FUTURE IN FOCUS: Warracknabeal students
Emelia Martin, Sanduni Vandenaallen, RubieJane Crisp and Darcy Kirk try nursing with Federation University’s Carmel Page at the Western Victorian Careers Expo yesterday. Thousands descended on the Wimmera Events Centre at Longerenong to gather information and try hands-on activities that gave an insight into various career paths. Story and pictures, page 19. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER
BY LAUREN HENRY
Resources
Victoria’s approval of a work plan for Astron Corporation’s Donald Rare Earth and Mineral Sands Project marked a significant step in giving the green light to construct one of the world’s largest rare-earth mines, The State Government work plan approval will enable the mining of 7.5 million tonnes of mineral sands each year for 19 years.
Operations will include the mining of rare-earth elements ilmenite, monazite, rutile and zircon, which help manufacture a range of products including batteries and magnets in wind turbines
The Donald mine is located between Minyip and Donald, about 15 kilometres east of Minyip, off Minyip-Rich Avon Road, on the mining licence area MIN5532 – an area where mineral sand deposits were first discovered in the 1980s. The Donald Project, trad-
ing as Donald Mineral Sands, DMS, is a joint venture between Astron Corporation and United States critical minerals company Energy Fuels Inc.
The work plan details the mining methods and sequencing across the 1143-hectare work plan, within the overall 2778-hectare site; processing operations and facilities layout; environmental management strategies, including for dust, noise, water, and rehabilitation; detailed soil and landform-management protocols, surface and groundwater management approaches; community engagement commitments; and progressive rehabilitation method.
But the work plan approval has angered and upset affected and surrounding landowners, who found out about the approval via the media – not Astron or the government – last week.
Ryan Milgate, whose farm neighbours the land set to be mined and is a member of the Dunmunkle Land Protection Group, DLPG, said it was the
biggest announcement since the Donald Project’s Environmental Effects Statement, EES, approval in 2008. He said Astron had failed to directly notify those most affected.
“ It’s probably a poor analogy, but it’s kind of like you’ve had the test and you’re awaiting a diagnosis and you think it’s cancer, but it’s not until you really get told, and this is kind of what it is to these people,” he said.
“To find out secondhand that their lives are going to change forever is just absolutely disgusting.”
Mr Milgate, also Victorian Farmers Federation grains president, said he and many others in the community were concerned about the environmental effects – dust, radiation, noise and water use – as well as the impact of more trucks on local roads.
“It should be going on rail, at the railing siding at Minyip, is my view. It shouldn’t be going on local roads,” he said.
“We’ve got an intermodal freight
hub designed to get it off roads in the Wimmera at Dooen and we’ve got one company who wants to dig it up and the other one wants to clog it up with mineral sands.”
Mr Milgate said rehabilitation of the land was a key concern of the community, as was the extra pressure on services such as healthcare.
“We don’t believe rehabilitation can be done. And looking at Douglas and Ouyen – we’ve gone and seen it for ourselves with our own eyes and it hasn’t been done,” he said.
“And in terms of community benefit, if you ask Balmoral what mining has brought to their town, they’ll say heartache.”
Mr Milgate said the mine would use water from the Wimmera-Mallee Pipeline, which DMS paid an entitlement for in 2012.
“ I don’t think it passes the test and the community benefit for what they’re going to do with it,” he said.
“Things have probably changed a bit
since then too … even the EES was done in 2008 – community expectations has changed a lot in 15 years.”
DMS managing director Tiger Brown said the work plan marked the final major regulatory approval required to allow the construction and operation of phase one of the project.
“It is the result of years of planning, environmental assessment, and community engagement,” he said.
“It enables the finalisation of critical activities, including arrangements for debt and equity financing, before a capital development submission is made to the Astron board and the board of the Donald Project Joint Venture.
“We are committed to responsible environmental practice in the development and operation of the Donald Project – and excited for the regional growth, benefits, and opportunities it will generate over the decades.”
Continued page 9.
Council Adopts 2025–2026 Budget and 2025-2029 Revenue & Rating Plan
The $20.2 million capital works program and a strategic focus on responsible asset management underpin a “business as usual” approach which ensures consistent service delivery across the municipality.
Mayor Cr Ian Ross said Council remains focused on building and maintaining the assets that matter most to the community.
“This year’s Budget includes more than $7 million for roads and street works, a clear demonstration of Council’s commitment to improving connectivity, safety and infrastructure across both urban and rural areas,” he said.
“Projects such as the City Oval Netball Clubrooms, industrial estate developments, and public amenities like the Apex Island Boardwalk and Firebrace Street toilets reflect a priority to deliver infrastructure that supports community growth and liveability.”
Council CEO Gail Gatt said the 2025–2026 Budget had been developed with financial sustainability and community expectations in mind.
“We’ve adopted a practical and responsible approach— delivering core services, initiating strategic projects, and maintaining high-quality infrastructure, while recognising the cost-of-living pressures facing our residents,” she said.
“Council will also repay all existing borrowing this financial year and will not take on new debt in 2025–2026, promoting increased financial resilience.”
“It is anticipated that Council will end the 2025-26 year with a cash balance in excess of $28m with $15m of this set aside in discretionary reserves for future works.”
General rate increases have been limited to 3%, in line with the Victorian Government rates cap. Waste collection costs, which continue to rise due to external legislative and market pressures, will see adjusted charges. The $200 Municipal Charge is unchanged, and Council has retained its additional $50 pensioner rebate to help alleviate financial pressure on concession card holders.
As part of a revised Revenue & Rating Plan, Council has set contribution percentages for the various rating sectors to provide stability in the dollars contributed regardless of any movement as a result of valuations.
Council has also reviewed service fees and charges, with most adjusted by 3% to reflect cost recovery, while continuing to seek more efficient service delivery, particularly in waste collection and education delivery.
In addition to core services, Council will deliver a range of short-term initiatives with defined outcomes, ensuring community needs are addressed alongside long-term strategic goals. Key performance indicators have been set to enable transparent, quarterly reporting on delivery and progress toward the Council Plan and Community Vision.
Cr Ross added that work on the 2025–2029 Council Plan is well progressed and will define fresh priorities aligned with community aspirations.
“This Budget is grounded in the current Council Plan and Community Vision, but our sights are firmly set on the future. The new Council Plan will be the community’s blueprint for the next four years—and we’re currently pulling together the information captured from residents to shape what comes next.”
The community is encouraged to explore the full range of adopted documents—including the Revenue & Rating Plan 2025–2029, Budget 2025-2026, and Register of Fees & Charges 2025–2026—available on Council’s website.
Council to remove parking meters in Horsham
Council has officially resolved to discontinue the use of parking meters in the Central Business District, following overwhelming community and business support for free two hour parking.
The decision follows extensive public engagement, with over 1800 responses from residents and visitors, and a separate survey of 73 local business owners.
Council suspended parking meter operations in December 2024 to trial free parking while reviewing the long-term future of the system.
Council’s final resolution at the June Council Meeting means parking meters will not return to the Horsham CBD.
Instead, two-hour free parking will remain in signed areas, consistent with current arrangements.
Parking time limits—such as 30-minute, 2-hour, and 4-hour zones—will continue to be enforced using traditional methods, including tyre marking and issuing physical infringement notices.
Fines will also still apply for illegal parking in loading zones and accessible bays.
Mayor Cr Ian Ross said the community response was clear and Council was pleased to deliver a decision that aligns with the needs of residents, visitors, and local businesses.
“We have listened to the community and heard loud and clear that parking meters weren’t just unpopular, they were difficult to use and no longer delivering value,” Cr Ross said.
“By removing the meters and maintaining time-limited free parking, we’re supporting accessibility, easing cost-of-living pressures, and encouraging more people to shop, dine and do business in our city centre.”
“This is about making Horsham more welcoming, more accessible, and more competitive,” said Cr Ross.
The community is encouraged to continue observing signed parking time limits to ensure turnover of spaces and fair access for all.
Councillors represent Horsham on the national stage
Cr Rebecca Sluggett, Cr Todd Wilson and CEO Gail Gatt attended the Australian Local Government Association’s National General Assembly in Canberra, joining council representatives from across the country to discuss shared challenges and opportunities.
The event focused on key topics such as safer roads, housing, community infrastructure, and workforce development.
It also provided a valuable opportunity to hear directly from Federal Ministers and Shadow Ministers about their priorities for the coming term.
While in Canberra, Cr Sluggett and Cr Wilson met with Member for Mallee Dr Anne Webster and Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie to advocate for our region. Their conversations emphasised the importance of mapping productive agricultural land to ensure it is recognised and protected through improved land use planning for all levels of Government.
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
Council to Withdraw from Regional Development Body
Council has resolved to give formal notice of its intention to withdraw from Wimmera Southern Mallee Development (WSMD), the economic development organisation for the region, by 30 June 2026.
The decision was made at the June Council Meeting, where Councillors voted to begin the process of exiting the organisation and to reduce Council’s financial contribution to WSMD for the 2025–2026 financial year.
The contribution will drop to $100,000, down from the $238,656 previously forecast.
Council cited a misalignment between its strategic priorities and those of WSMD as the key reason for its decision to withdraw. WSMD works across the Wimmera and Southern Mallee, representing the municipalities of Horsham, West Wimmera, Hindmarsh, Yarriambiack and Buloke.
The organisation focuses on regional growth and development across economic, cultural, social, and environmental areas.
Council’s decision includes a transition period during which WSMD will continue to deliver on key priorities relevant to Horsham Rural City Council, including agricultural development, workforce planning, regional leadership, drought resilience and telecommunications improvement.
As part of the shift, Council is exploring options to bring certain economic development responsibilities back in-house, with the aim of aligning those efforts more directly with local goals and strategies.
Council’s formal withdrawal from WSMD will take effect on 30 June 2026.
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| Email: council@hrcc.vic.gov.au | Web: www.hrcc.vic.gov.au
BY LAUREN HENRY
Wimmera
Southern Mallee
Development, WSMD, has reaffirmed its commitment to delivering coordinated regional outcomes, even though it looks set to have just two member councils come July next year.
Following Horsham Rural City Council’s decision last week to give notice to leave WSMD in June 2026, West Wimmera and Buloke shire councils are set to join the departures, with Hindmarsh and Yarriambiack councils the only local governments remaining as member councils.
The WSMD board approved its 2025–26 budget – now $138,656 less after Horsham Rural City Council’s decision to reduce its funding immediately.
The Regional economic development body delivers programs that focus on housing, workforce, early years, settlement services, investment readiness, food systems and drought resilience.
WSMD chair Paul Geyer said the Horsham council’s $238,000 funding last year helped deliver more than $3.7-million in value.
“We understand councils are reviewing their strategic priorities. That’s expected,” he said.
“But the job hasn’t gone away. In difficult times, building resilience means being at the table, not on the sidelines.”
Earlier this year, the WSMD board endorsed plans to broaden membership opportunities, on top of council funding.
Mr Geyer said in coming months, WSMD would work with partners to strengthen how coordination supported delivery, including how local businesses were engaged, informed and positioned to benefit from regional investment.
“We are responding to change, not retreating from it,” he said.
“We have been given a clear signal to evolve and that’s what we are doing.”
Mr Geyer said WSMD continued to engage with all five current member councils through their Memorandum of Understanding term.
He said WSMD would align
its delivery with the refreshed strategic plans being developed by councils later this year.
Mr Geyer said WSMD had a track record of delivering outcomes, including the $688-million Wimmera Mallee Pipeline, a Bureau of Meteorology radar; the Dooen Intermodal Freight Terminal business case; and codesigning farmer and scientist protein trials that helped launch Australian Pulse Protein.
WSMD also works on agricultural transition and landholder advocacy, including leadership on community-first engagement, agri-justice, farm insurance, land use planning and the right of landholders to choose what happens on their land.
Chief executive Chris Sounness said while agriculture was central to the region’s economy and identity, as government and corporate decisions reshaped land use, WSMD worked to ensure food production, landholder choice, and regional viability remained the focus.
“WSM Development does not work to attract new mining or renewable energy projects,” he said.
“We don’t actively support the projects. We just want the best possible outcome for the community – knowing these project decision-makers are often based in Melbourne or Canberra – what we’re trying to do is make sure if these projects are already decided, that we can get the best possible outcome for our community.
“That means we have to engage with them and help them understand our community.
“ There is definitely a loud group of people that are strongly against the projects and I have a lot of empathy of where they are coming from.
“But what I am keen for is for people to have the right to choose what they want to do.
“If a landholder is wanting to do something, they have the ability to do that, and that’s really important for me – personally as a value – and at times it seems not everyone is for that choice.
Not engaging leaves communities out of critical conversations.
“Engagement means we can influence how projects are designed, how impacts are managed and how benefits are delivered locally.”
Mr Sounness said the WSMD budget would need to be revised in light of the Horsham council’s decision to reduce funding but the organisation also received money from state and federal governments to implement specific programs.
He didn’t rule out accepting funding from renewable energy and mining projects to implement programs and opportunities that WSMD believed would benefit communities.
“ If it’s about trying to get better outcomes for our communities, knowing that some of the project decisions aren’t within our control, then I’m definitely keen because I think being at the table trying to shape the results is far better than not sitting at the table,” he said.
Mr Sounness acknowledged the many issues caused by companies and governments in relation to the projects.
“ It’s like we’re in the movie franchise ‘The Fast and the Furious’, where people from companies or from government say ‘oh, this is all going to be brilliant and all these changes are great’,” he said.
“But we’ve seen this movie franchise before, and what happens is the companies and governments come in and say these changes are all great and it’s all going to be the best thing for you. They want to do it fast, and they end up with a community being furious.
“What we’re trying to do is change the movie franchise to ‘The Fast and the Fair.”
Mr Sounness said WSMD would continue to work with member councils about changes and how its strategic direction aligned with councils.
“This region needs more coordination, not less,” he said.
“We’ve tackled challenges before and adapted - that’s what we do. But we’ve always done it by working together.”
SUPPORTIVE: Firebrace Street business owners Josh Mackay and Ray Hermans welcome Horsham Rural City Council’s decision to permanently remove parking meters from the Horsham CBD.
Horsham’s parking meters have officially been given the flick.
Horsham Rural City Council officially resolved to discontinue the use of parking meters in the city’s Central Business District, following community and business support for free two-hour parking.
Council plans to remove the parking meters once it secures the best return, which is expected to be within three months.
The council first introduced the free twohour parking as a trial in December, while reviewing the long-term future of the city’s parking.
Parking time limits – such as 30-minute, two-hour, and four-hour zones – will continue in signed areas, enforced using traditional methods, including tyre marking and issuing physical infringement notices.
Fines will also still apply for illegal parking in loading zones and accessible bays.
Council received more than 1800 responses from residents and visitors, and a separate survey of 73 local business owners was completed as part of its community consultation.
Hermans owner Ray Hermans was one of many retailers to welcome the move.
“The positive aspect of it is that we’ve seen people staying in our store for longer and there’s nothing more a retailer could want than having customers stay longer,” he said.
“They aren’t having them rush out because they have to pay the parking meter, or my meter has come to the end.
“Two hours is long enough for people to move around and they can still move their car to another position for another two hours, so that’s fine.”
Mackay Family Jewellers owner Josh
Mackay said he could only see positives from the move.
“As we know, the community were resoundingly against them when they were put in,” he said.
“From a retailer’s point of view, I think it’s fantastic. People can hang around for longer, and they’re not in a rush.
“However, I’m a firm believer the twohour limit has to be enforced. You’ve got to have that element to it as well.”
Councillors discussed the CBD parking arrangements as part of a confidential section of its June meeting due to private commercial details being discussed.
In 2023, council netted $64,000 in revenue from the parking meters.
According to 2025-26 council budget papers, there was a $222,000 drop in revenue from 2023-24 to 2024-25. Council attributes the decrease to no charges for parking from December 17, 2024 to June 30, 2025; and a reduction in fines revenue in 2024-25 due to staff shortages.
Mayor Ian Ross said the council was pleased to deliver a decision that aligned with the needs of residents, visitors, and local businesses.
“We have listened to the community and heard loud and clear that parking meters weren’t just unpopular, they were difficult to use and no longer delivering value,” he said.
“By removing the meters and maintaining time-limited free parking, we’re supporting accessibility, easing cost-of-living pressures, and encouraging more people to shop, dine and do business in our city centre.
“This is about making Horsham more welcoming, more accessible, and more competitive.”
BY LAUREN HENRY
Parks Victoria expects to release an updated Mount Arapiles-Tooan State Park, Dyurrite Cultural Landscape, Management Plan in late 2025.
While the management plan – which proposed to close about 80 rock climbs – is being finalised, Parks Victoria plans to base two additional rangers to be employed full-time from a reopened office at Elmes Street, Natimuk.
The Parks Victoria rangers will work at Mount Arapiles-Tooan State Park as part of a joint partnership with rangers from Barengi Gadjin Land Council, BGLC.
BGLC is representing the Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia and Jupagulk Indigenous groups who have identified cultural heritage sites at the park.
A Parks Victoria spokesperson said the extra rangers would provide ‘a greater on-ground presence to improve visitor facilities and education programs to support park users to understand and protect the cultural and natural values’.
It is understood additional cultural heritage assessments will explore opportunities for increasing access to climbing areas, particularly for children and people with disabilities, which will provide further advice to Parks Victoria.
Parks Victoria staff have spent the past four months reviewing submissions following the closure of the public consultation period, which was extended after a public outcry that followed the release of the draft plan in November.
A Parks Victoria spokesperson said Parks Victoria was committed to getting the balance right – ensuring people could access and enjoy the park while protecting the cultural and natural values that made Mount ArapilesDyurrite significant.
“Our goal is to protect what makes Dyurrite special, while helping more people experience this unique landscape,” they said.
“We will carefully read, analyse and consider all feedback summarised in this report to help inform how the proposed changes to the Dyurrite Cultural Landscape Management Plan amendment are progressed.”
The spokesperson said Parks Victoria acknowledged some participants expressed concern about the engagement process.
“While the approach was developed in line with the Victorian Government Public Engagement Framework, we recognise that for some, the process
FEEDBACK: The draft Mount Arapiles-Tooan State Park, Dyurrite Cultural Landscape, Management Plan received substantial feedback to proposed rock climbing closures, which will greatly affect Natimuk.
did not meet expectations,” they said.
“Parks Victoria is listening to this feedback and will take it into account when planning any future engagement activities.”
The feedback highlighted concerns about the proposed extent of permanent climbing restrictions; strong community interest in the tangible and intangible cultural, environmental and recreational values of Mount Arapiles-Dyurrite; strong recognition of the importance of protecting cultural heritage and traditional owner rights; requests for better consultation, clearer information, and suggestions for alternatives such as seasonal closures, permits, improved signs and education.
“Taking onboard this community feedback, Parks Victoria will work closely with traditional owner partners – in discussion with climbing groups, user groups, councils, business owners and other stakeholders – to refine the management plan,” the spokesperson said.
The Dyurrite Cultural Landscape Management Plan Working Group met in Horsham on May 28, welcoming a new chair Dale Antonysen, Parks Victoria’s acting western regional manager.
Parks Victoria’s new chief executive Lee Miezis also attended the meeting.
Working group member Felix Ritson, a Natimuk-based climber and Arapiles District Community Group, ADCG, representative, said Parks Victoria acknowledged the significant concern with the consultation process and apologised for the negative im-
pacts the process had caused. Working group members called for a reset by Parks Victoria to improve transparency, consultation, communication and facilitate reconciliation.
Members also emphasised the need for better engagement from Parks Victoria, clearer meeting records and agreed to share a summary of each meeting.
The working group requested Parks Victoria develop clear terms of reference for the working group, improve minute-taking and agree to develop a summary of all meetings that all members could share to the groups they represented.
Dr Ritson said the consultation with the Natimuk and climbing community was a hot topic at the meeting.
“The climbing community and the local community are very dissatisfied with the consultation process Parks Victoria has undertaken and see the way Parks Victoria has managed this as causing significant distress in the community,” he said.
“ The new CEO acknowledged this and in fact made an apology to the working group and then also made a public apology by way of summary from the meeting from what Parks Victoria has done, and they’re taking responsibility for it.”
Dr Ritson said the group acknowledged Parks Victoria was under pressure to formally protect the cultural heritage values that had been identified and registered.
“We, in an ideal world, want a more in-depth formal review process rather than an amendment to the Parks Victoria plan, which would allow a broader consult, more in-depth and
broader consultation process, but we acknowledge the need to move with some degree of haste, and so we are absolutely willing to work with that timeframe as present, depending on how that process goes,” he said.
Dr Ritson said ADCG ‘warmly welcomed’ the process BGLC was undertaking regarding to the draft management plan.
“The ADCG and the community, as well as myself, see cooperation and working with BGLC in the traditional owners community as vitally important to the entire process of developing and actioning a Dyrurrite plan,” he said.
“The ADCG recognises the very important cultural heritage values at the site that absolutely needs to be protected, and really hope and look forward that the broader community can, in whatever form, be encouraged, participate, or experience some of that cultural value.”
Dr Ritson said the working group still had key priorities it was advocating for on behalf of the community.
“We would like more extensive minutes taken from the meeting, an independent socioeconomic analysis of the impact of the plan has not been conducted to our knowledge, and we request that to be done,” he said.
“We would like assurances that the draft plan feature of not allowing individuals to walk off Parks Victoria authorised trails be removed, and it’s been suggested that we will achieve that outcome.
“We also requested and have hope and the intention that we can develop a close and strong working relationship with BGLC and that Parks Victoria can assist in developing that connection.”
There was significant backlash about the amount and types of rock climbing routes planned to be banned, with many in the Natimuk community opposing the plan, believing the changes would cull visitor numbers to the area, resulting in economic losses to the town’s businesses.
Arapiles District Community Group member Ashlee Hendy said it was not in anyone’s best interests for the draft plan process to be dragged out for a long duration.
“There’s no perfect outcome because we want the job done well and done properly. Everyone wants that,” she said.
“But the longer it takes, the more uncertainty continues and the harder it is for people to plan their lives.”
BGLC did not respond to The Weekly Advertiser’s request for comment.
Submissions to the Mount ArapilesTooan State Park, Dyurrite Cultural Landscape, Management Plan included 18,339 visitors to the Engage Victoria webpage; 1094 responses to an online survey; 581 submissions received; and 365-plus attendees at an online information session.
According to the Parks Victoria community engagement summary report, the overwhelming majority of participants expressed concern about the consultation process and felt a strong sense of loss for rock climbing.
While many participants showed respect for the need to protect cultural heritage, there was strong feedback calling for the scope of the permanent restrictions to be reconsidered.
The main themes centred on the importance of rock climbing at Dyurrite – to both climbers and the local community – for many reasons including connection to nature and friends, emotional wellbeing and mental health benefits, and economic and tourism benefits; and that rock climbers make a significant contribution in protecting and maintaining the landscape.
There was also strong feedback that there had not been enough consultation or communication with climbers and the Natimuk community, and there was a need to provide a more balanced approach and a review of permanent restrictions.
A small proportion of respondents supported the proposed amendment. Those who supported the amendment said the changes achieved ‘a much-needed balance to protect nature and cultural heritage while retaining rock-climbing and bushwalking’ and they supported self-determination by Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia and Jupagulk people to protect cultural heritage.
The majority of respondents wanted to see lists and maps of what climbs are open and closed, and reasons for each; a collaborative open dialogue between Parks Victoria, climbing organisations and community members; with information available on the Parks Victoria website.
While clean rock climbing techniques were considered to already be the standard at Mount Arapiles, suggestions included engaging the climbing community to promote clean climbing practices and help develop guidelines and the use of chalk that matched the rock colour. People also called for more information about the cultural significance of the landscape, full results of the cultural and environmental survey, and a more detailed understanding of the cultural heritage sites to avoid and protect them.
Dear Ararat Rural City Community,
We're reaching out to you with an important message regarding the new Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF), and to clearly share Council's position on a matter we know will impact our entire community. We are deeply concerned about the State Government’s decision to continue to implement this new tax, as we know many in our community are. We acknowledge the unfair impacts that its introduction will have on all ratepayers, including our farmers, local business, those living on fixed incomes, renters, and families. Everyone will be affected by this.
Our local businesses will suffer as families, already struggling with the rising cost of living, reduce their spending. Our local clubs and community groups will also feel the impact. They'll face reduced funding from sponsorships and donations, and fewer people may have the time to volunteer. The ripple effect of this new tax on our local economy will be profound. It will drain millions of dollars from our community, with no guarantee that these funds will be reinvested back into rural areas.
What we’ve been doing
At our Council Meeting on 25 February 2025, Council unanimously passed a motion condemning the ESVF. We took this strong stance because we firmly believe it will place an unfair burden on our primary producers and impose an excessively steep increase on all ratepayers across our community. We’ve maintained a consistent media campaign to drive awareness of this unfair levy beyond our region, including engaging with metropolitan audiences.
Councillors have also taken significant public action. Our Mayor, Cr Jo Armstrong, was among several Councillors who attended a Melbourne rally, and spoke about the ESVF's detrimental impacts on rural communities, as well as joining other regional Mayors at public events to amplify shared concerns. We’ve lobbied State Government Legislative Council members through numerous letters, strongly advocating against this new tax.
What we know
The Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) will come into effect from 1 July 2025, and you'll see it as a charge on your upcoming Council Rates Notice. It’s important that the community understands that this isn't a Council tax, we are legally obligated to collect it on behalf of the State Government. We want to make it clear that while Council is legally obligated to collect the ESVF on behalf of the State Government, we have consistently and strongly advocated against its introduction due to our deep concerns about its impact on our community and we will continue to do so.
Following an announcement by the State Government last month, the variable rate for primary production properties will now be frozen for the next twelve months at the 2024-25 financial year amount (28.7 cents per $1,000 CIV). This rate will be automatically applied to rates notices for primary production properties. This only offers a temporary reprieve for our farmers and does not ease the pressure on all other ratepayers, many of whom are feeling the pinch during these challenging economic times. The ESVF will impose a 99% variable rate increase on residential properties, a 100% increase for commercial ratepayers, and a 64% increase for industrial properties.
Eligible CFA and VICSES volunteers and life members will be entitled to a rebate on the ESVF on their principal place of residence or farm, which will be administered by the Department of Government Services. We encourage all CFA and VICSES volunteers to explore this. More information can be found on the Eligible Volunteers Rebate Scheme page on the Victorian Government website: www.vic.gov.au/Eligible-Volunteers-Rebate-Scheme
Unfortunately, it’s not as simple as “we won’t pay it”. It’s important to understand that Council does not have control over how the money you pay towards your rates notice is distributed. We are still legally obligated to pay a proportion of your rates payment to the State Government.
While the ESVF tax amount will be clearly differentiated from Council’s rates on your rates notice, which will include municipal and waste charges, it isn’t possible to invoice the ESVF separately. If we are not able to collect the ESVF from ratepayers, the shortfall must come from Council’s own budget. This will greatly impact our financial sustainability and our ability to serve our community. It will also risk ratepayers falling into arrears. If you’re genuinely having difficulty paying your rates, please reach out as there are measures in place to assist you. We want to help our residents who are experiencing financial hardship. Payment plans can be arranged by contacting Council’s Rates Department on (03) 5355 0209 or email rates@ararat.vic.gov.au.
With concern for the potential impact on the mental health and wellbeing of its residents, Council wishes to ensure those affected are aware of the following available support services. For mental health support, residents are encouraged to contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit www.lifeline.org.au.
For financial assistance and wellbeing support, the Rural Financial Counselling Service can be reached at 1300 735 578 or via their website at wswrcs.com.au
What we’re doing next
Council maintains its strong objection to the introduction of the Emergency Services Volunteer Fund (ESVF).
We will continue to work with the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV), other councils and groups such as the Victorian Farmers’ Federation, to oppose the implementation of the ESVF in its current form.
We will not give up. We will continue to advocate to the State Government for a fairer outcome for Ararat Rural City residents.
Kind regards,
Ararat Rural City Councillors
Mayor, Cr Jo Armstrong
Deputy Mayor, Cr Bob Sanders
Cr Rob Armstrong
Cr Peter Joyce
Cr Teli Kaur
Cr Luke Preston
Cr Bill Waterston
BY LAUREN HENRY
Construction of the State Electricity Commission Renewable Energy Park at Horsham is well underway, and expected to be in operation by early 2027.
Located next to Horsham’s power terminal station on Horsham-Lubeck Road, the energy park will also feature a battery system to store the solar energy as required throughout the 30year life of the project.
The $370-million State Government project has the capacity to generate renewable energy to power about 51,000 homes each year.
SEC assets executive general manager Lane Crockett said installation of the structures was underway, with the next step fitting the solar panels.
“ We’ve also pretty much completed the access roads and trenching for the varied cables that connect the solar farm into the terminal station,” he said.
”It’s a phase completion where the solar farm will come on earlier in 2027, and the battery system, which is slightly phased behind it, will come in later that year.”
Mr Crockett said the battery would soak up solar energy, store it in the battery, and release it when energy consumption was at its peak in the evenings.
PROGRESS: Work on the SEC Renewable Energy Park in Horsham is well underway.
He said battery systems played important network roles, for example, reacting rapidly when there was a disturbance in the grid, and balancing and moving energy around to enable more renewable energy assets to connect to the transmission network.
”I think you’ll find that the bulk of the energy produced at the Horsham solar farm and battery storage will actually go into (powering) Horsham because it’s the nearest load – it is its natural destination,” he said.
“We’re utilising the spare capacity within the system, noting there isn’t a great deal left, but that’s one of the
benefits of the battery is that it means the solar farm and battery is actually creating more transmission system capacity than it’s using, in effect.”
Currently the energy park has employed about 70 people since construction began in February, with half of the workers from the Wimmera.
There are about 40 to 50 people on site each day, with the number set to peak with panels soon begin to be installed.
Mr Crockett said by the end of the project, 240 jobs would have been created.
“There is a much higher number of
people on site during construction, but in the longer term, there’ll be a number of permanent operators who will obviously live in Horsham or nearby because it’ll be their daily job to go out and do preventative maintenance and operate the solar farm,” he said.
Mr Crockett said a mix of local contractors and specialised companies from outside the region would be used throughout the life of the project.
He said there had been strong interest from people wanting jobs and business owners interested in work opportunities at community consultation sessions, as well as questions and
Horsham Rural City Council’s submission to a draft Victorian Transmission Plan urges VicGrid to compensate landowners for any damaged crops incurred during the works stage, and investigate old stock routes to locate transmission lines.
The council endorsed the submission at last week’s council meeting. The submission also calls on VicGrid to provide equitable compensation for landowners affected by transmission line upgrades.
The council has also urged 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’.
VicGrid, a State Government agency, released its draft Victorian Transmission Plan in May, outlining how the state will upgrade its power infrastructure to support a future powered by renewable energy.
The plan identifies seven Renewable Energy Zones, REZs, and seven priority transmission projects.
One of the zones – the Wimmera Southern Mallee REZ – is proposed for the northern part of the Horsham municipality, extending along the Henty Highway into Yarriambiack Shire. A priority project,
the North West Strengthening Program, includes building a major transmission line through the region.
At the council meeting, Cr Rebecca Sluggett said the plan identified an upgrade to existing transmission lines in the Horsham municipality.
“We’re unable to get a clear answer as to whether they would be eligible for compensation,” she said.
“I should just expand on the last point that the investigation, the old stock routes – there’s as many of five throughout Victoria – where the old stock routes are, and we’re hoping that with that submission, we might be able to get some looks at where transmission lines might be able to go along those, instead of privately held land.
“The submission includes a call from our council for there to be mapping of highvalue farming land and agricultural land, so that we can identify the land that should be protected at high-value agriculture.”
Cr Cameron McDonald said he was ‘very concerned about the government legislation and where this was all going’.
“Battle lines have been drawn and … it’s concerning where it’s going. The government legislation’s fundamentally trying to override any farmer’s rights whatsoever.
This is yet to play out but I think it’s going to end up at the farm gate, which is very concerning.
“So I would encourage the government to listen to our concerns in this regard because if they don’t, it’ll just end in tears.”
The council’s submission highlights that six of the seven REZs in western Victoria ‘will carry most of the burden of hosting renewable energy projects and infrastructure on behalf of all Victorians’.
“The extent and nature of the impacts this will have, positive and negative, are going to largely remain unclear until the energy market responds,” the submission reads.
“It is our communities and landscapes that will be directly affected. The possible triple bottom line effects are palpable and will inevitably include social – community cohesion, mental health and wellbeing; environmental – visual intrusion, impacts to biodiversity, water use; or economic –agricultural productivity, property values.
“HRCC understands the value of the VTP, however endorsing it would, effectively, require a confidence that a range of largely unknown impacts on our communities, environment and economy can or will be addressed positively. There remains too much uncertainty to do so currently.”
concerns from neighbouring property owners and community members.
The SEC has also established a new Community Benefit Fund, set up to provide $126,000 during the threeyear construction period and an additional $2-million over the project’s operational life.
“We really encourage the community to get involved and there’s a number of different ways to do that – there’s in-person sessions over the next four weeks, but for those who either don’t have the time or don’t want to go into an in-person session, there’s also an online session,” Mr Crockett said.
“Also, you can also just go on the Engage Victoria site and type in SEC and you can just fill out a simple questionnaire about what ideas do you have, where you think the money might be well spent to benefit the community, and how would you like to see it managed.
“ This is about the community deciding and having the governance arrangements in place to decide for themselves, where it should be spent for what is best to benefit the community.”
Consultation on the fund is open until July 25. People can find more information at engage.vic.gov.au/secrenewable-energy-park-horsham.
The Emergency Services and Volunteer Fund has been a significant focus for Councillors, first commencing advocacy in February 2025. We will continue to advocate for our community in relation to this unfair and unjust State imposed levy. We were extremely disappointed that the State Government did not continue to fund Wimmera Southern MalleeByFive for their vitally important work to improve outcomes for our youngest residents. We will continue to advocate for funding, as WSM children are 40% more likely to be developmentally vulnerable and experience higher rates of preventable hospitalisations than the state average. Three of the five local government areas that By Five covers are ranked amongst the 10 most disadvantaged areas in Victoria(Yarriambiack is one of them).
Our Councillors adopted our Position Statement on Mining, Renewable Energy and Transmission Lines in January 2025. It is vitally important that we advocate for significant investment in our Shire and region, if our Shire is to host mining and renewable energy infrastructure. We want to see a significant investment in roads, health services, childcare, housing, schools and community assets such as recreation reserves and swimming pools.
In February 2025 our Councillors endorsed commissioning a social benefit cost analysis on mining within the Shire. We are working with the University of Melbourne to fund a Scholarship for a Masters research student for the primary purpose of conducting this analysis.
Housing remains a priority, and despite recent funding setbacks, we will keep seeking opportunities to increase housing in our Shire.
You can follow the above advocacy and read more about Council activities by visiting our Website, following our Facebook page or subscribing to our Yarri Yarns Newsletter which is distributed weekly to your email account.
BY LAUREN HENRY
Yarriambiack Shire Council is working closely with Resources Victoria, which has appointed a principal communityengagement adviser for northwest communities.
Yarriambiack Mayor Kylie Zanker said the council had researched, investigated and kept itself informed on the processes and practices of mineral-sands mining and rehabilitation processes, and would continue to work closely with DMS and Resources Victoria to ensure any concerns raised by the community were conveyed and addressed.
“We are fully aware that sections of the community have concerns regarding the project,” she said.
“The community-engagement adviser recently appointed is a respected geoscientist and former head of both
the Geological Survey of Victoria and the Earth Resources Regulator in the State Government.
“As a Western District farmer, he brings both regulatory expertise and strong local insight.
“The community-engagement adviser will provide clear, timely information on exploration and mining licensing approvals and regulations.
“He will visit towns across the northwest to meet with landholders and community members, and will be a local contact for questions, concerns or conversations about proposed mineral sands projects.”
Cr Zanker said council officers would work closely with DMS, as a stakeholder in the implementation of the DMS Transport Management Plan, and continue to engage with
DMS in regard to housing, transport, workforce and freight to rail opportunities.
“As DMS initiates the construction phase of their project, our CEO will proactively engage with the DMS team to ensure that the construction work does not adversely affect agricultural activities,” she said.
Mine Free Wimmera Farms, MFWM, secretary Russell Heard said the group questioned the legality of the Donald Project – set to mine ‘trace amounts’ of uranium, which was banned in Victoria.
“If you were a farmer in Western Australia, you would have the option to approve or veto this project from your farmland,” he said.
“However, the Victorian Government has approved this mining pro-
ject, which will remove valuable cropping land, create toxic dust and rip down generational homes where children live.”
Mr Heard said young farmers must have a healthy future.
“The mental health of farming families is our top priority at this stage and we will work with the Dunmunkle Land Protection Group and others on a strategy moving forward,” he said.
“The mining work plan is not something that gets shared, we understand, and the project today is fundamentally different from what was proposed in the 2008 Environmental Effects Statement. This entire project covers 107,191 acres of Wimmera farmland in phases so the impacts will roll on for decades in those communities.”
• MFWM letter, page 11.
From page 1
Energy Fuels came on board last year, committing to invest a total of $183-million for a 49 per cent interest in the project. The partnership is expected to provide Energy Fuels with a low-cost and long-term supply of monazite and xenotimebearing mineral concentrate, which will be exported to the USA for processing into highpurity separated rare-earth elements at the company’s White Mesa Mill in Utah.
Energy Fuels president and chief executive Mark Chalmers said Energy Fuels and Astron were currently working towards a financial investment
decision, FID, for the project, which could be made as early as the end of 2025.
Mr Chalmers said the FID and development of the project could be significantly accelerated with USA and Australian government support.
“The work plan approval for the Donald Project is significant as it moves us one step closer to creating an important link between the United States and Australia on rare earths and critical minerals,” he said.
“We believe the Donald Project is exceptional, as it contains large quantities of the ‘light’, ‘mid’ and ‘heavy’ rare earth oxides needed for a varie-
ty of commercial, clean energy and defence technologies.”
Victorian Minister for Energy and Resources Lily
D’Ambrosio said the approved work plan addressed recommendations from the Environmental Effects Statement, EES, process, completed in 2008. The company is required to progressively rehabilitate the mine, ensuring the land is restored and returned to a productive state.
For the life of the project, a condition has been included to ensure the company monitors air quality at the site and publish real-time dust level data on its website.
Launched as part of the Economic Growth Statement, the Critical Minerals Roadmap is helping drive development of the state’s mineral resources while ensuring the community is engaged throughout the life of the projects by companies awarded the rights to extract state-owned minerals.
Ms D’Ambrosio said developing minerals was crucial to energy transition as it helped provide the materials needed for solar panels, wind turbines and batteries and opened up new supply-chain opportunities for Victoria.
“We’re kick-starting Victoria’s critical minerals boom
with the approval of the first works plan for one of the state’s most significant mine sites in decades, providing the essential minerals we need for our renewable energy transition,” she said.
“All mining processes in Victoria are heavily regulated and the safety of the community, environment and infrastructure is built into key approvals such as the work plan for the Donald Mineral Sands Project.”
Mr Milgate said the community, and DPLG would keep DMS under ‘constant scrutiny’.
“We’ll be blowing the whistle every time. They can’t just come here and operate and do
whatever they like, so we’ll be holding them to account as best we can,” he said.
“It wouldn’t surprise me in any way, shape or form if, before they even dig a grain of sand here, it’ll get sold –there’ll be some takeover bid and they’ll make a heap of money and some mining company will buy it and take it on.
“ They still haven’t got any power there. They still haven’t got any water there and they still haven’t fixed the road out there, which is part of the condition, so they’ve still got a long way to go.”
The SEC is delivering Victoria’s first 100% publicly owned, large-scale renewable energy project – right here in Horsham. Construction of the solar farm and renewable energy storage facility on Horsham-Lubeck Road is well underway, and we’re on track for completion in 2027.
Help shape the Community Benefit Fund
We are setting up a Community Benefit Fund of $126,000 during the three year construction period and an additional $2 million over the project’s operational life.
We are calling for your ideas to help guide how this fund will be designed and delivered to best support the Horsham community.
Have your say online or attend a local information session.
Contact us:
1300 305 700 (9am – 5pm Monday to Friday) info.SEC@secvictoria.com.au
Community information sessions June 21 - July 24
Come along to meet the team and share your ideas. Dates and venues in the link below.
Have your say: engage.vic.gov.au/secrenewable-energy-parkhorsham
Danny Stain presents
THE HITS FROM THE 50s, 60s & 70s Saturday, July 5 DINNER & SHOW $70 and a Dance Floor! Doors open 6pm. Dinner served 6.30pm July 11: Line Dancing July 17 & 18: Country Music August 8 & 9: Elvis
Agriculture first
Last year our Mine Free Wimmera Farms members had to endure published memes and quotes from Energy Minister Lily D’ambrosia and Victoria’s Premier Jacinta Allan about how nuclear is toxic, risky and causes cancer, when they were standing firm on the prospect of nuclear energy never happening in Victoria.
And now we have the Donald Project just outside Minyip and Rupanyup, a mining company getting approval to dig up our prime Wimmera cropping farmland to ultimately get uranium for the production of nuclear energy in the US.
Minerals are also being shipped to China for their processing and end use.
While the Donald Project’s chief executive Tiger Brown is quick to deflect from the fact that uranium is present by calling it only in ‘trace amounts’, US uranium producer Energy Fuels boss Mark Chalmers has said the rare earth deal ‘perfectly complemented’ the company’s uranium mining and processing operations.
“Rare earth elements and uranium production go hand-in-hand, as the concentrate from the Donald project contains decades of low-cost recoverable uranium, which perfectly complements the company’s large-scale uranium production,” he said.
“While this represents only a small part of our total uranium production, these pounds of uranium are very valuable to us because their incremental cost of production is expected to be very low, while providing a secure source of uranium for the generation of clean, carbon-free electricity in the US.”
This narrative of only ‘trace amounts’ of uranium needs to also be understood with the knowledge that you only need a little bit of uranium to do big things.
One kilogram of uranium may produce the same amount of energy as 1500 tonnes of coal.
The US-based joint venture partner for the Donald Project, Energy Fuels, believes they will obtain about 45 tonnes of uranium from phase one alone per annum.
We do question the legality of the Donald Project as uranium mining is banned in Victoria. And, if you were a farmer in Western Australia you would have the option to approve or veto this project from your farmland.
However, the Victorian Government has approved this mining project, which will remove valuable cropping land, create toxic dust and ripdown generational homes where children live. Wimmera farmland has increased in value more than any other Australian property type over the past two decades, according to The Australian Property Institute, API, in its inaugural valuation report.
The reasons for this are because of innovative farming practices, the soil types, the growing markets for new crop varieties like lentils, and the global demand for 60 per cent more food production.
The mental health of farming families is our top priority at this stage and we will work with the Dunmunkle Land Protection Group and others on a strategy moving forward.
The mining work plan is not something that gets shared, we understand, and the project today is fundamentally different from what was proposed in the 2008 Environmental Effects Statement, EES.
This entire project covers 107,191 acres of Wimmera farmland in phases so the impacts will roll-on for decades in those communities.
Our young farmers must have a healthy future. In 1999, Jacinta Allan stated: “People are worried sick about losing their homes, the impact of the extension of mines on their lifestyle and the environment. This message must be delivered loud and clear to the government.”
We agree.
Mine Free Wimmera Farms
Troubling feature
Horsham Mayor Ian Ross recently declared that ‘the current council was moving in a different trajectory from the past two councils’.
This is indeed true, but not in a way that serves our community’s best interests.
One of the most troubling features of the current council is its apparent unanimity.
Rather than engaging in rigorous debate or reflecting the broad and diverse views of our community, councillors seem to simply agree with one another, presenting a united front that lacks genuine discussion or challenge.
This absence of robust debate raises concerns about whether the full spectrum of community perspectives is being heard, respected, and represented in council decisions.
Beneath this calm and seemingly harmonious exterior, however, the new council’s decisions are quietly undermining our community’s progress.
The removal of parking meters is a prime example. The council’s own financial plan projected these would generate $1-million in revenue over five years, funds now lost to our community.
Most concerning is the council’s decision to abandon a funding application for upgrades to the skate park and aquatic centre, both of which were projects that would have dramatically improved accessibility for all.
Council staff dedicated months to preparing a submission for a grant that would have delivered $1-million in upgrades to the skate park for just a $250,000 investment from council. This opportunity was inexplicably rejected.
The fate of the Horsham City Oval project is shrouded in secrecy.
Ratepayers have been shut out of closed-door meetings, unable to witness or judge the debate.
After six years of planning and budgeting for a $10-million project, with just $5-million to be funded locally, the project was scrapped.
Instead, council proposes to renovate an old building without disclosing the ongoing maintenance costs, or how these renovations will be funded.
This council is indeed on a different trajectory – one that abandons investment, transparency, and opportunity.
The previous councils sought out funding, delivered new projects, and left behind a healthy bank balance with minimal debt.
In contrast, the current council’s actions raise serious questions about their adherence to the Councillor Code of Conduct, particularly the principle of integrity.
How does refusing a Federal Government grant serve our community’s interests?
How does it not bring discredit to the council and the region as a whole?
It is clear that this council does not represent the views and values of all its constituents. Our community deserves better.
We deserve leadership that seizes opportunities, invests in our future, and acts with transparency and integrity.
Abby Cooper Horsham
Police are seeking information on an incident where a driver reached speeds of up to 220 kilometres an hour on the Western Highway, west of Horsham, on Thursday.
Police tracked a car with stolen number plates in the Horsham area after officers observed the black Holden Commodore on the Western Highway near Pink Lake at about 2.30pm, travelling up to 176kmh.
Officers made the decision not to use stop sticks, with the vehicle increasing to speeds of up to 220kmh. The car was last seen on Rasmussen Road in Horsham at about 3.10pm the same day. Police are still investigating the whereabouts of the car and its driver. Anyone who witnessed the incident, has CCTV or dashcam footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Monday will mark 20 years to the day since the London bombings – a moment in time that changed much of the world forever.
Apart from the fact that it makes me feel old to think it was two decades ago, it also brings back memories of a traumatic time when I waited to hear from my parents who were visiting my brother in London at the time.
It was only a couple of years before that I had couch-surfed at my brother’s place for what was initially going to be a couple of weeks, and soon turned into a couple of months.
It is easy to fall in love with London.
Steeped in rich tradition and history – yet home to an eclectic mix of cultures – to a young person it was my first taste of big city living.
And to be lucky enough to have your brother as a long-term resident was a stroke of luck for a young traveller.
Eventually it was mum and dad’s turn to visit – their first trip overseas – and on day two they had stepped out to see the sights.
Walking near Tower Bridge, they started to hear more and more sirens.
Initially just thinking that must be the norm for London, it soon started to ring alarm bells.
They stopped in at a pub – as you do in London – and were soon told ‘London is being bombed’.
Not the news you want to hear as you walk the streets of a foreign city, particularly as a not-soworldly couple from regional Australia.
With the phone network going down, they were unable to reach my brother or his wife to see if they were okay, or seek advice on what to do.
On July 7, 2005, a series of four co-ordinated suicide attacks by Islamist terrorists had targeted the London public transport system.
‘The tube’ – the city’s underground train network – was a part of daily life for most people in London, and the organisation that ran it, Transport for London, was my brother’s long-term employer.
Not only did it cause carnage on the train and
By Lauren Henry
bus system, killing 52 and injuring 800, it also shut down the city.
Three homemade bombs were detonated in quick succession aboard the trains in inner London, with a fourth terrorist detonating another bomb on a double-decker bus.
I distinctly remember being at home – I still lived with my parents at the time – watching The Footy Show when Eddie McGuire broke away from the AFL footy news to let viewers know that a series of bombs had gone off in London. My heart sank. I tried to text mum, but there was no reply. Soon, our home phone started ringing, with relatives and friends checking in to see if I had heard from mum and dad. I hadn’t and it was starting to worry me.
As the night went on, we heard from news reports the phone network had gone down so it was likely we weren’t going to be able to contact them or they call us.
But my worry was nothing compared to what mum and dad were going through, as they sat in a pub in London and waited it out until it was safe to return back to my brother’s house.
For my brother – unable to use the shutdown public transport system – he spent a couple of hours walking home.
London had not made the best first impression on my parents, and they soon headed for the English countryside for a quieter, and safer, holiday.
Twenty years later it was a day that our family will never forget, but our worry seemed trivial compared to what many Londoners endured that day. A dark day in our history, which ultimately changed lives forever.
Approaching
The story ‘Legacy rewards junior speakers’ in last week’s edition incorrectly stated that Hopetoun’s Darcy Milburn won the Wimmera Legacy Junior Public Speaking Competition; Murtoa College’s Lyra Reardon won the competition. Darcy placed second, ahead of Murtoa College’s Chardonnay Pickering.
The Weekly Advertiser apologises for the distress caused by the error.
BY LAUREN HENRY
The annual community satisfaction survey results show Horsham Rural City Council receive a significant boost in the council direction scores.
Horsham councillors received and noted the survey results at their monthly meeting last week.
Conducted by independent research provider JWS Research, a total of 400 residents and ratepayers were randomly surveyed between January 28 and March 16.
HRCC’s overall performance score increased to 48, up five points from 2024 but still below the averages for both the regional centres group, 54, and the statewide average of 53.
Council’s biggest improvement was in the council direction category, jumping from 37 to 61, above the regional centre average of 48 and state average of 46.
Categories that council scored higher than the regional centre and state averages were: customer service, up eight points to 70; and sealed roads, up from 38 to 46.
Other categories where council increased scores, but still remain below the regional centre and state average, were: value for money, from 41 to 44; waste management, from 55 to 63; consultation and engagement, 43 to 48; community decisions 40 to 47; and unsealed roads, 33 to 36.
Mayor Ian Ross welcomed the improvements but said the coun-
cil was aiming for higher scores in future years.
“This result indicates that the community is gaining confidence in the direction the council is taking,” he said.
“It’s encouraging, and it reinforces the importance of staying focused on long-term goals while continuing to listen and respond to community needs.”
Cr Ross said the results show early signs of recovery following a challenging period over the past two years.
“The survey offers valuable insights into both our strengths and the areas that require further attention,” he said.
“We’ve made meaningful progress, but there is still more to be done. It’s essential that our community feels heard and has confidence in the way the council makes decisions.”
Cr Ross said the report also highlighted the need for more targeted efforts to strengthen engagement, particularly in relation to consultation processes and responsiveness to community priorities.
He acknowledged areas of improvement, including unsealed roads, which remain the lowestperforming category despite a slight improvement in score.
At last week’s meeting, councillors thanked staff for their efforts.
Cr Todd Wilson said the council’s 2025-26 Budget reflected the need for more work to be done to address unsealed roads.
“The slight turnaround is a posi-
tive result, but our numbers are still behind our comparable councils and more work is required to bring our numbers back up to the relevant averages,” he said.
“On a positive, it is a testament to our staff as a whole, that our customer service result is so high.”
Cr Angela Munn said it was encouraging to have community backing.
“ As our whole organisation provides customer service in some form, I’m thrilled to note that the community has rated us significantly higher than last year in that particular section,” she said.
“It’s ‘well done’ to everyone. I’m also grateful that the survey has provided its highest ever rating for the direction of council.”
Cr Rebecca Sluggett said she was pleased with the increased survey results, especially the council direction, which was well above average.
“However, I also note the previous council term also started with an overall lift, and I’m therefore very mindful,” she said.
“We need to continue doing our best to achieve good outcomes and build a future that is led by the community who live and work here.
“I’d also just like to acknowledge and thank staff who’ve had to adapt to quite a different approach, and I thank them for their daily efforts.”
In 2025, 56 of 79 councils across Victoria participated in the survey program.
More detailed results from Ararat Rural City Council’s 2025 community satisfaction survey are now available, showing the council scoring above the statewide average across all performance measures.
The council had an overall performance score of 64 out of 100 points, outperforming the statewide average of 53 by 11 points, as well as the average of other small rural councils, at 54, by 10 points.
The survey, conducted by research agency National Field Services, is commissioned by Local Government Victoria annually as part of a statewide effort to benchmark each Victorian council across a range of measures.
According to the 400 Ararat Rural City residents surveyed, the council’s highest performing service areas were arts centres and libraries, 75 per cent satisfaction, emergency and disaster management, 75
per cent, and waste management, 73 per cent.
Chief executive Tim Harrison said the council was pleased with its results.
“We’ve outperformed the state average in every measure this year, which is a truly impressive achievement for a small rural council,” he said.
“It’s especially encouraging to see a whole range of measures in the 70s, with some even 10 points ahead of state averages.
“While we’re performing extremely well compared to the rest of the state and other small rural councils, we recognise there’s still a long way to go before we are where we need to be.”
The full survey results are now available on the council’s website at www.ararat. vic.gov.au/council/council-documents/ community-satisfaction-survey.
Transmission Company Victoria, TCV, has pushed back the timelines for the Victoria to New South Wales Interconnector, VNI West, project announcing on Monday a new completion date of late 2030.
The original completion date was set for 2028, but the timeline has been updated due to ‘revised planning, design and construction assumptions for one of Victoria’s most significant energy infrastructure projects’.
“The new construction completion target allows more time for detailed environmental, geotechnical and cultural assessments, along with more meaningful landholder engagement on access and easement arrangements,” TCV spokesperson Claire Cass said.
“We know this updated timeline may be frustrating, but we’re committed to working with landholders respectfully and providing the support they need to consider what is best for them, their properties, and farming or business operations.
“While the timeline has shifted, the critical purpose of VNI West remains the same – to deliver the infrastructure needed to keep Victoria’s lights on, and help put downward pressure on electricity prices.”
The timeline update coincides with the upcoming release of the VNI West Land Easement and Access Package, which will be delivered directly to landholders along the project easement.
Landholder liaisons have begun contacting landholders in the project easement to arrange in-person discussions and to deliver the tailored
package, which reflects landholder feedback, and months of detailed planning and assessment information about compensation, project benefit payments, and field survey access terms.
“For the first time, landholders will receive detailed information about the project benefit payments they can receive, indicative propertyspecific impact compensation and field survey access terms. This is what landholders have been asking for, and we look forward to unpacking the total benefits available,” Ms Cass said.
TCV has advised that reviewing the package, meeting with a landholder liaison, or agreeing to survey access, does not indicate support for the project.
Landholders with questions are encouraged to contact their landholder liaison or phone the VNI West project team on 1800 824 221.
TCV is currently developing a program to recognise neighbours – those living near, but not directly hosting, infrastructure – who are affected by the project.
The program will align with VicGrid’s draft Renewable Energy Zone Community Benefits Plan.
A Social Value Strategy is also being developed to guide broader community benefits, funded directly by the project and separate to the State Government’s community and traditional owner benefits programs.
The draft strategy, being co-developed with a reference group of local representatives and shaped through ongoing community and stakeholder input, will be released publicly for feedback in coming months.
Simon Gilmore and Chris Hauselberger from Acoustic Box Duo performed at Dimboola Bowling Club as part of Hindmarsh Shire Council’s seniors concerts last week. The concerts, in Nhill, Dimboola, Rainbow and Jeparit, were thanks to funding from the Foundation for Rural Regional Renewal.
They’re
So what’s the best thing to do?
many? Is it Panadol, Nurofen, advil, etc?
1) Stop and think why you have a headache, maybe you need to have a couple of glasses of water, maybe eat something, maybe you need to sit out of the glaring hot sun, maybe you’re tired?
2) Have those 2 glasses of water and sit quietly and have a rest if you can.
3) See your chiropractor.
Chiropractors are great at looking after headaches. A good chiropractor will listen and take a comprehensive history. They will check your spine to see what stiffness and fixations are attributing to the problem. It may be a simple adjustment that helps you or it maybe more complicated. No matter what the issue a good chiropractor can assist and guide you to have the best possible outcome and work with other professionals to the benefit of your health.
Interesting fact: children suffer headaches and migraines, however they often start off as tummy pains and as the child gets older become headaches and migraines. Chiropractors are good at identifying these issues too.
Dr. Pauline Walsh B.
BY BRONWYN HASTINGS
ABallyrogan wind farm proposal has been met with community resistance, with a convoy of tractors, trucks and other vehicles carrying oppositional signage, arriving at Monday’s Squadron Energy information session at Tatyoon Hall.
Tatyoon district community member Anthony Brady, who was part of the convoy, said the wind farm proposal for the Ballyrogan-Tatyoon-Maroona area had divided the community.
“Our main concern is what it will do to the environment and landscape, but also what it will do to our community and the division it creates,” he said.
“We don’t need that division. There are a lot of people in the district who are against wind turbines that are 250 metres-plus tall – they are something that impacts neighbours greatly, both visual amenity and also sound and other things.”
Mr Brady said a crowd of about 80 people attended, many driving vehicles with signs attached.
“There are a lot of vehicles and a lot of younger people as well,” he said.
“It’s a family farming district and the families have turned up to express their views.”
The proposed Ballyrogan Wind Farm, which will have up to 164 turbines and a battery energy storage system about 10 kilometres south of Ararat, is in the initial stage of community consultation and planning.
Squadron Energy’s general manager of development Alastair Smith said community input was a key focus from the outset.
“Our top priority is the local com-
munity. We’re committed to involving residents early in the process so we can collaborate and shape this project together,” he said.
“This project has a strong focus on delivering lasting benefits to the region, supporting the local economy, creating job opportunities, funding vital community programs, and leaving a positive legacy for years to come.”
Mr Smith said information session attendees raised issues both about the project, and the impact on the community.
“People were very passionate about their area, and concerned about what we’re proposing,” he said.
“We are genuinely there to hear all views about the project. We will reflect on everything we heard.
“Once we had some comfort around those aspects, that’s when we have come public, so the engagement with community beyond our hosts is only four weeks old.”
Mr Smith said residents outlined concerns such as visual impact, noise, building and planning policies, agricultural operations and the scope of aerial firefighting.
“Firefighting generally is an issue in this area for obvious reasons – they have had a pretty torrid last two years, from a bushfire perspective, so I understand why that’s high on people’s minds,” he said.
Member for Wannon Dan Tehan said the division caused by the public announcement of the proposed wind farm was ‘deeply concerning’.
“The residents have been alarmed at the size and scale of the project, and the fact that, although this wind energy development has been in the pipeline for over two years, the community consultation has been left to the last minute,” he said.
cessfully, rather than seeking to go to individual landholders first.”
Mr Tehan said the Tatyoon had always been a ‘wonderful, tight knit’ community.
“It is the heart and soul of the local region, and to see it divided in this way is very, very sad,” he said.
Mr Smith said the project was not made public sooner as Squadron Energy wanted to be certain the proposal was worth discussing.
“This clearly has caused unrest and upset in the local community,” he said.
“We want to be certain there is something that is worth discussing and bringing to the community before there’s that potential to cause that unrest. The timing is often never perfect, and we can always be better, and we will strive to be better.”
Mr Smith said if the project was successful, there would be a significant and sizeable community benefits package, in the order of a million dollars a year from the project in operations and construction.
“Our people have been working on this project for several years to get an understanding of the project and its potential and likelihood of success.
“It is still possible, according to CFA guidelines, to conduct aerial firefighting, both fixed and rotary wing through a wind farm with management conditions in place. We do provide firefighting opportunities with access tracks and fire tanks and the like throughout our site.”
“The proponents, RE Futures and Squadron Energy, should make it very clear to the community that they have made a grave error in the way they have gone about putting this proposal together, and they will go back to the beginning and start by including all the community in their initial consultations.
“There are examples of community wind farms where the proponents have gone to the community first, where they’ve been put in place suc-
“We also have a neighbour agreement scheme where we pay those neighbours who are closest to the wind turbines, recognising that we do cause a change to their environment,” he said.
Squadron Energy, which is Australian owned, also owns and operates the wind farm at Murra Warra.
Mr Smith said the proposed Ballyrogan wind farm project would power around 1.1 million homes and prevent 900,000 tonnes of emissions annually.
The project would connect to the electricity network north of Elmhurst, via a 45-kilometre 220kV overhead transmission line.
Kat made the leap into early childhood education in 2019 after nearly two decades as a qualified chef.
Kat says every day brings new challenges—but that's exactly what she loves about it.
“I reflect on yesterday, challenge today and make a better tomorrow.”
Ready for yo r pivot? Ready for your pivot?
Aneight-week festival is set to bring light – both literal and metaphorical – to Halls Gap in the wake of one of the town’s darkest chapters.
The Glow festival, starting this Saturday and running until August 31, is a celebration of the town’s resilience following bushfires that ravaged the Grampians National Park during the summer of 2024-25.
The festival will coincide with the official opening of stage one of the Wildlife Art Museum of Australia, WAMA, in Halls Gap on Saturday – the first gallery in Australia dedicated to exploring environmental themes through contemporary art.
Organiser Blanche Leithhead said the festival was designed to showcase the region’s many attractions and entice tourists back to Halls Gap during what was typically a quiet period for the town.
“Some of the businesses here lost 60 per cent or more of their annual takings just over the summer holidays. It was devastating – tourists literally weren’t even allowed to come here,” she said.
“We thought let’s just light up the main street and make it glow, because it’s really beautiful here during winter.
“That’s the funny part – not many people come here during winter, but we as locals know that it’s the best time of year to be here because the waterfalls are flowing, the heath is
blooming and the eucalyptus is eucalypting.
“The idea was that if we host lots of little events that happen not just on the weekends but during the week, especially over the school holidays, it would encourage people to come here and stay a night. Then they’re in accommodation, they’re buying food and they’re doing activities, and that’s most of our entire economy, so everybody would benefit from that if people just came and stayed for a day or two.
“It’s an effort to try to look after our businesses and our community as a whole, and keep our businesses going because some of them were looking at having to shut up shop.”
Organisers have installed lighting displays along Halls Gap’s main street to tie in with the festival’s theme, with evening walks to view the lights organised throughout its duration.
Among the festival’s main attractions will be interactive shadow-and-light displays hosted by arts collective ACT Natimuk during each of the first four weekends, as well as events by local environmental art group WAMA Foundation.
Other events on the festival calendar include movie screenings, yoga and meditation sessions, icy dips in the Halls Gap pool, trail-running and walking events in nature, games and chocolate workshops aimed at children, community markets and more.
Ms Leithhead said organisers took a collaborative approach with Halls Gap residents when creating the festival.
“When the fires were still burning during the week between Christmas and New Year, a little committee of locals that we ended up calling ‘The Kitchen Cabinet’ got together, and someone from the council said they could expedite some money to do something for the community,” she said.
“With that money we threw a New Year’s Eve gathering for Halls Gap locals, which had a fantastic turnout.
“From then on we’ve been having weekly meetings. After the fires went out, we were doing a whole bunch of little activities just to keep our locals sane, together, connected and abreast of everything that was happening.
“We had a meeting with the local business people and about 30 people came along. We had a round table and just said ‘what are we going to do? How are we going to try to recoup some of the losses we’ve had?’”
Ms Leithhead said the festival was financially backed by Northern Grampians Shire Council and Regional Arts Australia. She said organisers hoped the festival would become an annual fixture on the Halls Gap calendar, allowing people to discover another side of the region.
People can find more information about the festival at www. glowhallsgap.com.au.
MOTIVATED: Horsham Girl Guides and leaders who are looking forward to the annual Jamboree in New South Wales later this year, from front left, Zoe Bandel, who is showing first raffle prize of a Thermomix TM7, leaders Delie Rowe and Wendy Rowe, and Girl Guides Holli Hallam, Julia Hastings and Georgie Schilling.
Horsham’s senior Girl Guides have their sights set on national camp event Jamboree this year, and are raising money to subsidise the costs.
Fundraising efforts have so far included a bake sale, assisting at the 150km Feast, private catering, and now the group is selling raffle tickets.
Girl Guide Zoe Bandel said there are four prizes in the raffle, with the limited tickets $25 each.
“First prize is a Thermomix TM7 valued at just under $3000, then we have a trailer load of wood for second prize, a brow kit for third prize, and a hamper from Amcal Chemist for fourth,” she said.
“People can visit our Facebook page to find a link to buy tickets – it will be drawn on July 11.”
The Facebook page can be found at www.
facebook.com/girlguideshorsham or people can also contact Leanne Schilling on 0448 820 041 to purchase tickets.
The six-day camp attracts girls and women from across Australia and internationally, and offers a variety of experiences in a different setting each year.
“This Jamboree has a theme of Bush to Beach, and has different one or two-day experiences for girls aged 14-plus,” Zoe said.
“We can choose from horse riding, an after dark aquarium experience, abseiling in Brisbane, theme parks, Currumbin sanctuary, overnight kayaking expedition, and snorkelling and surfing, to name a few – everyone does different things.”
About 1000 attendees are expected at the camp, where they will sleep in tents in mixed patrol groups.
Transfer stations at Pomonal, Willaura, Elmhurst and Moyston closed on Monday under an Ararat Rural City Council plan to streamline its waste services – a move officials said would help keep rates low across the municipality.
The Ararat and Lake Bolac transfer stations will continue to operate as usual under the plan.
Council chief executive Tim Harrison said high operating costs and
declining usage made the closures necessary.
Dr Harrison said the closed transfer stations were no longer financially viable.
“We acknowledge the community’s concerns regarding these changes, however, these facilities are no longer financially viable for council to maintain in their current format,” he said.
“By closing these transfer stations, we estimate we’ll save about $200,000 a year for ratepayers.
“We acknowledge the community’s concerns regarding these changes, however, these facilities are no longer financially viable for council to maintain in their current format”
– Dr Tim Harrison
“This decision reflects council’s continued commitment to responsible financial management, ensuring we can
continue to deliver essential services for the benefit of our community.”
Dr Harrison said residents requiring additional waste bins could complete an additional waste collection form.
People can download a copy of the form and find more information about the council’s waste services online at ararat.vic.gov.au/services/waste-andrecycling.
Hard copies of the form are also available from the council’s municipal offices.
Nominations for West Wimmera Shire Council’s citizen of the year award open on Monday for people aged 60 and older who are active in their communities, and who have a positive attitude towards community wellbeing. Mayor Tim Meyer said there were many people in the region who made an outstanding contribution to their community.
“If they are aged over 60, this is an excellent opportunity to nominate them for Senior Citizen of the Year,” he said.
Pomonal resident and Stawell College graduate Tayla Field has received a Youthrive Victoria scholarship to assist her Bachelor of Biomedical Science studies at Deakin University.
Throughout her schooling, Ms Field demonstrated exceptional leadership and academic achievement, serving in leadership roles during her primary and secondary education.
Her commitment to excellence was recognised through awards including the Grampians Health Stawell Award for Biology, Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars Award, and scholarships from Ararat Rural City Council and Lions club.
Outside of the classroom, Ms Field showed the same passion for service and teamwork, as an active member of the Pomonal Rural Fire Brigade, and vice-captain of the under-18s Moyston-Willaura Netball Club.
After completing her studies, she plans to return to the Grampians region and contribute to local health services.
Ms Field’s University Scholarship was made possible through the support of the Tilley family, awarded
as part of the Chris and Marli Tilley Scholarship established in honour of two much-loved residents who believed in the power of education to uplift rural communities.
Along with mentoring, leadership development and wraparound care, Ms Field will receive $10,000 each year for three years of her degree.
Since 2011, Youthrive Victoria has awarded more than $2.75-million across two scholarship streams to help rural students overcome the financial, geographic and social barriers that can impact their access to education.
Youthrive Victoria’s Rural Chances Scholarship offers $5000 to support students undertaking vocational training, helping cover essential costs such as tools, travel, and equipment.
Scholarships are merit-based and are awarded to young people living in rural or regional Victoria who express a desire to return to and contribute to their communities.
University scholarships close on August 15, while Rural Chances Scholarships close on October 20. People can find out more and apply at www.youthrivevictoria.org.au.
Ararat Rural City Council has planned a series of activities to keep children entertained in a winter school holiday program.
Running from Monday to Thursday, July 17, the program will include a range of free events and activities including Extended Lego, Movie Monday, NAIDOC Craft and Game Time Trials at the Ararat Library. Ararat Gallery TAMA will host drop-in NAIDOC Week-inspired activities, as well as a special NAIDOC
Week program led by Kirrae Whurrung artist Brett Clarke.
Comedy duo Jon and Jero will perform at Ararat Town Hall, promising an hour of silliness that combines physical comedy, big characters and improvisation in a choose-your-ownadventure-style show on Tuesday.
The show will be from 11am to 11.50am, with a workshop from 1pm. It is suited for children aged five and older, with tickets costing between $5 and $30 for the performance, and $5
for the workshop. Tickets are available online at ararattownhall.com.au/ event/jon-and-jero.
Mayor Jo Armstrong said the council was ‘very pleased to be able to offer such a diverse and engaging winter school holiday program’.
“There’s something for every child to enjoy during the break,” she said.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for our young residents to explore new interests, be creative, and make lasting memories in a safe and welcoming
environment across our wonderful facilities.”
People can visit ararat.vic.gov.au/ events for more information.
Full program: Monday, 2-4pm, Movie Monday at Ararat Library; Tuesday, Jon and Jero at Ararat Town Hall, 11-11.50am performance, 1pm workshop; Thursday, July 10, 10am12.30pm, drop-in NAIDOC Weekinspired activities at Ararat Gallery TAMA; Thursday, July, 10, 3-5pm, Extended Lego at Ararat Library;
“There are many quiet achievers within our local communities who deserve recognition. We encourage people to start thinking about who they can nominate for this award.”
Nomination forms are available online at westwimmera.vic.gov.au and forms can also be collected from customer service centres at Edenhope and Kaniva. Nominations close at 5pm on August 18.
The winner will be selected by council in a closed session at its September meeting and the winner announced at council’s seniors’ concert in Kaniva on October 21. This year’s concert will feature an Everly Brothers and Buddy Holly tribute show.
For more information and to submit nominations, people can visit www.westwimmera.vic.gov.au or call Amanda Munn on 13 99 72.
Natimuk Show is a finalist in Victorian Agricultural Show awards inaugural ‘best marketing campaign’ section. Named a finalist in the medium show section, along with Koroit in the small section and Bendigo and Berwick in the large section, the winners will be announced at the VAS state convention in Bendigo on July 12. Other inaugural awards will be presented for innovation and individual contribution.
Friday, July, 11, 2-3pm, NAIDOC craft at Ararat Library; Monday, July 14, 2-4pm, Movie Monday at Ararat Library; Tuesday, July 15, 11.30am12.30pm and 2-3pm, special NAIDOC Week program led by artist Brett Clarke at Ararat Gallery TAMA, bookings required, call 5355 0220 or email gallery@ararat.vic.gov.au; Wednesday, July 16, 3-5pm, Game Time Trials at Ararat Library; Thursday, July 17, 3-5pm, Extended Lego at Ararat Library.
Weekdays from
BY BRONWYN HASTINGS
Yesterday’s
Western Victorian Careers Expo at Longerenong was its biggest event yet, showcasing about 100 exhibitors’ career and educational pathways to about 2000 people.
Exhibitors presented information, provided hands-on experiences and gave people direction in trades, tertiary education, and the many pathways and employment opportunities available in their respective fields.
First-time exhibitor Tom Ryan, education program manager with Royal Flying Doctor Service, said his aeromedical simulator in the Moore Exhibition Centre created a lot of interest.
“This is a great event – I’ve met a lot of kids who want to work in early childhood, and a lot who want to work in health, and a lot who don’t know what they want to do, but they like my aeroplane anyway,” he said.
“I met a girl who has been transported four times because she has seizures. She jumped on the plane just before and said that it was the first time she had been on one of these when she had been conscious.”
Mr Ryan said RFDS offered a variety of employment opportunities.
“There would be a hundred different sorts of jobs that you could do with the flying doctors, everything from being a pilot, to a flight nurse, to a doctor, to a marketing person – it’s such a significant contributor to Australia,” he said.
Year 10 Lake Bolac P-12 College student Harmony Gordon said she was narrowing down her career options.
“I’m looking to do something in health, but I’m not sure what yet,” she said.
“I have been to the expo before – it’s really good to see all the other schools here.”
In the Try VET Centre in the Alan Heard Pavilion, an expo-first wounds demonstration hosted by Federation University offered a health industry hands-on experience.
Federation University nursing program support officer Petena Thomas said a range of experiences brought people to their exhibit.
“As well as the wounds, we have an interactive mannequin – you can listen to its heart-rate, it coughs, it moans, all things we use in prac rooms,” she said.
“We also have lucky dips, hangman and connect four, and a draw where people can win a $50 voucher.
“We’ve seen people here who are interested in nursing, and others who think it’s just a bit of fun and would like to win a prize.”
Expo organiser David Crooks said a variety of experiences were popular.
“Certainly, the Royal Flying Doctor Service flight simulator was popular, and Makita Tools, who have done a lot of hands-on activities with kids about how to safely use power tools and the like,” he said.
“The stage from Horsham Town Hall drew a lot of people, and of course, our major sponsor FedUni was always popular.
“It was fabulous today, we had huge crowds, and the most exhibitors we’ve ever had at a careers expo – a really great day with lots of people and lots of action.
Over the last 20 years, I’ve shaped my investment philosophy and business around one central idea: direct investing.
Rather than relying heavily on managed funds or exchange-traded funds, ETFs, I focus on investing directly into Australian and international businesses – companies we know and use every day, such as Microsoft and Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram. This approach wasn’t something I decided on overnight. It grew out of personal experiences, early lessons in my career, and a desire to offer something that felt fair, transparent, and effective for my clients.
Let me take you through the journey that brought me here.
The lesson of the margin loan
In 2003, as a young financial adviser, I took out my first margin loan of $80,000.
It was March – right at the bottom of the dot-com crash and just before the second Iraq War. Timing-wise, I couldn’t have been luckier. Within a few short months, the investment had grown significantly, and I held it for quite some time.
But then came the surprise: a hefty tax bill from the ATO. What had happened? It turns out that the managed fund I had invested in carried unrealised capital gains from years prior. When the fund realised those gains during the financial year I became a unit holder, I inherited the tax liability – despite only holding the investment for a short time.
It was an expensive lesson in how trusts operate and why tax outcomes can become a hidden cost in managed investments. The stockbroker conflict Around the same time, another experience shaped my thinking.
A stockbroker who handled my parents’ and business partner’s portfolios called
Ararat Rural City Council has secured $7.3-million from the Federal Government’s Housing Support Program, to build critical enabling infrastructure that will support the development of up to 90 new homes in Ararat.
Located at the former Prestige Fabric Mill site on Queen Street in Ararat, the project will focus on housing affordability, with 70 per cent of the new dwellings allocated for social, community, and affordable housing. The project will include upgrades to roads, drainage, pathways, streetlights, and utilities.
Demolition works have previously been carried out at the site by a licensed contractor, including works to safely remove asbestos.
Council chief executive Tim Harrison said works were undertaken in close collaboration with WorkSafe Victoria, ensuring the demolition to be managed safely and without risk to the community or nearby properties.
“Our region is facing a persistent housing shortage that needs action to ensure the longevity of our local economy and the sustainability of our community,” he said.
“Council is focused on the future. We’re actively working to attract development that will create jobs and drive investment in our region, benefitting our local businesses, industries and our residents.”
with Robert Goudie CFP GradDipFP Consortium Private Wealth
me with advice to sell Woolworths, citing limited growth prospects. Within two weeks, that same broker called my family to recommend buying Woolworths. The clear conflict of interest was impossible to ignore: the broker’s income depended on generating commissions through frequent transactions, regardless of what was truly in our best interests.
Why direct investing works
These lessons led me to design a direct investing approach that prioritises transparency, tax efficiency, and alignment with client goals. Here’s why I believe this method works:
• Greater tax control. Direct investing eliminates the risk of inheriting someone else’s tax liabilities. For example, if a company in your portfolio undergoes a takeover, we can manage the tax implications by selling portions of the holding across financial years or offsetting gains with losses in the portfolio. This level of control simply isn’t possible with managed funds.
• Lower fees. Managed funds and ETFs come with ongoing fees that can eat into returns. While these products aren’t wrong – they’re often cost-effective for smaller accounts and superannuation – direct investing allows me to reduce fees for my clients. Saving $10,000 a year in fees might not guarantee higher returns, but it’s a tangible, consistent benefit that compounds over time.
• Transparency and ownership. My clients know what they own and why. They
also have input into their portfolios, which builds confidence and understanding. This isn’t just a service – it’s how I manage my own money, and it’s the standard I’ve built my business around.
The challenges and benefits
Managing direct investments is no small task. From share registries to administration, the back-office workload for my business is significant. But the benefits for my clients make it worthwhile. By investing directly, we:
• Avoid conflicts of interest – no commissions are received for transactions.
• Focus on high-quality businesses held for the long term.
• Offer a tailored, personalised approach that aligns with individual goals. When it make sense
It’s important to note that managed funds and ETFs aren’t wrong. For many investors – particularly those with smaller accounts or superannuation balances – they offer a simple, cost-effective way to build wealth.
However, for non-superannuation entities and larger portfolios, the tax and fee advantages of direct investing can make a significant difference.
Built by experience, for the client
My direct investing approach wasn’t born out of theory – it came from real experiences, hard lessons, and a desire to offer something I’d be happy with as a client.
Over the past two decades, I’ve seen the benefits this method provides, from tax efficiency to greater transparency and control. If you’re considering how to invest your wealth, remember: no single strategy is right for everyone. But by focusing on what aligns with your goals, values, and financial situation, you can make decisions that serve you well over the long term.
• The information provided in this article is general in nature only and does not constitute personal financial advice.
NEW LEADER: Rotary Club of Horsham East welcomed incoming president Rick Hopper, pictured right with outgoing president Terry Harris, at an event last month. The event introduced all board members for the 2025-26 year, while also celebrating the club’s many successes. In the past year, the club was again a part of a youth exchange program, supported the Cambodia Eye Care Foundation and Blue Tree Project, and has assisted other community organisations with events such as the Apex Longy Ball and several fundraising barbecues. Mr Hopper will start his presidential year by attending the International Rotary Convention in Calgary, Canada.
Horsham Sports and Community Club distributed $146,000 at its annual sponsorship presentation last month, where 120 volunteers represented 103 recipient sporting clubs and community groups.
These clubs and groups were of a broad cross-section of the community – 46 sporting clubs, six fire brigades, 25 service clubs, six community halls, three art groups, three music groups, three animal-related organisations, four education-focused groups, and seven historical societies.
Club manager Daniel Hounsell said the sponsorship program was designed to assist, advance and encourage sporting and community activities, while supporting their volunteers.
“This funding helps ease the burden on so many tireless volunteers who work year-round to keep their clubs and groups operating and growing,” he said.
“We’re proud that this support reaches every corner of our region.”
The recipients included: First Warracknabeal Scout Group, who received $1500 for new tents; Rotary Club of Horsham $700 for a transportable barbecue; Lawloit Public Hall $1000 for an urn, trestle table, and powerpoint installation; and Hopetoun Patchwork Group $1000 for quilt backing fabric.
Other groups to receive grants were Goroke Agricultural and Pastoral Society $1000 for pavilion display board and area upgrades; Wimmera Association for Genealogy $340 for Ancestry
donation for Jeparit Agricultural and Pastoral Society.
and Microsoft subscriptions; and Yaapeet Community Club $2000 to build a wood-fired pizza oven.
“It’s about more than just money – it’s about strengthening community ties, encouraging participation, and creating opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds,” Mr Hounsell said.
Since its inception in 1992, the club has contributed more than $3.8-million in cash sponsorships.
People can visit www.hscc.org. au for more information on the club’s sponsorship programs.
SUPPORT: Patient Ida with her support specialists, from left, dietitian Olivia Dunstan, stomal therapy nurse Bernadette Beahan, Grampians Health at Home nurse Janet Johnson and Grampians Health at Home GP Dr Shyann Kumar.
Grampians Health last week celebrated support networks providing care for people with a stoma, with a theme of ‘celebrating ostomateship’ during Stomal Therapy Week.
A stoma is a surgically created opening that allows bodily waste to exit the body and be collected in a bag.
Horsham-based Grampians Health stomal therapy nurse Bernadette Beahan said an ostomate was someone with a stoma.
“There are several scenarios for an individual to require a stoma. In instances of bowel or bladder cancer it may be necessary for a surgeon to insert an artificial opening on the wall to the abdomen to collect waste,” she said.
“There are different types of stomas, and the types depend on the location and manner of surgery along the digestive or urinary tract.”
Ms Beahan said Stomal Therapy Week,
which was from June 23 to 29, was a chance for her to thank people who supported her work as a stomal therapy nurse.
In her role, Ms Beahan provides specialist care and support to patients from across the Wimmera-Mallee region in the management of their stoma.
Whether a patient’s stoma is temporary or permanent, she provides practical and emotional support, with a goal that her patients not only adapt to a stoma but learn to thrive and participate in their usual activities.
“Of course I can’t do that without support,” she said.
“I want to acknowledge the substantial contribution made by my clinician colleagues for their expertise and care for our ostomates.
“And more importantly is the contribution and support given by family and carers to their loved ones living with a stoma.”
BY LAUREN HENRY
Rural City Council has called on the Victorian Governor to reserve her powers and not sign the State Government’s Emergency Services Volunteer Fund Levy Bill as it awaits royal assent.
At last week’s council meeting, councillors unanimously passed a motion to ‘vehemently oppose’ the proposed introduction of the fund in its current form, due to the ‘significant, unfair and inequitable impacts it will have on the Shire’s farming, commercial and industrial sectors’.
The council called on the government to ‘recognise the role that farmers and the agricultural sector plays in food security and acknowledge they, together with the business and industrial sector in rural areas’, are the backbone of the nation, and to listen to the community and immediately repeal the implementation of the ESVF bill.
The government has created the ESVF to fund VICSES, Triple Zero Victoria, Forest Fire Management Victoria, Country Fire Authority and Fire Rescue Victoria, with eligible emergency services volunteers able to claim an exemption rebate.
The proposed levy has drawn
significant opposition from across regional Victoria, including a major protest on the steps of Parliament House.
Loddon Shire Council has written to all councils seeking support to join them in collective advocacy against the ESVF.
Council is considering joining the growing coalition of regional councils to strengthen advocacy and send a united message to the government, calling for a full review of the levy.
Mayor Ian Ross said the ESVF was ‘not just a matter of policy –it’s a matter of fairness for rural Victorians’.
“The timing and scale of this increase is deeply unjustifiable,” he said.
“Families, farmers, and small businesses across our municipality are already grappling with a cost-of-living crisis.
“For the State Government to impose this kind of financial pressure now is not only unfair – it’s unacceptable.
“We will continue to stand up and speak out for the people we represent. We will not back down.”
While the council acknowledges the government’s announcement that it will cap the ESVF levy at the Fire Services Property Levy’s 2024-25 rate for all
primary production properties in 2025–26 due to drought conditions, Cr Ross said the concession did not go far enough to ease the burden.
Council is also challenging the broader issue of being forced to collect ‘what is effectively a State Government tax’, and argues it places local governments in an unfair position and erodes public trust in the rates system.
At last week’s council meeting, Cr Rebecca Sluggett said she was really concerned the amount the government is looking to collect increased dramatically year-on-year.
“It’s unfair that a government that enforces a rate cap on us will then put such a significant rise in cost on the same bill, and one that will significantly impact not just farmers, but industrial and business sectors as well,” she said.
“ I implore the State Government again, please, please do what you can with what you already collect. The amount that they’re collecting in revenue has drastically increased, and yet the spending is still out of control.”
Hindmarsh and West Wimmera shire councils have both ranked above average of all participating municipalities state-wide in annual Local Government Community Satisfaction Surveys.
I have been encouraged by the rst batch of surveys sent back to my of ce as part of Mallee’s Biggest Survey – 2025 edition – which should have landed in your letterbox in the last week or so. You can also go to my website www.annewebster.com.au to share your views on over 35 questions about issues that matter to you. I value your voice, and I want to hear from you. As always, you can email me at anne.webster.mp@aph.gov.au if you want to outline your opinions further.
It’s too early to present you with ndings from that survey and responses received before 18 July are in the running to win a new 11-inch 128GB (A16) Apple iPad. Your answers are con dential within my of ce, and I will need your name and contact details in case you win the iPad draw.
I was recently in Canberra with some of your local mayors and councillors for the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) conference. As the new Shadow Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories I spoke at the 1,300 ALGA national general assembly about some of the struggles you and your
shires are facing, because I unashamedly support regional councils. While city councils had to hear some uncomfortable truths on how tough regional councils are doing it, a strong contingent of city mayors and councillors came to an event I held with Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Senator Bridget McKenzie, they were supportive of the issues I raised in my speech.
I also shared on that national stage stories from your region like Grampians bush re relief and Mount Arapiles climbing bans, highlighting that you are not alone and, for instance, the inadequacy of federal disaster relief arrangements which is a continuing concern.
There is an immense amount of work in the Local Government portfolio alone, as I also sink my teeth into the other Shadow Ministry responsibilities of Regional Communications, Regional Development and the Territories.
I am absolutely con dent my new role will bene t you in Horsham, the Wimmera and other communities because I remain 100 per cent focused on your needs.
The surveys asked residents to rate council performance across several key areas, including overall performance, community consultation, lobbying, decision making, customer service, sealed local roads, and overall council direction.
Hindmarsh chief executive Monica Revell said across the past year, council had placed a strong focus on improving communication with the community, both in listening to residents and providing information about services, decisions and spending.
She also said work that was not immediately visible to the community had an impact.
“Much of what we do happens quietly in the background – from maintaining local infrastructure to supporting vulnerable residents,” she said.
“These results show that even when our work isn’t always visible, it’s having a real and lasting impact on our community.”
Council performed significantly higher than the small rural group and state-wide averages on all core metrics, including overall performance, and in 10 out of 15 service areas included in the survey.
“Our highest-performing ar-
eas were appearance of public areas, waste management, and recreational facilities,” Mrs Revell said.
“These results reflect not only council’s work, but also the incredible efforts of our local volunteer groups, sporting clubs, businesses, and every resident and visitor who contributes to keeping our towns clean, welcoming and vibrant.”
Council’s lowest performing areas reflect feedback received through community engagement with farmers and for the Council Plan and 2025-2026 Budget.
Mrs Revell said council would continue to focus on service improvement in: planning and building services, by increasing administrative support for faster permit processing and better communication; elderly support services, such as continuing classic movie screenings, Cuppa Connections, and seniors’ concerts; enforcement of local laws, such as addressing the overpopulation of cats, and a review of local laws; slashing and weed control, by directly hosting a Landcare facilitator; and investing $4.15-million in sealed and unsealed local roads.
Ongoing efforts
West Wimmera chief executive David Bezuidenhout said his municipality’s results reflected consistency and ongoing efforts across the organisation.
“We’re pleased to see our
overall performance continuing to sit well above average for councils of our size,” he said.
“Customer service remains a real strength for us, and it’s encouraging to know our residents value the work of our staff.”
Top-performing service areas this year were appearance of public areas, elderly support services, enforcement of local laws, and waste management.
Council’s lowest-rated areas were unsealed roads, slashing and weed control, and sealed roads – all of which improved on last year’s results and rated well above both the small rural and state-wide averages.
Mr Bezuidenhout said roads, slashing and weed control remained a high priority and a key focus moving forward, with council currently developing its 2025-29 Council Plan, which outlines the organisation’s priorities and direction for the next four years.
“The insights gained from the survey will play an important role in shaping this plan, helping to ensure council’s future actions align with the needs and expectations of the community,” he said.
A minimum of 400 interviews were undertaken by the Department of Government Services in each municipality.
Councils received individual reports, which included comparisons to previous years, state-wide results and results grouped by like-councils.
Electrified Suzuki SUV range to include Fronx and Vitara Hybrids, and all-new e Vitara
Suzuki Australia has announced the arrival of three all-new SUV models it says signifies a new era of innovation, sustainability and style, continuing its legacy of reliability, combined with cutting-edge design and technology to meet the needs of Australian motorists.
Two hybrid and one battery-electric vehicle – a first for the Suzuki brand – will arrive in showrooms shortly, including the keenly anticipated Fronx, a coupe-styled SUV with compact proportions and the latest Suzuki safety technology.
Replacing the Ignis in the Suzuki Australia line-up, the Fronx is yet to be priced or specified, but is understood to feature a 1.5-litre four-cyl-
inder petrol engine with mild-hybrid assistance and six-speed automatic transmission.
GoAuto understands the light SUV segment Fronx will be offered with LED lighting, faux leather upholstery, a two-tier cargo area, heated front seats, a head-up display system, wireless phone charger and rear USB outlets.
In Japan, the Suzuki Fronx is offered with a substantial list of safety kit including a 360-degree camera system, adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, auto high beam, blind-spot monitoring, lane keeping assistance, rear cross-traffic alert, and up to six airbags.
“With the launch of the all-new Fronx Hybrid, we’re combining unique sporty styling with SUV herit-
age to deliver an exciting new product to our line-up,” Suzuki Australia general manager Michael Pachota said.
“Not only solidifying our presence in the light SUV segment, this vehicle will also open the doors to younger buyers looking to upgrade from a smaller hatchback to an SUV.”
The Suzuki Fronx is expected to go on sale locally from September 1.
Joining its mild-hybrid stablemate is the Vitara Hybrid, expected in showrooms in the first quarter of 2026.
The small segment SUV will introduce hybrid power to the Vitara range for the first time in Australia, though like the Fronx, specification and equipment details are yet to be divulged.
The other alternative open to Suzuki is a 1.5-litre four-cylinder pet-
rol-electric Vitara Hybrid making 100kW/198Nm of total system power.
In other markets, it features a sixspeed automated manual transmission and is available as a four-wheel drive.
Fuel consumption is listed at as little as five litres per 100 kilometres.
“Introducing a hybrid powertrain into our popular Vitara range is a major milestone,” Mr Pachota said.
“It shows our commitment to sustainable mobility and expands the options for customers seeking more environmentally-friendly driving without sacrificing the performance or features they know and love.”
Suzuki Australia said the Vitara Hybrid would introduce enhanced fuel efficiency, advanced safety features and modern convenience to the range.
Finally, the battery-powered e Vi-
tara will arrive as Suzuki’s first fullyelectric model when it joins the Vitara Hybrid in showrooms early next year.
As before, Suzuki Australia has not detailed equipment or specification details for the model.
“The e Vitara is our bold step into the future of mobility,” Mr Pachota said.
“It delivers on everything Suzuki drivers expect including reliability, capability and value, and now zeroemissions performance.
“It’s a proud moment as we take our first leap into the electric space.”
Mr Pachota said features, specifications, and an official release date for the Australian market would be the subject of future announcements.
– Matt Brogan
Skoda Australia says it will go it alone in the sub-$70,000 large passenger car segment, insisting there are sufficient buyers for its new Superb to stand tall against a wave of SUV competitors – and prestige large passenger models from above the $70,000 price divide.
During an interview with GoAuto at the launch of the all-new Superb in Canberra last month, Skoda Australia director Lucie Kuhn said the decision to offer the model in a shrinking segment was one that could prove beneficial for Skoda in the longer term.
“If you were to look purely at the numbers and seeing a decline in the large $70,000 segment, you would think it might not make sense anymore, because that segment is not there in the numbers it once was. But when you look at it from a broader perspective, and understanding we still have customers that want to drive a car from in this segment, we evaluated this decision as having potential, and that’s why we decided to continue to offer the Superb,” she said.
Ms Kuhn said despite Australia’s shrinking passenger car segment – and the obvious preference of Australian buyers for SUVs – vehicles including the Skoda Fabia, Scala, Octavia and Superb would continue to play an important role for the brand, particularly among private buyers.
“Australia is following a global trend in moving away from passenger cars, but this has allowed us to make the Superb our own,” she said.
“It has allowed us to find a pragmatic solution, one we believe will help the Superb find its customer.
“In Australia, we expect a higher focus on private sales. A 60:40 split is our expectation, which goes against the global trend of fleet sales dominating at 30:70.
“We think the Superb customer is someone who decides not to go for the SUV, and who wants to drive something that makes sense for them, and that offers more space and better value.
“For them, like us, this is about owning a flagship that doesn’t wear a prestige badge. It’s not always about volume.”
The decision comes as Australia’s market for large passenger vehicles priced under $70,000 continues to decline.
Once the home of the Australian-made Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore, the segment hosted seven entrants a decade ago, including the likes of the Nissan Maxima, Peugeot 508, and Toyota Aurion.
At the end of the 2015 sales year, the sub$70,000 part of the large passenger vehicle market saw total sales of 39,159 units. A decade earlier, that number was 153,244.
Moving ahead to 2024, the segment total was just 192 units, almost all achieved by the Skoda Superb with 153.
Across the 10-year timeframe, the numbers amount to a reduction of 96.2 per cent.
While the decline is not as dramatic on the other side of the price divide, sales have fallen from 4781 units in the above-$70,000 large passenger segment during 2015 to just 1959 units at the end of 2024.
– Matt Brogan
JAC has announced the introduction of fleet customer pricing for its dual-cab T9 utility range, making the vehicle ‘even more competitive for Australian businesses and fleet operators’.
The announcement coincides with the appointment of Anthony Nadwie as JAC national fleet manager, who last week said the decision aimed to set the Chinese importer apart from other brands.
“Respecting our partners and championing their business success is how we operate,” he said.
“JAC’s high level of service is what sets JAC Fleet apart from other brands.
“We’re gaining a reputation for being easy to work with among our existing fleet partners, and we see this as the ultimate sign of success.”
The offering builds upon JAC’s ‘uncomplicated’ seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty offering, which is available to both private and business buyers.
The T9 is further offered with a seven-year capped-price servicing program and the offer of
a loan vehicle if the T9 requires warranty work to be carried out.
JAC Motors managing director Ahmed Mahmoud said the JAC All Roads Assurance
Warranty also included a JAC T9 courtesy ute to ‘keep your business going if your JAC T9 has to be off the road for warranty reasons’.
“The JAC National Fleet Program offers targeted fleet pricing based on various fleet sizes, and dedicated support for businesses, government buyers and salary packaging providers,” he said.
Mr Mahmoud said the JAC T9 dual-cab range would be expanded later this year with the introduction of a sub-one-tonne variant for novated leasing eligibility, as well as the addition of a cab-chassis variant.
The JAC range will be further bolstered by the
ute, which will be
in 2025.
Land Rover has updated its popular Defender off-roader introducing new technology and amenity items, and alternative driveline offerings, as part of a significant model-year update.
Priced from $98,400 plus on-road costs, the entry point to the lineup increases by $5874, with price hikes elsewhere in the range of up to $14,754.
The Defender remains available in 90, 110, and 130 body styles, each characterised by a new headlight design, standard front fog lights, smoked rear lenses, and a refreshed colour palette.
The ‘clean yet tough’ exterior further sports reprofiled front and rear bumper covers, a new textured pattern for bonnet inlays and side vents, gloss black wheel caps and matching gloss black grille bar and dark oval badge, and all-new seven-spoke 22-inch Diamond Turned Dark Grey alloy wheels. Inside, a larger 13.1-inch infotainment touchscreen provides what Land Rover says is even more intuitive control, while the gear shift lever is repositioned to improve ergonomics.
Land Rover has also revised the design of its centre console to ‘make the most of the space on offer’, the new unit featuring a small sliding section to keep items out of view.
For those venturing off-road, the Defender is now available with optional
adaptive off-road cruise control for the first time.
Land Rover says the technology is an evolution of its All Terrain Progress Control system, allowing drivers to ‘set a desired comfort level when negotiating rough terrain’. Optionally, a driver attention monitor features a driver-facing camera to monitor the driver’s gaze and provide audio-visual alerts if attention is not being paid to the road ahead. Up front, the upgrades continue with the addition of the P425 five-litre supercharged V8 petrol engine in 90 and 110 body designs, replacing the
existing P400 six-cylinder Ingenium petrol. Producing 313kW-550Nm of torque, the unit powers Defender 90 from zero to 100kmh in as little as 5.6 seconds, offering what Land Rover says is ‘a compelling combination of performance, cruising refinement and capability’.
With the introduction of the P425, the Defender 90 is now available with two engine options, the second a D250 six-cylinder Ingenium diesel with mild-hybrid assistance.
The Defender 110 engine line-up is also expanded for 26MY, with the addition of the P425 five-litre super-
The MY26 Land Rover Defender range is now available to order.
charged engine, as well as the D250 six-cylinder Ingenium mild-hybrid diesel for the first time.
Land Rover says the two powertrains add to the existing D350 sixcylinder Ingenium mild-hybrid diesel and Plug-in Electric Petrol Hybrid, as does the range-topping Defender OCTAs P635 Petrol twin-turbo V8 Mild Hybrid.
The OCTA variant is described by Land Rover as the ‘extreme performance hero of the unstoppable Defender family’. Its twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 engine delivers a whopping 467kW,
the vehicle further incorporating the 6D Dynamics suspension, Body and Soul seats, and a dedicated OCTA mode for performance off-road use.
As the ‘fastest and most capable Defender’ available, the OCTA has a revised colour palette, more rugged visuals, numerous personalisation options, four interior colour ways, and a choice of wheel and tyre combinations including 20-inch forged alloy wheels.
Finally, we note the introduction of a new Defender 110 S D250 variant featuring an in-line six-cylinder turbo-diesel engine with mild-hybrid assistance for a total output of 183kW570Nm.
The new S D250 model comes standard with electronic air suspension, 19-inch alloy wheels, and can be optioned with 18-inch steel wheels at no additional cost.
Land Rover Defender managing director Mark Cameron said more than five years after its introduction, the Defender had become an enduring success.
“With a bloodline that can be traced back to the first Series I of 1948, Defender continues to capture the imagination of our clients,” he said.
“With production at full capacity to meet demand, the latest changes are part of our continuous commitment to make adventures even more satisfying.”
– Matt Brogan
Laser Plumbing Horsham has announced new partnerships with two respected Wimmera operators – Spider’s Plumbing and Gasfitting and SK Harris Plumbing and Gasfitting.
The collaboration marks a significant step forward in enhancing Laser’s service capacity across plumbing, electrical, heating, cooling, and refrigeration.
By uniting with these established teams, Laser now offers a broader range of services delivered with greater efficiency, technical expertise, and faster response times.
Clients can benefit from increased resources, seamless support, and an unwavering commitment to safety and customer satisfaction.
Sam Harris and his team will continue to lead under the SK Harris banner, now supported by the added strength of the Laser network. Meanwhile, Matt ‘Spider’ Everett will head the maintenance division, bringing deep knowledge and hands-on leadership.
Together, this united team is poised to deliver even greater value, making Laser Plumbing Horsham the go-to provider for all your residential and commercial service needs
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.
From The Weekly Advertiser archives: June 23, 2005 –Television hero Fireman Sam was at Leading Edge Music in Horsham to promote ABC’s Funtime with Friends concert, which was to be staged in Horsham the following month. The concert was set to star ABC characters Little Robots, Spot, and Andy Pandy alongside Fireman Sam, who is pictured with Abby Phillips, 4, Ava Pilmore, 4, and Teagan Meier, 10.
10 years ago: July 1, 2015
A ‘highly effective’ firefighting response to a Henty Highway, Horsham incident prevented the loss of jobs and millions of dollars’ worth of assets. CFA District 17 operations officer Alfred Mason said the cause of the fire at Manhari Metals may never be known, owing to the fire’s intense heat, and fuels such as engine oils, paints and rubber.
Five years ago: July 1, 2020
Twice-weekly Melbourne-to-Adelaide passenger train the Overland would continue to receive State Government funding for another three years. The government took funding responsibility after the South Australian government withdrew its support from the beginning of 2019.
One year ago: July 3, 2024
Women’s sexual and reproductive health hubs were to be set up at Horsham, Stawell and Ararat, part of a 14-hub network that delivered free or low-cost care. The locations were chosen based on demand for women’s healthcare, a lack of services, and following extensive sector consultation.
FOR THE WEEK JULY 6 TO JULY 12
ARIES (March 21 - April 20)
Lucky Colour: Green
Lucky Day: Tuesday
Racing Numbers: 5, 6, 3, 2
Lotto Numbers: 5, 12, 23, 36, 34, 4
1. Born on this day in 1929 in Manila, Philippines, was which Filipino politician and First Lady of the Philippines, who was also known for her collection of more than 1000 pairs of shoes?
2. In the southern hemisphere, thoroughbred horses all celebrate their birthdays on what date?
3. Who said, ‘People say, ‘But Betty, Facebook is a great way to connect with old friends.’ Well, at my age, if I want to connect with old friends I need a Ouija board.’?
4. According to the Australian National Construction Code, what is the minimum height required for ceilings of any habitable room – 2.4m, 2.8m, or 3.2m?
5. Which Australian band formed as The Farriss Brothers, before the manager they shared with Midnight Oil suggested they change their name?
6. Named after one of the Indonesian islands to which it’s native, the biggest lizard species is a monitor known as the ‘what’ dragon?
7. According to a 2016 song by Sunshine Coast band ‘The Chats’, what did their mum steal – their darts, thongs, or stubbies?
8. Albert Einstein’s interest in science was sparked when he was five years old, when he was playing with what?
9. What saint is known for preaching to animals?
10. Dying on this day in 1566 at the age of 62, was which French astrologist and prophet?
Answers: 1. Imelda Marcos. 2. August 1. In the northern hemisphere it is January 1. The standardised date simplifies age-based -classifica tions in racing and breeding industries. 3. Betty White. 4. 2.4 metres. 5. INXS. 6. Komodo. 7. Their darts. 8. A compass, which was given to him by his father. He was fascinated by the way the needle of the compass moved, saying he wanted to find out what invisible force was moving it. 9. Saint Francis of Assisi. 10. Nostradamus. He predicted natural disasters and conflict-related events – some people believe his prophecies predicted actual events such as the death of Henry II, the French Revolution, the rises of Napoleon and Hitler, and the September 11 attacks. Others maintain his prophecies are vague and cryptic and can match almost any event that has occurred.
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
This week, people around you may test your patience. Avoid unnecessary arguments to maintain your peace of mind. Financial opportunities may arise, so stay alert to potential gains.
TAURUS (April 21 - May 20)
Lucky Colour: Blue
Lucky Day: Friday
Racing Numbers: 2, 3, 6, 9
Lotto Numbers: 1, 12, 15, 21, 34, 40
Setting up financial matters early will help avoid future complications. Make time for relaxation and socialising – you deserve a break. A contact from your past could lead to an unexpected benefit.
GEMINI (May 21 - June 21)
Lucky Colour: Pink
Lucky Day: Friday
Racing Numbers: 1, 3, 6, 2
Lotto Numbers: 1, 12, 26, 39, 5, 33
Maintain a positive outlook; a smile can solve many problems. Avoid unnecessary expenses, as purchases made now may not be worth the cost. Look for workplace challenges.
CANCER (June 22 - July 22)
Lucky Colour: Red
Lucky Day: Tuesday Racing Numbers: 4, 6, 9, 5
Lotto Numbers: 4, 12, 26, 9, 5, 11
You may be viewing life through rose-coloured glasses, but reality may differ from expectations. Surprising gestures from others could leave a lasting impression.
LEO (July 23 - August 22)
Lucky Colour: Blue
Lucky Day: Wednesday Racing Numbers: 4, 9, 6, 1
Lotto Numbers: 4, 15, 29, 36, 37, 8
Others’ cooperation might not meet your expectations, requiring flexibility in your plans. Domestic responsibilities may feel overwhelming but can be managed with patience.
VIRGO (August 23 - September 23)
Lucky Colour: Yellow
Lucky Day: Monday
Racing Numbers: 8, 6, 5, 2
Lotto Numbers: 8, 12, 26, 36, 34, 44
Mixing business with pleasure may yield a different result than this week. Stay cautious, as people from your past might reintroduce complications into your life.
LIBRA (September 24 - October 23)
Lucky Colour: Cream
Lucky Day: Monday
Racing Numbers: 1, 3, 5, 6
Lotto Numbers: 1, 12, 26, 36, 35, 4
Careful planning will ensure success, although some projects may face delays. Avoid overindulgence, as it could lead to health issues. Balance is vital to a productive week.
SCORPIO (October 24 - November 22)
Lucky Colour: Orange
Lucky Day: Wednesday Racing Numbers: 4, 6, 2, 3
Lotto Numbers: 4, 12, 23, 32, 20, 36
Ensure all your actions are transparent, as deception could lead to complications. Avoid conflicts with authority figures, as they are unlikely to resolve in your favour.
SAGITTARIUS (November 23 - December 20)
Lucky Colour: Lilac
Lucky Day: Monday
Racing Numbers: 1, 3, 2, 5
Lotto Numbers: 1, 15, 26, 45, 42, 24
Long-term relationships may need reassessment – honesty with yourself is essential. Problems that seem significant may resolve themselves with less effort than anticipated.
CAPRICORN (December 21 - January 19)
Lucky Colour: Green
Lucky Day: Thursday Racing Numbers: 4, 6, 3, 2
Lotto Numbers: 4, 12, 35, 36, 39, 8
Fresh ideas and partnerships could rejuvenate your work environment. Be mindful of your love life, as it may require attention and care amid your busy schedule.
AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 19)
Lucky Colour: Violet
Lucky Day: Tuesday
Racing Numbers: 2, 3, 5, 6
Lotto Numbers: 2, 13, 25, 26, 35, 4
Take time to enjoy yourself and pursue activities you love. Significant connections could form, with the potential for lasting commitments and longterm happiness.
PISCES (February 20 - March 20)
Lucky Colour: Fawn
Lucky Day: Saturday
Racing Numbers: 1, 3, 2, 5
Lotto Numbers: 1, 12, 26, 36, 34, 45
Some meetings with friends or relatives may initially disappoint, but the outcomes could exceed your expectations. Fun and excitement are just around the corner.
CUMMINS, Barry Cameron
13-9-1946 to 24-6-2025
Dearly loved husband of Sue.
Cherished father & father-inlaw of Wendy & Mark, Dean & Katie, Scott & Maiky.
Much-loved grandfather of Bailey, Adam, Cooper, Patrick, Cassia & Jayda.
‘Gone Fishing’
~ FEDER ~ Sue
Formerly of Lillimur
Passed away peacefully on June 24, 2025 whilst under the kind and gentle care of the staff of Archie Gray Nursing Home, Kaniva.
Mother and mother-in-law of Mark and Monica.
Loving Nana to Madeline and Karl; Adam and Simone.
Reunited with Grandpa
FEDER (nee Miles), Suzanne Alison (Sue)
27-8-1942 to 24-6-2025
Passed away peacefully at the Archie Gray Nursing Home, Kaniva, aged 82 years.
Mother and mother-in-law of Mark & Monica, Mandy & Mark, Matthew & Claire, Liza & David.
Nanna to 11 grandchildren & 5 great grandchildren.
Reunited with her beloved husband Andrew.
FRASER, Janis Rosemary
8.2.1947 – 29.6.2025
Passed away peacefully at Wimmera Base Hospital.
Loved mother, mother-in-law and Gran to Melinda & Brett, Ella & Nick, & Jemma.
Dearly loved and so sadly missed.
Horsham & District Funerals
Dylan & Amity Hartwich 5382 1149
HILL, Ivan ‘John’
Passed away on June 27, 2025 aged 93 years.
Dearly loved husband of Margaret (dec).
Loving father and fatherin-law of Chris & Monica; Jayne & Brian; Sandra & Damien.
Adored Grandpa of Nicole, Catherine, David, Brigitte, Michael and Jessica. Great grandpa John to Amber, Isla, Elanor, Harriet, Mia, Ivy, Ruby and Hazel.
Forever in our Hearts
CUMMINS, Barry Cameron
13-9-1946 to 24-6-2025
KIMBERLEY, Glenys Valerie
accommodation for two seniors just out of Horsham for two months Ph 0489204320
Budgies, pastel and standards $10 each Ph 0428010996
Horsham
Harrison, Lyn GWMWater Board, management and staff are saddened by the passing of Lyn, a former and highly respected member of our Board of Directors.
Harrison, Lyn GWMWater Board, management and staff are saddened by the passing of Lyn, a former and highly respected member of our Board of Directors.
Lyn was a founding Director of the Grampians Water Board from February 1995 to June 2004. Lyn was also a valued member of our former Grampians Customer Advisory Group until April 2010.
Barry’s funeral service will be held at the Nhill Bowling Club on Friday, July 4 at 1pm.
To be privately cremated.
Emiley & Mathew Bone
Nhill, Dimboola & Kaniva District Funerals 0419 008 464
The Funeral of Glenys Valerie Kimberley will leave St John’s Anglican Church, Horsham on Thursday, 10 July 2025 after a service commencing at 1.30pm for the Horsham Lawn Cemetery.
Love birds assorted colours $20 each pick up only Warracknabeal Ph 0447776408
Lyn’s wisdom, integrity and unwavering commitment left a lasting impact on our organisation.
Lyn was a founding Director of the Grampians Water Board from February 1995 to June 2004. Lyn was also a valued member of our former Grampians Customer Advisory Group until April 2010.
We extend our sincere condolences to Lyn’s family. Rest In Peace
Lyn’s wisdom, integrity and unwavering commitment left a lasting impact on our organisation.
We extend our sincere condolences to Lyn’s family. Rest In Peace
HURLEY (nee Jenkinson), Amy
Passed away on June 23, 2025 aged 96 years.
Dearly loved wife of Russell (dec).
Loving mother and motherin-law of Laurine; Gary & Leanne; Tony & Claudia.
Adored Grandma to all of her grandchildren, great grandchildren and their families.
Reunited with Russell
KIMBERLEY, (nee Croser) Glenys Valerie
14.4.1943 - 28.6.2025
Daughter of Eric and Jean.
Sister of Barrie, Beth, Ken, Lorraine and Lindsay.
Loving mother to Marian and Rodney.
Dearly loved grandmother.
Reunited with her beloved Gordon. Rest In Peace
Ken, Jan Croser and families
KIMBERLEY (nee Croser), Glenys Valerie
Passed away on June 28, 2025 aged 82 years.
Dearly loved wife of Gordon (dec).
Loving mother and mother in law of Marian & Kelvin; Rod & Tracey.
Adored Gran to all of her grandchildren, great grandchildren and their families.
Reunited with her beloved Gordon
FEDER (nee Miles), Suzanne Alison (Sue)
27-8-1942 to 24-6-2025
Sue’s funeral service will be held at the Kaniva Community Hub, Tuesday, July 11 at 11am Interment to follow at the Kaniva Lawn Cemetery.
Emiley & Mathew Bone
Nhill, Dimboola & Kaniva District Funerals 0419 008 464
FRASER, Janis Rosemary
The funeral service to farewell the late Janis Fraser will be held at Horsham & District Funerals chapel, located 23
Pynsent Street, Horsham on Friday, July 4, 2025 commencing at 11am Janis will be sent for a private cremation following the service.
Amity & Dylan Hartwich 5382 1149
HILL, Ivan ‘John’
The funeral of John Hill will leave Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Horsham on Monday, July 7, 2025 after a service commencing at 11am for the Horsham Lawn Cemetery.
Trevor Bysouth & Daughter Ph 5381 1444 AFDA Member
HURLEY, Amy
A memorial service to celebrate the life of Amy Hurley will take place at St Philip’s Anglican Church, Rupanyup on Wednesday, July 9, 2025 commencing at 2pm Privately cremated.
Trevor Bysouth & Daughter Ph 5381 1444 AFDA Member
Trevor Bysouth & Daughter Ph 5381 1444 AFDA Member
~ MONCREIFF ~ Noel
Lynne, Jeff, Anthea, Daryl, Susie and families wish to thank everyone for their love, support, flowers, food and messages after the death of our husband, Dad and Grandad, Noel Moncrieff. Thank you to all who attended Noel’s funeral and a special thanks to Suzanne at Wimmera Funerals and Gillian Vanderwaal for the service.
Our deepest thanks to all those who offered their support, kindness and condolences following the loss of Evelina, our dearly loved mother, mother-inlaw, Nonna and Nonna Lina. Your presence, messages, flowers, cards, calls, food and expressions of love and care have brought great comfort during this difficult time.
We are especially grateful to the dedicated doctors, nurses, carers and other staff at Lutheran Sunnyside Retirement Village and Wimmera Base Hospital. Thank you for your loving care and support to both Evelina and our family. We would like to sincerely thank Monsignor Glynn Murphy, Father Patrick Mugavin and Father Peter Hudson for a beautiful and heartfelt mass. Our thanks also go to Horsham and District Funerals for their professionalism, care and guidance throughout the funeral arrangements. We are grateful to the Catholic Parish Office for their help and organisation behind the scenes, and to the team at the Parish Centre for providing a welcoming space for the gathering after the service. A special thank you to those who travelled long distances to be with us.
Though we cannot thank everyone individually, please accept this as an expression of our heartfelt appreciation.
Peter, Alida, Janet, Susy and families.
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
Mixed breed of goats, pregnant females, young male goats, mixed sheep available for sale, call for prices Ph 0414851313
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
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
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
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 ft 2 slides, extras incl. 400 watt solar, diesel heater, bulbar, security system, 92000kms, 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 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
REDUCED 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
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
Configura twin motor tilt recliner lift chair, beige vinyl, model S15444, $2500ono, Royale Medical over bed tilting split table $200ono Ph 0428810806 Horsham
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
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
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
Trailer 7x4 toolbox , bike ties, reg to June 26 $400ono 0432085706
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
3.7 m boat and cover, QL624, an aussie made trailer P83061, Yamaha 15 HP motor, near new $4000 Ph 53582560
3.7 savage aluminium boat, UM198, 25 HP Mercury forward steer reyco trailer, b15834 electric motor and lawrence fish finder $2600 Ph 0428523919
Pietscraft 3.5m Fishing Boat, 15hp, Johnson tilt trailer, boat cover, all accessories $5000 Ph 0428822730
Quintrex FishAbout MKII Repowered 40HP Yamaha, low hours, new Oceanic Trailer Bimini Hummingbird Finder 40Ib Elec Motor Dec Estate Ph 0491644368 Horsham
Aspire wheelchair, as new condition, barely used once a
Hilux toyota tray, excellent condition with push on tarp $1200 Ph 0484355030
1989 Toyota Camry Sedan 2 litre EFI, red, unregistered, vin# 6T153SV2109103569, 198,000 kms $500 Ph Peter 53525927 leave message
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
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 Honda Civic , 1994, great condition with RWC, automatic & aircon, colour black, Vtech motor, vin JHME6548005203141
$10,000 Ph 0428501109
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
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 2013 Toyota ATARA, 2.5L sports sedan, auto, RWC, Toyota seat covers, only 2 owners, selling due to downsizing, 127,000kms, $12,000 Ph 0400728252
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, 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 evenings
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
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
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
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
Massage service, very clean, full body massages available for both men and women, very discreet, you come to us or we can come to you, call for quote and booking, in the Wimmera area and beyond Ph 0473311660
Massage ......Don’t deprive yourself of time to be completely pampered, to made feel like you’ve not felt in a very long time, discreet in all aspects, is here at your service, can have all your sensual desires catered for including massage oils to help you relax, feel comfortable and put you in a state of euphoria, clean in all regards, a safe home environment, including off street parking that you can arrive at your appointment at ease, catering for both male and female Ph 0422275320
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
/ Contractors to join its panel of approved Suppliers / Contractors for the provision of goods and services. Council is particularly interested in receiving submissions from: Builders; Carpenters; Landscapers; Air Conditioning and Heating suppliers and installers; Painters; Plumbers; Fencers; Window Cleaners; Mechanics; and other local businesses that are interested in providing goods and services to Council. The specific requirements are detailed in the tender documents, which can be downloaded via Council’s website at www.hindmarsh.vic.gov.au/tenders
Closing time for the above tender is 2:00pm on Thursday 7 August 2025
All enquiries should be directed to Laura Sonnberger, Contracts & Procurement Officer, via email to info@ hindmarsh.vic.gov.au or telephone (03) 5391 4444.
Monica Revell Chief Executive Officer
Palm tree for removal, free, located Goroke Ph Mick 0400005266
Aged pensioner looking to buy a male chihuahua, 1 1/2 - 2 years old Ph 0421237043
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
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
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
Drinking water in the following towns/districts Ararat, Beulah, Birchip, Brim, Charlton, Dimboola, Donald, Edenhope, Elmhurst, Great Western, Halls Gap, Hopetoun, Horsham, Jeparit,
Underbool, Warracknabeal, Willaura, Woomelang, Wycheproof
Ararat Rural City
POSITION VACANT
Are you a skilled communicator with a passion for public engagement? Join Ararat Rural City Council and play a key role in shaping how we connect with our community.
Ararat Rural City Council is currently seeking a proactive and creative Media and Communications Officer to coordinate content creation, manage media relations, and deliver impactful campaigns across digital and traditional platforms.
For more information about these roles, please visit: www.ararat.vic.gov.au or contact Human Resources on (03) 5355 0200. Applications, including a cover letter and current resume, should be submitted via email to: hr@ararat.vic.gov.au Applications close: Friday 11 July 2025 at 4:00pm.
Dr Tim Harrison Chief Executive Officer
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
• Complete all paperwork and documents related to service work
• Maintaining and managing van stock and spare parts inventory.
• Wage negotiable on experience
To apply please email your resume to: greg@horshambetta.com.au or phone Greg Souter on 5381 2207. Applications close July 31
want to buy a photo? A LARGE RANGE OF PHOTOGRAPHS PUBLISHED IN the weekly advertiser and ON our website ARE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE. professionally printed in two standard sizes: 6” x 8” - $10 EACH | 8” x 10” - $15 EACH Contact our friendly reception staff today on 5382 1351 or call into 2 Stawell Road, Horsham Email: horsham@team.aceradio.com.au
You
You can be more than part of your community be someone making a difference for people in your
✓ Caring ✓ Compassionate
✓ Caring ✓ Compassionate
✓ Caring ✓ Compassionate
T
✓ Reliable
✓ Reliable
Reliable ✓ Community minded
✓ Community minded
✓ Keen to make a difference
✓ Community minded
✓ Keen to make a difference
✓ Keen to make a difference
This
As part of our continued growth in Community Assist, we’re expanding our team to Warracknabeal, Nhill, Avoca, St Arnaud, Beaufort!
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
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
Join us in a location that suits you Positions Available
• Domestic Support Worker
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Neat and well presented
• Domestic Support Worker
• Domestic Support Worker
• Community Support Worker
• Community Support Worker
• Community Support Worker
• Willing to undergo national police check
We offer:
Whether you're looking for a few shifts a week or something more regular, we offer flexible hours to suit your lifestyle.
Whether you're looking for a few shifts a week or something more regular, we offer flexible hours to suit your lifestyle.
Whether you're looking for a few shifts a week or something more regular, we offer flexible hours to suit your lifestyle.
Above award wages
38 hour week
Supportive team
Hours available for home care, personal care, community access, for aged care and disability participants
Hours available for home care, personal care, community access, for aged care and disability participants
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
Contact: Michael Coates on 03 5358 7400
Well equipped and clean workshop
Application and resume to admin@ricksmithmotors.com
Rick Smith Motors , PO Box 1118 , Horsham. Contact Rick: 0419 387 689
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
To download a position description or to apply visit our website: gch.org.au
Horsham
District Football Netball League and Wimmera Football
Netball League award one under-17 footballer and one 17-and-under netballer a spirit of sport award each playing round.
The Spirit of Football and Spirit of Netball awards are presented by either Victoria Police officers or Blue Ribbon Foundation members.
Round five
Max Roberts – WFNL
Southern Mallee Thunder footballer Max Roberts was awarded for his integrity, compassion, and love of the game that goes far beyond statistics and scoreboard pressure. A quiet achiever with a deep passion for the game, Max is respected by his teammates and opposition players. He has natural speed and an impressive vertical leap, is humble, fair and grounded. Versatile and dependable, Max slots into any position across the ground.
Round six
Karla Hallam – WFNL
Horsham Demons netballer Karla Hallam, who is still eligible to play in the 15-and-under team, has stepped up to play in the 17-and-under competition. Karla has an amazing awareness of the game and is a versatile player who relishes the opportunity and gets the job done. The way Karla goes about her netball is inspirational. She is respected by all her peers and is a fantastic role model for junior netballers.
Christian Wait –WFNL
Horsham Demons footballer Christian Wait, pictured with Blue Ribbon Foundation’s Les Power, consistently demonstrates enthusiasm and determination in his efforts to enhance his performance on the field. He has developed into a versatile player capable of performing at either end of the ground. Off the field, Christian is always eager to volunteer and exhibits a positive attitude.
Round eight
Scarlett Abbott – HDFNL
Kalkee netballer Scarlett Abbott began her netball journey in 13-and-under at the age of 12. She currently plays 17-and-under and B Grade as a junior development player. Scarlett loves everything about sport, but plays ultimately to be surrounded by her team-mates, whom she adores. Her inner spirit is fuelled by perseverance, fairness, strength, fitness and knowing she is part of a great community. Scarlett is known to help when needed, supports the younger kids and always wears a ready smile.
Pimpinio footballer
pictured with Blue Ribbon Foundation’s Les Power, and his family are currently in their third year at Pimpinio. Despite only being a short period of time, Link has firmly established himself as a true leader of the junior group. He is the perfect definition of the Blue Ribbon Award. He always shows respect to all officials, both club, umpires, opposition and teammates. He is currently part of the leadership of the under-17 team and also the Horsham and District football league interleague captain. Link is an exceptionally skilled and fair player and has played a large part of the last two premierships that the Tigers have won.
Blue Ribbon Foundation spirit of football and netball awards are presented to players when Blue Ribbon and Police members are available, which may result in awards presented during a later round. Awardees from both Horsham District and Wimmera leagues will be published as they are presented with their awards.
BY SIMON KING
The ninth round of the Wimmera hockey season to be played at Kaniva on Saturday will feature several big games, when the top two teams in the women’s competition face off, and the Hoops and Cobras clash for outright second place on the open ladder.
Both games in the open competition could have a significant influence on the order of teams on the ladder in the leadup to the finals.
After a win over the Horsham Hurricanes last weekend, the Hoops hold second place, but only by two points ahead of the Cobras, so the winner of their encounter will hold second place outright by Saturday evening.
If this is the Hoops, they will do so by a comfortable margin, and if it is the Cobras, it will only be by two points, which they will be under pressure to preserve over the remaining rounds.
The Hurricanes have slipped to fourth place after some close losses in recent rounds and will face a challenge to reverse this form when they take on the Nhill Rangers.
Although the Rangers are yet to register a win, they have come close on several occasions, and an out-of-form Hurricanes might be their opportunity to open their account and return to the premiership race.
The focus of the women’s competition will be on the match between ladder leaders Yanac and their closest rival, the Dimboola Roos.
With a win, Yanac will extend their lead to 10 points, which will be almost unassailable in the race for the minor premiership, while a Roos’ victory would see them move to just two points adrift, which will keep them in with a chance of rising to the top.
The battle for the last place in the top four is also heating up.
Nhill Thunderbirds dropped to fifth after a narrow loss to the Roos last weekend but can move back up one place if they overcome the inconsistent Horsham Jets, who did not look convincing in their recent win over Warracknabeal.
The winner of this match will not quite cement a place in the finals, but will be in a stronger position to play on after round 15.
Warracknabeal put in its best
performance for the season last week, matching the Jets for much of the game, but they will find Kaniva more of a challenge on their home pitch.
The big game in the Under 16 division will see Kaniva Raiders eager to overcome Warrack Revengers, which could see them re-enter the top four for the first time since round one if other results are favourable.
But the Revengers have been in some good form recently and a win could be enough to all but assure them a place in the finals.
Dimboola Kangaroos are most at risk of being displaced by the Raiders, and facing the undefeated Yanac Warriors will not fill them with confidence.
It would take a considerable effort for the young Kangaroos to inflict the Warriors’ first defeat for the season, but they could still gain a lot of confidence from a narrow loss.
Horsham Bombers are still searching for their first win, but probably won’t find it this Saturday when they take on Nhill Leopards, who have suffered only one loss, to the Warriors and are in second place with a comfortable buffer back to third.
from 6am to 9am
BY COLIN MACGILLIVRAY
Swifts-Great Western Cricket
Club could be approved to join the Horsham Cricket Association at its upcoming annual general meeting next month, but a mooted merger between Horsham and the Wimmera Mallee Cricket Association appears unlikely to come to fruition this year.
Horsham association president Justtin Combe confirmed Swifts-Great Western had expressed interest in joining the competition following the dissolution of the Grampians Cricket Association – a move that could be formalised at the AGM on August 6.
While the addition of Swifts-Great Western would represent a second club joining the Horsham competition in as many seasons after BrimKellalac-Sheep Hills crossed from the Wimmera Mallee association last year, Combe said a full merger between the neighbouring associations still needed careful planning, making it unlikely to take place before the start of the 2025-26 season.
“There were a couple of discussions [about merging], but it won’t be happening next season,” he said.
“It absolutely is [inevitable], but
there’s just a lot of work to be done behind the scenes to make it happen, that’s all.
“It’s not something that can just happen in six months over the winter – there needs to be a lot of help and a lot of people involved, potentially including Cricket Victoria.”
Wimmera Mallee association president Ben Duxson said he still harboured hope that a merger could be completed in the coming months, allowing the competitions to integrate as soon as possible.
“I’d rather get on with it. It’s a regional issue that won’t go away, and I think the sooner we do it, the better,” he said.
“Without doing it, we’ll find the region does go backwards for cricket, so we need to make sure we shore up our future.”
Duxson said his association’s geographic isolation, combined with declining rural populations and seasonal demands on agricultural workers who primarily made up most clubs’ playing bases, had made it harder to sustain in recent years.
He said the Grampians competition’s collapse was a clear sign that associations needed to integrate to keep the sport alive in regional areas.
“Obviously with the Grampians competition going down it has opened up another area, and it’s areas that we need to look after,” he said.
“Wimmera Mallee ourselves are a little bit vulnerable because of travel – everything goes towards the bigger centres.
“We lost a club, Wycheproof-Narraport, that merged with Nullawil last year and went to Swan Hill, so our area sort of gets picked off just because we’re a vast area.
“We’re a farming association as well, so farming has a big play in when people are available and what sort of numbers teams have.
“We’ve always battled with that and tried to have the balance of a good enough competition with enough games.”
Duxson said a merger between the Horsham and Wimmera Mallee associations could create flexibility by offering clubs more choices about what format of cricket they wanted to play, as well as season length.
“Any club is looking at a shortened season over here, but if you’ve got surplus players they’re always going to be taken up by another club,
because other clubs are always struggling to find the numbers every week,” he said.
“I don’t see that as a really big issue if you have a bit of a shortened season for some clubs but then for the ones that do want to play more cricket, [players] could swap over and make it flexible around where they can play.
“To me, it has to be a merger of all of us where we tear it all down and start again by looking at who wants to play what format of cricket and how many weeks they’re available.
“Then any club can say ‘righto, we’re prepared to play this’ and any surplus players that aren’t playing for a club that’s playing a shortened season can certainly go into other teams.”
But Combe said a merger also had potential to create or compound logistical issues, and would likely place additional travel strain on families with both senior and junior players.
“It’s just about making it all work. It’s such a big area that you’re talking about,” he said.
“Getting from point A to point B there are so many different scenarios that could happen, whether you have a north-south or east-west conference system – there are so many things that need to be spoken about.”
Duxson acknowledged potential travel difficulties involved in a merger but said he believed the benefits outweighed the drawbacks.
“Our real sticking point is with the juniors, because we’ve got from Hopetoun to St Arnaud, and Charlton to Warracknabeal, and getting juniors to align with our senior comps is really hard,” he said.
“A merger of Horsham and ourselves can help that in the future as well, because it becomes a bigger pool to draw from, and hopefully we can keep more kids playing. By merging we would strengthen each other, and it flows into the juniors as well.
“It trims down on administration as well. It is hard to find administrators, and I know Horsham have struggled with that at times.
“It’s something Cricket Victoria can get their teeth into as well. They can offer a lot more to us as one association than they can as [two], so I think there would be a real savings in administration and getting Cricket Victoria to help our region.
“It has been a long-time coming. Unfortunately Horsham has rejected it this year, but we’ll continue to talk with them for the betterment of cricket in the area.”
ALL SMILES: Driver Tina Ridis and Great Western owner-trainer Daryl Crone were pleased after the victory of two-yearold filly Hallebesofine at Bendigo last Wednesday night. The young trotter had put the writing on the wall with a last start, second-placing against the older horses at Horsham and proved too strong over the final stages to score by a head in a rate of 2:01.6 for the 1650-metre journey.
Picture: Bendigo Harness Racing Club
Minyip-Murtoa’s senior women’s football side produced its best performance of the Wimmera Football Netball League season to defeat Horsham by 76 points at the weekend.
Horsham entered the game shorthanded a week after being forced to forfeit its contest against Laharum due to unforeseen player unavailability, and while the Demons put up a fighting effort, they were unable to keep pace with the Burras.
Minyip-Murtoa shut its opponent out through the first three quarters while kicking 11 goals of its own in a consistent display.
The final term gave the Horsham players something to hang their hats on, as they finally broke through for their opening goal of the game while restricting Minyip-Murtoa to a single goal as well.
The score sheet in the Burras’ 12.10 (82) to 1.0 (6) win reflected a full team effort, with nine individual goal-kickers, none of whom kicked more than two goals.
Bonnie Delahunty was given a best-on-ground nod with two majors to her name in a strong all-around performance, but players like Scarlett Funcke, Emersyn Gowlett, Ash Ison, Tash Mustafa and Stacey Arnold were also among the best.
Horsham’s lone goal-kicker, Kim Parker, was also named its best player, while others including Elise Jarrett, Holly Nuske, Sarah Janetzki,
Macy Uebergang and Ella Boston kept putting forth effort despite the lopsided scoreboard.
Horsham is slated to play again this weekend against top team Laharum at Cameron Oval, while Minyip-Murtoa has a bye.
Juniors
It was a different story for Horsham in the under-14.5 girls competition, with the Demons trouncing a combined Minyip-Murtoa and Warrack Eagles side 12.4 (76) to 0.3 (3).
The first quarter was reasonably competitive, with Horsham kicking 4.2 to the Warrack Burras’ three behinds, but the Demons kicked away with 8.2 to no score in the second term, invoking the league’s mercy rule.
Indigo Pope and Amba Zolj were among Horsham’s best players, kicking three goals each in the first half, while Asha Meek and Trinity Wilson had two apiece and Mila Payne and Chloe Stockdale played strongly.
For the visiting Warrack Burras, players like Rubiee-Jane Crisp, Indigo Starbuck-Landwehr, Ruby Loats, Sadie Arnold and Boh Adams were among the best players.
Horsham tops the ladder with four wins and no losses and a percentage above 800. The Demons will play second-placed Laharum this weekend, with a win ensuring they would finish atop the ladder.
CONTRIBUTION :
Ararat Eagles have stamped themselves as premiership favourites in the Mininera and District Football League, downing second-placed Lismore-Derrinallum by 10 points on Saturday to go two games clear atop the ladder.
Anticipation for the clash had been building for weeks, with the Eagles entering undefeated while the Demons’ sole loss came at the hands of Wickliffe-Lake Bolac in round two.
The game lived up to its big billing, with the visiting Demons grabbing a 20-point advantage at quarter time before the Eagles struck back.
With ruckman Jack Taurau and on-
ballers Ben Robertson and Jake Peters leading the way, Ararat piled on six goals to one in the second quarter as Zach Louder, Andrew Cameron and Jack Wilson provided dangerous targets up forward.
A back-and-forth third term saw the Eagles again relinquish the lead, trailing by a point at the final change.
But with top spot on the ladder on the line, Ararat showed its mettle, kicking 2.3 to two behinds in the last quarter to secure an 11.6 (72) to 9.8 (62) win.
Adrian Reid and Sam Summers also played key roles for the Eagles in a backline that kept the Demons’ league-leading goal-kicker, Lachie Constable, to a single major – his low-
est output of the season. The win was the best possible start to a challenging four-week span for the Eagles, with upcoming games against WickliffeLake Bolac, reigning premier Penshurst and Glenthompson-Dunkeld to come.
A clash between Tatyoon and Great Western at the weekend proved onesided, with the Hawks soaring to a 25.9 (159) to 11.7 (73) win on the road.
The first quarter was a high-scoring shoot-out, with the Hawks kicking six straight goals to the Lions’ 5.2 to earn a slender advantage.
But thereafter the visitors dominated, with Cameron Anderson kicking four goals in a best-on-ground effort,
Josh Lee booting six and the likes of Joe Thomson and Josh Brown also influential.
The Lions were best served by Nathaniel Cooper, who kicked four goals to match the total of his team-mate Sam Cocks.
Moyston-Willaura slogged through another difficult outing, losing to Glenthompson-Dunkeld 21.13 (139) to 2.5 (17) to sink further into wooden spoon favouritism.
Most of the damage was done in the first and third quarters, with the Panthers surrendering a cumulative 105 points compared to only 34 in the second and fourth terms.
Forward Brad Uwland pushed further up the ground to get involved in
the play, with midfielders Liam Kaine and Izaiyah Turner trying hard on an otherwise dismal day.
Other results at the weekend saw SMW Rovers 10.15 (75) defeat Caramut 7.13 (55), Penshurst 17.12 (114) down Woorndoo-Mortlake 8.7 (55) and Hawkesdale-Macarthur 15.9 (99) top Wickliffe-Lake Bolac 12.8 (80).
In addition to the Eagles’ away game against the Magpies, round 11 will see Tatyoon host Moyston-Willaura, Great Western will travel to Mininera to play SMW Rovers, LismoreDerrinallum is at home to Caramut, Woorndoo-Mortlake travels to play Glenthompson-Dunkeld and Penshurst hosts Hawkesdale-Macarthur.
By Colin MacGillivray
The width of a post could be the difference between KanivaLeeor United’s senior football side playing or missing finals in 2025 after the Cougars beat NoradjuhaQuantong by a point on Saturday.
Leading by two points deep in time -on, Kaniva-Leeor’s hopes of pulling off the upset of the season against the undefeated ladder leaders looked dashed when Bomber Thomas Pridgeon received a free kick for high contact only 20 metres from goal.
Kaniva-Leeor co-coach Jonno Hicks admitted he thought a fighting effort from his side, which had come back from 10 points down at the last change to take the lead, would ultimately come up short.
“I won’t repeat what was going through my mind, but the heart rate was certainly up,” he said.
“We’ve had some disappointing losses in close games this year.”
But Pridgeon’s shot from a slight angle grazed the inside of the post, leaving Kaniva-Leeor United a point up with about a minute to play.
“We did well to force the ball long and wide and hold it on that outer side to chew some time up,” Hicks said.
“I’m glad the guys knew what they needed to do after that point to try to kill some time and it ended up buying us enough time to win the game, which was great.”
The Cougars celebrated in front of a boisterous home crowd as the siren sounded to give them a 9.7 (61) to 8.12 (60) victory.
Hicks said he was pleased his charges had been rewarded for one of their best efforts of the season.
“We had nothing to lose. It was a game no one expected us to win. We really got to have a free swing at it, because there was no expectation on what we were supposed to do,” he said.
“It was really exciting for our guys to get some reward for effort in what was a hard-fought game.”
Hicks said his team’s defensive effort across the ground won it the match.
“We really focused on our pressure. They’re the benchmark in the league at the moment and they move the ball really well and dominate games by controlling possession,” he said.
“We wanted to make sure we put the pressure on, and we thought defensively if our side worked really hard it would be a strength for us.”
Among the Cougars’ leading performers were key defenders Jason McCarthy and Dylan Natt, while midseason recruit Tyler Roos – the son of AFL great Paul – shone in the midfield.
Up forward, big man Jacob Eats kicked five goals, including two in the last quarter.
For the Bombers, Dyson Parish, Jack Vague and Wade Francis were among the best, while Pridgeon’s late miss was a blemish on an otherwise solid outing.
Hicks expressed sympathy for Pridgeon after the game.
“I feel for him because there’s a million things that can happen in a game that will change a result by one point, but people only tend to remember the shot late,” he said.
“We’ve had a couple of close ones
that have gone the other way though, so I was happy to see that one miss.”
The result put the Cougars firmly back in finals contention, now trailing fifth-placed Swifts by only four premiership points with seven rounds remaining.
But regardless of whether his side plays finals this season, Hicks said it was on the right track.
“It would be fantastic to make a final, but regardless of how the season finishes up I think it’s still a year of trying to develop those guys and learning to set ourselves up for next season,” he said.
The Cougars’ task of overtaking the Baggies was made harder on Saturday after they defeated Rupanyup 22.18 (150) to 12.8 (80).
With Jordan Motton and Noah Stirling dangerous up forward, kicking nine goals between them, Swifts got control of the match in the second quarter and never looked back.
For the Panthers, Elliot Kelly and Ryan Timmins were best in the onball division.
Kalkee’s mid-season surge continued on Saturday, defeating Taylors Lake 21.7 (135) to 7.13 (55) in front of their home crowd.
Head coach Andy Devereaux was on fire with 10 goals, as Matt Neild continued his stellar season.
For the Lakers, coach Justin Beugelaar kicked three goals while Logan Millar had two.
Reigning premier Harrow-Balmoral got its season back on track with a crushing 28.14 (182) to 3.3 (21) win over Edenhope-Apsley at Balmoral.
The Roos dominated across the
The Horsham District league’s A Grade netball competition offered no surprises in round 11, as all four of the top-five teams in action posted double-digit wins.
Ladder leader Rupanyup put a big dent in Swifts’ finals aspirations at North Park, downing the Baggies 64-24 in a smothering performance.
The Baggies could muster only four goals in each of the first and second quarters as Rupanyup’s defensive end, led by Holly Ross and Victoria Taylor, dominated proceedings.
Swifts’ best quarter of the game came after half time, when they scored 10 goals to the visitors’ 13, with co-coach Kristy Dodds pushing from the midcourt to goal-attack to help feed goal -shooter Michaela Carey, while Erin Freeland was stout in defence.
But the Panthers resumed their dominance in the final term, outscoring Swifts 18-6 as Ilze Van Zyl and Maddison Morgan took turns featuring in goals.
Colene Dercksen debuted for Rupanyup in defence after starting on the bench, in a move with potential to add greater depth for the ladder leaders.
The loss dropped Swifts’ percentage to 92 – nearly 30 points behind fifth-placed NoradjuhaQuantong, which separated itself
from the Baggies with a 49-29 win against Kaniva-Leeor United on Saturday.
The visiting Bombers were locked in a low-scoring struggle with the Cougars in the first quarter, but came alive with 14 goals to eight in the second term and never relinquished control of the game from then on.
Leading the way for NoradjuhaQuantong was co-coach Taylor Shelley in defence, helping to keep the Cougars to single-digit scoring in all four quarters.
Captain Jayne Tucker was a standout in the midcourt, while Taya Quick and Shannon Couch each scored more than 20 goals.
For the Cougars, Ellen Bennett played well to limit Quick, who scored 47 goals in her previous outing, while Lauren Brown battled well with Bomber Holly Nuske at centre.
Third-placed Kalkee continued the trend of dominant wins, beating Taylors Lake 54-38 after trailing by two goals at quarter time.
Goal-defence Emily Polack was critical in turning around the Kees’ fortunes after a slow start, doing her best to curb the influence of Laker Harriet Overman, who finished with 23 goals.
Casey Rentsch also had one of her best outings for Kalkee this season, adding an extra dimension to the team’s goal setup
ground, but Ethan Appleton managed to stand out with a brilliant six-goal haul, as Connor Deutscher kicked six of his own and Mitchell Grant added five.
Pimpinio was also on song, downing Natimuk United 15.9 (99) to 7.9 (51).
Matt Rosier excelled with a fourgoal haul for the Tigers, with Tom Baker and Tom O’Dwyer also playing key roles.
alongside Jarrah Martin with 23 goals of her own.
Edenhope-Apsley bounced back from its round 10 loss to the Kees by defeating Harrow-Balmoral 53-36 at Balmoral.
The Roos played strongly for patches of the second and third quarters but were outgunned overall, as Saints coach Lavinia Fox dominated with 37 goals and Mereana Crawford added 16.
Best for the Roos were Megan Little and Mia Rees, who scored 24 goals of her own.
Natimuk United kept Pimpinio’s winless streak going, downing the Tigers 59-40.
The Rams extended their lead at every break, with young goalie Emma Uebergang shooting a season-high 44 goals and Keeta Scown holding sway in defence.
Tahnee Brown was Pimpinio’s top player, switching from wing defence to the defensive goal circle in the second half.
This weekend reigning premier Laharum will return from a bye to host Harrow-Balmoral, while Noradjuha-Quantong will travel to Rupanyup in what shapes as the match of the round between two top-five teams.
Other games will see Edenhope-Apsley host Swifts, Kaniva-Leeor United visit Natimuk Showgrounds and Taylors Lake welcome Pimpinio.
This weekend will see Laharum host Harrow-Balmoral in a top-five clash that shapes as the match of the round, while elsewhere Pimpinio will travel to play the Lakers, Edenhope-Apsley is at home to Swifts, Kaniva-Leeor United will try to win its first road game of the year against Natimuk United and Noradjuha-Quantong is away to Rupanyup.
By Lauren Henry
Southern Mallee Thunder notched up its third win in a row on Saturday when it won a thriller against Stawell.
The Thunder, bolstered by some new recruits, look to have their season back on track, now sitting fourth on the ladder but are in a logjam with two other sides – Minyip-Murtoa and Stawell – all on 20 points.
With Dimboola and Horsham Saints sitting just outside the top five on 16 points, it could be a flip of the coin who plays Wimmera league finals football this season.
The lead swapped and changed several times throughout the match at Central Park, Stawell, with the scores level at 35 points apiece at half-time.
The Thunder held a two-point lead going into the last quarter after the Warriors failed to capitalise on their opportunities, kicking 3.5 in the third term.
The last quarter was freeflowing football with nine goals scored, but it was Thunder who came out on top to win 93-84.
Thunder coach Kieran Delahunty said the match against Stawell was a see-sawing affair.
“It was obviously a great contest and we dug deep and ran out the game really well – it was a very pleasing win,” he said.
Delahunty said the more his side played together, the better results they achieved.
The Thunder have picked up some recruits since the season began – but has also lost some key players in Harry McLeod, out injured for the season, and Delahunty who broke his leg in round five.
Newcomers include Angus Dewar and Reid Polak – the pair have an existing connection having played together in the Western Australian Foot-
ball League – and the Thunder has welcomed them with open arms.
But Dewar comes to the Thunder at a cost – he is a six-point player due to once playing for West Coast Eagles when their list was hammered
by COVID in 2022.
“He’s slotted in really well down back – we’re really lucky to get him to the club,” he said.
“He has great leadership qualities and a fantastic fella as well.”
Thunder said Polak had also
performed well in his three games at the Thunder, with the full forward kicking five goals against Stawell.
Others to perform well against the Warriors were Billy Lloyd, Angus McSweyn, and Jarrod Stokes.
Delahunty said he was unsure of a return date for him to play again.
“It’s just one of those frustrating injuries, where I’m walking around now and it’s feeling pretty good walking, but it’s just progressing to that next step to get back running, and then get back training,” he said.
For the Warriors, Josh Fowkes, Jarrod Illig and Charlie Gibson impressed.
The Thunder now turns their attention to this weekend’s match against Warrack Eagles, who will be fresh after a bye in round 10.
“They’ve certainly been very competitive. I’m not sure how many games lost by under
three goals now, but it’s a few. They bring a lot of effort and endeavour, and make you earn it,” Delahunty said.
Minyip-Murtoa scored a strong 58-point win over Dimboola in the Saxton-Walsh Cup.
With the goal-scoring shared between 10 Burra players, it was Tanner Smith, Liam Kidd and Nick Cushing who shone. In other results Nhill was back on the winner’s list after downing Horsham Saints 9366, while Ararat were scintillating as it piled on 27 goals to score a huge 175-31 win over Horsham Demons.
Jack Ganley, kicking 10 goals, was the star of the Rats’ show, while Henry Shea bagged five, and Tom Williamson four. In other round 11 action, Minyip-Murtoa hosts Stawell in what will be the match of the round, Dimboola travel to Ararat, and Horsham Saints host Horsham Demons in a Sunday match.
A pair of mammoth scores headlined round 10 of the Wimmera league’s A Grade netball competition, with Dimboola scoring 90 goals and Horsham Saints 89. The Roos, playing at home, took on winless Minyip-Murtoa and immediately set about running up the scores.
Dimboola netted 28 goals in the first quarter, putting it on track to crack a triple-digit total.
But the visiting Burras showed improvement in the second term, holding the Roos to 18 goals for the quarter while putting up nine of their own.
Players like goal-keeper Lauren Dodgshun and Ruby Wilson contributed to the Burras’ improved defensive showing in the second quarter, but the home side redoubled its attack after the long break.
Maddison Marra was moved from goal -attack to the bench in the third quarter, paving the way for reserve Olivia Beugelaar to score 28 goals in the second half.
Beugelaar’s efforts, along with those of Marra and Nicole Polycarpou – who each scored 31 goals – showed the variety of attacking options at Dimboola’s disposal, but it was defender Stephanie Glover and
captain Rianna Kuhne in the midcourt who stood out most in the 90-35 win.
Jessica Newell was the top-scorer for the visitors, hitting 22 shots.
There was a similar scoring outburst for the Saints, who defeated Nhill 89-42 at Davis Park.
The Tigers were able to score 14 goals to the visitors’ 23 in the opening term, but Maddison Bethune and Erin Martin clamped down on Nhill goalers Ruby James and Charlotte Foulds in the second quarter, allowing only six goals.
The rout continued in the second half, with Lena Marshman coming off the Saints’ bench to score 32 goals in an impressive showing.
Nhill defenders Ash Hobbs and Emma Schilling were named their team’s top performers on a difficult day.
Horsham’s 48-41 win over Ararat was the only A Grade match decided by a single-digit margin in round 10.
But Horsham ultimately proved too strong, with Jorja Jones shining at windefence and goal-keeper Sienna Manserra holding Ararat shooter Laney McLoughlan to 16 goals from 30 attempts.
The Southern Mallee Thunder’s clash with Stawell at Central Park was a lopsided affair after quarter time, with the Thunder turning a one-goal deficit into a 65-38 win.
Southern Mallee coach Steph Thomson exploded for a season-high 48 goals, while at the other end of the court defender Abby White made life difficult for Thomson’s counterpart in Warriors coach Jemma Clarkson.
This weekend will see Ararat host Dimboola in a battle of top-five teams, while the Thunder and Warrack Eagles will meet at Beulah and Minyip-Murtoa hosts Stawell at Murtoa.
Although the Demons led at every change they were unable to completely shake the Rats, who, through the defensive efforts of Paige and Faith Biddle, gave themselves an outside chance.
All eyes will be on Horsham Saints and Horsham in a Sunday fixture at Coughlin Park, with the Saints seeking to emulate their 20-goal win over the Demons early in the season and stamp themselves as firm premiership favourites.
– Colin MacGillivray
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Fifty-five golfers – 42 men and 13 women –played a 4BBB Stableford round at Minyip Golf Club on Monday as part of the Wimmera Veterans golf.
The winners for the day with a score of 47 points were Norrie Poulton and Graham Puckle, of Hopetoun. Runners-up with 46 points were Neil Kerber and Dexter Schilling, of Horsham, with Roger Perris and Rob Exell, Moor Park, coming in third place with 44 points on a three-way countback.
Nearest the pins were: 6th: Val Scott, Horsham, Graham Puckle; 13th: Helene Turvey, Horsham, Peter Hammond, Horsham; 16th: Janice Midgley, Minyip, Roger Perris, Moor Park; 18th: Chris Campbell, Murtoa, and Mark McGrath.
On June 16 at Hopetoun Golf Club, Wimmera veteran golfers played their first round of the Wimmera Veterans Sandgreen Championships, attracting 51 players, from as far away as Kaniva and St Arnaud. The results were:
A Grade, 1-16: Bryan Dufty, Nhill, 37 on a countback from Brendan Etherton, Nhill; 3rd: Mal Elliott, Grange.
B Grade, 17-23: Chris Phelan, Warracknabeal; 37; runner-up Colin McKenzie, Horsham, 36; 3rd Wayne McDonald, Toolondo, 35.
C Grade, 24-plus: Max Burns, Murtoa, 35, on a countback from runner-up Stan Ryan, Warracknabeal, 35; 3rd: Wayne Morton, Jeparit, 34.
Nearest-the-pins were: 1st: Chris Campbell, Tubby Drendell; 5th: Chris Campbell, Bob Hayes; 11th: Chloe Mulraney, Graeme Launer; 15th: Chloe and Bryan Dufty; 17th: Anne Morton and Tubby Drendell. The veterans’ next event will be next Monday, July 7, at Dimboola Golf Club, which will also be the second round of the vets sandgreen championships.
WINNERS: Above, at Minyip, from left, Dexter Schilling and Neil Kerber, Horsham; Graham Puckle and Norrie Poulton, Hopetoun; and Rob Exell and Roger Perris, Moor Park. Left, Hopetoun winners, from left, Mal Elliott, Bryan Dufty, Chris Phelan, Max Burns, Wayne Norton, Brendan Etherton and Colin McKenzie.
Wimmera basketball export Chloe Bibby is on the hunt for a new home after the Women’s National Basketball Association, WNBA, Golden State Valkyries waived her contract on Tuesday morning Australian time.
Bibby, a 188cm forward who grew up in Warracknabeal, signed with the Valkyries last month, appearing in five games and averaging 6.4 points, 2.8 rebounds and 0.6 steals per contest as a reserve.
The Valkyries signed the 27-yearold after some of their Europeanborn players opted to play for their national teams in the EuroBasket championship.
But with the return of French player Janelle Salaün and Italian player Cecilia Zandalasini following the conclusion of EuroBasket, the Valkyries cut the contracts of Bibby and guard Bree Hall. Bibby thanked the Valkyries for giving her an opportunity to play in the world’s top women’s league in a post on social media. While her next move is unclear, Bibby’s time with Golden State served as a perfect audition for a potential continued career in the WNBA. Regarded as a sharpshooter, Bibby enhanced that reputation by hitting 42 per cent of her threepoint shots on nearly four attempts a game.
Horsham – Applications close: 08 July 2025
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For more information, please contact Kate Clark on 0428 971 821
BY DAVID BERRY
Hellenic Nuggets avenged last season’s Volleyball Horsham A Grade grand final result with a thrilling five-set win over Phantoms.
That was just one of many highlights on grand final night, with eight finals decided, some upset results and some amazing come-from-behind victories.
In the A Grade final, Phantoms started well taking the first set 25-22, with fill-in players Malachy O’Brien and Tyler Snowden being strong on serve.
Hellenic Nuggets bounced back to take the second set in emphatic fashion 25-15, with James Johns and Loucas Vettos stepping up, giving the team confidence they can mix it with their opponents.
Setter Noah Werry and O’Brien again were instrumental in Phantoms taking the third set 25-20, giving Phantoms a two sets to one lead. Nuggets refused to yield and at 22-22 captain Dimitrios Vettos stepped up to the plate and delivered three strong serves to win the set and push the final into a decider.
Vettos said very little separated the two teams in the fifth set with Phantoms leading at the change of ends 8-6, only to see Johns again send four well placed serves at Phantoms and defend strongly denying Phantoms hitters.
“From that moment on you can see the team lift and start to believe they could win,” he said.
Vettos called his two time-outs in successive points as Phantoms mounted a challenge, which helped to steady his team as Phantoms key hitter Tyler Puls hit the front line.
“We knew we had to ensure Tyler didn’t impact once he hit the front line so we steeled ourselves to defend as best as we could and it worked in our favour as we went from 12-11 to 15-11 to record a memorable victory,” Vettos said.
In the Women’s A grand final the young Nuggets team, many of whom were members
of the Volleyball Horsham women’s division three country champs team, were too good for Phantoms, who went into the final missing key hitter Cleo Baker.
The Women’s B final went to Power Divas who reversed the second semi-final result, defeating Von Steiger Sisters in straight sets.
Drew Armstrong and Stella Angue were the best players for the winning team.
The A Reserve grand final went down to the wire with Heidelberg coming from 12-14 down in the fifth set to record a memorable 16-14 victory, on the back of four well-placed Cobba Harrison serves, at that crucial stage of the match.
The B Grade grand final went to top team Wilson, who despite missing two key players were too good for WLC Tigers.
John Turton organised his offence to perfection and he was well supported by Luke McCallum and veteran Nick Rigas.
The C Grade grand final also went down to the wire, with the young WLC Titans team coming from 12-14 down in the fifth set to win 16-14.
Tarren Mibus was the player for the occasion, as he went back to serve at 12-14 and landed each of the four serves needed to take the win.
In the Junior A grand final, Von Steiger Kids recorded an upset win defeating Strikers in four sets.
Needing to win their last two matches to even make the finals, the Von Steiger Kids got better as each week went by, winning their three finals, with Alwinjay Ocubillo and Kobe Agustin consistent players for the winning team.
In the Junior B final, WLC Tigers were too strong for the WLC Cubs winning in four sets, with Kyle Van As and Gurshaan Marwaha playing well for the Tigers.
Volleyball Horsham’s winter season will commence on Wednesday, July 30 and Monday, August 4 and team entries are now being taken with the link to register at www.volleyballhorsham.com.au.
Entries close on July 28.
