CELEBRATION: Regina Hood with her great grandchildren Aurora Mullan and Katana Secombe at a NAIDOC Week event at Dudley Cornell Park, Horsham. The event was hosted by Barengi Gadjin Land Council and Goolum Goolum Aboriginal Cooperative to mark NAIDOC Week, from July 6 to 13. This year’s NAIDOC Week marks 50 years, and the theme, The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy, celebrates achievements of the past and the future ahead.
Story and pictures, page 15.
Picture: PAUL CARRACHER
BY LAUREN HENRY
A$15-million boost for the East Grampians
Rural Pipeline forms part of the State Government’s latest drought funding, but not all councils are satisfied with the package.
Ararat Rural City Council welcomed the government funding, which will also see GWMWater contribute $15.6-million to the pipeline, with more money hoped to come from the Federal Government to complete the project.
But Horsham Rural City Council is seeking answers after what it says was a ‘government decision to exclude Horsham from the latest tranche of drought-support initiatives’.
The government package, investing an additional $75-million to help farmers through
the drought, includes primary producer support payments that will provide eligible farmers with a 40 per cent reduction on their property rates.
But the $35.8-million allocated for the payments is for farmers in south-west Victoria – who have been feeling the effects of drought conditions during the past two years.
The payments are for farmers in 12 local government areas including Ararat and southern parts of West Wimmera Shire.
Ararat Rural City Council chief executive Tim Harrison said the pipeline expansion would increase access to a high-quality reliable water supply from Lake Fyans to 750 additional rural properties, 10 local towns, 34 fire hydrants, and 66 tanks for firefighting.
“We welcome this increased drought support from the State
Government. This announcement comes at a critical time for our community, which has been facing significant economic and wellbeing challenges, compounded by prolonged drought conditions,” he said.
“This pipeline project will be a game changer for our region.
“It’s a crucial step towards ensuring water security and economic prosperity for our agricultural sector.
“We’ll continue to advocate strongly for the resources needed to ensure this project is delivered to its full scope.”
GWMWater managing director Mark Williams said the funding was good news for landowners and rural communities, as it would allow the water authority to continue to maximise the number of properties that could benefit from a secure, quality water supply.
“The Mininera extension will further extend the pipeline into the southern area of the original East Grampians project scope, and all planning approvals have been secured,” he said.
“We will be in touch with landowners as soon as more information becomes available and we remain committed to supporting farmers and communities through the ongoing dry seasonal conditions.
“Earlier stages of the project are already delivering water to properties in an area that has been severely affected by drought.”
Mr Williams said recent rain had provided little run-off and the region was in desperate need of a secure and reliable water supply.
“We know how critical the EGRP is for the communities in the area, so we are hop-
ing for early consideration and advice on the outcome of the National Water Grid Authority funding application,” he said.
“The $61.2-million will allow us to complete the Mininera extension in its entirety.”
But Horsham Mayor Ian Ross said he was ‘extraordinarily disappointed’ the southern area of the Horsham municipality had been blocked from accessing the rate relief.
In May, the government announced it would extend the On-Farm Drought Infrastructure package to additional impacted areas, including all of West Wimmera Shire and Horsham Rural City Council.
Cr Ross said the confusion and contradictions around eligibility were difficult to understand.
“That’s why Regional Cities Victoria have backed us
in advocating for expansion to the south and west areas of Horsham Rural City Council also,” he said.
“The southern grazing areas of our municipality have faced some of the driest conditions on record over the last two years.
“The cost of buying in feed to maintain stock levels is staggering, but the impact of reducing stock in depressed market conditions also has long term financial implications for farming families.
“While rain over the last few weeks has been welcome, it does not end the drought conditions on farms and ongoing support is needed until normal pasture growth can maintain stock.”
Continued page 15.
Council has opened a new round of Business Enhancement Grants on July 1.
The Business Enhancement Support Program provides small grants of up to $1,000 (exc GST) to support existing businesses in the HRCC area.
Mayor Ian Ross said Council are pleased to be able to provide total funding of $20,000 as part of the 2025/2026 budget.
“The objectives of the grants program is to support business innovation, operational improvements and growth for our local businesses," he said.
"We aim to assist businesses to improve accessibility and inclusivity and support improved presentation of businesses in the region."
Examples of the types of applications Council has received in previous years include improving online presence; equipment upgrades, business front enhancements, signage, and improvements to accessibility.
Applications are open now, with Guidelines and link to the on-line application form on Council’s website.
Cr Ross said the grants round will remain open until the 25/26 budget is fully allocated.
“I encourage potential applicants to read the guidelines, plan your project, and speak with a Council officer if you have any questions”.
To read the guidelines and create your submission, please visit the QR code.
VicGrid, the Victorian Government agency in charge of electricity transmission planning, released in May 2025 a Draft Victorian Transmission Plan. This long-term plan lays out how the state will upgrade its power infrastructure to support a future powered by renewable energy.
The draft identifies seven Renewable Energy Zones (REZs) and seven Priority Transmission Projects needed across the state. One of these zones, the Wimmera Southern Mallee REZ, is set to cover the northern part of the local area. A key project, the North West Strengthening Program, includes building a transmission line through this region.
Council endorsed the submission and as Council’s formal response to the draft plan, inclusive of words that identify:
•the need for ensuring appropriate management and compensation for landholders who experience damage to crops during the works stage;
•equitable compensation for landholders impacted by transmission line upgrades,
•the investigation of old stock routes across the municipalities for the location of transmission lines.
Council urges VicGrid to protect valuable farmland and maintain agricultural productivity, ensure transparent and fair approvals that involve and support local communities, and create real, lasting benefits for regional economies.
As part of ongoing infrastructure improvements linked to the service station development at 2–4 Dooen Road, road users are advised of a temporary road closure to facilitate the safe construction of a new traffic island extension.
The work is being carried out by the private contractor, Barker Group.
Closure Location: Dooen Road, near 2–4 Dooen Road
Closure Dates: Monday 14 July – Friday 18 July
This closure is essential to ensure the safety of workers, motorists, and pedestrians while construction takes place.
To minimise disruption, separate detour routes have been established for light vehicles and heavy vehicles.
Detour routes are available on the HRCC website via the QR code.
In a move to support a cleaner, safer community, Council has introduced a more affordable option for residents to dispose of unwanted tyres — helping to reduce illegal dumping and protect the local environment.
The initiative has been introduced to tackle the significant rise in tyre dumping across bushland, rural roadsides, and waterways observed over the past twelve months. To address this, the reduced disposal fee is now available at the Horsham Transfer Station.
Director Infrastructure, John Martin, said the change is part of Council’s broader effort to make responsible waste disposal more accessible for everyone.
“We know that the cost of disposal can be a barrier for some people, so we’re doing our part by lowering the fee for residents to drop off tyres at our waste facility,” Mr Martin said.
“This is about making it easier for people to do the right thing. We want to give our community practical solutions — not just penalties.”
“Dumping tyres not only looks terrible — it can leach chemicals into the soil, create fire hazards, and attract vermin,” Mr Martin added. “We all benefit when our parks, roadsides and natural areas are clean and cared for.”
In addition, Council is closely monitoring known dumping hotspots and continuing to work with the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) to investigate and fine offenders.
To further support safe waste practices, Council has also introduced a small charge for the disposal of whitegoods, particularly refrigerators. This covers the cost of professionally removing harmful gases from fridges before recycling, preventing environmental damage.
For more information or to report illegal dumping, visit www.hrcc.vic.gov.au or call 5382 9777.
Next Council Meeting: Monday, July 28, 2025 - 5.30pm Horsham Rural City Council: 18 Roberts Avenue Horsham | Postal
Council is creating a 10-year plan to improve sport and active recreation across our community. This plan is called the Horsham Municipal Active Recreation & Community Sport Strategy.
We’re working with Inside Edge Sport & Leisure Planning and Sport & Recreation Victoria to make sure the Strategy is strong, fair, and useful for everyone.
You can have your say by attending an information session, making a written submission, or completing the survey on the Engage Horsham platform before Friday 11 July 2025.
For details visit the Engage Horsham section of HRCC's website
Exchange (HRLE), wishes to advise all vendors of an important update to the sheep market schedule.
Effective from Wednesday, 16 July 2025, and continuing fortnightly thereafter, the Horsham sheep market will commence 90 minutes after the conclusion of the Hamilton sale, but no earlier than 12:30pm (until further notice).
These changes have been made to ensure the best possible outcomes for vendors by allowing a full gallery of buyers to attend both the Hamilton and Horsham sales on the same day.
Please note that on the alternate weeks, the HRLE sheep market will begin at the regular time of 9:30am.
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| Email: council@hrcc.vic.gov.au | Web: www.hrcc.vic.gov.au
BY LAUREN HENRY
The Victorian Coalition has called for the immediate recall of State Parliament to address failed incidences of Working With Children Checks, including Horsham man Ron Marks who visited childcare centres after being charged with possessing child-abuse material.
Marks was charged in January this year, after first being arrested and having material seized in 2021.
He visited at least one Horsham childcare centre this year, and many other kinders and schools across the region since he was under investigation.
Under current laws, Working With Children Checks, WWCC, are suspended if someone is charged with child sex offences – not while they are under investigation.
The Marks case comes after a Melbourne childcare worker was charged with 70 sex offences against eight children in his care.
Shadow minister for education Jess Wilson said under the Labor government, it ap-
peared WWCCs were ‘barely worth the paper they’re written on’.
“This case exposes the complete failure of Victoria’s Working With Children Check system and our childsafety regulations,” she said. “It’s inconceivable that an individual who police seized child-abuse material from was able to maintain a valid Working With Children Check and still visit a childcare centre. These flaws pose an unacceptable risk to the safety of our most vulnerable and must be immediately addressed by recalling Parliament.”
Following the release of an ombudsman report into Victoria’s WWCC system in 2022, shadow Attorney-General Michael O’Brien warned loopholes in the current system were placing children at risk and pledged to urgently implement reforms to the Worker Screening Act.
In February 2024, the Coalition urged the government to add a mandatory training model to the WWCC process.
“Victoria’s Working With Children Checks are the weakest in the nation because Labor has sat on their hands
and kept these loopholes open,” Mr O’Brien said.
“For the sake of our kids, Premier – recall Parliament and change the law to close these loopholes today”.
Member for Lowan Emma Kealy said it had been ‘an incredibly difficult and distressing week for many Victorians, especially in our local and Indigenous communities’.
“We acknowledge that many people will be feeling hurt, confused, and betrayed,” she said.
“As a community, our priority must remain on supporting survivors, protecting children, and ensuring the appropriate legal and judicial processes are followed and respected.”
Barengi Gadjin Land Council chairperson Chris Harrison said Marks had provided services on behalf of BGLC.
“We are shocked and appalled by this news,” he said.
“Upon learning of the conviction, we immediately terminated all services provided by Mr Marks and launched a full review of his past involvement with our programs.
BGLC’s board and staff are deeply distressed to hear of this conviction. Our hearts go
out to all victim survivors of any sexual abuse and anyone who has been affected by this news.
“We are undertaking a full safeguarding review. We are also reaching out to staff and community members and are organising support services to be offered to anyone who needs them.”
A State Government spokesperson confirmed that only after charges were laid were WWCC checks suspended.
“Under law, anyone charged or convicted of a serious sexual offence against a child must have their Working with Children Check suspended. These suspensions are acted on after receiving information from Victoria Police and other authorities,” she said.
“Victorian families must be able to trust that their children are safe in childcare and we will do everything in our power to make sure they can.
“We have commissioned an urgent review into child safety in early childhood education and care settings and the Working With Children Check in Victoria – and we will adopt every recommendation.”
Councils have been left ‘devastated’ after unknowingly allowing Indigenous elder Ron Marks to have direct contact with kindergarten children because they weren’t informed he had been charged with possessing child abuse material.
Yarriambiack Shire Council confirmed it would remove a picture of Marks painted as part of the Sheep Hills Silo Art mural as ‘a matter of priority’ after objections from the community and requests for its removal, with work hoped to start next week.
The Sheep Hills Silo Art was commissioned in 2016 and celebrated Indigenous culture and the passing of knowledge from elders to the next generation. Council chief executive Tammy Smith said conversations have been held with relevant government agencies, traditional owners, and Barengi Gadjin Land Council representatives.
“The council has engaged with the artist who commissioned the artwork, and we are collaborating with both the artist and Barengi Gadjin Land Council representatives to begin work on the redesign of the silo art,” she said.
“Council recognises this is shocking for families and the community. “
Mrs Smith said the council had started an internal investigation regarding the engagement of Marks’ services and preliminary assessments had identified that Mr Marks did have a valid Working With Children Check.
“We will be working closely with our neighbouring early childhood education and care providers and the Department of Education to understand how we were not made aware of Mr Marks’ arrest in 2021,” she said.
“We acknowledge that Mr Marks, an Indigenous elder from Wergaia Industries, delivered cultural awareness programs at our kindergartens as part of the State Government-funded School Readiness Program.
“At the time of Mr Marks working in our kindergartens, Yarriambiack Shire Council was not aware of any allegations made against Mr Marks by Victoria Police.
“Mr Marks has not worked at or attended a kindergarten in our shire in 2025. This does not diminish the ser-
iousness of the offences. Our teachers and educators are committed to the protocols of the child-safe standards and always have the best interest of your children at the forefront of their minds.
“We are absolutely devastated to learn of this news, and then unknowingly, we have welcomed Mr Marks into the kindergarten program.”
Hindmarsh and West Wimmera shire councils also released statements after learning about the Marks case when The Weekly Advertiser broke the court story on Thursday evening.
All councils reiterated that Marks was engaged by council several times, and he was never left alone with children.
The councils will undertake a review of processes regarding the use of contractors and volunteers but also called on the government to urgently review the regulations governing the Working with Children Check to ensure a person’s check can be suspended or cancelled at the time of arrest or charge – not only after a conviction.
Indigenous elder Ronald Marks pleaded guilty at Horsham Magistrates Court last week to seven charges of possessing child abuse material. Marks, 74, of Horsham, was sentenced to registration as a sex offender, and fined $7500 on Wednesday.
Police found a total of 982 child abuse images, accessed between 2012 and 2021.
In July 2021, the Australian Federal Police Child Protection Triage Unit received a report from the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children relating to the upload of child abuse material by Marks to the yahoo! Inc platform.
The following month, Horsham Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigations Team began an investigation into the possession of childabuse material at Marks’ residential address in Horsham.
Marks’ home was searched at 8am on September 22, 2021, with police seizing four laptop computers, six smart phones, and six external storage devices. Marks was arrested and interviewed at Horsham Police Station.
Police analysed the devices, including image file paths and caches – temporary files created when a user views an image on the internet, which remain until the user deletes them or the computer overwrites them after a certain period of time.
Police believe Marks accessed the material from October 9, 2012, with the files last accessed at 11.43pm on September 21, 2021.
The informant, Detective Senior Constable Cameron Holland described the images as ‘extremely cruel, disturbing images of actual children under the age of 12’ involved in sexual intercourse, sexualised behaviour, being severely tortured by adult males, a child who was covered in blood or dead, adult males penetrating infants and toddlers, and animals penetrated by children.
The material was located in Marks’ email attachments, which only he had access to.
The court heard Marks, an Aboriginal elder in Wergaia and Dja Dja Wurrung country known as Uncle Ron, was born and raised at Dimboola, and received scholarships to attend Ballarat Grammar.
He has spent most of his life involved in community projects, and education in primary and secondary schools.
Marks has mentored Aboriginal students, taught Aboriginal studies, facilitated school camps, and planned and implemented education programs and projects.
Magistrate Kieran Gilligan said Marks’ guilty plea entitled him to consideration in sentencing.
“You have pleaded guilty, and you are entitled to a discount because of that; you have saved court time and prevented calling witnesses,” he said.
“There has been no subsequent offending in the four years since your arrest, I accept that you are remorseful – I refer to your letter dated today, and I further accept that you are ashamed of this offending.”
The morning of Wednesday’s court appearance, Marks wrote in a letter to the magistrate that since his arrest, he had felt regret and shame, and having put child safety and protection at the forefront in his work at Goolum Goolum Aboriginal Co-Operative, had a lot of remorse for his actions, writing he would ‘not make wrong decisions in the future’.
Mr Gilligan said the child abuse material was of most vile nature, and there was no evidence it had been shared or distributed, and no evidence of how many times it had been accessed during the nine-year period.
Marks’ health – he suffered a heart attack in 2012 and is type-two diabetic – contributed to his lessened sentence.
“There is evidence you are of good character,” Mr Gilligan said, addressing Marks with further points which led to a non-custodial sentence.
“Your plea of guilty, remorse, a delay which was not caused by you, no prior offences, no subsequent offences, an extremely low risk of reoffending in the next five years, your age, your medical condition, your Aboriginality, and your otherwise good character.”
• People who need support can contact: the Sexual Assault Crisis Line on 1800 806 292; the Sexual Assault and Family Violence Centre at Horsham on 5381 1211; Headspace Horsham 5381 1543; Lifeline on 13 11 14; or for first nation’s peoples, 13YARN.
BY BRONWYN HASTINGS
The mother of a 10-yearold boy assaulted by a group of youths in Horsham last month is launching a guide to youth safety, coinciding with a Victoria Police school holidays operation.
Operation Shelter will involve an increased police presence in and around the Horsham central business district during the two-week holiday period that began on Monday, with police officers actively engaging with youths.
The operation comes after some incidents of youth assaults in Horsham in the past month.
A 13-year-old male was arrested in relation to one of the assaults and will appear at Horsham Children’s Court at a later date.
Trixie Sampson’s son was riding his bike home from school when he was assaulted by three youths, who filmed their actions.
The youths took the 10-yearold’s bike from him before he continued towards home on foot. The youths pursued him, physically assaulting him and causing him distress.
Ms Sampson is heading the Five Fingers Guide to Community Youth Safety, outlining an ‘ABCDE’ progran to guide young people if they feel unsafe.
She said herself and other mothers had created a guide focusing on five key points.
“Myself and some other mothers have created five points to community safety and awareness,” Ms Sampson said.
“We’ve been pulling some late nights and have put together the hand logo for what we’re representing and advocating for.
“A is avoid a situation if it doesn’t feel safe; B is buddy, for each young person to have a family member or trusted person to support them if they need; C is consent, don’t let anyone record or take photos of you without your consent; D is don’t keep secrets, if someone tells you to keep a secret that feels wrong or scary, tell an adult; and E is escalate, if you’re feeling unsafe or you have been hurt, speak to a trusted adult for further help to take action, and if it’s urgent, call triple zero.
“It’s to create community awareness and social safety. We are working together to put these key steps forward so parents can feel a bit safer and create that communication for their children.”
Ms Sampson said while the logo was specific to the group, she did not condone it being used to indicate a ‘safe home’ or a place of refuge for children.
Horsham Inspector Caroline
Johnson encouraged people to call police immediately if they witnessed anyone being assaulted or victimised.
“By all means call triple zero and we’ll get some units down there as quick as we can –we’re not tolerating anything like that in our community,” she said.
“We are running Operation Shelter during the school holidays, which will see an increased police presence across the area engaging with our youth.
“It’s not just about dealing with the youths that are causing
some issues – it’s about youth seeing us and giving them the opportunity to come to us and report something, because a lot of it is under-reported.”
Inspector Johnson said school principals, support service Orange Door and other stakeholders were engaged in the initiative.
“Success is also very dependent on the offenders being open to the help that they can be offered,” she said.
“At some point, they’ve got to stand up and accept that it’s their offending behaviour that they have to change.”
People who have been victim to assaults in the past are encouraged to report to police –there is no statute of limitations on an assault.
“Come in by all means and tell us about the incident, and we’ll do what we can to backtrack,” Inspector Johnson said.
“We are concerned about the trauma these incidents are causing for our children, and the families of our children.
“We want the reports because the second we get a report, then we’ve got a victim that we can talk to and that we can help to do the healing that they’ve got to go through, because it will have been traumatic.”
Inspector Johnson said police had dedicated tasking in place for priority patrol areas, which form part of their daily operations.
“We’re doing a lot of work at the moment. We have a proactive policing unit that attends schools, and we’re all about educating the youth in our community as well,” she said.
“Currently, we only know what we know, sometimes incidents are not reported to us. If your child is a victim, or you are a victim, call triple zero and make a report so we can do the investigation.”
Inspector Johnson said youthresource officers worked to intercept young people as they offended and divert them to appropriate support agencies. She said if offending contin-
ued, police had no hesitation in arresting individuals and putting them before the courts.
Ms Sampson recognised the perpetrators could be experiencing hardship of their own.
“For the families of perpetrators, I don’t want to see any harm come to them,” she said.
“I don’t want to see them being threatened or feeling unsafe in their community. That is not my agenda.
“I believe they can be reeducated and put back into a better future, but there needs to be a process for that.
“I want to take a proactive stance to seek the right supports and help that child and family needs.”
Ms Sampson said hearing about other incidents of abuse and assault had given her the drive to advocate for all people involved.
“I don’t just want to highlight my son’s story. I’ve got other families that I’m representing, who are deeply impacted –there are kids who aren’t eating properly, kids who aren’t sleeping, they’re not attending school,” she said.
“There are also a lot of families wrapped up in this who are absolutely shocked by what their children have been involved in.
“But they have been very proactive working with us, and they’re trying to take better action to support their children. We’re very grateful for that.”
Nine people died in 10 collisions across the state between Friday and Monday morning – including a motorist at Buangor – in what Victoria Police road policing Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir described as a ‘completely unacceptable surge in trauma’.
Mr Weir joined with Ambulance Victoria chief executive Jordan Emery on Monday to address the road crashes, including one on the Western Highway at Buangor, east of Ararat on Sunday.
Just before 11am a motorist crossed onto the wrong side of the highway and struck another vehicle. The driver died at the scene.
The driver of a second vehicle was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, while a female passenger from that vehicle was flown to hospital with serious injuries.
Mr Weir said the four-day figure was devastating, with most of the incidents ‘avoidable’.
“In June we had 12 lives lost, which is a really
low figure, so to lose nine lives in 72 hours is absolutely devastating. The frustrating part is that most of the lives that have been lost have been completely avoidable,” he said.
Mr Weir said the deaths brought the year’s toll to 159, a 14-year high for the same time of year.
“We are working really hard to try and reduce the lives lost, but we can’t do it on our own, we need everyone to help us,” he said.
“People are still making the same mistakes – in at least two of these collisions we know lives have been lost because people made a choice to drive whilst impaired on alcohol.”
Mr Weir said police were working within the Road Safety Partnership with government and Transport Accident Commission to reduce the risky behaviours.
“It’s not just the police that are saying this – all of our emergency service partners are really feeling the impact as well of this,” he said.
Mr Emery pleaded with the community to consider the impact that crashes had on first responders.
“It’s also police, fire authorities, our communication centre, personnel, ambulance community officers and paramedics attend these very tragic and traumatic incidents,” he said.
“It doesn’t stop at the roadside – the people impacted by these incidents are treated in our emergency departments and operating theatres, they undergo months and years of treatment and rehabilitation and that impacts their lives and the lives of many other people around them.”
Mr Weir said people who drove when impaired or unauthorised were a source of frustration.
“Those people make a conscious decision to do that – a conscious decision,” he said.
“And we investigate, we prosecute where appropriate, and we really hope that those people are held to account at the highest levels by the judiciary, because they’ve made a conscious
choice to do something that has resulted in the loss of people’s lives.”
Mr Weir said the state of the roads had not played a role in police investigations following fatal and serious injury incidents.
“So far what I know about this recent spate, the condition of the roads has not had anything to play, with either the cause or the impact of the fatal collisions,” he said.
“Several of them are head on, or from the rear, or pedestrian. There’s nothing that would indicate to me that any of these are caused by anything to do with the roads.”
Investigations into the Buangor collision and the other serious crashes remain ongoing.
Anyone who witnessed an incident, has dashcam footage or any other information that could assist police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Did you know that Stawell Sports and Aquatic Centre has a free gym membership available to anyone older than 75 years? This not only gives you access to all of the facilities on offer including the gym, pool and spa, you can also enjoy all the services too, including group fitness classes in both the gym and the pool
Called the 'Platinum Memb ership', it aims to provide an opportunity for older residents to keep their bodies active in a safe and supported place, where staff are readily available to help if needed
Simply drop into the centre next time you are in the vicinity or give the team a call on (03) 5358 8700 to find out more or sign up You can also find more information on our website
A reminder to please place your rubbish bins out 24 hours prior to collection and only leave them on the kerb 24 hours after collection There is plenty of animal activity around at the moment that can cause rubbish to venture onto our streets
Together we can ensure they stay clean for everyone
Help shape the future of Halls Gap and Great Western We need your assistance to develop a shared vision, brand identities and value propositions for each town, and Tourism Action Plan recommendations We invite residents from both of these communities to come together and share your insights, experiences and expectations at two Discovery Workshops.
Great Western: Monday, July 21 from 5pm at the new Community Pavilion
Halls Gap: Tuesday, July 22 from 5pm at Halls Gap Town Hall
RSVPs are encouraged but walk-ins are also welcome Please visit our website to find out more
We are seeking volunteers for our Visitor Information Centres in St Arnaud, Stawell and Halls Gap. Want to share your knowledge of our region to ensure people enjoy a visit to remember? You can apply via our website or call Julie Gibson on (03) 5358 8700 for more information
Next council meeting: Monday, August 4 in the Perry Room, St Arnaud Town Hall, St Arnaud at 12.30pm. The meeting is open to the public and will be livestreamed via our YouTube channel The agenda will be available on our website
BY COLIN MacGILLIVRAY
Councils across the Wimmera and Grampians have received more than $3.7-million collectively under the latest round of the State Government’s Regional Community Sports Infrastructure Fund, RCSIF.
The government announced earlier this month nearly $24-million through the fund for projects that aim to improve sports participation through infrastructure upgrades.
West Wimmera Shire Council will receive more than $1.3-million through the fund, Hindmarsh Shire was allocated more than $1-million, Northern Grampians Shire Council was awarded $790,000 and Ararat Rural City Council will get a $610,000 boost.
Headlining the region’s grants was $1-million towards a Dimboola Swimming Pool upgrade, which will include the installation of a wet deck gutter system, balance tank and hy-
draulics; repairs on cracks and joints; the construction of an all-abilities access ramp and disabled car parking; landscaping; and an upgrade of a paved area within the pool.
Hindmarsh Shire Council has committed $275,000 towards the project, with $10,000 from Dimboola Progress Association.
Hindmarsh Mayor Ron Ismay said a council-run ‘have-your-say’ campaign earlier this year showed overwhelming community support for the project.
“This upgrade will encourage participation of people with mobility difficulties and increase the utilisation of Dimboola Swimming Pool,” he said.
“It is a fantastic outcome for the community where a project of this size is secured by council cash contribution of less than 25 per cent of the total project cost.
“It is great to see Dimboola Progress Association partnering with the council by making an additional cash contribution of $10,000.”
Cr Ismay said the council was also excited to receive $40,000 in a separate RCSIF allocation to support the development of master plans for Dimboola Recreation Reserve, Jeparit Tennis Club and the adjacent riverside precinct, and Nhill’s Davis Park.
West Wimmera Shire Council will receive $608,000 to upgrade lighting, irrigation and drainage at Goroke Recreation Reserve; $660,000 to upgrade Kaniva Bowls Club’s surface to a more accessible eight-rink synthetic green, and install new lighting and an accessible toilet; $40,000 to develop schematic plans for upgrades at Goroke Swimming Centre; and $50,000 supporting a partnership between the council, Wimmera Regional Sports Assembly and a local disability service provider to provide a range of participation initiatives at Kaniva Bowls Club.
West Wimmera Mayor Tim Meyer said the successful funding applications reflected the council’s strong
As part of ongoing infrastructure improvements linked to a service station development, Dooen Road in Horsham will be closed from Monday, July 14 until Friday, July 18.
The temporary road closure, near 2-4 Dooen Road, is to facilitate the safe construction of a new traffic island extension.
The work will be done by the private contractor, Barker Group.
The closure is essential to ensure the safety of workers, motorists, and pedestrians while construction takes place.
Traffic will be detoured, with separate
detour routes for light vehicles and heavy vehicles.
Motorists are advised to follow all posted signage, adhere to speed limits, and allow extra travel time when moving through the area during this period.
Horsham Rural City Council acknowledges that road closures could cause inconvenience and appreciates the community’s patience and understanding while the essential works are carried out.
For further information, people can contact council or visit their website.
The Horsham Agents Association, in partnership with the Horsham Regional Livestock Exchange, wishes to advise all vendors of an important update to the sheep market schedule.
Effective from Wednesday, July 16, and continuing fortnightly thereafter, the Horsham sheep market will
commence 90 minutes after the conclusion of the Hamilton sale, but no earlier than 12.30pm, until further notice.
The changes have been made to ensure the best possible outcomes for vendors by allowing a full gallery of buyers to attend both the Hamilton and Horsham sales on the same day.
On alternate weeks, the Horsham exchange’s sheep market will begin at the regular time of 9.30am.
If people have any questions or require further information, they are advised to contact their livestock agent directly.
In the article ‘Arapiles management plan under review’, published in The Weekly Advertiser, July 2, 2025, the number of rock climbs proposed to be closed was incorrect. It is not 80 climbs proposed to close under the proposed plan Mount Arapiles-Tooan State Park, Dyurrite Cultural Landscape, Management Plan in late 2025.
Parks Victoria has never published the exact number of climbs proposed to be closed, but rock climbers believe it to be about 63 per cent of the total climbs at Mount Arapiles – more than half of the rock climbs at the site.
• Letters, page 11.
planning and ongoing commitment to improving recreational spaces across the shire.
“These projects are vital to maintaining safe, accessible, and inclusive facilities that support our clubs, volunteers, and community wellbeing,” he said.
“Council has worked closely with the Goroke and Kaniva communities to scope, plan and prioritise these projects. This funding is a great result for both towns.”
The Goroke community will contribute $140,600 towards the recreation reserve upgrades, while Kaniva Bowling Club will contribute $123,750 towards the upgrade of its facilities.
Other funding announced under the RCSIF this month includes: $790,000 to realign the existing netball court at Stawell’s Central Park, installing a concrete base and acrylic surface along with upgraded lighting, shelters and seating; $560,000 for the installation of new lighting on six courts
and other upgrades to fencing, entry and car parking at Ararat City Tennis Club; and $50,000 supporting a partnership between Ararat Rural City Council, Sports Central and Grampians Community Health to deliver more opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in tennis.
Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence said it was important for community sports facilities to cater for and keep pace with rising participation rates.
She said the past two years had seen a 19 per cent increase in junior girls playing sport in Victoria.
“These projects will be a game changer for regional communities, giving them modern facilities they can be proud of,” she said.
“This fund is all about ensuring Victorians have access to high quality sport and recreation facilities close to home, which we know boosts participation and strengthens local communities.”
Horsham and District Orchid Society hosted the annual Orchid Societies Council of Victoria country clubs’ challenge at the weekend, won for a second consecutive year by Warrnambool’s society.
Warrnambool and District Orchid Society president Rod Dunn said his group had dedicated members.
“We have a huge range of different genera here – we’ve got a couple of growers that grow with heat and away from the salt air, so they can grow pretty amazing stuff,” he said.
“We’ve got some very good growers in the club, and you can see the quality of the plants is pretty amazing – the whole show looks really good.”
Warrnambool’s back-to-back win, calculated in an aggregate system, was the society’s first in about two decades.
“It’s a coveted win, it’s pretty competitive, with societies from places including Shepparton, Geelong, Ballarat, and Bendigo,” Mr Dunn said. Horsham society president Joy Scott said people were lined up early to enter the competition’s exhibition.
“I think it’s a beautiful show – a lot of plants and a really good variety of genera,” she said.
“People wouldn’t have seen a lot of these things before, so it’s really nice. It’s been a good weekend for Horsham. There are a lot of people around and they stay all weekend, so it’s really good.”
Anew campaign is calling on residents across the Grampians and WimmeraMallee to help support the region’s bushfire recovery by doing something simple but powerful – inviting their friends and family to visit.
Launched on Sunday, the YOU campaign reminds locals that sometimes, the most impactful thing they can do is extend a personal invitation.
A long-overdue catch up with a friend from the city, a cousin from interstate, or a mate in need of a weekend away.
Grampians Wimmera Mallee
Tourism chief executive Marc Sleeman said people were more
likely to travel when there was someone waiting to welcome them.
“And that someone is you,” he said.
Mr Sleeman said the campaign highlighted the visiting friends and relatives market, one of the strongest and most reliable drivers of regional tourism.
“The visitors often come midweek, stay longer and engage more with our local cafés, shops cellar doors and attractions,” he said.
“While many are hosted by locals, many book accommodation, especially when travelling in groups or for longer stays.
“Recovery doesn’t always come from big gestures. Some-
times, it starts with a simple message. Come stay with us!”
Mr Sleeman said when friends and family visited, they didn’t just see the sights – they supported small businesses, helped sustain local jobs and brought energy back into regional communities.
“This important initiative is made possible thanks to the strong support and investment of local governments across the Grampians and Wimmera Mallee,” he said.
“Their funding of this campaign demonstrates real leadership and a shared commitment to helping communities bounce back – backing local businesses, protecting local jobs and en-
suring the region continues to thrive.”
At the heart of the campaign is a group of ‘local legends’, whose familiar faces and vital local insight are helping to spread the message through posters, postcards, digital and social media content.
A short survey will also run alongside the campaign, helping build a better understanding of the important visitor group.
People can visit www.visitgrampians.com.au/YOU to explore ready-made itineraries from the campaign, find deals to share with friends and family, and access easy-to-use invitation templates to help get the word out.
AMBASSADOR: Jane Astbury, of Ararat, is one of the ‘local legends’ involved in Grampians Wimmera Mallee Tourism‘s YOU campaign.
Saturday’s Tower Park market at Dimboola will embrace a carnival atmosphere, echoing the feel of April’s Wimmera Steampunk Festival.
A Christmas in July theme in some traders’ windows, mulled wine, and a free gemstone treasure hunt will feature, along with special deals and prizes for shoppers at selected locations.
Market co-ordinator La Vergne Lehmann said it was exciting that the traders were working with the market for the event.
“We all know what a gem Dimboola is, but this will take it to a new level,” Ms Lehmann said.
“Families can come to town and participate in the treasure hunt by following clues that will take them to all sorts of retail wonders around the main street.”
People can register for the treasure hunt at The Forbidden Forest in Dimboola’s main street.
“It is exciting that the local traders are working with the Tower Park Market to make this a special event in Dimboola during the school holidays,” Ms Lehmann said.
“We are hoping people will make an effort to come out and enjoy the hidden gems of Dimboola.”
The Tower Park Market is on Saturday, from 9am until 1pm.
Applications are now open for seasonal firefighter roles across Victoria, with Forest Fire Management Victoria, FFMVic, aiming to hire 500 firefighters prior to the summer bushfire season.
FFMVic chief fire officer Chris Hardman said seasonal firefighters would boost Victoria’s firefighting capacity in the lead-up to summer and during the peak fire season.
“New recruits will train and work alongside our permanent firefighting staff, responding to bushfires rapidly to keep communities safe this summer,” he said.
“They will be part of a team of close to 1800 frontline personnel and 1200 accredited incident management staff this bushfire season.”
Last year FFMVic firefighters responded to more than 1265 bushfires and undertook planned burns to help reduce the impact of future fires.
Grampians region deputy chief fire officer Jason Hellyer said seasonal firefighter roles provided rewarding career opportunities for people with a passion for the outdoors, learning new skills and making a difference.
“In addition to responding to bushfires and helping to deliver planned burns, new recruits will also undertake pest and weed control works, and maintain recreational reserves, strategic fire breaks and forest roads,” he said.
Applications are now open for seasonal firefighter roles across 10 locations in the Grampians region.
Applications close on July 27 and employment will be between October and May, with some variations depending on seasonal requirements. For information and to apply, people can visit jobs.careers.vic.gov.au/pff or call 136 186.
Horsham eateries and patrons are on the cusp of celebrating the launch of food delivery service Uber Eats across the city but a shortage of delivery drivers has soured the longawaited opportunity.
Several Horsham restaurants registered and accepted orders for launch on Wednesday last week, but after some long waits and some inabilities to deliver, a few venues disabled the app for the following day’s service.
Some venues are trialling the service, while others will register when the service is better-established.
Horsham RSL’s Lou Rothery said in the initial stages, the system was easy to use.
“We found the system worked very well, and it was very easy to set up, Uber Eats was very accommodating,” she said.
“From what we can see, the orders come through efficiently, and we can communicate with the people who have made the order through the app, which was a good little thing that we worked out on the opening night.
“We were able to communicate with the people who made the order to say, hey, let’s try and work this out.”
Horsham is one of 15 regional locations in Uber Eats’ latest expansion rollout, more than doubling its footprint. Almost one-million people now have access to the platform, and more than 2500 new delivery-partner earning-opportunities have been created.
It is expected to generate $45-million in new restaurant revenue across the state.
Mrs Rothery said the service gave Horsham people another food delivery option, and could bring further benefits to businesses.
“We probably hope to get some working families that can’t always come in, and that way they might try the food, be happy with it, and when they do feel like going out, maybe they’ll bring the family out,” she said.
About a dozen Horsham businesses are currently registered with Uber Eats.
By Five Early Years Initiative’s paediatric service will continue through key collaboration with Uniting Vic Tas and Grampians Health coming on board to provide the vital service for children and families across the Wimmera – southern Mallee region.
The award-winning service is a locally designed and nationally recognised model of care that was spearheaded by By Five to deliver rapid, community-based care for the past five years.
However, funding for By Five was not renewed by the State Government, placing all By Five’s services under a cloud beyond this month.
Designed by and for rural communities in partnership with The Royal Children’s Hospital, the service enables professionals, including maternal and child health nurses, general practitioners, and allied health teams, to refer children to behavioural paediatricians, with appointments taking place in local towns via telehealth within weeks, not years.
The service enables children to be referred and seen quickly in a familiar setting, surrounded by trusted individuals, which has transformed access to care in rural communities.
It has also empowered rural health professionals to build their skills and confidence in paediatric care.
Uniting Vic Tas’s Wimmera local service lead Louise Netherway said her organisation was proud to see the service’s progress.
“We have seen first-hand the profound impact this service has on children and families. It is trusted, it is local, and it works,” she said.
“We were proud to contribute to the health and wellbeing of local families in such a direct way.”
Grampians Health chief executive Dale Fraser said a team of highly skilled Grampians Health paediatricians delivered expert care to the families, and supported professionals, demonstrating a promise to the community that care closer to home was a cornerstone of the organisation’s strategic plan.
“The need for accessible, community-based paediatric care in our region is undeniable, and this service has clearly addressed a critical gap,” he said.
“Feedback from the By Five and key stakeholders across the region has reinforced the immense value the community places on this model.
“As the regional health provider, we are proud to support its continuation and deeply value the collaborative partnership with By Five and Uniting Vic Tas, whose local insight and commitment have been instrumental to the service’s success.”
By Five executive officer Jo Martin said the commitment of local organisations and statewide services should be recognised.
“The Royal Children’s Hospital were an in-
strumental partner in trialling a flexible model of service delivery, which is now being supported by Grampians Health and Uniting Vic Tas,” she said.
“This model might not fit traditional systems, but it is exactly what works in the Wimmera.
“The service was locally designed, widely valued by families and professionals, and is strongly supported by evaluation data.
“The leadership shown by Uniting Vic Tas and Grampians Health to honour this model is what true place-based leadership looks like.”
Mrs Martin said while the service was not a solution for all children or every challenge faced across the region, it represented a significant step forward.
housing, green spaces, business and professional networks and skills development were among future resilience building needs discussed at a Drought Ready Think Tank in Horsham last week.
Nearly 40 attendees at Horsham Town Hall heard results from 10 drought-resilience projects coordinated by Wimmera Southern Mallee Development over the past 18 months.
The projects included surveying existing housing and green spaces to better prepare for future droughts and heat; educating migrants about drought and increase their resilience in a bid to retain them in the region; and working with Indigenous communities to ensure cultural heritage sites continue to receive ‘cultural water’ during drought.
There were also projects investigating landholders’ key questions with independent studies around agriculture and energy, another looking at ways to better use the region’s weather station network, plus two leadership training courses to develop the skills and confidence of the region’s emerging and existing leaders.
Other projects included creating business opportunities in difficult times, including precinct developments; and building a community-driven group at Harrow and nearby districts to increase socialising and connections, as well as promote mental health services.
Wimmera Southern Mallee Development chief executive Chris Sounness said the projects, which involved hundreds of regional people and dozens of events, had resulted in a more connected and coordinated approach preparing for drought in the region.
Attendees also brainstormed drought resilience priorities, and what was needed to further build drought resilience across the region in the future.
Mr Sounness said the projects were achieved with the help of Wimmera Southern Mallee Climate Adaptation and Community Resilience Group, which oversaw the 11 projects and provided a forum for regional learning, coordination, and action on climate and resilience issues.
“We recognise the drought impacts farmers most directly but know there are significant flowon effects across the community,” he said.
“Last week’s event was about taking stock of what we’ve done, where we’ve made progress and what needs to come next.”
“We recognise the drought impacts farmers most directly but know there are significant flow-on effects across the community,” – Chris Sounness
The event also built on a 2023 community codesign process, which aimed to understand the wider impacts of drought beyond farming.
Event co-facilitator Pru Cook, from Nine Creeks Consulting, said it was rewarding to see a process start with community voices, lead to funded projects, and then come full circle with the community deciding what comes next.
“Participants identified key focus areas including housing, mental health, community leadership, and maintaining access to green spaces during drought,” she said.
“A number of business-related themes also emerged - ranging from individual upskilling and peer support to the importance of regionally coordinated services.
“One of the things I love about these conversations is how differently people approach problems.
“For mental health alone, we heard everything from the need for clinical services, to the power of connection, to the role of public spaces in making people feel supported.”
Proposed project ideas included expanding existing housing and green space initiatives, mapping local skills and networks, and piloting mentoring and skills-building programs.
One group proposed a peer learning initiative pairing older residents with younger locals, while another designed a professional development program tailored for rural women with young children.
Co-facilitator Katherine Durant said the mentoring idea had resonated with her.
“It’s the kind of program that could help women build confidence and income in a way that fits their lives,” she said.
“That matters not just for family budgets, but for keeping women in our communities longterm.”
The 11 projects were funded through Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal’s Helping Regional Communities Prepare for Drought Initiative and Agriculture Victoria’s Regional Drought Resilience Program Implementation Grants.
Police are investigating a fire at Stawell’s Scout Hall, which they believe to be suspicious.
Stawell CFA crews were alerted to the incident just before 5am Saturday, and finding the Alfred Street building engulfed in fire, requested crews from Ararat, Great Western and Halls Gap. The blaze was brought under control in about an hour.
nificance, built in 1874 as St Mark’s Presbyterian Church.
Fire Rescue Victoria Ballarat attended with their ladder platform, with police and paramedics also on scene. No injuries were reported at the incident. The building is of local sig-
Police are asking for anyone who witnessed the incident, has footage or information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www. crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Council commentary
There has been some commentary recently regarding the new Horsham Rural City Council’s direction and as mayor, I want to assure readers that we take the financial sustainability of council very seriously.
Our primary goal is to ensure we are in a healthy financial position at the end of our fouryear term.
The previous financial year’s Budget was framed under the influence of the Community Vision and Council Plan prepared during 2020.
Every four years, when a council is elected, they are given the responsibility of creating a new council plan.
Council also has the responsibility to ensure that each budget helps to deliver the community vision, new council plan and has a sustainable financial plan – both short and long term.
Our budget this year has been developed against a backdrop of rising costs and financial pressures being felt by communities and local governments across the country.
Our operating costs are climbing, particularly as a result of revenue through rates not keeping pace with inflation, ongoing cost shifting from the state government and unknown costs or revenue loss related to the Emergency Services and Volunteers Levy.
During the preparation of the 2025-2026 Budget, council reviewed its operating budget and determined the responsible thing to do was for every service to adopt a zero base to calculate their revenues and expenses, with an effort to retain a ‘business as usual’ approach, that is no changes in service levels to the community without clear consultation and engagement.
The forward capital works plan was also examined in detail, with revision of funding sources ensuring these were clear and committed with the true cost of all projects known.
The outcome we were seeking and have now achieved is a Budget that will ensure an operating surplus at the end of the next four years.
Where at all possible, projects were not removed from the 10year capital plan, rather spread out over the longer term.
The removal of the Horsham City Oval project reduced the four-year capital works total and has contributed to council’s revised financial position.
These are not easy decisions to make, but this has put council in a sound position for the next financial planning phase and ensure council operates for the broadest community benefit possible.
Ian Ross, Mayor Horsham Rural City Council
Mine hypocrisy
The many banners declaring we need to save valuable farmland reek of hypocrisy.
We want the benefits of mining but not in my backyard.
The real issue in my opinion is the spiralling subdivisions around every country town and city.
Large home allotments and
hobby farms remove far more valuable farmland than mines.
I expect councils don’t mind as it means more revenue, but blaming mining is selfish thinking.
Maybe we should ask? How does Europe with a vastly greater population manage to contain urban sprawl?
They understand the value of productive farmland.
Alf Rapisarda, Horsham
Transmission trouble
Labor’s panicked rush to roll out wind and solar farms across 70 per cent of Victoria’s agricultural land has escalated into completely unfair and dangerous territory, with Labor making laws that allow government employees free rein to enter private land without permission of landowners.
Under a new Bill introduced to Parliament by Labor, landholders who prioritise the biosecurity of their land and protection of their stock face fines of up to $12,000, simply for not allowing transmission line personnel on their land before any permission or financial compensation agreement is reached.
It’s no wonder country people are frustrated and outraged when their views, knowledge and opinions – even landholder permission – doesn’t matter to the Allan Labor Government.
The Nationals, in government, will restore the voice of regional Victorians on renewables.
We will bring back the ‘third umpire’, giving landholders the right to appeal to VCAT.
We will also introduce a twokilometre buffer between wind turbines and homes – protecting families and communities.
We will introduce a community benefits fund that ensures you get a fair legacy investment in your community in return for hosting these projects, because Labor’s potholes, health service cuts and rising energy bills simply don’t cut it.
But most importantly, we will unlock low carbon emissions gas reserves to deliver low cost and low emissions energy, and bring down the cost of energy for every Victorian household and business.
It is all about fairness, proper consultation and the best outcomes for our regional people and communities.
The Nationals will always put Victoria’s rural and regional people and our communities first.
Emma Kealy, Member for Lowan and deputy leader of The Nationals Arapiles peace
It was pleasing to read the ‘Arapiles Plan under review’ article in the July 2nd edition of The Weekly Advertiser, describing how Parks Victoria is re-evaluating its approach and will be making amendments to the plan.
However the article’s mention of 80 climbs being closed is spectacularly inaccurate as 800 climbs would be a more accurate figure.
But even then, numbers don’t tell the whole story and it high-
lights why the management was so poorly crafted in the first place.
Not all climbs are created equal. And I am guessing that not all Aboriginal cultural heritage is deemed at the same levels of risk either.
Understanding the nuance of both is what will help create a management plan that allows all people to enjoy the many aspects of Dyurrite – Mt Arapiles.
As a climber who first learnt the craft of climbing at Mt Arapiles 40 years ago and who has climbed around the world since, the significance of this place in world climbing is undisputed.
It has become the spiritual home of climbing in Australia due to the fact that no other cliff on the planet offers such a diverse and incredible introduction to the world of climbing.
This is largely thanks to the quality and variety of its easier climbs.
But the number of these easy climbs is relatively small compared to the wealth of climbing in the higher grades.
As a result these easy climbs can often be crowded on busier days ... they are popular with families, school groups, uni groups, less-experienced climbers, older climbers, climbers with a disability, search and rescue and army personnel.
The fact that so much easy climbing was targeted in the draft management plan was hard to comprehend and no clear reasons were given.
I understand traditional owners might not want to reveal all of their discoveries, but it would be worthwhile to understand better how climbing in these areas could threaten any cultural heritage.
And from there find more nuanced solutions instead of blanket bans.
As both co-author to the climbing guidebook to the region and in my work as a climbing instructor, I feel there is great opportunity in both areas to educate visitors as to the concerns of traditional owners about climbing in these areas with regard to the understanding and protection of cultural heritage.
Despite negative comments being thrown about on social media by some frustrated climbers over the years, I feel that these voices represent a very small minority and are not indicative of the vast majority of climbers who want to find more positive ways forward.
I have heard that well before white settlement, Dyurrite was a place where neighbouring peoples came together to sort out differences and trade.
I would love to think that the power of this place can bring future generations together too.
Simon Mentz
It’sbeen a tough week on many of our communities since the news broke last week about the conviction of Ron Marks for possession of child abuse material.
It was a shocking incident on so many levels.
A man who was once trusted to enter childcare centres, kindergartens and schools across our region, as well as play a starring role in many community events, had committed a heinous crime.
As a high-profile Wergaia Elder, there were not many Indigenous smoking and Welcome to Country ceremonies that Marks had not been front and centre at in recent years.
In fact, there are probably not many schools and kinders that he hasn’t visited in recent years.
He was an Aboriginal liaison to several highprofile organisations, including GWMWater, and led the ceremony at Horsham Rural City Council’s Reconciliation Week event in May, which also involved secondary children.
And his association with our local Indigenous groups has left them devastated too - he is not the person that many people thought he was, and many people are hurting because of one man’s actions.
The question on everyone’s lips following the court verdict last week was how was he allowed to continue visiting schools and kinders after being investigated for such crimes?
Working with Children Checks were introduced to help protect our children.
According to the State Government’s website: “The Working with Children Check is a screening process for assessing or re-assessing people who work with or care for children in Victoria. We take a detailed look at the criminal history and relevant professional conduct findings of applicants to ensure we’re helping to protect children from sexual or physical harm.”
But as we have learned in the past few days, it is not until someone is officially charged by police the Working with Children Check register is notified.
In Marks’ case, he was investigated in 2021 but
By Lauren Henry
wasn’t charged until January this year.
The register says people “must let us and your organisation/s know in writing within seven days if your circumstances change in any of the following ways – including you are charged with, convicted, or found guilty of a category A or B sexual, violent or drug offence, or the charge has been finally dealt with by a court in some way.”
At the very least, Marks should not have been let to set foot in any place where there was children this year.
It seems the onus was on Marks to tell the WWCC register.
But do the rules go far enough? And can we really trust offenders or those under investigation to be honest and own up to their offences?
Surely if a person is being investigated by police for any child-related crime, then the WWCC register needs to immediately be informed – and by official authorities, not the alleged offender. If ever there was an incidence of needing government departments and their registers and records to ‘talk to each other’, this is it.
Marks’ conviction will have reverberations throughout many organisations and our communities in our region.
But it needs to go further than just our region. If it can happen with this case, how many others are left unchecked?
The State Government needs to enforce stricter laws and rules around Working With Children Checks, and ensure everyone under investigation for child-related crimes is flagged with the appropriate authorities.
Choosing aged care is emotionally challenging. The complexity of the process can be overwhelming.
Dean Winfield and Richard Goudie, qualified Age Care Advisors, help you determine the costs applicable to your chosen facility, Centrelink impact, family home options, and cash flow strategies to meet living needs.
Personal circumstances shape fees and strategies, emphasizing the need for specific advice before deciding.
TRAINING: Wimmera Driving School instructor Adam Hall, with student Jess Dufty, 17, believes with experience, training and education, youth aged 17 could obtain their probationary driver’s licence.
Member for Lowan
Emma Kealy is encouraging her constituents to have their say on a proposal to lower the minimum age at which Victorians can acquire a probationary driver licence from 18 to 17.
A parliamentary petition is calling on the government to lower the age limit, which Ms Kealy said was in line with recommendations contained in the findings of a 2017 parliamentary committee inquiry.
She said the government had thus far been reluctant to pursue the change, but that she believed it would aid young people and families in her electorate.
“In regional and rural areas like ours with such limited public transport options, allowing responsible young people to drive from a younger age would have a huge impact on them and their families in terms of education, employment and social outcomes,” she said.
“For young people who have done the training and are ready to drive safely on their own, a
driver’s licence opens doors to education and job opportunities, access to health services, the ability to engage in community events and sports, and the chance to help others,” she said.
“Safety is crucial, and training is vitally important to ensure our young people are ready for the responsibility of driving solo.
“That’s why the Nationals are also calling for the government to consider driver training programs like those used in New South Wales, where completing safe-driving courses or undertaking professional lessons can earn learner drivers hours of credit towards the 120 hours that are needed to apply for a probationary licence.”
Wimmera Driving School instructor Adam Hall said he supported the proposal provided learner drivers still received adequate training before attaining their probationary licence.
“From my experience, the maturity levels between a 17-year-old and an 18-year-old when it comes to driving, are not that different – it’s very
similar. I think it would come back to three things: their experience – obviously they’ve got to meet their 120 hours – training and education,” he said.
“If they meet those hours and we can get the correct training and education into them, I can’t see why a 17-year-old couldn’t hold a probationary driver licence.”
Horsham teenager Jess Dufty, who will soon be eligible to apply for a probationary licence, said she also supported the idea.
“I reckon it would be pretty good. They [17-year-olds] are usually pretty responsible, so it should be alright,” she said.
“For a lot of people playing footy and netball it would be helpful.
“Since we can’t drink yet anyway, [alcohol] wouldn’t be [an issue].”
People can view and sign the parliamentary petition online by visiting parliament.vic.gov. au/get-involved/petitions/reduce-probationary-driving-age.
The petition closes on October 1.
Yarriambiack Shire Council has adopted its 2025-2029 plan, encompassing the Health and Wellbeing Plan and the Long-Term Community Vision, with four strategic objectives.
The council plan was complemented by the adoption of the year one action plan for 25-26.
Mayor Kylie Zanker said that extensive community consultation was undertaken with community sessions, to inform the development of the plan.
“To initiate discussions regarding the council plan, councillors hosted ‘Coffee with a Councillor’ sessions across 11 townships within the municipality,” she said.
Hard copy surveys were distributed at the community consultation sessions and made available at Yarriambiack library branches. The survey
was also made available online. The draft council plan 2025-2029 was placed on public exhibition and endorsed unanimously by councillors on June 30.
The plan outlines a series of strategies intended to guide council’s actions during the next four years. It is organised around four strategic objectives: an innovative and diversified economy; a healthy and inclusive community; a resilient and sustainable natural environment; and, a council that services its community.
“We extend our gratitude to the community for their feedback and submissions, which have been instrumental in guiding the council as we developed this crucial document outlining our direction for the next four years,” Cr Zanker said.
West Wimmera Shire Council invites people to provide feedback on its Community Engagement Policy, which outlines how council involves the community in making decisions about its fouryear council plan, rates and revenue plan, annual budgets, major projects, policies, strategies and
other important matters. The draft policy is available to view on council’s website, or printed copies are available from council’s customer service centres in Kaniva and Edenhope. Feedback can be submitted via email to council@westwimmera.vic.gov.au until 5pm July 14.
Make a difference in your community
Join the Grampians Health Community Advisory Committee
Grampians Health is seeking passionate individuals to join our Community Advisory Committee—a group that helps shape the future of healthcare across our region.
Are you:
A resident of Ballarat, Stawell, Horsham, Dimboola, Edenhope or surrounding areas?
Interested in improving health services?
Able to represent the views of patients, carers, and your community?
We’re looking for community members who:
Reflect the diversity of our region
Are not currently employed in healthcare
Can commit to quarterly meetings and an annual planning workshop
This is your chance to advocate for better care, share your insights, and influence strategic decisions at Grampians Health.
Expressions of Interest now open.
Applications close 27 July.
To find out more, call 0418 435 319.
Scan the QR code for more information and to apply.
NAIDOC Week events are being observed across communities this week, celebrating and recognising the achievements, history and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and coming together under the direction and theme of ‘The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy’.
NAIDOC Week, from July 6 to 13, is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories.
At Horsham yesterday, Barengi Gadjin Land Council chair Chris Harrison said Aboriginal communities had combined to celebrate half a century of NAIDOC – which originally stood for the National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee, the organisation responsible for the week’s activities.
“We’re having a joint celebration between Goolum and Barengi Gadjin Land Council – the two communities are coming together to celebrate 50 years of NAIDOC,” he said.
“The theme is ‘The next generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy’ – the strength side of things is both organisations coming together, the community coming out and being united as one.
“The vision side of things is our community leaders that are around in our community, how we lead, but also how we encourage the next generation of voices coming through
and making sure that we’re a part of the process.
“And the legacy is seeing how it goes for future generations, but also the legacy of what the organisations are.”
In Ararat, NAIDOC Week events coincide with Ararat Rural City Council’s winter school holiday program.
Council chief executive Tim Harrison said NAIDOC Week served as a chance to participate in celebrating the world’s oldest continuously living cultures.
“National NAIDOC Week marks an important time to acknowledge the significant contributions of First Nations peoples,” he said.
“We recognise the importance of celebrating and respecting the stories and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across our community, and we invite everyone to take part.”
The council’s NAIDOC Week celebrations kicked off with a welcome to country and smoking ceremony at Ararat Gallery TAMA on Monday, conducted by Gunditjmara-Kirrae Wurrong man and renowned yidaki – or didgeridoo – player and cultural performer Paul ‘PK’ Kelly.
The gallery will host NAIDOC Week-inspired activities, including crafts, painting, drawing and collage on Thursday from 10am to 12.30pm, and Keerray Wooroong artist and storyteller Brett Clarke will present a cultural experience through art, music and dance on Tuesday, July 15 from 11.30am to 2pm.
Entry is free, with bookings required via the gallery’s website at www.araratgallerytama.com.au/event.
Ararat Library will also run a NAIDOC Week-inspired craft activity as part of the council’s school holiday program, where children will create their own Rainbow Serpent using cardboard and acrylic paints on Friday from 2-3pm.
At Stawell, Dimboola chef Cat Clarke hosted a bush foods cooking workshop.
Northern Grampians Shire Mayor Karen Hyslop said the council had partnered with Stawell Secondary College to run the workshop for the school’s Marrung students.
“Under Cat’s guidance they prepared a range of bush foods for family and students from Stawell West Primary School,” she said.
“NAIDOC Week officially starts on Sunday, but we wanted to involve our indigenous students, so we arranged the workshop ahead of the school holidays.”
More than 50 people attended from the schools, along with staff from Goolum Goolum and Budja Budja Aboriginal cooperatives and two Koori education support officers.
A range of indigenous artworks was also displayed, including some from a Stawell Skate Park mural project stencil workshop hosted by council earlier this year – along with creative activities, books and artefacts.
Dimboola chef Cat Clarke hosted a workshop for Stawell Secondary College students as part of NAIDOC Week celebrations.
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Cr Ross said the Horsham council supported the inclusion of the southern parts of West Wimmera in the list of eligible councils to receive the new support package and believed a similar approach was valid for the Horsham municipality.
“Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence has stated that the government is continuing to back farmers with the support they need to tackle the challenging dry conditions across the state,” he said.
“Horsham farming communities also need this support, and we now ask Premier [Jacinta] Allan and the Victorian Government to reconsider their position and include the southern grazing areas of our municipality in the new support package.”
The latest drought package also includes $2-million for the Country Women’s Association, to deliver household payments of up to $1000 to struggling families in the 12 local government areas. There is also $5.9-million to continue technical decision-making support, mental-health services, farm-debt mediation and engagement activities for another 12 months; and a $6.3-million fee-and-duty-relief package.
Agriculture Victoria will also work with livestock biosecurity compensation fund advisory committees, Dairy Food Safety Victoria and PrimeSafe to explore opportunities to waive biosecurity duties and regulatory fees and charges, and waive indexation on its 2025-26 biosecurity fees and charges.
The government will also spend $3-million to expand Victoria’s Emergency Supply Point network and install new access points or upgrade existing ones across the state; allocate $2.5-million to leverage existing groundwater bores to access water for domestic and stock usage in drought-affected areas; spend $3.5-million to develop a new Western Region Sustainable Water Strategy; and has set aside $1-million for catchment management authorities to run drought-employment programs.
The Victorian Farmers Federation said the additional $75-million in drought support was ‘a step in the right direction’.
VFF president Brett Hosking said the continued support was needed.
“You can’t overstate how devastating this drought has been to our regional communities
and the only certainty we know is the recovery will take years,” he said.
Mr Hosking said it was the VFF’s expectation the entirety of funding allocations to councils was fully and promptly passed onto drought-hit communities without delay.
He said the East Grampians Rural Pipeline funding was a welcome move and would help ensure the region was better placed to respond to future droughts.
“We are now just waiting for the Federal Water Minister, Murray Watt, to confirm their cocontribution and work can commence on getting this done,” he said.
“Government support is vital to help the industry at this time. We’ve seen initial support from the Victorian Government and now we need the Federal Government to step in and do their bit.”
Premier Jacinta Allan thanked members of the Drought Relief Taskforce who came together to deliver relief for farming communities.
“We’ve been listening to farmers and communities who are doing it tough – this support delivers real help, right now,” she said.
“This isn’t just about dollars – it’s about
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backing the people who feed our state and the regional communities that keep our state strong.” Member for Lowan and shadow agriculture minister Emma Kealy said the government’s funding was ‘a sad case of too little, too late’ and didn’t go far enough.
“It is no more than a starting point and has come far too slowly, given farmers in the state’s south-west have been battling the big dry for two years,” she said.
“After so much hardship, farmers have been handed financial relief that falls well short of recommendations by the taskforce.
“Although farmers are now eligible for a 40 per cent reduction in their rates, the taskforce recommended a 100 per cent reduction – total rate relief.”
Ms Kealy said the government must now ‘get on with the job’ of finishing the pipeline in full –with no more delays.
“The pipeline was promised in 2018 to supply the region with water year-round. There are no more excuses – this latest investment must finally finish the project,” she said.
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Smart Artz Theatre, president Amy Anselmi:
“The revolve is an original design by Will Lynch of Lynch Constructions. It was initially envisioned by director Maddi Ostapiw, who has dreamed of staging a production with a working revolve since she was sixteen. Thanks to the support of Horsham Sports and Community Club, that dream has become a reality.”
“The revolve operates entirely by hand. Will has engineered a brilliant system of inset ‘slots’ in the wooden top where five keys can be inserted. Cast members use these to gently push and turn the top section, which rests on wheels secured to a circular steel base beneath.” Rehearsals are well underway, and the whole cast is buzzing with excitement. We can’t wait to bring outdoor theatre to the Horsham and Wimmera.”
HSCC – “Working for the community with pride”
and drug driver behaviour change program servicing the Grampians-Wimmera region is closing but residents will be able to access the program online.
Grampians Community Health, CGH, will no longer offer the face-to-face program locally due to increasing costs and dwindling participation.
The decision comes amid concerns about the program failing to achieve its goals and difficulties for rural people without a licence to access and afford the service.
A substantial reduction in numbers using the service has led to fears that many people in remote areas may be not be going through the process of getting their licences back.
GCH general manager of community services, Faith Hardman, said while the face-to-face program was ending, an online format would make it more accessible for people.
The program is overseen by VicRoads under the Road Safety Act and has operated in Maryborough, Hamilton and Horsham and previously in St Arnaud, Ararat and Stawell.
It had been reaching up to 400 participants a year, but dropped to 317 in 2022-23, 242 in 202324 and 189 in 2024-25.
“Over the past three years, we have seen a significant decline in participants,” Ms Hardman said.
“This year we have cancelled courses in nearly every location nearly every month.”
During COVID, GCH was allowed to deliver the program online and it was successful, but after the pandemic it was
required to revert to face-to-face sessions.
People have to seek consent from VicRoads to do the course online or in-person.
Completing a behaviour change program is a requirement for anyone who’s committed either a drink or drug driving offence before they can apply to get their licence back.
The standard program is a six-hour course delivered over three days with an individual counselling session, while an intensive program is nine-hours plus counselling.
The standard program costs $400, concession $356, the intensive program $780 and a mandatory interlock removal course $200.
“It is part of the consequences of drink-driving, but for many it is an inaccessible program because of the cost,” Ms Hardman said.
“There has been a drop-off in attendance, but there has not been a drop off in the number of people drink and drug driving, which leaves us to worry that more people are taking the risk of driving unlicensed.
“Cost-of-living is a big part of that, but in remote areas, people may be risking it, even though it is punishable by jail.”
GCH has been concerned about the effectiveness of the program.
“We see the same people going through again and again so we have to question its value,” Ms Hardman said.
“VicRoads believes it is more effective delivered in person and in a group setting but our ability to deliver the program effectively and efficiently has been stymied because we have
to cater to a complicated bus timetable in every location for people to come to the sessions. We have reliable public transport but it doesn’t cover the whole region.
“VicRoads is looking for accountability in a group learning setting, but what we have witnessed is people are not attending in rural and remote regions and for those that do, there is frustration and disappointment with people not changing their actions.”
Ms Hardman said complications in the qualifications required for delivering the course added to the cost pressure.
She said GCH had made a substantial financial loss delivering the program over the past five years.
“We’re now in a tough fiscal environment where we can no longer prop up the program at the expense of others, especially when people book but don’t turn up,” she said.
“We cover a significant geographic area with this program and don’t have the simple scenario where people can just walk into a program.
“We have to get over lots of barriers such as the cost-of-living crisis, distance and transport to get people in the doors which makes the viability really challenging. We have to step outside a city-based mentality to help our community.”
The program will run until the end of July when all current registered participants finish the course. People needing to undertake the course after July can do so by finding an online course provider on the Department of Transport Victoria website.
Keeping busy and avoiding alcohol might be among the keys to St Arnaud man Kevin Allen’s longevity.
Mr Allen turned 100 on June 19, celebrating with a few cups of his favourite black tea.
“I’ve never drank beer or anything, but I love my black tea, I’d have 10 cups a day,” he said.
“Sometimes with a biscuit.”
A love of tea and biscuits and a desire to stay active has paid off for Mr Allen.
Still sharp as a tack, he and his wife Ruby, 94, live together in a home they purchased more than 75 years ago.
Mr Allen grew up at Gowar East, just outside St Arnaud, and was the only boy in his household, growing up alongside four stepsisters.
He joined the Airforce aged 17 and nine months and was enlisted for three years, visiting places such as New Guinea and Borneo during the Second World War.
Upon returning home to the St Arnaud area, Mr Allen met Ruby Castleman at the picture theatre after seeing a film. They were both having a cup of tea as Ms Castleman’s sister worked at the theatre.
Mr Allen said he walked Ms Castleman home that night after striking up a conversation, but quickly ran home after her dad came out to
greet them on arrival, booming, ‘You best get out of here now lad’.
The pair married at the Church of England in St Arnaud on April 30, 1949.
The Allens have two daughters, Cynthia and Aileen, four grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
Mr Allen loves spending time outdoors and being active, which is why he became a farm hand for a few years. Mr Allen went on to work at St Arnaud Flour Mill for more than 28 years before retiring in 1980. A keen footballer, he played for Landsborough for many years and won a best and fairest award.
Mr Allen enjoys being outside in his garden, which is immaculate.
When asked what advice he had about living to such a milestone, he mentioned the importance of keeping busy.
“You’ve got to keep active, keep your body moving,” he said.
Northern Grampians Shire Mayor Karen Hyslop and Cr Karen Probst paid Mr Allen a visit on his special day, presenting a bouquet of flowers on behalf of the council.
“Kevin still has such a great memory and his message about keeping active is an inspiration to all of us,” Cr Hyslop said.
Federation University
Australia’s Future Regions Research Centre, FRRC, is partnering with Wimmera Southern Mallee Development, WSMD, in an attempt to build a sustainable local workforce in care-based industries.
In a project titled ‘Accessing Latent Care Industry Workforces for Western Victoria’, the collaboration aims to address skills shortages in the region by removing barriers to study.
Now in its final year, the three-year project has been funded by the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions’ Workforce Training Innovation Fund, WTIF.
WSMD chief executive Chris Sounness said the project
aimed to address workforce shortages in carer industries including early childhood education, aged care, disability support and community services by supporting people who faced barriers to study.
“Living in a smaller town shouldn’t stop someone from studying or building a career,” he said.
“This project is helping unlock the potential of people who are ready to work but face barriers like distance, caring responsibilities or travel costs.
“We’re proud to work with Federation University to back students with practical support that makes study genuinely accessible – and opens real job opportunities close to home.”
The project combines local research, led by FRRC director Cathy Tischler at Federation
University’s Wimmera campus, with training delivery by Federation TAFE.
Dr Tischler said research showed many potential students faced challenges such as caring responsibilities, financial hardship, or geographic isolation.
In response, the program offers support including free TAFE tuition, fuel vouchers to ease travel costs, laptop and textbook loans, tutoring and academic support, assistance
with local work placements, and connections to employment opportunities.
“The research has identified that students wanting to study often have significant responsibilities elsewhere, such as caring for children, needing to work and challenges with funding the cost of getting to class,” Dr Tischler said.
Student Amelia Drendel said the program had helped her travel from Nhill to Horsham to study for a Certificate III
Edenhope’s Kirily Ryan has inspired people to begin an exercise routine – she had not run for three decades, but worked her way up to participate in the town’s half-marathon, and continues the habit.
Grampians Health community health nurse Cath McDonald started planning a half-marathon event for Edenhope, and targeted people like Ms Ryan. Six months before the event, Ms Ryan said there was ‘no way’ she could even walk 21 kilometres. Ms Ryan can now run Edenhope’s 5.5km Lake Wallace perimeter track three times a week, before sunrise. On alternate days, she walks. Ms Ryan said the challenge sparked a new fitness era.
“She told me to get off my butt and start training for the half-marathon,” she said.
“I just looked at her and said, ‘no way’ – I’d never walked that far in my life.”
Ms Ryan shared the challenge with her neighbour, Jan, and the pair slowly built up the kilometres.
“We worked our way up, from one lap of the lake, to two, then four,” Ms Ryan said.
The friends navigated Edenhope’s inaugural half-marathon, four months ago, with ease.
“We just wanted to share that post on social media saying, ‘we did it!’,” Ms Ryan said.
“I had discovered early morning exercise and I had so much
more energy, I was more productive and even my sleep was better,” she said.
“I wasn’t going to stop.”
With newfound confidence in her physical ability, Ms Ryan decided to push herself further.
“I was watching a bloke run past every day and thought, ‘I reckon I could do that’,” she said.
“I’m nearly 50 so it was kind of about proving to myself that I could do it at my age too.”
A few weeks in, Ms Ryan ran the full 5.5-kilometre loop.
“I’ve lost weight, I’m fitter and I just feel better about myself every day. What I’d say to other people is, just give it a go – nothing’s impossible. If I can do it, anyone can do
it,” she said. Ms Ryan’s love of exercise was what Ms McDonald said she had hoped to foster when she came up with the challenge, which required training and commitment.
“People don’t realise how capable their bodies are and sometimes we need a concrete challenge to create those lifechanging habits,” Ms McDonald said.
“When exercise is incorporated into our routine it is no longer a chore, it really is a joy.
“We are in the process of planning our 2026 half-marathon and I hope Kirily’s incredible effort inspires more people to start slow and give it a go.”
in Early Childhood Education and Care.
“The fuel vouchers have been a huge help. Without them, I wouldn’t have been able to travel to Horsham for my classes,” she said.
Federation University’s next intake for the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care begins this month, with places available for students across the Wimmera and southern Mallee.
The course is available in
Horsham or via remote study, with flexible delivery to suit individual needs. Applications are now open.
To learn more or apply, people can contact Federation University’s Horsham campus by calling 5362 2628 or visiting www.federation.edu. au/courses/dlba-certificate-iiiin-early-childhood-educationand-care
PROUD: Ararat Legacy president Kevin Bowles with winners Shayla Madin, Stawell Secondary College, and Sophie McDougall, Ararat College, with runner-up Grace Monaghan, Marian College.
Studentsfrom Ararat, Stawell and Marian colleges gathered at Ararat’s Astor Cinema last month for a regional final of the Legacy Junior Public Speaking Awards.
Legacy, an organisation dedicated to supporting the families of dead or injured Australian Defence Force veterans, hosts the awards annually across Australia.
The regional final saw nine students present five-minute speeches, before an additional impromptu two-minute speech following a break.
Judges Robyn Clelland, David Tyler and Norma Wells said the event produced one of the highest-standard performances of recent years, with the impromptu topic of ‘my best birthday’ encouraging participants to talk more from memory than imagination during their two-minute speech.
The judges picked joint winners, with Stawell Secondary College’s Shayla Madin and Ararat College’s Sophie Mc-
Dougall sharing the award, while Marian College’s Grace Monaghan finished runner-up. Their respective speech subjects were: the importance of remembrance, caring, and access to healthcare for all.
Both winning speakers will compete in the competition’s state finals in Ballarat on September 10, and if successful, have an opportunity to advance to the national final in Adelaide in November.
Ararat Legacy has been involved in the awards for years, usually hosting regional finals in the first week of August, but this year opted to move the event to June 27 to give winners greater time to prepare for state finals.
Ararat Legacy president Kevin Bowles said the move had proved popular with students and their schools, allowing them to fit the awards more easily into their curriculum and not interfering with exam preparations or play rehearsals.
“We are pleased to be able to host the Ararat regional final for our secondary college
students within our Legacy region,” he said.
“Though Beaufort and Lake Bolac were unable to participate, it was great to have three students each from Ararat, Marian and Stawell secondary colleges, and more pleasing that we had a student from each college selected by the judges as joint winners and runner-up.
“All students who participated should be congratulated for presenting so well their prepared topics at such a high standard, and we wish our winners the very best for the forthcoming state finals.
“Importantly, for Ararat Legacy to host the regional final, we acknowledge the Veteran’s Remembrance Program funding to our Legacy in Schools Program and also the Legacy Foundation of Victoria for making funds available for our 2025 awards.
“Also, we need to thank our teachers at each of the secondary colleges for continuing to encourage students to participate in this activity.”
Tracking and managing carbon emissions to meet supply and finance requirements will be the focus of a free workshop series for the Wimmera agricultural sector this month.
Wimmera CMA is hosting four workshops in mid to late July with Bellarine Peninsula livestock producer and low-emissions farmer and educator Cam Nicholson, and soil scientist and farm emissions specialist Dr Cassie Schefe.
The workshops will provide an overview of emissions for farmers, including the market and government drivers leading the requirement to track emissions, the data used to calculate emissions, farm emission benchmarks as well as the short, medium and long-term levers for reducing emissions on farms.
Mr Nicholson will lead two of the workshops, one at Longerenong College on July 14 and a second at Aspley on July 15.
The following week, Dr Schefe will lead workshops in Horsham on July 21 and Kaniva on July 22.
Wimmera CMA sustainable agriculture facilitator Bronwyn Bant said the workshops would provide valuable information for farmers and others in the agricultural industry such as consultants, advisors and agronomists.
Ms Bant said Wimmera farmers were incredibly efficient producers already practicing what was considered as ‘low emissions farming’ through retaining stubble, precision ag and minimal disturbance.
“In the short term, farmers can make small adjustments to their farm business to positively impact their emissions profile,” she said.
“Innovation at an industry level is required in the medium to long-term to further reduce emissions.”
Ms Bant said the workshops would highlight the correlation between lower emissions intensity and increased productivity.
“Calculating farm emissions will offer insights into where efficiencies can be made. As such, emissions calculators can act as both a strategic planning and reporting tool rolled into one,” she said..
“Now is the perfect time to be collecting data and work out how to achieve those efficiencies.”
Ms Bant said workshop attendees would gain valuable insights from the extensive knowledge of the two presenters.
“Cam Nicholson is a trusted and knowledgeable ag communicator, particularly when it comes to emissions on farms,” she said.
“He is a valued information source for farmers, in part due to his practical approach, as well as his own experience as a livestock producer.”
Ms Bant said Dr Schefe is the principal scientist for The Cool Soil Initiative, which started in 2018 to support farmers in exploring practices to improve the health of their soil, increase yields, and reduce on-farm greenhouse gas emissions.
“She has worked with many Wimmera farmers and has a really strong understanding of Wimmera soils, specialising in soil chemistry and soil-plant interactions,” Ms Bant said.
People can register for the free workshops online at wcma.vic.gov.au, by emailing bronwyn. bant@wcma.vic.gov.au or caling 0427 529 232.
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Federation University officials say the education provider’s offerings in the Wimmera will remain unchanged as it looks to modify its course portfolio.
The university’s leaders announced they would review course offerings across all five campuses – in the Wimmera, Ballarat, Melbourne, Berwick and Gippsland – as part of ongoing efforts to ensure financial sustainability while continuing to meet student needs.
After the university reported a $26.2-million operating deficit in its 2024 annual report, vice-chancellor
Duncan Bentley committed to returning a budget surplus by trimming $40-million of expenditure annually.
Prof Bentley said the university was considering changes to low-demand courses, with proposals including changing the locations from where courses were offered, streamlining specialisations, shifting delivery modes and, in some cases, pausing intake where demand was too low.
Prof Bentley said no currently enrolled students would be affected by the changes and there were no proposed changes to Federation’s TAFE courses.
A Federation University spokesperson said the proposed changes, if adopted, would take effect from semester one of 2026 for new, enrolling students.
They said existing students would complete their studies under current ar-
rangements, and that fewer than 10 per cent of the university’s courses would be affected.
“The proposed changes have no impact on the Wimmera campus,” they said.
“We are deeply committed to providing accessible local education for people in the Wimmera, and ensuring we are delivering graduates aligned with the region’s future skills.
“Federation plays a vital role in supporting the region’s future workforce needs, with a particular focus on renewable energy, agriculture, infrastructure, education, and health sectors.”
The university estimated the proposed changes, if adopted, would result in a reduction of 16.5 full-time-equivalent academic staff positions.
Prof Bentley said demand in many course areas was increasing, and that Federation planned to grow through a model that helped drive the local economies around its campuses by delivering education and training aligned with community and industry needs.
“It is vital that we focus our resources on education, training and modes of delivery where there is strong and growing demand, and which is aligned with the future skills needs forecast by government and industry,” he said.
“Reviewing course offerings is a vital part of good university management and ensures we are meeting the needs of our communities both now and into the future.”
Ararat Mayor Jo Armstrong is encouraging people to donate blood.
The Australian Red Cross is asking people from the Ararat region to roll up their sleeves this month as its blood bank bus visits town.
Ararat Rural City Council Mayor Jo Armstrong encouraged people to make an appointment to donate blood, with Victoria’s blood supply running low.
“Donating blood is incredibly important – every donation directly saves lives and supports the health of our community,” she said.
“Accessibility can be a challenge in rural areas, so we’re really pleased that the blood bus can provide this service to our residents.
“I urge everyone who can donate to take advantage of this opportunity. It’s a simple act with an immeasurable impact.”
The Red Cross reported that while one in three people would need blood in their lifetime, only one in 30 people donate, meaning a new blood donor is needed every five minutes to prevent supply shortages.
The Red Cross said Victoria’s blood supply for A-positive and A-negative types was currently low, and while levels of the other six main blood types were at positive levels, plasma donations were always needed. People are not required to know
their blood type to donate, and can find out by visiting the donation bus.
The Australian Red Cross Lifeblood Blood Bank Bus is stationed at Ararat RSL and Ararat Library car park at 74-76 High Street until Saturday, opening today from 12-7pm; tomorrow from 12-7pm; Friday from 10.30am-5.30pm; and Saturday from 8.30am-11.30am.
Spaces are limited and bookings are essential.
People can book a donation time online at www.lifeblood.com.au/ ararat-mobile-donor-centre, via the Donate Blood app, or by phoning 13 14 95.
The State Government is releasing thousands of rainbow trout in waterways across the Wimmera, Grampians and Mallee as part of a statewide effort to boost recreational fishing during the school holidays.
More than 3000 trout are being released in locations including Horsham, Ararat, Stawell, Murtoa, Birchip and Donald, with the government planning to boost trout numbers in waterways across Victoria by about 35,000 during the holidays.
Minister for Outdoor Recreation Steve Dimopoulos said the releases were a great way to promote fishing as an outdoor activity.
He said the Victorian Fisheries Authority, VFA, picked trout because they took a wide variety of low-cost baits and could be caught with lures cast and retrieved from the shore.
He said the lakes and waterways chosen for the releases were close to residential areas, with many featuring fishing platforms, walking tracks and nearby playground and barbecue facilities to help ensure families and fishing enthusiasts could spend a day out.
“We know parents are always fishing for fun, healthy and free activities for the school holidays,” he said.
“Our nation-leading fish stocking program will ensure Victoria’s recreational waterways are brimming with plenty of fish, which will also reel in additional business for local shops and communities.”
Under the program, 1000 trout were released at Birchip’s Tchum Lake, with 450 put into Horsham’s Police Paddock dams, 350 each at Murtoa’s Lake Marma and Donald’s Foletti Caravan Park, 300 each at Ararat’s Alexandra Lake and Stawell’s Cato Lake, 200 at
Rainbow Lake and 100 at St George’s Dam near Stawell.
The government also has plans to release more than 4000 extra trout in the region during the term three holidays.
Mr Dimopoulos said the program was backed by the government’s $96-million Go Fishing and Boating plan and recreational fishing licence fees.
He said the latest releases of rainbow trout contributed to about 10 million fish released by the VFA in the past 12 months.
People can view a full list of releases across Victoria by visiting vfa.vic.gov.au/holidaytrout.
More information about bag and size limits, permitted equipment and licensing is in a Victorian Recreational Fishing Guide, available for free from most bait and tackle shops or online at vfa.vic.gov/fishingguide.
Grampians Community Health has expanded its National Disability Insurance Scheme, NDIS, service support to include the Ballarat region, taking on the area’s staff and clients.
GCH has delivered NDIS programs across the Grampians and Wimmera regions since the government scheme was rolled out in 2018, with five support co-ordinators, one psychosocial recovery coach and three plan management officers, supporting 795 NDIS clients.
GCH has now taken on more than 100 participants in the Ballarat region, who were previously supported by Ballarat Community Health, BCH.
The four existing BCH staff will remain at the Ballarat office and continue supporting existing NDIS clients under the merged program.
GCH chief executive Greg Little said bringing the teams together created a more sustainable program and enabled them to keep improving the services offered and to better support staff.
“Because of our relationship as neighbouring community health agencies and our connections
through the Alliance of Rural and Regional Community Health, AARCH, BCH was keen for the program to continue under the community health umbrella and approached GCH to take it on,” he said.
“We were keen because it expands our pool of staff and they can all learn off each other, including a highly qualified Ballarat staff member who can do more intensive support co-ordination. This gives us the capacity to support higher-level clients and more people in our local area.”
Mr Little said the collaborative approach minimised the impact on participants, who had been supported through transition of providers.
He said community health was well-placed to deliver NDIS programs.
“We have the skills, and we are invested in NDIS, so it was logical to combine the program under our banner,” he said.
The existing BCH staff will become GCH staff based at the Ballarat Community Health centre and continue to support existing participants.
Surgeon describes Stawell theatre as ‘world class’
Ballarat-based Grampians Health surgeon
Mat Jacob has described Stawell campus’s theatres and surgical team as ‘world class’.
“It’s fantastic being able to work at Stawell hospital,” Mr Jacob said.
“Their new theatre facilities are world class – the endoscopy towers are advanced, and we are using the latest equipment at Stawell.
“It’s a pleasure to work there because you get to provide a high-quality service using modern technology.”
Mr Jacob said patients at Stawell felt safe and cared for under the staff, who were willing to continue learning.
“The staff there are incredible. They are always so lovely to work with and they emanate that nice ‘small hospital team’ environment, which makes the patients feel safe and cared for,” he said.
“They are always wanting to learn, and they are excited to be able to do more surgical cases because it is keeping their skills up to date.”
Grampians Health’s new $5.15-million op-
erating theatre features an expanded recovery area, a dedicated endoscopy reprocessing room, sterile stock storage, a staff write-up space, an eye block anaesthesia area and improved staff amenities.
Mr Jacob completed his medical schooling in Western Australia, where he trained as a general surgeon before completing a colorectal fellowship in South Australia. He has been in Ballarat for four years and also operates in Ararat and Maryborough.
Mr Jacob performs general surgery at Stawell, which can include gall bladder surgery, hernia repairs, skin operations and endoscopies.
He said an average day at Stawell could include three or four operations and about eight endoscopies.
“I’m seeing 10 or 11 patients each trip but I’m hoping to increase my surgical list there when the opportunity arises,” he said.
Stawell campus has 14 surgeons working in rotation since the opening of its second theatre.
WestWimmera Shire Council has formally adopted its 2025-26 budget, creating goals of financial responsibility, essential service delivery and ongoing community development.
The budget balances an estimated income of $26.45-million against expenses of $29.29-million.
Mayor Tim Meyer acknowledged the work involved in its finalisation.
“This has been an enormous task and council appreciates all the effort that has gone into preparing this budget,” he said.
The council has allocated more than $5-million to capital works, targeting roads and infrastructure renewal, improvements to community facilities, and investment in essential assets supporting residents’ wellbeing.
Rates and charges revenue is budgeted at $9.176-million, in line with the State Government’s three-per-cent rate cap under the Fair Go Rates System.
Cr Meyer highlighted broader challenges facing rural and regional coun-
cils, including tightening financial resources.
“Like many councils across the country, we are facing reduced funding and must focus on getting back to basics,” he said.
“Despite these challenges, council remains committed to finding new opportunities, fighting for funding for projects, and always looking at ways to improve our communities.
“This budget is about maintaining essential services while responding to financial challenges with a practical and community-driven approach.”
The council’s priorities for the year include maintaining essential services, renewing critical infrastructure and supporting projects that enhance community wellbeing.
Cr Meyer said the budget positioned the organisation to be financially sustainable while continuing to seek state and federal funding to maximise benefits for residents.
The council also adopted its 2025-26 annual plan and the 2025-29 revenue and rating plan.
Birchip RSL Sub-Branch will receive $9099 in a local history grants program, which assists in capturing, preserving and sharing the unique stories and histories of communities across Victoria.
Acting Minister for Government Services Danny Pearson announced 17 historical groups, museums, libraries and not-for-profits were the new recipients of the 2025 Local History Grants Program, for projects including newspaper digitisations, oral histories, historical signage, and preservation equipment.
ENVIRONMENTALISTS: Miranda, left, and Lachlan, right, help with planting at Kiata in a bid to help provide more homes for the Eltham copper butterfly – an endangered species.
Environmental groups are encouraging people to participate in weeding and planting days at Kiata and Gerang Gerung in a bid to better the survival chances of endangered species the Eltham copper butterfly, ECB.
Support from volunteers, the Wetland Revival Trust, the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action’s Icon Species program, and ecological research has seen the species’ numbers increase – five new populations have been found in the Wimmera, boosting its known habitat from 9.5 hectares to more than 114 hectares.
However, other known population
sites, such as Kiata and Wail, were found to be smaller than previously thought, with only seven hectares of combined viable habitat.
The small and fragmented remnants are vulnerable to weed invasion, rubbish dumping, pest animals and the long-term impacts of habitat degradation.
Wetland Revival Trust ecologist Elaine Bayes said funding for a 2024–2025 DEECA Icon Species grant to undertake targeted, onground conservation at critical ECB sites across the region had been secured.
“This grant allows us to do long overdue on groundwork needed to
save this species, including weed control, habitat restoration, rubbish removal and a large planting program to reconnect ECB habitat across the landscape,” she said.
“Weed management and re-linking the two Gerang Gerung populations could be the key to this species’ future in the Wimmera.”
To participate in part or whole planting days on July 25 at Kiata and July 26 at Gerang Gerung, people can register at www.trybooking. com/DCRUB. Soup, tea and cake will be provided, catered with dietary considerations.
Stawell resident Maureen Hunter celebrated a special milestone on June 20, surrounded by her family.
Mrs Hunter received several visits and plenty of well-wishes as she marked her 90th birthday in the home she purchased with her late husband, Len, 40 years ago.
The Hunter home is recognised by many Stawell residents, often with marvel because of the beautiful roses that line the front yard.
Mrs Hunter is a passionate gardener, who loves roses.
She is also a passionate member of her community, and used to volunteer her time for Ladies’ Probus, the Lions Club – also with Mr Hunter –and Meals on Wheels.
An avid tennis player, Mrs Hunter is also a cake-decorating enthusiast and would have ‘made over 100 cakes for the family by now’.
Mrs Hunter, née Templer, was born in Stawell Hospital, the second eldest of 13 children – eight girls and five boys.
Her elder sister, Margaret, is only 11 months older and now lives in Eventide Homes.
Mrs Hunter attended Glenorchy Primary School, but left high school at the age of 14, ‘like most young girls did back then’.
She has fond memories of growing up ‘in the bush’ as she refers to it.
Mrs Hunter said she and her siblings were always outside as children and remembers, ‘putting out rabbit traps and then bringing the rabbits home on the handlebars of my bike. I had a decent crash trying to carry too many home once, with one getting stuck in the spokes of my wheel’.
She then got a job at the Stawell Hospital with Margaret. The pair used to walk from home in Glenorchy along the old highway or down the train line to get to work.
Birchip Cropping Group, BCG, is preparing to host farmers, researchers, advisors and agribusiness figures to its full-day Ag Tech Expo in Charlton this month.
The expo highlights innovations in automation, precision agriculture, sensor technologies and weed control, with a focus on practical application for growers.
Event organiser Jess Bidstrup said the July 16 expo would be beneficial for farmers looking for a technological edge.
“With tighter margins and more data than ever, it’s critical we help farmers translate technology into decisions,” she said.
“Growers are often told they should be using more data or digital tools, but this expo will help them understand exactly how to use what
“If we ever saw a car along the way we used to hide behind trees,” Mrs Hunter said.
She trained to become an assistant nurse, which she did up until she started her family with Mr Hunter, a teacher, who sadly died in December last year just before Christmas.
The Hunters have four children – Darryl, Julie, Debbie and Andrea – along with seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Mrs Hunter said she and Mr Hunter had done lots of travelling during their time together, having completed ‘a lap or two’ around Australia.
“Never got to Tasmania though – you’ll never catch me on a plane or boat,” she said.
Mrs Hunter loves her community and believes Stawell is a wonderful place for families.
“I loved growing up in the bush and Stawell has been a great town to raise our kids,” she said.
“It’s very special to spend time outside with the family, doing bush-kid things like fishing and camping.”
When asked about some of the changes she had seen in Stawell throughout the years, and if any stuck out, she said, ‘when the mall wasn’t a mall anymore in the Main Street’ and ‘when the new David O’Jones Mitre 10 building was opened, which was quite exciting’.
While on the subject, she encouraged people to ‘buy locally in Stawell more often’.
“We need to support our local businesses otherwise they will shut up one day and we won’t have any left,” she said.
Northern Grampians Shire Mayor Karen Hyslop was among people stopping by to wish Mrs Hunter a happy birthday.
“Maureen is a wonderful lady who has made a big contribution to her town throughout her lifetime. It was my pleasure to pay her a visit, wish her a happy birthday and share some of the great stories she has,” Cr Hyslop said.
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they’ve got, and where to go next. The event is designed to take some of the guesswork out of ag tech.”
The expo will feature representatives from organisations including Pairtree Intelligence, the Society of Precision Agriculture Australia CSIRO, Charles Sturt University, Single Agriculture, and INCYT, presenting alongside farmers.
Attendees will also be able to view technology demonstrations from exhibitors including O’Connors, AgCloud, SwarmFarm Robotics, Precision Ag, Weed-IT Australia, MagrowTec, and Single Agriculture, showcasing practical tools and innovations.
Registrations for the expo are essential and now open online at www.bcg.org,au..
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REPLACING GAS HEATING (BOTTLE OR MAINS)
REPLACING DUCTED OR SPLIT SYSTEM
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Electrical services for all your domestic & industrial needs.
espite end-of-financial year, EOFY, sales officially coming to an end on June 30, Nissan has decided to make some of this year’s campaign discounts permanent for its X-Trail medium SUV from July 1.
Compared with their previous manufacturer’s retail list pricing, MRLP, all X-Trail grades officially get cheaper for the new financial year, though the level of discounting varies compared to what buyers were offered during the EOFY sale.
“The new permanent pricing offers greater value for customers, and makes it easier to buy into a trusted and reliable brand,” Nissan Oceania general manager of corporate communications Emily Fadeyev told GoAuto.
Until June 30, Nissan offered Australian customers $3000 cashback, and 1.9 per cent finance rates, on X-Trail e-Power hybrid purchases, or $2000 cashback and 1.9 per cent finance on the purchase of an X-Trail petrol, all including MY25 stock.
Now, some X-Trail variants get even more affordable in real terms but the level of discounting
varies on other trim grades. Still, compared to old ‘non-campaign’ pricing, all X-Trail iterations are priced lower for the new financial year.
The biggest ongoing windfall is for ST-L petrol, N-Trek petrol, and Ti-L petrol buyers, with the trio of non-hybrid grades reduced in price by $3000 apiece.
Compared with the EOFY offer, the X-Trail does become more expensive in real terms for buyers of ST petrol, Ti petrol, Ti e-Power hybrid and Ti-L e-Power hybrid grades as their new level of discounting, being between $1035 and $2220, is less than the incentives Nissan offered before June 30.
Nissan offers the X-Trail in Australia with two drivetrains – a 135kW/244Nm 2.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol four-cylinder with frontor all-wheel drive, AWD, or a petrol-electric ePower hybrid combining a 1.5-litre turbo petrol three-cylinder and electric motor to produce 157kW/525Nm exclusively with AWD.
Opting for the hybrid attracts a $3200 upcharge over the AWD non-hybrid petrol, though the ePower system cuts claimed combined fuel consumption from 7.8L/100km to 6.1L/100km, sav-
ing average owners about $500 per year in fuel.
Five trim grades of the fourth-generation ‘T33’ X-Trail are available in Australia, with the entrygrade ST and ruggedly styled N-Trek remaining petrol-only propositions.
Some X-Trail permutations sold in other righthand drive markets, like an e-Power hybrid with front-wheel drive, have not been made available locally.
Likewise, a facelift deployed in 2023 for the US-built, North American market version of the X-Trail, badged Rogue, may be a contender to come to Australia in future, but the Kanda, Japan factory that produces the X-Trail for our market is not understood to have been tooled to build the facelift as yet.
Speculation that Nissan in the United States will transition to a Mitsubishi Outlander plug-in hybrid-based replacement for the current X-Trail is not understood to apply to Nissan Motor Co Australia’s product planning.
“The X-Trail e-Power has been very well received by customers. We’re thrilled with its performance and drive – it doesn’t feel like anything else on the market. There is currently no plan for
the future US market PHEV,” Ms Fadeyev said. The X-Trail finished sixth in the tally of mainstream midsize SUVs in Australia in 2024, recording 17,494 deliveries last year behind the Toyota RAV4, 58,718; Mitsubishi Outlander, 27,613;, Mazda CX-5, 22,835; Kia Sportage, 22,210; and Hyundai Tucson, 19,061. Nissan’s market share of the segment has slightly increased from 7.6 per cent to 7.7 per cent so far in 2025 and the decision to permanently reduce pricing is expected to stoke additional customer demand.
“We always look to deliver as much value as possible to customers and on this occasion we were able to do that … off the back of the EOFY offer we are now able to deliver this permanent offer with no specification deletion,” Ms Fadeyev told GoAuto.
Nissan is understood to have enjoyed strong June sales of the X-Trail, though final EOFY delivery figures – and whether, consequently, stock of certain grades has been exhausted for the time being – is not yet known.
– Tom Baker
LegendaryAustralian off-road accessory manufacturer and distributor, ARB 4x4 Accessories is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
Named after founder Anthony Ronald Brown, the Kilsythbased company forged a reputation for engineering quality and off-road innovation.
From humble beginnings in a Melbourne garage, ARB has become a global leader in the 4x4 accessories industry, remaining at the forefront of offroad exploration, empowering adventurers worldwide with premium-quality products.
It all began in 1975 when company founder Tony Brown identified the need for more durable off-road accessories after a rugged trip to Cape York.
Back then, off-road drivers relied on homemade or ill-fitting equipment that was not designed for extensive outback expeditions. Endless corrugated roads, extreme temperatures, and the heavy loads carried by Australian travellers were tremendously punishing on vehicles that regularly tackled these kinds of conditions.
Tony’s many years spent toil-
ing on his Series 1 Land Rover proved extremely beneficial to others in the top end during his travels. Damaged bull bars and broken roof racks ensured Tony’s expertise was regularly called upon, and through this experience an idea was born – well engineered, durable equipment that would meet the vigorous demands of 4WD owners.
His determination to create stronger, more reliable products led to the development of ARB’s first roof racks and bull bars, setting the foundation for what would become an internationally recognised brand.
ARB’s unerring focus on engineering, manufacturing and distribution has been its backbone underlined by ‘countless’ hours of design, testing, and production that go into every product.
Its attention to detail and commitment to delivering high-quality, adventure-ready solutions to off-road enthusiasts worldwide has facilitated global expansion across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.
ARB products are distributed in over 140 countries, support-
ed by an extensive network of international partners and subsidiaries. Ford Australia dealers use ARB off road products for the Ranger and Everest utility and SUV models.
Today’s requirements for more complex designs are met with highly advanced, Computer Numerically Controlled, CNC, sheet fabrication facilities.
ARB’s design and engineering team utilises the latest CAD, CAM parametric modelling systems and finite element analysis packages, and is supported by independent companies and universities for special projects like vibration, strength and crash testing.
The company’s production facilities are also equipped with a range of state-of-theart machinery suited to the manufacture of metal products including laser cutting, brake pressing, guillotining, CNC bending, machining and turning.
With welding intrinsic to its products ARB is equipped with MIG, TIG, robot and spotwelding facilities and also have powder coating and spraypainting centres.
Aided by automation, stringent quality controls are in place to maintain high standards as exemplified in the company’s ARB Earth Camper vehicle that can withstand virtually any off-road environment.
ARB says it plans to maintain its position as an innovator in the industry by utilising the most modern, state-of-the-art fabrication equipment and ma-
chinery and through investing in research and development covering ‘future-forward’ innovation.
The company’s 50-year celebrations will be marked, among other things, by hitting the tracks in a rolling 4x4 adventure that started in April out of Melbourne heading into the Victorian High Country, where ARB put its gear to the test in one of Australia’s most iconic
off-road destinations.
After that, ARB will take on four other epic locations across Australia from the rugged terrain of Cape York to the vast dunes of the Simpson Desert, before heading overseas for four international adventures all aimed at highlighting ARB’s expertise in equipping vehicles for the toughest conditions. – Peter Barnwell
Our
We’re proud to employ 35 staff members at our Pynsent Street location, supporting 35 local families. We also give back to our community through sponsorships of sports clubs and charities. We stock trusted brands like Daikin, Reclaim, Braemar, Rinnai, Heat & Glo, and Quadra-Fire, so you can be sure that every product we offer is top quality. We are service agents for all brands we sell. We can source spare parts, install them and attend to any warranty issues.
Wade’s have friendly, knowledgeable and qualified staff who will give you the right advice to ensure your needs are fully covered and can help you with the process of applying for any rebates that are available.
Our qualified plumbers and electricians have over 100 years of experience between them. This means your units are installed and operate properly.
Call in today and see us at 18-20 Pynsent Street, Horsham or phone us on 5382 3823. We look forward to helping you for another 40 years!
Fill in the blank cells using numbers from 1 to 9. Each number can only appear once in each row, column and 3x3 block.
Fit the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 into the hexagons so that where the hexagons touch, the numbers will be the same. No number is repeated in any hexagon.
Fit the given numbers into the hexagons so that where the hexagons touch, the numbers will be the same. No number is repeated in any hexagon
© bmpuzzles Distributed by Knight Features
No proper nouns and no hyphenated words
Very
16 words
From The Weekly Advertiser archives: 20 years ago – July 7, 2005: Ararat’s Rod Jerram, pictured with wife Janine and children Bethany, Katherine, Matthew and Christopher, won $1000 when he correctly guessed 3WM’s secret sound. He was out for his morning walk when he called and nominated ‘a bunch of flowers being dropped into a vase’ as the sound.
10 years ago: July 8, 2015 Horsham Rural City Council dipped into its reserves to find an extra $200,000 needed to complete the multi-million-dollar Horsham Town Hall redevelopment, while a fundraising committee assisted by planning a world-record, 400-participant Nutbush dance. The dance event would raise at least $4000 towards the community’s contribution of $1-million; the total then sat at $739,000, from $139,000 in donations and sponsorships, and a $600,000 gift from the Geoff and Helen Handbury Foundation. The project budget was extended to $19,847,462 from a figure of $750,000 set in November 2013. The hall was expected to be operational from early 2016.
Five years ago: July 8, 2020 Haven’s Makeali Clarke, Jackson Clarke and Ebony Hudd were set to be nominated for a bravery award for rescuing two men at Shelly Beach. The men, cousins Brayden Van Ravenstein and Brandon Ortega, were spearfishing during a visit to Lorne when a freak wave washed Mr Van Ravenstein into the water. His gun went off, the spear piercing his body. His five rescuers – including the Clarkes’ grandfather Gary White – moved him to a safer position. Mr Van Ravenstein was airlifted to hospital.
One year ago: July 10, 2024 Kath Porter Emporium – a 49-year-old Dimboola business that sold second-hand items, floor coverings, toys and furniture –closed its doors. John and Kath Porter purchased the existing furniture shop in 1975, before extending into the adjoining shop and offering carpet and vinyl laying. The couple’s children, Rob and Jenni, hosted clearing sales before the store was sold.
1. Going to number one on the US music charts on this day in 1967 and staying there for 15 weeks, was which Beatles album?
2. Which video game console debuted in 1972, retailed for $199, on which the games Pong and Frogger could be played?
3. What is the name of Gomez Addams’ eight-legged pet in The Addams Family?
4. Who said, ‘You know you’ve reached middle age when you’re cautioned to slow down by your doctor, instead of by the police,’?
5. Named after an 18th century English agricultural pioneer who invented the seed drill was which British rock band, formed in 1967 and continuing today with frontman Ian Anderson the only original member remaining? Their songs include ‘Thick as a Brick’, ‘Aqualung’ and ‘Locomotive Breath’.
6. What was the average age of the mission operators working at NASA during the moon landing – 28, 38 or 48?
7. Which ocean is the largest, covering about 30 per cent of Earth’s surface?
8. What common and highly intelligent bird, native to the Wimmera that is not a parrot, can learn to imitate sounds such as human speech and other skills to gain advantage when in search of, or guarding, food?
9. Traditional feta is a brined curd white cheese originating in Greece made from the milk or what animal or animals?
10. Dying on this day in 2004 at the age of 80, was which American actor, known for his roles in The Godfather, A Streetcar Named Desire, and On the Waterfront?
FOR THE WEEK JULY 13 TO JULY 19
ARIES (March 21 - April 20)
Lucky Colour: Peach
Lucky Day: Tuesday
Racing Numbers: 1, 3, 5, 2
Lotto Numbers: 1, 12, 15, 26, 28, 33
Push forward with your career ambitions as success is within reach. Opportunities you once missed may reappear. Be prepared for unexpected changes that could alter your current lifestyle.
TAURUS (April 21 - May 20)
Lucky Colour: Blue
Lucky Day: Friday
Racing Numbers: 2, 6, 9, 5
Lotto Numbers: 1, 12, 16, 29, 30, 33
Career advancements and material gains are likely. Romantic encounters may bring the unusual or exotic into your life. This is the perfect time to pursue your desires.
GEMINI (May 21 - June 21)
Lucky Colour: White
Lucky Day: Saturday
Racing Numbers: 1, 5, 9, 6
Lotto Numbers: 1, 12, 15, 45, 40, 33
Deepening relationships may lead to more intense connections. Be cautious about the company you keep, as your fate rests in the choices you make.
CANCER (June 22 - July 22)
Lucky Colour: Green
Lucky Day: Monday
Racing Numbers: 2, 3, 6, 5
Lotto Numbers: 1, 12, 16, 26, 30, 33
Solutions to longstanding problems are within reach, and you may find new opportunities to enhance your finances. In relationships, you’ll feel more in control and assertive.
LEO (July 23 - August 22)
Lucky Colour: Blue
Lucky Day: Friday
Racing Numbers: 2, 3, 6, 5
Lotto Numbers: 1, 12, 16, 23, 30, 33
Financial ease is on the horizon, and you may have more options than usual to fulfil your goals. Obstacles in your path are likely to be resolved.
VIRGO (August 23 - September 23)
The cover, which depicts the Beatles posing in front of a -tab leau of celebrities and historical figures, was designed by pop artists Peter Blake and Jann Haworth. 2. Atari. 3. Aristotle. 4. Joan Rivers. 5. Jethro Tull. 6. 28. 7. Pacific Ocean. 8. Ravens.
Answers: .1 Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. A landmark work of British psychedelia, it is considered one of the first art rock LPs and a progenitor to progressive rock. It incorporates a range of stylistic influences, -including vaudeville, circus, mu sic hall, avant-garde, and Western and Indian classical music.
9. Goats and sheep. 10. Marlon Brando. Getting in touch with The Weekly
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; Heidi Higginson: 0438 759 220, heidih@aceradio.com.au; Lily Olver: 0411 784 001, lolver@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
Lucky Colour: Cream
Lucky Day: Tuesday
Racing Numbers: 2, 6, 9, 8
Lotto Numbers: 1, 15, 26, 29, 30, 8
Family gatherings will bring joy and pleasant surprises. Financial struggles begin to ease, creating opportunities for growth and an active love life.
LIBRA (September 24 - October 23)
Lucky Colour: Dark Blue
Lucky Day: Wednesday Racing Numbers: 5, 6, 9, 5
Lotto Numbers: 1, 12, 5, 9, 16, 33
Your career luck is turning, and something you thought unattainable may now be within reach. Past relationships may resurface unexpectedly, giving you reasons to celebrate.
SCORPIO (October 24 - November 22)
Lucky Colour: Fawn
Lucky Day: Sunday Racing Numbers: 4, 6, 5, 4
Lotto Numbers: 1, 45, 40, 22, 26, 30
Travel might not be ideal right now, and insisting on your way in romantic matters may lead to complications. Use your charm to overcome challenges.
SAGITTARIUS (November 23 - December 20)
Lucky Colour: Orange
Lucky Day: Saturday Racing Numbers: 1, 2, 3, 2
Lotto Numbers: 1, 12, 16, 29, 2, 5
Unexpected opposition in your love life may catch you off guard, but your charm can resolve most issues. Financial benefits could come through someone else’s efforts.
CAPRICORN (December 21 - January 19)
Lucky Colour: Cream
Lucky Day: Monday
Racing Numbers: 2, 3, 2, 5
Lotto Numbers: 1, 12, 16, 29, 30, 36
You may find yourself at the centre of romantic attention, with intriguing propositions coming your way. Your magnetism will be a driving force this week.
AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 19)
Lucky Colour: Lilac
Lucky Day: Monday
Racing Numbers: 3, 6, 2, 5
Lotto Numbers: 3, 12, 26, 5, 40, 8
Future plans may hinge on distant events. Mixing business and pleasure could yield lucky outcomes. A money-making opportunity may present itself – seize it.
PISCES (February 20 - March 20)
Lucky Colour: Orange
Lucky Day: Wednesday
Racing Numbers: 2, 3, 5, 6
Lotto Numbers: 2, 13, 26, 39, 5, 11
Travel is on the cards, bringing happiness and new connections that enhance your luck. This is a time of renewal and revitalised energy.
~ BARNES ~ Steven Wayne
4-7-1960 to 1-7-2025
Passed away peacefully at home
Dearly loved husband of Rachel.
Loving father of Joshua and Samuel.
Loved father-in-law of Kali.
Devoted Pop of Kai, Isaac, Reid and Arden.
Remembered for his love of life
BROWN, Tom
Passed away peacefully surrounded by family on July 5, 2025 aged 88 years.
Dearly loved husband of Val (dec).
Loving father to Ross, Lea, Dallas and their families.
Adored Pop and Old Pop to all of his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Reunited with Mum
HEARD, Barry Ascot
Passed away on July 6, 2025 aged 89 years.
Dearly loved husband of Maureen.
Loving father and father-inlaw of Shane & Kay; Drew; Craig & Katrina; Kent; and Nerida.
Adored Pa to Jedda & Macca, Jordan, Clay; Elley & Luke, Darcy, Reagan; Romy & Tom, Eden, Dare; Leo; Billie, Stevie & Xavier.
Great Pa to Henry, Maylyn, Freya and Milla.
Forever In Our Hearts
~ LOCKE ~ June Ivy
Aged 95
Loved mother of Ken and Cheryl.
Grandmother of Rebecca and Simon, Keith and Debra.
Great grandmother to Jessica and Cooper.
An independent life well-lived.
Peace and reunion
LOCKE, June Ivy
Passed away on June 26, 2025 aged 95 years.
Dearly loved wife of George (dec).
Loving mother and motherin-law of Cheryl & Ken; Bruce & Tania; Andrew (dec) & Rose; Kathy (dec) & Peter.
Special friend to Sharyn and John.
Adored Nana to all of her grandchildren, great grandchildren and their families.
Reunited with her loved ones
SLUGGETT, Michael (Spike) of Rainbow, on June 28, 2025
Loved husband of June.
Loved father of Toni, Kent, Merv, Stuart & their families.
ZIERSCH (nee Elso), Iris Lillian
Passed away at Lakeside Living, Edenhope on June 24, 2025 aged 98 years.
Dearly loved wife of Erwin (dec).
Sur vived by her brothers Derek and Les, and her sisterin-law Claire Elso.
Cherished by all her friends and family.
Reunited with her husband in God’s care
June Ivy
The funeral of June Ivy Locke will take place at St Andrew’s Uniting Church, Horsham on Monday, July 14, 2025 commencing at 2pm and will be followed by private interment at the Cheltenham Cemetery.
The service may be viewed online at horsham. unitingchurch.org.au/watch
Trevor Bysouth & Daughter Ph 5381 1444 AFDA Member
A memorial service to celebrate the life of Mr Michael “Spike” Sluggett will be held at the Rainbow Recreation Reserve on Friday, July 11, 2025 commencing at 2pm.
BARNES, Steven Wayne
A celebration of life for the late Mr Steven Wayne
Barnes will be held at West Side located 1C Bennett Rd, Horsham on Friday, July 11 commencing at 2.30pm Steven will be sent for private cremation.
In lieu of flowers please consider donating blood in honour of Steven.
Amity & Dylan Hartwich 5382 1149
BROWN, Tom
An informal gathering to celebrate the life of Tom Brown will take place at West Side Horsham (Bistro), next Thursday, July 17, 2025 between 2-4pm. Privately cremated.
Trevor Bysouth & Daughter Ph 5381 1444 AFDA Member
HEARD, Barry Ascot
The funeral of Barry Ascot Heard will take place at the graveside, Horsham Lawn Cemetery on Friday, July 11, 2025 commencing at 10am
Trevor Bysouth & Daughter Ph 5381 1444 AFDA Member
28-3-1943 to 9-6-2025
A celebration of Robin’s life will be held at the Exchange Hotel, Horsham, on Saturday, July 12 from 2-5pm.
In keeping with Michael’s wishes a private burial has been held at the Rainbow Cemetery prior to this service.
W.B. Gardiner & Son Funeral Directors Warracknabeal 0407 340 064
Iris Lillian
The funeral of Iris Lillian Ziersch will take place at the graveside, Natimuk Cemetery on Friday, July 11, 2025 commencing at 2pm.
Trevor Bysouth & Daughter
Ph 5381 1444 AFDA Member
Our sincere thanks ~ PAPST ~ Donald Allan (Don)
Don’s family wish to thank everyone for their love, support and kindness after the passing of their beloved Dad, Grandpa and Great Grandpa.
Thank you to all who attended Don’s funeral from near and far. Also Don’s musician friends, who helped honour him in the most fitting way.
We are most grateful for the kindness Don and our family received whilst he was in care at Sunnyside Rest Home. Sincerest thanks to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church community and Wimmera Funerals for assisting in a wonderful celebration for Don’s life.
Please accept this as our most heartfelt appreciation to you all.
You have left a space no-one can fill.
We love you and miss you, and always will.
Your loving husband Bob and family.
Free accommodation for two seniors just out of Horsham for two months Ph 0489204320
Mixed breed of goats, pregnant females, young male goats, mixed sheep available for sale, call for prices Ph 0414851313
3 year old black and tan bitch working kelpie, great yard dog, Ph or PM for details to Harry 0458318200
Aged pensioner looking to buy a male chihuahua, 1 1/2 - 2 years old Ph 0421237043
Beeamma White, Australian White Stud purebred rams , private sale on farm, BRUC, ACC, OJD, VAC, ewes available, Elders Alan Thompson 0427849779, Rod Donnell (08) 87582095
Bristlenose catfish, great tank cleaners $5ea until sold out Ph 0474159010 after 6.30pm
Budgies, assorted colours $10 each Ph 0417533579
Budgies , pastel and standards $10 each Ph 0428010996 Horsham
Love birds assorted colours $20 each pick up only Warracknabeal Ph 0447776408
Princess Parrots for sale, breeding pairs, various colours Ph 0439655239
Stawell area
Purebred black faced Dorper, rams and ewes, rams 2yrs old, ewes 9months old, pic# 3HSDC083 Ph Liz 0419664345
Purebred German Shepherd , 13 weeks old, black and tan, great temperament, toilet trained, straight, 2 boys source# MB115424, m/chip# 953010007067038/7069200 Ph 0421018631
Purebred German Shepherd, 7 months, black and tan, great temperament, toilet trained, straight, one boy & one girl source# MB115424, m/chip# 956000016586733/6681104 Ph 0421018631
Roosters, ducks and guinea fowl wanted to buy Ph 0480137184
Very pretty & young budgies, assorted colours, ready to go $10 each Ph 0423182267
Restored Antique cast iron/timber garden benches $250 each Ph 53522691
13’ 1992 Colt Caravan, tv, a/c, 2way fridge, awning, VGC, reg till May 25, as is $8500 Ph 0487750540
1993 Jayco Micro Poptop 12ft roll out, awning, 2 singles, fridge cooker, 11mths reg 35970C $5250 Ph 0490364260
Property Identification Code (PIC number) in the advertisement.
*The
&
or refuse advertisements.
2000 Jayco starcraft, full annex, TV lots of extras, very good condition, one owner, very little use $20,000 or nearest offer Ph 0456601681
2013 Jayco Starcraft, 21’, one owner, very little use, as new, many added extras
$40,000 Ph 0427909230
2014 JB dirt roader 19’caravan , full ensuite queen bed, 3 way fridge washing machine, reverse cycle a/c diesel heater, Sirocco fans, 2 solar panels, 2 batteries, 280 litres water $44,000 Ph 0427902375 Beulah
July 9, 2025
2015 Jayco StarCraft 20ft
6’ dual axle, full ensuite, queen bed, L shape seating, full oven, agm battery bike rack, full size fridge freezer, reverse cycle heating cooling, washing machine, new tyres 12 months rego, ESC $39000 ono Ph 0429227860
2017 Ezytrail Stirling, excellent condition, forward folding hard floor, full annex, 600w inverter, TV, 80lt WACO fridge, memory foam mattress topper, always stored undercover, $18,500 ono Ph 0439022870
2017 Jayco Starcraft caravan, 16’, queen size bed, full oven, ensuite, easy to tow, hardly used, as new van Ph 0429982394
2019 Ezy Trail Stirling GT Mark 2 camper, EC, full annex, used 4 times, full rego $14,999 ono Ph 0428820446
Caravan 20’ full length, solid annex, ensuite shower, basin toilet, on permanent site in Portland Seaside Caravan Park, fully furnished, for holidays or permanent living $5800ono Ph 0432544164
Caravan 2015 Jayco starcraft, 16ft, queen sized bed, tv, full sized fridge freezer, microwave, gas electric hotplates and oven, toilet and shower, full annex, sway bars $42,000 ono Ph 0417573022
Colorado Summit 210E 21’ Queen bed, large ensuite, full oven, 3way fridge, washing machine, A/C, diesel heater, sirocco fan, solar panels., lithium battery, AC-DC charger, rollout awning Great condition many extras $48000 ONO Ph 0400189163
Jayco Finch Pop Top , double beds with fly mesh, electric brakes, boat rack, annex $12,000 Ph 53582560
Jayco Optimum 2013 motor home 28.5’, 2 slides, extras inc, 400 watt solar, diesel heater, bulbar, security system, 92,000kms, also
Suzuki 2008 4 door w/afame
$155,000 Ph 0438951101
MDC Highside Cruiser
2019, 3 ton McHitch, fridge, redarc dc to dc charger, EC
$14,500 Ph 0407147996
Millard caravan pop-top, 12mths reg, always garaged, GC $4900 Ph 0408128556 after 12pm
REDUCED 2006 Concept
Ascot pop-top, immac cond, shedded, low kms, new full annexe, R33763 $18,500 Ph Ray 0413445347
REDUCED 2009 Jayco
Stirling Expander , immaculate cond, front club lounge, slide out q/bed, full ensuite, roll out awning and full annex $40,000ono Ph 0428913307
REDUCED 2014 Jayco
Silverline Outback 23-72-1, satellite dish, gas heater, 4 x 130 watt solar panels = 520 watts, Epever Triron 42ION
MPPT 40 AMP controller, 2 x llithium batteries, 227 litre compressor fridge/ freezer, full annexe
$52,000 Ph 0448099981
REDUCED 2018 Dingo
Ultimate Camper, heavy duty top of the line off-road trailer including boat rack, fully enclosed annexe including ensuite, lots of storage, built-in instant gas hot water to sink and shower, dual AGM batteries and built-in inverter and charger, innerspring mattress and ability to make up second double bed, two new off-road tyres, VGC, Y76535 $16,500ono Ph 0407360212
REDUCED New Age 2013, queen bed, TV, large fridge, microwave, gas/electric hot plates, toilet, shower, washing machine, full annex, sway bars, $44,000 Ph 0427778747
REDUCED Toyota Coaster camper, 2 seater, diesel heater, 1hz motor, solar and 12v awning much more $35,000 Ph 0418325662
1997 Hercules Tipper
$76,000 plus Gst Ph 0428386295
3 PL cultivator , 3 row, 2.250m wide $450 Ph 0429821539
Expression of interest, for sale, international 511 28 row trash floats combine, 211 33 tyne scarifier, 18 disc Connor-Shea hyd lift 4 fold, B46 baler working order, Lowan round bale carrier Ph 0407911884 evenings
Header Gleaner R62 , retired, no further use, $15,000+gst Ph 0438701392
New Holland T8 360, 2250 hours, suit new buyer, power shift, 50km box, heavy axel model, 1 owner/operator, always serviced, excellent all round, immaculate condition, wired for trimble auto steer, UHF, quick hitch linkage, duals, new fan belts, ad blue switched off, front suspension & cab suspension, 4 remotes, always shedded, used for light work only, reg until 19/6/26, $210,000 + gst, $231,000 inc gst Ph0418504408
REDUCED 2022 Mahindra
6110 , 60 HP, front end loader, 4 in 1 bucket, FWA, a/c cab, balance of new warranty, 368 hrs on clock
$43,900 Ph 0428349401
Tradesman trailer, off road
$2900 Ph 0407285097
2 saddles, 2 bridles, 2 horse bits, 1 drench bit, 1 riding cap Ph 0447590865
23 PVC pipes, 39” long x 6.25” diameter, ideal planters
$100 for the lot or $4 each Ph 0428504301
5 step platform ladder , galvanised, on wheels with brakes $450 Ph 53522691
Archery equipment , 3 compound bows, 35 pound youth bow, 60 pound adult bow, 16 wheeler antique, 1 45 pound Samic longbow, arrows, tool boxes, apres and fletching jig $500 Ph 0429164375
Camping equipment , 2 dome tents, 10 man and 4 man, sleeping chair tent, 3 roll up tables, shower tent, 2 gas stoves, 4 spare bottles, camp kitchen, blow up q/bed $450 Ph 0429164375
Camping Equipment, including as new Yamaha 2KVa inverter generator never used, aqua cube shower, porta potty, Komodo pantry, and clothesline
$2500 Ph 0458683879
CCE cage on wheels 6x4 well made $400, 500 gallon ex fuel tank $100, Coolgardie safe $100, Ute crate, 6x4 tub tight $50, Bailey extension ladder 5.3 extends to 6.3 $500, new Holland Mower GC with parts, 44g drums ideal for grain feeding cattle, best offer Ph 0429857207
Craftsmen ZTS700 ride-on zero-turn mower, good condition, 21 hp engine, reconditioned spindle and deck, many hours left in this machine $2850 Ph Eddy 0428922335
Folding bike with training stand $350, Snow sled 1050x500 $45 Ph 0418992631
Galvanised trailer , 5x5 $800 Ph 53522691
Gold and opal ring, approx 80yrs old, current valuation $4500 would like $2500 Ph 0458014560
Hot potato mobile van , bought new 2018, never used $980 ono Ph 0432544164
J Berends pasture harrows 8’ $400 Ph 0429309491
Kirby Avalir 100th Anniversary, EC, clean and functions perfectly, includes filter bags, brand new home care system, all attachments some brand new $750 Ph 0429679481
Omega gold watch , approx 65yrs old, still keeps perfect time $1500ono Ph 0458014560
Pea straw small square bales, $7 per bale, great garden mulch, pickup or delivery to Horsham Ph 0488303725
REDUCED 1 Bridgestone
Turanza Tyre , R35 55 R17, done 10,000kms $30 Ph0428504558
REDUCED 4KW 240V Generator , gauges and trolley $550 Ph 0428504558
Round bale hay ring $350 Ph 0429200566
Sherwell PTO bin $1200 Ph 0428857312
Slow juicer, Kuvings, very good condition, no further use $295 Ph 0408823136
Strongberg Carlson Console Radio, ex condition Ph 53824316
Tent Dune Eyre , 10x10, near new, easy set up for Easter Ph 0491644368 Horsham
Toledo 4 berth dog float, good condition, reg til Dec 25 $950 Ph 0400192571
Tradies Trailer enclosed, containing shelving storage, power points $680 ono Ph 0432544164
3.7 savage aluminium boat , UM198, 25 HP Mercury forward steer reyco trailer, b15834 electric motor and lawrence fish finder
$2600 Ph 0428523919
Pietscraft 3.5m Fishing Boat , 15hp, Johnson tilt trailer, boat cover, all accessories $5000 Ph 0428822730
Quintrex FishAbout MKII Repowered 40HP Yamaha, low hours, new Oceanic Trailer Bimini Hummingbird Finder 40Ib Elec Motor Dec Estate Ph 0491644368 Horsham
Round dining table with 4 velvet chairs $340 Ph 53824788
Wall unit sliding door & shelves $30, coffee table with tiled top $25, timber corner unit $15, outdoor setting with 4 chairs & laminex oval table $80 Ph 0409967815 Horsham
Aspire wheelchair, as new condition, barely used once a day for 3 months, extremely comfortable, cost $3500 from Action AIDS, reduced price $950 Ph 0427562913 Horsham
Freedom forearm walker $250, wheelchair $150 Ph 0437600095
3.7 m boat and cover , QL624, an aussie made trailer P83061, Yamaha 15 HP motor, near new $4000 Ph 53582560
Invacare Comet Alpine Scooter, bought for $7,500, hood and bag, warranty, as new, used twice, 10km
$5,500 Ph 0474297661
Ultra Mobility Scooter, excellent condition, new batteries, front & rear
$2250 Ph 0427542512
Invacare Pegasus mobility scooter, excellent condition, includes, shade canopy, front basket & rear carrier
$3500 Ph 0408826727
Shoprider Allrounder mobility scooter, 2yrs old, EC, hard canopy, weather proof fittings $4200 Ph 0419633821 Dimboola
Top Gun mobility scooter, EC, shade canopy, front basket, rear carrier, inspections welcome $4000 Ph 0438354414
2011 Honda 750 Shadow Shaft, as new cond, reg til 2/26, spares inc some new, 27,700kms $5250 Ph 0488023477
2020 Harley Low Rider 107, FXLR 1745 cc, heaps of extras, EC, rego 3 monthly basis, 27,270 kms, 2K4ZJ
$20,000 Ph 0409590596
BMW K1200 RS , 2010 model, comes with panniers, top box, reg til Aug, RW, BY136 $4800ono Ph 0419508310 Stawell area
BMW R1100 RT, EC, reg till 5/25, 123k kms, YD865
$4600 Ph 0409954491
REDUCED BMW R1200RT Solo, 2007, Ex SA Police, GO, HGR, EWS, CC, RW cond, unregistered, service manuals $3000 Ph 0428154961
Hilux toyota tray, excellent condition with push on tarp $1200 Ph 0484355030
Honda Civic, 1994, great condition with RWC, automatic & aircon, colour black, Vtech motor, vin
JHME6548005203141
$10,000 Ph 0428501109
1990 Nissan Patrol GQ
4.2petrol, 12months rego, 654000km, new tyres, JN1OWGY6OA0020221, 1YI5EW $10,000 neg Ph 0428501109
1994 Ford ED Futura Auto
4.0i , drives strong, great duco, no RWC or rego $5500 Ph 0409423541
2001 Fairlane Ghia, AU11 series, meteorite colour, QFQ527 $3250 Ph53503220
2005 SP Mazda 3 Hatch, 5 speed manual, power steering & aircon, black in colour, 1YD6TE, 193000km, RWC, $4500, Ph 0423335246
2012 Ford Territory , 173,000kms 1GK5WZ $8000 inc roadworthy Ph 0492975751
2013 Ford Mondeo Zetec hatch , auto, economical turbo diesel, silver colour, full service history, registered June 25, RWC, 317,000km, 1AG2PW $5500ono Ph 0428928248
2013 VE Commodore V6, grey, aftermarket exhausts, aftermarket speakers in doors, subs in boot, GC, will provide road worthy certificate, 240,000km, ZOT852 $9500 Ph 0488050839
Ford BF Sedan 2005, dual fuel, ex cond, 280,000kms, WIY315 $4500 Ph 0468 559 166
The Weekly Advertiser welcomes your advertising. We are required strictly by law to include specific information on some items when publishing your advertisement. A snapshot of your obligations are as follows: ROAD VEHICLESAll advertisements for road vehicles must include a price, as well as:
• A registration number, if registered
• Either an engine number, VIN or chassis number if the vehicle is
Peugeot 407 HDI, beautifully cared for car, $8000 Ph 0484355030
1999 Toyota Dual Cab Ute, 4x4 diesel with fold out camper $12,500 Ph 0428822730
2012 VE SV6 Commodore, excellent condition, auto, silver in colour, 4 months rego, full service history, near new tyres, 117,000kms, ZFC921 $19,500 Ph 0400823904
2015 Mitsubishi Triton
GLX 4x4, manual, regretful sale, 2nd owner, has tuffseat canvas seatcovers, Bridgestone dueler A/T tyres with minimal use, 165,300km, AEB150
$14,500 for more information Ph 0400213684
REDUCED 75 series
Toyota Landcruiser ute, 4.2l diesel, dual tanks, dual batteries, comes with quality rooftop camper, TJM pro diff lockers front/ back, airbagman suspension fitted, 5 new tyres, winch, Engel fridge and slide, lots of accessories, very well looked after, 12 mnths reg, RWF984 $18,888 ono Ph 0487700251
2005 Isuzu NPR250 car license truck, 6 months rego, 230,000kms, 1OC9FA
$22,500 Ph 0438521591
2014 Toyota Hilux, 3 litre diesel, new shockers and springs and injectors, oil filter and oil every 600km, great for towing vans, 290,000kms
$25,500 Ph 0417109816
2019 Ford Ranger XLS grey double cab with full screen, very good condition 125,000km, 8 mths rego, new tyres, snorkel, arb bull bar, air bags, side steps, black duck seat covers, under tray tool boxes, many extras always shedded, minimal towing $45,000 inc Gst Ph Andrew 0427923236
Mini Cooper S, 2016, 5 door hatch, 2.0L, 6speed auto, near new condition, 51,900kms AHB987 $29,900 Ph 0428320108 Horsham
Subaru WRX, 50th Anniversary model, 1st registered 2023, 6 speed manual, only 3900kms, $40,000 Ph 0355877233
Toyota Hilux 2022, 4 wheel drive, auto, diesel, new tyres, warranty, immaculate condition, 48,747kms, 1NV4FU $42,390 plus Gst Ph 0427858264
Toyota Ute, no Ev tax on this one, dual cab SR5 auto transmission, 3 litre motor, diesel, 2011 model, RWC supplied, high rise canopy, tub liner, trailer pull, electric brakes, as new inside, 106,500 kms, YFK992 $32,500 plus Gst Ph 0428 832 227
48 year old separated/ single true gentleman bloke from Horsham who likes reading, music, occasionally going out for dinner then next the movies or watching movies at home, fishing and camping, walking and swimming, looking for 48+ old lady for serious relationship Ph 0491230835
Ararat man, 67 years old , interests include gym, fishing, camping, singing, acting, Lions Club, bushwalking, ballroom dancing, looking for a lady aged between 40-70 years old, Ph 0467791009 Ararat
Jill Nicholson went to Dover girls tech in the 60s Adelaide, lived 5 Broadway South Brighton left Adelaide to live in rural Victoria early 70s Ph John 0423315174
Stawell Lady recently moved to Stawell, interests include art, camping, ukulele, singing, bushwalking, dancing, looking for a respectable man for possible relationship aged between 60 -70yrs Ph 0413375338
Massage ......Don’t deprive yourself of time to be completely pampered, to made feel like you’ve not felt in a very long time, discreet in all aspects, is here at your service, can have all your sensual desires catered for including massage oils to help you relax, feel comfortable and put you in a state of euphoria, clean in all regards, a safe home environment, including off street parking that you can arrive at your appointment at ease, catering for both male and female Ph 0422275320
Sheep slaughtered at $15 per head Ph Andy 53838240
TOP STUDENT TUTORING, one-to-one individualised tutoring for Years 7-12
English, working with Children Check Ararat & Stawell, email Philippa: philippak1@bigpond.com
Aged pensioner looking to buy a male chihuahua, 1 1/2 - 2 years old Ph 0421237043
Private Sale Executive, 4 bed, 2 bath, large, spacious home, in popular Horsham West, a short stroll to river, fully renovated to a quality, not a budget, contact owner Lisa 0422506969 to view
Landcruiser ute with slide on camper, 2002, 4.2 litre diesel, 4x4, Millhaven tray towbar, bullbar, Superwinch, tool lockers, Polyair bellows, Davsher hitchhiker camper, new 90L, 3-way dometic fridge/freezer, fiamma awning, 2 burner gas cooktop/griller, sink,120kW fold up solar panels, 200W inverter, 200AH AGM house batteries, queen bed, robe, spacious storage, midge-mesh screening, Highjacker hydraulic legs, 2nd spare wheel, plus extras, excellent condition, 228,961km, HZJ79R Ph 0427482976
Palm tree for removal, free, located Goroke Ph Mick 0400005266
Funeral remembrance videos edited with cherished media by professional, each project individual, AI photo restoration available Ph 0478609837
Keyte’s Mowing Service, lawn mowing, block slashing, general pruning, ABN 64050479274 Ph 53826461 or 0429309491
Massage service , very clean, full body massages available for both men and women, very discreet, you come to us or we can come to you, call for quote and booking, in the Wimmera area and beyond Ph 0473311660
2 tanker loads of water as running low Nhill area cash paid ph 53928295 and leave message
Wanted Mackenzie punch and shear, have you got one in the shed not being used? Ph 0499911102
Wanted to Buy, ferrets for hunting, Dimboola Ph 0402325444
Dog Institute www.blackdoginstitute.org.au
& Mental Illness www.mindframe.org.au Indigenous supports www.wellmob.org.au
CASUAL POSITION
Approx 15 hours per week
Looking for a long term, reliable, fast learner.
This job will entail attention to detail operating grain cleaning machinery.
Knowledge of grains would be an advantage or willing to learn on the job.
Contact 0418218511
You
As
As part of our continued growth in Community Assist, we’re expanding our team to Warracknabeal, Nhill, Avoca, St Arnaud, Beaufort!
Join us in a location that suits you Positions Available
Positions Available
Approx 20 hrs per week.
We are looking for a long term, reliable, fast learner with a manual car licence to join our team.
This job will entail stocking of shelves, stock rotation, some heavy lifting involved, processing orders & deliveries, customer service, cleaning.
Approx 20 hours per week, more hours available to the right person.
Knowledge of fruit & veg is an advantage.
Please forward resumes to jkgriffiths71@gmail.com or drop in store at 40 Urquhart St, Horsham
Experience whitegoods appliances technician with great customer service skills and get-itdone attitude.
The role will carry out professional quality service repairs to our customers at their residence or in our workshop.
Your Key Responsibilities:
• Repair and fully test the operation of the product ensuring full customer satisfaction
• Domestic Support Worker
• Domestic Support Worker
• Community Support Worker
• Community Support Worker
Whether you're looking for a few shifts a week or something more regular, we offer flexible hours to suit your lifestyle.
• Complete all paperwork and documents related to service work
• Maintaining and managing van stock and spare parts inventory.
• Wage negotiable on experience
Hours available for home care, personal care, community access, for aged care and disability participants
Whether you're looking for a few shifts a week or something more regular, we offer flexible hours to suit your lifestyle. Hours available for home care, personal care, community access, for aged care and disability participants
Contact: Michael Coates on 03 5358 7400
Contact: Michael Coates on 03 5358 7400
To apply please email your resume to: greg@horshambetta.com.au or phone Greg Souter on 5381 2207. Applications close July 31
To download a position description or to apply visit our website: gch.org.au
To download a position description or to apply visit our website: gch.org.au
BY TONY LOGAN AND BRONTE NIEUWENBURG, HARNESS RACING VICTORIA
Great Western horsewoman
Kerryn Manning landed a rewarding victory with talented pacer Surfingmakescents in the $15,000 Hygain Victory Pace at Melton on Saturday night.
The lightly raced five-year-old mare showed a brilliant turn-of-foot to flash home and defeat Wings On The Line, with Mark Pitt in the sulky, and Sweet Ideal, with Darryl Lawlor, in a slick 1:54.6 mile-rate with a sharp final quarter of 27.4.
It was a satisfying result for Manning, who has dealt with any number of setbacks throughout the mare’s career.
“It was terrific, a big relief and a big thrill,” Manning said.
“She’s had a lot of problems.
“She was pretty much sold to America last December and then she broke her pastern three days later and had surgery and screws. This win will help pay for some of that.”
Manning was pleased with how the mare stuck to her task on the night.
“She’s very good, she’s just not the best racehorse,” Manning said.
“I thought she was going to knock off right at the end there, but she managed to stick her head out.
“I am really proud of her. It’s good to win one here.”
Surfingmakescents has had a stopstart career, but has always shown ability.
“In her 2023 Oaks heat, she came out of the gate, galloped and fell over. I broke my wrist and she hurt her knee and shoulder,” Manning said.
“She had a bit of time off after that. She came back and won a couple of races and then again hurt the leg last time.
“She’s been in the wars. She has a lot of talent but doesn’t have the brain to match it sometimes.
“Hopefully she can go on with it now and nothing else goes too wrong.
“She will be competitive in good races, she just needs to learn to race better.”
The win formed part of a trainingdriving double for Manning, who also scored with Vera Lane in the Hertz Melton three-year-old trot.
The filly has now notched up three wins from 10 lifetime starts for her breeders and owners, the Searle and Marshall families.
Manning family patriarch Peter also made the Melton winner’s circle on Saturday when driver Glen Craven reined five-year-old gelding Hes All Torque to victory in the $15,000 Garrads Horse and Hound Pace.
The pacer is raced by South Australian owner-breeder Ian Corazzol and won 13 races for trainer Ryan Hyrhorec before transferring to Manning’s stable a couple of months ago.
MAKES SENSE: Great Western trainer and driver Kerryn Manning scored a good win at Melton on Saturday with Surfingmakesscents, who has had an injury-plagued career. The Manning family had a successful night with Kerryn’s father Peter also training a winner, Hes All Torque. Picture: Stuart McCormick, HRV
local Massey Ferguson dealer now. While stocks last!
BY DAVID BERRY
Volleyball Horsham members, family and friends gathered to celebrate another successful season with a presentation night to acknowledge the 2025 summer season’s best players.
The Robinson Medal for the A Grade most valuable player went to big hitting Rangers player Jack Hannan, who polled 22 votes to defeat Phantoms’ Noah Werry on 17 votes, while Tyler Puls finished with 14 votes to take the Abud Medal.
Kara Johnson took her 13th McIntyre Medal as the most consistent female in A Grade.
Johnson was also recognised for her achievement of being the first female to break the 500-game barrier and only the second player to do so in the association’s history.
Johnson thanked her team-mates and family for their support.
“To think that I would still be here in this position after playing my first game in 2006 is amazing and
on 11 votes. The C Grade O’Connor Medal winner was WLC Tigers’ Noah Eilola, who finished with 16 votes ahead of WLC Titans’ Will Pohlner on 13 and Set For Glory’s Jordan Moss on 12.
Dig Dogs player Molly Carter polled 12 votes to win the McIntyre Medal.
Kymberley Murray emulated her mother Tarsh’s record by taking her second women’s MVP award, finishing with 17 votes ahead of joint runners-up
Laelah Robertson and Molly Carter, who both polled 14 votes.
Cleo Baker polled 12 votes to win the McIntyre
BY SIMON KING
Wimmera players and one coach from the region have earned selection for this weekend’s Hockey Victoria Junior State Championships in Melbourne.
Representing the North West Lightning zone will be Dimboola’s Victoria Ward and Warracknabeal’s Ellie Williamson in the girls under-16 division, with James Mackereth to play in the boys under-14 competition under Horsham coach Paul Mackereth.
Horsham brothers Hunter and Riley Knoop will represent the West Vic Eagles in the under-14 boys, while Olivia Knoop will line up with the Eagles’ under-14 girls team.
The tournament is the premier underage competition in Victoria, bringing together the best junior players from across the state, representing three regional and six metropolitan zones in four age groups from under-12 to under-18.
Players from the Wimmera Hockey Association will join with those from the Bendigo-based Hockey Central Vic, North Central, Sunraysia, and Goulburn Valley associations to represent the North West Lightning zone.
Players affiliated with the Ballarat, Glenelg, Warrnambool-based Hockey South West and Portland associations form the West Vic Eagles.
After being played in Bendigo and Shepparton last year, the under-14 and under-16 championships will return to the Parkville and Footscray hockey centres in Melbourne from Friday to Sunday. The under-18 division will be played in Melbourne in late September.
Domestic Wimmera Hockey Association competition is scheduled to have a bye this week to support and encourage local players to nominate for the championships, before an uninterrupted six-week run to the finals commencing on July 19, with round 10 to be played at Yanac.
The weekend’s Wimmera Hockey Association matches resulted in just one change across all three competition ladders, but each had some influence towards the outcome of the season.
In open division the Warrack Hoops firmed their grip on second place with a one-goal victory over the Kaniva Cobras, who remain third despite the loss.
A solid performance by the Horsham Hurricanes has them just two points adrift of the Cobras after beating the Nhill Rangers, who are falling off the pace in the race for the finals.
The Yanac Tigers enjoyed a week off with the bye and remain clear at the top of the ladder, leading by four points and a goal difference.
The clash between the women’s division’s top two teams saw Yanac establish a two-goal lead by half time, and although Dimboola put in a better second half, the Roos could only peg back one goal.
The game ended with Yanac preserving its undefeated status with a two-goals-to-one win, although the Roos did
emerge from the game having scored the first goal against Yanac by any team so far this season.
The Nhill Thunderbirds swapped places on the ladder with the Horsham Jets and returned to the top four with a 3-0 win.
Although missing out on a win, the Warrack women had a big confidence boost when they put in their best performance for the season by matching Kaniva for much of the game.
After going into three-quarter time tied on two goals each, it was only two Kaniva goals in the last period of play that decided the result, while Warrack came out with its closest margin and first goals for the season.
In under-16 competition the Yanac Warriors and Nhill Leopards continued to dominate with victories over the Dimboola Kangaroos and Horsham Bombers respectively.
But the jostling in the middle of the ladder continued, with the third-placed Warrack Revengers drawing their game against the fifth-placed Kaniva Raiders two goals apiece.
Ararat Eagles’ undefeated Mininera and District Football League season survived a furious finish against WickliffeLake Bolac on Saturday.
Entering round 11 with an unblemished record, the Eagles appeared set to keep it that way as they led the Magpies by 54 points at three-quarter time.
Ararat had kept Wickliffe-Lake Bolac to only four goals through three terms, but the home side came home strongly with six goals in the last, and could have kicked an even greater score with an additional five behinds for the quarter.
The Eagles, meanwhile, struggled to stop the sudden run, kicking only 1.1
in the fourth quarter as they watched their lead dwindle.
But time ran out on the Magpies, with Ararat holding on for a 12.16 (88) to 10.14 (74) win.
Jack Wilson with four goals and Zach Louder with three were the architects of the Eagles’ large lead through the first three quarters, but it was onballers Jake Peters and Ben Robertson who were the team’s top players.
Ararat will next face reigning premier Penshurst – a team it beat by 60 points in round two – this Saturday, and could mathematically guarantee itself a finals berth a month before the end of the home-and-away season with a win.
Tatyoon’s own hopes of a finals berth
in 2025 remain alive after the Hawks defeated neighbouring Moyston-Willaura at the weekend.
The 17.18 (120) to 7.7 (49) result gave the Hawks a much-needed percentage boost, but did not come without a fight.
The plucky Pumas shocked the Hawks in front of their home crowd at Tatyoon Recreation Reserve, taking a 5.2 (32) to 1.3 (9) lead at quarter time.
With skipper Liam Kaine and fellow onballer Izaiyah Turner having an influence, Moyston-Willaura looked primed for a big upset, but the home side sparked into action after the first quarter.
Despite inaccurate kicking, Tatyoon reclaimed the lead at half time with a 4.11 to 1.0 second quarter, and ran the
game out strongly with a further 12 goals to one in the second half.
Hawk forward Josh Lee had his best individual haul of the season, booting seven goals, while other standouts included Logan Dixon, Angus Johnston, captain Josh Bibby and Trent Baird.
With five games remaining, the Hawks trail fifth-placed WickliffeLake Bolac by only six premiership points, and could leapfrog another finals contender, Woorndoo-Mortlake, if they beat the Tigers this Saturday in another game at Tatyoon.
Great Western’s season took another blow in round 11, with the Lions losing to SMW Rovers 19.5 (119) to 13.5 (83).
It was a disappointing result for the Lions, who led by narrow margins at
quarter and half time, and trailed by only a goal at the final change before surrendering six goals to one in the final term.
Lochie Morrissey, Josh Arkell, Silver Yousif and Sam Cocks were judged among the Lions’ best players in a loss that consigned them to 10th place on the ladder.
Great Western will play Caramut –one of only two teams it leads on the ladder – this weekend, with the loser destined to finish the round in 11th.
Other games at the weekend saw Penshurst 20.21 (141) defeat Hawkesdale-Macarthur 9.8 (62), Glenthompson-Dunkeld 12.14 (86) best Woorndoo-Mortlake 9.12 (62) and Lismore-Derrinallum 26.16 (172) thrash Caramut 1.2 (8).
Laharum has booked a place in the grand final of the inaugural Wimmera Football Netball League senior women’s football competition – and ensured it will enter as a heavy favourite – after a 122-point win over Horsham on Sunday.
Laharum already had a comfortable gap at the top of the ladder, but increased its percentage to a whopping 523.68 with the 18.15 (123) to 0.1 (1) win in front of a home crowd at Cameron Oval.
While Laharum full forward Tarah Bond kicked a game-high seven goals, she was one of many stars for her side on the day.
With the ball in Laharum’s front half for most of the afternoon, the team’s half-back line pressed up to involve itself in the play.
Starting half-back flank Sally Rodwell booted four goals, while centre-half-back Ema Iredell added two.
The home side’s outside midfielders were also impressive, with Catherine O’Dea turning in a best-on-ground performance, while Olivia Lenehan kicked a goal on the opposite wing.
For Horsham there were no goal kickers on the scoreboard, but players like Amaya Woodward, Sarah Janetzki, Macy Uebergang and Teilah Couch impressed with their effort in a losing cause.
With two rounds left in the competition’s home-and-away season there will be no game this weekend, with MinyipMurtoa set to host Laharum at Murtoa on July 20.
A win would guarantee Laharum fin-
ishes the season atop the ladder, but with Horsham still winless, Laharum cannot drop below second place and will play in the inaugural Wimmera league senior women’s grand final.
While the senior contest between Laharum and Horsham was lopsided, the under-14.5 girls game earlier in the day was a nail-biter.
The home side grabbed a five-point advantage at quarter time with two goals to one in the first term, but Horsham stuck with its opponent in the second term, kicking 1.3 to 1.0 to draw within two points.
With another two goals to Horsham’s three behinds in the third term, Laharum looked to have built a match-winning lead in the low-scoring game.
But the visitors, who had kicked an errant 2.8 to that point, found their range in the last quarter, booting three straight goals, while Laharum’s accuracy deserted it as the home side kicked three behinds.
It was enough to give Horsham a comefrom-behind 5.8 (38) to 5.4 (34) win, with Mila Payne, Indigo Pope and Asha Meek among the heroes for the visitors.
For Laharum, Chloe Butsch, Claudia Penny and Georgia Foster were the top players.
The under-14.5 girls competition also has a week off before returning on July 20, with Laharum visiting the combined Minyip-Murtoa and Warrack Eagles junior side.
Taylors Lake Football Netball Club senior football coach Justin Beugelaar has resigned from his position.
On Monday, club president Stuart Hall said Beugelaar had ‘stepped down for personal reasons’ but played in the side on Saturday in a 13.10 (88) to 12.8 (80) loss to Pimpinio in the Horsham District league.
The club has appointed Lee Marshall, who previously coached the Lakers’ senior football team in 2022, as a caretaker coach for the rest of the season.
Hall said Taylors Lake would spend the rest of the season searching for a new coach to lead the club in 2026.
He thanked Beugelaar for his contributions as coach during the past two seasons.
“We are grateful to Justin because he stepped in at quite a critical time to take this role on at the end of 2023,” Hall said.
“There weren’t too many people who wanted that job at the time, so we owe him for that. He did a good job and recruited a lot of people, and we had a few wins last year.
“We probably should have had some more wins this year, but we’ve had a few injuries and haven’t quite gathered the momentum. Justin did the best he could with what he had.”
Pimpinio’s senior footballers have continued to solidify their bid for a second successive Horsham District league finals berth after surviving a test of nerves against Taylors Lake at the weekend.
The Tigers improved to 8-3 for the season, but were made to earn Saturday’s four premiership points in an 13.10 (88) to 12.8 (80) win over the Lakers.
Playing with the aid of a stiff breeze that favoured the north-west end of Dock Lake Reserve, the Lakers got off to a hot start, booting seven goals to four in the first quarter to lead by 14 points.
With full forward Alex Baker in dangerous form, Patrick Lindsey superb on ball and Bray Cullinan influencing contests around the ground, the Lakers – under a new senior coach – looked primed to pull off an upset, but the Tigers remained composed.
When Pimpinio had its turn with the wind at its back it responded with four goals to one to regain the lead at half time, before a low-scoring arm wrestle in the third quarter saw the visitors retain a two-point advantage at the final change.
The Tigers pressed early in the term but stout a Taylors Lake defence, led by efforts from Cullinan and former coach Justin Beugelaar, who stepped down from his position at the weekend, kept repelling them.
But the weight of forward entries took its toll, with Pimpinio’s Tom Arthur goaling more than 10 minutes into the term.
A turnover at half-back proved costly for the Lakers less than three minutes later, with Tiger Oscar Hahn picking off a centring kick and finding Nick Groves for another major, before Brock Hamerston drove the final nail into the Taylors Lake coffin with a goal on the run from 50 metres in time-on.
By Colin MacGillivray
The home side added a pair of late goals through Riley Hall, who kicked three for the afternoon, and Baker, who finished with six, but they proved little more than window-dressing.
Adam Westley, with three goals, was a standout for the Tigers, with Matt Healy using his sturdy frame to advantage in the ruck and Matt Rosier in top form in the midfield.
The result saw Pimpinio climb to third place on the ladder after Laharum stumbled against Harrow-Balmoral at Cameron Oval on Saturday.
As at Dock Lake, a strong wind favoured one end of the ground, and the visiting Roos used it to full advantage in a 4.3 (27) to 0.0 (0) opening term.
Although the Demons made inroads in the second and fourth terms, they were never able to take the lead in an eventual 12.12 (84) to 6.8 (44) loss.
Amid an injury-stricken season the two-time reigning premiers showed they remain tough to beat, with coach Jai Thompson hitting form in his second game back after a three-week layoff and Simon Close slotting three goals in his third appearance for the season.
Mitchell Grant also kicked three goals as senior leaders Will Burbury and Peter Staude stood up in the midfield.
For the Demons, Todd Heynen was strong across half-back, while Daniel Easson and youngster Monty Wynne shone in the midfield.
Ladder-leader Noradjuha-Quantong bounced back from a surprise one-point loss to KanivaLeeor United, beating Rupanyup 16.16 (112) to 4.2 (26) in a comprehensive performance.
James Gregg was a standout for the Bombers, kicking two goals and setting up opportunities for
HorshamDistrict A Grade netball ladderleader Rupanyup showed a gap still remains between it and most of the chasing pack as it downed top-five contender NoradjuhaQuantong on Saturday.
The Panthers gave their home crowd plenty to cheer about after trailing by two goals at quarter time and a goal at the half, outscoring the visitors 29-14 in the second half to win 47-33.
Rupanyup showcased its depth during the contest, playing 10 players, with Holly Ross, changing between goal defence and wing defence, helping keep the Bombers subdued.
Coach Georgia Hiscock, her sister Ally Hiscock and captain Meg Cashin won out in the midcourt, while Bianca Drum, Ilze Van Zyl, Zanaiya Bergen and Maddi Morgan all featured in goals at different stages of the game.
The Bombers were led by Taya Quick, who scored 23 of their 33 goals, while midcourters Jayne Tucker and Holly Nuske did their best to combat the Panthers. While the loss dropped Noradjuha-Quantong to fifth place, the Bombers received a favour from Edenhope-Apsley, which beat Swifts 58-45 to keep the Baggies at bay in sixth.
Defender Olivia Spence got on top of Swifts cocaptain Michaela Carey in goals, and with Dee Dee Lambert returning after a week off, the Saints had too much firepower of their own.
Rebbekkah Seeary was the Baggies’ top player, netting 25 goals from 31 attempts.
Reigning premier Laharum was clinical after quarter time against Harrow-Balmoral, overcoming an early two-goal deficit to win 37-26.
Demons coach Rebecca McIntyre gave her HarrowBalmoral counterpart Emily Langley trouble in goals, with Langley connecting on only 16 of her 30 attempts as McIntyre checked her closely.
At the other end of the court Courtney Taylor, 20 goals, and Maddie Iredell, 17, kept the scoreboard ticking amid tricky conditions.
A resurgent Natimuk United continued its climb up the ladder after a slow start to the season, beating Kaniva-Leeor United 43-35 to earn its third win in a row and fourth from its past five games.
The Rams set up their victory with a 14-goals-toeight second quarter, as goaler Emma Uebergang, who scored a game-high 30 times, came to the fore.
At the other end of the court Cougar Ruby Gordon fought hard to break free from Natimuk defender Keeta Scown, finishing with 20 goals.
Taylors Lake jumped on Pimpinio early to set up a 47-34 win, handing the Tigers their 11th loss from as many games this season.
Harriet Overman led a trio of players who rotated through the Lakers’ goal circle, while Tahlia Thompson played her second game for the Tigers this season, scoring 18.
Headlining this week’s games will be a top-five clash between Kalkee and Laharum at Kalkee Recreation Reserve – a rematch of the round one clash that saw the Demons triumph by a single goal.
In addition to the finals implications for both sides, the match will mark a major milestone as McIntyre plays her 300th A Grade game.
The Laharum coach played 192 A Grade games with Noradjuha-Quantong before crossing to the Demons, where she is preparing to play her 108th game at the top level.
The storied defender has appeared in a staggering 12 Horsham District league grand finals, winning six – four with the Bombers and two with the Demons, including Laharum’s first-ever A Grade premiership and last season’s undefeated side.
McIntyre said the milestone had allowed her to take stock of a near 25-year netball career, where she also played in the Wimmera Football Netball League and took time off during pregnancy.
“I definitely don’t take it lightly, the opportunities that have been given to me – and the ones we’ve been able to create through the people around me and the teams I’ve played with,” she said.
“To have been part of one league for this long is rare. It’s not easy for women to get to 300 A Grade games – many have to take time off for kids or other life commitments. So for me, this milestone feels even more significant.”
Other matches will see Harrow-Balmoral host Taylors Lake, Natimuk United travel to play Swifts at Stawell’s North Park, Pimpinio host EdenhopeApsley and Rupanyup away to Kaniva-Leeor United.
the likes of Judah Hobbs, who kicked four, and Declan Phyland, who finished with three.
Jayden Besford, coach Damian Cameron and ruckman Jack Vague were other leading lights for the Bombers, while the Panthers were best served by defenders Daniel Weetra and Alby Kingston, while Blake Turner kicked three of the team’s four goals.
Kaniva-Leeor United continued to press its claim for a finals berth, soundly defeating Natimuk United 15.19 (109) to 2.10 (22) for its first road win of the year.
Brothers Jacob and Lochie Eats feasted on the dominance of midfielders Tyler Roos and Josh Clayton, with Jacob kicking nine goals and Lochie adding three, while Hamish Bennett rucked strongly.
Jesse Taylor, Kaiden Sudholz and Zach Smith were solid for the Rams, but inaccuracy doomed the team.
Onballer Angus Murray led the way at Edenhope as the visiting Swifts came back from a 16-point quarter-time deficit to win 12.15 (87) to 7.9 (51).
Murray kicked two goals and helped create opportunities for dangerous forwards Todd Matthews and Jordan Motton, with Jack Cann and Ryan Folkes adding extra run in the midfield.
Despite the loss it was one of the better performances of the season for the struggling Saints, who were led by midfielder Ryan Obst, half back Boyd Packer, ruckman Jordan Lockwood and fourgoal forward Allan McIntyre.
This weekend will see the Saints travel to Pimpinio, while the Baggies host Natimuk United at North Park, Kaniva-Leeor United is at home to Rupanyup, Taylors Lake makes a road trip to Harrow and Laharum plays away at Kalkee.
By Lauren Henry
It was the finish to a football match that dreams are made of – a kick after the siren to win the game over arch-rivals.
That’s exactly how it unfolded at Coughlin Park on Sunday when Horsham Saints won a two-point thriller over Horsham Demons.
Saints forward Cody Bryan kicked six goals, including one after the siren, to give the Saints their fifth win of the season.
Playing for the annual Pelican Cup, the showcase match exceeded most people’s expectations of a sixth versus ninth Wimmera league match.
Neck-and-neck throughout, the winless Demons led by eight points at half time, and extended their lead out to 16 points by three-quarter time.
Matthew Long’s eight goals was a highlight, as Hudson Hair, Oakley Farr and Archie Elliott also impressed.
But the Saints mounted a six-goal comeback in the final stanza, led by Bryan, with two goals in the fourth term, Jackson Davidson, Gage Wright and Sam Clyne.
Celebrations were grand final-like after Bryan kicked the winning goal in front of the Saints’ home crowd.
In another match featuring old rivals, Southern Mallee Thunder jumped back up to third spot on the ladder after a 30-point win over Warrack Eagles.
Playing at Beulah, the Thunder showed their prowess to lead at every change and win 80-50.
Sam White kicked four goals to be named the Thunder’s best, as Billy Lloyd and the two Anguses – McSweyn and Dewar – were also pivotal.
For the Eagles, Sam Hanna kicked four goals, and was named in the best alongside Kyle Cheney and Sam Hayden.
The other interesting match of round 11 was Stawell’s win over MinyipMurtoa.
Both sides struggled to kick goals in the opening term at Murtoa, but got going in the second term to have the scoreboard sit at 29-27 at half-time.
But it was the visitors who impressed in the third quarter, kicking five goals to the Burras’ one to set up
the win. A lacklustre fourth term saw only three goals kicked between both sides, but the Warriors were able to hang on and win 70-47.
Kicking eight goals of Stawell’s 10 for the match, Cody Driscoll played a ripper game, as did Jarrod Illig, Owen Summers and Ethan Morrow.
The other round 11 match was a one-sided encounter – Ararat was again dominant to defeat Dimboola 141-17.
The Roos only kicked two goals for the match, as the Rats had no trouble with scoring as Jack Ganley booted six, Henry Shea, three, while four others kicked two each.
Harry Ganley, Sonny Kettle and Brody Griffin were impressive, as the Rats prime themselves for this Saturday’s match against old rivals Stawell.
In other matches, the Eagles host Minyip-Murtoa, Saints travel to Dimboola and Horsham Demons will play Nhill, which is coming off the bye. Southern Mallee Thunder has this week’s bye.
Missing their on-court bookends, Horsham Saints held off a spirited Horsham Demons for an eight-goal win in Wimmera league A Grade netball on Sunday.
With Jorja Clode unavailable due to Bendigo Strikers’ under-23 duties and usual goal keeper Erin Martin also missing, the Saints fielded a slightly different line-up against the reigning premiers.
Lena Marshman ably stepped into the goal shooter position, scoring 37 goals, while the experienced Zeena Kelm found herself back in A Grade to fill the Saints’ goal keeper position.
The Demons were out of the blocks early to take a 1513 lead at quarter time as the top two sides faced off at the Saints’ home stadium.
But the Saints stepped it up a notch in the second term, outscoring the Demons 19-14 to take a three-goal lead into the
main break. The third term also saw the home side on top, edging the lead out to seven goals, as defender Maddison Bethune led by example.
An even fourth quarter ensued, with the Saints able to maintain their unbeaten record in 2025.
Jorja Jones, in wing-defence, was named the best for the Demons, who this week will host Nhill at Horsham City Oval.
Meanwhile the Saints will travel to Dimboola, which is coming off a three-goal loss to Ararat on Saturday.
Ararat survives
In a close match, Ararat survived a tough encounter against the Roos.
The Rats’ 14-goal second quarter dominated Dimboola, who managed only six goals for the term.
Demi Bligh and Laney McLoughlan, with 19 goals, led the way for Ararat, who took its foot off the pedal in the
third term, and were outscored 6-9.
With only five goals separating the two teams at threequarter time, Bridget Dorrington and Maddison Marra performed best for the fastfinishing Roos, who fell short in clawing back the lead.
Ararat will be hoping for back-to-back wins when it faces Stawell this weekend.
The Warriors went down in a thriller to Minyip-Murtoa on Saturday, losing 43-35.
Played at Murtoa, the match was close throughout, with the biggest margin coming when Stawell got out by six goals in the third term.
But the Burras clawed their way back into the match late in the third term to set up a thrilling last quarter.
Both sides swung changes at the last break, and with just four minutes to go, scores were level.
Minyip-Murtoa’s Johanna
Griffiths, who played most of the game in centre, and Molly Fagan, goal defence, inspired the Burras to 45-43 win, as the Warriors’ best were Alannah Deutsher and Ruby Peters.
The Burras are every chance to continue their winning ways this weekend against Warrack Eagles, who are coming off a 57-29 loss to Southern Mallee Thunder.
Weekdays from 6am to 9am
Natimuk and District Gymnastic Club junior Remi
Bailey will return home with a pair of bronze medals after an outstanding showing at the Australian Gymnastics Championships in Queensland.
Bailey and fellow Natimuk gymnast Edward Jones were picked for Victorian squads to compete at the championships – Bailey in level eight open and Jones in level seven open – after strong results at state level earlier this year.
Bailey’s squad competed first in a team competition on Saturday, with the top three scores from the six team members on each apparatus contributing to an overall score.
Victoria finished third in the team competition with a total of 196.649 points, just behind second-placed New South Wales on 199.196, while Queensland won with 204.849 points.
Despite the strong team result, Bailey said he felt he could do better.
“I didn’t have the best day – I sort of had an alright day,” he said.
“Then [Monday] was individual competition and I had a much better day, which I’m pretty happy about.”
The results of a Wimmera District Golf Association, WDGA, survey will help shape the future direction of the sport in the region, as the association looks to support its constituent clubs.
WDGA vice-president and junior coordinator Tom Huf said the survey, which was sent to clubs and players via the association’s email newsletter last month, would give the WDGA information about the demographics of its players, as well as the needs of them and their clubs.
“We’ve been asking for feedback from any golfers, club administrators, potential golfers – anyone really – so we can set our direction for the next four or five years and look at how we can grow the game of golf,” he said.
“Things are challenging at times and sport is changing across the Wimmera. We’ve got vastly different clubs as well, so we want to make sure we’re supporting them.
“We really want to focus too on how we lessen the load for volunteers,” he said.
“So much of all our golf clubs are run off the back of volunteer effort, and it’s a massive effort – there’s a lot of work keeping a golf club going.
“The fact that we’ve got over 30 clubs in the Wimmera still is great going, and a testament to those volunteers, so we want to lessen their load so they can get out there and enjoy their golf a bit more.”
Huf said the WDGA would examine ways to increase opportunities for players to participate in representative golf.
“We run our own events, so we want to make sure that they’re supported,” he said.
“Boosting our district events is a big one for the board, because we’ve got great events that are a chance to play at the next level. That’s our bread and butter, so we want to look at how we support those.”
He said he felt his form was strong ‘from the warm-ups’.
“I was still a little bit sore, but I felt very good,” he said.
“I hadn’t vaulted to a harder surface in at least two months.
“In the warm-ups I was wrapping around so I didn’t hurt my foot and trying to deliberately over-rotate.
“[In the competition] I did it and
Bailey said he entered the individual competition with a lack of solid preparation on vault, but produced the third-highest score of the night on the apparatus to claim another bronze medal.
landed it. I took a step, but it was still much better than it has been.”
It was an outstanding end to the competition season for Bailey, who will now work on developing new skills in a bid to return to the championships at level nine next year.
Meanwhile, Jones’ Victorian squad competed in the level seven open teams event on Monday, finishing fourth. Jones was due to take part in individual competition last night. See next week’s Weekly Advertiser for more.
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“We as a board have got our own ideas, but it’s really essential that we’re hearing from everyone.”
Huf said growing and developing the region’s junior player base would form a cornerstone of the association’s future strategy.
“Our role is to create those pathways to not only get them playing, but then enable them to go on and become the next Cameron Smiths or Adam Scotts,” he said.
Huf said the WDGA also wanted to make it easier for the many volunteers at clubs across the region.
Huf said the association would also use the survey feedback as it strove to advocate for its clubs.
“Whether it’s up to Golf Australia or Golf Victoria, or to funding partners, we’ve really got that role to play of advocating for them as well,” he said.
“We want to get ourselves out there a bit more, because we’ve got some great golfers and we want to show them off.”
More information can be found by visiting the association’s Facebook page at www. facebook.com/share/p/1AhuaKp5rE
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All-abilities athletes from across western Victoria will converge on Horsham Basketball Stadium this Sunday for the second annual Gary Bird Shield competition.
The Gary Bird Shield is an all-abilities basketball tournament focusing on inclusion, participation and fun, with teams from Bendigo and Bacchus Marsh set to compete alongside Horsham sides.
The competition honours former Horsham sporting identity and mayor Gary Bird, who died in 2021.
Bird’s daughter Rebecca McIntyre said the shield was a perfect way to honour her father’s memory.
“Something I take very seriously is providing opportunities for people who don’t normally get them – it’s something that my dad did, and I get to do that in his honour,” she said.
“Having the day named after him continues his legacy on –who he was and what he did for
the community. It’s something that I’m proud to do, and as emotional as it is, it’s really nice to be able to say that we get to do it.”
McIntyre said inclusion took priority over winning during the tournament.
“It brings a spotlight on people with disabilities and it’s about making sure they’re included and welcomed into sport,” she said.
“The players have the best time. We’ve got teams coming
from Bacchus Marsh and Bendigo again.”
McIntyre encouraged Horsham locals to attend the tournament and support participants.
“The action starts from 10.30am until 3pm on Sunday at the Horsham Basketball Stadium,” she said.
“It’ll be a really cool day, so if people have nothing on, come down to the stadium. We’re looking forward to having an amazing day.”
Natimuk and District Field and Game hopes to raise tens of thousands of dollars for MND Victoria as it prepares to host its annual charity shoot on Sunday.
The event is one of the biggest on the club’s calendar each year, raising money in support of different charities.
Club president Bill Jorgensen said the day was as much a celebration of community as it was a shooting competition.
“Even if you’re not into shooting, you can come out and have some lunch and socialise,” he said.
“You’d be surprised as well if you spend time around your local football clubs – you come out to Natimuk and District Field and Game and it’s mostly the same people.
“There are a lot of people out there who you might not realise are into clay target shooting. It might be your uncle, your aunty or your nextdoor neighbour, and you mightn’t realise, so it’s a great day to get out and get involved.”
Mr Jorgensen said Rob Dolan, of Wes Davidson Real Estate, would host a charity auction on Sunday afternoon, with goods and services donated by local businesses on offer. All money
raised through the auction will go to MND Victoria.
“I’ve been on the committee now for over 10 years, and we’ve got a really great committee. We’re young and proactive, and we do a lot for the community – we give back a lot,” Mr Jorgensen said.
“Two years ago we had a fundraiser for the Wimmera Cancer Centre and we raised over $75,000. We’d love to raise something like that again this year.”
An online fundraising page for the event had already raised more than $7000 as of yesterday.
People can donate via www.mnd.org.au/myfundraising/2850/natimuk-fg
Club member Brian Klowss encouraged people to attend Sunday’s event even if they had no experience with clay-target shooting.
People interested in learning more about shooting can shoot under the instruction of a club member, without the need for a licence.
The 75-target charity shoot will begin at 10am on Sunday, with shooters interested in participating encouraged to arrive at about 9am for registration. People can find more information by visiting www.facebook.com/natimukfga
