The Weekly Advertiser – Wednesday, March 1, 2023

Wimmera showcase

BY JESSICA GRIMBLE AND ABBY WALTER

TheWimmera’s biggest business and social event will make its long-awaited return next week — one of the region’s final events to return after an extended COVID-19 hiatus.

Organisers, exhibitors and visitors are welcoming a chance for reconnection at the three-day Wimmera Machinery Field Days when Wimmera Events Centre at Longerenong re-opens its gates from Tuesday.

It comes ahead of The Weekly Advertiser Horsham Fishing Competition, across the Labor Day long weekend, and after a sold-out three-day food and wine festival at Maydale Reserve in Horsham.

West Wimmera’s Lake Charlegrark Music Marathon, Goroke Rodeo and Henley on Lake Wallace have already attracted considerable visitation to the region in recent weeks.

Wimmera Machinery Field Days president Tim Rethus said organisers and the event’s volunteer committee had welcomed a chance to prepare the event with more confidence this year.

The 2022 instalment was cancelled just weeks before it was scheduled due to cross-border restrictions and COVID-19 transmission concerns.

The 2020 event occurred just a week prior to the declaration of the pandemic.

“The biggest highlight of the 2023 event is that we are back – the Wimmera Machinery Field Days is returning to the region’s calendar after two years of cancellations,” he said.

“The sheer number of people we bring to the region is really important to the economy.

“You find all the restaurant and accommodation places are booked out as far as the eye can see.

“The event brings people into our area. People come back who haven’t been here for some time, or at all, and by bringing them here from a wide catchment area, they can see what Horsham and the Wimmera has to offer.”

Horsham Rural City Council tourism and business development officer Gloria McRae said it was the municipality’s time to shine.

She said the coming fortnight could bring more than 20,000 visitors to Horsham and surrounding towns.

“Events bring opportunities for community participation, involving volunteering and social connection. When our hometown hosts an event, we feel proud to be part of the community, positive and optimistic – this is the emotional power that events like the field days provide,” she said.

“As a council, we know the next few weeks is our municipality’s time to shine.

“There are extra operational tasks to be done such as traffic and waste management, additional mowing and in general we want to offer clean and attractive public facilities.

“Visitors want to see a municipality at its best when they are here and we are up for the challenge.”

Grampians Tourism chief executive Marc Sleeman said large-scale events served as an ‘appetiser’ to promote the region to visitors.

He said during COVID-19 lockdowns, lockouts and restrictions and as the region began its recovery, people’s understanding of the breadth of impact of the visitor economy was growing.

“COVID was challenging for many places but there was also some silver linings. One of those is the community’s understanding of the trickledown effect of visitor economy spend,” he said.

“Historically, there were people or industries who would say, ‘I’m not in the visitor economy’. But when visitors stop coming, as we saw, then everybody is affected.”

Wimmera Development Association chief executive Chris Sounness said the field days showcased the growing opportunities in agriculture and promoted the region as a great place to live and work.

“For our region to grow, we need to showcase it well – and the Wimmera Machinery Field Days does a great job at building our profile. It focuses on our competitive advantage – agriculture and food production – and brings people from across Australia to highlight innovation and where agriculture is moving to next,” Mr Sounness said.

FOCUSED: Wimmera 14-and-under tennis player Adele Joseph keeps her eyes on the ball during a statewide junior tournament in Horsham at the weekend. Sixteen Wimmera tennis players represented the region at the Pat Cash Cup. The team finished 10th overall against regional and metropolitan teams. Despite rain delays, about 250 juniors took to Horsham Lawn courts for the event. Story, page 48. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Horsham company to build City Oval netball courts

Horsham Rural City Council has appointed Locks Constructions to build two new netball courts at Horsham City Oval.

The Horsham company was awarded an $880,000 contract at Monday night’s February Council Meeting following an open and competitive tender process.

The works will include LED lighting and two supporting shelters and are part of a wider $3.2 million netball upgrade that will also deliver a new community pavilion and change rooms with accessible showers and toilets, player and spectator amenities, an office, social room, storage facilities and umpires room.

Mayor Robyn Gulline said the courts would be completed by September.

“It’s a very exciting project for Council and I know there is huge anticipation from the community to see the work begin,” she said.

“Netball is a widely popular sport here in the Wimmera so it’s great to see the progress we are making in offering keen netballers and spectators better court facilities and improved accessibility around the site.

“Whether residents are playing for fun or forging a path to greatness, Council remains committed to ensuring they have access to the high-quality facilities they need to train and compete, or simply to get out and enjoy an active lifestyle,” Cr Gulline said.

Council has worked with City Oval user

group Horsham Demons Football and Netball Club to help limit disruption to its 2023 season.

“The Demons will continue to play football at City Oval this season without disruption. Council has been working for several months to facilitate interim netball facilities for home games and training and the Demons have booked the St Brigid’s College netball courts for their home games, as these fortunately do not conflict with the Horsham Saints’ home games,” Cr Gulline said.

The City Oval netball facilities upgrade is being funded by all three levels of government and Council will soon invite tenders for the construction of the pavilion.

Common questions ahead of Better Sorted Waste switch

WHY IS COUNCIL INTRODUCING THIS NEW SERVICE?

Under the State Government’s Circular Economy Policy all councils must introduce food and garden organics (FOGO) collection for all urban households and separate glass recycling collection.

It’s estimated that up to 40 per cent of the municipality’s rubbish is food waste, which currently goes straight to landfill. Victoria is running out of landfill space which is driving up the cost to dispose of waste. This cost is passed onto ratepayers via the waste charge on your rates notice. By making this change, we’re helping minimise future cost increases.

Glass – Every four weeks (urban only)

ARE THE NEW SERVICES COMPULSORY?

The new 4-Bin Service will be compulsory for all urban residents. Opting out of it will not be permitted, as this would not lead to the outcome required under the new Victorian Government legislation.

REFRESH FOR WESTERN HIGHWAY ENTRANCE SIGNS

Work has started on the installation of updated entrance signs on the Western Highway approaches to Horsham.

The modern signs are designed to capture a sense of arrival, beautify the entry point and help to establish a fresh identity for the city for tourists and locals alike. They will include lighting to make them visible at night. Reference to Horsham’s Tidy Towns achievements has not been included in the new design. But they will be recognised with a dedicated sign located nearby.

AUDIT AND RISK COMMITTEE VACANCY Independent Member

Council is seeking to appoint an independent member to Council’s Audit and Risk Committee.

The Audit and Risk Committee is an independent advisory committee of Council that provides oversight and advice on Council’s governance, audit, financial management, and strategic risk management functions.

The Audit and Risk Committee comprises of five members (including two Councillors) and three independent members (including the chairperson). Council is seeking a candidate that can demonstrate requisite skills and experience in local government, financial and risk management. Candidates with a strong background in risk management would be favourably considered.

A nominal Sitting Fee as set by Council will be paid.

To apply for this Position – applicants should first contact Kim Hargreaves, Director Corporate Services Kim. hargreaves@hrcc.vic.gov.au to receive an information pack that sets out the Audit and Risk Committee role as well as the required skills and experience of applicants.

Applications close 7 March 2023.

TENDERS AND RFQ

HAVE YOUR SAY

Current Community Engagements

For full details visit the Have Your Say section of the HRCC website

JUBILEE HALL LICENCE

Feedback is invited on a proposal to grant Horsham Rural City Band an extended licence to base itself at Jubilee Hall.

The band has requested a licence for 15 years, plus two five-year options (25 years in total). For this to occur Council must undertake community engagement. This is required by section 115 of the Local Government Act 2020.

Submissions can be emailed to council@hrcc.vic.gov.au with the subject ‘Horsham Rural City Band Jubilee Hall Lease’ or sent by mail to ‘Horsham Rural City Band Jubilee Hall Lease’. Submissions close 5pm, 1 March.

DISABILITY ACCESS AND INCLUSION PLAN

HRCC has developed a draft Disability Access and Inclusion Plan 2023-2026. The plan aims to reduce barriers and increase inclusion and participation for people with disability. Feedback on the draft plan is now being sought. Submissions close Monday 6 March.

ANNUAL ACTION PLAN

HRCC has developed the Annual Action Plan for the financial year 2023-2024. The community has the opportunity until 31 March to provide feedback on the actions that will be taken to deliver the objectives of the Council Plan.

CAD COMMUNITY REFERENCE GROUP

The Horsham Central Activity District (CAD) Community Reference Group will provide support to Council for delivery of the CAD Revitalisation: Streetscape Plan projects.

Applications for membership of the CAD Community Reference Group are now open. Applications for membership close 6 March at 5pm.

The selection criteria will be based on the following:

HOW OFTEN

WILL THE BINS BE COLLECTED?

Landfill Waste – Fortnightly Recycling – Fortnightly Organics – Fortnightly (urban only)

DO YOU HAVE MORE QUESTIONS?

Visit hrcc.vic.gov.au/BetterSortedWaste for a full list of frequently asked questions.

WANT TO BE PART OF THE HORSHAM YOUTH COUNCIL?

If you’re aged 11-17 and live in the Horsham region, nominate yourself to run for Youth Council! Nominations close 12 March.

CAMPAIGNING FOR ELECTION

Candidates will campaign from 27 March until the election, with access to free media training, campaigning workshops, marketing tutorials and more. Candidates will each have a mentor, get 10 free campaign t-shirts and $100 for campaign materials. A Town Hall Meeting will give candidates the chance to hear from and speak with constituents.

ELECTION WEEK

The Youth Council election is happening from 16 – 17 May 2023. Ballot boxes will be set up in high schools and community spaces across the Horsham region. Young people aged 11-17 are eligible to vote.

TERM IN OFFICE

The Youth Council will serve a 12-month term in office, delivering projects, campaigns and events based on a priority agenda developed together early in their term.

NEXT COUNCIL MEETING

Monday 27 March 2023 - 5.30pm

For details visit hrcc.vic.gov.au

FLOOD RECOVERY ROAD WORKSVARIOUS PACKAGES Package 1 Closes 12noon

Thursday 9 March

#Q38-2023

DOOEN LANDFILL OFFICE AND TOILET BUILDING Closes 12noon

Tuesday 7 March

#Q37-2022

REDESIGN OF O'CALLAGHANS PARADE Closes 12noon

Thursday 16 March

#Q37-2022

OPERATION OF TRANSFER STATIONS Closes 12noon

Wednesday 22 March

All tender, EOI and RFQ details online at: www.eprocure.com.au/ horsham-rural-citycouncil/

• Regular involvement in and an awareness of the issues being considered by the CRG

• A willingness to work with others and share decision making

• An ability to represent a broad range of views that reflect the community

• A willingness to contribute to meetings in a fair and unbiased manner

• A capacity to commit to the Committee for the duration of the term. Meetings will be held monthly and the duration of the meeting will be no longer than 1.5 hours.

For more information or to apply visit the HRCC website or collect a paper application form from the Civic Centre.

Proposal: Upgrade and relocate

BY MICHAEL SCALZO

Apreference

to upgrade and relocate planned construction of two key energy-transmission projects could ensure the energy future of Wimmera and southern Mallee industries.

The Australian Energy Market Regulator, AEMO, released its consultation report last week on the planned construction of Victoria-New South Wales Interconnector, VNI West, and has preferenced more than doubling its transmission capacity, as well as a relocation of its intersection with the Western Renewables Link, WRL, at Bulgana, near Great Western.

The at-times polarising plans for the location of the WRL and VNI West connection has drawn criticism from several farming communities the transmission line might affect.

However, Wimmera Development Association chief executive Chris Sounness highlighted the need for greater transmission throughout the region to sustain business investment across the Wimmera and southern

Mallee. He said AEMO’s preference to increase the transmission capacity of VNI West from 220kilovolts to 500kV, and re-route its connection to the proposed WRL at Bulgana, rather than at Ballarat, would secure ‘thousands of new jobs’ across the region.

“Not only will the Wimmera and southern Mallee finally have the reliable power it needs, but we will have contributed to achieving critical steps on the road to meeting Victoria and Australia’s clean energy transition,” he said.

“Building the essential transmission, at 500kV and in the right places, will support meeting the legislated netzero energy targets, ensure electrification of the nation can occur, and enable a community to thrive and realise its economic potential.

“These projects will cost billions of dollars, but the benefits now and in the future are many multiples of the outlay, including thousands of new jobs in the Wimmera and southern Mallee.”

Grampians New Energy Taskforce

chair Stuart Benjamin said ‘transmission confidence’ was crucial for the region’s energy stability once the state’s second-largest power station closed.

“Yallourn power station is scheduled to close in 2028, removing four gigawatts of generation from the national grid,” he said.

“There is no way the replacement generation can become a reality without confidence in transmission capacity. The power in the region is already unreliable, impacting families and businesses.

“If the right decisions are not made now, in 2028 the lights will go out.”

AEMO’s consultation report highlighted its latest preferences would harness ‘more renewable generation in western Victoria’ from as early as 2027.

The report also suggested construction of the VNI West and WRL connection point at Bulgana had the ‘fewest’ environmental and social constraints in comparison with other suggested locations.

Wimmera Development Associa-

tion’s support for AEMO’s VNI West preferences follows the release of its own report emphasising transmission upgrades and terminal relocation would alleviate future transmission limitations, ease investor uncertainty and the project’s social licence.

The new report, ‘Keeping the lights on and enabling a renewable energy revolution in the Wimmera Southern Mallee’, extensively touts increasing energy transmission as a solution to the Wimmera and southern Mallee’s energy unreliability, as well as the region’s capacity to contribute to the state’s renewable-energy generation.

Tony Goodfellow, co-ordinator of the Victorian and Tasmanian arm of regional not-for-profit renewableenergy advocate organisation ReAlliance, said ‘it was good to see’ AEMO had listened to community feedback on the VNI West project, and Wimmera Development Association’s support for its latest proposal had shown the regulator’s engagement had ‘improved’.

“Communities should have a central

Street party to celebrate town’s past and present

The official opening of Dimboola’s Tower Park seeks to heal the community loss of the Dimboola Hotel to fire two decades ago.

A street party on Saturday, March 11 will celebrate the town’s past and present as the site of the former hotel marks its final transition from demolition site to community space.

Dimboola Art Inc, a committee of

10 volunteers, formed five years ago to plan and implement the construction of Tower Park.

The group aims to bring the arts and events to Tower Park, complementing Hindmarsh Shire Council’s plan to invigorate the town’s economy, social and cultural activities for the future prosperity and well-being of residents.

Tower Park markets have become a monthly event since mid-2022.

Past-publican Garry Price will host the park’s grand opening from 5pm to 6pm, starting with a welcome to country and smoking ceremony, acknowledging traditional owners and their connections to Dimboola.

A street market runs along Lochiel Street from 4pm to 9pm, with

the street closed from 2pm. Tracey Rigney’s short film documentary about the Dimboola Hotel will be shown on a giant inflatable screen on Lochiel Street at 8.15pm, before the full-length Dimboola movie at 8.30pm.

Fundraising, donations and grants have paid for the project.

say in major developments such as VNI West,” he said.

“We welcome AEMO’s more thorough engagement plan for all stakeholders.

“Support for the new route from regional stakeholders such as the Wimmera Development Association shows AEMO’s engagement is improving.”

The State Government has announced a $200,000 per kilometre compensation scheme for landholders who would host VNI West transmission lines, to be paid across 25 years.

Re-Alliance national director Andrew Bray said ‘proper’ payment for landholders was crucial, however was not a silver bullet for overcoming landholder opposition to the project.

Victorian Farmers Federation president Emma Germano has called for ‘clear’ landholder appeal guidelines, while several community alliances opposing the project have criticised the State Government’s financial compensation for affected landholders as insufficient.

EPA on site

Snap inspections across Horsham’s industrial zones have sought to understand how businesses are avoiding waste liquids entering stormwater drains.

Officers from Environment Protection Authority Victoria’s North West region also spoke to businesses last week about how they are managing the waste they produce, and providing them with an understanding of the general environmental duties, GED, that came into effect in July 2021.

EPA North West Victoria regional manager Dr Scott Pigdon said businesses that did not comply could face hefty penalties.

“Under the Environment Protection Act 2017 everyone is responsible to take all reasonable measures to prevent pollution as part of their GED,” he said.

“Every business has to be able to show they can manage and control the risks of pollution they create.

“It could be anything from truck wash bays collecting waste water to ensuring proper management and storage of chemical containers. But if you can’t show us how you’re doing it, we will take action.”

EPA is targeting industry sectors including concrete batching plants, agricultural chemical distributors, motor vehicle and machinery servicing and repairs, chemical handling and intensive animal industries.

ICON: Artist Travis Price surveys the mural he painted at Dimboola’s Tower Park ahead of its official opening next weekend.

Contractors, schedules set

BY JESSICA GRIMBLE

Works to construct netball courts at Horsham City Oval will get underway within about two months.

Horsham Rural City Council has awarded Horsham builders Locks Constructions a contract to build two new netball courts and shelters, and install LED lighting, at a cost of $880,000 plus GST. A future contract, yet to be issued, will construct a community pavilion and netball changerooms.

The timing of works must carefully align with upgrades to the councilrun Jubilee Hall, in Roberts Avenue, to allow Horsham Rural City Band to relocate to the premises before its current hall, on O’Callaghan Parade, is demolished. Horsham Pipe Band will also relocate to Jubilee Hall from its current location on the Firebrace Street side of City Oval.

Mayor Robyn Gulline said the council confirmed Locks Constructions as the successful tender at a meeting on

Community grants open

Horsham and district sporting and community groups can apply for their share of a $125,000 sponsorship pool when Horsham Sports and Community Club opens its annual campaign tomorrow.

The club will offer sponsorships to sporting and community organisations for once-off capital works, or to upgrade equipment.

The annual initiative has provided more than $3-million to groups since the club’s inception in 1992.

The club’s manager Glenn Carroll said the board would favourably consider projects that sought to develop facilities and equipment for longerterm impact.

“We’ve given more than $132,000 to fire brigades in the region. We’ve given to every kindergarten in the area, every golf club, tennis club, bowls club, footy club, netball club, every brass band, CWA halls – all sorts of places have been supported in the past,” Mr Carroll said.

“Keep your application simple. Tell us what you want to do and how you are going to help yourselves co-fund it.

“The people who set-up the club 30 years ago had the community in mind, and this is exactly what it’s doing – supporting its community.”

Eligible applicants will be Wim-

Lillimur crash investigation

Monday. “It was an open competitive tender, and they were the best value for money,” she said.

“We follow our procurement policy to the letter to ensure it is competitive and we get value for money for our ratepayers.”

Cr Gulline said community consultation regarding Horsham Rural City Band’s proposed 25-year lease of a rehearsal space at Jubilee Hall had closed.

She expected upgrades to purposefit Jubilee Hall for the bands’ use would finish in March or April, at which time the City Oval works could begin.

It will come as the council continues its nature water-play park, along the Wimmera River near Horsham Riverside Caravan Park, and the Hamilton Street pedestrian bridge, which connects Waterlink Estate to properties near St Brigid’s College.

Cr Gulline said user groups, working with state bodies, had shaped plans for the City Oval redevelopment.

The federal and state governments and the council will fund the project.

“We’ve worked really closely with netball and football to limit the impact on the season,” Cr Gulline said.

“These are big changes, and it’s short-term pain for the long-term gain.

“The facilities they are currently using are not meeting their needs, which is a source of incredible frustration.”

Cr Gulline said works were scheduled for completion in September.

She said Horsham Demons netballers would, in the meantime, use netball courts at St Brigid’s College for home games and were discussing options for a suitable training location.

She said improved facilities would increase opportunities for women and girls to participate in sport and ensure the city’s premier facility met future needs.

“Netball has the highest participation rate of girls in the Wimmera, so it’s important we provide good facilities,” she said.

The council also awarded a contract

to MS and JL Wilmore Pty Ltd – also known as Wilmore Contractors – to complete kerbing and channel works along Hocking Street costing almost $570,000 plus GST.

Council staff will schedule works according to broader project management timelines.

Cr Gulline said engineers had designed the works so native vegetation would remain undisturbed. Mostly angle-parking, with some parallel parking, will become marked along the street.

Projects listed within the City Oval and Sawyer Park redevelopment also include football changerooms, an accessible grandstand, a bigger playing oval and a playground area.

A future stage of works involves land including Horsham’s Men Shed. The building will remain unaffected at this time.

The redevelopment is the second stage of the council’s City to River Masterplan.

Horsham Highway Patrol officers continue to investigate a fatal single-car collision at Lillimur last week and are appealing for public assistance.

Police believe a dark grey convertible Peugeot 308 was travelling along the Western Highway when the driver lost control at about 2.30pm.

The vehicle veered off the road and rolled near the intersection of Leeor Road.

The driver, a 28-year-old South Australian man, died at the scene.

His passenger, a 26-year-old South Australian woman was taken to hospital where she remains in critical condition. Investigators are keen to speak to any witnesses and anyone with dash cam footage in the area before the crash.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online.

This year, 63 lives have been lost on Victorian roads, compared to 46 at the same time last year.

Day of prayer

Wimmera and Grampians congregations will commemorate a global ecumenical movement this week.

People will gather for a World Day of Prayer on Friday – a movement led by Christian women, who will welcome people to join in prayer and action for peace and justice.

This year’s theme is based on Ephesians 1:15-19 – the letter sent to a faith community to express gratitude. Paul gave thanks to God for the Ephesians living out their love and faith, and prayed that they could see three truths: the hope to which God has called the disciples, the riches of God’s glorious inheritance among the saints, and the immeasurable greatness of God’s power.

Christian women of Taiwan have written this year’s prayer.

mera-based and demonstrate a direct benefit to residents of Horsham and surrounding districts; demonstrate their contribution towards the project in the form of cash, voluntary services or in-kind support; and address demonstrated sporting and community needs.

Groups based in the Horsham Rural City municipality and most areas of the Hindmarsh, Yarriambiack and West Wimmera shires are eligible to apply.

The board will assess applications in May and groups will learn their outcome by the end of May; a presen-

tation day in June will award successful sponsorship applicants.

Past recipients include more than $325,000 to football clubs, $172,000 to bowls clubs, $139,000 to education-related projects and almost $210,000 to service clubs.

Geographically, Natimuk clubs have received more than $98,000, while Nhill clubs have received $90,000 and Warracknabeal and Dimboola clubs more than $80,000 each.

The sponsorships are additional to independent sponsorships and other community projects the club supports – such as its $30,000 donation

towards Grampians Health’s lung function lab in Horsham last year. The donation came the same year as the club’s 30-year commemoration and used a public call-out for project ideas, and subsequently, to select the sponsorship recipient.

People wanting more information, including a full list of eligibility criteria – or to apply for sponsorship – can go to hscc.org.au or phone the club on 5382 6649 during office hours.

Applications close on Thursday, April 6 at 5pm.

Services are at the Southern Mallee Cooperative Parish in Rainbow at 9.30am; and at Ss Michael and John’s Catholic Church in Horsham, St Arnaud Uniting Church, St Mary’s Catholic Church in Murtoa and a venue in Natimuk, to be advised, at 10am.

People can gather at Birchip Uniting Church at 10.30am and at Hopetoun’s Uniting Church or St Bernard’s Catholic Church at Lake Bolac at 11am. Services begin at 2pm at Wheatland District Church in Warracknabeal, Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Stawell, Beulah Uniting Church and St George’s Anglican Church in Donald.

A service is planned in Nhill, at a venue to be advised, at 7pm; and at Serviceton Uniting Church at 8pm.

People wanting more information can visit www.worlddayofprayeraustralia.org

SUPPORT: Horsham Sports and Community Club operations manager Andrew Hallam checks on sponsorship forms as the club opens its annual application process this week. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Prizes allocated for longest catches

BY MICHAEL SCALZO

Western Victorian anglers with intent to claim The Weekly Advertiser Horsham Fishing Competition’s top prizes could be making their way home on a pair of all-terrain vehicles.

Registration for the 46th annual fishing competition have opened ahead of its Labour Day-weekend Wimmera River takeover on Sunday, March 12, with participants now able to ogle at the full list of prizes up for grabs.

Participants will compete to reel in the longest fish to win their share of a prize list worth more than $35,000, with separate prize lists for senior and junior anglers, 15-years and under.

Senior anglers are also eligible for a separate ‘random’ prize draw with the first prize a $3000 HelloWorld Horsham travel voucher.

The senior prize for the longest catfish, silver perch, yellowbelly or redfin, regardless of species, is a CF Moto quad bike.

Second-place will win a 3.5-metre fishing boat, complete with motor and trailer, while third-place will receive a fishing charter for up to eight people.

Young anglers will have a chance to win

‘Stable One’ activation

A historic Horsham site transformed into a new entertainment and events venue for the first time at the weekend.

‘Stable One’, part of the Maydale Reserve precinct and overlooking the Wimmera River, hosted a brunch on Friday to launch Horsham Agricultural Society’s annual 150km Feast. The site went on to feature wineries and distilleries from a 150-kilometre radius of Horsham during Sunday’s 150km Food Truck ’n Wine Feast Finale and Drays Yard Market.

The society will use money raised from the weekend’s three-day wine and food festival, including Saturday night’s 150km Feast, to activate Stable One.

The stables were built in the mid-1940s after the Second World War and the society’s latest project aims to research flooring options for the space and install blinds.

The society’s executive officer Andrea Cross highlighted Friday’s sold-out brunch, featuring Mongol Derby competitor Kathy Gabriel, as a demonstration of the potential and the future needs of Stable One.

“It started as most things do – as an idea,” Mrs Cross said of the Stable One development.

“It’s a new venue for the region. People say – it’s just amazing. How did this happen? How did it get here?

“It’s always been here; it’s just that it

a junior-sized CF Moto, to match the seniors’ first-prize giveaway.

There are more than 30 prizes available for competition entrants this year.

Fishing competition committee member Prue Beltz said the committee had changed the way prizes were allocated. She said 2022 participant survey results had indicated anglers would prefer more prizes that rewarded angling skill, rather than prizes for participation.

“We do try to listen to our survey results and after last year, the results were clear –people wanted to increase the number of prizes they could win for the size of their caught fish,” she said.

“Our anglers hang their hat on the length of their catch, so we will have more prizes that recognise their skill.”

In 2022, the major prize winner was drawn at random from a list of senior registrations, while other categorised awards recognised the longest fish of any species.

However, in 2023, first, second and thirdplace senior anglers will win a prize for the longest fish of any species, but the proceeding prizes will be won according to the longest fish, within specific species.

The competition’s ‘Cash for Carp’ program will continue to encourage the re-

moval of carp from the Wimmera River, with the committee again offering cash prizes to anglers who catch the longest carp.

The senior angler who catches the longest carp will win $1000, with $750, $500, $250 and $100 cash prizes offered to the proceeding four anglers.

Junior anglers who catch the longest and second-longest carp will win $250 and $100, respectively.

A smartphone with QR code adaptability is required for participants to submit their catch.

To enter a caught fish, participants can scan the QR code on their fishing competition angler identification card, complete the online form, and attach the self-taken photo of their catch against a measuring device to submit their entry.

Competitors will be required to collect their registration cards and competition identification on Friday, March 10, from 4pm to 8pm; Saturday, March 11, 8pm to 5pm; or Sunday, 6am to noon, at Horsham Angling Club.

People can access the full prize list and register for the competition at horsham fishingcomp.com.au

hasn’t been watered. You add water to anything and you get success.

“Some people have memories of the showground being dry and dusty; but the changes we’ve made have literally transformed this area.”

The society has secured some funding for the project. Money raised from the weekend’s activities, including a silent auction, will also contribute.

Mrs Cross said Stable One would mark its 80-year anniversary in 2025 and she hoped its transformation could also include storytelling.

“We’ve put in for a historical grant so we can capture some of the stories that

our older members have. It’s critical to do that now, because that generation are in their twilight years and if we don’t capture the stories now, they will be lost forever,” she said.

The independently-run Drays Yard Market returns to Maydale Reserve on Friday, March 17 from 6pm to 9pm. Cocktail van Voddy and Vacay will also host patrons.

Mrs Cross said the three-day food and wine festival would return next year and she encouraged people wanting to attend the 2024 150km Feast to secure their tickets quickly to avoid disappointment.

• 150km Feast pictures, page 20

SHE’S A BEAUTY: Horsham Agricultural Society’s Andrea Cross surveys Stable One, which offers views of the Wimmera River from Maydale Reserve.

Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Chief: Clear pathway

BY ABBY WALTER

Culture and governance have significantly improved at Yarriambiack Shire Council, a Local Government Inspectorate report revealed.

An investigation and subsequent report in 2019 found significant issues including a lack of accountability, a lack of responsible uses of resources and poor governance at the council.

The inspectorate visited the council last year to review documentation and interview staff and found the council had addressed the recommendations from the report.

Yarriambiack Shire chief executive

Tammy Smith said the response from the inspectorate reiterated feedback the council had received at a local and regional level from the community, staff and stakeholders.

“To be able to make such a significant change to our organisation in such a short time frame, and during a pandemic, has been rewarding to see,” she said.

“Every staff member has contributed to this achievement. It is an absolute credit to the entire team.

“The culture at the council has dramatically improved, where staff feel valued and are made accountable.

“There has been a strong focus on training and policy development, so staff are provided with the necessary knowledge, skills and resources to complete their jobs to the best of their ability, safely and in line with the council’s strategic direction.”

Ms Smith said a ‘best of breed’ information and communications technology, ICT, approach was implemented to ensure improvements

to the council’s governance were achieved.

“An automated compliance management tool assisted with greater efficiency and accountability,” she said.

“This, along with new human resources and finance systems, has changed the way the council’s internal operations integrate across the organisation.”

Long journey

Ms Smith said the improvements to date were the start of a long journey that would constantly see best-practice principles implemented across the organisation.

“Streamlining processes through ICT improvements, policy development and staff training will continue to be a focus,” she said.

“The council is implementing advisory committees on a wide range of topics across the organisation so that we can continue to engage with and be accountable to our communities.

“Culture is something that has to be continually worked on.

“We will continue to build on our culture and ensure that Yarriambiack continues to be an employer of choice in the region.”

Chief municipal inspector Michael Stefanovic said congratulations were to be given to previous chief executive Jessie Holmes and Ms Smith for addressing the recommendations in the 2019 report.

“The council executive is to be commended for directing resources into important governance areas, that have delivered positive outcomes,” he said.

“In discussions with staff, we were

met with a distinctly different attitude and culture from that witnessed previously.

“There was enthusiasm from staff as they described the improvement in leadership values and the gains made through the implementation of various governance systems and processes.

“This was backed up by staff surveys, where there was an 80 percent satisfaction level, which was a marked improvement from previous surveys.”

Allegations regarding the management of council assets and resources at the Hopetoun depot prompted the initial investigation.

It identified poor governance practices, citing a lack of leadership at the depot, limited staff education and minimal oversight by the council’s administration.

Mr Stefanovic said as part of the culture change, the inspectorate found that where poor behaviour was identified within the council, it was was called out without the fear of repercussion.

“The culture within the council now provides a clear pathway to deal with these issues, which wasn’t evident previously,” he said.

“The inspectorate is confident that the issues experienced at the depot, which led to the investigation, and delivered financial and reputational risk to the council, have fundamentally been mitigated through a raft of improvement strategies, that include improved policies, ongoing training, and improved record keeping and asset management practices.”

FUN IN THE SUN: Horsham Holy Trinity Lutheran College’s Charlotte Kelly, right, sprays her brother Jack with a water pistol during a waterthemed obstacle course at the school’s fair on Friday. The Spring Fair, hosted by the Parents, Teachers and Friends Association, was postponed due to weather at the end of 2022 and rescheduled for a warm, sunny day last week. There were market stalls, fair rides, student-led activities, food trucks and show bags for students and community members of all ages.

Picture: ABBY WALTER

International Women’s Day

An International Women’s Day event in Horsham next week will offer migrant and refugee women a chance to learn more about businesses and services in the region.

Ballarat Community Health’s safer pathways program is hosting the event at Ss Michael and John’s Catholic Church hall, in Roberts Avenue, Horsham on Friday from 5pm to 8pm.

Stalls will showcase businesses, services and achievements. The event will also include performances. A light meal of sandwiches, nibbles and fruit will be available. People wanting more information, or to host a stall, can contact the health service’s safer pathways project co-ordinator Rubylyn Mackley via rubylynm@bchc.org.au

Partnerships, people focus

BY ABBY WALTER

WestWimmera Health Service leaders are looking to tackle staff shortages and build resilience in the coming year.

Chief executive Ritchie Dodds said the service remained committed to making decisions that were best for its communities.

“We strive to be progressive and prepared for future challenges to secure our capability to deliver high-quality services locally, where possible,” he said.

“The health sector across Australia is facing unprecedented challenges — none larger than the ongoing staff shortages being experienced across most areas of direct and indirect service provision.

“In response, we will continue to actively promote ourselves as a leader in rural healthcare with an organisational culture that supports career development and employee wellbeing.

“We will focus on ‘growing our own’ to support staff to upskill and also give local school leavers the opportunity to start their working life with us and ultimately pursue a health-related career.”

Mr Dodds said the service would continue to work in partnership with the seven health services in the Grampians region.

“Great strides in collaboration have been made in recent times and the benefits of this more collective ap-

proach will only increase in coming years,” he said.

People were updated on financial and operational statuses, based on the 2021-22 annual report, at the service’s annual general meeting last month,

Board director Katherine Colbert said while the year in review presented several challenges, it also provided space for resilience building.

“Our financial report this year continued our strong financial management history, with an operational surplus of $59,723 and clear investment into the health of our communities,” she said.

“Our staff have done an incredible job, fronting up every day, ensuring they meet personal protective equipment requirements, often working overtime — all to ensure that the care of our patients and communities remain paramount.”

Mr Dodds said a five-year strategic plan would be released in coming months following community and stakeholder engagement.

“Mental health, dental, and visiting medical specialists were all raised as key priorities for our communities,” he said.

Mr Dodds said considerable time and resources were spent on the health of the organisational culture.

“A safe and engaged workforce that is physically and psychologically healthy is the foundation of highquality healthcare,” he said.

Patients to receive personalised care

Cancer patient care is changing at Grampians Health’s Stawell oncology unit.

Specially-appointed supportive care nurses are providing individualised patient support before, during and after their treatment.

An oncology supportive care nurse role was made possible through a bequest from the family of the late Lauris Eileen Clark and Grampians Health has trained two Stawell-based nurses to fulfill the role.

One of those nurses, Taryn Sibson is one of many ‘career wins’ for Stawell. She started working in administration and as a ward clerk at Stawell Hospital 14 years ago before training and completing her graduate years at Stawell.

She went on to become an oncolo-

gy nurse and has worked in Stawell’s oncology unit for the past six years — mainly in a clinical role.

She also works part-time for the Cancer Council in a similar role.

“The oncology unit was initially for treating cancer patients with chemotherapy and immunotherapy who would then go home and come back for another treatment,” she said.

“The supportive care role looks after the wellbeing of patients so the support continues before, during and after their treatments.”

The supportive care nurses can help patients organise transport and appointments and link patients with other services including mental health services.

“So really we’re just working with each individual patient to see what

they need support-wise and then tailoring that support to suit them,” Ms Sibson said. “We are providing them with education on their treatments – similar in some ways to a cancer resource nurse role but the depth of support is more involved.”

Stawell Oncology treats 34 regular patients who travel from as far as Donald, St Arnaud and Ararat.

The unit treats patients five days a week, with cancer treatments on Tuesdays to Thursdays. The supportive care nurses work Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays.

“Previously we didn’t have extra time to sit down and talk to them and see what they actually needed and now with the dedicated staff to do that, we can help them further,” Ms Sibson said.

on your time.

NEW FOCUS: Cancer supportive care nurses Taryn Sibson and Shannon O’Keeffe, with Stawell Oncology nurse unit manager Trudi Dunmore, are providing individualised support to patients through a new program.

Volunteers rally to ‘tidy’ city

Horsham and district volunteers will join a national effort to clean-up localities and celebrate community pride.

Horsham’s Tidy Towns group is calling for volunteers to assist in the 2023 Clean-up Australia Day on Sunday.

Chairman David Eltringham said the local project would strike a rare opportunity to participate in a national initiative, which can fall on the same weekend as major events in the region such as The Weekly Advertiser Horsham Fishing Competition.

He said last year’s effort attracted the assistance of about 40 people.

He hoped for increased people-power this weekend.

“After two years of being unable to take part in the national effort due to COVID, this year the Horsham team, together with community volunteers, will take part,” Mr Eltringham said.

“In the past, Horsham’s effort has also needed to be on an alternate date due to the fishing competition.

“We’re lucky, this year, that we’re doing it on the same day as everyone else.

“We will be entering this event as part of our 2023 Victorian Tidy Towns entry submission.”

A celebration of our community

There’s

a buzz in the air.

The Wimmera Machinery Field Days will return to Longerenong next week – one of the last events to resume after COVID-19 caused unprecedented challenges in recent years.

Little did the organisers of the 2020 event know the world as we knew it was about to change – dramatically – within weeks of the Wimmera Events Centre gates closing. Talk at the time was of an illness being experienced overseas – it, quite literally, felt a long way from our shores; but within about a week, a worldwide pandemic was declared and a short time later, lockdowns began.

Of course, there were attempts to return the event in 2022 – but border closures and threat of illness was too big a challenge to overcome.

Next week, after that extended rehearsal-run, the event brings with it an air of opportunity and excitement once more.

Accommodation venues are filled to capacity in Horsham and well beyond. It’s a chance to showcase the fantastic lifestyle opportunities the region offers existing and prospective residents.

The majority of conversations about the field days also link back to common themes of socialisation and a sense of community – and after the extended time away, this is perhaps one of the most anticipated social benefits of the event.

EDITORIAL

By Jessica Grimble

Then there’s the unexpected benefits to businesses and communities across the region.

Today, The Weekly Advertiser publishes the largest edition in its 25-year history.

With a 60-page liftout celebrating all things field days and agriculture, advertising spaces for today’s edition ‘sold-out’ weeks in advance.

We chose to ‘cap’ the volume of advertising available to ensure our team could bring its readers the best possible product, without overexerting our own capabilities and risking a quality experience. That’s in an era when newspaper readership and advertising is, traditionally, in decline. Not so for readers and advertisers of The Weekly Advertiser

The field days is an important event for our community, and local journalism celebrates and records the days of our lives.

Support is critical to the success of any endeavour, and it appears we’re all in good hands.

Volunteers will assemble at the model railway carpark, at the river end of Firebrace Street, at 9.30am on Sunday.

They will form teams and be allotted a hotspot area.

Selected sections of the Wimmera River bank and under-bridge litter accumulation following flooding, central business district carparks, highway and main road reserves have been identified as requiring attention.

Mr Eltringham said people must ‘sign-in’ to the initiative for registration and insurance purposes; they can register ahead of time, online, via www.cleanupaustraliaday.org.au

Some protective equipment will be available.

The initiative concludes about 1pm.

Signs change

Mr Eltringham said the group was disappointed a sign acknowledging the regional city’s success at Tidy Towns awards, located on Stawell Road, would be removed soon for installation of modernised signage.

Horsham Rural City Council’s ‘rebranding’ project will ‘transform and revitalise’ the appearance of the re-

FIVE-DAY forecast

gional city – including its ‘welcome’ infrastructure

“We’re trying to negotiate with council to find another spot for our sign, or find another spot for theirs,” Mr Eltringham said.

“The sign is an icon on the Western Highway.”

The council’s chief executive Sunil Bhalla said the council was committed to recognising Horsham Rural City’s Tidy Towns history.

“Horsham’s Western Highway entrances will be updated with modern signs that capture a sense of arrival, beautify the entry point and help to establish the identity of the city for tourists and locals,” Mr Bhalla said.

“Council plans to recognise Horsham’s successful Tidy Towns history with a new and more appropriate sign located nearby.”

• People wanting more information about the clean-up initiative can call Mr Eltringham on 0418 147 482, Neil King on 0414 742 466 or visit the Horsham Tidy Towns Facebook page.

Mr Eltringham also called on people who had identified rubbish ‘hotspots’ to call him or Mr King ahead of the day.

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TRIBUTE: Horsham Tidy Towns committee members, from left, David Eltringham, Daryl Dower, Neil King, Cheryl Linke, Kola Kennedy, Gary Aitken and Jan Morris gathered on Thursday to ‘farewell’ the sign that will soon be replaced with new branding. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Community Newsletter

Introduction

New Horizons for RNH in 2023!

The first quarter of 2023 has been a hive of activity forging new pathways for Rural Northwest Health

Our AGM at the end of January saw the RNH board, staff, community and new CEO Jenni Masters come together for the first time. Then in the evening we celebrated the Betty Richardson & Years of Service Awards as staff who embody the RNH values, loyalty and best practice were recognised.

RNH Updates

A Word from CEO Jenni Masters

New temporary measures in place from Monday 20 February are:

 Podiatry will not accept new outpatient referrals; this is to ensure we can continue to manage the current consumers receiving ongoing Podiatry care.

 There is no staff Physiotherapist available, however we do have limited locum Physiotherapists available. Our Intake team will be reviewing new physiotherapy referrals and likely forwarding these on to neighbouring public or private physiotherapy providers.

A moment to thank everyone for the kindness I've been shown since arriving in the Wimmera. I see there are many challenges to face with public health outcomes and in our own operations such as employee retention and attraction.

But I firmly believe with community collaboration and innovative thinking we can excel in this tough post COVID environment.

There are some things to let you know:

• We are having a stand at the Wimmera Mallee Field Days on the 7-9 March and offering free health checks so I encourage you all to come and visit us to make the most of this opportunity and talk with our fabulous health professionals

• Our Allied Health Team are experiencing reduced capacity and in particular within our Physiotherapy and Podiatry services. We are working hard on recruitment and seeking partnerships to increase our capacity to deliver these services again in the near future.

 For urgent physiotherapy referrals the Intake team will determine if there is capacity for our locum Physiotherapist to assist or if our Exercise Physiologist is appropriate for care

We hope these are temporary measures only and thank you for your understanding.

I'm looking forward to hosting an afternoon tea here at Yarriambiack Lodge for residents, their families and the community on Friday 10 March at 2pm so please come along.

We are also holding a community afternoon tea in Hopetoun at Gateway BEET on Wednesday 15 March at 3pm and will have information on hand regarding the benefits of joining our Social Activities Group (PAG) and in doing so have access to our bus, staff and approved RNH volunteer drivers.

I applaud Rural Northwest Health's vision of supporting 'strong, healthy, vibrant rural communities' and our mission to 'promote wellness, enhance health, and support healthy aging' and promise to work diligently alongside our wonderful team here to see it realised daily.

Staff Spotlight

Teresa Brimelow is a valued member of our Environmental Team. Several years ago now, Teresa and her husband Tim moved to the Wimmera to enjoy a peaceful retirement ... that lasted about a week!

Luckily for us, Teresa had skills having worked in catering for many years in early childhood centres around Melbourne. Before too long she joined our ranks in the kitchen and the rest is history.

Tim got busy too and opened up Wimmera Computer Services in the main street of Warracknabeal. Both have added much to the community they embraced.

So if you're looking for a new direction, make the move to Rural Northwest Health ... Teresa and Tim haven't looked back!

Careers at RNH

Working with RNH is a fantastic way to learn and grow as a healthcare practitioner. There are multiple positions open for people wanting to join the RNH team, these are all advertised in the careers section of our website. We’re currently looking to expand our nursing teams and have positions available for:

• Registered Nurses

• Enrolled Nurses

• Graduate Nurses

• Physiotherapist

• Podiatrist

Visit www.rnh.net.au/team/current-vacancies to access detailed job descriptions for the above-listed vacancies.

2023 Graduation Program Applications

The applications are now open for the following graduate programs at RNH:

• CQU Internship & Students Placements

• EN Graduate Nurse Program

• RN Graduate Nurse Program

• Registered Undergraduate Student of Nursing (RUSON) Program

• Student Placement & Work Experience

For further information regarding graduate programs please email: education@rnh.net.au or douglas.matheson@rnh.net.au

Have your say

If you have any feedback or suggestions for our newsletter, please share with us at www.careopinion.org.au

rnh.net.au

Tips to study success

Ashigh school graduates ponder life after school, many students across the region will step straight back into a cycle of study and exams as they enter further education.

There are many differences between high-school and tertiary study and mastering the transition can be a difficult task — especially if you were the first in your family to continue studying after high school.

The Weekly Advertiser spoke to Federation University’s chief experience officer Samantha Bartlett about how people could best prepare for the transition. These were her tips:

Access support

One difference between high school and tertiary education is you have to seek out support and ask questions, rather than having staff come to you.

Universities and TAFEs have supports for just about every need — inlcuding counselling, disability support, financial aid, healthcare, academic skills support, chaplaincy, international student supports, and support from the teachers.

Further, always ask questions.

This is especially key in the early stages of a semester, such as during orientation. The more information you have, early in the semester, the better.

Get orientated

A lot of people hear the term ‘orientation’ and think that it’s not important, or they know someone at the university and TAFE and think they know enough about a place to not have to go to orientation.

But the opposite is true. Orientation activities are the best way to make

sure you are set-up for the semester.

There are many courses at university and TAFE that require students to attend orientation activities, and if they don’t, they will already be behind before the semester has started.

Also, spend some time early on, seeking things out on campus. Once you know where everything is — particularly support services, teaching staff, and the rooms you will be going to — you will feel more comfortable.

Build friendships

Create new friends and stick with them throughout your course.

At university and TAFE, there are opportunities to study together, help each other, and even submit assessments together. Having a study group makes it easy for you to ask questions and discuss ideas. Your marks may improve just by studying with mates.

It’s also important to have fun.

Don’t just treat university and TAFE as a way to get a qualification.

If you see events advertised or opportunities to join a society or group, then take the opportunity.

Making study fun will make the stressful times more manageable.

Look after yourself

Some students believe that they need to tough it out when things aren’t going well, because they want to prove they are a good student. However, teaching and support staff know students need to look after themselves.

If you are starting to struggle early in the semester, tell your teaching staff about it. There may be something they can do such as suggest you apply for an extension for an assessment task or for special consideration.

Further, don’t stop your high school

life. If you were playing sport, then continue playing sport; if you were involved in clubs, then keep going.

If you have a job you like, keep it. Just make sure it’s all possible to fit into your week.

Planning is key

You may have been able to get good marks for your work at high school by just writing well, but university and TAFE both require planning.

Planning for assessment tasks, planning your life around classes and study, fitting in work or placements — you will need to know what you are doing and find time to do everything you need to. If you don’t note things down in diaries, you could miss something important.

Further, start early. Just because your assessments may not be due for weeks after the start of semester, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t think about them. Start planning assessments in week one so that you know what you have to do early and won’t have surprises.

Attend classes

Many courses require attendance for you to be able to pass.

There will be great information and learning available online, but you will still need to attend classes to be able to pass most courses. If you are not going to be able to attend classes, then you may need to think about online courses.

Know your options

If you notice early in the semester that you need to lessen your study load, or increase it, or that you want to change your study entirely, then make sure you contact the enrolment team to discuss your options.

Elders Southern Wool Report

AMBASSADOR: Kaniva’s Louise Hobbs is Wimmera Agricultural Societies Association Rural Ambassador winner for 2023.

Show passion honoured

Louise Hobbs of Kaniva and Bart Turgoose of Horsham are Wimmera’s agriculture show ambassadors for 2023.

Miss Hobbs won the Wimmera Agricultural Societies Association group finals for the Rural Ambassador award.

The award acknowledges a young person aged 20 to 30 years-old who has a good understanding of issues impacting their local show and community groups – such as volunteerism and succession planning.

Miss Hobbs said she was honoured to have a chance to represent both the Kaniva show and the Wimmera region at a state level.

“Every year I always look forward to attending the Kaniva show because it showcases what an awesome small community we have,” she said.

“I love seeing how many talented people live in our town but also how our whole town comes together to not only make an awesome event happen, but also support it.”

Mr Turgoose won the Wimmera Agricultural Societies Association group finals for the Junior Show Ambassador award.

“I wanted to get out in the community so over time, I have helped with the annual Horsham show and 150km Feast,” he said.

“I was also involved in Horsham’s virtual show, which was the first of its kind in the state.”

Mr Turgoose said he was honoured to win the junior ambassador award.

“It’s very exciting to be going onto a state level,” he said.

The state winners of both awards will be announced at a Victorian Agricultural Shows conference in June.

Personal Assistant

Permanent role based in a local well established family business. Supporting the General Manager this interesting role will have you completing monthly reconciliation statements and spreadsheets. Xero and MS Office experience required.

Demolition Labourer

Permanent role for a hard working, safety conscious individual. Great deal of variety in your work day and working in a great team environment. Previous experience in earthmoving or demolition is desirable. A HC licence and experience is required.

Machine Operator

Chef/Cook

Full Time or Part Time position for a passionate qualified Chef/Cook available at a family run boutique winery near Halls Gap. This is a great working environment, working 5 days per week, predominantly day shift. Accommodation may be available for the successful Candidate.

Mechanical Trade Assistant

Full Time position available for a highly motivated, safety conscious candidate for a high regarded local business. Previous experience with diesel fuel injection systems or a mechanical background is an advantage but not essential as training will be provided.

GCH your new provider of Home Care Packages and Community Aged Support services in the Grampians. Staying independently at home for longer

Permanent role for a safety conscious team player. This position would be suited to someone who has worked in the mining industry. Previous experience operating an Excavator, Backhoe and Bobcat is essential. HC licence and semi experience desirable but not essential.

Something you may not know about us is that for every candidate we place in permanent or temporary employment, we make a donation to a charity of our choice. This quarter, we’re proud to be supporting a wonderful local organisation, Grampians Community Health, which does such important work for people in the region.

To go to our current vacancies scan this QR code or checkout our website www.latituderecruitment.com.au

Grampians Community Health has been a dedicated local Community Care provider for over 30 years; supporting our communities with Home Care Packages and Community Aged Care services. We employ skilled and qualified local people to assist you.

Our new program from our office in Horsham includes all levels of in-home and community support for older people. For more information about the services we offer please call us 5358 7400.

Karen Bryant Director Bianca Rogers Admin Support Cathie Ferguson

If you’re a freelancer or contractor, or maybe even a consultant, then you’re part of the ‘gig economy’.

Gone is the job for life, or even a job in the normal, employed meaning of the word.

For you, work consists of short-term contracts or a series of one-off jobs.

‘Gigs’, as the band down at the pub might put it.

Off to market at Willaura

A boutique market returns to Willaura this weekend.

The annual Willaura Health Care Outdoor Market on Sunday, from 10am to 2pm, will feature more than 60 boutique stalls — well up on last year’s numbers.

Due to heavy rains last year and the regular site being still under water, the market has been moved to Willaura Recreation Reserve, next to the hospital, with parking areas remaining the same.

Market stalls include homewares, cards, jewellery, giftware, plants, candles, gourmet foods and clothing

for babies, children and adults.

Willaura Health Care Auxiliary president Heather Fleming said the market was shaping up to be a great day for the whole family.

“Not only will we have stalls packed with homemade and home-grown goods, but we will also have musical entertainment by popular local band SOFT. And don’t forget the auxiliary produce stall full of home-baked goodies, jams, relishes and produce,” Mrs Fleming said.

“There will be a jumping castle for kids and Wicked Wildlife will entertain and

inform everyone with their amazing Australian wildlife.

“Added to all this there will be a wide variety of delicious food options, including the Willaura Lions Club barbecue, coffee and ice-cream.”

The Willaura Healthcare Outdoor Market has raised more than $100,000 for Willaura Health Care, incorporating Parkland House Hostel, across the past 17 years.

This has included new furnishings and fittings, equipment, and activities and outings for residents.

Entry to the market is by gold coin entry.

For some, gig work is a liberating choice that allows them to work their own hours, holiday when they like and work wherever they wish.

For others it’s a necessity in a weak job market where under-employment and age discrimination is rife, and more companies choose to outsource specific tasks.

The key to the gig economy is technology — be it an Uber app, Skype, crowdsourcing sites or just email and the web.

A study found 4.1-million Australians had freelanced in 2014-15, and it’s a trend more likely to grow than diminish. So if you’re a ‘gig worker’ what can you do to make the most of your situation?

It’s business

If you’re happy picking up odd jobs that fall into your lap for a little extra money, that’s

FINANCE focus

with Robert Goudie CFP GradDipFP Consortium Private Wealth

fine. But if you are looking to earn a full-time income, then you’re in business and need to operate accordingly.

To begin with, you need to know who your potential clients are; how to reach out to them; how to gain referrals; the processes you have to put into place to track your work, issue invoices and make sure you get paid on time; and how to meet your tax obligations.

Protect yourself

Depending on the work you do and the requirements of your clients, you may need a range of insurances:

• Professional indemnity insurance: If there’s any chance a client could sue you in relation to the work you are engaged to complete.

• Public liability insurance: In case work activities cause injury to a member of the public.

• Income protection insurance: You may be eligible for workers’ compensation insurance, but the rules vary from state to state, depending on your busi-

ness structure, and only cover work-related injuries. Income protection insurance will also cover you against illness and non work-related injuries.

• Life insurance: If you have dependents but little in the way of net assets.

Think long term

Can you build your business into something you can sell?

If not, how will you fund your retirement?

As a gig worker, you’re unlikely to receive compulsory superannuation contributions, but you can — and should — make your own contributions. Personal contributions are tax deductible up to the annual concessional cap of $27,500.

Get advice

All state and territory governments have departments of business that offer a wealth of information and support for small businesses.

Also, talk to your financial adviser. Aside from being able to look at your insurance, savings and super needs, your adviser may be an experienced small business operator, a potential mentor, and a valuable member of your network.

• The information provided in this article is general in nature only and does not constitute personal financial advice.

DAY OUT: Kate Keilar with her jewellery stand at last year’s Willaura Market.

Opportunities aplenty

In the Wimmera, it can be difficult for employers to attract high-quality employees that are willing to stay in the area long term.

Accordingly, our team at O’Brien and Smith Lawyers were excited when Helen Thomson joined our team in January last year.

Helen was born in Zimbabwe and immigrated to Nhill in 2003 where she completed her primary and secondary education. In 2013 she moved to Adelaide to attend university.

At university, Helen completed a Bachelor of Laws and Legal Practice and Bachelor of Arts, majoring in History.

In her final year of university, Helen relocated back to the Wimmera so that she could be closer to her mother, Ginty.

She took on a role in local government in the governance and human resources areas.

During her employment in local government, Helen became familiar with the challenges and opportunities within the Wimmera region.

This, along with having grown up in the area, means she has a thorough understanding of her client’s perspective.

Helen lives in Nhill with her

partner Daniel, her dog and her three cats. Helen is eager to acquire a horse, but it might take some more of her negotiation skills to get Daniel on board with that one. Her mother is Ginty Thomson, who is nurse unit manager at West Wimmera Health Service in Nhill and a member of Nhill’s Rotary club and Uniting church.

Helen says living in the Wimmera provides her with a lifestyle she couldn’t achieve if she had taken a job in the city

as many of her friends from university have done.

In her spare time, Helen enjoys reading, walking her dog, catching up with friends and binge-watching the latest British police procedural TV series. Helen was admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of South Australia in 2013 and transferred her admission to the Supreme Court of Victoria in January 2022. She was also admitted to the High Court of Australia in 2022.

Tax claim changes

With increased access across Australia, including the Wimmera, to working from home, changes to Australian’s workfrom-home tax deductable income will come into effect for the 2022-23 financial year.

The Australian Taxation Office, ATO, has changed the way people claim deductions for costs incurred while working from home.

Deductions are calculated using either an ‘actual cost’, or a ‘fixed rate’ method.

ATO assistant commissioner

Tim Loh said it was only the ‘fixed-rate’ method of claiming deductions that would change, providing ‘flexibility’ and removing ‘tedious’ workuse calculations of home-items deductions.

He said deductions such as phones, internet and electricity expenses would be included in the new rate, removing the need for people to calculate those expenses separately.

However larger equipment,

MEET OUR GROWING TEAM

There are a few new faces in the Country Care team. Joining James, Gavin and Cody, we have Matthew Kahn as branch manager, Andrew Brakema as warehouse manager and delivery, and Aurelio Macchia as service technician and delivery. Come on in and say g’day!

I am grateful to have her assisting our clients in such a professional, skilled and friendly manner.

Helen’s addition has also meant that we have been able to expand O’Brien and Smith Lawyers practice to Nhill.

Helen works from 45 Victoria Street, Nhill on Tuesdays and in Horsham on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

including technology items and furniture will still need to be claimed separately.

“To claim your workingfrom-home expenses, you must be working from home to fulfil your employment duties — not just carrying out minimal tasks, such as occasionally checking emails or taking calls,” Mr Loh said.

“No matter which method you use, make sure to keep records. This will give you more flexibility to choose the method that gives you the best deduction at tax time depending on your circumstances.

“Another benefit is that you no longer need a dedicated home office to use the fixed rate method,” Mr Loh said.

‘Transitional’ arrangement will be in place for people who have not kept records of their work-from-home expense ahead of 2022-23 income tax returns.

People can visit ato.gov.au/ home for more information.

Hindmarsh concerts

A series of music concerts has begun in Hindmarsh shire.

Highly-regarded duo Acoustic Box Duo performed at Dimboola Library gardens on Friday.

Well-known Wimmera musicians Darryn Wardle and Jeff Woodward will perform at Jaypex Park, Nhill on Saturday, March 18 from 6pm and again at The Oasis in Rainbow on

Sunday, March 19 from 3pm. Horsham’s Aaron Murray performs at Menzies Square in Jeparit on Friday, March 24 from 6pm.

All concerts are free to attend and are part of a ‘Reconnecting communities through small events in Hindmarsh Shire’ program with funding from the council and State Government.

areas be causing the problem; it may also be locked up area in your upper back. This is because your neck muscles go down this far and tight upper back can also be restricting neck movement. As a chiropractor we take into consideration that there are many factors which need addressing and work with our patients to get the best results. You may not need surgery.

• Patrick Smith is the principal of O’Brien and Smith Lawyers.

OPPORTUNITIES: Helen Thomson is working for O’Brien and Smith Lawyers at both its Horsham and Nhill offices. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

150km Feast

CELEBRATION: People have wined and dined in style at Horsham’s Maydale Reserve across the weekend. The three-day food and wine event included the main event, 150km Feast on Saturday night, pictured, along with a brunch on Friday and a market and food truck and wine ‘finale’ on Sunday. Pictured enjoying the festivities are, clockwise from above: Matt and Janene Coutts; Flick Searle and Joel Fowler; Jen Ball and Grace Newby; Daniel Fischer, Jon Dixon and Greg Dixon; and Emilie Kenny, Lachlan Dickson and Leecie Stafford.

Toolondo CA 65 Holmes Road, Toolondo

625 acres (252.92 ha) or thereabouts

Located 15km Toolondo, 50km Horsham, 40km Natimuk, 40km Balmoral this versatile property offers multiple opportunities for any farming enterprise wanting a reliable grazing block with seasonal opportunistic cropping possibilities or for purchasers looking to secure either a tranquil lifestyle property within a short distance of the renowned Toolondo Reservoir, Mount Arapiles, Little Desert and Grampians National Park. The property boasts serviceable to near new boundary fencing with mixed soil types typical to this area, native grasslands and pastures along with parcels of remnant native timber, grasses and scattered mature trees, 4 run off dams, basic sheep yards and GWMW pipeline water connected.

FOR AUCTION: Thursday 9th March 2023 @ 1.00pm

Venue: Toolondo Golf Club

Tim Coller

Tooan CA 55 & 55A Blakes Road, Tooan

904 acres (365.83 ha) or thereabouts

Located approx. 50km from Edenhope, 45 km to Goroke, 25km from Natimuk & close to Mount Arapiles this versatile property offers opportunities from seasonal, opportunistic cropping, year-round grazing or lifestyle. Comprising a total of 904 acres, this undulating property boasts sandy loam type soils typical to the area, native & improved spring clover pastures, multiple catchment dams, solar bore guaranteeing a year-round water supply. Well maintained serviceable to as new boundary fencing, divided into 5 main paddocks & complimented by scattered mature trees & pockets of native trees & grasses, functional sheepyards, sundry shedding & workers hut.

FOR AUCTION: Friday 10th March 2023 @ 1.00pm

Venue: Natimuk Golf Club

Tim Coller

M 0418 504 415

Lower Norton Land Auction

Three (3) individual allotments (to be offered separately)

AUCTIONREMINDER:Thursday,March2 (thisweek)@1pm

Bothes Road, Lower Norton

309 acres (125.05 ha) or thereabouts

Conveniently located within 20 minutes of Horsham in the highly regarded, tightly held Lower Norton district this undulating cropping / grazing property features productive mixed soil types enhanced by a strong Gypsum and lime dressing program with cropping and chemical history available. Comprising two main paddocks boasting serviceable to near new boundary fencing, scattered stands of native trees, multiple catchment dams, fenced in two paddocks intersected by Bothe’s Road and GWMW pipeline connected to onsite tank.

AUCTIONREMINDER:Thursday,March2 (thisweek)@1pm

Lower Norton – Nurabiel Road, Lower Norton

428 acres (173.2 ha) or thereabouts

This attractive undulating 428 acre (173.20 ha) allotment is located in a highly regarded cropping / grazing area with the suitable to a variety of cropping & grazing opportunities. Boasting productive mixed soil types that have been enhanced by a strong Gypsum & Lime dressing program the property is divided into 3 main paddocks with heavily treed native creek corridor & scattered stands of native trees, serviceable to near new boundary & divisional fencing, catchment dam, GWMW pipeline connection & a full cropping & chemical history available on request. Opportunity to purchase an adjoining 870 acres to further enhance any farming enterprise.

AUCTIONREMINDER:Thursday,March2 (thisweek)@1pm

Horsham – Noradjuha Road, Lower Norton

870 acres (352.04 ha) or thereabouts

This undulating 870 acre (352.04 ha) property is located in a tightly held, highly regarded district property is ideally suited to all crop types or a mixed farming enterprises incorporating both cropping and livestock production on rotation. Boasting versatile mixed soil types suitable for a variety of crop types that have been heavily enhanced by a strong Gypsum and Lime dressing program and regular Spring Vetch and weed spraying program. Divided into 13 main paddocks with treed seasonal creek reserve, scattered stands of native timber, serviceable and near new fencing including extensive specialist deer fencing and gates to some paddocks. Numerous catchment dams and GWMW pipeline water available. Opportunity to purchase the adjoining 428 acre property to greatly enhance any farming enterprise.

FOR AUCTION: Thursday 2nd March 2023 @ 1.00pm

Venue: Haven Hall

Tim Coller

Drung

Total of approx. 220ha/ 545 acres in 3 parcels

Opportunity to lease Prime cropping country located 10 – 13km from Horsham

Lot 1 - Domaschenz Road DRUNG approx. 90.5ha/223 acres

Lot 2 - Taylors Lake North Road DRUNG approx. 90.88ha/224.5 acres

Lot 3 - Horsham Lubeck Road DRUNG approx. 39.66ha/ 98 acres

For Lease by Tender, Closing Friday 3rd March 4.00pm

Lease commencing 10th March 2023 - ending 28th Feb 2026

Highest or any tender not necessarily accepted. Viewing by appointment only.

Mark Clyne

AUCTIONREMINDER:Friday,March3 (thisweek)@1pm

Horsham 85 & 85a Wilson Street

Substantial CBD retail premises / development site

With direct frontage to the busy Wimmera Highway this versatile premises offers astute purchasers a rare opportunity to secure a substantial commercial site in the heart of the Horsham CBD.

This extensive building comprises two independent premises, the first with a floor area of approx. 235m2 and the second with a single level retail area of approx 695m2 with adjoining warehouse / storage area of approx 300m2 with roller door access from Wilson Street.

FOR AUCTION: Friday 3rd March 2023 @ 1.00pm

Venue: On-site

Tim Coller

M 0418 504 415

The Alps is a new timber range that features classic dining and lounge options. Alps is made using premium FSC certified eucalyptus timber with subtle teak look finish. Comfortable wide lounge chairs have base cushions covered in spun polyester fabric with a natural wicker backing.

Traeger Timberline XL Pellet Smoker Fire up a feast, along with drinks and dessert, all on one grill that allows grilling, smoking, baking, roasting, braising, & BBQing—and now sautéing, simmering, and scorching-hot searing, thanks to the new Traeger Induction™ cooktop. Whether it’s slow-smoked meats, gourmet feasts, or wood-fired pizza, the Timberline helps you make every meal memorable.

Overtaking lane

The light end of the SUV market overtook the equivalent baby category of passenger cars in Australia last year and despite only seeing one month of data for 2023, crossovers are already pushing small passenger cars further off the buyer shopping list.

It is the same trend that pushed SUVs to overtake passenger cars in 2017 and comes less than two years after the small SUV class leap-frogged the small passenger car segment.

A lot of onlookers will say that this was inevitable.

SUVs are a genre that buyers want, triggered no longer by a sense of adventure or practicality — a small

hatchback can be at least as spaceefficient as a small SUV — but by a tribal sense of joining the fraternity on the road and the sheer weight of models available on the showroom floor. Take the light SUV category for example. In January, there were 10 players that sold almost 6000 units with sales that were up 44.8 percent on January the previous year.

In January 2018, light SUVs did not have a separate category and were bunched with small SUVs, and the same segment had 1818 sales from five players: Nissan Juke, Mazda CX3, Suzuki Ignis, Ford EcoSport and Haval H2.

The light passenger car category —

collectively micro and light segments — had 28 entrants that in January 2018 sold 7137 units.

So there was a clear disparity from the ‘baby’ end of the SUV market and the equivalent passenger car segments, with the latter getting attention.

This was primarily because there were more cars, so more choice, and buyers gravitated to small hatchbacks.

In the five calendar years from 2018 to 2022, medium-size SUV styling increasingly trickled down into the smaller vehicles.

The new design — in practice the same design as a hatchback but higher off the ground for better driver visibility and easier seat entry-exit —

became the cookie-cutter shape that flowed down to the light SUV class officially established in 2020.

Light SUV sales are led by the Mazda CX-3 with the lion’s share 42.6 percent of the segment, and newer entrants such as the Suzuki Ignis, Kia Stonic and Hyundai Venue.

Like a hatchback of the previous decade, most are front-wheel drive and have little to no off-road ability.

The exception is the Suzuki Jimny, while Mazda’s CX-3 and Toyota’s Yaris Cross offer all-wheel drive as a $4000 and $3000 option respectively.

Sales of small SUVs jumped the small passenger car class in 2021, with that year seeing the latter fall by

10 percent and the former jump by 20 percent. The effect was that in 2021, small SUVs outsold small cars by 35,206 units, or 24 percent.

Much of the reason for the switch was the appearance of the budgetpriced and easily accessible MG ZS, while new products attracted showroom interest in the form of the Volkswagen T-Roc, Skoda Kamiq and Jeep Compass.

Australian buyers, in concert with most markets, now prefer SUVs to all passenger-car variants with SUVs garnering almost 47,000 sales in January alone, compared with the traditional car segment with 16,602 units sold.

— Neil Dowling

• HiLux sales crown under threat — Page 25

New standards of style, safety — Page 26

‘Baby’ SUVs are selling more than micro, light vehicles

Electrifying

Commanding

‘Super competitors’ tustle market

Toyota Australia has suggested that the HiLux — its biggest-selling model and Australia’s most-popular new vehicle for seven years in a row — could lose its crown to the Ford Ranger in 2023.

A long winning streak at the top of Australia’s sales charts for the 4x2 and 4x4 HiLux ute range is under threat from newer rivals with more extensive model ranges and more powerful engines that could shake Toyota from the top of the tree this year.

The HiLux found a huge 64,391 sales in 2022 which, combined with strong supply and a model changeover impacting its closest rival, the Ford Ranger, meant it was well and truly clear at the top of the pack.

Ford is expected to be able to secure better supply of the Ranger throughout 2023, and its model range will expand in the middle of the year to include new variants that should see it push well beyond its 2022 sales tally of 47,479 units.

It could already have begun.

Australia’s biggest-selling model in January this year was the Ranger with 4749 deliveries — up 46.3 percent on the first month of 2022 — outpacing the HiLux by 618 units.

However, the HiLux still notched up a solid 15 percent sales increase on last year’s January figure.

Toyota Australia vice-president of

sales, marketing and franchise operations Sean Hanley said the Ranger, which he described as a ‘super competitor’, was the biggest challenge for the Japanese company to maintain its number-one sales spot.

“We certainly respect our competitors. It’s a challenging market and we don’t take our position for granted,” he said.

Mr Hanley said he expected some serious supply challenges during the early parts of 2023.

He said the overall sales champion

at year’s end could well be dictated by how many vehicles the company could get its hands on, rather than how many people have their hands up for a new ute.

“Ultimately, I do think the final result will come down to supply, rather than demand,” Mr Hanley said.

“During the past two years, we’ve seen customer inquiry in Australia at extraordinary levels – in fact, beyond extraordinary. I can tell you in my 40 years in this industry, I’ve never seen anything quite like what we’ve seen in

the past two years, in terms of extraordinary demand.

“The traditional playbook was torn up as consumer demand soared, driven by factors such as the surge in domestic travel and the ability of vehicles to support physical distancing.”

Mr Hanley said a current easing of demand was settling to a ‘preCOVID’ level.

“Now, though, purchase behaviour is moderating. Cost of living pressures are increasing. As a result, we are seeing inquiry levels return to

what I call a pre-COVID normal,” Mr Hanley said.

HiLux sales soared by 22 percent last year, while the changeover from PXIII Ranger to the new-generation RA line-up saw the ‘blue oval’ brand’s ute sales drop by 5.6 percent yearon-year.

However, Ford will enjoy its first full year on-sale with the current-generation model in 2023, and will also launch a new luxury-focused Platinum model in the coming months.

Other special editions may follow throughout the year, too.

Toyota will add a new model to its line-up — the HiLux GR Sport — in the third quarter of 2023.

The HiLux GR Sport is described as an ‘off-road hero model’, which scores a 10 percent power bump but retains the same 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine.

“Of course, we’re not standing still with our HiLux line-up,” Mr Hanley said.

“Last year we launched the updated HiLux Rogue and it has been very warmly received. In the third quarter of this year, we will launch HiLux GR Sport — an off-road hero with 10 percent more power and torque, among other new specs.

“Beyond that, we will have more action on HiLux in the second half of the year,” he said.

— Matt Campbell

MOVE: The popularity of Ford’s new Ranger could see the best-selling Toyota HiLux pushed from top spot.

Premium van is lavishly equipped

Hyundai will introduce a highly specified version of its Staria Load light commercial van, LCV, this month, priced from $51,240 plus on-road costs.

Offering what the Korean importer says are new standards of style, safety and convenience, the Staria Load Premium introduces dual 10.25inch instrumentation and infotainment screens with native satellite navigation, LED headlights, 17-inch alloy wheels, climate control, keyless entry and push-button ignition, and a smart powered tailgate.

Further, and on top of the features found in the current Staria Load which is priced from $45,740 plus on-road costs, the two-seat Staria Load Premium adds blind-spot camera monitor and high-beam assist systems, and additional paint colour choices including abyss black, graphite grey, moonlight blue, creamy white and shimmering silver.

Premium paint continues to attract a $695 surcharge.

The Staria Load adopts nearly all of Hyundai’s SmartSense active driver assist and collision-avoidance technologies as standard — a suite that earned it ‘platinum’ status in a comparison of van safety performance by the Australasian New Car Assessment Program, ANCAP, last year. Driver attention warning, forward

collision-avoidance assist, haptic warning function, intelligent speed limit assist, lane-keeping assist, lane following assist, leading vehicle departure alert, parking sensors, tyre pressure monitoring, safe exit warning, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance-assist and blind-spot collisionavoidance assist are all standard, in addition to seven airbags. The new variant shares the existing

Staria Load’s — and Staria people mover’s — powertrain with a 130kW, 431Nm 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine driving the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. Fuel consumption is listed at 7.0-litres per 100km on the ADR combined cycle.

Like the current range, the Staria Load Premium features a solid beam rear axle and leaf sprung rear-end to

provide 4935 litres, VDA, of cargo space.

The floor height is listed at 573mm, the side door aperture is 870mm, and the rear door aperture 1300mm wide by 1320mm high.

Barn-style doors and a top-hinged tailgate are available at the same price on regular two and five-seat Staria Load variants, although the new Premium version is available in two-

TOYOTA CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED IN A CLASS OF ITS OWN

seat liftback configuration only.

The load bed of the vehicle measures 2607mm in length, 1640mm in width, and 1436mm in height and features eight tie-down points to provide maximum load security alongside felt board trim lines on key areas of the walls to prevent cargo-inflicted damage.

Payload for the 2023 Hyundai Staria Load Premium is listed at 1090kg while braked towing capacity is rated at 2500kg.

“We are pleased to introduce Staria Load Premium, which once again resets the safety standard in the commercial van segment with its new standard advanced driver assistance systems,” Hyundai Motor Company Australia chief executive Ted Lee said.

“The Staria Load Premium’s new safety, style and convenience features, and the model’s passenger-car like comfort make it a uniquely attractive offering in the van market.”

Hyundai backs the Staria Load with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty and lifetime service plan. Roadside assistance is included for the first 12 months and extended for another 12 months with each successive scheduled service.

Service intervals are set at 12 months or 15,000km — whichever comes first — and are priced at $360 each for the first five years.

— Matt Brogan

TRUCK HIRE

Morrow Motor Group - 5382 6163

Not just selling cars – Morrow Truck Hire

With more than 48 years of car industry experience, Morrow Motor Group has built an enviable reputation of reliability, honesty and a ‘no-fuss’ approach to customer satisfaction.

As well as selling new and used cars, the company also offers truck hire, trading as ‘Morrow Truck Hire’. Morrow Motor Group’s Wade Morrow said either truck is the perfect size for most applications.

“Why move with multiple trailer trips when you can get most of your move done in one go and with a hydraulic tailgate lifter, it makes it so much easier on your back with the heavy objects,” he said. “We also have a larger truck for the bigger loads.”

The trucks are ideal for customers moving house or for businesses moving stock. The trucks feature a hydraulic tail gate lifter, reversing camera and a air-conditioning. A medium rigid licence is required to drive both trucks.

Hire is available 7 days a week and bookings can be made by calling Morrow Motor Group on (03) 5382 6163 or 0409 133 939 after hours and on weekends. Alternatively, you can drop into the business at 33 Dimboola Road, Horsham.

6:00 rage (PG) 7:00 Weekend Breakfast 9:00 rage (PG) 10:30 rage Guest Programmer (PG) 12:00 ABC News 12:30 Endeavour

(M

Scottish Vets Down Under (PG) 3:30 Monty

Don’s French Gardens (PG) 4:30 Landline

5:00 Dream Gardens 5:30 Further Back In Time For Dinner (PG) 6:25 Better Date Than Never (PG) 7:00 ABC News 7:30 Call The Midwife (PG) 8:35 The Larkins At Christmas

(PG) 9:40 Traces (M l) 10:30 Time (M l,v)

11:30 rage Guest Programmer (MA15+)

12:00 Escape To The Country 1:00 House Of Wellness (PG)

Hotel Inspector (PG) 5:00 Seven’s Horse Racing: Randwick/ Flemington *Live* 6:00 Dog Patrol (PG) 6:30 The Highland Vet (PG) 7:30 The Yorkshire Vet (PG) 8:30 I Escaped To The Country 9:30 Escape To The Perfect Town (PG) 10:30 Vintage Roads: Great And Small (PG) 11:30 The Highland Vet (PG) 2:35 Operation Ouch! (PG) 3:35 Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs 3:55 The Fairly OddParents 4:30 The Beachbuds

4:55 Miraculous: Tales Of Ladybug And Cat Noir 5:20 Lagging (PG) 6:00 The New Adventures Of Figaro Pho

6:35

Jabba’s Movies (PG) 12:50

Movie: “The Last Starfighter” (PG) (’84)

Stars: Barbara Bosson 3:00 STIHL Timbersports (PG) 3:30 Counting Cars (PG) 4:30

Ultimate Rides (PG) 5:30 American Restoration (PG) 6:00 American Pickers (PG)

7:00 Pawn Stars (PG) 7:30 Movie:

“Waterworld” (M l,v) (’95) 10:15 Movie: “Mad

Max 2: The Road Warrior” (M) (’81)

12:00 Teletubbies 12:35 Tik Tak

12:55 Peppa Pig 1:35 Mister Maker Around The World 2:05 Bananas In Pyjamas

2:30 Wolf Joe 2:55 Floogals 3:30 Play School 4:00 Andy’s Wild Adventures 4:25

Odo 5:00 Peppa Pig 5:30 Ginger And The Vegesaurs 6:05 The Adventures Of Paddington 6:25 Peter Rabbit 7:00 Spicks And Specks 8:00 Hard Quiz (PG) 8:30

Movie: “The Proposition” (MA15+) (’05)

6:00 Sunrise 7:00 Weekend Sunrise 10:00 The Morning Show (PG) 12:00 Seven’s Horse Racing: Randwick/ Flemington 5:00

Seven News At 5 5:30 Border SecurityAustralia’s Front Line (PG) 6:00 Seven News

7:00 Border Patrol (PG) 7:30 Million Pound Pawn (PG) 8:00 Border Patrol (PG) 8:30

Movie: “John Wick: Chapter 3” (MA15+) (’19)

(PG) 12:30 STIHL

Timbersports

2:00 Full House (PG) 2:30 3rd Rock From The Sun

(PG) 3:30 Everybody Loves Raymond (PG)

4:00 The Nanny (PG) 5:00 Bewitched 5:30 I

Dream Of Jeannie 6:00 Movie: “Alvin And The Chipmunks: The Squeakquel” (G) (’09)

Stars: Jason Lee 7:45 Movie: “Meet The Fockers” (PG) (’04) Stars: Robert De Niro

(M s,v) (’10) 6:00 The Talk 7:00 Farm To Fork 7:30 Good Chef Bad Chef 8:00 Everyday Gourmet With Justine Schofield 8:30 Entertainment Tonight (PG) 9:00 Judge Judy (PG)

5:00 Worldwatch 9:00 Home Of The Year: Scotland 10:00 Grayson’s Art Club 10:55 Lady Jane Grey - Murder Of A Child Queen (PG) 12:05 Worldwatch 2:10 Hear Me Out

2:20 Amplify

2:40 Deafying

2:55 Flightpaths, Freeways, Railroads 3:00 NITV News: Nula 3:30 Bamay 3:45 The Cook Up With Adam Liaw 4:15 We Hear You (In English/ Spanish) 5:05 Jeopardy! 5:30 Letters And Numbers 6:00 Mastermind

Molly And Mack 2:05 Bananas In Pyjamas

2:30 Wolf Joe 2:55 Peppa Pig 3:30 Play School 4:00 Andy’s Baby Animals 4:25 Odo

5:00 Peppa Pig 5:30 Ginger And The Vegesaurs 6:05 The Adventures Of Paddington 6:25 Peter Rabbit 7:00 Spicks And Specks 8:00 Whose Line Is It Anyway?

(PG) 9:10 Penn And Teller: Fool Us (M)

Tiger” (PG) (’54) Stars: Dirk Bogarde 1:00 Movie: “The Frightened City” (PG) (’61) Stars: Sean Connery 3:00 Movie: “Outcast Of The Islands” (PG) (’51) Stars: Trevor Howard 5:00 Movie: “Beachhead”

Stars: Clint Eastwood 2:00 Home Shopping 6:00 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert (PG) 7:00 The King Of Queens (PG) 8:00 Frasier (PG) 9:00 Becker (PG) 10:00 Friends (PG) 10:30 The Neighbourhood (PG) 11:30 The King Of Queens (PG) 12:30 Frasier (PG) 1:00 The Middle (PG) 1:50 Australian Survivor (PG) 6:00 The Big Bang Theory (PG) 10:15 Friends (PG) 12:15 Home Shopping 1:45 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert (PG) 12:00 ABC News At Noon 12:30 ABC News Regional 1:00 ABC News 1:30 In Conversation with Sachin Tendulkar 2:00 ABC News 2:30 Landline 3:00 ABC News 3:30 China Tonight 4:00 ABC News 4:30 Close Of Business 5:00 ABC News 5:30 The World This Week 6:00 ABC Evening News 6:30 Australian Story 7:00 ABC National News 7:30 Foreign Correspondent 8:00 ABC News Tonight 6:00 Getaway (PG) 6:30 A Current Affair (PG) 7:00 Weekend Today 10:00 Today ExtraSaturday 12:00 Our State On A Plate (PG) 12:30 The Pet Rescuers (PG) 1:00 My Way 1:30 Movie: “The Man In The Moon” (PG) (’91) Stars: Sam Waterston 3:30 Journey To South Africa 4:30 Explore TV 5:00 NINE News: First At Five 5:30 Getaway (PG) 6:00 NINE News Saturday 7:00 A Current Affair (PG) 7:30 Space Invaders: Luke And David (PG) 8:30 Movie: “The Notebook” (PG) (’04) Stars: Ryan Gosling 11:00 Movie: “The Choice” (PG) (’16) Stars: Benjamin Walker 12:00 Escape Fishing With ET 12:30 Exploring Off The Grid (PG) 1:00 Pat Callinan’s 4X4 Adventures (PG) 2:00 Beyond The Fire 3:00 JAG (PG) 4:00 Scorpion (PG) 5:00 Escape Fishing With ET (PG) 5:30 Reel Action 6:00 JAG (PG) 7:00 Football: Round 19: Sydney FC v Melbourne Victory City *Live* 10:15 MacGyver (M) 11:10 48 Hours (M) 12:05 Seal Team (M) 1:00 NCIS: New Orleans (M) 2:00 Evil (M) 6:00 Children’s Programs 1:00 Power Rangers Dino Super Charge (PG) 1:30 Movie: “Pokémon: Lucario And The Mystery Of Mew” (G) (’05) Stars: Veronica Taylor 3:30 Formula E Highlights 4:40 About A Boy (PG) 5:10 Movie: “Bill And Ted’s Excellent Adventure” (PG) (’89) Stars: Keanu Reeves 7:00 Movie: “Back To The Future II” (PG) (’89) Stars: Michael J Fox 9:10 Movie: “Executive Decision” (M l,v) (’96) 6:00 Reel Action 6:30 Religious Programs 7:00 Freshly Picked 7:30 Escape Fishing With ET 8:00 Exploring Off The Grid (PG) 8:30 What’s Up Down Under 9:30 Good Chef Bad Chef 10:00 Studio 10: Saturday (PG) 12:00 4X4 Adventures 1:00 The Offroad Adventure Show (PG) 2:00 All 4 Adventure (PG) 3:00 What’s Up Down Under 3:30 Roads Less Travelled 4:00 Farm To Fork 4:30 Taste Of Australia 5:00 10 News First 6:00 Bondi Rescue (PG) 6:30 TBA 7:30 NCIS: Los Angeles (M v) 8:40 Law & Order: SVU (M v) 9:40 Fire Country (M v) 12:00 Dave Gorman: Modern Life Is Goodish (M l,s) 1:00 Front Up 2:55 BBC News At Ten 3:25 ABC World News Tonight With David Muir 3:55 PBS News Hour 4:55 Mastermind Australia 5:25 Jeff Bezos: The Rise And Reign Of Amazon (PG) 7:30 Impossible Engineering (PG) 8:30 Women Who Rock (M) 9:30 The Day The Rock Star Died (M) 10:30 Cycling: Women’s Strade Bianche 2023 *Live* 11:10 Movie: “The Sleeping

6:00 Home Shopping 7:00 Weekend Sunrise 10:00 The Morning Show Weekend 12:00 House Of Wellness (PG) 1:00 Movie: “Dennis The Menace” (PG) (’93) Stars: Walter Matthau

Vera (PG)

3:00 Fishy Business (PG) 3:30 Movie: “Superman III” (PG) (’83) Stars: Christopher Reeve 6:00 Movie: “Batman” (PG) (’89) Stars: Jack Nicholson

8:40 Movie: “Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice” (M l,v) (’16) Stars: Ben Affleck 11:45

Movie: “Whiteout” (PG) (’09)

3:30 Play School 4:00 Andy’s Baby Animals 4:25 Odo 5:00 Peppa Pig

5:30 Ginger And The Vegesaurs 6:05 The Adventures Of Paddington 6:25 Peter Rabbit

7:00 Spicks And Specks 8:00 You Can’t Ask That (PG) 8:30 Louis Theroux: Transgender Kids/ Drinking To Oblivion (M l)

5:00 10 News First 6:30 The Project (PG) 7:30 Australian Survivor (PG) 8:40 Would I Lie To You? Australia (M l) 9:40 Ghosts (PG) 10:10 The Montreal Comedy Festival (MA15+) 11:10 FBI: Most Wanted (M v) 12:00 The Project (PG) 1:00 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert (PG)

2:55 Insight 3:55 ABC World News Tonight With David Muir 4:20 ABC America This Week 5:15 Takeshi’s Castle (PG) 5:45 The Joy Of Painting

1. Ararat shares its name with internationally and religiously significant snowcapped Mt Ararat. In what country is this mountain?

2. Female, Great Western, horses, champion and Gorgeous Gambit are words associated with which Wimmera sporting individual?

3. Which of these iconic Australian rock bands never performed in Horsham? ACDC, Skyhooks, Cold Chisel, Midnight Oil, Sherbet, The Angels, Mi-Sex, Hush.

6. Where were the headquarters of the former Shire of Dimboola, dissolved in a Victorian municipal rationalisation process in the 1990s?

7. What makes Pink Lake at Lochiel, near Dimboola, pink? A. Microscopic freshwater crustaceans of the cherax or yabby family. B. An organic compound produced by microscopic algae.

C. Saline underground water that has gone through a capillary process. D. A form of liquid carbon dioxide that has reacted to sunlight.

www.consortiumpw.com.au

8. What was the Wimmera birthplace of Brigadier-General William Grant, the officer in charge of the 4th Australian Light Horse Brigade which charged Beersheba during the First World War middle-east campaign?

9. What Australian poet of note born in the South Australian settlement of Penola in 1872 spent many years in Nhill district in the west Wimmera?

10. What are the two Australian creatures living in the Wimmera that can claim to have a sense of electroreception?

generated by muscular contraction

are the only mammals capable of electroreception – an ability to detect electrical fields

4. My Island Home. He originally wrote the song for the Warumpi Band. Christine Anu had a hit with her version. 5. The colour of the iris in their eyes. The male’s iris is brown to black and the female’s is pink to dark red. 6. Jeparit. 7. B. The organic compound is the pigment beta-Carotene secreted by salt-tolerant algae. 8. Stawell. 9. John Shaw Nelson. 10. The platypus and the echidna. As monotremes they

2. Harness racing champion driver Kerryn Manning of Great Western. Gorgeous Gambit was the first horse she drove and her first horse to score a win. 3. Midnight Oil.

Answers: 1. Mt Ararat is in Turkey and is made up of Greater Ararat, the country’s highest peak, and Lesser Ararat. The Mountains of Ararat are where Noah’s ark is said to have come to rest.

(March 21- April 20) Lucky Colour: Red Lucky Day: Sunday Racing Numbers: 1.2.2.1. Lotto Numbers: 12.21.24.29.41.43. Don’t rush into situations you cannot see the outcome of. Not wise to lend or borrow or spend anything but essentials. Providing you are cautious this could be a good period for romance for the eligible.

TAURUS:

(April 21- May 20)

Lucky Colour: Orange

Lucky Day: Tuesday

Racing Numbers: 4.5.1.7.

Lotto Numbers: 4.5.17.29.26.41. You should make the effort to catch up on chores that have been building up over the autumn period. Be prepared for an opportunity to improve your career or money matters.

GEMINI:

(May 21- June 21)

Lucky Colour: Blue

Lucky Day: Friday

Racing Numbers: 2.1.6.1.

Lotto Numbers: 2.16.17.31.42.43. Favourable influences on personal and romantic relationships. Any carefully planned venture you start during this period should have a successful outcome. Someone from the past could re-enter your life.

CANCER:

(June 22- July 22)

Lucky Colour: Green

Lucky Day: Wednesday

Racing Numbers: 1.2.1.2.

Lotto Numbers: 1.12.18.28.25.43. Opportunities are around and if you are quick to take advantage financial rewards are indicated. The secret side of somebody close to you brings surprises. A little stranger could move in.

LEO: (July 23- August 22)

Lucky Colour: White

Lucky Day: Thursday

Racing Numbers: 3.1.3.1.

Lotto Numbers: 3.13.14.19.21.39. People around you can be changeable so don’t make plans concerning others. Affairs that have been complicated in the past could now be straightened out to your satisfaction and profit.

VIRGO:

(August 23- September 23)

Lucky Colour: Purple

Lucky Day: Monday

Racing Numbers: 6.1.2.8.

Lotto Numbers: 6.10.28.29.33.42. Not a good time to ask for favours. Your ideas could conflict with authority. Social and romantic affairs should be pleasant and some could meet someone who could make some of theirs dreams come true.

LIBRA:

(September 24- October 23)

Lucky Colour: Orange

Lucky Day: Friday

Racing Numbers: 1.5.2.6.

Lotto Numbers: 15.26.28.39.30.45.

People around you don’t seem to think very clearly, so you will achieve more by self reliance. Don’t be hasty with any chores the require close attention to detail. It can be a favourable time to ask favours from superiors.

SCORPIO:

(October 24- November 22)

Lucky Colour: Grey

Lucky Day: Tuesday

Racing Numbers: 9.1.2.1.

Lotto Numbers: 9.12.17.27.42.44. You should be able to talk most people around to your way of thinking and you may be able to capitalise on past efforts. Your career or public life should see good gains. A romantic proposition could surprise.

Like

SAGITTARIUS:

(November 23- December 20)

Lucky Colour: Mauve

Lucky Day: Sunday

Racing Numbers: 1.7.1.1.

Lotto Numbers: 1.7.10.11.25.43.

People are more inclined to favour your causes with a little sympathy and understanding . Most problems seem to clear out of your way. Events should turn out better than anticipated.

CAPRICORN:

(December 21- January 19)

Lucky Colour: Black

Lucky Day: Wednesday

Racing Numbers: 1.6.1.8.

Lotto Numbers: 16.18.19.22.35.42. Hunches can hit the mark and an opportunity too good to miss should present itself. Domestic scene needs more attention to remain stable and a younger family member could be creating waves.

AQUARIUS:

(January 20- February 19)

Lucky Colour: Silver Lucky Day: Thursday

Racing Numbers: 4.6.2.2.

Lotto Numbers: 4.6.22.37.33.41.

Don’t make promises you cannot keep or get in the way of fights and arguments. Financial affairs are under favourable aspects and if you really try you shouldn’t miss. New sources of income could open up.

PISCES:

(February 20- March 20)

    For the week March 5 - March 11

kuLkens Visit KERRY KULKENS MAGIC SHOP at 1693 Burwood Hwy, Belgrave Ph/Fax 9754 4587 WWW.KERRYKULKENS.COM.AU

Lucky Colour: Yellow Lucky Day: Monday

Racing Numbers: 7.1.9.2.

   

Lotto Numbers: 7.19.26.24.32.45. Much to celebrate coming up, however, go easy on the budget. People who are in the position to help you along could be approached with a good chance of success. Someone has a friendly eye on your actions.

Sudoku

Fill in the blank cells using numbers from 1 to 9. Each number can only appear once in each row, column and 3x3 block.

Quick Workout

PuzzLes

Quick Crossword

FOCUS

* Each word must contain the centre ‘Focus’ letter and each letter may be used only once

* Each word must be four letters or more

* No swear words

An All Australian Word Game

* Find at least one nine letter word

* No verb forms or plurals ending in ‘s’

* No proper nouns and no hyphenated words

TODAY’S Good: 17 words

FOCUS Very good: 25 words

Word Find

W I M A M

H W E O L L E S A

Join the Dots

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION calm cilia claim clam clash claw hail ilia ischial laic lash lichi lima mail malic milch sail shawl silica slam slaw slim wail WHIMSICAL

Reference: Macquarie Concise Dictionary

Focus No. 3865

Auspac Media

Crossword Solutions

Macquarie Concise Dictionary

Puzzles and pagination supplied by Auspac Media

hallow halo hawse heal heel hell hello hole hose howl lash leash shale shall shallow shawl shell shoal shoe show wash welsh whale wheel whoa whole WHOLESALE whose

Focus 7 5 2 6 1 9 3 4 8 9 1 3 7 4 8 5 6 2 4 6 8 2 3 5 1 7 9 3 4 5 8 9 6 7 2 1 8 9 1 3 2 7 4 5 6 6 2 7 4 5 1 9 8 3 5 7 9 1 6 2 8 3 4 1 3 6 5 8 4 2 9 7 2 8 4 9 7 3 6 1 5 QUARK is Yesterday’s Solution M R V E S S A L A D C O H E R E D A R T S G V S N A I L E T H C D E M U R E F O Y E R T E M A R G I N R A D A R P E S E T A C S L A T E I O T E E M S R E P C N E V E R A P A R T O T E N D R O N E E R E V E R T P C A R R O T D E T E R R E P U T E E R M O L A R L E A D E R B E L O W G A L A C L S T E N E T T O T E M S S T E E L S E R E S S Quick 1 9 23 28 38 45 24 2 42 43 3 12 39 27 46 4 40 19 5 10 13 41 47 6 20 25 11 35 49 7 26 29 36 8 37 Media People auspac@auspacmedia.com.au www.auspacmedia.com.au 5553 3200 652 284 5553 3201 S W I M A M M E O P S E I R A T S G L C E T N N E T O A E U Y R W I L D

Classifieds

100th Birthday

Beryl Meyer

To our loved mum, Mother-in Law, Gran and great Granny. We wish you a wonderful day filled with much happiness.

Wayne, Barry, Julie and families

HAMMOND ~ Doreen ~

14-6-1929 to 26-2-2023

Loved wife of John (Jack) Hammond (dec).

Loved mother of Peter and Jane, mother-in-law of Sandy.

Grandmother of eight.

Great grandmother of ten.

She was more than happy to be the central figure in the lives of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Anyone who knew them knew that she was a star in their eyes, and that’s all that ever mattered to her.

You will always be our star Mum/Grandma.

Love, Pete, Sandy, Cindy, Melanie, Sherie, Renee, Brett and families.

HAMMOND, Ron

Passed away 26.02.2023 at Karajong.

Much Loved Dad to Barbara (Joy), Father in law to Peter, Much loved Poppy/Grandfather to Martin (& Sarah) Christian (& Tamika) and Great Grand Poppy to Emma, Jack, Paddy and Victoria.

Dad/Poppy A long life well lived.

Caring & Generous to all throughout; Rest in Peace forever remembered by us all.

The STARICKS Portland

HAMMOND, Ron

31-3-1927 to 26-2-2023

Friends and family of Ed & Enid Schultz are invited to an afternoon celebrating their 70th wedding Anniversary.

5th March, Sunday, 2pm. Lutheran Church Hall, Warracknabeal. No

CHEQUER, Maxwell Edward (Max)

Passed away on February 19, 2023 aged 85 years.

Dearly loved husband of Sheryl.

Loving father of Lyndon, Naomi, Matthew, Reuben and their families.

Peacefully sleeping

If love could build a stairway and memories a lane, I would walk right up to heaven to bring you home again.

All our love from your daughter Jane, Nathan, Rebekah, Laura and great grandson Flynn.

HAMMOND, Ron

31.03.1927 – 26.02.2023

Passed away at Kurrajong Lodge, aged 95 years. Dearly loved husband of Marie June (dec).

Father and father in law of Brian & Marg (Anne dec); Barbara & Peter Starick; Suzanne & Phillip Hommelhoff. Adored Poppy to all his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Brother to Hilda (dec), Max, Val & Jill.

Now At Peace

Always in our hearts

Our dearly loved Dad, father-in-law, Pop, and Great Pop, Your memories will be our greatest treasure to share together for ever and ever.

Brian and Marg; Laura, Cam, Audrey, and Fraser; Michael, Jess, Will and Leah. Fondly remembered by Sally, Taryn, Adam and families. “An inspiration to all of us”

WAKEFIELD, Arthur Francis

13-7-1943 to 23-2-2023

Passed away at Melbourne Private Hospital.

Loved husband of Kay Father and father in law of Carolyne & John, Darren & Amanda.

“Will be sadly missed, always in our hearts”

Horsham & District

Funerals

Amity Perovic & Dylan Hartwich 5382 1149 NFDA

WINSALL, Ruth

The Officers and Members of the Horsham Fire Brigade pass on their condolences to the family, her husband LVE (Digger), her children Tony, Darren, Paul & Garry. A lifetime of dedication, family and community.

HAMMOND, Doreen

Celebrating the life of Mrs Doreen Hammond at the Church of England Baillie Street, Horsham on Thursday, March 2 at 2pm All welcome

HAMMOND, Ronald

Ron Hammond will be farewelled at a private family gathering.

Trevor Bysouth & Daughter Ph 5381 1444 AFDA Member

CHEQUER, Maxwell Edward (Max)

The Funeral of Max Chequer will commence with burial at the Dimboola Cemetery at 10.30am on Thursday, 2nd March and will be followed by a Memorial Service at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 23 Dimboola Road, Horsham on Saturday, 4 March commencing at 1pm

The Memorial Service may also be viewed online via Zoom at https://jworg. zoom.us/j/81442422339 and use passcode 621911

Trevor Bysouth & Daughter Ph 5381 1444 AFDA Member

MARRA, Desmond Brian

The Funeral Service for the late Desmond Brian Marra will be held at the Nhill Uniting Church Monday 1st March at 1pm Interment to follow at Nhill Lawn Cemetery. Emiley & Mathew Bone Nhill & District Funerals 0419 008 464

Birthday Remembrance

~ Paul Farnham ~ 5-3-73 to 10-5-91

SMITH ~ Lance Dale ~ 14-9-52 to 3-3-21

The years may pass but still you stay as near and as dear as yesterday. Love Janice and

1 male mastiff x bull mastiff puppy, microchipped, vaccinated, vet checked and wormed, born 22/11/2022, m/ chip# 953010006382898, Source# EE185505, he is ready for his forever home please Ph 0481756063

Aussie White/White Dorper 2022 ewe lambs for sale. $220 each, PIC 3HSDA108, Ph 0478226909 for more information.

Beautiful Chihuahua puppies ready for new homes, Long hair 3F, 1M, source# EE206537, vacc, chipped, wormed m/chip#93501 0006382689/95301000638268 1/953010006382737 Ph Rose 0400711481

Birds for sale, hand raised green cheek conures, lovely coloured aviary bred cockatiels, opaline turks, Bourkes all colours, all young birds, ring for prices Ph 0408535515

Black faced Dorpers joined $140 each Ph 0429912620

Black head dorper ewe lambs, born June 2022, pic#3NGLM058 $250ea Ph 53585079

Border Collies, black and white, male and female, mircochiped, vaccinated and wormed, m/ chip# 985141005191609/202 548/202223/201120/193890, source#EE188958 $1500 Ph or text 0493111730

The

welcomes your

We are required strictly by law to include specific information on some items when publishing your adv your obligations are as

Garbo, on March 5 you would be 50 Happy Heavenly Birthday Love mum xx

Deal with people who understand...

Not everybody wants the same thing.

*All “for sale” or “to give away” advertisements, for either cats or dogs must include one of the following: •

•

giving away or bartering of all livestock must include a Property Identification Code (PIC number) in the advertisement.

Light blue Toyota Corola sport, 2005, 311,000kms, TRD592 Ph 0493100329

Mitsubishi 2014 Galant, auto, red, very good tres and battery, 11mths reg, always garaged, 305,000kms, FLJ115 $2500 Ph 0402139711

Nissan Utility Twin Cab, unreg, vin# UNGD21415702 $2500ono Ph 53840235

2000 Holden Statesman VH auto, 6cyl, 3.8 petrol, white, 282,000kms, QIU916 $6000 Ph 0491034206

2012 Holden Cruze, 1.8 manual, regularly serviced, recent major service with timing belt replacement, water pump and all pulleys, new tyres, bluetooth android touch screen stereo and reverse camera, in daily use, no issues, 1TY2JR $6000ono Ph 0415772074

Hyundai Elantra, 134,000kms, white, EC, very cheap and reliable car, will be sold with rego and RWC, 1DZ7PO $13,500 Ph 0408530717 Dimboola

XR6 2010, auto, service history, RWC, full rego, EC, XSF763, POA Ph 0428989234

2017 Hyundai Tucson Elite, 1.6l Turbo 81,000kms, like new inside and out 1KJ3ZQ $29,000ono Ph 0458030097

Original metres kilocycles megacycle short wave, 5 valve console radio, serial# 2114, EC, working order Ph 53824316

Wormery to giveaway, 4 trays, upright on legs, with active worms Ph 53870522 Horsham

Nissan Navara Twin Cab, 2006, Silver, VGC, no rego, sell as is, 202,000kms, last reg YVO949 $13,500 Ph 0439377524

Toyota Hilux 2wd 2009 SR Twin Cab V6 5spd manual, EC, 210,000kms XGK391 $14,000ono Ph 0444593135

2014 Mitsubishi MN Triton GLX-R

4WD Dual Cab 2.5,Turbo diesel, 5 speed manual transmission, driving lights, canopy, tub liner, dual battery system, UHF, snorkel, diff breathers, side steps, nudge bar,160,000kms, 1BG9XL $25,000 Ph 0498192095

REDUCED 2017 Honda Civic VTI-L Hatch, CVT Auto, pristine condition, black sports pack, apple carplay, 1.5L turbo, new tyres, 41,000 country kms, Honda 7yr warranty, roadside assist, reg May 2023, always garaged, genuine sale 1MT2IG $29,500 Ph 0408881137

Rare Astor roller dial console radio, ex working order and cond Ph 5382431

Student Cello and Bow $500 Ph 0427712331

Yamaha CLP330 Clavinova

Digital Piano, EC, great sound and feel, includes stool $2500 Ph0428894232

2012 Mazda 3 Sport, 6 speed manual, 140,000km, ZPX331 $9900 Ph 0428340829

Holden Gemini x2 , 1981 TE8TF69-188333B, 4dr sed man SL, 1983 TG8TF69-241320B, 4dr sed man SL, as is both $4300ono Ph 0427801969 no text

White 2011 Holden Commodore SS VE series II, selling due to upgrade to 4x4, service up too date with book, rego till May, roadworthy supplied, kept very neat and tidy, 177***kms, ZPK 676 $35,000 Ph 0409579397

2016 Pajero Sport Exceed 7 seat auto 4x4 diesel, roof racks, RWC supplied registered until Jan 2023, great family car, 98000kms, 1IW2AK $40,950 Ph 0418361268

Airia, Fstyle, Mandolin with hard case, EC $300 Ph 0413207022 Bluthner Piano, well tuned, VGC $200 Ph Frank 0455181941 Kawai MP 4 Stage Piano, stand, carry bag, two Behringer amps Ph 0413789736

2 bedrooms available to rent, pre-approved by real estate, plus facilities $150p/w Ph 0417092805

Wanted, Land to lease or share-farm anywhere south of Horsham, from 100 acres to 1000 acres, cropping country preferred Ph Roger Hallam at Mockinya 0418822700

Wanted , someone already travelling to Gippsland to bring back 16’ caravan for an elderly lady, text only 0467189492

Generator and starter motor for early model McCormick deering W6 tractor, Nhill Vintage Machinery Club Ph 0429935928

Geni bottles and fowler jars Ph 0400017344

Wooden wool table, cane wall basket, rabbit traps and yabby hopper Ph 0400017344

Australia’s waste challenges can’t be solved in just one day. So, if you can’t pull together a Clean Up crew, you can Step Up with a small donation to help us continue to Clean Up Australia, every day.

Lutheran Parish

Sunday, March 5 Parish Service

10:30am HC Natimuk

Reg Coote Public Reserve Notice is given for a Public Meeting to be held at 78 Patrick Street on March 15, 2023 commencing at 7pm.

The purpose of the meeting is to nominate no less than three or more than nine persons as the committee of management for the Reg Coote Public Reserve for a term of three years. The current committee’s term will expire on 27th April 2023. All positions will be declared open and nominations will be accepted prior to or on the night.

Further information, nomination forms and nominee declaration forms may be obtained by contacting your local Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action office or at the meeting. For further enquiries please contact the secretary, Kay Horwood on 0427 562 533.

Career Opportunities

If you want to join the HRCC team and serve our diverse, close-knit, and engaged local community, check out the roles below!

Assets Technical Officer

Band 5 or 6 ($69,616 - $84,375 dependent on skills)

• Fixed Term Full-time (12 months)

Flexible working arrangements available

Leading Hand Tree Care Band 4 ($65,810 - $69,464), plus allowances

• Permanent full-time

8 day working fortnight

Assistant Road Worker Band 3 ($60,450 - $63,121), plus allowances

• Permanent full-time

8 day working fortnight

MCH Nurse

• MCH Nurse Rate ($50.58 - $53.19 per hour)

• Fixed Term Full-time (for 2 years)

Flexible working arrangements available

To find out more, visit hrcc.recruitmenthub.com.au OR scan the QR code.

Finance manager

• Exciting position within Skillinvest

• Opportunity to join a leading provider in employment, education and training

• Permanent full-time opportunity

• Attractive salary up to $110,000 plus 11% Super

horsham@ontgroup.com.au

horsham@ontgroup.com.au

www.ontgroup.com.au

DUE TO COMPANY GROWTH WE HAVE MULTIPLE VACANCIES FOR HC & MC DRIVERS

Christian Devotion Being Filled.

Near where I live there is a silo, where ‘Grain Trains’ are regularly filled. It is fascinating to watch, to see how hard those involved work, and how much patience they and the Train Driver need, filling one truck (“Hopper”) at a time. It reminds me of life – we need filling up – not just physically with food, but mentally, emotionally, socially and spiritually.

What helps you to be filled? It may be different for everyone, with sport, social events, reading, friends, family, interests, time out, or whatever. Yet each of these things will only be a part of what fills us. While common decades ago, yet rare now, there are people who (still) find a place each week to be filled. They do that in gathering with a diverse group of people, to explore what it means to be loved by God. It may include music, conversation, listening, quiet, sharing, reading God’s Word, but they gather to be filled and have strength and resources to face the week ahead. And more than that, to know God, and experience joy. These are the people who go to church, to worship God in community, and go out to give and share God’s love in the community.

I would invite our readers to consider what fills you, and encourage you to join a church. The label itself (what church) isn’t so important, but finding a community where God’s word is explored and God’s grace is shared, is! And get filled with love to share with others.

Susan Pearse – Baptist/Uniting Church, Hopetoun & Rainbow

Johnson Asahi was established in 1995 and specialises in the production & export of livestock feed throughout Asia and the Middle East. It is part of the Johnson family business who will celebrate 100 years of operation in 2023.

Due to Company growth, we have demand for qualified Maintenance team members – electricians, fitters & boiler makers to join our team. The positions are permanent full time and based in our factories in the Horsham/ Dooen area.

Experience/ Qualifications:

• Trade qualifications

• Manufacturing maintenance experience an advantage but not essential

• Analytical and problem-solving skills to prioritise competing tasks and deadlines

• Fault finding ability

If you have one of the above trades or, have another trade and would like to diversify, please contact us for an immediate start.

Above award rates with the opportunity of overtime

WE ARE HIRING

If you have the skills and are interested in becoming a member of our team, please submit your resume to janew@jasahi.com.au

Or send to PO Box 795 Horsham Victoria 3402 For inquiries phone 03 53822669

An opportunity exists for a qualified Accountant to join the team at Skillinvest, one of Victoria’s leading Group Training and Training providers. You will be responsible for reporting on Skillinvest’s financial performance and ensuring financial records and reports are accurate through vigorous verification of accounts. You will be managing Skillinvest’s Finance group and working closely with the team. In addition, you will work collaboratively with the management team, contributing to the day to day operations of the business, whilst providing accurate and timely accounting information.

1300 135 008

To be successful in this role you will have:

• Highly developed skills in accounting, analysis and administration

• A detailed knowledge of accounting and finance systems. Strong Excel skills are essential

• Experience in MYOB Accounting software or an equivalent system are essential

• Ability to project manage, set plans and lead a team

• High level of analytical skills

• Ability to work autonomously and within a team environment

• High level of written and verbal communication

The position is full time and is based in our Horsham office. A position description is available by contacting Kim Adams – kim.adams@skillinvest.com.au

For further information and a confidential discussion, contact Jason Maybery, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) on 0419 504 830. Applications are to be addressed to Jason Maybery, CFO including covering letter, response to key selection criteria, resume and three professional referees. Applications are to be sent via our website www.skillinvest.com.au/jobs

Applications close Tuesday 14 March 2023.

Skillinvest is an equal opportunity employer.

Dimboola Natimuk

“ I NEVER THOUGHT I’D BE

1300 135 008

Business Development Consultant

• $73,752 plus 11% super, 12 Rostered Days Off, and company car

• Leading provider of recruitment, labour hire & apprenticeship services

• Autonomous role focussed on Labour Hire and Group Training

Duties

• Promote Skillinvest’s Labour Hire and Group Training model for employing apprentices and trainees

1300 135 008

• Undertake all necessary pre-employment checks, OHS etc

• Mentor and monitor apprentice/trainee performance and trade school

• Carry out administrative tasks associated with maintaining registers, databases and employment paperwork.

Desirable Skills and Experience

• Trade background would be advantageous

• Experience in recruiting or employing staff

• Sales abilities and strong business networks

This position is based in Horsham, travel within in the region will be required from time to time. The successful candidate will require a current Police Check and Working with Children Check.

To obtain a position description, please contact Kim Adams, Recruitment Officer via kim.adams@skillinvest.com.au For a confidential discussion please contact Jodi Bigmore, Operations Manager on 0418 528 368.

To apply, please submit your application letter, response to key selection criteria and your resume including three professional referees.

Plant Operator/ Labourer Position - Full Time

Midbrook Pty Ltd is a civil contracting business located in Horsham operating since 1986.

We have a full time position available for a plant operator/ labourer to work in our small team. Our main business is residential and industrial subdivisions as well as road reconstruction and installation of utility services. Experience with operation of excavators, graders, rollers, loaders is ideal and a HR or HC truck license is also desirable. Above award wages paid and overtime is available.

To apply please send your resume to matthew.hudson@midbrook.com.au or call 0438 822 743

2 POSITIONS

• FPRR IFS Worker

• Health & Well-Being Programs Officer

DO YOU HAVE

Knowledge of issues impacting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Flexibility and good organisational skills. Excellent time management and case planning. A strong team ethic.

WE OFFER

Attractive Remuneration

Salary Packaging Flexible Hours Additional Paid Leave Supportive Work Environment

Get in touch for more details: ceo@goolumgoolum.org.au

Closing date: 10 March 2023

We are seeking committed and passionate people who are ready for exciting and rewarding careers in our growing community health organisation Senior Mental Health Support Worker 38 hours per week

$34.24 to $39.49 per hour

Group Facilitator - Mental Health 15.2 hours per week $34.24 to $39.49 per hour

Contact: Jemima Bibby

Family Violence Case Manager 38 hours per week

$34.24 to $45.18 per hour

School Focused Youth Service (SFYS) Coordinator 30.4 hours per week $39.49 to $45.18 per hour

Contact: Gemma Beavis

The Orange Door based in Horsham has some exciting opportunities

Integrated Practice Leader 19 hours per week $57.91 per hour

Men’s Practitioner 30.4 hours per week

$39.49 to $45.18 per hour

Contact: Gemma Beavis

Closing: 12pm Monday 6 March 2023

To download a position description and key selection criteria form visit our website: gch.org.au

For further information email employment@gch.org.au or call contact person on 5358 7400

Barengi Gadjin Land Council Aboriginal Corporation has several exciting opportunities available to those currently seeking employment. As the federally and state-recognised representative corporation for the Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia and Jupagulk Nations, BGLC is looking for individuals who are enthusiastic to get involved in caring for Country, community and culture in a variety of diverse roles across our organisation.

Company Secretary (Part-Time 0.6 FTE)

Assist BGLC’s Chair, Board and CEO by providing all necessary administrative support to conduct the business of the Board, including scheduling assistance, production and maintenance of documentation, and accurate recording of meeting proceedings.

Aboriginal Water Officer & Landcare for Country Facilitator (Full-Time)

Get outdoors and help keep Country strong by participating in this pilot program which will see the successful applicant assisting BGLC’s Aboriginal Water Officer Team while also progressing to develop productive partnerships with Landcare groups in the region.

Office Administrator (Part-Time 0.6 – 1.0 FTE)

Provide valuable administrative support to staff at BGLC’s head office in Horsham while also being the smiling face greeting our visitors. This part-time position is suited to skilled administrators who wish to fit their work hours to their lifestyle, including work during school-hours.

Cultural Fire Ranger (Full or Part Time (0.5 FTE); Multiple Positions Available)

Take part in the implementation and custodianship of Cultural Burning practices to support healthy Country in one of several positions on our growing Cultural Fire Ranger Team. With duties including vegetation management, controlled burns and engagement with project partners, this position is ideal for those with a passion for environmental health, culture and who enjoy working outdoors.

Please don’t hesitate to view the detailed position descriptions at www.bglc.com.au/ work-for-bglc, and submit any applications or enquiries to recruitment@bglc.com.au or get in touch over the phone at 0408 130 639.

We encourage Traditional Owners, First Nations and non-Indigenous people to apply; Aboriginal identified positions will be clearly marked in the full position description.

BGLC will have more new job opportunities emerging as the year progresses, so please check back regularly.

Staff Payroll Officer- Horsham (22.8 hours per week)

Skillinvest is a well know education and employment provider and is seeking an experienced Payroll Officer to work closely with the Payroll & Workcover Coordinator and People and Culture Team.

We are seeking a proactive and well organised Payroll Officer with a board range of payroll experience to join our team. In addition you will have:

• End to end payroll experience;

• Strong communication skills;

• Ability to build rapport with colleagues and staff;

• Working knowledge of WorkCover processes and return to work plans;

• Excellent computer and administrative skills; and

• Excellent payroll database knowledge and experience.

As a member of the Staff Payroll team, you will be integral in working with your colleagues to provide support and advice to our staff.

For a copy of the Position Description contact Kim Adams - kim.adams@skillinvest.com.au. For further enquiries, please contact Linda Loft - linda.loft@skillinvest.com.au

Applications must address the Key Selection Criteria along with a covering letter. Applications close at 5pm on Wednesday 8 March 2023

Johnson Asahi was established in 1995 and specialises in the production & export of livestock feed throughout Asia and the Middle East. It is part of the Johnson family business who will celebrate 100 years of operation in 2023.

Due to Company growth, we are seeking committed individuals to join our team . The positions are currently based at our Horsham site with the opportunity to move to our new Dooen factory. Immediate start with on the job training and scope for future development and opportunities are available. Above award rates with the opportunity of overtime

WE ARE HIRING

• Production Team Members - forklift license (advantage) must be able to work shift work

• Loader Drivers

If you have the skills and are interested in becoming a member of our team, please submit your resume to janew@jasahi.com.au

Or send to PO Box 795 Horsham Victoria 3402 For inquiries phone 03 53822669

stretching from Ararat to the South Australian border.

The Wimmera, southern Mallee and Ararat district offers a variety of outdoor-lifestyle attractions, boasts a strong sense of community and has all key essential health and education services.

This is a full-time position but comes with highly flexible arrangements for the right applicant. The successful applicant will have the ability to research, create and submit a body of factually accurate stories daily, guided by experienced mentors.

News gathering would be general in nature, covering hard news, features and/or sport.

The Weekly Advertiser works alongside two local radio stations as part of the ACE Radio Network. Long-term opportunities exist for the right applicant to also explore radio journalism and broadcasting.

To apply, email your resume to kellys@aceradio.com.au or phone 03 5382 1351 for more information.

This position comes with an attractive salary package and includes a work vehicle or allowance, laptop and phone allowance for both business and personal use. Training will be provided.

To apply for this role please email a current resume and covering letter to kellys@aceradio.com.au

For a full position description, please call 5382 1351 ACE Radio Broadcasters is an equal-opportunity employer.

Sprintcars lining-up

Agreat night of entertainment is sure to be had with sprintcars back at Blue Ribbon Raceway near Horsham on Saturday.

An eager line-up of sedan competitors across production sedans, unlimited sedans, junior 1200cc sedans and a small field of compact speedcars are also keen to impress crowds.

Sprintcar action is by way of the Sprintcar Racing Association of Victoria and the pro-sprint series, which this weekend includes nominations from Domain Ramsey, Paul Solomon, Daniel Storer of Portland, Matthew Symons and Charles Hunter.

Pro-sprint competition is becoming hugely popular with more competitors committing to the category weekly.

Many of the competitors are choosing to compete with Chevrolet LS engines.

Production sedans have attracted the largest field at Blue Ribbon Raceway for the summer with Jamie Pumpa, Ian Calderwood, Stuey Robinson and Dehne Sparrow among visitors to do

Juniors lock in six weeks

Experienced and new-to-thegame junior squash players launched themselves into Horsham Squash Club’s junior competition last week.

The club welcomed 16 junior players to its six-week junior competition – with play continuing until April 4.

Horsham Squash Club’s Launa Schilling said it was ‘awesome’ to see so many old faces at the tournament, as well as several new ones.

Junior players without squash experience were invited to a ‘come-and-try’ day in February as the club geared up for the tournament.

NEXT GEN: Junior squash players, back, from left, Jasper Fagan, Ella Doti and Jaxon Bunting, with Tiara Cherish, prepare for Horsham Squash Club’s junior competition.

battle with Horsham’s Dean Hughes, Shaun Queale and Katelyn Eltze.

Sparrow is in a new car and Pumpa is back in action and they could be at the front of the field, head-to-head, with Horsham’s contingent keen to take a home-track victory.

Junior race driver talent will be on track in the form of the junior 1200cc sedan class.

Horsham’s Rebecca Johnstone will compete against racers travelling from as far as Wonthaggi and Wangaratta.

Arthur Hutchinson is the number-one driver of the class and he meets Braiden Webster, Bryce Leek, Chase Doherty and Riley Taylor in the line-up.

Horsham’s only unlimited sedan racer Danny Smith will do battle against a handy line-up in the mostly V8 sedan class.

Corey McDonald, Trav Ramsdale, Peter Farley, Trent Susol and Sean Lister are some of the drivers in the big powerful unlimited class.

Smith, of Clear Lake, took the win last time the class was in town and is

aiming for two from two for the season at his own club.

Compact speedcars have a small field this meet.

Australian champion Justin Paull and Victorian number two Trevor Perry plus Mark Cecil and Tania Hallett are among entries in the mostly Yamaha R1 and Suzuki GSXR-powered machines.

The event starts at 5.30pm and gates open to the public from 4.30pm; the pit gate to entrants opens at 11am. There is no BYO as a licenced bar is on site.

All the action is at 1650 Blue Ribbon Road, Kalkee.

Admission prices are adults $25, pensioners $20, students aged 12 to 16 years $15 and children under age 12 can enter at no cost. A family ticket of two adults and two children above the age of 12 to 16 is $60.

Members with proof of membership receive a $5 discount on their entrance fee.

– Dean Thompson, DMT Sports Media for Horsham Motor Sports Club Inc

10 OUT OF 10: Horsham College athlete Sienna Walsgott scooped the pool at a Black Ranges school swimming event at Horsham War Memorial pool on Monday. Walsgott won all 10 of the races she competed in, going on to also swim a leg of an under-17 boys’ relay and securing a second placing. Winners from the day will compete at Greater Western Region level on March 14.

‘Active kids’ vouchers available

Families are eligible for up to $200 to pay for upfront costs to join sporting clubs in Victoria.

The Get Active Victoria Kids Voucher program offers vouchers people can use at registered providers.

Member for Ripon Martha Haylett said she welcomed vouchers that would support families to pay for sporting equipment, uniforms and memberships in a range of activities.

“The Get Active Kids Voucher Program is a game-changer for families across our region and will keep more children playing the sports they love,” she said.

“No matter what sport you play, the Get Active Kids Voucher Program will make it easier for families to be involved.”

There are more than 1600 activity providers registered across Victoria.

Clubs, associations and organisa-

tions can register as a Get Active Kids Voucher Activity Provider to be able to redeem a voucher.

To be eligible they must be affiliated with a recognised state sporting association or equivalent governing body. Families can also continue to claim reimbursement for expenses already incurred from November 28, 2022 to May 10, 2023.

To be eligible, children must be aged 18 and under, a Victorian resident, named on a valid Commonwealth Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card and named on a valid Medicare Card at the time of application. A special consideration stream is available.

Applications close on May 10. More information is available getactive.vic. gov.au/vouchers

Clash of first-round winners

BY DAVID BERRY

Oneteam will take an early advantage on the competition tonight when the battle of the first-round winners highlights round two of Volleyball Horsham women’s competition.

Rangers and Bingo Biddies will face off against each other and enter the game on the back of solid first-round victories against Academy and Heidelberg, respectively.

Maddison Watts and Mackenzie Camilleri were on the top of their game last week and will be confident they can continue that good form.

But Kara Johnson’s Bingo Biddies got better as the game wore on last week, despite losing key player Kymberley Murray to injury early in the

Onfire

Powerful training combo Emma Stewart and her partner Clayton Tonkin posted their seventh entry on The Weekly Advertiser Horsham Pacing Cup honour roll on Sunday, but not with the horse most punters expected would salute the judge.

The team had saddled up four runners in the prestigious event – raging hot $1.70 favourite Major Moth, Cant Top This, Idyllic, and Like A Wildfire, and in a blanket finish, the judge’s photo revealed the least fancied of the quartet, Like A Wildfire, had come out on top.

Driver Zac Chappenden bought the eight-year-old New Zealand-bred gelding home with a well-timed finishing burst to snatch a last-stride victory from stablemate Cant Top This, Mark Pitt, with AG S White Socks, Bailey McDonough, placing third.

After the start, Radius, Michael Bellman, won the early battle for the lead before handing up to Major Moth with two-and-a-bit laps to go and the rest of the field settled into their positions.

Nothing had changed by the bell, with Major Moth racing kindly and under a hard hold for driver Damian Wilson, Cant Top This sitting outside, Kowalski Analysis, Glen Craven, in the coveted one-one, AG S White Socks hard on the helmet and Like A

contest. Hannah Birch and Rej Smith both stepped up and helped the Biddies get over the line.

The first game of the night sees the unveiling for the first time of Emily Hannan’s Tsunami, when they take on Molly Carter’s Heidelberg.

Hannan has enticed former top juniors in Jess Warrick and Amy Lehmann back to the game, while Hannah Sherry and Lily Snowden have been training well so far this season.

New players Brittany Bates and Cassie Hateley round out a new-look Tsunami.

Carter’s Heidelberg will be better for the run last week, with new players Aymee Hawke and Scarlett Hand showing good skills in their first games.

In A Grade, Phantoms got off to

a dream start when they proved too strong for Heidelberg, while Rangers were good winners against a depleted Hellenic Nuggets.

With Phantoms taking on the Nuggets tonight, all eyes will be on how the Nuggets respond after last week’s loss.

The second game sees Heidelberg keen to bounce back against first-round winners Rangers. For Heidelberg, much will depend on the availability of key hitter Jordy Weidemann. Rangers look a settled team with Jack Hannan in good touch, ably supported by the Snowden brothers, Tyler and Jack.

In A Reserve, the match of the round sees first-round winners Hurricanes do battle with Mark Block’s Blockparty. The Hurricanes could not have been

more impressive in accounting for Kiss My Ace in round one, while Blockparty was right in its contest against Von Steiger Shadows, but could not seal the deal when it counted most, in their three-set loss.

Hurricanes’ Ruben Ferguson teamed well with the big-hitting duo of Alex Baker and Joey Nagorcka, which means Blockparty’s Mark Block and Lachie Gillespie will have to do as their name suggests and score points off their blocking to keep the two big-hitting youngsters quiet.

In other games, it will be a toss of the coin between Holy Trinty Lutheran College Raiders and Murtoa Geckos, Waterhammers should be too strong for Kiss My Ace, while an intriguing battle looms between Heidelberg and Von Steiger Shadows.

Close call for golfers Ryan, Hair

Veteran A Grade golfers David Ryan and Ian Hair were separated by a single point after an enthralling day’s play at Nhill Golf Club last month.

Wimmera District Veteran Golfer’s Association gathered nearly 70 players for the competition, with Ryan claiming the honours ahead of Hair, 36 points to 35.

Ron Norton, 34 points, claimed the B Grade win on countback from Ewan Cameron, also on 34 points.

Mike Brown got the better of Roya Liersch in C Grade competition, also on countback, after the pair notched 39 points apiece.

Greg Proud won nearest-the-pin honours at the fourth hole, while Trevor Yole, Ian Hair, Geoff Waldron and Bill Hutchinson were nearest the pin at the seventh, ninth, 12th and 14th holes, respectively.

Veteran association golfers will be at Stawell Golf Club on March 6 for the next association instalment, and part of the Greens Championship. Registration starts at 9am for a 9.30am tee off.

Junior squad opportunity

A junior school holiday program is the next step to developing a Wimmera Bowls junior development squad.

Wildfire four back in the running line. A moderate tempo through the middle section of the 2700-metre journey made a certainty of a frantic final 800m and so it proved as Wilson upped the ante down the back on the final occasion.

At the top of the home stretch, Major Moth was challenged by Cant Top

This, Kowalski Analysis and wider out AG S White Socks with Helluva, John Justice, angling for clean running in between.

The lack of recent racing started to tell on the favourite and close to the post it seemed that Cant Top This

with Mark Pitt had the cup in their keeping, until in the words of race caller Rob Auber: “Like A Wild Fire is absolutely flying home and has got up in the final stride.”

It was a dream result for the 20-year-old reinsman who only recently moved from Queensland with his partner Amy Cargill to work for the Stewart-Tonkin operation.

Like A Wildfire is raced by his New Zealand breeders, Ann and Steven Phillips, who sent their son of Big Jim USA across the ditch in early 2019 as the winner of two races from 14 starts.

The pacer has steadily risen through the classes since joining the StewartTonkin camp, winning seven races at Melton and notching up victories in the 2021 Charlton Pacing Cup and 2022 Terang Pacing Cup.

Sunday’s success in the $60,000 The Weekly Advertiser Horsham Pacing Cup takes his record to 23 wins, 18 minor placings and $342,799 in stakes from 68 starts – and I suspect it will not be the last country cup victory for Like A Wildfire.

–Tony Logan

After four come-and-try days across the region, a day to introduce juniors to bowls, play fun games and receive coaching will take place at Rupanyup Bowls Club on April 12.

Wimmera Bowls leaders plan to take the next step with junior bowls and form a junior development squad and a junior region committee of people with a passion for bowls.

Any junior aged between eight and 17-years-old, is welcome to attend the session, regardless of being a member of a bowling club. Juniors can register online via wimmera.bowls.com.au/juniors

WINNER: From left, Harness Racing Victoria chairman Dale Monteith, Horsham Harness Racing Club president Terry Lewis, driver Zac Chappenden and ACE Radio’s Grant Kuchel, Brian Cassidy and Daryl Eastwell after Like A Wildfire won the 2023 Horsham Pacing Cup.

Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Lakers’ recruiting success

BY MICHAEL SCALZO

Taylors

Lake’s football department headed south down the Western Highway after last season – searching for answers.

They might have found them, because an impressive entourage has followed them back to the Wimmera.

Last season, Taylors Lake was perennial easy beats of Horsham District league.

Football leadership at Taylors Lake decided it required drastic recruitment of players and a new coach.

Club president Travis Mackley said club improvement started with the appointment of senior coach Kyle Pinto, the restoration of its under-17s team, and the recruitment of experienced senior players.

Pinto, of Melbourne, made a ‘tree change’ to the Wimmera at the start of this year.

He said a new direction for the football club in 2023 started with long pre-Christmas conversations between himself and Mr Mackley.

He said a suite of new recruits would fill gaps across the field and top-up the club’s young playing list with experience.

“A lot of the players we have

CoaChes

Seniors: Kyle Pinto

Reserves: Marc Davey

Under-17s: Jai McCall

Under-14s: James Dixon

brought in will take big midfield minutes, but they will still complement the young existing players at the club,” he said.

The Lakers have poached two ‘big-bodied’ midfielders in Will and Josh Hetherington, as well as key-position player Campbell Hetherington, out of the Victorian Amateur Football Association.

Former Sandringham Dragon and Edithvale-Aspendale player, Troy Brimble, 22, of Melbourne, will join the Hetherington brigade in the Lakers’ midfield.

Former Greater Western Rebels squad members and Horsham-grown footballers Riley Hall and Ryan Gebert will also wear the red-and-white this season.

Pinto said the club had signed former Dimboola senior coach Justin Beugelaar as well as former Melbourne Football Club footballer James Magner who, after a short AFL career, had stints at Sandring-

ham, Casey, and Port Melbourne Victorian Football League clubs.

Pinto said ‘fast footy’ would be his emphasis in 2023, aided by a defensive ‘mindset’ that he hoped would prevent a repeat of the side’s string of excessive 2022-season losses.

“Ball in hand, we want to play fast; ball out of hand, it will be about pressure,” he said.

“We have young, quick movers in the side this season, so it makes sense to play to our strengths.

“Evident by our multiple 150-point losses, our defensive skills just were not there last season.

“We won’t outline the quantifiable wins and losses we are searching for this year, but simply, we need to improve dramatically on-field.

“If we lose, they need to be closer losses than previously.”

In his playing days, Pinto had spent a stint with Wimmera league club Minyip-Murtoa, before he returned to Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs.

Taylors Lake will start its 2023 season with their round-one clash against Pimpinio, at Pimpinio.

The Lakers defeated Pimpinio in round-13 last season to claim their first 2022 win.

The mighty Lakers

Lakers

Taylors Lake president Travis Mackley, right, welcomes new coach Kyle Pinto to the club.

A Grade retur n Lakers

BY MICHAEL SCALZO

Taylors

Lake

netballers

will compete in the Horsham District league’s top level this season after an A Grade hiatus.

The Lakers, with their pre-Christmas appointed A Grade coach, will have a chance to test themselves against the league’s best players this season.

Club president Travis Mackley praised the early work of former Nhill netballer Lydia Schneider and said new playing recruits would add depth across the club’s A Grade and B Grade sides in 2023.

Schneider said the senior squad had jumped straight into two pre-season training nights a week, with complementing Saturday fitness sessions.

“Training has been intense and our players are all enjoying the challenge,” she said.

“We are involved with Wimmera parkrun on Saturday mornings, too, just trying to build that base fitness for the season.

“We did The Pinnacle walk at Halls Gap as a team – hoping to spend time together and prepare for A Grade again.”

Schneider said she was happy with player retention in the off-season and apart from a couple

CoaChes

A Grade: Lydia Schneider

B Grade: To be confirmed

C Grade: Kim Carey

C Reserve: Colby and Danae McDonald

17-and-under: Amanda Waters

15-and-under: Kelly Knoop

13-and-under: Kristy Kelly and Kayla Kelm

NetSetGO: Tina Marshall

young players who relocated for tertiary study, most players had returned for the 2023 season.

She said players were ‘unphased’ by a step-up in opposition quality, with the squad re-entering A Grade competition this season.

“Our young players have all spent considerable time playing senior-level netball for a few seasons, so they are young, but experienced,” she said.

“Most of our recruits have come from outside the Wimmera, while some have accompanied their partners who joined the senior football team this season

“One player has come from the Wimmera league, Bianca Kettle

Come and check these guys out!

from Ararat – she is really confident and has been a great on-court leader with us this preseason.”

Schneider said her assistant coach Chloe Kelm had been an integral leader at training and was ‘shooting them from everywhere’.

“It will be a coach’s dream if she can sink them on Saturday, like she has been,” she said.

She said team selections would start this week, and from that, she could start to design a potential final make-up of the club’s A Grade re-entry.

“We will look at the players after selections and assess how we want to play from there,” she said.

“It is important we play to our players’ strengths, so our game style will become evident closer to the season.”

Schneider said she was not concerned with any finals aspirations this early in the season.

She said because senior netball remained a large time commitment, she wanted her players to ‘enjoy’ their time at the club.

“Netball takes up so much of our week – for the next six months, at least,” she said. “I want our squad to thoroughly enjoy playing.

“I want them to come back next season, while getting as much out of this year as they possibly can.”

Taylors Lake’s newly-appointed

A Grade coach Lydia Schneider.

Border reinforcements

BY MICHAEL SCALZO

Football leaders at Horsham District league’s most north-western club turned their attention to the new season quickly after their 2022 campaign.

Kaniva-Leeor United finished last season 11th on the ladder with three wins, however percentage knocked the Cougars down from what could have been a potential eighth-placed finish.

Two significant losses in the first two rounds of 2022 dented the Cougars’ early-season momentum, before defeating a travelling Taylors Lake in round three.

Club president Ben Dunstall said incoming new senior coach Phil Henseleit was appointed ‘early’ after the end of last season, which gave the squad direction heading into the Christmas break.

Mr Dunstall said a Kanivabased contingent of players were continuing with the club for 2023.

He said several former Kaniva players would also return to the club this season, joining a young group of travellers from South Australia.

“Recruitment this off-season

CoaChes

Seniors: Phil Henseleit

Reserves: Chris Chaston and Travis Lannin

Under-17s: Chris Meyer

Under-14s: Matt Tink

has gone really well, and we have boosted the numbers on our list with local boys,” he said.

“Our reserves won’t have to step up to senior level if they don’t want to, because of our numbers.

“Some of our recruits know they will be up for a bit of travel this season, with some players from Adelaide and other parts of South Australia, so their commitment to the club is great.”

Henseleit said he had sought to understand what Cougars players wanted to achieve this season and set about providing them with the means to make that happen.

“The players were disappointed with their results last season,” he said.

“But they have accepted it and have decided they wanted this new season to be different.

“I am not a coach to set a goal

tied to results. I am not going to say we expect ‘X’ many wins this season.

“There are different personnel at the club in 2023, and as far as I’m concerned, it is a completely new team.”

Midfielders in North Gambier’s Dylan Munn, Millicent Saint Billy Shanks and Tailem Bend’s Lachie Jones are new players from across the border who have joined the Cougars in the off-season.

Previous Cougars brothers Beau and Jeremy Nunan will also return to the club for 2023.

Henseleit said recruiting focused on, firstly, people of ‘great character’, and secondly, players who could offer ‘credentialed’ experience.

He thanked the club for its support.

“I really appreciate the support the club has given me, and I enjoy seeing the effort the players are putting in at training,” he said.

“They are a group that makes sure they see things through when the going gets difficult.”

The Cougars kick off their 2023 season with the longest trip on their calendar – a round one match against Swifts at North Park, Stawell.

The Nunan brothers, Beau, pictured, and Jeremy, will don the Kaniva-Leeor United colours again in 2023.

YoUr

Dark horses again?

BY MICHAEL SCALZO

Kaniva-Leeor

United netballers have made a strong impression since the blue, white and green joined Horsham District league at the start of the 2021 season.

Last season, the Cougars’ A Grade side played its first league finals series after finishing sixth on the ladder and booking itself an elimination final against a top-tier Edenhope-Apsley.

The Cougars were gallant against the eventual 2022 premiers, losing by 14 goals.

The netball department has backed its players to match those results in 2023, with leaders reporting a ‘solid’ cohort of returned players this pre-season.

Netball director Melanie Maddern said while the squad had lost a ‘couple’ of players in the off-season, including former playing coach Emma Hawker to Nhill, the club had gained the playing availability of several former Cougars netballers.

“We have had good numbers on court this pre-season and we are just about to launch into our side selections,” she said.

“We have a few players who will return to the club after some time off, but we have our eyes forward on making ground this season.”

The netball department has yet to finalise its full coaching line-up for 2023, however Maddern said the squad’s coaching team would be formally announced ‘soon’. She said the club remained committed to

prioritising players of Kaniva and its surrounding districts, and would field teams in all four of the league’s senior netball grades.

“It will be great to have our local players back on the court this season, in all senior grades,” she said.

Maddern said the composition and leadership of the club’s junior netball sides would also be announced soon.

Although it had significant wins, the Cougars’ A Grade team appeared to fly under the radar in the first half of last season and could be the league’s dark horse, again.

During the latter half of the season, the side established itself as a clear step above the league’s trailing sides and a surprise threat to several of the competition’s topfour squads.

Its two-goal loss to eventual minor premiers Kalkee, in round 12 at Kalkee, was perhaps a season highlight as the Cougars embedded a fast-moving style of play.

However, followers of Horsham District league netball will be aware of the significant player movement this off-season as netballers from neighbouring leagues enter the competition.

Punters might find it harder than ever to predict the Cougars’ final ladder position in 2023 – especially if the team has a latter season burst, again.

The Cougars start their 2023 campaign against their most regionally-distanced opposition, playing Swifts at North Park, Stawell, before hosting a young Pimpinio side at Kaniva in round two.

WATCH

YOUR Bumper

Kaniva-Leeor United’s Abby Croft hit an elite 500-goal individual total in 2022, and was a crucial element in her team’s finals charge last season.

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Combine cricketers hold top rung

BY ‘ONE SHORT’

Grampians Cricket Association ended the season as it began – with a wash-out.

Persistent rain on Saturday saw all matches cancelled, which left SwiftsGreat Western atop the A Grade ladder with 69 points followed by St Andrews, 63, Pomonal, 60, RhymneyMoyston, 45 and Chalambar, 33.

B Grade stood at Swifts-Great Western, 57 points, Halls Gap, 54, Halls Gap 2, 27, and Rhymney-Moyston, 15.

A rather unique fact from the results is that Swifts-Great Western finished on top of the ladder in all four grades, having won the under-13 Naram Shield with SGW Red finishing on top and being awarded the premiership.

Hall of Fame induction

Of interest to Grampians followers was the induction of two identities into the Victorian Country Cricket League’s ‘Hall of Fame’.

The VCCL, as a way to celebrate 100 years of the Melbourne Country Week Cricket competition, staged a match at Ballarat between Ballarat and Hamilton — the inaugural finalists of 100 years ago.

At a luncheon, the VCCL launched its Hall of Fame to reward and commemorate various personnel for notable contributions.

Grampians connections to receive

this award were Henry Gunstone, for his remarkable Country Week performances over a long period, and Anthony Martin for lengthy services as an administrator.

Both were on-hand to receive their certificates of induction.

Semi-finals

This week’s A Grade semi-finals

are between Swifts-Great Western and Rhymney-Moyston at Central Park, Stawell and St Andrews and Pomonal at Alexandra Oval in Ararat.

In B Grade, Swifts-Great Western will play Rhymney-Moyston at Great Western, and Halls Gap will take on Halls Gap 2 at Halls Gap.

Swifts-Great Western is a perennial

HONOURED: Grampians cricket stalwart

Henry Gunstone was inducted into the Victorian Country Cricket League’s ‘Hall of Fame’ for his remarkable Country Week performances over a long period.

Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

finalist and would hope to use that experience to their advantage.

A Grade captain Sam Cocks has enjoyed a stellar season with the bat, averaging more than 100 runs, and will prove a handful for Rhymston bowlers.

Should Cocks miss out, the Combine has other capable batters in Jack

Cann, Matt Delzotto and Rick Peters who will also make it hard for Rhymston.

The last time St Andrews played Pomonal it resulted in a resounding win to the Saints, with the Tigers’ batters failing to James Hosking, Adam Haslett and Sam Sommers.

However, if Tigers batters Clinton Mackley, Lynden Brewis, Matt Peel and Corey Taylor fire, then bowlers Lachy Dalkin, Lachy Green and Harry Evans will have the runs to bowl to.

B Grade leaders Swifts-Great Western have an impressive record against Rhymston 2, recording solid wins every time they met during the season and will be hoping for a repeat performance.

At Halls Gap it will be a battle between both Gappers teams, with the number-one team likely to advance to the final.

Clubs are reminded that play will start at noon, so players and officials have time to attend the presentation night at Ararat RSL, starting at 7pm. Voting for the Greg Goldsmith Best A Grade player will take place and other trophies are presented throughout the evening.

Clubs are requested to attend with a minimum of four players or officials.

Bullants one-day premiers

Rain changes game formats

Bullants are the 2022-23 Horsham Cricket Association one-day premiers.

Noradjuha-Toolondo

The Bullants lost five wickets on the way to passing the West Wimmera Warriors’ 106 on Sunday at Horsham City Oval.

Batting first, the Warriors were challenged by Justtin Combe’s 4-21 off nine tight overs.

Warriors’ Mitchell Dahlenburg and Luke Smith were the best batters with 23 and 20, respectively.

Wickets fell quickly and the Warriors struggled to set-up a solid partnership at any stage of the innings.

The Warriors were bowled out in less than 33 overs for 106 runs.

Combe was a standout for the Bullants when bowling and continued his fine form when he opened the batting.

He scored 36 runs before being bowled by Nathan Alexander, with his side within three runs of victory.

Captain Matt Combe, 18, and swashbuckling Josh Beddison, 16, contributed valuable runs.

The Warriors fought hard with Bradley Alexender, two wickets, and Nathan Alexander, Xavier Bone and Jeremy Weeks taking one wicket each, but never really had enough runs on the board.

Garrett Liston hit the winning runs in the 34th over of the 45-over game.

The teams will play another one-day game for the season to finalise ladder positions for two-day finals, which will begin on the March 11.

West Side Horsham

The first day of the final two-day cricket round for Horsham Cricket Association A and B grades was washed-out at the weekend, with teams now playing one-day format cricket on Saturday.

C Grade will play round-15 as a one-day match as per the fixture, with the washout in round 14 considered a draw for all matches.

The A Grade top-four is established and teams are now playing for their final ladder position before finals.

Rupanyup-Minyip will play West Wimmera Warriors at Minyip Recreation Reserve and Noradjuha-Toolondo Bullants will play Homers at Horsham City Oval.

Jung Tigers’ season has ended as they have a bye and did not finish in the top four.

In B Grade, the top four could see a slight shake-up if Blackheath-Dimboola defeat the Bullants and Laharum loses to Lubeck-Murtoa.

Horsham Saints will play against Jung Tigers and Colts will play Rupanyup-Minyip.

A chance at a C Grade premiership could come down to percentage this week, with four teams outside the top four and in with a chance if they can secure six points.

Natimuk will play against Horsham Saints, Blackheath-Dimboola will come up against Quantong, Homers will play Jung Tigers, Lubeck-Murtoa will face Laharum and West Wimmera Warriors will play Colts.

LAST LAUGH: Bullants all-rounder Justtin Combe gets bowled in the final stage of Horsham Cricket Association’s one-day final. Combe starred with the bat and ball to have the last laugh over the Warriors.

GAME OVER: Left, Noradjuha-Toolondo’s Garrett Liston hits the winning runs against West Wimmera in Horsham Cricket Association’s one-day grand final, and above, Trevor Polkinghorne catches Tony Caccaviello much to Mitch Dahlenburg’s delight. Pictures: PAUL CARRACHER

‘Agood result’

Wimmera representative tennis players battled rain delays and tough opponents at the weekend during Tennis Victoria’s Pat Cash Cup.

The cup is a statewide junior tennis tournament open to metropolitan associations and country regions.

The tournament was played at Horsham Lawn tennis courts and about 250 players attended.

Wimmera Regional Tennis events co-ordinator Sandra Casey said the 16-player Wimmera team finished 10th of 13 teams for the weekend.

“Despite the rain, it was a really good weekend,” she said.

“There were lots of people and lots of tennis was played.

“The Wimmera team was so close to finishing ninth but narrowly lost the final game.

“It was a good result.”

Eastern Region Tennis 7-109 defeated Wimmera 0-17 in roundone.

In round two, Wimmera was more competitive against PTA-MPR Orange – the final score PTA-MPR Orange 15-79 defeating Wimmera 9-56.

In round three, Loddon Campaspe 14-71 defeated Wimmera 10-61.

The play-offs for final positions saw Wimmera win against Central Highlands, 14-67 to 10-68, before losing by two sets to Barwon Region, 13-73 to 11-73.

Two Wimmera players also filled in for other regional teams for the tournament.

Asha McGennisken played for South West 16-and-under girls and D’Artagnan Walls competed with Goulburn in the 16-and-under boys. The tournament’s overall winner was Bayside Tennis Association.

Harry Allan, Wimmera

August Koch, Wimmera

Emma Streeter, Wimmera

Alex Watts, Eastern

Maddy Flavelle, PTA-MPR Orange

First chance at big dance

BY ABBY WALTER

Horsham Lawn and Central Park are competing on Saturday for the first spot in the Central Wimmera Tennis 202223 pennant grand final.

Kalkee and St Michaels will fight to remain in the finals series in the second semi-final.

Due to a forfeit by Drung South at the weekend, Central Park moved to the top of the ladder and will host the final.

When they last met, in round 14, Horsham Lawn defeated Central Park, 9-3.

Previously, in round nine, Cen-

tral Park defeated Horsham Lawn 7-5, and in round four Horsham Lawn defeated Central Park 8-4.

Horsham Lawn’s Cherie Wood has been consistent all season and shows no signs of that stopping in finals.

Central Park’s Willow Sainsbury has had a strong season so far and will be a challenging opponent on Saturday.

Kalkee will feel confident facing St Michaels in the semi-final after defeating the Saints in the team’s previous three encounters this season.

Kalkee won 7-5 in round one, 8-4 in round six and 7-5 in round 11.

Kalkee’s Jeff Friberg and Steve Schultz continue to be a powerful partnership in the doubles and will face the tough competition of Peter Hayes and Ian Nitschke.

Other grades

In A Special competition, Natimuk has been dominant all season and will be looking for a straight run into the grand final when it comes up against Horsham Lawn Thompson.

It will be a closer contest between Kalkee and Telangatuk East, with both sides winning eight rounds each for the season.

Haven has set itself apart in the A Grade competition and it will be

difficult for Horsham Lawn Bardell to get past them for a position in the grand final.

Central Park and Horsham Lawn O’Connor will fight to play another week.

A larger divide in B Special will likely see Central Park win a spot in the big dance, while Natimuk will prove too strong for Laharum.

Semi-finals, including for all junior grades, will be played this weekend before all remaining teams have a break for the March long weekend.

Finals recommence on March 18 with grand finals scheduled for the following Saturday, March 25.

Results

O’Connor, Central Park.

B Special: Central Park v St Michaels, Central Park; Natimuk v Laharum, Natimuk.

Wimmera players enjoy Country Week tournament

Six Wimmera tennis players took to courts in Yarrawonga for the largest grass court tennis tournament in the world.

More than 1290 players aged 15 to 83 years from across Australia and New Zealand competed in the sixday Tennis Victoria Country Week tournament.

Wimmera players were Peter Hayes, Ian Nitschke, Nick Robertson, Chris Ellis, Steve Schultz and Jeff Friberg.

Hayes said the Wimmera players formed three teams with representa-

tives from Cairns, Palm Cove, Bendigo and Geelong.

“The players from Queensland are friends with some of our Wimmera players, so that’s why we all play together,” he said.

“The B Special 2 team lost the semi-final to the eventual winner, while the other B Special team narrowly missed out on finals.

“Our third team won one set for the week. Overall, it was a really good week – it’s a good tennis event and also a good social event.”

Hayes said the Wimmera started sending a team to the tournament about nine years ago.

“We sent one team at first and it has grown from there,” he said.

“The average age at the tournament is about 45 and every year places fill –it’s great for tennis.”

Across the week, the Tennis Lab team restrung 85 racquets using 1032 metres of string.

Players used 2376 tennis balls.

Tandara, a team from Bendigo, won the women’s A Grade final and Lecon-

tes, a team from Shepparton, won the men’s A Grade final. It was a back-toback win for both teams.

Claire’s Bears from Shepparton won the Gilchrist-Pearce Cup, an award all grades are eligible to win. It is awarded to the team with the highest game-winning percentage from all round matches.

Hayes said 204 teams were competing with four players in each team.

“We have a couple of extra players in case of injuries,” he said.

“There were about eight teams in

each section, so we played seven matches before finals with two sets of doubles in each match.”

There were 26 grades of men’s and women’s tennis, played on 100 lawn courts at Yarrawonga.

“It was supposed to be hosted in Shepparton this year, but due to flooding last year the courts weren’t ready,” Hayes said.

“Next year it will be hosted at Wodonga from February 11 to 16.”

– Abby Walter

Brought

Available Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm 5382 1351

Welcome return

Wimmera players have claimed the spoils at the return of Horsham Darts Association’s annual tournament at the weekend.

Players from Horsham, Hamilton and Ballarat formed the winning open team; while a women’s team from Ballarat claimed the women’s division.

Almost 100 people from across Victoria and South Australia, comprising 16 teams, competed at the tournament for $4000 in prize money.

The association’s president Nathan Jenkins said the tournament returned to Horsham Lanes and Games for the first time since 2019 due to COVID-19.

“After three years of not having a tournament due to COVID-19 restrictions, our first one back was a great success,” he said.

“A lot of hard work has been put in by our committee to ensure this event gets bigger and bigger in the future.”

Winners: Most 180s: Open grade, Russell Verlinden, 5; 21 players scored 180s. Highest peg: Open, Monty Wood, 170; women’s, Kerry Ann, 108. Shortest game: Open, Steve Kewish, 11 darts; women’s, Els Taberner, 16 darts. Open winners: Tigers with nine out of nine wins; runner-up Bears, seven out of nine.

Women’s winners: Misfits, nine out of 10; runner-up Girls on Fire, eight out of 10.

Business Development Consultant

Location: Horsham, Closing date: March 10, 2023

Desirable Skills and Experience:

• Trade background would be advantageous:

• Experience in recruiting or employing staff;

• Sales abilities and strong business networks;

• Ability to work with students and schools;

• A confident and friendly approach;

• Excellent communication and administrative skills;

• Team orientated;

• Ability to establish and foster strong working relationships

For a confidential discussion please contact Jodi Bigmore, Operations Manager on 0418 528 368.

Road Worker

Location: Donald, Closing date: ASAP

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Medium Rigid Truck Licence

• Traffic Management Certificate or willingness to attain

• Plant operator’s competency

• Current First Aid Certificate

• Experience in a similar role advantageous

To discuss this role further, please contact Nathan Keel on 0408 109 324.

Seed Cleaners & Packers

Location: Horsham, Closing date: ASAP

Requirements:

• Strong attention to detail

• Able to work Monday - Friday

• Driver’s licence and reliable transport

• Evidence of COVID-19 vaccination certificate required

To discuss this role further, please contact Nathan Keel on 0408 109 324.

Hospitality Traineeship

Location: Pomonal, Closing date: March 6, 2023

Requirements:

• Good interpersonal and communication skills with a reliable attitude

• Be able to work in a busy team environment under time constraints

• Good personal hygiene and free from skin allergies to foods and detergents

• Willingness to commit to work and study

For more information contact Daryl Eastwell on 0407 364 654.

FOCUSED: Competing in Horsham Darts Association’s annual tournament at Horsham Lanes and Games at the weekend are, clockwise from left, Teilah Britten; Shaun Taylor and Nathan Jenkins.

Pictures: PAUL CARRACHER

JOBS BOARD

Placing the right people in the right organisations

Apprentice Butcher

Location: Nhill, Closing date: March 7, 2023

Duties Include:

• Cut, trim and shape standard cuts of meat to size

• Assemble and operate mincers, grinders, mixers and bandsaws

• Pack and store products for display and sale

• Order supplies from wholesalers

For more information contact Chris Barber on 0427 346 655.

Hospitality Traineeship

Location: Warracknabeal & Hopetoun

Closing date: March 7, 2023

Requirements:

• Good interpersonal, communication and customer service skills

• Able to work quickly and safely with minimal supervision

• Free from skin allergies to foods and detergents

• Willingness to commit to work and study

• Current driver’s licence and reliable transport (desirable)

• Willing to obtain a Police Check and Working with Children’s Check

• Evidence of triple COVID 19 vaccination certificate

For more information contact Shane Cross on 0418 564 890.

Third-time lucky

Athird

attempt at a Wimmera Bowls division-one weekend pennant premiership was successful for Horsham Golf at the weekend.

Horsham Golf defeated Horsham City, winning all three rinks with a final shot score of 76-63.

Horsham Golf team one skip Ashley Batchelor said it was Horsham Golf’s first division-one premiership.

“It’s third-time lucky. We were in the grand final for the past three years and this year we took the win,” he said.

“This is my first grand final win after seven attempts. I had five chances with Sunnyside and three with Horsham Golf.”

Batchelor said the atmosphere at Horsham’s Coughlin Park, where all divisions played on Saturday, made celebrating even sweeter.

“It was great to have everyone playing and spectating in one spot,” he said. “It was a perfect day for bowls with the rain stopping in the morning and we were able to play 25-end games.

“We had won the last five games in a row, so I was confident going in to the final games, but I didn’t expect all three rinks to win.

“I want to make special mention of my team – our sensational lead-

er Adam ‘Spud’ Galpin, Stephen ‘Norm Smith’ Harris and Bradley ‘William’ Robinson.”

Horsham City won Wimmera Bowls division-two weekend pennant premiership.

Horsham City defeated Nhill after winning two of three rinks and scoring 71 to 66 shots.

Nhill is the 2023 Wimmera Bowls division-three weekend pennant premier after defeating Horsham City.

Nhill won two rinks and scored 63 shots to Horsham City’s 51.

Sunnyside won Wimmera Bowls division-one and division-two midweek pennant premierships.

Sunnyside won two of three rinks and scored 67 shots against Horsham City’s 57 points in division one.

Sunnyside defeated Serviceton in division two after winning both rinks and scoring 60 shots to 34 shots on Monday.

DIRECTING PLAY: Colin Morrell, Horsham City, confirms a plan of action during his team’s battle with Horsham Golf in Wimmera Bowls pennant grand final action. Pictures: PAUL CARRACHER

Kevin Clyne, Horsham City

Ashley Batchelor, Horsham Golf

Daniel Gloury Horsham City

Gary Knight Horsham City

Brad Robinson Horsham Golf

Wednesday, March 1, 2023

Ashley Batchelor celebrates a great bowl from the hands of teammate Steve Harris as Horsham Golf headed to its first division-one premiership in Wimmera Bowls weekend pennant on Saturday. Batchelor, the team one skip, has played in seven division-one grand finals and finally marked his first grand final win, defeating Horsham City at Horsham’s Coughlin Park. Golf have been runnerup the past two seasons. The Wimmera Bowls division-two and three grand finals were also played at Coughlin Park at the weekend, with Horsham City and Nhill winning titles. Story and more pictures, page 51.

Golf’s sweet win

Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Program returning to its roots

BY ABBY WALTER

The biggest mid-week Wimmera event is returning to its roots as a three-day family-friendly showcase of agriculture.

Exhibitors and patrons will witness the Wimmera Machinery Field Days back in action next week for the first time since 2020.

Wimmera Machinery Field Days president Tim Rethus said the event had returned to its standard formula.

“We’ve decided to go back to vanilla field days, so there’s no twilight event –it’s just a full three days,” he said.

“We were going to do a two-day event in 2022, but it got cancelled. Now we’re back with regular field days.

“We have seen the interest in other field days in the months since COVID-19 restrictions have eased and we thought we can’t sell this one short – people are really keen to get back to what they know.”

Mr Rethus said the committee was excited by the number of exhibitors attending the event.

“There has been a little bit of rejigging around the site, but I think the main thing is the site is so full it’s going to look busy and that’s great,” he said.

“I think people have also been missing catching up with other people.

“Come along and make sure you leave about twice as much time as you think you will need, because you will spend most of it talking to farmers and reps from exhibits.

“It’s good for our well-being to get people out and about together.”

Wimmera Machinery Field Days manager Vanessa Lenehan said there would be something for everyone at the field days.

“Getting back to normal has been really good,” she said.

“There is still a lot of entertainment out

there for families and children – George the Farmer is back, we have Rev It Up Racing, an animal nursery, mobile zoo, helicopter rides, mini train and a Level Up Gaming chill-out zone.

“Partners in Ag have been working with us and schools, so there are programs for any school children who come out to the site to see the educational side of the field days.

“Children 17-years old and younger can enter for free this year thanks to some government funding from the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions, so that’s been really good.”

Mrs Lenehan said there were online ticketing services this year.

“Hopefully the line-up at the gate runs a lot smoother. We thought online tickets would give people the opportunity to prepurchase tickets, have a QR code on their phone and walk straight through the gate,” she said.

Mr Rethus said the field days were an opportunity for farmers to learn and improve their operations and businesses.

“You can look up products on the internet, but you can’t touch or see them and you can’t find things that you didn’t know were available,” he said.

“The field days are about learning something new. You will stumble across something walking around the site – it might be something you needed to get your business back on track or to fix a small problem you’re having at the farm.

“It’s a great way to learn about things you didn’t know existed.”

Mr Rethus said ‘reasonably successful’ cropping farming seasons were positive for the field days.

“I think people are looking forward to wandering around a showcase of equipment – especially when we have had four pretty good years in a row,” he said.

“Farmers are in a position to make

changes, get new equipment or make improvements, not just wander around and tyre kick. They’ll actually be seriously investigating.

“It’s a great opportunity for exhibitors to get out there and explain what they have and the benefits of what they have.”

The Wimmera Machinery Field Days are on March 7, 8 and 9 with gates opening to general public at 8.30am each day.

Tickets are available via tickets.wimmera fielddays.com.au/events/37343/wimmerafield-days

Shaun Casey, Sandra Casey, Erin Wallace

BUSY: Wimmera Machinery Field Days president Tim Rethus and manager Vanessa Lenehan have been busy rejigging the site to accommodate a full exhibitor list. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

FOOT TRAFFIC: Wimmera Machinery Field Days organisers are anticipating a bustling return to the Longerenong site.

Amazing showcase

Member for Lowan

Itis wonderful to be celebrating the return of the Wimmera Machinery Field Days after a forced three-year hiatus due to the COVID pandemic.

This event is one of the biggest on the state’s farming calendar, and our communities have sorely missed the opportunity to come together with people from far and wide to see first-hand the amazing showcase the field days offers – from the latest developments in farming practices to amazing local produce and fashions, trade exhibits and competitions.

The event attracts thousands of visitors from across Australia to learn about advances in agriculture, buy new machinery and equipment or to catch up with family and friends.

To have so many people flock to our region again for this unique event will provide enormous economic and social benefits for our communities – something even more crucial now in the wake of a difficult past three years.

We need to look for any opportunity to seek out and support local events and the businesses and people behind them – it is one of the most impactful things we can do for our community.

I encourage everyone across Lowan to check out all the amazing things the Wimmera Machinery Field Days has to offer – there truly is something for everyone.

My sincere thanks to the Wimmera Machinery Field Days committee, led by president Tim Rethus, for their incredible work in getting this amazing event back on our calendars.

As the deputy leader of the Victorian Nationals, Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Shadow Minister for Mental Health, I am

committed to events such as the Wimmera Machinery Field Days as they provide me with a fantastic forum for ensuring that the issues that matter most to rural and regional Victoria are heard in Parliament. This includes the ongoing deterioration of roads across western Victoria, which continues to be major concern.

I will continue my relentless advocacy to ensure regional Victoria receives its fair share of roads funding and our local roads are returned to a safe standard.

I look forward to seeing huge crowds at the event and lots of smiling faces as we celebrate the return of the Wimmera Machinery Field Days and our wonderful agricultural community.

Emma Kealy, Member for Lowan

Howfantastic to have the Wimmera Machinery Field Days back again.

The pandemic has made the past three years challenging, and I know events such as the field days have been sorely missed.

The return of the Wimmera Machinery Field Days means so much for the whole community – not just the cockies, but everyone who relies on the success of farming.

It brings our farmers, agriculture machinery dealers and retailers, agronomists and stock agents, and the general rural communities together.

I am sure there will be plenty of innovation on display that can be taken back and used onfarm to take businesses further. Country shows throughout regional Australia, including the field days, are an important part of the social fabric of rural communities.

Old friends come together, who might not get to see each other all that often. And in the country, that’s what we need –connectivity and a chance to fill people in on what’s been going on in your world.

Maybe it can also be a chance to share a few secrets of the

trade. We’ve had a few favourable seasons in a row in the Wimmera and Mallee – even accounting for a bit too much spring rain late last year.

Some producers have had record crops, which is great to see.

The Mallee contributes almost $10-billion of Gross Regional Product to Australia’s GDP, with $3.4 billion of that coming from the Wimmera and Southern Mallee region. This is worth celebrating, and is evidence of the invaluable contribution the

Wimmera and Mallee bring to the table for the whole country. For a smaller region, population wise, we more than pull our weight.

I am sorry to not be able to make it to the field days in person this year due to it falling on a Parliamentary sitting week, but I wish the committee and all exhibitors and attendees well for an incredibly successful event.

Anne Webster, Member for Mallee

Member

Warm welcome

From the manager

Welcome

back to the Wimmera Machinery Field Days.

It is fantastic to have everyone back again after two years – especially all our exhibitors, who are challenged by issues with staff and stock supply.

This year we are introducing our ‘Local Market Square’ – a new initiative to support small gourmet food and wine producers.

Thanks to 1089 3WM who are proud supporters of our Local Market Square.

Another area that we have worked on is the educational opportunity of the field days.

Once again Partners in Ag, with the support of WIM Resource, have developed fantastic programs targeted at different age levels for school children.

These programs are based on learning about agriculture and the career opportunities it presents.

We also have a range of attractions and new and different food vendors.

A new attraction for this year is Rev It Up Racing, a racing simulator, and the Level Up Gaming Chill Out Space.

We also have the Factory FMX boys re-

turning, along with the Black Snake reptile show and wildlife zoo, helicopter rides, animal nursery, mini train rides and the children’s zone, which has moved to the sponsors’ pavilion.

George the Farmer will be in the auditorium on Wednesday, along with a varied lineup of speakers and shows for the three days.

A big thank you must go to all of our sponsors and supporters for 2023.

We have a large number of corporate partners and sponsors as well as our community groups and service providers whose support is paramount to the success of the field days.

And lastly, but by no means least, I need to acknowledge and thank the staff in the office for their dedication and commitment to the field days.

I couldn’t have done it without you – what a fantastic team.

Please call into the office and meet the team while you are here.

Also, to Tim and the Wimmera Machinery Field Days committee – thank you for your support and the countless hours you volunteer to make the field days a success.

I hope you enjoy the 2023 Wimmera Machinery Field Days.

Vanessa Lenehan Manager, Wimmera Machinery Field Days

Invaluable opportunity

From the mayor

Welcome to Horsham and the Wimmera.

After the COVID disruptions of the past two years, it will be wonderful to again see the site full and buzzing with exhibitors and patrons attending this important agricultural trade fair.

Hopefully, we are blessed with some fine weather for this threeday event.

With agriculture the main industry in western Victoria, the economic benefit from this event is significant to both our region and the broader Victorian economy.

Field days are an invaluable opportunity for farmers and industry to learn from each other and share challenges, innovative solutions and technological advances.

Asking questions and investigating new equipment options, in an obligation-free environment, helps

patrons plan and budget for future purchases.

Remember, you don’t need to be involved with agriculture to enjoy the event – there will be something to interest everyone on site.

I have no doubt that social connections and interactions will be a highlight of these three days.

Catching up with friends that you haven’t seen since the last field days will be heart-warming.

Raising the awareness of the mental and physical health challenges among the farming community has reinforced the importance of personal interactions.

I encourage patrons to take the time to access the different services and have a ‘health check’ while at the Wimmera Machinery Field Days.

Congratulations to president Tim Rethus, the volunteer committee and staff for your hard work and commitment through the challenging times and on delivering another successful event.

Commitment to sector

From the president

Onbehalf of the Wimmera Machinery Field Days committee, welcome to the 2023 Wimmera Machinery Field Days and thank you for coming to our event.

It has been a long three years since our last field days and we look forward to seeing you all here.

We are relaunching this March as a traditional three-day event showcasing the latest farming innovations and technology from Australia and across the world.

new problems that we hope you can solve at our field days.

Special thanks to our exhibitors and sponsors who make this event so great. There are several new large exhibitors this year, which goes to show the commitment to agriculture and growth in the region.

As well as our large machinery exhibits, let’s not forget the displays focusing on technology, tools and around the home, finance, food, and well-being. Our dedicated local produce feature area is not to be missed.

Horsham Rural City Council is a proud supporter of the Wimmera Machinery Field Days.

If you have queries or questions for council or would simply like to chat, please call into our site in the Moore Exhibition Centre.

Robyn Gulline Mayor, Horsham Rural City

Nothing beats seeing the products for yourself, learning, connecting with manufacturers, dealers and retailers and finding solutions to improve your farm business.

In the Wimmera and Mallee, we’ve had a few favourable seasons in a row – not everything has worked out as planned, but we’ve had some good results.

Last year showed the highs and lows of farming, with plenty of spring rain – too much for some fields but other fields setting records.

We learned plenty and also uncovered

There are many volunteers and community organisations that play a vital part in the smooth running of this event.

I thank them, as well as our dedicated staff and committee, who have been working for the past year to improve the site facilities and make this event a real success.

Enjoy your time with us and I hope to see you again at the Wimmera Machinery Field Days in 2024.

Tim Rethus President, Wimmera Machinery Field Days

Wimmera Machinery Field Days president Tim Rethus and manager Vanessa Lenehan at the Longerenong site.

We Grow Beds

Bespoke handmade mattresses now at Forty Winks Horsham

Come

Wimmera Machinery Field Days special edition

ACE onsite to engage network

Local news and entertainment

is the cornerstone of local communities – and the ACE Radio network in Horsham offers the whole package.

The Weekly Advertiser today publishes the largest edition in its 25-year history – a bumper 112 pages of local journalism and advertisements.

The edition is anchored by the returned celebration of the Wimmera Machinery Field Days, with a special 60-page edition of AgLife celebrating all that the event offers to the region.

The feature is a celebration of the power of the event and what it brings to the region – and the organisers, volunteers, exhibitors and sponsors that ensure its success.

Editorial director Jessica Grimble said The Weekly Advertiser was bucking world-wide trends of challenged newspaper readership and advertising sales — instead, breaking records in an ever-changing media environment.

The March 1 edition, including AgLife, will reach more than 20,000 homes and businesses, with the AgLife liftout also available at the field days site at Longerenong.

“The Wimmera Machinery Field Days is such an important event on the Wimmera community’s calendar –whether for learning about innovation in agriculture, sampling products or from a social perspective,” Ms Grimble said.

“The media plays an important role in celebrating the field days and capturing the stories that makes the news

now, while recording history for the years to come.

“Our team has worked hard for many weeks to design, write, photograph and edit a cracking March 1 edition – and we couldn’t do it without the support of the wider ACE Radio team.

“We look forward to taking the time

to meet and mingle with people at Longerenong next week, too.”

Meanwhile, radio stations 3WM and MIXX FM will offer listeners a broad range of field days-flavoured news and entertainment, leading into and throughout the field days event.

Content director Adam Roche will host his daily show, Adam in the

“People will notice our marked van in a prominent gathering space where we can also share in the chatter, the catch-ups and all the happenings of an event we’re so happy to see back on the calendar”

– Adam Roche

“Our team will be at the site from early in the morning, until late in the day. It’s a huge week for us all.

“People will notice our marked van in a prominent gathering space where we can also share in the chatter, the catch-ups and all the happenings of an event we’re so happy to see back on the calendar.”

General manager Brendan O’Loughlin said the ACE Radio network was proud to support community events – including the field days – to thrive.

“We live and work in our local community, and we want our local community to succeed, to be engaging and offer a variety of events for all people in the community,” he said.

Afternoons, on 3WM each day of the event.

He will also speak with businesses, organisers and volunteers on the radio throughout the day.

“It’s fantastic to be front and centre of the field days site – literally – right next door to the field days office,” he said.

“The field days ticks many boxes in its versatility of offerings – which just keeps getting better every year.

“The return of the field days is one of the last major events to be back after COVID-19 restrictions, and we’re thrilled to be part of the fantastic social and business gathering this is sure to be.”

READY TO TALK: ACE Horsham leadership team, from left, Brendan O’Loughlin, Adam Roche, Mark Sulic, Kelly Schilling and Jessica Grimble will attend the Wimmera Machinery Field Days. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Volunteers are the driving force behind the Wimmera Machinery Field Days. Since 1963, Wimmera farmers and industry professionals have come together to organise a threeday event for the region's agriculture sector. This year a committee of 32 volunteers, supported by a management team of four, are bringing the field days back to life after a two-year hiatus. The Weekly Advertiser caught up with two of the many volunteers ahead of the 2023 event.

Everything on track

Jamie Petrass is one of the Wimmera Machinery Field Days’ newest committee members and he is looking forward to seeing the event return to business as usual.

Mr Petrass is a farmer at Kewell, north-east of Horsham, and has been involved in the field days since 2019.

“This year will be my fourth year on the committee, but in that time I have missed two events due to cancellations in 2021 and 2022,” he said.

“The field days are a big community event and I think it’s good for farmers to get out and about and off their farms.”

Mr Petrass said it was important to keep events such as the field days operating in small communities.

“It’s a good few days among other farmers and local exhibitors where we can get people together to catch up,” he said.

“Being able to set-up the event and have people know they are coming whether as a guest or exhibitor makes everything feel like it is getting back to normal,” he said.

Mr Petrass said the field days were a chance for farmers to see new machinery and technology they could use and apply on their farms.

“One of my favourite parts of the field days is walking around to see the new machinery and new technology,” he said.

“Farmers can take a look and if they want to, they can take machinery, technology and ideas home that they can use on their farms.”

PREPPED AND READY: Long-time committee member of Wimmera Machinery Field Days, Andrew Bell, has been working hard with the team to have the field days site ready for exhibitors and farmers.

CARRACHER

SUPPORT: Laharum Football Netball Club members, including, from left, senior footballer Joel Pymer, senior coach Glenn Doyle and senior footballer Astrin Morrison, will be manning the Alan Heard Pavilion kiosk at the Wimmera Machinery Field Days.

Clubs throw support to event

Laharum Football Netball Club players and members will join teams of community and sporting organisations across the region as volunteers at the Wimmera Machinery Field Days.

Laharum volunteers will provide food and drink at the Alan Heard Pavilion kiosk across the event’s three days, serving coffee, slices and sandwiches.

Twenty years giving back

Club president Brian Burke said while volunteers were often hard to find, they remained integral to the field days’ ‘hectic’ three-day schedule.

“Just like a sports club, the field days relies on volunteers, so Laharum will be catering and getting involved in a great regional event,” he said.

“It is also a good chance to generate some money for the club.”

Astalwart

of the Wimmera Machinery Field Days committee, Andrew Bell is looking forward to welcoming exhibitors, farmers and the community back to Wimmera Events Centre next week.

“This year will mark my 20th Wimmera Machinery Field Days as a member of the committee,” Mr Bell said.

“Being part of the committee is a great community service opportunity.

“It’s almost like being part of a football team – you get your mates to join, stand around and talk and do a bit of work as well.

“It’s something I always wanted to

do – to be able to give back to the community and our local farmers.”

Mr Bell farms mainly sheep and a small amount of crop at Mockinya, south of Horsham, and said the field days were a chance to learn from and catch up with other farmers from across the region.

“We learn a bit from other farmers as we’re going around doing our jobs as well,” he said.

“We chat with them about their paddocks and what they are doing with their stock and crops.

“There are not many other sheep farmers on the committee, but when we get together, we have a good yarn.”

Mr Bell said it was exciting to have the field days back in action and to get the community together at Longerenong.

‘We’ve had a good roll-up of exhibitors who are keen to come back and the team is all back together again to organise the event, which is great,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to the whole three days, but the first day is so good.

“It is when everything jumps to life and by the second and third day, everything tends to run pretty smoothly.

“The first day is when we put out all the little fires that happen and race around to do the little jobs we are ready and trained to do.”

Picture: PAUL

COMMUNITY EVENT: Wimmera Machinery Field Days committee member Jamie Petrass is excited to see the result of the committee’s hard work at the upcoming field days event. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Long-term benefits for region

BY JESSICA GRIMBLE

TheWimmera is rolling out the welcome mat for thousands of visitors to the region.

However, the influx of people is not just a positive sign for tourism.

Leaders say it has the potential for broad, long-term benefits – including destination awareness, region pride, and investment, attraction and retention of skilled professionals.

Horsham Rural City Council tourism and business development officer Gloria McRae said more than 20,000 people would visit the region during the Wimmera Machinery Field Days.

“This has a huge impact on our local accommodation businesses as well as our cafes, bakeries and retail shops,” she said.

“It’s easily the biggest event in the Wimmera and the beauty of it is that people come from all corners of south-eastern Australia, so there’s a good mix of people here throughout several days.

“We find that accommodation closest to Horsham sells out first and then the demand starts to shift to neighbouring towns, which provides a welcome economic boost in those places as well.

“With visitors coming to our events, we want them to really get a glimpse of what the area has to offer.

“Events can change people’s perception of a destination.”

Grampians Tourism chief executive Marc Sleeman said large-scale events,

including the field days, served as an ‘appetiser’ to promote the region to visitors.

“You have events such as the field days and Grampians Grape Escape; you have events like the Dunkeld Races that attracts 10,000 visitors – and those events will bring incremental visitation to the region,” he said.

“People from interstate and intrastate will come to our destination to experience everything it has to offer.

“The flow-on effect is significant because they’re staying across the whole region.

“We don’t have enough accommodation in Horsham to cater for a bigscale event, so people who are going

to the field days might stay in Stawell, for example.”

Mr Sleeman said the Grampians recorded the third-highest annual growth of a Victorian region of overnight spend increase, above levels recorded in the 12 months from September 2018 to September 2019 prior to the pandemic.

“It’s easily the biggest event in the Wimmera and the beauty of it is that people come from all corners of south-eastern Australia, so there’s a good mix of people here throughout several days”

He said ‘brand awareness’ remained a significant challenge for the region – and one his regional tourism board was seeking to address, along with encouraging people to stay longer and spend money in the region.

“The data tells us that only 10 percent of metro Melbourne residents know where we are – so we’ve still got a lot of work to do,” he said.

“There’s such a low awareness that most of our activity is just a positioning piece for our region.”

Mr Sleeman said visitation growth had the potential to attract more private investment and it could also attract new residents to the region.

He said a ‘coalition of the willing’ –including the tourism board’s funding organisations and people and businesses in neighbouring areas – were leading a changing mindset in relation to tourism, service provision and population growth.

“We need to put the consumer at the front of every decision we make,” he said.

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WELCOME: Customer service officer Lachie Freijah, visitor services manager Caroline Price, centre, and tourism director Gloria McRae at Horsham Town Hall visitor centre. The trio are set to welcome visitors to the region keen to explore more of what the city has to offer. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Energy high for ‘normal’ event

BY ABBY WALTER

Abuzz is in the air among exhibitors and organisers for the return of the Wimmera Machinery Field Days.

Three years on since the last time Wimmera Events Centre at Longerenong was bursting at the seams with agricultural machinery, farmers and industry professionals, the field days are back.

Wimmera Machinery Field Days manager Vanessa Lenehan said it was fantastic to see the field days return.

“We managed to host the event in 2020 with a week to spare before COVID lockdowns, and in 2022 we nearly got there but had to cancel,” she said.

“That was a bit of a practice run of planning the event, but finally we get to see it to the end and see all our hard work come to fruition.”

Western Victorian Wholesalers will be one of many exhibitors at the Wimmera Events Centre this year.

General manager Darren Scott said he was looking forward to being back after two years away from the event.

“We get to see such a variety of people throughout the three days,” he said.

“We get to meet potential clients and people who didn’t know us previously.

“It helps us branch into new areas, and for people who are not looking for us to see us there and find a way to work together.”

Mr Scott said the team was ‘very prepared’ for the field days.

“We have plenty of stock and have industry professionals joining us from the various products we have, to showcase more of what we offer,” he said.

“It’s just good to be back – the field days are good for the local economy and local people.

“It will be a positive event, which is exactly what we need in 2023.”

Wimmera Machinery Field Days president Tim Rethus agreed the energy was positive for this year’s event.

“After two years off and all the excitement we’ve seen with other field days that have returned, there seems to be a lot of interest,” he said.

“We’ve had a really good response from our exhibitors – it’s going to be a really full site this year and the energy is there for 2023.

“I think people are keen to come to the field days, so I am excited to run this one after so long.”

Mr Rethus said being back together was the biggest highlight of this year’s event.

“It’s pretty special to get all the crew back together again. The committee has been running on ‘slo-mo’ for the past two years, so to be back into the work is great,” he said.

“When we’re on-site together, the banter and energy we get from being there and getting the work done is the best.”

Mrs Lenehan said the field days were ‘back to normal’.

“We’re still going to have sanitiser stations for those who wish to use them, but there are no restrictions on people who can come out,” she said.

“I think the best part of 2023 will be seeing all the exhibitors again – having them come back and going around and seeing them and showing them we’re thankful for their support.

“Also, to have the general public come through the gates will be great.

“The impact this has on the town is huge – it will be so good to see Horsham alive with a good vibe around the place because the field days are happening.”

Volunteer committee takes lead

Helping

On-site

Our Mission...

‘To create and maintain a meaningful andmutually beneficial relationships with our Distributors and their staff to ultimately deliver the best value to the end user of our products while creating benefits for all concerned’

Wimmera

Machinery Field Days is a broadacre and agriculture machinery-focussed event led each year by a volunteer committee. Executive committee – President: Tim Rethus; senior vice-president: Harry Young; junior vicepresident: Darryl McCrae; chief steward: Sam Eagle; site steward: Chris Bartlett. Management – Manager: Vanessa Lenehan; office manager: Sally Hernon; office and events assistants: Lisa McRae and Rebecca Steadman. General committee – John Aisbett, Andrew Bell, Jamie Byrne, Wendy Byrne, Alister Cameron, James Gardner, Robyn Gulline, Will Gulline, Zach Holmes, David Jochinke, Beau Ladlow, Jordan Lee, Pepe Luciani, Heath Martin, Bryan Matuschka, Sam McGennisken, Daniel Mibus, Luke Milgate, Peter Moore, Jeff Moore,

Wade Morrow, Paul Petering, Brian Petrass, Jamie Petrass, Luke Rethus, Kurtis Schodde and Nick Zordan.

Country Lifestyle co-ordinators – Wendy Byrne, Robyn Gulline, Sam Eagle and Beau Ladlow. Honorary members – T. Blair, V.H. Greer, M.E. Gribben, B.J. Johanson, B.J. Jones, R.G. Ladlow, R. Lingham, J.F. Londsdale, G.F. Miller, G.T. Tippet, N. Varley, R.E. Wirth and L.W. Worthy. Life members – A.A. Bodey, N.R. Curran, T.C. Davey, D.J. Garth, G.K. Gulline, A.T. Heard, P.J. Heard, M. Hobbs, R.F. Jess, W.L. Johns, I.D. Ladlow, R.A Levitzke, B. Matuschka, C.L. Moore, J.G. Moore, P. Moore, I.H. Nettlebeck, B.H. Perry, I.B. Reid, G. Rethus, E.H. Ruwoldt, N.L. Ruwoldt, R.P. Ruwoldt, I.C Schmidt, G.W. Schmidt and E.T. Tucker.

WELL PREPARED: Darren, Faye and Graeme Scott of Western Victorian Wholesalers are looking forward to getting back out to the Wimmera Machinery Field Days site after a twoyear hiatus. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Market square to showcase ‘local’

BY ABBY WALTER

Wimmera

Machinery Field Days’ newest feature will showcase the region’s food and beverage businesses.

The Local Market Square will include 13 Wimmera businesses near the Moore Exhibition Centre and field days office.

Wimmera Machinery Field Days manager Vanessa Lenehan said the Local Market Square was an element organisers were trialling in 2023.

“We just wanted to do something a little bit different and allow our local gourmet food and wine producers to showcase what they do and their products,” she said.

“It’s been really good that we can offer them the Local Market Square and have them out at the site.

“We are all about supporting locals and the Wimmera towns that support us.”

New Horsham-based business Jack’s Nuts will be one of the businesses at the Local Market Square.

Jack’s Nuts owners Jack Rabah and Tracey Thomson started the business six months ago and are looking forward to exhibiting their products at the field days.

“We moved here from Melbourne nearly two years ago and quickly realised we couldn’t buy high-quality nuts locally,” Ms Thomson said.

“We have no idea what to expect from going to the field days, but we are excited to be a part of it.

“Business is slow and steady and we’ve done some local markets, so now we are getting the word out more and more about who we are.”

Ms Thomson said the pair moved to Horsham

“This is a really good chance to meet people we wouldn’t otherwise. We’ve heard it’s going to be a big event and lots of fun”

– Tracey Thomson

after experiencing a series of lockdowns in Melbourne.

“We knew there had to be something better for us and we looked regional for more space. We moved to Horsham have loved being here ever since,” she said.

“We both save two hours per day now that we don’t have traffic to get through to work, so we thought why wouldn’t we use that spare time for something else? That prompted this business as our side hustle.”

Ms Thomson said the field days would be a chance to learn.

“Before we moved to Horsham, we had never met a farmer,” she said.

“This is a really good chance to meet people we wouldn’t otherwise.

“We’ve heard it’s going to be a big event and lots of fun.”

3WM is a major supporter of the market square initiative.

Businesses exhibiting in the Local Market Square include: Beetanicals, Casey’s Pantry, Farmgirl Produce, Five Ducks Farms, Grampians Olive Co, Jacks Nuts, Miners Ridge Wines, Mount Langi Ghiran, Mount Stapylton Wines, Patchwork Jungle, Seppelt Wines Great Western, Springhill Special Treats, and The Wimmera Grain Store.

Exhibitors in line for awards

Exhibitors at this year’s Wimmera Machinery Field Days will need to spruce up their sites for a chance at various awards up for grabs.

In 2020, there were eight awards presented across various categories.

Wimmera Machinery Field Days manager Vanessa Lenehan said the awards had been condensed this year.

“We will still have the machine of the year, innovation of the year and then we’re awarding best outdoor site, best country lifestyle site and best indoor site,” she said.

“It rewards the exhibitors who put the effort

in and make their site look really good, which is nice.”

Wimmera Machinery Field Days president Tim Rethus said while the award list was smaller, there was a variety to be won.

“I think it shows when someone puts effort into their site,” he said.

“Obviously, they get way more traffic, but it also makes the whole site look fantastic, so we like to reward people and businesses for that.

“We will be very interested to see what new innovations and technologies that turn up this year and what people are trying to get out there and show.”

SHOWCASE: Jack Rabah and Tracey Thomson of Jack’s Nuts are looking forward to being one of 13 exhibitors at the Wimmera Machinery Field Days’ Local Market Square.

Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Winks team help patrons rest easy

Forty Winks Horsham wants field days patrons to rest easy.

The retailer will exhibit at the event next week for the first time in more than 30 years in business in the Wimmera.

People can try Harrison Spinks, Crown and Mlily mattresses at the Moore Exhibition Centre site and seek advice from sleep specialists who, as the slogan goes, are serious about sleep.

Manager Mick Shannon said patrons would appreciate the time, effort and craftsmanship of the Harrison Spinks range, which was introduced to the Pynsent Street store last year.

The luxury brand manufactures its product –from growing its own wool, hemp, flax and cotton as key components of the mattress, to sewing the product by hand.

Each mattress takes a day to prepare for market.

“We introduced the Harrison Spinks range last year, recognising an opportunity for Wimmera people to buy a mattress that is made of the same stuff they might grow on their own properties; to celebrate the paddock to plate process,” Mr Shannon said.

“One of the things we love most about Harrison Spinks is the great farming story behind it.

“We also love that its mattress components

Exhibitor profile

never go to landfill. Once people are finished with the mattress, which is likely about 15 years, everything can be recycled or repurposed.

“Our team, and representatives of some of our favourite companies, will be at the field days to offer advice – which starts with a purchase, but, by buying locally, also has the benefit of continued service and support for the years to come.

“That’s something we pride ourselves on and we’re known for – our ongoing service and support of people right across the Wimmera and Mallee.”

People can also view examples of adjustable beds, bed heads and manchester – either in physical form or via an electronic touch-screen experience.

The team can arrange store pick-up.

“With the amount of people at the field days, it’s a great chance to show people what they can purchase from us locally – catering for all ages and stages of life,” Mr Shannon said.

Forty Winks Horsham opened in 1990. Its team has more than 50 years experience, combined.

The store is also proud to support community initiatives, clubs and groups.

Rural counsellors reaching out

Rural Financial Counselling Service Victoria West will bring its free and confidential support service to this year’s Wimmera Machinery Field Days.

The service has worked with farmers since 1986, when a number of local government areas joined forces to help those most in need.

RFCS Victoria West has since grown to also support regional business owners; and in 2020, the service added wellbeing services specifically for farmers and regional small business owners, and their families.

RFCS Victoria West executive officer David Stafford said the service’s mission was to provide support to people of all walks of life across the vast west of regional Victoria.

“Our mission is to strengthen the ability of primary producers and small businesses in Victoria’s regional west to take action to manage change, adjust to challenges and plan for the future,” he said.

“The Wimmera Machinery Field Days act as a barometer for social, economic, agricultural prosperity and growth in the entire region. This is why we feel that supporting the event is key.

“Just like us, they are not-for-profit. The

hard-working regional volunteer committee has managed to get this occasion up and running every year since 1963 – a tremendous effort.”

RFCS Victoria West is a not-for-profit charity governed by a board with external support from regional partners and both the state and federal governments. Its rural financial counsellors work in the regions they live, helping them to better understand conditions and communities.

It is through this work that people can gain a clear understanding on their financial position, explore options, develop budgets and plans, apply for grants and more.

Mr Stafford said support was a phone call away.

“Our service provides help for farmers and regional small businesses in Western Victoria – we want to hear from you should you need support,” he said.

“We are here to help and completely free of charge or obligation. Our counsellors are here to talk to you.”

If you, or someone you know, needs support, phone on 1300 735 578. Alternatively, people can email admin@wswrcs.com.au or visit www. RFCSVictoriaWest.com.au for information.

QUALITY FOCUS: The team at Forty Winks Horsham, from left, Kerry Cassidy, Lyn Hofmaier, Keith Emmerson, Jenny Grimble and Mick Shannon, will exhibit at the Wimmera Machinery Field Days for the first time this year, helping event patrons to get a great night’s sleep.

Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Forty Winks Horsham

Field days building our profile

BY JESSICA GRIMBLE

The Wimmera Machinery Field Days offers a compelling insight into the future of the agriculture industry.

Wimmera Development Association chief executive Chris Sounness said the long-awaited return of the field days, following COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions, offered a unique chance to learn about agriculture innovation, impact and benefit – from a diversity of people and industries.

“The Wimmera Machinery Field Days is a significant event for our region,” he said.

“As with all our major events, it attracts people from within and outside the region and gives a real boost to accommodation and service businesses.

“For our region to grow, we need to showcase it well – and the Wimmera Machinery Field Days does a great job at building our profile.

“It focuses on our competitive advantage – agriculture and food production – and brings people from across Australia to highlight innovation and where agriculture is moving to next.

“During the past few years, without the field days, many farmers and those involved in the agriculture supply chain haven’t had a chance to fully understand what’s going on in other parts of the supply chain.

“If we want to be innovative in the region, it’s so important there is inter-

OPPORTUNITY: Wimmera Development Association chief executive Chris Sounness is enthusiastic about the opportunities facing the agriculture industry.

action between people from different regions and industries so new ideas can percolate and be utilised.”

Mr Sounness said truly understanding the potential of innovation in agriculture could have significant and widespread benefits.

“People are getting their mind around how much innovation is involved in the machinery on offer in 2023, for example, and it’s really exciting – because it will drive a lot of the productivity and growth that the agriculture industry needs to remain competitive,” he said.

“There is a growing realisation, among the supply chain, that under-

standing market demands and what major export partners are requiring from our produce is more important than ever, going forward.

“Regions such as Europe, South Korea and Japan are all demanding food and agriculture produce from where they understand how products are produced – and they are willing to pay a premium.

“Gaining a greater understanding will enable producers to meet the expectations of Asian and European markets.”

Mr Sounness said as legislative targets were introduced, it was also important that producers considered their

ability to lower carbon emissions.

“Ag-tech and innovation is a key way to allow that transition to lower-emission farming, which will then mean we can better meet our key export partners’ needs for produce that is produced with the lowest possible emissions,” he said.

Mr Sounness, who worked in agriculture throughout his career, said the diversity of career pathways in the industry could ‘reinvigorate’ the next generation.

“The amount of investment from the technology industry in agriculture has meant that there has been a real focus on innovation in agriculture and this

is attracting the next wave of innovators and entrepreneurs who are keen to work in the industry on farms, or serving the agriculture supply chain,” he said.

“It’s a really exciting time and there are so many different pathways to take your career.”

Wimmera Development Association is leading a new initiative that aims to sell Wimmera-made food products from the region’s supermarkets.

Wimmera Harvest Fare, a collaboration also involving Wimmera Mallee Tourism and the Centre for Participation, will launch this month.

It was borne out of a State Government program that attempts to upscale business operations of small-scale and craft food products.

It will ensure 13 participating food producers from across the Wimmera will have their packaged product in a self-contained Wimmera-food section at 10 independent supermarkets.

Mr Sounness said the field days’ ‘Local Market Square’ would complement the Wimmera Harvest Fare initiative.

“We’re working hard to increase the availability of local produce in our local retail shops and supermarkets throughout the region,” he said.

“Wimmera Harvest Fare is a label we hope will enable both local people to buy local produce, and, equally as important, for businesses in the region to buy goods that are produced locally.”

UP

Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Timeless designs

Crossing state borders came with extreme challenges during COVID-19 restrictions.

Businesses such as Out and About Clothing, a small business located in the South Australian town of Keith, can now step easily into the Wimmera when it returns to the Wimmera Machinery Field Days.

Established in 2001, Out and About Clothing provides women, of all sizes, a colourful collection of rugby jumpers and polos with bright contrasting collars and trims – and can even custom-make garments to fit an individual’s measurements.

There are more than 450 different designs to choose from.

Out and About Clothing has attended the Wimmera field days for many years.

Owner and designer Christine Rosenzweig has turned a love of sewing into a thriving clothing label and loves to attend the event, along with

Exhibitor profile

Out and About Clothing

others across the country, to offer women a chance to view one of the largest colour ranges of women’s rugby tops they could find.

“We use lots of spots and stripes to create unique, timeless designs that women just love,” she said.

Out and About Clothing offers women both relaxed-fit and semi-fitted jumpers, from sizes extra small to 6XL. There is also a range of children’s jumpers.

“We will provide customers with the option to view hundreds of different rugby tops. The most difficult part will be choosing,” she said.

The Out and About Clothing site is located in the Country Lifestyle Pavilion.

People wanting more information can go to www.outandaboutclothing.com.au

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PLENTY OF OPTIONS: A regular site holder at the Wimmera Machinery Field Days, Out and About Clothing will again feature in the Country Lifestyle Pavilion.

Wimmera Machinery Field Days special edition

Changing with the times

Victoria’s

longest-running field days began as a two-day event with about 80 exhibitors and 3000 attendees.

In March 1963, a year after a group of Wimmera farmers attended agricultural field days in Orange, New South Wales, the first Wimmera Machinery Field Days were hosted.

The group of farmers returned from Orange and formed a committee. They decided to host the inaugural event at a site provided by Longerenong Agricultural College.

In its 60-year history, the Wimmera Machinery Field Days have only been cancelled once, in 2022, and were hosted virtually in 2021 due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Throughout the years there have been field days with almost 10 times as many exhibitors as there were in attendance at the first event.

A twilight event, expanding to three

days, auctions, various special guests and a growing exhibitor list, the Wimmera Machinery Field Days has changed a lot throughout time.

In 2003, 40 years after the first event, then field days secretary Noel Curran said the event had a ‘Genetically Modified Crops Feature’, as it was the ‘hottest topic’ in farming that year. At the 50th event, in 2012, technology was at the forefront of the event, from machinery getting larger to cover more land more efficiently, to advancements in farm precision technology.

Although farming continues to evolve, the nature of the field days has stayed the same, as a not-for-profit event that puts money back into the Wimmera Events Centre and field days site.

It continues to be run primarily by volunteers, with a small team employed to manage the event.

Next year will mark the 60th

Days.

CAIRNS, LONGREACH, MAGNETIC ISLAND & BARRIER REEF

12 days

Thursday 8th June $6710

Highlights: Bourke, Darling River, Charleville, Cosmos Centre, Blackall Woolscour, Longreach, Stockman’s Hall of Fame, Thomson River Cruise, Charters Towers, Magnetic Island, Paronella Park, Australian Sugar Museum, Green Island, Cairns, Barrier Reef, Daintree River Cruise, Kuranda Train and Sky Rail, Breakfast with the Birds, Port Douglas

CAIRNS & THE GULF COUNTRY INC BIRDSVILLE

16 days

Friday 16th June $8380

MCG tour, Parliament House, Eureka Observation Deck, Rayner’s Fruit Orchard, Coombe Cottage & Devonshire Tea, Yarra Valley Chocolaterie, Mt Dandenong Lookout, Tea Leaves Australia, St Paul’s Cathedral, Southbank, Yarra River Cruise.

BRIGHT IN AUTUMN

6 days Thursday 4th May

$2590

Highlights: Benalla, Bright Autumn Leaves, Harrietville, Wandiligong, Bright Art Gallery, Red Stag Deer Farm, Beechworth, Burke Museum, Yackandandah, Falls Creek, Bogong National Park, Mt Buffalo, Mt Beauty, Kiewa Valley, Lavender Farm, Myrtleford, and Glenrowan.

SYDNEY AND THE BLUE MOUNTAINS

8 days Thursday 11th May $4120

Highlights: Wodonga, Dog on the Tuckerbox, Sydney, Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Darling Harbour, The Rocks, Sydney Harbour Dinner Cruise, Sydney Tower, Kings Cross, Bondi Beach, Manly Ferry, Chinatown, Star City Casino, Blue Mountains, Katoomba, Bathurst, Cowra, Young.

CAPE YORK AND THURSDAY ISLAND

10 days Sunday 21st May $6150

Highlights: Cairns city accommodation, Cape Tribulation, World Heritage Daintree National Park, Bloomfield Track, Cooktown, Lakefield National Park, Musgrave Telegraph Station, Weipa, Bramwell Station, Fruit Bat Falls, Seisia, Cape York tip, Thursday Island.

CAIRNS, THE GULF, BIRDSVILLE, MARREE & FLINDERS RANGES

24 days Thursday 8th June $11,990

Highlights: Bourke, Darling River, Charleville, Cosmos Centre, Blackall Woolscour, Longreach, Stockman’s Hall of Fame, Thomson River Cruise, Charters Towers, Magnetic Island, Paronella Park, Australian Sugar Museum, Green Island, Cairns, Barrier Reef, Daintree River Cruise, Kuranda Train and Sky Rail, Breakfast with the Birds, Port Douglas, Undara Lava Tubes, Gulflander Train Ride, Gulf of Carpentaria Sunset Cruise, Mt Isa, Birdsville, Marree, Lake Eyre, Flinders Ranges, Burra, Renmark.

Highlights: Cairns, Green Island, Barrier Reef, Daintree River Cruise, Breakfast with the Birds, Port Douglas, Atherton Tableland, Georgetown, Undara Lava Tubes, Gulflander Train Ride, Normanton, Karumba, Gulf of Carpentaria Sunset Cruise, Mt Isa, Birdsville, Marree, Lake Eyre, Flinders Ranges, Burra, Renmark.

SPLENDID SINGAPORE

10 days

Thursday 6th July $7590

Highlights: Luxury Hotel Accommodation, Stunning Singapore, City Sights Tour, Botanic & Orchid Gardens, Singapore River Cruise, Fullerton Bay Hotel High Tea, The Singapore Zoo, Singapore Flyer, Marina Bay Sands Lookout, S.E.A Aquarium, Changi District, National Museum of Singapore, Gardens by the Bay, English Speaking Guides.

NORTHWESTER & SOUTH WEST COAST

47 days

Monday 24th July $21,190

“See the itinerary for the many tour highlights”.

DARWIN VIA CENTRAL AUSTRALIA

15 days

Monday 24th July $8590

Highlights: Central Australia, Coober Pedy, Ayers Rock, Kings Canyon, Alice Springs, West MacDonnell Ranges, Tennant Creek, Katherine Gorge Cruise, Kakadu, Yellow Waters Cruise, Darwin, Mindil Market, Litchfield National Park.

COOBER PEDY, AYERS ROCK, ALICE SPRINGS

9 days

Monday 24th July $5540

Highlights: Adelaide, Port Augusta, Central Australia, Coober Pedy, Umoona Opal Mine, Ayres Rock, Kings Canyon, Alice Springs, West MacDonnell Ranges, Standley Chasm, Alice Springs Reptile Centre, Alice Springs Desert Park, Royal Flying Doctor Service, Alice Springs School of the Air, Alice Springs Telegraph Station.

WEST COAST, KIMBERLEY & SOUTH WEST COAST

35 days Saturday 5th August $15,850

“See the itinerary for the many tour highlights”.

WEST COAST AND THE KIMBERLEY

23 days Saturday 5th August $11,665

Highlights: Darwin, Mindil Beach Market, Katherine, Kununurra, Ord River Cruise, El Questro Station, Zebedee Springs, Chamberlain Gorge Cruise, Wyndham, Halls Creek, Fitzroy Crossing, Derby, Boab Prison Tree, Broome, Willie Creek Pearl Farm, Cable Beach, Port Hedland, Tom Price, Exmouth, Coral Bay, Monkey Mia, Kalbarri, Perth.

DARWIN TO BROOME AND THE KIMBERLEY

12 days Saturday 5th August $7730

Highlights: Darwin, Mindil Beach Market, Katherine, Kununurra, Ord River Cruise, El Questro Station, Zebedee Springs, Chamberlain Gorge Cruise, Wyndham, Halls Creek, Fitzroy Crossing, Derby, Boab Prison Tree, Broome, Willie Creek Pearl Farm, Cable Beach.

BROOME TO PERTH INCLUDING TOM PRICE & NINGALOO REEF

14 days Monday 14th August $7790

PERTH AND SOUTH WEST COAST

15 days Friday 25th August $6830

CAPE YORK AND THURSDAY ISLAND

10 days Sunday 10th September $6150

CANBERRA “FLORIADE”

6 days Sunday 24th September $2725

TASMANIA

10 days Monday 2nd October $5190

VIETNAM

17 days Thursday 12th October $7980

NEW ZEALAND DISCOVERY

17 days Sunday 29th October $8890

SAPPHIRE COAST

9 days Thursday 16th November $3990

Wimmera Machinery Field

TIME FOR A CHAT: Darren Cameron, left, and Peter Grant talk sheep at the 2018 Wimmera Machinery Field Days.

EXPOSURE: Above, Wimmera business RFM staff attending the field days in 2006, and right, Jade Hawker and Craig Hopkins with their product award at the Claas stand in 2018.

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‘Small’ company growing

Exhibitor profile

Smallaire

Horsham manufacturer Smallaire has achieved 49 years of manufacturing excellence and continues to grow.

The family-owned and operated business started ‘small’ in the Wimmera in 1974, seeking solutions for the region’s long, hot summers.

It has gone on to become a world-renowned name as innovators of seeding technology for its vast range of air seeder components and high-pressure blowers.

Smallaire designs, creates and manufactures evaporative airconditioners and agricultural, horticultural, dairy and poultry products, metal art and numerous other products for almost any application.

All products manufactured by Smallaire are the creative inspiration of its research and development team and company founder, Gary Small.

Director Lolita Small encouraged people to visit Smallaire’s Wimmera Machinery Field Days site to view its products and say ‘hi’ to Jock, Paul, Brett and the team.

“Smallaire continues to pride itself on innovative solutions to all its customers in air movement needs through its intense research and development programs to provide its customers high-quality, long-lasting components that peo-

ple have come to trust,” she said.

“The company continues to grow itself – not only in Australia but around the world – with its dedication to extending its overseas customers to prove and expand its technology.

“This has has led to the company

being able to export its range of high-quality components globally to manufacturers, farmers and agronomists who strive to achieve only the best results.”

The business is a multi-award winner in manufacturing excellence and export, having been

Expanding flock

Australia’s sheep flock is set to reach its largest size in more than 15 years at 78.75 million head.

Meat and Livestock Australia, MLA, forecasts record lamb production that will eclipse 2016 and 2022 totals.

The increase is attributable to optimal breeding conditions nationwide, a genetically superior flock, improved lambing percentages and medium-term industry confidence at a farm gate level.

MLA market information analyst Ripley Atkinson said the growth of the national flock in 2023 would lead to increased slaughter numbers and production.

“Lamb slaughter is forecast to reach 22.6 million in 2023 as a result of large numbers of breeding ewes and strong marking rates. This is a rise of 595,000 head, or 2.7 percent, year-on-year,” he said.

“Last year’s slaughter performance showed that small stock processors had a greater ability to increase their throughput in line with higher supply, a trend MLA expects will continue.

“Looking further ahead to 2024, we forecast it to be a record year for lamb slaughter, reaching 23.2 million head. This would be a rise of three percent, or 560,000 year-on-year and higher by 1.1 million head, or five percent, on the 10-year average.”

Key sheep producing states, New South Wales and Victoria, are forecast to lift numbers, although not as significantly as other states.

named an ACE Radio Wimmera Business Awards business of the year in 2018 and listed as a finalist in the Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame in 2018.

It won the manufacturing and innovation award at the Wimmera Business Awards in 2022.

In 2024 the national flock’s growth is projected to moderate and plateau, reaching 79.5 million head, a rise of one percent, or 750,000 head year-on-year.

In 2025, the national flock is estimated to fall to 2023 levels, although it will remain above the 10-year average.

SHOWCASE: Jock Baker, pictured with air-seeder parts at Smallaire’s Horsham site, will join the team at the Wimmera Machinery Field Days next week.

Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Hearing group’s last hurrah

Exhibitor profile

Wimmera Machinery Field Days attendees will have their last chance to speak to Horsham-based hearing specialists at this year’s event.

Wimmera Hearing Society declared last year, after more than 40 years, the State Government was redirecting its funding from preventative to chronic management of hearing loss.

The society, headed by Horsham’s Sue Ward since 1981, will offer its free hearing services at the field days site from March 7 to 9, for the last time.

Mrs Ward said the hearing society team would ‘get on with the job’, despite the society’s imminent closure at the end of March.

She said the society recognised the support the event committee and its attendees had given it across more than four decades, and acknowledged the ‘free’ field-days site afforded to the society to conduct its tests each year.

“We will be providing the same service we always have at the field days,” she said.

“People can get a full hearing assessment, an inspection of their ears for obstructions and a summary of the results – all provided to them on the spot.

“The tests allow us to tell peo-

ple if and what their hearing loss is and, importantly, how it is affecting them day-to-day and their options moving forward.”

Mrs Ward said it was common for farmers to be unaware of their hearing loss, and while hearing aids were an option for people with significant hearing loss – there remained other strategies of dealing with the issue.

“There are simple communica-

tion strategies for farmers with hearing loss and their families to manage it – small tips and tricks to make life easier for them moving forward,” she said.

Mrs Ward said hearing tests would typically take society volunteers no more than five to 10 minutes.

She said farmers often did not prioritise their ears, but were often affected by hearing loss.

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“They might think, ‘I am too old, why bother?’. But they should always bother, because even if there is hearing loss, it is possible to stop it from getting worse,” she said.

“Hearing loss is often hidden, too. It can sneak up on you.

“So, if hearing aids are the solution for you – new technology is wonderful. They are clear, small, fitted and comfortable to wear.”

College showcase

Ballarat Clarendon College has been attending the Wimmera Machinery Field Days for more than 20 years.

The school is excited to visit the Wimmera community again, and for the opportunity to share its story with new families.

Clarendon considers everything an opportunity for learning – every interaction, every race, every piece of writing.

Attending a boarding school is about more than what happens in the classroom.

What happens on the stage, the playing field and in the boarding house helps young people develop skills and capacities to pursue their dreams.

The school has a long association with families from the Wimmera, with boarders being key members of its broad co-curricular programs –whether that is playing a sport or refining talents in performing arts programs of dance, drama or music.

While the past few years have been challenging, they did provide an opportunity to explore new methods of delivering education programs.

An example occurred last year when three students represented Australia at the World Junior Rowing Championships in Italy. During their down time, the girls engaged with their classes in Ballarat via an online platform.

The size of boarding houses ensures every student is cared for.

Each tutor is responsible for a small mentor group and provides the pastoral care support that each individual needs.

Boarders also participate in weekend activities such trips to Melbourne, Geelong and various social events on campus, should they choose to stay in Ballarat during the weekend.

People can visit representatives of the college in the Moore Exhibition Centre.

Wimmera Hearing Society

GETTING ON WITH THE JOB: Wimmera Hearing Society chair Wayne Jackson and manager Sue Ward will be at the Wimmera Machinery Field Days next week, for the last time. The society, which operates from a Roberts Avenue office, will close its doors on March 24.

Ballarat Clarendon College

Exhibitor profile

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Records set for rural land sales

BY ABBY WALTER

Wimmera real estate principals say farmland prices have been historically high and the coming months will set the trends for the year ahead.

Harcourts Horsham director Mark Clyne said there was a reasonable amount of land up for auction this month.

“Prime selling season is February through to April, which will set the benchmark for land prices this year,” he said.

“The best way to find the value of land is to auction it, because it’s the market that sets what people are willing to pay – there’s no set price for a parcel of dirt.”

Gerry Smith and Co managing director Gerry Smith said rural properties were continuing to sell well.

“It’s hard to pick a trend until the selling season ends at the end of March,” he said.

“There have been some high prices and they’re holding high, with demand definitely there.

“When commodity prices are relatively good, as we have seen recently, we see the returns in that farmers have the capacity to spend more.

“The amount of land on the market is not different to most selling seasons.

“It would be concerning if there was lots of

land going on the market.” Mr Clyne said multiple records were set during the past 12 months – particularly for smaller land parcels.

“Farmers are paying $3000 to $4000 more on land than it is probably worth, just to get it,” he said.

“In the past two years we have seen the farmers who own some of the larger properties in the area and have access to funds, buy the majority of land that is for sale, particularly neighbouring properties to their own.

“Bigger operations are more capable to pay the bigger prices, however if their farms are now at capacity, they start to move to the sidelines and that’s what we’re starting to see.

“We may now begin to see farmers who have middle-tier size properties have opportunities to buy as they appear to have missed out in recent years.”

Mr Clyne said there was plenty of activity in the buying space with banks reporting farmers were assessing whether or not they had the capacity to purchase more land.

“If the market does hit a hurdle, it’s more to do with prices than selling land because there are always willing buyers – it’s just a matter of how much it would go for,” he said.

Young farmers upskill, invest

Wimmera young farmers are expanding their knowledge and developing business planning and on-farm operations with a $10,000 scholarship.

Murtoa farmer Kieran Delahunty and Langkoop farmer Clinton Rokebrand were among 13 recipients of the Upskill and Invest Young Farmers Scholarships in 2022.

Former Wimmera resident Jessica Frankel was also a scholarship recipient.

Mr Delahunty said the scholarship was made up of two sections – one for upskilling and one for investment.

“I am doing self-guided learning and mentoring through Think Agri for the upskilling proponent, which involves people and personal leadership, financial literacy and awareness and production outcomes,” he said.

“I’ve been back on the farm for a few years now and I aim to build a business plan – that’s the investment.

“Hopefully I will also be a better farm business manager. I want to future-proof the farm – with climate change and external pressures it’s easy to get caught up in day-to-day work, but I want to make us as viable as possible.”

Mr Delahunty said the scholarship provided a good opportunity to develop skills and knowledge.

“I just had a crack at the scholarship as it’s a chance to do something I wouldn’t normally be able to do,” he said.

“All of the recipients are using their scholarships for different agriculture further education.

“I’d encourage anyone to give it a go.”

Since 2015, 102 young farmers have been awarded Young Farmer scholarships by the state Minister for Agriculture.

The scholarship is available to any Australian citizen or permanent Victorian resident, aged 35 years or younger, who had worked in a food and fibre farm business in Victoria at least three days a week for the past three months and had at least two years of experience on-farm.

Recipients receive $5000 towards study opportunities and are given access to a further $5000 after they complete their studies to invest in putting new skills into practice.

The round eight recipients of the 2022 scholarships were awarded at a ceremony at Melbourne Town Hall in Melbourne late last year.

CONGRATULATIONS: Murtoa farmer Kieran Delahunty receives a $10,000 Young Farmers scholarship from Agriculture Victoria chief executive Matt Lowe.

Markets are consistent

Grain prices in the Wimmera have increased when compared with midJanuary, as harvest concludes in the region.

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry reported Australian export prices, as of February 22, had fluctuated on the month prior, but remained consistent with prices at the same time last year.

Grain prices have decreased by a maximum of two percent and risen by up to five percent across various grains.

Milling wheat exported at $509 per tonne, feed wheat sold for $503 per tonne and feed barley exported at $412 per tonne. Canola exported at $1051 per tonne.

In the Wimmera, AWB recorded bid prices for APW1 wheat last week were between $363 and $371; barley was between $291 and $299; and canola at $716 to $721 per tonne.

Wimmera GrainCorp sites recorded bid prices between $362 and $374 for APW1 wheat, from $351 to $413 for barley and between $720 and $724 per tonne for canola on Thursday last week.

Graham Pymer, of Horsham Regional Livestock Exchange, on

Wednesday last week reported that quality in lamb and sheep was excellent with a firm to dear buying market.

Lamb numbers had remained consistent at 3600 while sheep numbers had dropped to 750.

Medium and heavy trade weight lambs sold from $173 to $214 with the extra heavy weights selling up to $250 per head.

Light weight lambs sold from $122 to $126 per head, while extra heavy lambs sold from $232 to $250 per head.

A few unshorn lambs sold from $132 to $212 per head.

Low sheep numbers resulted in solid competition, with sheep selling up $10 to $15 a head on the previous week.

Merino ewes sold to $141 and crossbred ewes sold to $131 per head.

Light sheep sold from $60 to $88 per head and medium weight sheep sold from $74 to $103 per head.

Heavy merino sheep sold from $103 to $141 per head and heavy crossbred sheep sold from $100 to $131 per head.

Rams sold from $20 to $53 per head and hoggets sold from $122 to $157 per head.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT: West Side Horsham staff, from left, Manuka Petera, Jonathon Lewis and Bek Lear are preparing to welcome people to the venue during the Wimmera Machinery Field Days and beyond. The venue is hosting a ‘Team Teal’ high-tea fundraiser, on behalf of Horsham Harness Racing Club, on Monday, March 13 to raise money for Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group for research into ovarian cancer. People can contact the venue for more information, or to make a booking.

Hospitality teams ready for influx

Hospitality venues are increasing the volume of rostered staff and pondering stock orders as the Wimmera Machinery Field Days and Labor Day long weekend loom.

Anecdotally, mid-week dining is keeping venues busy, regardless, as people take the chance to socialise over a meal after long periods of COVID-19 restrictions and illness.

With a diversity of dining options across Horsham and surrounding towns, residents and visitors will have the benefit of choice.

West Side Horsham manager Vicki McClure said the venue’s staff were well-drilled in preparing for whatever came their way.

“It’s business as usual, but we are also making sure we have staff and are covered in all areas of stock – as we always do,” she said.

“The bistro and sports bar are open for meals, and there are plenty of seats available.

“Booking ahead is important, but people also shouldn’t be afraid to call ahead or show up, because we will find space for them.”

Horsham Sports and Community Club manager Glenn Carroll said people were visiting his venue in strong numbers for lunch, dinner or a coffee – at all times of the day.

He said he was ‘interested’ to see what volume of traffic residents and visitors attending the field days would bring through the doors as the event returns after a COVID-19-enforced hiatus.

“We have extra staff working and the courtesy bus is running, so it can pick people up and drop people off and they can be responsible on their night out,” he said.

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Taking a punt

Afew years back, I became a bit concerned by the interest my then 21 year-old son and his mates had in horse races.

As a family, we often had shares in a horse and enjoyed some fun times at local and Melbourne races.

But I always felt it was an occasional day out, not a serious interest; and something you were happy to spend some money on, not a way to try to make money.

The impact of seductive betting apps was getting some attention, so it seemed like it was time to have that fatherly chat. Yep, they always go well.

After the expected eye roll and ‘here we go again’ sigh, I was surprised to receive a detailed explanation of the way the lads went about their punting.

They didn’t just back their favourite colour or a name they liked. They researched. They looked at breeding lines. They looked at the skills of the trainer and the jockey. They looked at track conditions and past and expected weather. They adjusted the size and nature of their bet depending on their confidence level.

As the conversation unfolded it began to have a familiar feel. This is not much different to what I’d been doing for 40 years – farming.

Around this time each year, farmers are reviewing trial data and selecting the best genetics.

They’re considering stored soil moisture alongside seasonal forecasts.

They’re ensuring they have the equipment and human resources to get the job done on time.

They weigh up all these factors to tailor a ro-

From left field

with David Matthews

tation they believe gives them the best chance of success.

Come April, they place their bets.

To further test the theory farming is just another legal form of betting, we set up two spreadsheets.

One was to record the performance of a lentil paddock, named Hurricane, over the full growing season – inputs, outputs, profit or loss.

The other was to record betting activity from the March autumn carnival to the end of Melbourne Cup week – wins, losses, net outcome.

It was a fun exercise. That year Hurricane won.

But I have an uneasy feeling the odds for Hurricane, and others in the same stable, are lengthening.

Even with the good barrier draw and favourable track of the past few seasons, the winning margin is tightening.

And, as can happen with addicted gamblers, we increase the size of the bet every year.

I’m not saying there’s cause for alarm, but I do feel, more than ever before, we need to be disciplined in the way we bet. Disciplined in our purchase of machinery. Disciplined in what we are prepared to pay for farmland. Disciplined in our execution of a cropping program.

In a modern farm business, the bets must be based on solid research, not emotion.

From humble beginnings

The Wimmera Machinery Field Days is the longest-running field days in Victoria – and Gason was among its first and longest-serving exhibitors.

Ararat-based Gason took tractor cabins to the original field days site at Longerenong.

Across the ensuing years, tens of thousands of cabins were produced carrying the Gason name to farms across Australia.

From humble beginnings 77 years ago, Gason is now renowned for its wide range of high-quality, heavy duty broadacre agriculture machinery – manufacturing air seeders, planter bars, spreaders, mowers and slashers.

The manufacturer sells its range of products through a nation-wide dealer network that also provides after-sales service with support of the Gason team.

As the family owned and operated business has evolved, so too has its field days offerings.

“Our participation at the Wimmera Machinery

Field Days has naturally grown over the years as the business moved towards manufacturing tillage equipment,” Gason’s agriculture division manager Craig Lennie said.

“As a local event that attracts all the big players from far and wide, we strive to maintain a strong presence at the Wimmera Machinery Field Days to support our Victorian customers, dealers and the agriculture community.

“This year we have a broad range of products on display, with our friendly sales and engineering team on hand to answer any questions regarding Gason machinery and parts.”

People are invited to visit ‘Team Gason’ at site N10-N14 where they will find product brochures and resources, experience Gason’s renowned ‘Built to Last’ quality and, perhaps secure Gason merchandise.

Gason Exhibitor profile

FAMILIAR FACES: Greg Gason, Tom McCluskey and Brett Jackson will welcome people to the Gason site at the Wimmera Machinery Field Days.

Sharing the real stories of farmers

Exhibitor profile

West Wimmera Health Service

With three captivating seasons of candid stories from farmers across the Wimmera and southern Mallee, a popular homegrown podcast series ‘Farmer Wants a Healthy Life’ is proving it is here to stay.

‘Farmer’, as the podcast series is fondly known, has quickly cemented itself in the hearts and minds of the Wimmera farming community, connecting people and making a moving impact on listeners from across the region.

Aimed at farming families and rural communities, the podcast was inspired by the desire to work with people living in rural settings to start a conversation about a variety of health and wellbeing issues.

Well-known Wimmera identity and mountain climber turned storyteller Brigitte Muir, OAM, is the podcast’s host.

West Wimmera Health Service is the podcast’s developer.

West Wimmera Health Service health promotion manager Dorothy McLaren said the podcast was intended to be ‘just like having a chat’ among mates about some of the ‘more vulnerable and challenging’ parts of health and life on the farm, and how they have managed to overcome adversities in ways that might surprise you.

The latest season hears from a variety of guests – all with a compel-

ling story to tell. One example is Warracknabeal district farmer David Drage talking about the impacts of climate on farmers and how he changed his farming practices and business to move with the times.

A popular episode from the first season was an interview with Gurjit Sondhu, who shares the heartbreaking reality of losing someone to suicide, and what part hindsight played in coming to terms with it as she navigated life as a farmer’s wife after moving to rural Australia for the first time.

In another episode, Justin

Knorrpp

shares how he is helping farmers to be more active in Warracknabeal, what made him want to start an ‘Active Farmers’ group, the people who attend and the benefits they gain from it.

“We hope that by sharing the real stories of farmers in the area that we can, in some small way, make it easier for others to make the choices for a healthy life,” Ms McLaren said.

The podcast was developed with collaboration and support of representatives from Grain Producers Australia, Grains Research and Development, National Centre for Farmer Health,

Nhill and District Young Farmers, Rural Outreach Program, Southern Mallee Landcare Network, Victorian Farmers Federation, West Wimmera Health Service’s allied health department and Wimmera Hearing Society.

People can listen to Farmer Wants a Healthy Life on the West Wimmera Health Service website at www.wwhs. net.au/Farmer-wants-a-healthy-life or via Apple, Spotify or wherever people listen to a podcast.

People can also visit representatives of West Wimmera Health Service at the Wimmera Machinery Field Days.

STORIES TOLD: Warracknabeal district farmer David Drage, above left, Gurjit Sondhu and podcast host Brigitte Muir, and Warracknabeal Active Farmers’ head Justin Knorrpp, below right.

The next big thing

Iamwriting this column from a dingy little office that is actually a hotel room in Adelaide where I’ve joined 1500 others at the Agrifutures evokeAg conference.

It’s all about future innovations in agriculture with a particular emphasis on technology, carbon trading, start-ups and innovators.

So, as you can imagine, there are a lot of people in very smart suits and trendy glasses, with the odd spattering of a farmer or two.

My brain is just about fried trying to get my head around interview topics.

Take, for example, keynote speaker Victor Friedberg of the United States – the founder of FoodShot Global, an entrepreneur that invests in food production.

He explained how he invested in what was the only grass-fed dairy in the country.

There were no standards for what grass fed meant and the first dairy in 2010 started by producing yogurt.

It was a time when dairy farmers were going bankrupt, hand over fist.

Victor persuaded the farmer to expand into grass-fed milk. The reason? Because yogurt containers didn’t have enough surface area to promote the product.

Country Today

with Libby Price

Milk cartons did. Sales took off and one grass-fed dairy led to a dozen, which are still the standout profitable dairies in the US.

Next cab off the rank was Adam Anders, the co-founder of Anterra Capital in the Netherlands.

Adam actually grew up in South Australia, but his career took him to Europe where he worked with Rabobank before going out on his own in venture capital.

Why the Netherlands? It is the most productive country per hectare in agriculture in the world, leading the way in five categories – vegetable seeds, indoor farming, marine houses, flowers and pigs. It is also the second-largest producer of food in the world with land size just one-eightieth of Australia. Where I have to admit I was rather lost was with South Korean keynote speaker, Scott Amyx, the managing partner of Astor Perkins.

Yes, I had to Google what the company does, and I quote: “We partner with global leaders on their mission to build and

protect the future cities on Earth and in space.”

He admitted it sounds a bit like an episode of Star Trek.

“There is an experiment called Astro Garden and the purpose of that is to build a larger scale production so you could in fact have enough vegetables for a crew of four on the space station,” he said.

So why is that so important to life on Earth?

“Hugely actually,” he said.

“The fact that we’re using radio wavelengths to different types of mobile devices, a lot of that is originating from government as well as NASA types of programs.”

Yeah, nah, I didn’t quite follow either.

The two phrases that were buzzing around the conference seemed to be ‘data collection’ and farmers’ ‘natural capital’.

The ‘next big thing’ will be algorithms that can process huge volumes of data collected by satellite, by drones, by the likes of CSIRO to come up with a farm natural capital value.

Economist with Farming for the Future of the Macdoch Foundation, Dr Daniel Gregg, says that will ultimately increase farm productivity by 20 percent. Well, beam me up Scotty. Stay tuned for just how that will be achieved.

Third-generation family business

There will be ‘action’ at site S1-3 at next week’s Wimmera Machinery Field Days.

Action ‘The Big Shed People’ are a third-generation family business specialising in designing, manufacturing and installing heavy-duty farm sheds across Australia.

With more than 20 years of experience in the manufacturing industry and construction industry, Action shed designs are cost-effective, functional and the perfect fit for the Australian agriculture industry.

As well as following best-practice design standards, every Action shed is built from Australian-made steel – fully hot-dip galvanised after manufacture to ensure maximum durability and longevity.

A heavy-duty UB column and open web truss frame design will be on display, along with custom gutters and cladding options, at the field days for people to view the quality of construction firsthand.

The company’s extensive farm shed range includes hay, grain and machinery sheds, workshops and chemical and fertiliser storage sheds, with the added benefit of complete project management from council permit applications, right through to installation and completion.

Action’s expertise and product offering also

extends to in-house concrete panel manufacturing, making the company the ideal choice for farmers building bulk grain storage sheds, fertiliser sheds and multipurpose sheds, or those wanting to retrofit existing farm sheds with panels. Examples of Action’s concrete panel products and options will also be on display.

In other words, Action ‘The Big Shed People’ offer the complete package for your farm shed build.

What’s more, Action’s customer insight program ensures their clients are kept well informed at every stage of their project, providing peace of mind and a hassle-free experience for all involved.

If you’re planning a farm shed build in 2023 or require high-quality concrete panels, be sure to catch up with the building consultants at site S1-3.

In the meantime, people can visit www. actionsteel.com.au to learn more about the Action farm shed range and view the latest project photos and resources, or call 1800 687 888 to discuss their project.

Action ‘The Big Shed People’

World-first weed control for lentils

Exhibitor profile

PBSeeds

Wimmera crop breeders Grains

Innovation Australia, GIA, have achieved further variety success now a permit has been granted for post emergent metribuzin herbicide use on GIA Metro lentils.

Metribuzin is now permitted for use on GIA Metro lentils at the 3-6 node plant growth stage, under the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority, APVMA, permit 92810.

GIA Metro is a world-first lentil variety with multiple herbicide tolerances combining both metribuzin and imidazolinone herbicides.

This unique combination of herbicide tolerance gives lentil growers a completely new weed management tool.

In particular, prior to GIA Metro, all lentils grown on light textured soils or sown into dry soils were prone to damage from the widely-used practice of applying Group 5 herbicides, such as metribuzin, pre-emergent to lentil crops.

GIA has an eye to the future when breeding varieties.

GIA breeder Dr Michael Materne said the group wanted growers to be able to have a range of weed control options for a solid herbicide rotation and not rely on the same group of chemicals and the associated potential risk of resistance.

“In the long term, these innovations help industry sustainability and expan-

sion and improve grower profitability,” he said.

“GIA Metro grain yields are lower – generally 20 to 30 percent lower than PBA Hurricane XT across GIA breeding trials in South Australia and Victoria 2020-22 – than existing lentil varieties in the absence of weed pressure, or where weeds are controlled effectively without crop damage from Group 5 herbicides.

“In agronomic herbicide research trials, targeting light textured soils and-or weed backgrounds, yield of GIA Metro has been equal or superior to other lentil varieties and weed control vastly superior.”

GIA Metro is a medium-large-sized red lentil by 100 grain weight with a large seed diameter and a grey seed coat.

GIA developed the variety using a metribuzin trait from a project funded

by Grains Research and Development Corporation, GRDC, and South Australian Research and Development Institute.

GRDC also funded trials required to submit the permit to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority.

PBSeeds are the commercial partner to release seed of GIA Metro.

Commercial manager for PBSeeds, Janine Sounness, said: “We have recently sold a small parcel of GIA Metro to Sri Lanka, the target market for this variety, so their consumers can trial it well before the first harvest of this variety occurs. Interested growers have already placed orders, however we still have reasonable quantities of seed available for sowing in 2023.

“Growers can contact their local reseller to order the variety or PBSeeds on 5383 2213 for further information.”

for all POLY REPAIRS & WELDING

RESULTS: This picture shows the tolerance of GIA Metro, compared with damage to a conventional variety of lentils, on a light-textured soil.

TRIAL: Dr Larn McMurray, Grains Innovation Australia lentil breeder, shows PBSeeds seed manager Trevor McRae the lentil herbicide tolerance trial.

IT’S TIME: Damon and John Aisbett, of Horsham Bearings, are among the exhibitors at the Wimmera Machinery Field Days.

Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Not to be missed

Exhibitor profile

Horsham Bearings

Horsham Bearings and Industrial Supplies has attended the Wimmera Machinery Field Days for decades.

Managing director John Aisbett said the business had been a mainstay of the event for more than 30 years.

A new-release air compressor, designed to blow-out headers in order to minimise fire risk, was among highlights of the Horsham Bearings site.

Horsham Bearings, among other

Police build field days partnership

Members of the region’s proactivepolicing unit will speak with Wimmera Machinery Field Days attendees about the co-operative role people can play in crime-prevention.

Wimmera Proactive Policing Unit Acting Sergeant Lee-anne Birthisel said the team would engage with farming communities about issues including farm safety, firearm storage and crime reporting.

“We will aim to increase awareness about reporting crime and suspicious activities on farms,” she said.

“The police will be providing information handouts on farm safety and crime prevention – especially around livestock thefts, theft of motor vehicles, shed burglaries, firearm thefts and new firearm storage requirements.”

The unit will also have two safety and compliance officers from the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator on site to answer questions about the operation of heavy vehicles on farms, and on regional roads, as well as Game Management Authority information about the upcoming duck hunting season.

“We will have a heap of material on everything including information from the Transport Accident Commission, Crime Stoppers, Neighbourhood Watch, Police Assistance Line and Online Reporting, and the Farm Crime Unit,” she said.

“People will be welcome to check out a highway patrol vehicle on site, and we will have some really great giveaways.

“Plus, we will have a couple small farm-crime tractors that children are welcome to take a ride in.”

Acting Sergeant Birthisel said the unit would

also have information about how people could join Victoria Police.

“Please drop by and see us,” she said.

Safety plea

Wimmera police want to ensure visitors to the field days – and the region – remain safe.

Officers will monitor an increased volume of traffic travelling across the region, along with crowd behaviour at the field days and venues in localities nearby, as the population swells.

Horsham police Acting Inspector Matt Haughton encouraged people to plan ahead.

“Please be careful and patient while making your way to and from the field days. There can be some traffic congestion and we want everyone to arrive safely and enjoy their time at the event,” he said.

The field days is traditionally a social event for residents and visitors, attracting thousands of people through its gates and exhibitors from nearby towns and interstate to the region.

The event this year also falls just ahead of the Labor Day long weekend – which includes the annual The Weekly Advertiser Horsham Fishing Competition, which is another boon for the region.

“If anti-social behaviour is reported or seen, it will be dealt with accordingly,” Acting Inspector Haughton said.

“We encourage people to enjoy themselves and at the same time respect those around them, drink responsibly and don’t drink and drive.

“The roads will be busier over the long weekend and we want everyone to arrive at their destinations safely.”

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exhibitors, has overcome the dry Wimmera heat and wind some years, to the cold and rain other years.

Mr Aisbett said the field days had grown substantially over the years.

“The big thing is the size of it. It’s amazing – a big show, and very important for the area,” he said.

“We have missed going to the field days because of the friendships you have with the reps and the customers that you see out there at Longerenong.

“Hopefully this year will drag people in, who haven’t been able to go.

“A lot of people have been asking whether we’re going again.”

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Victoria Police

Exhibitor profile

See you at the Field Days

Members of the Wimmera Prostate Cancer Support Group are gearing up to attend the iconic Wimmera Machinery Field Days next month to help drive local awareness about prostate cancer.

Group Leader and prostate cancer survivor, Brian Nagorcka, said the event held on March 7-9 would be an opportunity to connect with local men and start important conversations about health.

“ e Wimmera Prostate Cancer Support Group launched in Horsham in 2016 and continues to provide support and connection for men impacted by this disease and their partners,” Mr Nagorcka said.

“As a group we’re very motivated to raise awareness and encourage men to learn about their prostate cancer risk to help improve rates of early detection.

“Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia. Here in the North West region, over 150 men are diagnosed each year.

“If you’re at the Field Days, please drop by our stand. Whether you have had prostate cancer and would like to join, or you want more information about prostate cancer, we are here to help.”

e Wimmera Prostate Cancer Support Group meet on the fourth Wednesday of each month from noon to 2pm at the Horsham RSL.

“A lot of our members have joined as a result of word of mouth and get great bene t out of connecting with others who have had a similar experience,” Mr Nagorcka said.

“We invite wives and partners to join us because it is a journey together and we as men need that support.

“We’re also fortunate to have a local PCFA Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurse, Mandy Johns, located in the region who is involved with the group and available to support men and their families.”

Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia

CEO Anne Savage commended the group.

“We urge local men and their partners to visit the group’s display for advice about early detection and support,” Ms Savage said.

“Fewer than one in four men in the local region detect prostate cancer at its earliest stage – which is why awareness is so important.

“ e e orts of the Wimmera Prostate Cancer Support Group are truly rst class – they play a special role in bringing the community together to talk about prostate cancer and take action, saving lives.”

For more information about the Wimmera Prostate Cancer Support Group, phone Brian Nagorcka on 0448 710 628

Locals can also reach out to Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia for information and support via www.pcfa.org.au

Machinery delays continue

BY MICHAEL SCALZO

Agricultural machinery suppliers across the Wimmera are still dealing with delayed access to stock after global supply chains slowed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

With thousands of people expected at the Wimmera Machinery Field Days next week, the event’s post-COVID-restriction return, some machinery dealerships will have limited equipment on display.

Several dealers will be staying away from the field days because of nationwide delays to machines and parts, which has made field-day displays difficult.

Jodie Eagle, manager of farming equipment retailer Wimmera Mallee Ag, said she felt ‘at times’ Australia was ‘at the end of the food chain’ when it came to manufactured equipment.

“I thought supply chains were improving, but that depends on what, and from where, the imports are coming from. Sometimes things are near impossible to get at the moment,” she said.

Mrs Eagle said supply was ‘easy’ to navigate when she dealt directly with several Chinese businesses, while motors and mowers supplied from northern America had also improved since pandemic restrictions eased.

“Often US wholesalers will allocate us supply based on our previous sales records – so that equipment remains easier to obtain,” she said.

Mrs Eagle said while the business did not deal directly with Danish manufacturers, supply from Denmark remained ‘slow’.

She said slow supply of equipment was an ‘industry-wide’ problem.

“Everyone in the industry is aware of the delays and farmers are understanding of the situation,” she said.

“Farmers are forward planning their work knowing that delays are inevitable. They are ordering what they need early.”

Bellevue equipment dealership manager Justin Ward said while his team would attend the Wimmera Machinery Field Days, the ‘new world’ meant having full displays of shiny new machines at the event was tough.

He said stock would always ‘roll’ through and he believed most customers were becoming more accepting of global freight and labour obstacles that were limiting supply.

“Probably 90 percent of our cus-

Healthy farms

Regionally focused cleaning experts have re-emphasised the importance of farm health and biosecurity – reinforcing farm-cleaning protocols form the foundation of ‘asset protection’.

Western Victorian Wholesalers representatives will be on hand at the Wimmera Machinery Field Days next week, with a broad team of industry experts for farmers eager to explore the often misunderstood elements of farm health and biosecurity.

Company manager Darren Scott said State Emergency Service personnel would join the Western Victorian Wholesalers team at Longerenong to answer questions from farmers on the nuances of biological farm protection.

“Farm health is not just about things looking good. It is about protecting your assets,” he said.

He said the company’s field days exhibit would focus on farm sanitation equipment and products.

tomers understand the situation and the fact they need to purchase any new equipment well and truly before they need it,” he said.

“It is no different to buying a car – expecting to make a purchase and then walking out with the machine is not going to happen.

“It doesn’t change the way the machinery industry operates, but it does change how customers budget and plan their season.”

“We will have rangers and the guys from Karcher Australia alongside speaking about little things, from pressure washing dirt and build-up from machinery to steam-cleaning capabilities, disinfection water treatment and livestock protection,” he said.

“With industry experts there at the field days, it is a great chance for farmers to ask questions about managing what comes into your property – perhaps that could be something that is stuck to the tyre of a truck.

“Speaking to the guys at the field days is a great way to get up to speed with a very important aspect of farm health.”

EXPERIENCE: Peter Hobbs, left, and Lachie Schultz, and the rest of the Wimmera Mallee Ag team will not be at 2023 Wimmera Machinery Field Days. Mr Hobbs said he had attended more than 30 field days events while working for the equipment supplier.

Western Victorian Wholesalers Exhibitor profile

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Expanding moisture probe network

Dryland farmers, agronomists, plant breeders and emergency services are among those to benefit from an extra 72 soil moisture probes and weather stations across the Wimmera.

Wimmera Catchment Management

Authority is co-ordinating the region-wide installation of probes and stations across 30,000 square kilometres through funding from the Federal Government’s Future Drought Fund.

The network will collect a broad range of data, presented in real time, that will help farmers manage risks and increase profitability.

The stations collect readings for soil moisture, air temperature, soil temperate, dew point, DELTA T, humidity, wind direction, rainfall and detailed frost information.

The information is easily accessed from a smartphone or computer via Wimmera CMA’s website.

The new stations will complement other Wimmera networks such as those managed by Perennial Pasture Systems and Wonwondah Landcare Group.

Glenlofty prime land producers

Tony and Sally Roberts installed a soil moisture probe on their property as part of the Perennial Pastures Systems network in 2018 to support decision making for increased pasture growth.

They use the data to track how much soil moisture is available and to be-

IMPRESSED: Perennial Pasture Systems members are already using data from a soil moisture probes and weather stations project with Crowlands, Warrak and Winjallok Landcare groups.

come familiar with historical trends.

“It provides me with facts and figures to support my gut feeling about what we do on the farm. The probes have data on two of the biggest common determinants of pasture growth, being moisture and soil temperature,” Tony said.

He said being part of a larger network of probes and weather stations was also useful.

“With the extensive network we have, even if the data is not right on your place, you can still glean good local information that helps with your decisions,” he said.

Wonwondah Landcare Group secretary and farmer Chris Guest, who has

been part of a project to install seven probes and stations, said the data was delivering ‘huge’ benefits.

“The Wonwondah network is delivering not only for the farmers whose paddocks are housing the probes, but right across the district and beyond,” he said.

“This project has created a well-informed network of farmers while also benefitting others such as agronomists and emergency services.”

Wimmera CMA regional agricultural Landcare facilitator Bronwyn Bant said the project was a joint effort between farmers and communities to improve drought resilience.

“The Wimmera’s agricultural indus-

try has been constrained by the lack of locally accessible technology that can collect, manage and practically apply data and information on soil moisture,” she said.

“More knowledge of the spatial and temporal patterns of moisture conditions at both a paddock and catchment scale is needed for farm and agribusiness decision-making and risk management.

“When climate forecasting predicts drier and hotter conditions, for exam-

ple, soil moisture data is incredibly valuable for making informed decisions about when and what to sow, as well as when to apply fertiliser during the growing season.”

Ms Bant said the data portal could be accessed on Wimmera CMA’s website at www.wcma.vic.gov.au/agdataportal She said people could also visit the CMA in the Moore Exhibition Centre at the Wimmera Machinery Field Days to find out more.

LARGEST

J1

REAL TIME: Data from the 72 new Wimmera soil moisture probes and weather stations is easily accessed in real time.

Wimmera CMA

Exhibitor profile

FARMEr

W A N T S A H E A L T H Y L I F E

F a r m e r s a n d r u r a l l o c a l s s h a r e t h e i r t e l l - a l l s t o r i e s a b o u t h e a l t h a n d l i f e o n t h e f a r m .

THE PODCAST FOR FARMERS

Y O U A S K E D , W E L I S T E N E D

W e a s k e d f a r m e r s f r o m t h e W i m m e r a a n d S o u t h e r n M a l l e e h o w t h e y w o u l d l i k e t o h e a r a b o u t h e a l t h a n d w e l l b e i n g a n d t h e y s a i d ,

“ W e w a n t t o h e a r f r o m o t h e r f a r m e r s . ”

W e l l h e r e i t i s , a p o d c a s t s e r i e s f u l l o f p e r s o n a l s t o r i e s f r o m f a r m e r s a n d r u r a l l o c a l s a b o u t t h e i r h e a l t h a n d w e l l b e i n g t r u t h s , c h a l l e n g e s a n d s u c c e s s e s .

Shearing sheds searching for hands

BY ABBY WALTER

Ashortage of staff is hitting Wimmera shearing sheds hard, despite many shearing contractors having caught up on time lost due to wet spring weather.

Lachie Campbell, of L. and A. Campbell Shearing Services, said there were shortages across the board in the shearing industry.

“There’s a big shortage of roustabouts and wool classers and everyone I speak to says they can’t get enough people to work in their shed,” he said.

“If the national flock is increasing, too, I can’t see a way they will all get shorn.”

Mr Campbell said he regularly heard from shearing contractors in Horsham and West Wimmera wanting available shearers, which he doesn’t have.

“I’m not sure why we don’t have enough people in sheds,” he said.

“I’m lucky to have enough shearers, but realistically I could add three or four more shearers on full-time.

“I do think we underestimated how many sheep New Zealanders shore for us. In the past few years many have gone home, where the industry has had a big price rise, and they won’t come back to Australia.

“It’s hard to get people into shearing, despite the fact it pays good money and contractors are happy to train people who don’t come with the skills for the job.

“It’s not easy work – we do big days and it is physically demanding – but there are heaps of government subsi-

dies to get people started and it’s not hard to get work when so many people need the job done.”

Mr Campbell said it was challenging for contractors to get wool classers and almost impossible for private runs to employ them.

“I don’t personally need to class, but I am getting my stencil so that if I ever do get stuck, I can do it,” he said.

“I think it would be interesting to know how many people have their stencil and don’t use it. I know a lot of farmers have their stencil so they can use it in their own shed.”

Shearing Contractors’ Association of Australia, SCAA, Shearer Woolhandler Training executive officer Glenn

Haynes said he could see a light at the end of the tunnel for farmers and contractors.

“I am seeing the most interest in 25 years from learners coming through the shearing schools we run,” he said.

“In 2019 we had about 27 students go into the industry full-time in Victoria and in 2022 that had jumped to 79 shearers.

“I think the interest also comes from word of mouth and learners telling others who are interested how easy it is to get a job, because farmers and contractors have no choice but to put learners on and support them.”

Mr Haynes said he was seeing more people come through from a trade

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background into shearing, and more women go to shearing school.

“I think the Australian Wool Innovation is having a massive impact on retention of people in shearing,” he said.

“The first three weeks are the hardest and through Australian Wool Innovation we are able to send trainers out to sheds to spend a day per week with learners who have finished shearing school to keep their skills up and help them even more.”

South West TAFE is also aiming to attract more people to wool classing and help them gain a qualification.

South West TAFE wool classing teacher Stuart MacPherson said there was plenty of well-paid job opportuni-

ties for experienced people to work in the field.

“There is a lot of demand from contractors and farmers who are constantly looking for good wool classers,” he said.

“The demand is quite strong. It’s very hard to find wool classers, especially those of the right calibre who are performing at the required level.

“There are staff shortages across all facets of the industry, but it’s becoming more pronounced with handlers and classers.”

South West TAFE will deliver a wool classing course starting in early March at Maroona, near Ararat. The course will take between nine and 18 months. There are also plans for courses in Mortlake and Hamilton later this year.

Mr MacPherson said the course would provide practical skills as well as theory.

“Practical skills are important, but classers also need a good theory component as well,” he said.

“Wool classing is important because when the wool is sold as being classed by a registered wool classer, it gives the buyer an assurance of quality.”

More information about the South West TAFE wool classing course is available online via www.swtafe.edu.

au The timetable for Shearer and Woolhander courses by SCAA in Victoria is available via scaa.org.au/shearerwool-handler-2023-training-coursesfor-sa-vic

SHORTAGE: L. and A. Campbell Shearing Services shearers are working non-stop as a lack of shed workers causes delays and constraints in the industry.

Honour for young leader

Horsham-based Agriculture

Victoria researcher Joshua Fanning is the 2023 recipient of the Grains Research and Development Corporation, GRDC, Emerging Leader award.

The award recognises the commitment of an early-career professional working in the grains industry who has already contributed to the future of the industry and is emerging as an industry leader in their field of endeavour.

Dr Fanning has worked for Agriculture Victoria for 10 years and in that time has researched pulse diseases, communicating his knowledge to farmers and industry professionals regarding integrated disease management practices.

Integrated disease management combines cultural methods such as rotation, genetic tolerance and strategic fungicide applications.

Dr Fanning said he wanted to thank his mentors and colleagues, and the growers and agronomists he works with.

“Without them, I wouldn’t be here today because that’s where I get my knowledge – they push me every day,” he said.

GRDC southern panel chair Andrew Russell presented Dr Fanning with the award at the GRDC Grains Research Update in Bendigo.

“The success of the Australian grains industry is dependent on passionate young people like Dr

RECOGNITION: Horsham-based Agriculture Victoria researcher Joshua Fanning, left, has been recognised for his work in integrated pulse disease management and was presented the 2023 GRDC Emerging Leader award by GRDC Southern Panel chair Andrew Russell.

Fanning, leading innovation and adoption of new knowledge, technologies and practices,” Mr Russell said.

“Dr Fanning’s highly valuable mix of research expertise and the ability to communicate technical and scientific information in simple language is helping growers and agronomists rapidly respond to both the challenges and opportunities growing pulses present.

“With the growing importance of pulses in a wider geographic range, Dr Fanning’s research is more important than ever.”

Dr Fanning completed his bache-

lor degree and PhD at the University of Adelaide.

His disease research started with a soil-borne disease program, focusing on root lesions and cereal cyst nematodes.

He also investigated yield losses and varietal resistance to different diseases in both cereal and pulse crops and developed an interest in pulse foliar diseases.

By 2018, Dr Fanning started a new role as a field-based pulse pathologist, while supporting the soil-borne disease program.

The role meant he worked in collaboration with pulse pathol-

Investment call

Agriculture representative body GrainGrowers is calling on the Federal Government to invest in the grains sector to enable job creation and support regional communities.

GrainGrowers has used its pre-budget submission to detail funding across areas ranging from farm inputs, infrastructure, trade and market access to biosecurity, taxation and sustainability.

GrainGrowers chair Rhys Turton said initiatives to improve the operating environment for grain growers would meet the government’s focus on building economic capacity and resilience.

Mr Turton said the value of the grains industry to the Australian economy delivered real value to future government investment.

“As an industry, we are a powerhouse of regional Australia with 22,500 farm businesses directly employing 34,000 workers each season and thousands more employed across the supply chain,” he said.

ogists, agronomists and breeders nationally.

In 2022, Dr Fanning became a research leader – plant pathology and oversees the plant pathology team.

Pulses such as chickpeas and lentils are high-value crops and integral to their success is integrated disease management.

GRDC has supported Dr Fanning to fine-tune disease management recommendations for new areas of pulse cropping, including low-rainfall zones, and communicate these to growers and their advisors.

“From an estimated 31 million hectares, we grow 65 million tonnes of grains, oilseeds and pulses each year, contributing more than $20billion gross value of production to the Australian economy. In short, grain growers significantly contribute to the well-being of our regions and the national economy.”

Mr Turton said the pre-budget submission identified a range of opportunities that could make a difference to growers and the wider industry, including upgrading road and freight networks; trade and market access funding; opportunities for domestic manufacture of fertiliser, chemicals, fuel and spare parts; fit-for-purpose visa arrangements; initiatives that lower on-farm emissions; an investigation of the Australian grains industry and supply chain; establishing a sustainable funding model for biosecurity; improved mobile and internet connectivity for grain farmers and the wider rural community; and adopting the productivity Commissions Right to Repair recommendations for agricultural machinery.

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Wimmera Field Days

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Wimmera farmers take lead

BY ABBY WALTER

Wimmera farmers are leading the Victorian Farmers Federation Grains Council this year.

Cropping farmer Craig Henderson, who runs property between Warracknabeal and Birchip, was elected president unopposed.

Minyip mixed farmer Ryan Milgate was elected vice-president.

Mr Henderson said this year the council would work on key issues impacting the industry.

“We work on challenges and opportunities with roads, rates, market access, grain testing and road train access,” he said.

“This year we’re also looking at key inputs, security, telehandling, succession planning and right to repair.

“We have to make sure our supply chain is also operating the best it can.

“In the case that something goes wrong, we also have to be ready for any outbreak of disease, fungus or noxious weed because there’ll be challenges in that, too.”

Mr Milgate said the council would aim to work with growers and the government to do what was best for the agriculture sector.

“It’s a big challenge and our local issues include planning, road access, bulk handling, logistics and shipping but we want to work towards positive outcomes for the industry and its future,” he said.

“We can’t promise the world as we are volunteers, but we will do our best for the greater good.”

Mr Milgate said coming off some tough years he was cautiously optimistic for 2023.

“With COVID we thought 2020 was tough, and then we thought it couldn’t get any worse than 2021, but the weather in 2022 meant it was a tough year mentally and physically,” he said.

“It was an ordinary year for some and others experienced once-in-a-generation results, but overall, we’re all a bit tired.

“Many have good subsoil moisture now, but we have a long way to go before we know how 2023 will look.”

Victorian Farmers Federation, VFF, acting returning officer Brendan Tatham said he was looking forward to working with the pair and the wider team to help deliver for grain farmers throughout Victoria in the coming years.

“The VFF acknowledges outgoing VFF grains council president and

Search on for entrepreneurs

Anagribusiness start-up-supporting venture is on the lookout for the next crop of industry entrepreneurs keen to push the agriculturaltechnology sectors into the second half of the 21st century.

Sprout X is an Australian ag-tech collaborator that offers grant money and courses to boost the individuals who will supercharge Australia’s entrepreneurial spirit.

The venture, at Longerenong College this summer with its previous batch of agribusiness-focused start-up founders to learn from the college’s DATA Farm, has sought applications for its free, ‘Business of Agriculture’ autumn cohort.

Sprout X has described its 10week free Business of Agriculture, also known as its ‘Pre-Accelerator’ course, as an opportunity for potential agribusiness entrepreneurs to get their ‘foot into the Australian startup scene’.

Rutherglen farmer Ashley Fraser for his dedication and passion in the role that he has held since 2019,” he said.

“Mr Fraser’s work on behalf of Victorian growers has been incredible and the VFF would like to thank him for his tireless efforts.”

Ashleigh Brooks of West Wimmera, Anthony Mulcahy of the southern district, Russell Hocking of Bendigo and Jason Mellings of Charlton have been returned uncontested to the council.

Acceptance into the program ‘unlocks’ equity-free funding of up to $10,000 for people eager to see their innovations take a step into the business world.

The venture also offers an annual six-month ‘Accelerator’ course for existing start-up founders in the agriculture, food and energy space.

People considering applying for the ‘Pre-Accelerator’ course can visit www.sproutx.com.au/pre-accelerator to apply.

2023 ‘Accelerator’ program applications have closed.

LEADERSHIP: Wimmera farmers Craig Henderson, right, and Ryan Milgate are incoming president and vicepresident of the Victorian Farmers Federation Grains Council.

Local farm machinery manufacturer busier than ever

Australian landscapes have seen some challenging and unprecedented conditions in recent years, and farmers are increasingly jumping on Australian made implements to satisfy their farming needs.

Local Victorian manufacturer Gason, which has been around for more than 75 years, is experiencing uptake of machinery orders like never before – a trend that is becoming the norm for locally designed products.

Gason’s Agriculture Division Manager Craig Lennie has been

with the company for six years and says he has seen sales continue to rise in what has been an historically fluctuating industry.

“The last few years have been record-breaking in terms of the level of enquiry and number of orders we have received,” he explained.

“This has given us the opportunity to assess which of our products are most relevant to the market, and focus on these as we deliver world class, innovative machinery.

We are already receiving orders now being placed on our air seeder, planter bar, spreader and mower build slots for delivery into 2024.

“It means many customers who are looking for a new machine may have to wait until after the next sowing season for their machine to arrive – which is disappointing for farmers and dealers who have become accustomed to machines being ready for sale, but it’s a reality we are facing across the whole industry.”

With this trend looking to continue into the foreseeable future, Gason are urging farmers and dealers to take a proactive approach with their new machinery orders, as well as stocking up on parts and booking regular machine servicing with their dealers.

“This year is already looking to be a cracking one, and prior preparation is going to be key to maximising your productivity now and into the future,” says Craig.

“If you’re thinking about buying new equipment after your hard-

earned harvest this year, get your order in as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.”

“We will be at the Wimmera Machinery Field Days at site N10-N14, so come down and have a chat to our friendly Sales team.”

Gason machinery is designed and manufactured locally in Ararat to suit Australia’s unique conditions and can be ordered through dealers nationwide. Find your nearest dealer and discover more at gason.com.au.

An educational approach

Hundreds of students will embark on an educational quest at the Wimmera Machinery Field Days.

Partners in Ag will join forces with the event to bring school students from across the Wimmera and Mallee a new resources kit to assist in their excursion to one of country Australia’s largest agricultural and agribusiness trade shows.

Heavy mineral sands resource development company, WIM Resource, is also supporting the Ag Ed Quest initiative – which was first formed for the 2020 installment of the event.

More than 350 students are registered to attend throughout the threedays.

Partners in Ag delivers quality, professional learning to the agricultural sector across Victoria and Tasmania.

Its business development officer Katherine Colbert said the Ag Ed Quest would provide a fun, educational and engaging pack of information for schools to ensure students and teachers made the most of their visit.

It will include classroom activities, planned itineraries and an on-site fact-finding mission, depending on the age of the student.

“With increasing pressure on teachers to ensure excursions are meaningful and education-based, Partners in Ag has developed the Ag Ed Quest to reduce the workload by generating the day’s program, aligning with curriculum outcomes,” Ms Colbert said.

“The Wimmera Machinery Field

Days is a great opportunity for local schools to build awareness of the agricultural environment, industry and careers that exist in our communities.

“The development of the Ag Ed Quest for students would see a targeted and engaging approach to interactions between the students and exhibitors, with students learning about everything agriculture and giving exhibitors the opportunity to showcase their products and services to the next generation.

“This provides an opportunity for students to gain a greater understanding of the broad employment oppor-

tunities within the region as well as a safe and central meeting place to conclude the excursion.”

WIM Resource stakeholder and community engagement manager Murray Wilson said the company recognised a valuable opportunity to support a more focused, educational approach to student groups visiting the field days.

“Being able to be part of the Ag Ed Quest program at the field days will assist WIM to engage with school students and discuss potential opportunities and career pathways in mining,” he said.

Biosecurity measures for bird owners

Bird owners are being urged to help prevent emergency animal diseases by using biosecurity measures at home, sales, bird shows and race events

Victoria’s chief veterinary officer Dr Graeme Cooke said poultry farmers, and bird and backyard chook owners, needed to be vigilant for diseases in their birds, such as avian influenza.

“Signs of avian influenza include breathing difficulties such as coughing, sneezing, or rasping, while ruffled feathers, dopiness, diarrhoea and closed eyes can also be evident,” he said.

“Other signs include swelling and purple discolouration of the head, comb, wattles and neck, and a rapid drop in eating, drinking and egg production.”

Dr Cooke said infected birds shed avian influenza in saliva, nasal secretions and faeces.

“Wild birds including waterfowl are a natural host for the virus. They need to be kept away from domestic birds, their food and water,” he said.

Hogg boosts farmer health

LEARNING: Murray Wilson of WIM

Resource and Katherine Colbert of Partners in Ag check over the Ag Ed Quest program for students and teachers visiting the Wimmera Machinery Field Days.

Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

“WIM is currently developing the large-scale Avonbank mineral sand mine at Dooen and, once established, will be able to offer more than 200 full-time jobs working in the mining industry.

“It is important for WIM to be able to start conversations and provide opportunities to local students about a potential career working with WIM – and the Ag Ed Quest provides a perfect opportunity for this to happen.”

Entry to the field days is free for all students; a pre-purchased ticket, via Partners in Ag, will ensure priority entry.

Wimmera farmers with an eagerness to support the mental health of their industry colleagues have been encouraged to get behind an Australian grain-growers initiative.

Australian cricketing legend

Brad Hogg, in partnership with grain-growing industry body Grain Producers Australia, has been touring the country to speak to farming communities to boost mental health awareness.

The initiative is part of Grain Producers Australia’s national campaign, Farmer Mates Mental Health.

Mr Hogg, as the program’s official ambassador, attended last year’s Mallee Machinery Field Days.

Grain Producers Australia leaders have reminded regional communities that they and Mr Hogg remain available to support community events that share the Farmer Mates Mental Health message.

Grain Producers Australia-led mental-health forums are also supported by farmer-focussed mental-health and counsellors from Rural Aid, Lifeline and Nufarm.

People and organisations eager to support this initiative are encouraged to contact the organisation directly to discuss how a community organisation or farming group can host an event.

An online expression of interest form is available via www.grain producers.com.au/farmer-matesmental-health

“Domestic poultry, chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, guinea fowl, quail, pheasants, emus and ostriches are most susceptible.”

Dr Cooke said an on-farm biosecurity plan was the best management tool poultry farmers could use to reduce the risk of introducing diseases.

Poultry farmers and bird owners with backyard flocks are urged to report cases of an unexplained, sudden increase in bird deaths or a sudden drop in egg production to the 24-hour Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888, to a local vet or Agriculture Victoria.

Dr Cooke reminded all livestock owners, including those with poultry, of the need to have a Property Identification Code, PIC, which allows Agriculture Victoria to trace and control disease outbreaks.

“Getting a PIC is free and easily done online via the Agriculture Victoria website,” he said. More information is available via agriculture. vic.gov.au/biosecurity/animal-diseases/poultrydiseases/avian-influenza-bird-flu

The best of both worlds

Georgia Baker-Miller has the best of both worlds.

During the week, she is a boarder at The Hamilton and Alexandra College; and at the weekends she maintains connections to her home-town of Horsham.

Georgia joined the college in year 10 as a boarder. Now in year12, she has taken on several prefect positions as the Learmonth House, cricket and football captain.

Georgia is the epitome of a team player. She puts her hand up to participate in any sport and also sings in the Female Voice Choir.

Her warm leadership style and inclusive nature ensures that there is always a full team.

A keen cricketer, she captains the college women’s team and mentors younger players, and plays for Homers Cricket Club at the weekends.

The college encourages students to remain part of their local community.

“I truly feel that I have the best of both worlds – attending The Hamilton and Alexandra College for my education and maintaining close connections and playing the sport I love at home,” Georgia said.

Georgia is excited to lead her school house and enjoy her final

Rust challenge

Avoiding and managing stripe rust in wheat is going to be an ongoing challenge for farmers heading into the 2023 season.

Agriculture Victoria encourages growers to be proactive to reduce early-season rust.

Researcher Hari Dadu said large yield losses during 2022 were reported by wheat growers in areas where stripe rust was not well controlled.

LIFE EXPERIENCE:

Horsham’s Georgia Baker-Miller is a boarder at The Hamilton and Alexandra College.

The college is among exhibitors at the Wimmera Machinery Field Days from March 7 to 9.

year of boarding, but understands that it is also time to ‘knuckle down’ on her studies to achieve her university preferences.

“The boarding house is fantastic, and I try not to take it for granted. I love living with friends and making connections with students of all ages, it is good to learn independence and time management and we have access to teachers through the Academic Assistance program each night,” she said.

“At the moment, the tertiary

Need a hand with safety on your farm?

The Victorian Farmers Federation has worked tirelessly in the past few years to assist farmers improve their farm safety knowledge and practices through it’s Making our Farms Safer project.

Farm Safety Advisors with the project, John Darcy and Richard Versteegen, put their combined experience of 68 years in workplace health and safety to deliver the project and have been pleasantly surprised with the uptake from the farming community.

“The project is funded by the Department of Agriculture from July 2020 through to July 2023, designed to assist all Victorian farmers, not just VFF members,” Senior Farm Safety Advisor John Darcy said.

“Since we started, we have visited over 200 farms as part of our one-on-one farm safety visits.

pathways I am considering are quite different – I am looking at both optometry and veterinary science.

“I am working closely with our careers adviser to ensure that I am on the right path and keep both options open.”

The college is a co-educational, regional community where everyone is known, valued and challenged. With day and boarding facilities, small class sizes, specialist teachers and an inclusive co-cur-

ricular program, students receive individual support to achieve their personal goals.

The college is among exhibitors at the Wimmera Machinery Field Days from March 7 to 9. People can also learn more about the college at an open morning on Thursday, March 23 from 9.30am.

People wanting more information can go to www.hamilton college.vic.edu.au or phone 5572 1355.

“Rust outbreaks tend to be more severe in seasons following wet summers, when volunteer cereals, known as the green bridge, carry stripe rust from one year to the next new wheat crop,” he said.

“A green bridge of volunteer cereals will provide a significant opportunity for rust to survive this summer to infect this year’s crops.

“High soil water levels have made this a widespread problem across eastern Australia.”

Dr Dadu said rust only survives on living plants and not on seed, stubble or soil, which is why disease management is important.

“Growers need to avoid susceptible cultivars and use up-front fungicides, such as flutriafol on fertiliser, to significantly reduce the stripe rust risk in paddocks,” he said.

“Last year showed the benefits of using fungicides at sowing to slow stripe rust development, providing more time for extra foliar fungicide applications during the season.”

Dr Dadu recommended growers remove the green bridge of volunteer cereals either with herbicide or by grazing by mid-March, use a current cereal disease guide to check rust resistance ratings, develop a fungicide management plan, with an emphasis on up-front options such as flutriafol on fertiliser, and download the rust modelling tool StripeRustWM via www.agric. wa.gov.au/apps/striperustwm

The current cereal disease guide can be accessed via go.vic.gov.au/3IYyj7J

Further information on stripe rust can be found via agriculture.vic.gov.au/biosecurity

“We start a typical farm visit at dining table, talking through legal obligations and providing a number of resources free of charge. Then we do the walk around the sheds.

“The typical farm visit is around three and a half to four hours.

“We also attend field days and run engagements with farmers at events of our own. We’ve clocked up over 110 speaking engagements,” Mr Darcy explained.

“It’s all about how we influence the culture and engage with industry that is really important. The response has been amazing,” Mr Darcy said

The project also shares farm safety news and updates through its dedicated website, podcast, a monthly newsletter, social media channels and videos on YouTube.

In 2022 the project clocked

up several major milestones, producing a series of SOP videos displaying safe means of carrying out some of the most high risk jobs on the farm.

It released two podcast series, the Making Our Farm Families Safer podcast and Farming through the wet Summer of 22-23.

The project also published its fourth handbook, the Child Safety on Farms guide and launched the Making Our Farm Families

campaign which feature terrific videos and stories from real farming families highlighting how they prioritise the safety of their children aged 10- 15 when performing work related tasks on the farm.

Other resources produced by the project include a Telehandler Safety Handbook, The Hazardous Chemical Handling and Storage guide and an OHS Consultancy Handbook which Farm Safety Advisors give to farmers during a

farm safety visit to assist manage safety on their farms.

You can catch up with Farm Safety Advisor John Darcy in the Alan Heard Pavilion at the Wimmera Machinery Field Days.

If you would like to learn more about the VFF Making Our Farms Safer project or to contact a Farm Safety Advisor for free farm safety advice, visit www. makingourfarmssafer.org.au/ get-in-touch/

Richard Versteegen, left, and John Darcy, right, are Farm Safety Advisors at VFF Making Our Farms Safer project.

The Hamilton and Alexandra College

Exhibitor profile

‘Proud’ addition to showground

Natimuk show is raising the ‘baa’ when it comes to infrastructure and safety.

Natimuk Agricultural and Pastoral Society has relocated a new raised shearing board in preparation for its annual shearing competition – scheduled during the show in March.

Johno Lovel built the board and Travis Maybery and project officer Michael Sudholz, the chief shearing steward, transported it to the showground last month.

Cash help from national non-profit, Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal, FRRR, and Agriculture Victoria funded the project.

Mr Sudholz said the new board would address occupational health and safety regulations for many shearing competitions into the future.

“It is a proud addition to our fine showground, which is used yearround,” he said.

Show secretary Judith Bysouth said the event would also honour three wellknown identities of the region.

“John Kuhne was a descendant of the first German settlers in the Natimuk and Polkemmet district. Medium wool, sheep and grain were his speciality passion in the farming industry,” Mrs Bysouth said.

“In honour of his dedication to farming, his family has chosen to remember him with a special $50 prize awarded in the merino lamb wool section of the Natimuk show fleece competition of 2023.

“The Kuhne family also donate a

REMEMBERED:

$50 encouragement prize to a novice shearer each year in memory of Eric, and a $50 prize for something made of recycled material in memory of their mother, Joan.

Joan was an avid supporter of the Natimuk show and, in particular, in the handcraft section and assisting in the pavilion kitchen on show day.”

The Natimuk show and farmers market plus is at Natimuk Showground on Saturday, March 25.

The program includes yard dogs and horse events, shearing and wool-handling competitions, car and beaut

utes competition and lifestyle pavilion competitions. A circus workshop, mask-making, a Lego competition, rock-climbing wall and virtual reality grain arcade are also among attractions. Natimuk Brass Band, Horsham Rural City Band and folk singer-songwriter Maurice Conway will perform and children’s entertainment is also available.

Online ticketing is available via www. ticketebo.com.au/natimukshow and available at the gate.

People can go to www.vicagshows. com.au/natimuk-show for the full schedule and more information.

Eric and John Kuhne and Ian McKenzie with wool leaving Wyn Wyn Park shearing shed in 1982. The transport lost its load and had to be re-loaded enroute to Horsham.

SHEAR BENEFITS: Ken Hateley and James McCredden inspect a new shearing stand at Natimuk Showground.

Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Prices ease amid global pressures

BY ABBY WALTER

AsWimmera cropping farmers take a reprieve from the hustle and bustle of harvest, they begin to look towards inputs for 2023 cropping.

Rabobank grains and oilseeds agricultural analyst Dennis Voznesenski said prices of inputs had eased substantially across the world since the highs of last year.

“We have no historical data for prices in Australia, but in the Middle East urea reached $800 per tonne and has now eased to $500 per tonne,” he said.

“However, the long-term average is $350 to $400 per tonne, so prices now are still higher than the longterm average.

“It will be interesting to watch. If nothing geopolitical changes, grain prices stabilise, but farm input costs decrease and those margins increase.”

Mr Voznesenski said grain stocks wre historically low across the world.

“This makes the market very vulnerable and if one country cannot supply grain for their export market, it could cause a price uprise,” he said.

“However, it would take an inva-

sion of another country, like we have seen with Russia and Ukraine, to see prices like we did last year.

“Ukraine is doing well at the moment, but if Russia continues to move into Ukraine and they can’t continue farming, that could also cause a price rise.”

Mr Voznesenski said while grain stocks were low, canola stocks were higher than in 2022.

“Two years ago, Canada had a horrific drought, but last year their production was back to average levels,” he said.

“We produced above seven million tonnes in Australia again and with what Europe harvested, there is a lot more than last year.

“So it will be all about timing for markets and I am looking at two key windows.

“The first is April and May, as harvest in the northern hemisphere does not begin until June or July, so we might see an increased demand in that time.

“The second is the end of this year as Canada is increasing its canola crushing capacity in 2024 to use canola oil in biodiesel, which could mean they will begin to export less towards the end of the year and into the beginning of next as they need more domestically.

“In line with the Paris Agreement to reduce emissions, Canada is reducing transport emissions, so they will produce more oil for biodiesel to meet those targets.”

Victorian Farmers Federation Grains Council president Craig Henderson said the cost of inputs were still high for Wimmera farmers.

“While it’s not the same as last year, costs are higher compared with long-term averages,” he said.

“The cost of freight is also high, but availability is all right at the moment.”

Mr Henderson said the greatest challenge was machinery and parts availability.

“It’s an 18-month to two-year wait on new machines,” he said.

“Spare parts are the biggest concern because there’s quite a delay if you break something, and that tends to hold farmers up more.

“There’s always high demand during harvest time and sowing time for machine parts, but we also use tractors and sprayers pretty much year-round, so if something is needed it could be at any time.

“Hopefully manufacturers can carry sufficient stock during sowing or have access to stock, at least.”

ENTERTAINMENT: Visitors to the 2023 Wimmera Machinery Field Days can keep an eye out for ‘George the Farmer’. The story of ‘George the Farmer’ began 11 years ago with a storybook and has evolved to music, videos and performances. The character will be out and about at the field days to engage with children and connect them to agriculture. ‘George the Farmer’ is one of many elements of the field days to cater for families, with a jumping castle, petting zoo and mini train to keep children entertained.

Support for sector

New State Government grants will boost the AgTech sector with $1.3million available for entrepreneurs and investors to foster the next generation of innovation.

The grants are a partnership between Agriculture Victoria and the state’s start-up agency LaunchVic, with a $1-million AgTech Grants Program.

Grants of $50,000 will offer 20 emerging AgTech start-ups the opportunity to move to the next stage of growth.

An additional $300,000 AgTech Angel Network Grant will support the establishment of Victoria’s first dedicated specified agriculture Angel Network to invest in Victorian AgTech start-ups.

The funding will help ensure early-stage AgTech founders get immediate access to capital, while also building AgTech start-up investment capabilities in the private sector.

The grants are part of the government’s $15-million AgTech Regional Innovation Network, AgRIN.

Agriculture Minister Gayle Tierney said with one of the world’s most exciting agricultural systems, Victoria was well placed to lead Australia as a powerhouse for AgTech innovation and entrepreneurship.

“AgTech startups are boosting ef-

ficiency and safety on farms while also helping the state better respond to a changing climate,” she said.

LaunchVic chief executive Kate Cornick said the organisation was putting equity-free working capital in the hands of Victorian Ag innovators hungry for their next phase of growth.

To further support start-up business owners and entrepreneurs, $2.2-million has been provided to Victorian AgTech Entrepreneurs’ Initiative, Farmers2Founders, Rocket Seeder and SproutX.

The three programs will each receive $600,000 to run programs to equip aspiring entrepreneurs with the skills to turn an idea into a business reality.

Culture of collaboration

Agriculture Victoria acting executive director of agriculture policy, Julie Simons, said the culture of collaboration and investment in new and innovative ideas made Victoria successful.

“I was thrilled to see Farmers2Founders, Rocket Seeder and SproutX had been selected to guide up-and-coming AgTech entrepreneurs and I look forward to seeing them prepare the next generation of innovators,” she said.

Farmers2Founders is a specialist agrifood tech service provider and will run their Hatch Ideas Pre-Accelerator and a self-paced Online Journey Starter Program to reach

founders in any pocket of regional Victoria. Rocket Seeder will assemble teams of entrepreneurs and researchers to solve some of regional Victoria’s biggest challenges with their new AgTech Seeds Pre-Accelerator Program, bridging the gap between the agricultural industry and research.

SproutX will join forces with the University of Melbourne to take aspiring founders through ‘The Business of Agriculture’ – a new program designed to support non-traditional participants in Victoria’s start-up ecosystem, such as farmers, STEM professionals and tech-curious entrepreneurs.

Cattle and sheep farmers Paul and James Diamond were supported by AgRIN to complete the Rocket Seeder and the Farmers2Founders pre-accelerator programs.

Through the programs, the brothers developed a satellite mapping and farm safety app called AirAgri to help farmers maintain their properties and better monitor farm activities.

The programs supported the brothers to refine their idea and develop their business skills.

More information is available via agriculture.vic.gov.au/AgRIN or to apply for new grants visit launchvic. org

WINNER: Edenhope shearer Doltan Austin won intermediate show shearing at Otago New Zealand Shearing Championships.

On a winning streak

Edenhope shearer Doltan Austin is making a mark in shearing competitions in New Zealand.

Mr Austin won the intermediate show shearing at Otago New Zealand Shearing Championships last month.

“I was very surprised, shocked and overwhelmed with joy about the outcome,” he said.

He followed up the win with a second-place finish in the senior division

of 2023 Traffers Speed Shear at Gore, Southland.

Mr Austin shears at properties around Edenhope for 10 months of the year, full-time.

“I love the challenge of shearing and every day you’re learning,” he said. “I also love the people you get to meet when you travel – I’ve already made some good friends.”

Wimmera Machinery Field Days special edition

2023 Exhibitor list

ACCC Regional Mobile Infrastructure

Inquiry

AgCloud

Ambulance Victoria

Amplifon Hearing Care

ANZ

Aqua Plus Filtration

Ballarat Clarendon College

Ballarat Grammar

Before You Dig Australia (BYDA)

Bettergrip Tools

Brendan’s Australian Tours

BugROff Pest Busters

Centre for Participation

Emmetts

Energy Safe Victoria

Forty Winks

Grampians Health – Horsham Education and Training

Grampians Public Health Unit (Farmer

Resilience Program)

Holy Trinity Lutheran College

Horsham & District Lapidary Club

Aroma Joy

Australian Tea House

Cheeky Rascal

CWA

Josephene by Jo Lucchesi

Local Botanicals Hemp Oils and Creams

Love Your Travels & Good Riddance

Insect Repellant

Network Mobility Horsham

Out & About Clothing

Rawleighs Healthcare

Salami Shack

Samaritan’s Purse Australia

Smoke and Roast

Ten Bag Press

Cloud Agriculture Victoria

Agro Foods

AGT Foods

Arag Australia

Australian Grain Export

AWB

Bingham Agriculture

Blue Lake Milling

CHS Broadbent

CropScanAg

drumMUSTER

Farmscan Pty Ltd

GeoCommodities

GrainCorp Operations Limited

GWM Water

Kondinin Group Drought Info

Liquid Systems (SA)

Mandala Trading

McCoy / AG Point

Outback Guidance

PB Seeds

Pioneer Seeds

Precise Farm Solutions

Precision Control Australia (Ag Leader)

Ridley Agriproducts

Unigrain Pty Ltd

VFF Making Our Farms Safer

Victorian Farmers Federation

Western Ag

Westpac Agribusiness

WFI Insurance

Wimpak

Stock Sense

Horsham Healthy Hearts

Horsham Rural City Council

JG King Homes

JK Milling Pty Ltd

Liberal Party Victoria

Longerenong College

Marcus Oldham College

MCH Massagers

Monivae College

National Centre for Farmer Health

National Insurance Brokers

Neighbourhood Houses

North Stawell Minerals Ltd

Powercor Promotional Products & Uniforms

RFCS Victoria - West

Rural Northwest Health

Saines Lucas Solicitors

Southern Skin Cancer Clinic

St John Mobile CPR Learning Lab

Telstra

The Hamilton & Alexandra College

The Nationals Victoria - Emma Kealy

The Wimmera Mail Times

TurmeriX Victoria

Ultramatic

Uniting Wimmera Foster Care

VV Electrical and Solar

WIM Resource

Wimmera Aquatrail

Wimmera CMA

Wimmera Development Association,

Jobs Victoria Advocates

Wimmera Emergency Management

Team

Wimmera Hearing Society Inc

Wimmera Prostate Cancer Support

Group/Cancer Council of Victoria

Bridgewater Berets

Callipari Wine & Ned Kelly Red

Cohuna Sports Store

Crystal Clear Glasses

Garlic Essentials

Keegan Nurseries

Kustom Kegs Wine Barrel Furniture

Letzgetwired

Next Level Land

Niagara Medical Therapy

OMG Decadent Donuts Horsham

Original Spirit Co

Prickly Moses

Relens Showbags

Riely’s Little Lolly Shop

Safety Jumper Lead & Cable Co

Victoria Police

Beetanicals

Casey’s Pantry

Farmgirl Produce

FIVE DUCKS FARMS

Grampians Olive Co

Jacks Nuts

Miners Ridge Wines

Mount Langi Ghiran

Mount Stapylton Wines

Patchwork Jungle

Seppelt Wines Great Western

Springhill Special Treats

The Wimmera Grain Store