the community, business and agriculture and efforts to aid in recovery; the impact on the environment, including native wildlife, and technology for early detection and firefighting in remote locations; the impacts of climate change on the natural environment, which has resulted in more frequent and intense bushfires occurring in Victoria; the prevalence and impact of misinformation leading into and during the fire season; the inter-jurisdictional support into and out of Victoria leading into and during the fire season, including interstate and international deployments, Commonwealth support and relief efforts; and lessons from and progress on the implementation of recommendations from previous inquiries, reports and Royal Commissions.
PROGRAMS COMBINE: Wimmera Libraries and Horsham Aquatic Centre have started a new program, Storytime at the Pool, on the first Wednesday of each month. The program is a unique experience that blends the magic of books with the joy of water play. Pictured is Horsham Library’s Sammie Brown reading a book to Sarah and Elsie Harders, Sam and Hugo Matthews, Macarly and Henry McClure and YMCA swimming teacher Georgia Walsh at the first session. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER
Yarriambiack Shire Council is inviting the community to have its say on proposed changes to waste and recycling services, set to begin from July 1.
The proposal’s aim is to ensure long-term financial sustainability, improve service equity across the shire, and align council operations with upcoming State Government requirements. Proposed changes include kerbside collections of 120-litre general waste, weekly; 240-litre recycling, fortnightly; and 120-litre glass, bimonthly. Existing 80L and 240L general-waste services will be maintained for current customers, unless a request is made for the 120-litre bin. Charges will increase by 10 per cent in 202627 to progress towards full cost recovery. Commercial kerbside services remain optional,
with charges to increase by 50 per cent from 2026-27.
At transfer stations, the proposed increase to the general-waste fee will be $45 per cubic metre, aligning with neighbouring councils. Green waste and e-waste disposal will remain free for residents. There will also be improved safety, accessibility, and facility upgrades proposed for the Murtoa, Warracknabeal and Hopetoun transfer stations, but opening hours will be reduced at most stations.
To view a full list of changes, people can visit council’s website, where there is also an online survey. People can also request a hard copy via phone or email, or at Warracknabeal council office. Consultation closes March 13, with final recommendations presented to council on March 25.
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Anew image has been added to the Sheep Hills Silo artwork, with the face of the late Wotjobaluk Elder William ‘Uncle Jack’ John Kennedy to feature.
Artist Adnate, who completed the GrainCorp Sheep Hills Silo Art in 2016, returned to work on January 27 to add the image of Uncle Jack. Barengi Gadjin Land Council, BGLC, and Yarriambiack Shire Council removed the image of Ron Marks from the silo art late last year after he was convicted in Horsham Magistrates’ Court of possessing child abuse material.
Adnate’s original work was inspired by his close relationship with BGLC, creating the existing artwork of Wotjobaluk Elder Aunty Regina Hood alongside young community members Savannah Marks and Curtly McDonald.
The night sky overlays the mural, symbolising local dreaming and honouring the sharing of knowledge, customs and wisdom between Elders and the next generation.
Uncle Jack, who died on September 6, 2005, was a respected Wotjobaluk Elder, advocate, and cultural leader.
Born on the banks of the Wimmera River near Ebenezer Mission on March 23, 1919, Uncle Jack was a descendant of DickaDick, a member of the first Australian cricket team to tour England in 1867-68.
A decorated Second World War serviceman, Uncle Jack served in the Syrian Campaign, North Africa and the Pacific, receiving the Australian Service Medal and the United Kingdom’s Defence Medal. His lifelong commitment to the rights
REPLACED: Artist Adnate, who completed the Sheep Hills Silo Art in 2016, returned to work on January 27 to add an image of ‘Uncle Jack’, replacing Ron Marks who late last year was convicted in Horsham Magistrates’ Court of possessing child abuse material.
of Aboriginal people saw him recognised as Male Elder of the Year at the 2003 NAIDOC Week Awards.
Following his death, Uncle Jack’s legacy was acknowledged in the 2005 historic Native Title determination for the Wimmera region.
Justice Ron Merkel noted Uncle Jack’s profound contribution, stating his dedication demonstrated the ‘tide of history had not washed away all entitlements to native title in the southeastern part of Australia’.
Uncle Jack’s words, drawn from his eulogy, continue to resonate: ‘If we follow Bunjil’s law and look after the country then the country will look after us … I must pass on Bunjil’s law so it
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continues’. “We would like to thank our community, families and staff, along with Yarriambiack Shire Council and artist Adnate in helping us assist to keep to the integrity of what the artwork on the silo represents for our community,” BGLC chairperson Chris Harrison said.
Yarriambiack Mayor Andrew McLean expressed his gratitude to BGLC and Adnate for their collaboration, and conveyed his anticipation in recognising Uncle Jack through the addition to the silo art.
He acknowledged Uncle Jack’s significant history, advocacy and enduring commitment to the Wotjobaluk people.
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Organisers of a swap meet and showand-shine competition at Stawell’s North Park later this month hope the event continues to grow with community backing.
Co-ordinator Scott Carey said the event, scheduled for Sunday, February 22, would be a great day out for residents of Stawell and other nearby communities.
The event, which ran for the first time last year, serves as a fundraiser for Swifts Football Netball Club, and Mr Carey said it had been well received.
“We had 1000 people through last year and about 100 stalls, and I’m hoping we’ll outdo that this year,” he said.
“It’s a swap meet, but there will also be market stalls, there will be food vans, face-painting and other entertainment for the kids – it should be a good family day out.
“Between the cars, the swap meet and the market, there should be something for everybody.”
Mr Carey said with six-by-sixmetre swap-meet sites available for only $20 for the day, it presented an easy alternative to a garage sale for people wanting to sell items they no longer used.
“I’m hoping a lot of people from Stawell especially, but also other areas, will go through their sheds and have a bit of a look and bring all their gear along here,” he said.
“We can pretty well guarantee we’ll bring in 1000 people to have a look at your items for sale, so instead of having a garage sale, it might be cheaper, easier and more beneficial to come along to this event and get involved.
“People might be pretty surprised at what they come across in their shed.
“I was an antique dealer many years ago, and it’s amazing what some people have got tucked away that they’ve forgotten about.”
Mr Carey said Swifts officials hoped to establish the event as a fixture on the local calendar each year.
“Most of the swap meets seem to have a pretty good following of people, and Stawell hasn’t had one before, so hopefully people will continue to get behind it,” he said.
“The money supports the football netball club.
“It’s getting harder and harder every year to come up with fundraisers, and we need all our clubs to survive.
“It was our first year last year and it was very successful, so we’re hoping it’s just going to keep building.”
The swap meet and show-andshine will be at North Park, Stawell from 7am to 2pm, with entry costing $5 and children under the age of 16 entering free of charge.
Entry to the show-and-shine competition costs $10 per car, with judging at noon and prizes on offer.
The cost of a swap meet site is $20 and provides entry for two people, and one vehicle and trailer. Market stalls are welcome, with no prebookings allowed.
Stall holders will be able to access their sites on Saturday, February 21 from noon to 8pm, and from 6am on February 22.
People wanting more information can email cksswiftsfnc@gmail. com or contact Mr Carey on 0400 581 937 or Cassandra Langley on 0409 190 696.
Chiropractic is not just about the bones, however that is where your spinal cord is and that’s the key.
Your nervous system responds to your environment and the stressors in that environment whether it be physical, chemical or emotional. So why can’t I feel these changes when they happen?
Sometimes you can, especially if you’ve had a sudden injury to the body. However, your body is designed for survival, and if it can keep you going without notifying you, it will.
(E.G. 45% of people who have suffered a heart attack had no prior warnings).
The nervous system responds to the stressors, the key area, your spine can literally shift to accommodate the issue and then this starts the pattern of tight muscles and eventually may result in pain.
Chiropractic care on a regular basis works by checking your spine and making sure everything is moving smoothly and your nervous system has its best chance of working well, so you do.
Wade’s Horsham made a significant impact at the 2025 Wimmera Machinery Field Days and are excited to return with their innovative Energy Hub in collaboration with leading suppliers this year.
The initiative will showcase the latest advancements in renewable energy and energy-efficient solutions tailored to the agricultural, industrial, and residential sectors.
As a trusted provider of quality products and energy solutions, and last year celebrating 40 years in business, Wade’s Horsham recognises the growing demand for sustainable and efficient power alternatives.
The Energy Hub aims to be a focal point for businesses, property owners, and farmers interested in exploring cutting-edge renewable energy technologies, to gain valuable insights, and networking with industry experts.
Featured suppliers
Several key suppliers will join Wade’s Horsham at the Wimmera Machinery Field Days to present their latest products and solutions, including:
• Reclaim Energy – Showcasing advanced heat pump technology designed for efficient and sustainable water heating solutions.
• Daikin – Presenting high-performance split systems for effective climate control in various environments.
• Sigenergy – Showcasing battery
options, including EV chargers, for reliable and sustainable energy solutions.
• Goodwe – Presenting cutting-edge inverters for efficient and reliable solar energy conversion.
Attendees of the Wimmera Machinery Field Days can:
• Discover the latest trends and advancements in renewable
and alternative energy solutions.
• Engage directly with industry professionals for personalised guidance on energy efficiency.
• Explore products that can enhance operational sustainability and cost-effectiveness.
• Learn about innovative solar, battery storage, and heat pump technologies that reduce reli-
ance on fossil fuels and lower energy costs.
The Energy Hub is an informative and valuable experience for farmers, business owners, and industry professionals looking to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving energy landscape.
The initiative will be supported by industry memberships through Green Energy Trading.
Wade’s Horsham’s is excited to see you at the Wimmera Machinery Field Days in March and invites you to explore the Energy Hub to learn more about how renewable energy innovations can benefit you. Alternatively you can contact them directly on 5382 3823 or call into their showroom at 18-20 Pynsent Street, Horsham.
Rural Northwest Health has appointed an interim chief executive following its board’s decision last year to not renew the contract of Jenni Masters.
Lois O’Callaghan will serve in the chief executive role for at least the next three months.
The search for a new chief executive began late last year after the board announced in October it would replace Ms Masters as part of its strategic review when her three-year contract ended on January 30.
Ms O’Callaghan started in the role last week, coming to RNH as an experienced chief executive and senior executive, having led teams in both public and privatesector organisations.
She has worked across the health, education, family services, and aged and disability fields, with experience in engaging communities and stakeholders, and aligning an organisation’s operations with its vision and values.
Hailing from Ouyen where she is also a partner in a broadacre farming enterprise, Ms O’Callaghan said she was passionate about the region.
She said she was ready to embrace any challenges the new role would bring, and looked forward to engaging with the wider community to help RNH continue providing accessible, efficient, and affordable care.
Ms Masters finished in her role last month and was farewelled at a shared cul-
Lois O’Callaghan
author Bruce Estens with his book Lilly, Australia’s Shame – a brutal, boxof-tissues story.
Picture: BRONWYN HASTINGS
tural lunch. She told staff they had given her a great sense of belonging, and she could not speak highly enough of them as a group of staff.
In October, staff petitioned the board, with the signatures of more than 70 people showing support and solidarity for Ms Masters to remain in the job – but to no avail.
“I have grown and changed so much over the past three years, both as a person and as a CEO and will take all I’ve learned into my next role,” Ms Masters said.
“The discussions I’ve had, friendships I’ve made, and interactions amongst the team have all had an impact.
“Thank you for your support over the rocky road of the past three years, I will go with everyone in my heart”.
Ms Masters has accepted a role with East Wimmera Health Service at St Arnaud.
Lower Norton resident Bruce Estens has self-published his book ‘Lilly, Australia’s Shame’, after turning the idea of its story over in his head for about a quarter of a century.
A harvest contract business owner and pilot, Estens said he was a private man – both in life and his marked absence from social media – who blindsided his friends with the release of his book.
“No one knew I was doing this –everyone was dumbfounded that I wrote a book, and they were even more dumbfounded when they read the book,” he said.
“It’s Australian history, loosely –a big story of two romances, one around the 1890s and one around the 1990s, both of mixed-race Aboriginal girls with privileged white men and all the nightmares
that creates. It is a brutal story, it’s a box-of-tissues story.
“Even as a writer, it wrecked me at times, because you have to get inside your characters.
“It was bloody tough, at times I couldn’t do it and I had to pull up and get myself together.”
Estens said his story has changed readers’ perceptions.
“People have read the book and said, ‘we understand the history, but we didn’t live it,” he said.
“This story is in your face – it’s brutal, particularly for women.”
Written in three parts, Estens said he would like to make the book a television series.
“I’ve been told it would start at a $100-million budget, because I moved the story around,” he said.
“I did it deliberately because I thought, if we’re going to get
it into flicks, the more states involved, the better, and the story can carry it.”
Estens said although it took about 24 years and four rewrites to produce the first part of the book, the other two parts came somewhat easier.
And he still has more to write.
“The trouble is, if you’ve got something inside your head, there’s only one way to get rid of it,” he said.
“Because no matter what happened, I kept thinking about it, but once I wrote it, it was gone.
“But there’s going to be a sequel now – it’s never-ending.”
The book is available to purchase online at Amazon, and at Horsham Newsagency.
– Bronwyn Hastings
Magforce is a specialist formulation designed to support lambing/calving ewes/cattle through the last trimester of pregnancy and through to late lactation or Weaning
Natimuk Primary School is among schools in bushfire-impacted areas of Victoria to share $2-million in additional funding to address the immediate mental health and wellbeing needs of students.
Education Minister Ben Carroll announced last week the funding would be delivered as a topup to impacted public schools’ existing Schools Mental Health Fund, enabling them to purchase additional evidence-based mental health and wellbeing support.
Horsham Mayor Brian Klowss said the funding recognised the broader impact bushfires could have on families, children and school communities.
“Events like bushfires can be distressing for children and young people, particularly when they disrupt families and local communities,” he said.
“It’s important that schools have access to appropriate wellbeing supports to help students feel safe, supported and able to focus on learning.”
“Events like bushfires can be distressing for children and young people, particularly when they disrupt families and local communities”
– Brian Klowss
Schools were identified based on direct bushfire impacts to facilities and communities, including where students and staff have experienced loss of property or disruption.
The funding will provide the schools with access to increased recovery and wellbeing support, focusing on trauma-informed support as well as disaster, grief and loss programs.
“We want our students and staff across the state to know we are behind them every step of the way, and help restore a sense of safety and calm to our school communities,” Mr Carroll said.
“We know the significant damage these fires can bring to our students emotional wellbeing, and we are putting every effort in place to mitigate the trauma and disruption they have caused.”
Singer-songwriter Steve Poltz
Southern Wimmera Cropping/ Grazing - 101.2 ha/ 250.07 acres. Excellent fencing with good access with road frontages on 3 sides. Outstanding Mountain views, 2 catchment dams & GWM Pipeline water.
PRICED @ $7000 per acre – $1,750,490
Mark Clyne M 0417 568 200
127.6ha / 315.3 acres
Currently divided in to two paddocks. Watered by 4 dams, access to the GWM pipeline water supply. Great opportunity to secure an affordable block in a reliable higher Southern Wimmera rainfall zone.
PRICED @ $3850 per acre
Mark Clyne M 0417 568 200
Ararat Rural City Council is inviting residents to enjoy a night of storytelling and music when acclaimed singer-songwriter Steve Poltz returns to Ararat Town Hall on Wednesday, March 11.
Presented by Ararat Live, the show will be from 8pm to 10pm in a cabaret setting, with the bar open from 7.30pm and patrons welcome to bring their own snacks.
Known for his improvisational performances, Poltz works without a set list so every show is different, responding to the mood of the room and drawing the audience into the performance.
Born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, raised in southern California and now based in Nashville, Poltz has toured Australia more than 20 times and built a loyal following for his mix of guitar work and songs that can have audiences smiling one minute and crying the next. His work has been praised by international outlets including Rolling Stone, Associated
Press, and Billboard, and he continues to record and tour extensively with more than a dozen albums to his name.
Mayor Bob Sanders said it was a great opportunity for local residents to experience a high-calibre live-music performance without leaving the region.
“Having an artist of Steve Poltz’s calibre on our Town Hall stage is a real treat for our community,” he said.
“He is a natural storyteller with a genuine connection to his audience, and shows like this add depth and colour to our local live music scene.”
The performance will feature cabaret-style seating, with tickets priced at $40 for adults, $50 at the door; $30 for concession, $40 at the door; and $20 for under-18s, $30 at the door. Tickets and more event information are available via the Ararat Town Hall website.
• More on Ararat Live, page 22
Central Goldfields Crime Investigation Unit detectives have charged a man following a series of fires east of St Arnaud last year.
Emergency services were called to two suspicious fires in McIntyre and Cochranes Creek on December 12 and 20, 2025.
Police will allege a further two fires were deliberately lit near O’Briens Dam and RheolaBealiba roads, Wehla, at about 7.30pm on January 4.
At the time, the four fires were quickly extinguished and no one was injured.
Detectives executed a search warrant at an address in the Moliagul area yesterday, where they arrested a 28-year-old man at the property.
He has since been charged with four counts of recklessly lighting a wildfire and one count of conduct endanger life.
The man was remanded to appear before Bendigo Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
Degenhardts Road, Murtoa, VIC
148.1ha / 365.96 acres
First time offered for sale in 155 years!
Prime broadacre cropping land located in the heart of the renowned Wimmera Cropping region and only approx 30kms ( 20 minutes from Horsham). Gently undulating land with good fall across the land. GWM pipeline water is connected to a large poly tank. Currently fenced into 2 paddocks, excellent fencing along the railway line with the remaining fencing mostly original.
Offered For Sale by Expressions of Interest
Closing 4.00pm Thursday 12th February 2026
Mark Clyne M 0417 568 20 E mark.clyne@harcourts.com.au
Northern Grampians Shire residents can help shape the future of community-care services in the municipality by participating in a comprehensive review, open now.
In December the council resolved to review its community-care model in response to Federal Government changes to the way aged-care services are funded and delivered.
The council launched a survey as part of the review, which is open until Tuesday, February 24.
Council officials will also host dropin sessions in Stawell and St Arnaud later this month, along with com-
munity workshops in March. Mayor Karen Hyslop said a new Aged Care Act 2024 and Aged Care Rules 2025, which came into effect on November 1 last year, introduced new operating requirements that necessitated thorough review.
“The Act is moving away from block funding, where council receives set annual funding to deliver aged care services, and moving towards a fee-for-service model, where funding comes after an individual client chooses a particular provider,” she said.
“As a result, we are expecting more specialist providers to enter the market.
Federal Member for Wannon Dan Tehan joined with shadow minister for health and aged care Anne Ruston to visit Willaura Health Care last week.
The visit was in response to a request for Mr Tehan to attend the centre to discuss obtaining Federal Government support for the redevelopment of Willaura Health Care following the State Government announcement of $3.4250-million for stage one of the redevelopment.
“This could make it more difficult for council to remain cost-competitive, as these providers might deliver services more efficiently due to different cost structures, wage agreements and economies of scale.”
Cr Hyslop said the council’s review aimed to ensure residents had access to quality aged-care services in the long term while balancing the council’s need to provide other essential services at the same time.
“It is important to note that no council decisions have been made and will not be made until after we have engaged with our community,” she said.
“There are various ways to have your say, and I encourage the com-
munity to participate in helping us determine the best path to take.”
The survey is anonymous and will provide data to help guide the council’s future decisions.
More information about the review is available on the council’s website, www.ngshire.vic.gov.au, as is a link to the community survey.
Hard copies of the survey area available from locations in Stawell and St Arnaud including the council’s customer service offices, libraries and Thrive 50+ hubs.
Members of the council’s community-care team will host drop-in information sessions at St Arnaud Library on Tuesday, February 24 and Stawell
Library on Friday, February 27. Both sessions will be from 10am to 4.30pm and provide opportunities for people to learn about the legislation changes, as well as what the council is reviewing through the community-engagement period.
The council will also host workshops in Stawell and St Arnaud to further discuss insights and trends gathered via the community survey.
Council officials will confirm dates for the workshops later this month, and registrations will be required.
People can call 5358 8700 or email communityengagegement@ ngshire.vic.gov.au with any enquiries.
East Grampians Health Service Board chair Cam Evans and board director Sybil Abbott Burmeister led the discussions.
Mr Evans said he was delighted the State Government had come on board and was hoping the Federal Government could fund the aged care part of the redevelopment.
“We are hopeful they will match the Victorian government contribution,” he said.
Mr Tehan told those at the meeting he would work hard with the government to secure the funding the Willaura Hospital required.
Easily switch between broadcast spraying, targeted application, or both. Use less herbicide per hectare with ExactApply™ nozzle control and See & Spray™ Select, targeting only the areas that need it. Advanced technology ensures consistent application, improved efficiency, and reduced costs.
Ararat Live organisers are looking forward to a packed slate of monthly live-music in 2026, running from February to November.
Starting the year on Wednesday next week will be Irish acoustic folk duo The Ocelots, who previously played for Ararat Live in February 2020 at the Rex Hotel.
The Ocelots comprise twins Brandon and Ashley Watson from Wexford, Ireland, and are undertaking a three-month tour of Australia that includes appearances at Woodford Folk Festival, Port Fairy Folk Festival, Anannup Music Festival and Blue Mountains Music Festival.
The pair said they had crafted their songwriting and musical experience to produce a blend of rich harmonies and bare, raw acoustic folk.
The Ocelots started busking across Ireland before playing their music on stages across Europe, winning admirers for their mesmerising melo-
dies, on-stage charm and wit. Having produced a new album, ‘Everything, When Said Slowly’, last year, the pair described themselves as ‘a new and improved duo’.
The big slate of Ararat Live performances will continue next month with the return of Canadian-American singer-songwriter Steve Poltz, on Wednesday, March 11.
Ararat Live shows at Ararat Town Hall commence at 8pm and feature cabaret seating, with the bar opening at 7.30pm and patrons welcome to bring their own snacks.
Tickets are available online through the Ararat Town Hall performances website and at the door. Ararat Live is a not-for-profit collective whose main objective is to support original music. People can keep up to date with all the happenings on the ‘Ararat Live’ Facebook page.
Ararat Rural City Council wants residents to make their voices heard and stand up for people seeking asylum in Australia as part of a national Back Your Neighbour campaign.
The council is a member of the Mayoral and Councillor Taskforce Supporting People Seeking Asylum, which leads a campaign to advocate to the Federal Government for fairer refugee policies.
Mayor Bob Sanders said the immigration status of about 8000 men, women and children who sought refuge in Australia was in limbo.
“Many have lived, worked and contributed to their communities for many years, yet remain without certainty about their future,” he said.
“Without permanent status, people are often denied access to essential services such as health care, income support, safe housing and crisis support, leaving vulnerable individuals and families at risk of poverty and destitution.”
Cr Sanders said a loud community voice was essential to drive change and encouraged residents to join the council in its advocacy for the Federal Government to meet people’s basic needs, provide certainty and create pathways to permanent residency.
“Ararat Rural City Council is part of this taskforce because we believe in backing people seeking asylum, not only because it’s the right thing to do, but because our community has been enriched by people who have come here from other countries,” he said.
“We need our community to help
us get loud and send a clear message that leaving people in limbo for years is not acceptable.”
Residents can support the campaign by: emailing the Immigration Minister and their local MP to call for certainty and stability; signing a petition urging the Immigration Minister to meet basic needs and offer permanent solutions; follow the campaign
on Facebook and Instagram, sharing pledge posters and using the hashtag #BackYourNeighbour; and endorse the campaign as an organisation or community group.
For campaign links and templates, people can visit www.ararat.vic.gov.
au and click a link to the Back Your Neighbour campaign at the top of the page.
Kaniva.
The sharp crack of a stockwhip echoed across Kaniva Recreation Reserve on Wednesday night last week as crowds gathered for world-record whipcracker Nathan ‘Whippy’ Griggs.
The free event, hosted by West Wimmera Shire Council, included a fast-paced show featuring precision tricks, comedy and demonstrations of different types of whips.
Children were on their feet dancing while Griggs cracked his whip to music.
Several young volunteers were also invited on stage to learn how to crack a whip, drawing big cheers from the audience.
Griggs is a five-time Guinness World Record holder, based in the Northern
Territory. Kaniva was the last stop on his tour of Western
West Wimmera Shire Council chief executive David Bezuidenhout said the strong attendance showed the value of bringing unique events to local communities.
“It was fantastic to see so many people come together for a night of entertainment in Kaniva,” he said.
“Events like this provide opportunities for families to connect, support local clubs and enjoy something different close to home.”
The event was supported by Kaniva Cricket Club and Kaniva Leeor United Football Netball Club.
YMCA Victoria chief exec-
utive Carolyn Morris visited Horsham Aquatic Centre last week to recognise the team and work delivered over the past year, which has strengthened its position as a welcoming, inclusive and safe place for residents.
Ms Morris joined Horsham Rural City Council Mayor Brian Klowss, chief executive Gail Gatt, and councillors as well as aquatic centre staff for a short on-site ceremony and tour.
It was also an opportunity for councillors to see improvements firsthand and hear directly from staff about what has changed for the community.
Ms Morris also congratulated aquatic centre staff on receiving a Y Australia National Award in the Just World category, recognising their contribution to community wellbeing and inclusion.
“This summer has been a reminder that pools are an essential community service in regional towns,” Ms Morris said.
“On the hottest days, locals need somewhere safe and affordable to cool down, and our Horsham team has delivered that with care and consistency.”
The Y’s Cool Off for Summer initiative continues to offer $2 swims on days forecast to reach 35 degrees or above, helping keep access affordable during extreme heat.
ON-SITE: Horsham Cr Dean O’Loughlin, Horsham Aquatic Centre manager Mark Meyer, YMCA
Victoria chief executive Carolyn Morris, Horsham Mayor Brian Klowss and council chief executive Gail Gatt at Horsham Aquatic Centre.
Horsham has already recorded more than 4820 visits during hot weather this summer, with the community making the most of the discounted $2 entry. With some hot weather still ahead, the centre is looking forward to surpassing the 6148 $2 swims in the 2024-25 season Alongside affordable access on heat days, the Horsham team has continued inclusion measures in-
cluding sensory-friendly swimming, free sanitary products in female change rooms, and shower access for people experiencing homelessness or impacted by regional fires.
“It’s great to see how much the community is using the Horsham Aquatic Centre, especially over summer,” Cr Klowss said.
“On really hot days, this place becomes incredibly important, and the local team has done a fantastic job making sure it is welcoming, affordable and safe for everyone.
“Council is proud of the work being done here and the positive difference it’s making for locals.”
Ararat Rural City Council officials are encouraging drivers to better understand and comply with loading zone parking restrictions as the council increases parking enforcement across the municipality.
The council’s community safety officers have issued several loading zone infringements in recent weeks, and asked drivers to be aware of who can legally use loading zones and why the rules are in place.
Loading zones are designated areas intended for short-term use by vehicles actively loading or unloading goods. They are primarily used by couriers, delivery trucks and businesses that rely on regular access to premises throughout the day.
Council officials said drivers should know that: loading zones were not general parking spaces; being a shop owner or customer does not automatically permit use of a loading zone; loading zones cannot be used for quick errands, such as grocery shopping; and that vehicles must meet legal requirements to park in a loading zone, while signed time limits must be adhered to.
Council chief executive Tim Harrison said some drivers who received a verbal warning or an infringement notice for repeat behaviour claimed they were unaware of the restrictions.
“Council is encouraging all motorists to familiarise themselves with parking signage to avoid infringements,” he said.
“With a full community safety team now active, parking enforcement has increased. Our officers will issue warnings where appropriate, but infringements may apply where breaches continue.
“The rules exist to ensure fair access for delivery vehicles, support local businesses and maintain safety for all road users.”
Dr Harrison said loading zones played an important role in keeping footpaths clear, traffic flowing and deliveries running smoothly throughout the day.
He encouraged drivers to use nearby standard parking bays when available.
At Harrow-Balmoral Football Netball Club, we would love to welcome your family into our junior community.
We are currently seeking new junior footballers and netballers across all age groups, and more than anything, we are looking to grow our club with families who value inclusion, friendship, and enjoyment of sport.
We believe sport should build confidence, connection, and character — not pressure. That’s why we don’t run trials and we never turn anyone away. If your child wants to give it a go, they will be welcomed, supported, and encouraged from day one.
We are proud of the lengths we go to make participation accessible for families, including a free bus service from Horsham, a ordable fees with payment plans, and meals available after training, including $5 kids’ meals on Thursdays.
Our senior players lead by example, helping our juniors learn not just skills, but respect, teamwork, and pride in their club.
Whether you are new to the area, returning to sport, or coming back to the club, you will always be welcomed with open arms.
We invite you to come along, meet our team, and experience what makes Harrow Balmoral special.
Warm regards,
BY COLIN MacGILLIVRAY
Ararat Rural City Council fi-
nally closed the chapter on its 2024-25 financial year when it adopted its annual report last week – more than three months after the report was scheduled to be submitted.
A delay in the Victorian AuditorGeneral’s Office, VAGO, approving the council’s accounts statement resulted in the lengthy hold-up, which saw the council subsequently investigated by the Local Government Inspectorate for failing to submit its annual report on time.
The delay centred on a technical disagreement between an external auditor and the VAGO in interpreting the council’s audited statements regarding valuations of formation under road assets.
According to a council report, the external auditor believed it should be treated as a prior-period error, while the VAGO believed it should be considered a current-year valuation adjustment.
Following a lengthy consideration period, the auditor and VAGO agreed the accounting treatment should be as a prior-period error.
The council received the VAGO’s independent auditor report in December, meaning it was unable to officially sign off on its annual report until last week’s meeting – its first of 2026.
Council chief executive Tim Harrison said the delay would have no adverse effect, and while the Local Government Inspectorate’s investigation found the council did breach the Local Government Act 2020 by failing to submit its annual report on
time, it was a purely technical breach.
Dr Harrison said it was ‘quite odd’ to sign off on an annual report completed under the previous mayoral term of Cr Jo Armstrong while under the current mayoral stewardship of Cr Bob Sanders.
Cr Armstrong said it was a relief to be able to finalise the report, which she said highlighted the community’s fortitude in the face of challenging circumstances.
“Our community faced some real challenges with the Yarram Gap and Pomonal and Bayindeen fires all happening in the one calendar year – in 2024,” she said.
“Those events really tested our limits and tested our capacity, and as a council we really rose to the occasion.
“We had the strategy in place in our council organisation to be able to meet those challenges.
“It’s recognising what our community needs and ensuring that we have the resources to match those needs that lead to great results such as what we see in our annual report.
“That community spirit really does define, I believe, our municipality.”
Cr Armstrong said the report showed ways the council was addressing the challenges facing residents, including cost-of-living issues and environmental factors stemming from the fires.
“We’ve been able to win $7.3-million from the Federal Government to build really enabling, crucial infrastructure for housing,” she said.
“We continue to attract significant funding for road upgrades – we attracted a further $1-million for the Buangor-Ben Nevis Road in addi-
tion to the previous commitment of $2.143-million.
“As many people are aware, we attracted $1.5-million to the Ararat Pony Club for a covered sports arena, which is going to be a significant addition to the recreational opportunity for people across the municipality and lots of visitors to the town.
“There’s a $330,000 upgrade to the Tatyoon Recreation Reserve, a $200,000 interior upgrade to the Ararat Library, $100,000 for a new offleash dog park at Ararat Centenary Park, and we completed the Pomonal tennis court playing-surface upgrade.
“We have continued as well to ensure the future opportunity of the youngest people in our municipality by continuing to deliver free TAFE education in Certificate III Early Childhood Education through our partnership with Federation University at the Ararat Jobs and Technology Precinct.
“As well as that, we’ve established a child-friendly cities and communities working group to safeguard the best interests of our younger residents.”
Cr Armstrong described the report as ‘the culmination of the work of two councils’.
“It’s a great report to present for our new councillors to have a record of the work that’s been done from our previous council,” she said.
“I’d like to acknowledge past councillors Peter Beales, Gwenda Allgood and Henry Burridge, who all contributed to the very good governance that helped lead to the results we can see in this report.”
Cr Teli Kaur encouraged residents to read the annual report, which is available online at www.ararat.vic.gov.au/ annual-report-202425.
Willaura Health Care has welcomed pharmacist Somnath Sakthi Sekaran as part of a Federal Government aged-care on-site pharmacist trial.
Mr Sakthi Sekaran operates Trident Pharmacy in Willaura and is currently on site one day a week at the Willaura hospital and Parkland House Hostel, where he reviews patient and resident medications and makes recommendations to GPs to ensure patient safety.
The aim of the program is to improve medication use and safety, provide continuity in medication management, provide easy access to pharmacist advice for residents and
staff, and integrate the on-site pharmacist with the healthcare team.
The federally funded program was established after the Royal Commission into Aged Care, with East Grampians Health Service, EGHS, officials hoping to expand it to Ararat aged-care facilities in future.
EGHS director of clinical services Bec Peters said having Mr Sakthi Sekaran on site at Willaura benefitted both patients and staff.
“Our clinical staff appreciate the advice of Som and we thank him for taking part in this trial and the care he provides our patients and residents,” she said.
Ararat Rural City Council is calling for more residents to join a Child Friendly Cities and Communities, CFCC, working group.
The community-led group aims to amplify local children’s voices and make townships more welcoming and inclusive for young people.
The CFCC working group formed last year with 15 members who advocated for ways to support children to participate in civic life, from shaping local events to informing future planning and projects.
The group acts in an advisory capacity to council chief executive Tim Harrison, championing practical ways to uphold and advance the principles of the Victorian Child Friendly Cities and Communities Charter in everyday decision-making.
CFCC chair Nerissa Gee said the group’s focus was on listening to children and turning their ideas into action.
“Our meetings are grounded in real stories and experiences from children, families and service providers, and this year we’re keen to take the next step by developing an action plan for child and youth consultation”
– Tim Harrison
“Our meetings are grounded in real stories and experiences from children, families and service providers, and this year we’re keen to take the next step by developing an action plan for child and youth consultation, including co-designed ways to find out what young people would like to see in their communities,” she said.
Dr Harrison, said the group had explored innovative and low-cost ways to give young people from the region a voice
in its first year. “They’ve heard from young people with diverse lived experiences, and done the hard yards connecting with regional networks such as the Central Highlands Youth Services Network and the VLGA Child Friendly Cities and Communities network,” he said.
“It’s a tremendous resource that council can rely on and make sure our programs deliver what’s needed most.”
Dr Harrison encouraged people who are passionate about children’s wellbeing to complete a CFCC working group expression-of-interest form on the Engage Ararat website by 5pm on Saturday, or to pick up a hard-copy form from the council’s customer service workers.
For more information about the CFCC charter or the working group, people can visit engage. ararat.vic.gov.au and search for Child Friendly Cities.
The Victorian Farmers’ Markets Association will host a special webinar with Warren Davies, known as The Unbreakable Farmer, for farmers, producers, market managers and communities impacted by recent bushfires.
The webinar will be at 7.30pm tomorrow, Thursday.
Mr Davies is a community-focused speaker and mental health
advocate with lived experience across farming, disaster recovery and rural resilience.
His work centres on building capacity before crisis, providing practical support during crisis, and walking with communities after crisis – when the real work of recovery begins.
“Resilience isn’t the first step,”
Mr Davies said.
“We need safety, connection,
and support first. From that foundation, resilience can grow.”
The webinar will offer practical tools for managing stress and overwhelm, supporting one another, and strengthening community wellbeing.
The webinar is free and supported by the State Government’s Look Over the Farm Gate.
To join the zoom link, people can visit https://bit.ly/4a7ZQQ9.
A community donation has enabled Grampians Health Horsham’s emergency department medical team to capture images of eye injuries and transfer them directly to specialists.
Wimmera Health Care Group Foundation donated $46,000 to purchase the high-quality Swiss-made examination microscope or ‘slit-lamp’ – a device that provides a threedimensional, high-magnification view of a patient’s eye.
Grampians Health Horsham ED head Peter Carter said the new slit lamp replaced a 20-year-old device that was unable to display or save images.
“This microscope has simpler use, more features and higher power and we now have the capacity to document and potentially send images as required,” he said.
“It is getting used every single day in ED
and it is also ideal for educating our junior doctors on eye injuries. We are very happy with this new acquisition and very grateful for it.”
Dr Carter thanked the foundation for its support.
“If we didn’t have the support from the foundation, it would be very difficult to upgrade or increase our instrument stocks because there is such a great demand on the system,” he said.
“Funding groups such as the foundation are just so important to us.”
Foundation director Richard Goudie said he was pleased the group was able to provide funding for such an important upgrade.
“This device wasn’t going to be funded by the department so this is typically where we step in and help,” he said.
DRIVE DAY 18TH & 19TH
OF FEBRUARY 2026
WEDNESDAY: Simon Evans on site with Polaris RZR.
WHEN:
WEDNESDAY 18th & THURSDAY 19th
FEBRUARY 2026
8am to 4pm
5177 Murray Valley Highway, Swan Hill.
Horsham Rural City Council has opened applications for its community development grants, providing funding support for projects that strengthen community wellbeing and connection.
The program supports initiatives aligned with the council plan 20252029, focusing on improving liveability, sustainability and accessibility across the municipality.
Applications are now open and will close on March 2.
Horsham Mayor Brian Klowss said the grants program played a vital role in empowering community-led initiatives.
“These grants support grassroots projects that help build healthier, more engaged communities across our municipality,” he said.
The program provides funding of up to $10,000 per organisation, with most successful grants typically ranging between $500 and $5000.
In 2025, council awarded $137,684 to 41 community organisations through the program, supporting a range of projects across the municipality.
The grants program is one of four council grant streams.
The events grants round is scheduled to open in May, while urgent-need small grants and youth grants are available year-round.
Council officials encouraged applications that aligned with the community vision and council plan themes of liveability, sustainability and accessibility,
as well as other key strategies including the youth strategy, disability access and inclusion plan, innovate reconciliation action plan and the age-friendly communities implementation plan.
To support organisations applying for funding, interested community groups can attend information drop-in sessions in Horsham and Natimuk throughout February.
Council’s community grants team will be available to discuss the program and provide guidance on preparing strong applications.
The first was on Tuesday at council reception at the Horsham municipal offices, with another today, Wednesday, from 10am to 2pm, Natimuk NC2 building.
There will also be a session at Natimuk NC2 on Wednesday, February 18, from 10am to 2pm.
The program is open to not-for-profit organisations, or groups with an auspice body, delivering projects within the Horsham municipality.
Funded projects must commence after July 1 and be completed by June 30, 2027.
The community development grants program does not provide funding for events.
Applications must be submitted online.
For a full list of previous grant recipients and further details on eligibility, application requirements and the 2026-27 guidelines, people can visit hrcc.vic. gov.au/Our-Services/Grant-information/ Community-Grants-Program.
GRADUATES: Levi, Alex and Jack at Lake Bolac outdoor swimming pool with instructor Reuben Sladdin.
Nearly 30 young Ararat Rural City residents have become stronger, more skilful swimmers thanks to the council’s annual summer intensive swim program.
Delivered at the Lake Bolac and Willaura outdoor pools during the recent school holidays, the program provided participants with regular, structured swimming lessons in a short period of time.
The format allowed children to
build skills quickly, from water familiarisation and safety for younger participants through to survival skills, stroke technique and endurance for older age groups.
Mayor Bob Sanders thanked local families for supporting the initiative, which he said helped improve water-safety skills for young people across the municipality.
“These programs are always successful because the kids are taught
vital swimming skills in their familiar pool environment, and the intensive format really helps those skills stick,” he said.
“Thank you to the instructors and pool staff at our wonderful pools for running such a successful program again this year.
“It’s a good feeling to know we have a cohort of graduates who are now more confident and capable in the water.”
Hindmarsh Shire Council will host a free community screening of a documentary by CALD Community Voices at Nhill Memorial Community Centre on March 20.
‘Shared Table: Regional Heroes’ explores the lives of Karen, from Myanmar; Hazara, from Afghanistan; and Nepalese migrants who have made their homes in re-
gional Victoria. Doors will open at 6.15pm, with director Nandita Chakraborty giving a presentation before a screening of the film at 7pm.
“In a world marked by division, Shared Table: Regional Heroes brings people together through food, conversation and listening, centring voices from the Nhill Karen community, Dimboola, Shepparton
and Gippsland,” Chakraborty said.
“By sharing the stories of those who nourish us, Shared Table gives them visibility and reminds us that it is our shared responsibility to shape a modern table – where meals and voices come together in connection.”
Light refreshments will be provided after the screening.
BY BRONWYN HASTINGS
Wellbeing courses, classes and casual sessions are among the breadth of ‘anything and everything’ events at Horsham Neighbourhood House.
Manager Charlie Helyar said gentle exercise classes and a youth mentalhealth first-aid course were among term one’s offerings.
“This term we’re running a gentle exercise class for all ages on a Friday morning, which is $5 a session for six weeks,” he said.
“In March, Headspace will run a youth mental-health first-aid course for people aged 18 plus, and we’ve still got spots available for that as well.”
Mr Helyar said as well as other courses such as first aid, food handling and responsible service of alco-
hol, NHN hosted other meetings each week, including a carer’s group, adultlifestyle group, and Chatty Café.
“Chatty Café is a social group. Peo ple can just come and have a cuppa and chat with other people in the com munity,” he said.
“The Chatty Café movement started in the UK just after the COVID pan demic finished as a way of people getting back into and engaged in their community.”
A mental-health expo is scheduled for April, which will feature services and entertainment.
“We’re inviting all community ser vices to come. We’ve got food vans and performers coming – it’s just a fun day for the whole family and a great way to create some awareness around mental health and its importance,” Mr Helyar said.
sham residents – we’re here to support the whole community.”
People can check HNH’s Facebook page for more information on events and sessions, or call Mr Helyar on 5382 5352.
Abroader view and a passion for wellbeing shifted Horsham’s Holistic Haven owner Brianna Wills from her work treating the mind as a counsellor, to treating the whole body.
Holistic Haven’s services include floatation therapy, spiral flow, infrared sauna, holistic counselling, red-light therapy and massage.
“Holistic Haven is a space created to support nervous-system regulation, deep rest and reconnection for body, mind and soul,” Mrs Wills said.
“It’s not about fixing people, it’s about creating a safe environment where the body can soften, reset and remember how to heal.
“Working in trauma for such a long time as a therapist, I saw a gap between talk-based support and what the body actually needs.”
Mrs Wills has a Bachelor of Psychology, Graduate Diploma of Counselling, Diploma of Mindfulness Therapy, Advanced Diploma of Meditation and Holistic Counselling, is a certified spinal flow practitioner and is trained in eye movement desensitisation reprocessing therapy.
She said the various practises were used somatically – to support the body.
looking at releasing stresses out of the body, because we store everything – chemical, physical, emotional – and it shows up in pain, disease and discomfort,” she said.
“We use those modalities to help reduce stress, to create more ease of flow in the body.
‘One
Mrs Wills said Holistic Haven’s main service was flotation therapy.
“There are no other flotation pods in the region,” she said.
“The idea is sensory deprivation – the float has 500 kilos of pure magnesium and it’s heated to 35 degrees, so you float effortlessly.
“The body also absorbs the magnesium while you’re floating, so it’s deep rest as well, which I think a lot of people in our society today don’t have.”
Mrs Wills said the infrared sauna was good for reducing stress and cortisol levels, and for internal repair, while red-light therapy worked at a cellular level.
“Red-light therapy is also deeply relaxing, because you do just get to lay on the massage table with the light on,” she said.
“You don’t get hot or sweaty or wet, so that can be a quick 30-minute session, which is really good because people can just walk out, and they don’t have to shower or anything afterwards.”
Mrs Wills said an in-house independent masseuse provided a service that complemented those of Holistic Haven’s.
“We have Sharon who provides massage, she does all her own bookings, but we can tee up a float, then a massage for people, because it’s deeply nourishing for the body to have those two together,” she said.
“Everything here is focusing on the nervous system as being the foundation of wellbeing.”
– Bronwyn
Hastings
Dr Gregory Eyre boasts a chiropractic career of more than 30 years, using a range of techniques to treat people of all ages who have a variety of complaints.
In April last year, Dr Eyre moved his Horsham-based business from Baillie Street to McLachlan Street – the new clinic boasting three treatment rooms, a comfortable waiting room, and ease of parking.
Using soft-tissue techniques, spinal and joint manipulation and mobilisation, ultrasound therapy and non-invasive techniques, many patients continue to benefit from Dr Eyre’s knowledge and skill.
The range of Dr Eyre’s patients is many and varied, from newborns with clicky hips, school students with sore backs and shoulders from heavy backpacks, pregnant women with backache, to athletes with restricted movement. Even avid gardeners who have pulled a weed and felt a twinge, or the ‘I woke up like it’ complaint, and the almost infamous ‘techneck’ condition many people suffer from due to poor posture while using technology, can all find relief.
So many conditions, yet one possible solution – Dr Eyre could be the answer to your discomfort, the treatment you have been looking for.
People can pop into the clinic at 52 McLachlan Street, Horsham, or call 5382 2528 to see how Dr Eyre at the Wimmera Chiropractic Centres may be able to help.
Meditation is a fabulous way to self-manage stress and anxiety, to tap into the inner self and work with long-
Meditation is offered Monday and Wednesday nights. For bookings go to www. wendyrobertsonwellness.com.au
Dietetics Exercise
Moon Circles are offered on the nights of the full moon and new moon. These events are via Eventbrite, which can be subscribed to or via my Facebook and Instagram pages.
Scan here to book your Group Moon Session
20 years of experience
info@wendyrobertsonwellness.com.au 0425 742 994 Droylsden House – 145 Baillie Street, Horsham
BY BRONWYN HASTINGS
The inspiration for Horsham’s dedicated yoga and pilates space Studio Sukha came to teacher and founder Mia Winfield while completing her training in 2019.
“The studio that facilitated my training was tucked away on Flinders Lane, right in the heart of one of Melbourne’s busiest corporate districts,” she said.
“Almost every weekend for five months I weaved through the constant hustle and bustle of the city – often after a 3.5-hour drive from the country –yet the moment I stepped through the studio doors, was greeted by friendly faces and took my place on the mat, everything softened.
“I instantly felt calm, grounded and at peace. That feeling stayed with me.”
Ms Winfield’s desire to bring a space like that to Horsham grew steadily.
“It was to the point where it began keeping me up at night,” she said.
“I found myself imagining what this kind of space could look like here, and more importantly, what it could offer our community.”
Ms Winfield said her dream was to create a studio where people could regularly go to restore and renew their minds and bodies – through movement, stillness, breath and connection.
“I wanted a place where you could move with intention, slow down when you needed to, challenge yourself when you’re ready, and feel supported every step of the way,” she said.
Today, that vision lives through a full timetable of more than 30 weekly classes, offering a variety of yoga and pilates styles to suit all levels, schedules and energy states.
“For those seeking a more personalised approach, we also offer private one-on-one sessions, allowing for tailored guidance and individual support,” Ms Winfield said.
“Throughout the year, we host special events, workshops and experiences designed to deepen practice, spark inspiration, and bring our community together.
“More than anything, this space exists to be a sanctuary – a place where you can step away from the noise, reconnect with yourself and feel a sense of belonging. It’s a place to breathe, a place to move, a place to unwind.”
Balanced Bee-ing
Inspired by Ms Winfield, Kelly Schilling’s pilates-teaching journey during the past two years has evolved. While continuing to share her passion in teaching reformer and mat pilates at Studio Sukha, Ms Schilling has recently launched Balanced Bee-ing, aiming to bring wellness
The Centre for Participation supports NDIS learners to improve health and wellbeing through meaningful, realworld learning.
Across Laneway, My Care Crew and the Wimmera Food Collective, learners build life skills, confidence, and social connection while working toward personal goals.
Learning is central to each learner’s journey, supporting independence, participation, and pathways into training or employment.
and movement to rural communities.
“I want to reach those who may not be able to travel to Horsham,” she said.
“Balanced Bee-ing offers regular weekly classes in Dimboola, alongside pop-up sessions in Warracknabeal, Nhill and surrounding towns.
“I have also introduced Bee-Connected events – intimate, mini gatherings combining pilates, stretch and meditation, followed by time to connect over nourishing, healthy snacks.”
Ms Schilling said the events were designed to leave participants feeling balanced and restored, while fostering
“I found myself imagining what this kind of space could look like here, and more importantly, what it could offer our community.”
– Mia Winfield
new connections and long-standing friendships through shared movement.
“Our next event is ‘Pilates and Buzz’ at Dimboola – a fun session with a drink of choice – to bring movement, support a balanced lifestyle and connection together. But the buzz doesn’t stop there. Balanced Bee-ing is now expanding into pole fitness and trick classes, with bookings opening from the end of February,” she said.
Ms Schilling said the sessions were adapted to people who were new to pole and curious to try, or seasoned movers ready to advance their skills.
“Sessions are fully adapted to suit your body, experience and goals, and have a focus on building strong foundations,” she said.
“I’m excited to guide you through every step of your pole journey.”
People can be part of the hive and stay up to date with Ms Schilling’s range of classes, events and new offerings by following Balanced Beeing on social media.
“Whether it’s a one-on-one session, a small group class, a corporate event or pilates class in your community – I can tailor a class to suit your needs,” Ms Schilling said.
In a world that rarely slows down, Holistic Haven Mindful Wellness offers a sanctuary where the body and nervous system are invited to rest, reset and recalibrate.
Services include Floatation Therapy, Infrared Sauna, Red Light Therapy, Spinal Flow, Holistic Counselling, Breathwork and Meditation, each designed to support deep relaxation, nervous system regulation and whole-body balance.
Through a nervous system led approach to wellbeing, clients often notice meaningful benefits that extend beyond their time at Holistic Haven.
Including:
• Improved sleep and deeper rest
• Reduced stress, anxiety and mental overwhelm
• Relief from physical tension and stored stress
• Greater emotional clarity
• A renewed sense of calm, grounding and connection to self
For many, Holistic Haven becomes a place not just for relaxation, but for recalibration, a space to pause, reset and return to life feeling lighter, clearer and more grounded.
Holistic Haven also stocks a thoughtfully curated range of wellbeing products, chosen to support grounding, rest and selfcare beyond the space.
Scan here to shop online!
BY BRONWYN HASTINGS
Heat waves and hot days can negatively impact at-risk people in the commu nity, including older persons, infants, those with co-morbidities or cognitive impair ment, and those with neurological condi tions such as Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, epilepsy, and dementia.
Nhill woman Shona Cross, who has Parkin son’s Disease, said she planned for hot days.
“I try to keep cool by pulling the drapes and keeping the air-conditioner going, and other than that, I use fans, mister bottles and cool ties, which you can put around your neck or wrists,” she said.
“With Parkinson’s, your thermostat doesn’t work, so you’re very vulnerable to the weather.
“Your body just doesn’t cope with the extremes – heat or cold.”
Parkinson’s Disease affects the autonomic nervous system, which controls sweat production; blood vessel control, which releases or conserves heat; and muscle activity, which can create heat when muscles tighten or shake.
Autonomic symptoms can sometimes be controlled with medical assistance, physical therapy or sleep and stress-management strategies.
Mrs Cross said she was eligible for assistance with her energy bills.
“I get a subsidy on my power, I get 17.5 per cent off two summer bills, which helps a lot,” she said.
Mrs Cross is a member of the Horsham-based Wimmera Parkinson’s Peer Support Group, which has about 50 members.
The group has guest speakers and shares experiences.
“A lot of our members, if they know that it’s going to be really hot, won’t come to meetings,” she said.
“They’ll ring me and say, ‘look, I’m sorry, but it’s going to be too hot’, and that’s perfectly acceptable. Usually if people know that it’s going to be really hot, they’ll get out first thing in the morning and do their chores, and then get back home and under the air-conditioner.”
For more information on keeping cool during extreme heat, or for treating heat stress, people can visit www.cdc.gov.au/newsroom/news-andarticles/staying-cool-heatwave.
From The Weekly Advertiser archives: February 9, 2006 –Horsham dance teachers Karen Booker, Louise Ryan and Lynne Johns, pictured with Art Is… festival director Carolynne Hamdorf, front, nominated 15 students to receive scholarships offered by the teachers, Horsham’s Art Is… a Common Well festival and the Weight Family Foundation. The scholarships gave students the chance to be part of the Australian Youth Dance Festival, that year at Horsham. Warracknabeal’s Hayley Brennan and Hannah Liersch were among the 300 national recipients, along with Horsham’s Tahnee Andrea, Annie Burke, Renee Anson, Jess Flynn, Loucas Vettos, Hayley McDonald, Hannah McEwan, Lara Bush, April Nicholas, Sophie Eltringham, Shannon Creek, Kymberley Cresp and Tegan Ward.
10 years ago: February 10, 2016
Kaniva College student Jock Maddern was set to join a State Government study tour of Gallipoli and the Western Front. One of 22 students selected from across Victoria, Jock was chosen for his project submission, which reflected what the Anzac spirit meant in a diverse and multicultural Australia.
Five years ago: February 10, 2021
Wotjobaluk and Ngarrindjeri woman Tracey Rigney featured with musician Archie Roach, actor Miranda Tapsell and footballers Courtney Ugle and Tony Armstrong in a ‘Deadly and Proud’ campaign, celebrating the unique status, rights, cultures and history of Aboriginal communities. They shared the story of Ms Rigney’s greatgreat-great grandfather and Australian cricketer Jungunjinanuke.
One year ago: February 12, 2025
Horsham Rural City Council was considering applying for funding for the installation of a roundabout at the intersection of O’Callaghans Parade, Urquhart and Bolton streets, with residents’ feedback sought before the $2-million application was made.
1. Born on this day in 1882 and dying in 1941, was which Irish novelist and poet, famous for novels ‘Dubliners’, ‘Ulysses’, and ‘Finnigans Wake’?
2. Which band recorded the album ‘In Rock’ in 1970?
3. Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke’s approval rating peaked in 1984 at what figure – 55 per cent, 75 per cent, or 95 per cent?
4. Which planet in our solar system has the largest moon –Uranus, Saturn, Jupiter or Neptune?
5. What is the term for the surgical removal of the appendix?
6. Which famous chef and television personality wrote ‘The Naked Chef’?
7. ‘Love the Way You …’ what, was a 2010 song by Eminem and Rihanna?
8. What occupation did Mike Brady, of television’s The Brady Bunch, have?
9. Which blood type is known as the universal donor?
10. In a game of volleyball, what is the maximum number of touches allowed per team before returning the ball over the net?
11. What was the first novel that was ever written using a typewriter?
12. Which bathing suit made its debut in 1946?
13. Chloe, Jade and Sasha were from which collection of dolls?
14. Which city, Japan’s capital, is the largest metropolitan area in the world?
15. Dying on this day in 2012, which American singer and actress, who was married to Bobby Brown for about 15 years?
Answers: 1. James Joyce. 2. Deep Purple. 3. 75 per cent. 4. Jupiter. 5. Appendectomy. 6. Jamie Oliver. 7. Lie. 8. Architect. 9. O Negative. 10. Three. 11. Tom Sawyer. 12. The bikini. 13. Bratz. 14. Tokyo. 15. Whitney Houston
Getting in touch with The Weekly AdverTiser
Our office is at 2 Stawell Road, Horsham. Mail: PO Box 606, Horsham 3402. Telephone: 5382 1351. Website: www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au Email: weeklyadvertiser@team.aceradio.com.au For classified advertisements: 5382 1351 – email: horsham@aceradio.com.au
Advertising: Mark Sulic: 0407 313 456, marks@team.aceradio.com.au; Lee Meadows: 0407 046 864, leem@team.aceradio.com.au; Kelly Schilling: 0437 894 257, kschilling@aceradio.com.au; Danica Cutter: 0488 473 562, dcutter@aceradio.com.au; Lily Olver: 0411 784 001, lolver@aceradio.com.au; James Davidson: 0439 820 014, jdavidson@aceradio.com.au. Newsroom 5382 1351: Lauren Henry: lhenry@aceradio.com.au; Bronwyn Hastings: bhastings@aceradio.com.au; Colin MacGillivray: cmacgillivray@aceradio.com.au; Georgia Bailey: georgiab@team.aceradio.com.au
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Brought
WiTh sarah KULKEns Australia’s Trusted Psychic Family
FOR THE WEEK FEBRUARY 8 TO FEBRUARY 14
ARIES (March 21 – April 20)
Lucky Colour: Red Lucky Day: Wednesday Racing Numbers: 3, 6, 1, 5 Lotto Numbers: 4, 13, 22, 31, 40, 8 Romance is in the air this week. Whether single or attached, passion and spontaneity take centre stage. Be bold and surprise someone you care about. Finances remain stable, allowing a small indulgence.
TAURUS (April 21 - May 20)
Lucky Colour: Rose Lucky Day: Friday Racing Numbers: 2, 4, 8, 7 Lotto Numbers: 6, 15, 26, 34, 42, 11
You’re embracing life’s comforts and pleasures. A dinner out or a relaxing spa day lifts your spirits. With family, patience wins over pressure—especially with younger relatives.
GEMINI (May 21 - June 21)
Lucky Colour: Orange Lucky Day: Tuesday Racing Numbers: 5, 9, 2, 1 Lotto Numbers: 7, 18, 29, 35, 44, 9
Social opportunities abound. While you’re enjoying the company, make sure to rest when needed. A creative idea has real potential if you’re willing to develop it into something more.
CANCER (June 22 - July 22)
Lucky Colour: White Lucky Day: Sunday Racing Numbers: 6, 3, 4, 8 Lotto Numbers: 2, 12, 24, 33, 39, 45
Nostalgia brings comfort. Looking through photos or revisiting cherished memories may warm the heart. A shared meal with loved ones becomes a treasured moment.
LEO (July 23 - August 22)
Lucky Colour: Sunflower Yellow Lucky Day: Saturday Racing Numbers: 1, 7, 5, 9 Lotto Numbers: 1, 10, 19, 28, 37, 14
This is your moment to shine through grand gestures and generosity. Kindness given will return to you. Be willing to apologise if pride has delayed healing in a relationship.
VIRGO (August 23 - September 23)
Lucky Colour: Brown Lucky Day: Wednesday Racing Numbers: 8, 2, 6, 3 Lotto Numbers: 5, 14, 23, 30, 41, 16
You bring calm to chaos this week, offering clarity to others in need. A health check or follow-up brings relief. Keep your calendar open, last-minute changes may work in your favour.
LIBRA (September 24 - October 23)
Lucky Colour: Lavender Lucky Day: Friday Racing Numbers: 4, 9, 7, 2 Lotto Numbers: 3, 17, 25, 36, 43, 12
Partnerships bloom, and romance is in focus. Valentine’s Day planning is well-timed. If single, a new connection at a gathering could lead to something promising. Harmony surrounds your interactions.
SCORPIO (October 24 - November 22)
Lucky Colour: Black Lucky Day: Tuesday Racing Numbers: 3, 8, 1, 5 Lotto Numbers: 8, 16, 27, 34, 40, 2
Relationships deepen with honest conversation. Intensity is natural for you, but guard against jealousy. A monetary surprise or gift could arrive when least expected.
SAGITTARIUS (November 23 - December 20)
Lucky Colour: Blue Lucky Day: Thursday Racing Numbers: 7, 5, 3, 9 Lotto Numbers: 9, 20, 31, 38, 44, 6
Your upbeat energy attracts good company. A social event or celebration may lead to new opportunities. A calculated risk shows promise—just ensure you read the fine print. Travel is favoured.
CAPRICORN (December 21 - January 19)
Lucky Colour: Grey Lucky Day: Saturday Racing Numbers: 2, 6, 4, 8 Lotto Numbers: 4, 11, 22, 32, 39, 7
This week, balance is key. Although work calls, don’t ignore life’s lighter moments. A heartfelt gesture from a loved one lifts your spirits. Career matters remain steady and reliable..
AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 19)
Lucky Colour: Turquoise Lucky Day: Monday Racing Numbers: 9, 1, 5, 7 Lotto Numbers: 2, 13, 25, 35, 42, 10
Surprises come in unexpected forms. Embrace spontaneity—it leads to joy. Group events or community efforts enhance your sense of purpose. Your clarity about the future inspires others.
PISCES (February 20 - March 20)
Lucky Colour: Teal Lucky Day: Friday Racing Numbers: 5, 2, 6, 4 Lotto Numbers: 6, 15, 28, 37, 45, 18
Your heart is open, and your emotions run deep. Let love and creativity guide you. A romantic connection may feel spiritually fated. Keep a journal—your dreams hold messages worth noting.
New vehicle sales are off to what the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries describes as a steady start, with 87,753 units sold, a 0.1 per cent increase from the 87,625 units sold across the same period last year.
Sales of Chinese-made vehicles grew exponentially across the past 12 months, up 68.6 per cent.
More than half of the Chinese-made vehicles sold across the month of January were imported by BYD, the brand tallying sales of 5001 units for a year-on-year increase of 641 per cent.
January’s figures noted a sales slump for Toyota, down 22.3 per cent on the back of a 65.4 per cent reduction in RAV4 demand and a 15.2 per cent slip in sales of the HiLux light commercial ute.
The Japanese importer sold 14,310 units across the month of January, placing first ahead of Mazda with 7692 units, Kia, 6600, Ford, 6116, and Hyundai, 5856.
Speaking on the success of its position as Australia’s best-selling automotive brand, Toyota Australia vicepresident of sales, marketing, and
franchise operations John Pappas said the result demonstrated the strength of the brand and the ongoing loyalty of Australian customers.
“In late 2025, we celebrated the launch of the ninth-generation HiLux and had an exceptional run out for the RAV4 – our best-selling vehicle in 2025,” he said.
“In 2026 we will introduce the next-generation RAV4 – including our first-ever plug-in hybrid variant for this model.
“As we transition to these newgeneration vehicles, we’re seeing a temporary softening in deliveries compared with January last year. This is expected and simply reflects the timing of model updates.
“Importantly, demand remains strong across the Toyota line-up.
“This year, we remain on track to once again exceed 200,000 sales –which would mark our 15th consecutive year above that milestone.
“Toyota is proud to be the only brand in Australia to have ever achieved 200,000 annual sales, and we remain focused on delivering the vehicles our customers want, with
the quality, durability and reliability they expect.”
Despite Toyota’s success, it was the Ford Ranger that topped the Australian sales charts for a third consecutive month, finishing January with 3403 unit sales – or 55.6 per cent of the importer’s total volume.
The Ranger outpaced runner-up Toyota HiLux by 603 units with 2800 unit sales for January 2026, and led third-place Mazda CX-5 with 2289 units, fourth-place Cherry Tiggo 4 with 2234 units, and fifth-place Mit-
subishi Outlander, 1975 units. A decline in the sale of petrol-powered vehicles, down 14 per cent, shows what the FCAI says is a gradual shift in buyer preference towards electrified technologies – particularly hybrid and plug-in hybrid models.
In January, 5161 plug-in hybrid models were sold, accounting for 5.9 per cent of overall sales, for an increase of 170.5 per cent year-on-year.
Hybrid vehicle sales composed 17.4 per cent of the overall January tally, while battery electric vehicles ac-
counted for 8.4 per cent of the market from all sources.
Tesla sales fell 32.2 per cent yearon-year finishing in 24th position with just 501 sales for the month.
January EV sales leaders included the BYD Sealion 7, BYD Atto 2, Zeekr 7X, Geely EX5, and BYD Seal.
Private sales across January were flat, with business and government fleet sales down.
Only rental fleet purchases grew the tally with sales of 47 per cent.
– Matt Brogan
The
locally owned and operated in the Horsham and the Wimmera region since 1981. Their aim is to significantly reduce landfill in the Wimmera.
In 2017 they introduced skip bins to their line of recycling solutions, giving people another option for waste disposal.
Mick Morris said the company continued to stay at the forefront of recycling technologies to lead the Wimmera in waste management solutions.
The family-run business boasts a team of four and handle most recyclables.
“Jai McCall has joined the team and brings a wealth of experience and knowledge in waste management. He is a great asset to Waste Busters.”
“We collect paper and cardboard and offer a documentation destruction service,” he said.
Waste Busters have solutions for commercial and private recycling.
“Businesses can call us for a free waste and recycling appraisal to get the best deal for you.”
Waste Busters are open Monday to Friday 8am-4pm and at weekends by appointment.
Based on unprecedented reader and listener demand, we encourage regional tradebased businesses to become part of The Weekly Advertiserʼs Local Trade Directory. The Local Trade Directory offers the only true multi-media platform combining print, radio and online services for businesses to ʻspread the wordʼ in across the Wimmera, Mallee and Grampians. It’s affordable and effective! For a small weekly investment you will receive an advertisement (as above) PLUS... Receive bonus radio credit mentions on MIXX FM and 3WM throughout your paper advertising period.
Fit the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 into the hexagons so that where the hexagons touch, the numbers will be the same. No number is repeated in any hexagon.
Fit the numbers 1-6 once into every hexagon so that where the hexagons touch, the numbers are the same. No number is repeated in any single hexagon.
BAKER, Lindsay Alfred
Passed away peacefully in the presence of his loving wife Pam on January 31, 2026 aged 80 years.
Dearly loved father and father-in-law of Brett in heaven & Cara; Dale & Kirsty; Susan & Rod.
Special friend to Josh.
Adored Grandpa to Georgia; Christopher and James; Jack, Cody, Ella and Amy; and step Grandpa to Luke and Hugh.
Now At Peace In God’s Loving Arms
ELLIFSON, David Russell “Davo”
Passed away on January 31, 2026 aged 67 years.
Dearly loved husband of Kaye.
Loving father and father-inlaw of Jason & Astrid; Sarah & Scott.
Adored Poppy to Lachie, Ethan and Jadan; Karla and Emmy.
Cherished by all his family and friends.
Forever Fishing
ELLIFSON, David (Davo)
Loved son of Hec & Kath (both dec)
Loved brother & brother-inlaw of Ross & Sandra, Peter & Dianne, James, Gaye & Patrick, and loved uncle to their families.
Forever in our hearts with many happy memories to cherish
GRANGER, Helena Marie On the 30.01.2026
Much loved friend of Calvin Muller of Warracknabeal
Wonderful memories of a great friend.
BAKER, Lindsay Alfred
A memorial service to celebrate the life of Lindsay
Alfred Baker will take place at the Horsham Church of Christ on Friday, February 13, 2026 commencing at 2pm
In Loving Memory of Brian “Friday” O’Loughlin
Forever with the lord GUERIN, Ronda Clair
4-4-1925 to 3-2-2026
Dearly loved wife of Des (dec).
Cherished mother & motherin-law of Marilyn & Terry, John & Toni.
Loved Grandma of ShaeArna, Joshua, Quincy, Elijah, James, Isabelle & 12 great grandchildren. In God’s Care
LEHMANN, E.G. Ted of Beulah on February 2nd, 2026
Loved Husband of Von
Loved Father & Father-in-law of Tony (dec) & Trish, Julie & Brett
Pop & Great Poppy of Tyler, Bec & Ardy, Marnie, Jesse, Rocco & Sonny, Ruby, Lily & Jeremy
Forever Loved, Forever Missed.
IN LOVING MEMORY
LEHMANN, E dward Glen ‘Ted’ 01 June 193202 February 2026
A private burial will be held in the morning.
Family and friends are invited to gather and celebrate the life of Ted at the memorial service on Tuesday, 17th February, at the Beulah Footy Sheds, commencing at 2:00pm
This will be a time to share memories, reflect, and honour a life so deeply loved.
Privately interred.
The service may be viewed online at youtube.com/live/ U4nacYWfOzg
Trevor Bysouth & Daughter Ph 5381 1444 AFDA Member
ELLIFSON, David Russell “Davo”
The Funeral of David Russell “Davo” Ellifson will take place at the Horsham Church of Christ on Thursday, 12 February 2026 commencing at 2pm.
Private cremation.
The service may also be viewed online at www.youtube.com/live/ fip6EEPDZ2Q
Trevor Bysouth & Daughter Ph 5381 1444 AFDA Member
GUERIN, Ronda Clair
A celebration of Ronda’s life will be held at the Kaniva Community Church, Friday, February 13, at 11.30am
Emiley & Mathew Bone Nhill, Dimboola & Kaniva District Funerals 0419 008 464
to 11-02-2019
We look at your face so often
At your picture in a frame. We talk about you often
We need to hear your name. You’ve left a thousand memories That warm our hearts, it’s true
But we’d love for you to walk in the door
So we could put our arms around you.
Loved husband of Theresa. Father of Ferne, Stacey, Gaven, Dean and Brendan. Father-in-law of Mark, Katrina and Vanessa. Poppa to Tom and Stacey, Dylan, Alex, Ryan, Kyla, Jake, Ally, Meg, Lily, Riley, Finn and Zane. Heavenly Grandpoppa to Xavier.
catfish, great tank cleaners $5ea until sold out Ph 0474159010 after 6.30pm
Budgies, assorted colours $10 each Ph 0417533579
Budgies , including white to yellow, assorted colours $10 each Ph 0428010996
Kelpie x Staghound male pup , 6.5 months old, sandy colour, microchip # 953010007025025280, vac x 3, basic handling, is affectionate, big, and boisterous, POA Ph 0428994210
Available now 2 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 $2500 please call Simone on 0400035456 for more information.
Mini Foxy/Jack Russell pups 5 males, vet checked, vacc, wormed, micro chipped, 95301 0006692905/953010006635913/9 53010006635784/953010006635 783/953010006689902, Source# is MB116953 Ph 0409350743 or 0458913225
Pet care for female greyhound in Horsham fortnightly for 3 hours while I grocery shop Ph David 0427864628
Thank you ~ HORNBY ~ Zena
Our sincere thanks for your words, cards and attendance at our Mother’s Celebration of Life, after her passing on December 22, 2025. Thanks to staff at Avonlea Nhill for their care whilst Mum was a resident.
Please accept this as our personal thanks, Neville & Jo, Lorraine & Nev, Daryl & Ruth and families.
Kildare Border Collies (formerly of Donald, now located in Haven via Horsham) have 9 x pure bred puppies for sale at $1,750.00$1,950.00 each. We have been breeding border collies for over 60 years and strive to breed quality true to type and temperament in our puppies. They have calm natures and make excellent working dogs or family pets, 3 x chocolate & white puppies with astonishing blue/green eyes, (2 male & 1 female), 6 x puppies (3 male & 3 female) have piercing dark eyes and traditional black & white markings, currently 7 weeks of age (born 02/12/2025), all have fun loving natures and ready to find their forever homes, all microchipped, vet checked, vaccinated & wormed, Microchip Nos. 953010008027063, 953010008027355, 953010008027174, 953010008027030, 953010008027133, 953010008027056, 953010008027037, 953010008027059, 953010008027227, Source Number EE288211 Ph 0429826899
Purebreed Dalmation Puppies, 12 weeks old, 1 male, 1 female, all vaccinated and microchipped, source# MB29299295301000 microchip# MB2929927970314, MB2929927970359 $1800each Ph Rob 0439878845
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# 3YKM L014 Ph 0428994210 Warracknabeal
2010 Paradise Grande Caravan, Length over all 25 foot, Dual air conditioning, Washing Machine, Fridge Freezer, Full Annex. Van in VGC. Host of extras.
$27,000 Inspection invited, offers considered. ph 0417580747
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
2014 Billabong Grove 17'6 twin beds, toilet & shower, large fridge, lots of storage, stored undercover when not traveling, more extras $30,000 Ph 0419434790
2014 Coronet prince FS2-6150, Queen bed, ensuite, full oven, microwave, HWS, washing machine, 3 way fridge, air conditioner, solar panel, has gas, 12 volt, 240 volt and awning $38,000 Ph 0481481902
2017 Franklin Core 22', one owner, excellent condition, gas heater, twin bunks, washing machine, $1000+ extras, $59,900 Ph 0401986201
Black series total off road, all extras $50,000 Ph 0428788212
Jayco Journey Outback , independant suspension, single beds, all Jayco features plus diesel heater, shedded &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
Queen bed camper trailer, make an offer Ph 0407179433
REDUCED 1998 Cameron
Canvas Camper, fully enclosed annexe, off road tires, double innerspring mattress, always stored undercover $4000ono Ph 0439553575
REDUCED 2007 Billabong
pop-top caravan, EC, double bed, air con, 3way fridge, elec brakes, gas and elec cooking, new awning $18,500 Ph 0409182376
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
Deb Dress For Sale, Size: 10-12, worn once, excellent condition, dry cleaned, $400 Ph: 0429802767
Inter Truck C1600, 72 Butter
Box model, Jonker hoist, 14', new head and radiator, front new tyres
$5000 Ph 0429857207
Silvan Boom Spray, 80ft Superior
Boom 3,000 + 1,000 litre tanks
custom, made to suit J, C, B, Tractor $20,000 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
Small square bale hay stack elevator $120 Ph 0494034244
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
Bath Cast Iron, EC Pale Pink $200 Ph 53826461 or 0429 309 491
Bikes one ladies, one mans, good order, $170 each ono Ph 0429820692
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
FOR SALE Teak TV Cabinet 2 shelves 2 glass doors at bottom, 151H x 104W x 700 as new
$60, large towing mirrors $40 Ph 0409967815 pick up Horsham. Fresh Farm eggs! $5 a dozen Ph 0423182267
Gold and opal ring, approx 80yrs old, current valuation $4500 would like $1000 Ph 0458014560
Industrial Extensions Ladder (Gorilla), closed 3.7 EXT 8.5 $475, Ph 53826461 or 0429 309 491
Kayak Dragon, 3.6m, 2.5 seater, green & white, very good condition, support seats, paddles, buoyancy vests, $450 Ph 0407340345
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 a flatpack, MINERALS NOT INCLUDED Ph 0428564422
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
REDUCED 7x4 tool trailer, $2500 ono Ph 0407285097
REDUCED Flat deck tandem trailer, 4.2m x 2.3m, $3400 ono Ph 0407285097
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
Wood Thicknesser, Barker 2', AE
Herbert 1' buzzer, sold together $2000 Ph 53524764
15' fibreglass clinker inboard boat, no motor, make an offer Ph 0407179433
16' Yacht TS16 446, 2 & 6 HP
Suzuki OB`s, 2 sets of sails, Dunbier tilt trailer U58751, reg TS446 $4000 Ph 53542787
3.7 savage aluminium boat UM198, 20 HP Mercury forward steer reyco trailer, b15834 electric motor and lawrence fish finder $2200 ono Ph 0428523919
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
Stacer Aluminium boat, 3.6m boat with trailer and 9.9hp Evinrude motor,
electric wheelchair , hardly used, EC $16,000 neg Ph 0429881523
Sentiveco daily/5th wheeler combo, set up for off grid, too many extras to list, was $102,000 now $97,000 Ph 0438149265
Ford Escape Trend ST Line 2022 97,000km One owner, full service history, RWC, Tow Bar, Rego til June 2026, $26000 Ph 0427343783
Mitsubishi ASX 2023 , 7yr warranty, one owner, full service history, RWC, 6month reg, many extras, 1ZS4BV, 30,000kms $23,000ono Ph 0407302144
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 $20,500 Ph 0434282826
Toyota Troopcarrier, 2005 1HZ, 3 seat, cruise control, diff locks, winch, bullbar, LED spotlights, twin batteries, solar panel, drawers/shelves, 16" sunraysias, one owner since new, 1RY5UP, 296,000kms $38,000ono Ph 0427790754
Fiji-Indian woman, 50, caring, gentle, family-oriented and never married, hopes to meet a sincere Australian man (60–75) who is financially secure, owns his home, and seeks a genuine companion for marriage and shared care. She values kindness, loyalty, and a peaceful home life. Ready to provide care Ph 0479 923 2717
1/4 acre block, fully fenced, ready to build, Jeparit Vic 3423 $37,500 Ph 0439581125
Keyte's mowing service, lawn mowing, lawn aeration (coring), block slashing, general pruning Ph 53826461 or 0429309491
Cobra Air, degree senior R.H cover mint condition $330 PH 03 5382 4210
Fishing Kayak extras, $350 Ph 0458401053
49 year old separated/single true gentleman bloke from Horsham who likes
music, occasionally going out for
then next the movies or watching movies at
fishing and camping, walking and swimming, looking for 48+ old lady for serious relationship Ph 0491230835
grizzling because I am sad or pained; but I don’t just want to moan, I want to vent! I want to justify myself and explain why my distressed feelings are valid, despite my faith in a saving God, when life is particularly sucking at any certain point. I think God can handle that.
or
lease anywhere south of Horsham and accross to the Grampians, from 50 to 600 acres, cropping country preferred Ph Roger
Looking for a role to make impact and support community?
Emerge Early Years Services (EEYS) is a not-for profit, regionally based organisation looking for an experienced Finance Manager to support new strategic Fin ance Manager
Key Responsibilities:
• Le ad and support finance team.
• Lead strong financial governance practices.
• Lead effective internal controls.
• Maintain compliance with legislative and funding requirements
• Forecast financial oversight and support long term financial sustainability of the organisation.
Qu alifications:
• Tertiary education in Accounting, Finance, or related disciplineAdvanced competency in Microsoft Office, in particular Microsoft Excel skills, including
• reporting and reconciliation.
• Demonstrated experience in financial management within a not-for-profit or education sector.
• Strong knowledge of Australian accounting standards and compliance requirements.
• An understanding of relevant Industrial instruments, Australian payroll legislation, and compliance, taxation, and superannuation.
• Working with children’s check and police check.
• Fit and proper assessment.
What we offer:
• Making a difference – community contribution
• Flexible working arrangements
• Attractive remuneration
• Professional development
To discuss please contact: Elicia Napoli, CEO Emerge Early Years Services ceo@eeys.com.au
Apply at: Emerge Early Years Services EEYS isa child safe organisation and committed to increasing diversity across the organisation. We encourage anyone to apply for our vacancies regardless of their gender, race, religion, sexual orientation or disability status.
Part time (Tues, Wed, and Thurs)
Do you enjoy helping people achieve their health goals?
A sleep apnoea therapist is responsible for conducting sleep apnoea testing, starting patients on CPAP therapy and optimising their ongoing therapy.
The applicant will possess good communication skills, have a strong work ethic and show initiative to grow the business. A background in health care or care giving is encouraged but is not mandatory.
The applicant will need to be able to work collaboratively with Sleep Physicians, GPs and other healthcare professionals to optimise patient care.
The applicant will also be required to help with other jobs in the pharmacy including serving customers, unpacking stock and maintaining cleanliness of the store.
To enquire about the job or to send applications contact HR and Compliance Lead: Sherrine Hall sherrine@flagpharm.com.au or call 03 5382 4466 for further information.
WEEKEND SPORT:
The Weekly Advertiser photographer PAUL CARRACHER attended a Central Wimmera Tennis Association A Special match between Central Park and Homers on Saturday, before heading to Horsham Cricket Association’s latest round of A Grade competition between Noradjuha-Toolondo and St Mary’s. Pictured in action are, clockwise from above: Lucy Bunworth representing Homers; Noradjuha-Toolondo’s Tony Caccaviello; Central Park’s Paula Davis and Bullants’ Jordan McDonald takes a catch.
BY TONY LOGAN
When Australia’s biggest standardbred owner Michael Boots made an offer to buy the lightly raced six-year-old gelding Swizzlestick from Horsham owner-trainer Justin Lane, it made for an extremely tough call.
The pacer was bred, raised, educated and raced by the Lane family and had earned nearly $30,000 in stakes from 25 starts in the orange-and-blue silks.
“We were in two minds,” Justin Lane said.
“It was a great offer and the stakemoney in Victoria had been cut – at the same time the costs were increasing, but the big horse had plenty of ability and he’d always been with us.
“Even after deciding to accept I wasn’t sure we’d done the right thing.”
Lane retained a small share in Swizzlestick and the pacer was sent over to Western Australian trainer Bob Mellsop and quickly put three wins together, at Pinjarra, Bunbury and Narrogin, before going amiss.
Six months later and after intensive rehab, Swizzlestick returned to racing and with the benefit of three starts under the belt, posted an all-the-way victory at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
“It’s good to see him come back to racing and even better to get a
metropolitan class win on the board,” Lane said.
Our Ultimate Gracy’s win at Charlton last week was the first since she saluted at Ballarat in September 2024, but enforced layoffs of 11 and five months have seen her only race on three occasions since and certainly not at her best.
Formerly trained by Kate Hargreaves, ‘Gracy’ showed above-average ability as a two and threeyear-old, with victories at Shepparton and Ballarat together with an unlucky
second in the $20,000 Youthful Stakes at Melton before being forced out of action.
After numerous vet calls, treatments and a stomach procedure, the mare was ready for another preparation, but Hargreaves, now pregnant with her first child, decided to send the horse to her former mentor, Kerryn Manning. First up for Allbenz Park, ‘Gracy’ showed plenty of early toe to quickly cross to the pegs from gate five at the start of the 2100m journey, with Manning then able to dictate the tempo of the contest.
After a leisurely 62.3 second mid-
dle section, when given more rein the five-year-old daughter of Sweet Lou USA dashed home in 56.2 to hold on bravely and score by 1.1 metres in a rate of 1:57.9.
Only time will tell if ‘Gracy’ is able to go on with it, but the long overdue win was just reward for Hargreaves’ and Manning’s efforts together with the patience of her band of partowners, manager Darren Carroll and Horsham’s ‘Wally’ Coleman, Graeme Deleeuw, Joan Hargreaves and yours truly.
Kooreh-based training team Shaun and Jason McNaulty landed a stable double at last Thursday night’s Ballarat meeting with four-year-old gelding Impeached and five-year-old trotting mare Leggy Peggy.
The cleverly named pacer Impeached, by The Storm Inside out of Oval Office Affair NZ, by Presidential Ball USA, came with a bold, three and four wide run from the 700m mark to score by five metres with ace reinsman James Herbertson aboard.
It was the gelding’s second win from 17 starts for owners Chelsea and Stephen Dickson and ‘standardbred breeding guru’ John Coffey.
In a super training effort, the McNaulty brothers produced Leggy Peggy for a first-up victory after her absence of 20 months away from the racetrack.
In her first nine starts the daughter of Quaker Jet, Fra, and Pretty Peggy Sue had mixed her gait, suffered gear failure, struck trouble and tended to over race, but the time and effort put in since by ‘Team Mc’ paid off at Ballarat with her impressive 15-metre victory in the Ferndale Foods Maiden Trot.
Driver Scott Torney showed his elation when closing on the finish line, raising the reins and waving his whip in triumph.
Bendigo Harness Racing Club
staged a nine-race card on Friday night and Navarre owner-trainer Toby Ainsworth made the winner’s circle with eight-year-old mare Beautiful Sunrise in the Bendigo Locksmiths Trot.
Drawn gate two at the start, regular driver Ada Massa quicky slotted into the one-out-one-back sweet spot and enjoyed smooth sailing in the running line for the first lap-and-a-half of the 2150m journey.
Heading into the back straight on the final occasion, Massa commenced a long sustained run with Beautiful Sunrise to surge to the lead at the top of the home stretch.
Trotting boldly to the finish, Beautiful Sunrise held them at bay to notch up her eighth success, with nine placings from 55 starts in a rate of 2:02.4.
5 course meal & drinks 6pm-11pm
Ticket sales close 19 February - $175
12.30pm - 11.00pm
22 McBryde Street, Horsham 0400 425 254 www.150kmfeast.com.au 28 FEB 2026
Wine tastings, gin and beer & sales
Variety of food options 12.30pm - 11pm
Tickets online or at the gate - $15
LIVE MUSIC DAY-NIGHT
Levi Mellington
Zara Nichols
Doin’ Time
MAYDALE RESERVE
The Wimmera’s skies once again filled with aircraft as the 60th annual Horsham Week Gliding Competition got underway at the weekend.
More than 30 glider pilots from across Victoria and interstate are taking part in the competition, which comprises daily flying goals known as tasks. The pilot with the best cumulative
score across the tasks, will be crowned the winner this Saturday.
Melbourne pilot Jack Hart, an eighttime former winner of the Horsham Week competition, said he had competed most years since first entering in 1990.
“I think I had one or two that I missed, but I’ve been a regular attender since I started coming,” he said. “I love it. The thing about Horsham
is that the countryside is really safe, so it’s a great introductory site to bring people to introduce them to competition.
“We can get these fabulous weather conditions here drifting in from South Australia a little bit, and at this time of year you have nice long days and really cracking weather.
“It’s excellent for gliding.”
PASSIONATE: Alexander Kreti has been flying gliders since 1952.
BY COLIN MacGILLIVRAY
Aspirited performance from St Michaels was not enough to hand Central Park its first defeat of the Central Wimmera Tennis Association pennant season on Saturday.
The Saints entered the round 13 match as comfortable underdogs, but got on the board early when Steve Schultz paired with Peter Hayes to defeat Parkers Matt Jones and Rhys Harman in an 8-7 tiebreak.
Eli Bailey and Archer Reading tried to make it two wins from as many rubbers for the Saints’ men, but came up just short against Central Park duo Frazer Shurdington and Brendan Nitschke, losing 8-6.
On the women’s side of the draw the Parkers fared better, with Willow Sainsbury and Sienna Nitschke beating Mia Rees and Kassie Peachey 8-3, while Adele Joseph and Tara McIntyre handled Violet McGennisken and Barb Crough 8-2.
The divide in men’s and women’s results continued in the singles section, with Schultz beating Jones 8-4 and Bailey overcoming Shurdington 8-5, only for the Parkers to strike back through Sainsbury, 8-3 over Rees, and Joseph, 8-3 over McGennisken.
While Hayes and Archer Reading’s 8-6 win over Harman and Nitschke in the second doubles segment gave their team brief hopes of an upset, they were quickly extinguished when Schultz was forced out with an injury, leading Jack Reading to join Archer as a replacement player. Although they battled gamely, they were outmatched by Jones and Nitschke, losing 8-3.
The Parkers’ undefeated season continued with the 9-96 to 5-66 win.
In the round’s other match, second-placed Horsham Lawn also took care of business against Kalkee, winning 10-88 to 4-67 at Kalkee.
Veteran Jeff Friberg led the way for the Kees, partnering with Grant Schultz to win an opening doubles rubber 8-2 and defeating Lawn’s August Koch 8-1 in an impressive singles performance, before finishing with another doubles win, this time 8-5 alongside Aiden Richardson.
But the depth of the Lawn line-up was too much for the Kees to overcome, as Jae McGrath matched Friberg’s feat to win all three of his rubbers, while Lydi Boyd dominated the women’s side of the draw.
This weekend will see Horsham Lawn hosting St Michaels, and Kalkee travelling to take on Central Park.
FOCUS: Central Park’s Eve Wear, left, won her three sets against Homers on Saturday in A Special competition, including an 8-3 singles victory against Sarah Miller, below.
Pictures: PAUL CARRACHER
Seniors
Pennant: Horsham Lawn 10-88 d Kalkee 4-67; Central Park 9-96 d St Michaels 5-66.
A Special: Natimuk 9-95 d Brimpaen 5-69; Central Park 14-112 d Homers 0-32; Horsham Lawn Dorman 8-91 d Drung South 6-69. A Grade: Horsham Lawn McGennisken 9-83 d Horsham Lawn Ahern 3-59; Central Park 7-76 d St Michaels 5-57; Haven Red 9-87 d Horsham Lawn Tigers 3-65; Homers 8-78 d Haven Blue 4-75.
B Special: Central Park 14-90 d Natimuk 2-35; Horsham Lawn Savage 13-87 d Haven 3-33; Laharum 14-90 d Horsham Lawn Bardell 2-31. Juniors
Open: Central Park White 6-36 d Central Park Blue 0-17; Central Park Yellow 6-36 d Central Park Orange 0-14; Horsham Lawn Green 6-36 d Horsham Lawn Gold 0-20.
Section 1 Boys: Central Park 4-27 d Haven 2-19; Horsham Lawn White 5-34 d Horsham Lawn Green 1-19.
Section 1 Girls: Haven 4-30 d Horsham Lawn Gold 2-25; Horsham Lawn White 6-36 d Horsham Lawn Green 0-23.
Section 2 Boys: Horsham
The region’s “wizard” of windscreens for
BY COLIN MacGILLIVRAY
The finals aspirations of multiple teams hang in the balance after day one of Horsham Cricket Association’s latest round of twoday A Grade matches.
Donald-Jeffcott, Swifts-Great Western and Brim-Kellalac-Sheep Hills are each vying for fourth place on the ladder – currently occupied by the self-styled ‘DJ Boys’, who went a long way towards retaining their position with a strong performance on Saturday against Laharum.
Playing at home against the Demons, Donald-Jeffcott batted after winning the toss and settled in for a long day in the middle.
Despite the early loss of Cooper Anderson, run out for one, the DJ Boys were unfazed, with Dylan Ruurds, 29, and Koby Westerland, 40, building a handy second-wicket partnership.
Ruurds’ rare dismissal – hit wicket, off the bowling of Chaminda Gamage – proved only a speed bump, with first Eddie Landwehr, 23, and then Lachlan Jones, 83, succeeding him at the crease.
With the home side already on its way to an imposing total, the Demons managed to turn the tables in the middle order, removing Sam Postlethwaite and Thomas Reekie for back-to-back ducks, with Jake Needs, 16, the only other DJ player to reach double figures.
Donald-Jeffcott nearly batted the day out, but Gamage, who took a teambest 4-34, helped clean up the tail to give Laharum one over at the crease before stumps.
The Demons will resume at 0-4 this weekend, needing to surpass DonaldJeffcott’s 10-238 for victory.
Elsewhere, Brim-Kellalac-Sheep Hills’ hopes of a top-four finish appear to be fading, with the Eagles struggling on day one against ladder leader West Wimmera.
The Eagles chose to bat after winning the toss, but lost opener Leigh Dovaston and first drop Isaac McPherson for ducks, both off the bowling of Josh Lees.
While Lachlan McGinniss did his best to dig the Eagles out of their hole with 35 runs at number five, the rest of the team continued to struggle against Lees.
The home side was bowled out for
85, with Lees finishing with an outstanding 5-10 from 12 overs, including seven maidens.
In reply the Warriors lost the early wickets of Mitch Dahlenburg, five, and Brodie Cramer, duck, but finished the day only 28 runs from securing first-innings points with seven wickets in hand.
Swifts-Great Western was also on shaky ground after an entertaining first day against Colts at Dudley Cornell Park.
The home side batted after winning the toss and was guided to a total of 10-150 by contributions of 38 from vice-captain Josh Colbert and 36 from Luke Deutscher, despite four ducks also littering the Colts’ score sheet.
Matt Heffer was outstanding for the visiting Lions, taking 6-33 in 15-plus overs to limit the damage, while Ethan Marrow chimed in with 3-33.
But Swifts-Great Western struck early trouble in its run chase, losing Ethan Marrow for one off the bowling of Colbert, with captain Aiden Graveson, 14, Zach Marrow, five, and Jacob Dunn, duck, joining him in the sheds soon after.
Max McMahon and Ryder Sullivan will resume at 11 and two respectively this weekend, with their team requiring 114 runs for victory with six wickets in reserve.
Noradjuha-Toolondo looks on track to shore up its own top-four spot, chasing an outright win against St Mary’s.
The visiting Saints chose to bat after winning the toss at Horsham City Oval, but struggled against the red-hot Bullant bowling attack.
Matt Combe, 3-17, Jordan McDonald, 3-8, and Angus Slatter, 2-4, combined to make life difficult for the Saints, with no batsman surpassing 15 runs as the team was bowled out for 67.
In reply the Bullants raced to 5-182 before declaring, with Jason Harris leading the way with 62 from 43 balls, including 12 fours and a six, while Tony Caccaviello was caught one run short of a half century.
The Saints were given 16 overs to survive before stumps, finishing 3-51 after Sean Smith made 27.
Lubeck-Murtoa will pursue firstinnings points when it resumes at 2-49 this weekend, chasing Horsham Tigers’ 10-136.
Tyler Puls and Ricci Marks each
made 26 for the Tigers, but a Mudlark bowling attack led by Xavier Shevlin, 4-38, kept the visitors in check.
In reply Joshua Hedt and Cam Newell were unbeaten on 22 and seven respectively after the early losses of Aaron Leith, seven, and Shannon Reddie, 10.
grades
Mathew Crisp put Brim-KellalacSheep Hills in the box seat in its B Grade match against Horsham Tigers with 104 runs in an innings including 16 fours.
Other notable performances included Tiger Amrit BK, who took 5-31 in the same game, Emmanuel Kuriayan Joseph, 6-32 for Swifts-Great Western against Horsham Saints, and Brock Hamerston, 57 not out for the Saints.
John Heard produced a captain’s knock of 75 for Noradjuha-Toolondo against Donald-Jeffcott and Matt Hartnett made 64 for St Mary’s against Colts.
Big scores abounded for Halls Gap in C Grade, with Charlie McIntosh, 54, Josh Reid, 50, Bailey Stirling, 81 not out, and Adam McCormack, 54, all making half centuries.
Also making half centuries were Muhammed Sha for Horsham Saints, and Laharum captain Tristan March.
BY COLIN MacGILLIVRAY
Tickets for Friday night’s Wimmera Sports Star of the Year Awards at Horsham Town Hall were hot commodities, with more than 200 people claiming their spots at the 40th annual celebration of sport before sales closed last week.
The Wimmera Regional Sports Assembly, WRSA, in partnership with Horsham Sports and Community Club, will present awards recognising the region’s top performers and unsung heroes, including clubs, coaches, all-abilities athletes, administrators and volunteers.
Seven athletes are finalists for the major Sports Star of the Year award:
Georgia Foster, track-and-field; Iris Sudholz, equestrian; Jac Ivess, powerlifting; Josh Barry, lawn bowls; Kelly Miller, triathlon; Lilly Weir, CrossFit; and Remi Bailey, gymnastics.
Foster was nominated for her success representing Horsham Little Athletics Club and the Wimmera, winning gold medals at the Australian Little Athletics Championships in Adelaide in the under-15 girls 200m sprint and four-by-100m relay to go with one silver and one bronze medal; she also claimed three gold medals at the North Island Games in New Zealand.
Bailey, who represents Natimuk and District Gymnastic Club, turned in an
outstanding performance at the Australian Gymnastics Championships in Queensland, where he claimed two bronze medals – one in the individual vault and another as part of the Victorian team in the level eight open men’s division – after also claiming silver and bronze medals at the Victorian championships.
Weir became the first Wimmera athlete to qualify for the finals of the CrossFit Games in the United States, placing 13th overall from a field of 30 in her category and second in the Oceania region.
Miller, already a member of the Wimmera Sports Star Hall of Fame, continued to raise the bar in 2025 by winning her age group at Ironman Cairns and representing Australia at the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii, finishing fourth in her division and ninth overall.
Barry – who was named Bowls Australia’s Bowler with a Disability of the Year in 2019 – claimed silver in the multi-disability open pairs section at the 2025 Australian Open and represented Victoria in the interstate Para Bowls Test Series. He capped off the year with gold in the men’s triples and bronze in the men’s doubles at the Bowls Australia Para National Championships in Tasmania.
Ivess was nominated for a recordsetting performance at the Powerlifting Australia Top Gym competition
in Melbourne in December, setting a new world record in the youth men’s 77kg weight class with a 239kg deadlift. Sudholz was a nominee for her
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WRSA executive officer Tony Caccaviello said he was ‘putting the finishing touches on what’s going to be a special night’.
“It is coming together very well. We’ve got 200 people coming, which is awesome,” he said.
“We’re really excited for the gala presentation to highlight and celebrate the fantastic achievements of the finest sportspeople in the Wimmera, both on the field and off the field.
“I believe it’s a true celebration of sport in the Wimmera.”
Mr Caccaviello said the 40th-anniversary celebrations would add extra significance to the occasion.
“We’ve invited back past winners and significant contributors to the Wimmera Regional Sports Assembly as well, so it’s really set to be a pretty special night with a mix of new and historic winners,” he said.
“I think the 40-year anniversary reflects that sport is a cornerstone of the Wimmera.
“It has allowed people to connect for such a long time and it’s so good to reflect on some of our current achievements while also making sure we remember and learn from previous achievements.
“I think that connection through all sorts of sports is one of the reasons why we’re such a strong community.”
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EXCITEMENT BUILDING: Ararat’s Sarah Blizzard is in Italy as she prepares to compete for Australia at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics this month. Blizzard qualified for the Olympics as the pilot of Australia’s two-woman bobsleigh team. The 28-year-old is pictured at the Olympic opening ceremony, where she walked out as part of the Australian team. Blizzard is now training for the first two-woman bobsleigh heats, which commence at 4am local time on Saturday, February 21.
Junior athletes from across the Wimmera shone at the Little Athletics Western Country Region Track and Field Carnival at the weekend, with Horsham and Stawell Little Athletics centres winning a combined 29 gold medals.
The Horsham centre sent 15 athletes to the Warrnambool meet, tallying 34 medals including 16 gold between them, while 17 Stawell athletes won a combined 35 medals, including 13 gold.
Ararat Little Athletics Centre sent a single competitor, Harry Ward, who won a bronze medal in the nine-yearold boys 800m race.
Horsham centre president Ben Sawyer said he was proud of the centre’s performance.
“There were a few of our athletes who were there for the first time, which was great,” he said.
“One of our athletes, Jaxon Durack, broke a fairly old high jump record –it was a 28-year-old record. He’s done really well to do that.
“We had quite a number of kids record personal bests, so there were some good performances all around.”
Sawyer said at least seven of the centre’s members had qualified for the Little Athletics State Track and Field Championships in March.
“If you come first in an event you automatically qualify,” he said.
“There are seven Little Athletics regions around the state and they take the first-place winners from each of those regions, and then they take the next 17 best times or throws or jumps from across the state regardless of region, and those 17 get invited to come as well. So some of our kids who got second or third in their events might qualify as well.
“Little Athletics will crunch the numbers from all the regions this week and we’ll find out either this week or next week.”
He thanked the parents of the competitors for their support.
“All the kids were brilliant. They gave their best the whole time,” he said.
“We’ve got some really talented athletes at Horsham Little Athletics. We punch above our weight given our location and the facilities that we have.
“It’s a really good effort, and we’ve got some kids who will hopefully go on and bring home a few medals from states as well.”
Horsham: Gretel Blake, 15-year-old girls, 100m 2nd, 200m 3rd, 400m 2nd, 300m hurdles 2nd; Indi Finn, 13-yearold girls, 100m 3rd, 80m hurdles 3rd, high jump 1st; Scarlette Williams, 11-year-old girls, 200m 1st, 1500m 3rd, triple jump 2nd; Ariana Ruwoldt, 10-year-old girls, 60m hurdles 2nd, long jump 3rd; Zoe Warner, 10-year-old girls, 60m hurdles 3rd, discus 3rd, high jump 3rd; Jett Hill, 14-year-old boys, 100m 2nd, 200m 1st, 400m 1st, discus 1st; Benjimen Jowett, 14-year-old boys, 100m 3rd, 90m hurdles 2nd, javelin 1st, long jump 1st, shot put 1st; Jack Sawyer, 13-year-old boys, 100m 1st, 200m 1st, 400m 1st, 200m hurdles 1st; Tom Warner, 12-year-old boys, javelin 2nd, shot put 1st; Jaxon Durack, 11-year-old boys, 200m 1st, high jump 1st, triple jump 1st; Mitchell Sawyer, 11-year-old boys, shot put 3rd; Isaac Kelm, nineyear-old boys, high jump 2nd. Stawell: Asha Meek, 16-year-old girls, 100m 1st, 200m 1st, javelin 1st; Willow McDougall, 12-year-old girls, 200m 2nd, 400m 3rd, long jump 3rd, triple jump 2nd; Keeya Williams, 12-yearold girls, triple jump 3rd; Hazel Lee, 10-year-old girls, 70m 2nd, 100m 1st, 200m 1st, 400m 3rd; Mackenzie Austin, 10-year-old girls, 1100m walk 2nd, shot put 2nd; Elise Murphy, 10-yearold girls, shot put 3rd; Isla Murphy, nine-year-old girls, discus 3rd, shot put 3rd; Xyrus Gragasin, 15-year-old boys, 100m 1st, 200m 2nd, long jump 1st; Matthew Bernardo, 13-year-old boys, 100m 3rd, long jump 3rd; Logan Murphy, 13-year-old boys, discus 2nd, shot put 2nd; Cameron Christian, 12-year-old boys, 100m 1st, 200m 2nd; Leo Flood, 10-year-old boys, 70m 2nd, 200m 2nd, 400m 3rd, 60m hurdles 3rd; Rex Homden, nine-year-old boys, 70m 1st, 100m 1st, 200m 1st, 400m 1st, 60m hurdles 1st. Ararat: Harry Ward, nine-year-old boys, 800m 3rd.
BY DAVID BERRY
Aneedto control the destiny of members is the driving force behind Volleyball Horsham’s decision to apply to Volleyball Victoria to play in the state league one competition in 2026.
The competition is the top level of Volleyball Victoria’s state league, only behind premier one and two, which is restricted to the top 12 clubs in the state.
Veteran player Dimitrios Vettos said the seed was sown after the Horsham tournament last year.
“A proposal was put in front of a group of us senior players, both men and women, and we were given the off-season to consider it,” he said.
“The result came back emphatically that we go with it, with 16 males and 14 females accepting.
“This level of support was most encouraging and so the proposal was put in front of Volleyball Victoria.”
The ability to play a minimum four double-header home games was the lynchpin of the proposal, and Vettos said unless Volleyball Victoria could make that happen, the plan would not proceed.
“While some behind closed doors have indicated support for the proposal, making it happen will be the challenge for Volleyball Victoria, knowing full well that experience with the Phantoms has shown that Melbournebased clubs struggle with the concept of travelling to rural areas, to support volleyball in the country,” he said.
“It’s amazing how far it is from Melbourne to Horsham compared to Horsham to Melbourne.”
Vettos said if the proposal was ac-
cepted it would complete the elite pathway for Volleyball Horsham members, enabling them to compete at a level that would continue to challenge.
“The need to compete in our own right is important, so all of our members get the opportunity,” he said.
Vettos said the ‘very elite’ Volleyball Horsham members would still be encouraged to trial for the Phantoms in the premier one and two divisions in order for those players to continue their development.
“Phantoms have staked their claim in country Victorian volleyball extremely well, with aspiring volleyballers from across country Victoria flocking to trials in recent years, so much so that up to 30 boys and 20 girls were cut from last year’s trials,” he said.
“Unfortunately for Volleyball Horsham members, those cuts have included a lot of our members.
“With this proposal now, those members will be able to compete and continue with their development.”
Vettos said Volleyball Horsham was perfectly placed at the moment to successfully make an impact in the state league one competition.
“Our girls, both senior and junior, have been competing strongly at country championships and Volleyball Victoria Junior Open, while some of us senior boys have been competing in division one at the country champs,” he said.
“We have consistency among our senior players, both men and women who can still impact at the level, while we have a great group of promising juniors ready to take the next step,”
he said. Vettos said to give the teams a sense of identity several names were thrown around before a quiet voice from the background suggested a name that everyone jumped at.
“Supernovas, Vibe and Fury were tossed around early, then Oscar Jackman came forward with Heat and it resonated straight away,” he said.
“So Volleyball Horsham Heat was born.”
Vettos said the state league season was slated to start at the end of March and it was hoped confirmation of Volleyball Horsham’s proposal would be forthcoming sooner rather than later.
“But I won’t be holding my breath if previous experiences count for anything,” he said.
28 No. 31
February 11, 2026
Eight-time Horsham Week gliding champion Jack Hart prepares to take to the skies this week for the 60th annual gliding competition. More than 30 pilots from across Australia have been competing in aerial challenges prescribed by competition directors each day. Story, page 51.
