The Weekly Advertiser – Wednesday, April 5, 2023

BY JESSICA GRIMBLE

Amajority of people recognise domestic and family violence is a problem, but less than half accept it occurs in their town.

The latest National Community Attitudes Survey, released last week, provides insights into attitudes of violence against women, including change over time, and seeks to understand the impact of policy and bystander action.

Australia’s National Research Or-

ganisation for Women’s Safety-led survey showed attitudes towards violence against women, including awareness of what constituted as violence, had improved and rejection of sexual violence increased.

But it also demonstrated that women continued to experience blame and were accused of overexaggeration or vengeful reaction in response to reports of violence; while men’s actions were excused, in some circumstances, citing natural desire or being accept-

able when occurring in an act of anger. While more than 90 percent of respondents recognise violence against women is a problem, 47 percent say it occurs in their town.

Women’s Health Grampians chief executive Marianne Hendron said reporting of domestic and family violence was above the state average in the Horsham, Ararat, Northern Grampians and Yarriambiack local government areas – and a ‘serious issue’ in most regions.

“There has definitely been an increase in reporting, particularly in the past six to seven years, which I think can be explained by increased awareness, a better equipped police service and an increased tendency to report because people feel confident they will be taken seriously,” she said.

“That flies in the face of this view in the national survey that it’s not happening in people’s localities – because clearly, it’s a problem in many regions.”

More than 40 percent of respondents mistakenly believe that domestic violence is equally committed by men and women – a significant increase from 23 percent of respondents in 2009. Less than 60 percent of respondents believe men are the primary perpetrators of domestic violence; an Australian Bureau of Statistics ‘personal safety survey’ shows most victim-survivors name a male perpetrator.

Continued page 3

EMOTIONAL UNVEILING: Members of Stella Young’s family, Romy, Lynne and Madi are joined by State Minister for Women Natalie Hutchins, left, to unveil a statue honouring Stella at Cato Park, Stawell. At the well-attended ceremony, Ms Young was remembered as a staunch advocate for women and people with disability. The statue is the culmination of a project involving artists, students and different levels of government. Story, page 26.

Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

HRCC NEWS

Where does our recycled glass go?

The introduction of Council’s Better Sorted Waste 4-Bin program means that urban residents now have a new purple glassrecycling bin.

Separating glass from other materials creates a more efficient recycling system, ultimately reducing our municipality’s environmental impact.

Under the previous two-bin service, an estimated 30 percent of glass could not be recovered when placed into the yellow mixed recycling bin because it shattered, making it too hard to sort.

Additionally, broken glass in the yellow mixed recycling bin contaminated other materials and prevents them from being recycled.

Residents in urbans areas will have their purple bins collected once a month. Once

collected, the glass will be sent to a glass crusher operated by Yarriambiack Shire Council.

Rural residents will not be transitioning to the four-bin system but can deposit glass at their closest transfer station or designated collection point free of charge.

Would you use commercial flights to and from Horsham?

WHAT EXACTLY WILL HAPPEN TO OUR GLASS?

Periodically, we will collect the glass that has come from Horsham after it is crushed and use it to mix with road base or as an alternative to sand in some of our projects. We have previously successfully trialled recycling glass into footpaths in Stewart Street in Horsham.

Council opted to send the glass to the Yarriambiack processing facility due to its physical proximity - doing so means transport costs are minimised.

WHERE CAN I GO FOR FURTHER INFORMATION?

For more information on the new 4-Bin system and what kind of items can be placed into each bin visit our Better Sorted Waste webpage.

WHICH BIN ON WHICH DAY?

The new Better Sorted Waste services are now underway for rural and urban residents.

TENDERS AND RFQ

Q44/2023

SUPPLY AND INSTALL PEDESTRIAN LIGHTS ALONG FOOTPATHHAMILTON STREET BRIDGE Closes 12noon

Wednesday 5 April

Q40/2023

HORSHAM THEATRE CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT PLAN Closes 12.30pm

Thursday 6 April

Q42/2023

TELEMETRY SERVICES - DOOEN LANDFILL Closes 5pm

Friday 7 April

23-033

REFURBISHMENT OF 6 TOILET FACILITIES ACROSS MUNICIPALITY Closes 5pm

Friday 7 April

Q43/2023

FEASIBILITY STUDY 43 FIREBRACE STREET HORSHAM Closes 12noon

Friday 21 April

Q45/2023

HORSHAM AND NATIMUK HOUSING DIVERSITY AND AFFORDABILITY STRATEGY Closes 5.30pm

Thursday 27 April

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

Council has started work on a Regional City Flight Hub Master Plan which will guide development of the Horsham Aerodrome for the next 20 to 50 years.

To better understand the future potential use of the aerodrome, we need to know if our community might be interested in using commercial flights.

Opinions can be shared via a survey on the HRCC website and at the Civic Centre.

ANIMAL REGISTRATIONS DUE

Keeping your pet's registration up to date will help us to return them if they get lost

Pet owners are being reminded to pay their annual domestic animal registration fees before Monday 10 April.

HRCC Community Safety Co-ordinator

Jason Brady said there were 3944 dogs and 1766 cats currently registered in the municipality.

“It is important to register your pets and ensure your details are up to date so if they are lost or stolen or stray, they can be returned home safely,” he said.

“Registration means that as soon as an animal's microchip is scanned our rangers can contact you and arrange their quick return,” Mr Brady said.

Renewal notices have been sent to pet owners and can be paid via BPAY, over the phone or in person at the Civic Centre.

Council encourages responsible pet ownership by providing a discounted registration fee for desexed pets.

People can register their new pets via an online form, or they can stop by the Civic

Centre to complete a hard copy form. All cats and dogs must be microchipped before they can be registered.

Pet registration fees go towards animal management functions such as responding to wandering animals and barking dog complaints, operation of Council’s pound and feral cat trapping.

It also goes towards emergency after hours animal management such as dog attacks and wandering stock.

Fees contribute to rehoming of animals. Last year Council and its animal rescue partners rehomed 74 cats and 38 dogs.

By now, everyone will have received a flip book and collection calendar in the mail.

But if you are ever unsure of the new schedule, you can enter your address on HRCC’s website to see which bin to put out for collection on which day.

NO WASTE

COLLECTION GOOD FRIDAY

Residents whose waste is usually collected on a Friday will need to put their bins out a day prior this week due to Good Friday. Please ensure your glass and organics bins are ready to be collected Thursday morning.

ENCEPHALITIS VIRUS VACCINE AVAILABLE

HRCC residents eligible for a Japanese Encephalitis vaccine can book an immunisation appointment at the Kalkee Road Children’s and Community Hub for free.

Four immunisation sessions have been scheduled, with one remaining.

• Thursday 13 April

Book via the HRCC website or call 53829777.

PLANNING PERMIT APPLICATION

Reference number: PA2300579

The land is located at: 1603 Winfields Road, Laharum

The application is for a Permit to: 2 Lot Subdivision (re-subdivision of existing lots) and removal of restrictions

The applicant for the Permit is: Angela Plazzer

Any person who may be affected by the granting of the Permit may make submissions to Council. Copies of submissions received may be made available to any person.

If you have any concerns, please contact Council’s Planning team on 03 5382 9798 or email council@hrcc.vic.gov.au.

An objection must be sent to Council in writing, include the reasons for the objection and state how the objector would be affected.

You may look at the application and any documents that support the application free of charge by contacting the Civic Centre or visiting Council’s website.

Council will not decide on the application before 19 April 2023.

Benefits of mining under microscope

BY JESSICA GRIMBLE

The collective power of industry and development professionals have pitched the economic and social benefits of mining in the Wimmera and southern Mallee – and the enabling role of the state government.

Wimmera Development Association and Geological Survey of Victoria hosted the ‘North West Victoria Critical Minerals Roundtable’ in Horsham last month.

The association’s chief executive Chris Sounness said more than a dozen industry and government organisations discussed challenges and opportunities of mineral sand operations and the common projects the State Government could undertake to assist operations.

It also offered a chance to re-establish the association-facilitated Wimmera Southern Mallee Mining Cluster.

It comes as mineral sand mining pro-

posals for WIM Resource’s Avonbank and Astron Corporation’s Donald projects continue an environmental impact statement, EIS, process.

The future projects, among six proposed statewide, have more than $500 million of capital investment and would create more than 2000 new mine construction and ongoing jobs.

Mr Sounness said sharing common challenges would allow the industry to grow – which was particularly important for the diversification of the region’s economy.

“With the clean energy transition, and the need to lower emissions across the region, Australia and the world, critical minerals have a key role to play. Victoria has a large percentage of critical minerals,” he said.

“We have to make the minerals available for energy transmission while also ensuring engagement with the community along the way.

“As with a lot of what we do in

the Wimmera and southern Mallee, there’s competition between various companies – but they realise that by spending time working together and working with the community leads to far better outcomes.

“This could be the opportunity to help transform our region so we are seen as a region that has many different career opportunities and our economy becomes more diversified beyond agriculture.”

Career opportunities

Mr Sounness said the roundtable also offered a chance to highlight the work of the Minerals Council of Australia – Victoria and its executive director James Sorahan in engaging schools about the diverse career opportunities available in the Wimmera and southern Mallee’s emerging mining projects.

MCA, a minerals industry advocate, has published a new document detailing the potential of emerging pro-

jects to benefit the Victorian economy. This includes an existing economic benefit of $1 billion to the Victorian economy in 2020-21, a direct spend of $510 million, more than $151 million in wages, $218 million in exploration expenditure and supporting more than 1700 businesses with purchases of goods and services worth $310 million.

“There are perceptions around mining that it’s an industry that doesn’t have a future; that it’s a sunset industry – and it’s just not right,” Mr Sorahan said.

“Minerals go into the modern technology we use every day – from smart phones to wind turbines to electric vehicles. We need a lot more copper and rare earths and a lot more gold, so we’re going to need more mining in Victoria. That’s great for young people because they can stay in their region and have really rewarding careers locally.”

Mr Sorahan said mining companies were community-minded and developed partnerships to support groups and the local economy. But he called on the State Government to support infrastructure development required for growing regions – including healthcare, housing and roads.

Geological Survey of Victoria, a State Government agency, discussed the Critical Minerals Initiative work program and its objectives including generating new geoscience data and knowledge to identify opportunities; providing a grants program of competitive, matched-funding grants to accelerate critical mineral project development; and determining policy, social and investment barriers to critical minerals development and identifying pathways to grow a sustainable sector.

WDA will host future sessions including ‘regional opportunities’ information for businesses and service providers.

Insights into attitudes

From page 1

“People still harbour this view that it’s equal and, more concerningly, that there are scenarios where women bear the responsibility for men’s actions,” Ms Hendron said.

“In terms of sexual violence, which is really concerning in our region, 25 percent of people say that a woman who is raped has regretted consensual sex and they led the man on; that women are exaggerating domestic and family violence to use it as a weapon in custody battles; or that they’re making it up or exaggerating.

consent. “It’s about trying to really educate, especially young people, the notion of enthusiastic consent – about communication that is inclusive and comprehensive and goes beyond assumption and non-verbal cues,” Ms Hendron said.

“It addresses the ways of communicating about sex and sexuality that was stigmatised, underpinned by judgement and that, for women, expressing themselves sexually was something to be ashamed of.

“Those views and attitudes still exist and are an extremely gendered notion.”

CHEERS: Savana McPhan and Shae Campesato celebrate the opening of Horsham’s Riverfront Meeting Place on Sunday. People enjoyed music, giant games and food at the Wimmera River end of Firebrace Street where new facilities and landscape works are finished and ready for use.

Health unit urges people to be vigilant

Grampians Health is advising people to be vigilant and COVID-safe this Easter to limit spread of the virus during the school holiday period.

Grampians Health chief strategy and regions officer Dr Rob Grenfell said people visiting vulnerable family members should take extra care.

“The Easter weekend is a chance for many of us to spend time with friends and loved ones,” he said.

“Simple steps such as ensuring your vaccinations are up-to-date, performing a rapid antigen test and wearing

a mask can help to protect your loved ones from getting seriously ill during this time of increased social activity.

“All adults are eligible for a booster dose if it has been six months since your last dose or COVID infection.”

In February, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation recommended people aged 65 years and older receive a booster dose to help safeguard them against severe illness.

“Check-in with your family members and friends to see if they have re-

ceived a booster dose. Doing so could save their life,” Dr Grenfell said. Children and adolescents aged five to 17 with health conditions that put them at risk of severe illness can also get a booster dose if it has been six months since their last dose or COVID-19 infection, based on an individual risk assessment with their immunisation provider. Vaccinations are free and bookings can be made online via healthdirect. gov.au/australian-health-services

“Then we have housing and homelessness problems that are escalating enormously and the options for women, in terms of leaving a relationship, are diminishing – yet people view them as making a choice to stay and therefore, somehow, being responsible for the violence continuing. It’s a dreadful reflection on society.”

The survey highlighted problematic myths and stereotypes about sexual assault, sexual consent and victims and survivors among a concerning number of respondents.

This includes problematic beliefs that position men as the active initiators of sex and women as the ‘gatekeepers’ who must resist men’s advances; that sexual assault is primarily committed by strangers; and myths regarding ‘genuine’ sexual assault victims.

Ms Hendron said affirmative consent legislation, effective from July across Victoria, required education to understand the ‘nuances’ of enthusiastic

Ms Hendron said individuals and groups had an important role to play in changing attitudes towards women, starting at home.

“Whether you’re talking at home with your kids about sex and sexuality or about violence and power and how you use power; as well as in workplaces where you see sexist behaviour at play, or in social settings where you hear girls and women talked about in degrading ways,” she said.

“A Queensland University of Technology study, also published this week, showed that 60 percent of children experience abuse or neglect and 40 percent witness family and domestic violence before the age of 18. Trauma is enduring.

“How kids observe relationships is how they will tend to adopt behaviours in later life.”

• If you, or someone you know, needs help, phone 1800 RESPECT; in an emergency phone 000.

Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

World champion sprinter returns

BY JESSICA GRIMBLE

George

McNeil knew it was an omen.

The world champion sprinter had won Scotland’s Powderhall Sprint in its centennial year and when entry forms arrived for the 1981 Stawell Gift – its 100th running – he backed himself to return for the eighth time.

It paid off, with the Scot claiming victory off four metres in a time of 11.9-seconds.

“I thought, this is an omen. I wasn’t really meant to win all these years; it’s the centenary year I have to win,” McNeill said.

“I decided that I would go again and I came out with a group of guys, young runners – I was now the old man in the team at 34.

“I turned out to be the best in our group and as it turned out, I was the best on the day and won the 1981 Stawell Gift after a big struggle.”

McNeill had contested the Gift in 1973, 1974, 1977 and 1978. He made the final in 1979, 1980 and 1981.

“The first year I came to Australia was 1971 and I came out as a world record-holder for 120-yards, a professional world record, so I was full of expectation,” he said.

“My first race was at Wangaratta and unfortunately, I couldn’t handle the heat.

“I managed to get back towards the

Algae warning

A blue-green algae bloom is affecting Lake Bolac.

Parks Victoria will install warning signs at the lake and advises people to avoid direct contact with the affected water.

Contact with blue-green algae can cause allergic reactions such as skin rashes or itchiness, sore eyes, ears and nose. If swallowed, it can cause gastroenteritis, nausea or vomiting.

Pet owners should prevent pets from drinking or having direct contact with contaminated water.

Parks Victoria will continue to monitor conditions and will remove signs once the lake is safe for use.

Investigation ongoing

Police investigations into the shooting of a man in Horsham last month are ongoing.

Emergency services were called to reports multiple offenders had broken into a Cecil Street property on March 17. A man, 36 – the resident of the property – sustained a gunshot wound and was taken to hospital with nonlife-threatening injuries.

No arrests had been made when The Weekly Advertiser went to press.

end of the season and then people told me about this race at Stawell.

“I didn’t have a clue what it was, but I stayed and I came to Stawell and won the Bob McGregor trophy for the best performance – and I realised that it was very difficult to win Stawell, because few people have won it off a mark of four-metres or less.”

McNeill said it was his Scottish stubbornness and determination that kept him returning to Stawell.

He had also formed a rapport with John Toleman, a Gift legend who had attracted champion runners to Stawell including Jean-Louis Ravelomanantsoa, known as ‘Ravelo’ who won in 1975, and Warren Edmonson, 1977.

“Apart from trying to win the race, which is the best professional footrace, I felt as though it frustrated me that the Australian running public hadn’t seen the best of me for one reason or another,” McNeill said.

“I had so much respect for John and he had stuck by me. This got to me because I thought, I’m the dud. I’m the one who hasn’t performed for him. I was the runt of the litter, as it may be.

“We never had any written contracts or anything like that, just a handshake, and when I ran through that tape, one of my first thoughts was that I was up beside Edmonson and Ravelo.”

McNeill famously sang ‘Flowers of Scotland’ as he took the dias.

GREAT SCOT: George McNeil, the Stawell Gift 1981 champion, is performing a series of shows in Stawell this week as he reminisces on a decorated career.

The long-awaited celebration that followed, at the home of Stawell stonemasons Patty and Ken Robson, involved a crate of Great Western and plenty of Scottish songs.

“I went back one year to have a look at Patty and Ken’s place and there was a stone plaque on the front door that said, ‘George McNeill lived here in 1981’. I thought I was looking at my headstone,” he said.

McNeill never contested the Gift again after his 1981 victory.

These days, he is an after-dinner speaker.

He will perform his show, ‘The Dream’, at Stawell Entetainment Centre from tonight until Saturday night.

People can purchase tickets for the show via trybooking.com/CFUAJ

On your marks

The 2023 Stawell Gift carnival be-

gins on Saturday with finals of the men’s and women’s Gift on Monday at Central Park, Stawell.

Reigning 2022 champions in the Strickland Family Women’s Gift and Powercor Stawell Gift Carla Bull and Harrison Kerr will return.

Bull finished an incredible Easter weekend at Stawell in 2022, taking out the Strickland Family Women’s Gift to back up her 70m women’s title on the Sunday.

The Queenslander from Parkwood on the Gold Coast won in 13.774s with a handicap of six metres.

Kerr’s 2022 victory was the fastest winning time in the final of the Powercor Stawell Gift since 1995.

His time of 11.845 seconds off a handicap of 9.25 metres saw him live up to his tag as the hot favourite against a host of top Australian amateur sprinters including Jake Doran, Jack Hale, Calab Law and Aidan Murphy, and New Zealand star Eddie Nketia who ran from the scratch mark.

Other previous men’s and women’s 120m open winners to compete this year include Matthew Rizzo and Liv Ryan, 2017, Jacob Despard, 2018, Dhruv Rodgrigues Chico and Lexi Loizou, 2019, and Hayley Orman, 2021.

Tickets for the Gift are available premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show. aspx?sh=STAWELLG23

PLEASANT EVENT: Sandra Loats performs for an enthusiastic crowd at ‘A Pleasant Sunday Afternoon’ — a Horsham Country Music Inc-organised fundraising event at Maydale Pavilion, Horsham, on Sunday. Other performers included St Arnaud-based band Roadhouse, who backed The Austins, Ian ‘Bidge’ Boyd and Robyn Norton, while Darryn Wardle, Jeff Woodward and Peter Miller offered a blend of popular and rock songs. Money raised will be donated to support Wimmera Cancer Centre’s harpist and Horsham Rural City Band.

Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Please note that all transfer stations will be closed for Good Friday, on Friday, 7 April this year

There will be no interruptions to kerbside waste and recycling collections during the Easter period.

Have Your Say!

St Arnaud Pre-Prep Building Location

Pre-Prep is coming to St Arnaud and we need to decide where to put the building

There are four possible locations available for the pre-prep modular building and it is important for us to know your preference. Please come along to our Easter Egg Hunt to learn more and have your say:

5 April Market Square

3.30pm to 5.30pm

From 5 April, you will also be able to view our options and designs and complete the QR code survey at the St Arnaud Town Hall or library and in the window of Betta Home Living from 5 April. If you would like further information, please contact Marita Tobin at marita.tobin@ngshire.vic.gov.au or Nola Tudball at nola.tudball@ngshire.vic.gov.au or visit https://bit.ly/3ZpE3fm

Are you interested in representing the community at local government level?

Have you heard of the Women Leading Locally Fellowship?

The program aims to increase the representation of women councillors and mayors in Victoria.

We are considered a priority council area and women in our shire are encouraged to apply.

The Women Leading Locally Fellowship program is designed to inspire, equip and sustain women to become – and remain –successful local representatives for their communities.

There is no cost to enrol in the program.

The key requirement is that you have a passion for your local community.

Applications for the fellowship program close April 14 2023

Apply today at www.communitydirectors.com.au/training/ women-lead

Subscribe to our Business

E-News

Did you know that council sends out a monthly Business E-News detailing insights and business-relevant information? If you would like to subscribe visit www.ngshire.vic.gov.au/Business/Busin ess-Connections/Business-E-News

Stawell Skate Park Redevelopment Works

Stawell Skate Park redevelopment works will be commencing on 17 April, with demolition to begin that week. Construction of the new skatepark is scheduled to begin in the last week of May. The construction of the skate park is expected to take approximately six weeks, with work completed by mid-July.

If you have any questions, please contact Nic Baird on 5358 0564 or nicholas.baird@ngshire.vic.gov.au

SSAC is looking for casual lifeguards

Are you a strong swimmer with a passion for safety and helping others? We are currently seeking casual lifeguards to join our team at the Stawell Sports and Aquatic Centre.

The ideal candidate will be available a combination of weekdays and weekends, as well as early morning (5:30am+) and late evening (10pm latest finishing time) shifts.

Requirements:

Valid Lifeguard Certification, Current First Aid and CPR Certifications, Strong swimming abilities, Excellent communication and teamwork skills

To apply for a lifeguard position or to view other opportunities, please visit our careers page at www.ngshire.vic.gov.au/careers

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

Municipal Emergency Management Planning Committee (MEMPC)

Northern Grampians Shire Council is looking for extraordinary community members to help with planning and preparation for future emergencies in our community.

We are looking for local people with specialist knowledge and/or experience in the following areas:

• Industry/Production • Business/Retail • Tourism

• Agriculture/Viticulture • Education/School Camps

• Youth – young leader/s (16 years +)

Benefits:

• Develop leadership skills

• Meet and work with experienced people from a range of emergency agencies

• Share your views to improve emergency planning

• Develop planning and communication experience

• Gain insight into government operations, advocacy and governance

• Receive mentoring from a fellow committee member

For more details and to register your interest, visit: www.ngshire.vic.gov.au/Emergencies/MEMPC

If you have any questions or would like to request or submit a hard copy form, please contact Emergency Management Officer, Kelly Boladeras, at kelly.boladeras@ngshire.vic.gov.au or by phone on 03 5358 8700

Expressions of Interest must be submitted by 5pm, Monday 24 April.

The Salty One

Warrnambool, Great Ocean Road

Going back to the ocean can really ll you up. When I’m out on the beaches, I feel my ancestors and elders looking down on me. Creating my sand artworks, there are elements I feel like dancing out, and it’s as if the birds and animals are talking back to me.

Lowell Hunter

Developing civic leaders a priority

BY JESSICA GRIMBLE

Horsham

council’s chief says engaging ‘highly-capable’ people in the municipality and educating the community about the workings of local government are critical to success at the 2024 election.

Sunil Bhalla’s comments come after the release of municipal monitor Jude Holt’s report into the governance processes of the council, which recommends a community leadership program as critical to identifying and developing future leaders and promoting longevity in civic roles.

“We know that in Horsham, and the surrounding districts as well, there is a large pool of community leaders who are highly capable people. For example, we can all see how successful recent community events such as the Wimmera Machinery Field Days, the 150km Feast and the Horsham Fishing Competition have been and this is because they are being run by excellent community people,” he said.

“It’s these sorts of leaders who have valuable skills and experience that we want to be working more closely with.

“It’s not just about creating more potential councillors. When it comes to community leaders knowing how local government works, there is currently a lack of knowledge and experience.

“If we can close that gap, the community will benefit as well as council.”

Mr Bhalla and mayor Robyn Gulline called for the appointment of a monitor in June.

After a six-month tenure, Ms Holt identified one solution to the council’s governance shortfalls – a leadership program – that could also address low candidate numbers at elections.

The report noted there were nine candidates for seven positions at the 2020 election, 14 candidates at the 2016 election and 11 candidates at the 2012 election and there was ‘consistent turnover’ – with 17 councillors serving since 2012, leading to the loss of long-term corporate knowledge and strategic and historic context.

The report noted residents and groups’ interest in council activities – but this had not translated to candidates.

Six of the seven current councillors are serving their first term. Di Bell resigned and Bob

Redden was appointed, via a countback, during Ms Holt’s tenure.

Mr Bhalla said the council was looking to Wimmera Development Association’s ‘highlysuccessful’ Leadership Wimmera program –one of nine community leadership programs statewide – which has developed the skills of more than 600 Wimmera people since its inception in 2002.

“Our program won’t be run in the same way, but there are things we can learn from WDA and their popular program,” Mr Bhalla said.

The monitor’s report raised concerns about the experience of councillors, including suitability of experience to manage and appoint the chief executive; councillor adherence to codes of conduct, behavioural standards and dispute resolution; and the adequacy of induction programs and longevity of councillors.

Improving

The report noted original tensions between councillors had improved. In some instances, councillors were challenging behaviour as disrespectful, however, the monitor considered it ‘in the spirit of vigorous debate’.

“It is my view that there was an absence of leadership qualities and behaviours expected of community leaders, and councillors in line with the councillor code of conduct,” the report said.

“It was acknowledged early in my engagement that strengthening governance practices alone would not address behavioural change required between the councillors.”

The report said confidentiality was a concern, at times – referencing an example when the outcome of a confidential report was communicated on social media.

It acknowledged a council and Australian Services Union process to investigate allegations of bullying towards staff and that the report did not address councillors’ relationship with staff other than noting Ms Holt did not witness behaviour deemed concerning.

The council will not face further government action.

February’s council meeting heard Ms Holt’s appointment cost the council $65,000.

People can view the full report via localgovernment.vic.gov.au/council-governance/independent-reports

Critical steps to new development

Completion of site surveying and title re-establishment within a Horsham greenfield site will allow an accommodation development for healthcare workers to advance to a planning stage.

Horsham’s Ferguson Perry Surveying has completed initial works, which allows developer Elmstone Property Group to proceed with its arrangements to design roads, drainage and services.

The 3.5-acre site, with frontage to both Byrne and Tucker streets in Horsham, will eventually transform into a 36-unit development exclusively for healthcare professionals.

Elmstone Property Group director Stuart Benjamin said his firm could prepare plans and permit applications for the development, once surveying work was complete.

Further plans will be sub-

mitted to Horsham Rural City Council for approval this month. But the clock is ticking to achieve the goal of welcoming residents in early 2024.

Mr Benjamin said his team had been struggling with unprecedented workload experienced in the construction industry.

“Our desire to use local contractors has required us to be patient and slot in with other major projects happening across the region. We have been fortunate to have an existing relationship with Ferguson Perry, which has allowed the project to jump forward,” he said.

Surveyor Tom Hardman will have an ongoing liaison role for some time yet to ensure a certificate of compliance can be issued.

“We always like being involved in the development of Horsham and helping to bring

new stuff to the town,” he said.

“Particularly a project like this, where it’s providing accommodation for Grampians Health, we’re very happy to be involved – because it’s going to help the community greatly.”

The original business case for Grampians Health – the result of the amalgamation of Wimmera Health Care Group, Edenhope and District Memorial Hospital, Stawell Regional Health and Ballarat Health Services in November 2021 – identified housing as a critical need to attract workers to the region.

Mr Benjamin said the development could ‘free-up’ more than 100 bedrooms across the region.

The development will offer self-contained accommodation with individual bathrooms and private kitchenettes – four of which cater for staff and families with accessibility needs.

PROGRESS: Tom Hardman of Ferguson Perry surveys land in Horsham which will become accommodation for Grampians Health staff. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Enjoy the Gift, from the people

who power it.

Central Park, Stawell

Saturday 8 April - Monday 10 April Tickets on sale at Ticketek or at the gate.

“Had the best day today, Chris and Sam always spoil us. They are excellent hosts. If you want a relaxing atmosphere, de nitely go to Norton Estate Winery,” Tina

Thank you for making the event so special,” Mary

Bin plan for landfill action

Horsham Rural City Council introduces changes to the municipality’s waste collection program this week.

Urban residents will utilise a new four-bin system, which includes the introduction of a green-lidded bin for organic waste and a purple-lidded bin for glass. Waste collection for rural residents goes to a fortnightly service.

The change comes as part of a State Government-legislated campaign to minimise waste reaching landfill.

Horsham Rural City Council waste officer Alex Jaimes said planning for the new system began in 2021, with the engagement of residents.

“We had more than 1000 survey responses which showed the majority of people preferred to move to a fortnightly general waste service and therefore minimise cost increases in their annual waste charge,” he said.

“The kerbside waste collection is run on a cost recovery model. Council does not make a profit from waste fees.

“Keeping a weekly general waste collection would have meant a more significant cost increase, which would be passed on to property owners through their annual waste charge.”

Mr Jaimes said rural residents had moved to a fortnightly collection for existing landfill waste and a new recycling collection. Only a small number of rural residents had a recycling service previously.

“An organics service has not been offered in rural areas due to the fact that the people living out of town generally already have established ways of separating their organic waste – for example feeding chickens or composting,” he said.

“Rural residents do not have a kerbside glass collection. This is more efficient in terms of costs for residents and resources. There are several existing glass drop-off points in our rural areas, as well as our four transfer stations.

“It is important that all residents, including rural, don’t contaminate their yellow bins with glass. Glass no longer goes in with general recyclables.”

Riverside resident Denise Queale was disappointed to learn her property, about five kilometres from Horsham’s post office, was not included in the four-bin system.

Council communications had advised her that she was no longer permitted to place glass in her recycling bin and her collection would go to a fortnightly service.

She said friends in other areas of the municipality, living further from the post office, had retained a weekly service and gained the four-bin system.

“We’ve got communications to say

we can’t put glass in our yellow recycling bin anymore. We’ve had it for over 20 years and have been told to take it to collection points at Laharum or Dadswells Bridge or Pimpinio or Jung,” she said.

“Instead of having more services, we’ve lost services. Anyone would think we are the backwaters of the world. If we hadn’t had it before, I would understand.”

Sorting waste

Mr Jaimes said general waste was buried at Dooen landfill. The new system aims to reduce landfill by 40 percent. He said general recycling would go to a processor in Stawell, while glass would be crushed in Yarriambiack shire. Organics waste will be processed in Camperdown.

Mr Jaimes said the council was required to provide the new service under Victorian legislation and as such, ‘opting out’ was not available.

Branch to close doors

CHANGE:

Riverside resident Denise Queale is disappointed she cannot recycle glass in her recycling bins from this week, when Horsham Rural City Council introduces a new four-bin system to manage waste.

Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

“Opting out of it will not be permitted, as this would not lead to the outcome required under the new Victorian government legislation,” he said.

“If people choose to not have a certain bin it will not result in a reduction in their annual waste charge.

“Victoria is running out of landfill space, which is driving up the cost to dispose of waste. This cost is passed directly onto ratepayers via the waste charge on their rates notice. By making this change, we’re helping minimise future cost increases.”

A glass collection service also begins across Hindmarsh shire this month, while West Wimmera Shire Council will offer the service from July.

Ararat Rural City and Yarriambiack

Shire councils introduced mixed recycling and glass collection last year.

People wanting more information can access their respective council’s website.

Bendigo Bank’s Warracknabeal branch will close.

The bank announced its intent to close the branch, based at Warracknabeal accountancy business Dianne Marchment and Associates, effective June 20, citing a ‘detailed review of transaction activity, customer banking habits and the decline in cash usage’ as reasons for its decision.

It comes amid a Senate inquiry to investigate the extent of bank closures in regional Australia.

The inquiry’s committee called on banks to stop closing branches until councils, businesses and affected customers could submit their concerns to the inquiry.

Federal Member for Mallee

Anne Webster called on the Australian Banking Association to place a moratorium on regional bank closures until it had implemented recommendations of the Regional Banking Taskforce. This would include reviewing and strengthening its branch closure protocol and implement impact assessments by mid-year.

“I am pleased to hear Dianne Marchment and Associates are ensuring staff are not going to lose jobs over this – but it is disappointing Bendigo Bank has made this decision when the Senate inquiry is happening and Commonwealth Bank and Westpac have halted closures until the end of the inquiry,” she said.

“Customers need support and the dignity of banking services, instead they are having services ripped away.”

YYarriambiack arriambiack

Next Council Meeting: Wednesday 26 April 2023

Mayoral Matters - Update

Playgroup Is Back! Keep Up To Date With Council News

March has been another busy month with projects coming to life, advocacy work to our stakeholders and attending local events. It’s wonderful to see our shire brimming with activity.

Artist Smug makes a return to Yarriambiack as he undertakes his next Silo Art project in Murtoa. Starting from April 5th, make sure you find time to pass by the silo on Soldiers Avenue, next to the horse drawn cart as he paints an important positive reflection piece for Murtoa. A public official opening event will be held on May 12th from 5:00pm-6:30pm hosted by Murtoa Progress Association.

Join Our Team - Casual Early Years Teacher

Council is looking for a casual Early Years Teacher with a sound understanding and knowledge of early childhood development. For more information visit Council's website https://www.yarriambiack.vic.gov.au/Engage-With-Us/Jobs. Applications will remain open until the position is filled.

On the tourism side, our new cabins at Warracknabeal Caravan Park have enjoyed their first official visitors, with great feedback relating to the cabins and the view of Yarriambiack Creek. These cabins provide an alternative accommodation option to those travelling through who are looking for the caravan park environment without the camping.

By now you should have seen a sneak peak of the upgrades currently underway at the Warracknabeal Tourist Information Centre on Council’s Facebook page. This project has seen improvements made to the way tourists access information in a new-look centre that is a must-see. An official opening will take place soon.

As far as official openings go, the Patchewollock Railway Station Reopening on March 17 was a great community occasion. These projects highlight how important our history is, and how coming together as a community can achieve great things. Congratulations to all involved in this project.

As Mayor I have the privilege of attending various events in our shire and on behalf of our shire in other regions. On 1 March I attended the Regional Health Workforce Summit in Mildura. Whilst this event was health-service focused, the take away messages about inclusive communities, attracting and retaining staff and the vital role communities play in welcoming new residents was just as important for local government and our rural communities to take notice. This was highlighted on March 9 while I attended the Hopetoun P-12 College Welcome dinner. It was wonderful to see the College representatives and local residents come together and celebrate the start of the year and have an opportunity to be social and welcome the new teachers.

On 23 March Wimmera Development Association hosted Donald Minerals Sands for a networking meeting with key stakeholders. This project has numerous economic and social benefits for our shire that we are already working on taking advantage of. With new industry comes new opportunities and Yarriambiack is placed well as a key stakeholder for this project.

CEO Tammy Smith and I will again be on the road attending Probus, Rotary, Lions and Senior Citizens Groups in the coming weeks to talk about our key priorities at council, major projects in the community and hear any ideas or challenges facing your town.

Don’t forget if you’re looking for activities over Easter, Warracknabeal’s Easter in the ‘Beal has something for everyone. Our Libraries are also hosting school holiday activities across the shire. Make sure you like the Yarriambiack Libraries Facebook Page for more details.I wish you all a Happy Easter and trust that you have a safe and enjoyable time with family and friends. Kylie Zanker, Mayor

Council's Arrangements Over Easter

The Warracknabeal Council Office and Yarriambiack Library Service will be closed from Friday 7 April and will reopen on Tuesday 11 April following the Easter Public Holiday period. The Warracknabeal Transfer Station will be closed on Good Friday - 7 April. Transfer Stations will operate as normal on Saturday 8 April - Monday 10 April. Transfer Station opening times and after Hours Emergency Contacts for Council can be found on Council's website.

Check out @YarriambiackLibraries for School Holiday Activities

New school captains accept Apex donation

Horsham Special School’s 2023 school captains have accepted a $13,000 donation from Horsham Apex Club as part of a collaboration for hands-on learning.

Jonathan McKinnon and Joel Smith were announced as school captains, and Samara Murray and Anna Kennedy vice-captains, at a school assembly. The students were elected by staff and students.

The newly-elected student representatives were then called-on to accept a cheque from Horsham Apex Club.

The donation comes as part of a broader partnership with the school that creates opportunities for practical learning initiatives.

Principal Ben Tait said he sees the captaincy program as a chance to celebrate leadership.

“To see the students rise and show their skills is fantastic,” he said.

Mr Tait said the leadership roles were a good opportunity to recognise students who had shown the school’s values across a number of years and who had taken the chance to present to their peers.

Horsham Special School captains, from left, Jonathon McKinnon and Joel Smith, and vice-captains Samara Murray and Anna Kennedy. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

The assembly also provided an opportunity for the Apex club to showcase their partnership with the school.

“The Apex club has been very generous in supporting the students at the school,” Mr Tait said.

“Last year the club supported the debutante ball and also a hands-on learning program,” he said.

“And they’ve come through with a grand total of $13,000 for us to fund a trailer and some battery-powered work tools so that we can get out into the community.

“These hands-on learning projects contribute to the Apex club’s own activities.”

Mr Tait said he expects students to be involved in ‘bits of main-

Stella’s influence continues to guide

Prideand emotions ran high in Stawell last week when the community honoured one of its own.

Journalist, comedian and disability rights advocate Stella Young was immortalised in a bronze statue at Cato Park, Stawell before a packed crowd of family, friends, residents and supporters.

Through her words and wit, Stella had called on society to challenge their ideas and expectations and to learn from the lived experiences of people with disabilities.

To value genuine achievement.

To take action for a fairer and more inclusive society.

Stella died in 2014, aged 32.

In the words of Northern Grampians shire mayor Kevin Erwin: “The project has, for us, highlighted how much work needs to be done to ensure true accessibility. Let us all continue to appreciate and learn from Stella by recognising her achievements, remembering to push boundaries, fighting for what you believe in and always speaking our truth.”

The lasting legacy Stella created throughout her life is well renowned – starting with, and going well beyond, the 14-year-old activist who conducted an access audit of shops along Stawell’s main street.

And her legacy remains as strong as ever.

For those who did not know the name, Stella

EDITORIAL

By Jessica Grimble

Young, before last week, they would certainly know it now.

Across the region, and well beyond it, there are countless examples of spaces that remain inaccessible to many in the community.

There has been conscious work for many years to ensure spaces and places are more accessible –but there’s significant work yet to be done.

It requires engagement and understanding to truly learn about people’s diverse needs.

To ensure people of all abilities can participate in community life, in the manner in which they, themselves, choose.

May Stella’s legacy and the unveiling of the new statue – a physical and public fixture in a prominent gathering point in her home-town – serve as a permanent reminder to educate ourselves, and others, and challenge pre-conceived notions and bias about others.

To recognise the abilities of all.

In the words of Stella: “Disability doesn’t make you exceptional, but questioning what you think you know about it does.”

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

A fundamental right

The Federal Government is struggling to get its Housing Future Fund legislation through the Senate.

This fund has been allocated $10 billion to build 30,000 new social and affordable homes in the first five years.

However, Maiy Azize, of Everybody’s Home, a national campaign to fix the housing crisis, says the social housing shortfall is between 500,000 and 700,000 homes.

Pensioners are competing for share houses, families are sleeping in tents and people are couch surfing for months at a time. This is because of chronic under-investment in social housing in the past 20 years. Thus, Azize suggests a more realistic build figure is 25,000 homes a year – not 30,000 over five years.

The PM says you can’t look at the fund in isolation, that there are state funding agreements and rental assistance worth $2 billion a year.

tenance on Apex Island, maybe getting involved in some barbeques and other things that they do across the year’.

“The opportunities provided by the Apex club are a great chance for our students to show off their skills and be connected to their community,” Mr Tait said.

– Sean O’Connell

But according to Azize, these amounts for social housing are completely dwarfed by tax breaks for landlords of $157 billion over the next 10 years. We must use some of this money to help renters through the rental crisis as rents have gone up 18 percent last year and are going to keep rising.

A roof over one’s head is a fundamental right and just as important as funding submarines or tax breaks for high income earners.

Robert Blakeley, Horsham

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COMMUNITY LEADERS:

Talks to ‘rebalance the nation’

BY JESSICA GRIMBLE

Millennials are seeking work and lifestyle opportunities in rural and regional areas – and the Wimmera and southern Mallee is poised to capture their interest.

Regional Australia Institute chief executive Liz Ritchie, visiting the Northern Grampians shire last week, said people in their 20s were the ‘biggest movers’ since COVID-19 lockdowns –and it was predominantly regions competing with regions for their attention.

Launching the RAIs national ‘regionalisation roadshow’ in Stawell on Wednesday, Ms Ritchie said it was a ‘myth’ that region populations were mostly migrating to metropolitan areas. She said residents of regional areas were ‘highly mobile’ and willing to relocate for opportunities – including jobs and affordability.

She said relocation from city to regional areas is 16 percent above movement prior to the pandemic.

“We’re seeing early-career, and those starting families or thinking about starting families – the millennial bracket – by far and away the biggest component of movers,” she said.

“There is enormous opportunity in that, because they’re bringing their skills and we know that when talented and motivated people move into regional Australia, their careers often get fast-tracked. They step into positions that are multi-faceted and their skills develop so much faster than they would otherwise.

“But there is a competition component to this and it’s important to highlight –because I think it stirs up the community to be even more motivated.”

Ms Ritchie said attracting new resi-

dents without ‘sacrificing’ existing residents, and their expectations of liveability, was a delicate balancing act.

She said the Northern Grampians shire’s ‘enormous’ tourist visitation had the potential to attract new residents. She encouraged people to share their stories through the RAIs national campaign, ‘Move to More’, to celebrate the opportunities of living in a rural and regional area.

Wimmera Development Association is among ‘activators’, nationally, who are working towards the RAIs ambition to ‘rebalance the nation’ and have 11 million people living prosperously in the regions by 2032.

The ‘Regionalisation Ambition 2032’ – a 10-year framework – addresses liveability, jobs and skills, population, productivity and innovation, and sustainability and resilience through 20 targets.

Wimmera Development Association chief executive Chris Sounness said community and business leaders in Northern Grampians shire had an

‘exciting’ vision for their future. “The opportunities are all within grasp, but it will require everyone to work together, which was what Wednesday was all about – making sure it’s not development for development’s sake, and all parts of the community benefit, are recognised and are engaged,” he said.

He said the unveiling of a statue to honour the memory of advocate Stella Young, the day after the forum, demonstrated the shire’s inclusivity and celebration of diversity and progress.

Northern Grampians mayor Kevin Erwin said the forum, the first stop of the national roadshow, offered community and business leaders from a range of sectors a chance to offer solutions for change.

He said increasing housing stocks and supporting migrants to settle in the region were among key discussions.

“Like most places in Australia, housing is one of the key issues, along with visas – that has been a real issue for some of the employees and employers here, with regards to the shortness of

Project puts ‘local’ first

Ararat Rural City Council is launching a campaign to put local businesses first in a commitment to prioritising suppliers.

Chief executive Tim Harrison said the council had a strong focus on putting local businesses first when sourcing products, services and works.

“Local businesses are the backbone of the region’s economy,” he said.

“Council is continually sourcing a wide range of suppliers across all categories of business.

NO MORE GLASS IN YELLOW BINS

Glass now goes in your purple bin - with lids taken off

The introduction of the monthly purple bin collection means that glass will now be sent to the Yarriambiack processing facility to be turned into materials such as road base

Remember: Glass can no longer be recycled if it goes in yellow recycling bins.

Rural residents: Glass can be deposited at any Transfer Station or your nearest glass drop off point.

it, the lack of flexibility and the cost,” he said.

“There have been some great ideas that have come out of the day and some real commitments – towards issues we are working on already – so I think it’s been well and truly worthwhile.

“We have covered a huge amount of ground.”

The RAI has called on people at the forum to make pledges for action and lodge them online via rebalancethenation.com.au

The RAI will report on its progress annually in September. People can view the ‘Regionalisation Ambition 2023’ document via rebalancethenation.com.au

The RAI has also launched its National Alliance for Regionalisation – a new advocacy body championing for rural and regional Australia, and whose membership includes Rural Councils Victoria, featuring Wimmera and southern Mallee representatives.

• Jessica Grimble, the editorial director of The Weekly Advertiser, was among attendees.

All clear and coloured glass bottles without lids

“Where it aligns, the council is already awarding our larger projects to regional businesses and supporting a range of local businesses on a smaller scale.

“But we can do better.”

Dr Harrison said it was crucial the council supported and delivered an optimised procurement system to meet the needs of all greater Araratbased businesses.

“This means upgrading the existing procurement system by streamlining how businesses or contractors can become a preferred supplier of the council,” he said.

“As part of this project, the council will launch a Local Supplier Portal, which means greater opportunities to work with our local businesses in delivering council projects and events.

“The new portal gives every business in Ararat Rural City a chance to supply the council.”

Metal lids (YELLOW bin)

Plastic lids (RED)

Drinking glasses (RED)

Mirrors (RED)

Light globes (RED)

Pyrex, crockery & ceramics (RED)

Pump & spray heads (RED

COLLABORATION: Leaders from the Northern Grampians shire, and broader region, with Regional Australia Institute chief executive Liz Ritchie, centre, at a regionalisation roadshow in Stawell on Wednesday.

Schroeder shares passion

BY ABBY WALTER

Nathan Schroeder is Horsham Regional Art Gallery’s new curator and has stepped into the role as the gallery is buzzing with new exhibitions.

A major exhibition by Australian artist Bill Henson, ‘The light fades but the Gods remain’, is open at the gallery, as is Juana Beltran’s ‘Shadow Beings’.

Mr Schroeder said it was amazing to start work at a gallery where a Bill Henson exhibition was underway.

“We have a couple of great exhibitions on show and I got straight into putting together ‘Shadow Beings’, which opened on March 25,” he said.

“If people haven’t stopped by the gallery in a while, now is a good time to have a look at something a bit different.

“In terms of our permanent collection gallery, we have pieces on display that haven’t been seen for a while as well.”

Mr Schroeder is taking on the curator position from Alison Eggleton who had been in the role since 2011.

Mr Schroeder moved to Horsham to be closer to family members and said it was fortunate he found a job in the area in his field of interest and expertise.

“Horsham is a great town and the gallery itself is a wonderful building,” he said.

“It is a fantastic space for displaying various sorts of art.

“There’s a thriving artistic com-

munity in the area, too, who will be great to engage with. I look forward to that.”

Mr Schroeder has held various roles across Australia in the art space.

“Most recently I was working at a

cultural facility, Hive, in the small town of Ulverstone in north-west Tasmania,” he said.

“Prior to that I was in north Adelaide at a house museum and gallery called the David Roche Foundation.

Henson draws on childhood

A major exhibition by Australian artist Bill Henson is on show at Horsham Regional Art Gallery.

‘The light fades but the Gods remain’ is a Monash Gallery of Art, MGA, travelling exhibition that will feature at the gallery until June 25.

It showcases two series by Henson that explore the Melbourne suburb of Glen Waverley, where he grew up.

Henson said during several years, he came to understand that what he wanted to capture and hold onto was a place that no longer existed.

“The possibility of photographing the landscape of memory and in so doing return to the ‘lost domain’ of childhood seemed both beguiling and yet so unlikely,” he said.

“The fact of these photographs, and of them having been made in the past two years and yet in them the depiction of a place which ceased to exist 50 years before, must surely be an impossibility.

“Nevertheless, I’m always hoping there just might be something ‘impossible’ about a picture – some profound ‘unlikeliness’ that documents both the world of the imagination and our shared, physical world.

“Perhaps it’s only through searching for this that we might draw closer to some deeper sense of continuity.”

Henson was commissioned to revisit the suburb of his childhood and produce new work that reflected on his earlier series ‘Untitled 1985-86’.

The two series, from the 1980s and today, offer insight into the notion of mortality.

“And previously to that role, I was at the Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery.

“The Mornington Peninsula is where I am from and I think one of our next exhibitions is coming from there, so that’s very exciting.”

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The initial series featured the burgeoning city of Glen Waverley, in sequences interspersed with portraits and ruminations on foreign lands.

The new works comprise 11 photographs that are a reflective response to the suburb where Henson spent his childhood and adolescence that explore themes of loss and mourning.

The work was commissioned to mark MGA’s 25th anniversary.

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AMAZING START: Horsham Regional Art Gallery’s new curator Nathan Schroeder is excited about the current and upcoming exhibitions at the gallery.

Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Now open for

Breakfast

from 8am every Saturday and Sunday morning

BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL

Wide variety of di erent plated meals available

Kids breakfast menu available

• Monday to Friday 11.30am to 2.30pm

Bus now available 7 nights a week

The HSCC has supported the Wimmera Mallee Southern LENN Let’s Read Program for the past seven years impacting thousands of families.

Tim Shaw Executive Officer Wimmera Mallee Southern LENN “We are committed to improving the literacy levels and education outcomes of our young people. The future prosperity and well-being of the Wimmera (and the nation) depends on having a skilled, literate workforce. I am confident that Let’s Read is making a significant impact on improving literacy rates, academic achievement, engagement of young people and their families with education and, ultimately, the skill levels of our workforce. Our challenge is to ensure that all families get the encouragement, resources and skills to support their children to succeed in their education and become productive members of our communities. We are strongly committed to continue to deliver the Let’s Read program with a continued focus on supporting disadvantaged families to ensure that every child has access to books in their home. To date a total of 12,190 Let’s Read resource bags have been distributed since the program partnerships commenced in the second half of 2014.

On behalf of young families, playgroups, kindergartens, schools and Let’s Read partners, I would like to thank the Board, management and members of the Horsham Sports and Community Club for their sponsorship of the Let’s Read partnerships in the Hindmarsh, Horsham, West Wimmera and Yarriambiack shires.”

HSCC – “Working for the community with pride”

JEPARIT’S EASTER

JEPARIT’S EASTER

Saturday

8

Saturday 8th April 2023

April 2023

8th April 2023

Proud $2000

Proud sponsor of

7:30am-3pm

7:30am-3pm

7:30am-3pm

Registration: Jeparit Anglers Club Rooms, Lake Rd Jeparit (Jeparit Golf Club):

Registration: Jeparit Anglers Club Rooms, Lake Rd Jeparit (Jeparit Golf Club):

• Friday 7th April, 12 noon - 6pm

Registration: Jeparit Anglers Club Rooms, Lake Rd Jeparit (Jeparit Golf Club):

• Saturday 8th April, 6:30am onwards

• Friday 7th April, 12 noon - 6pm

• Friday 7th April, 12 noon - 6pm

Online registrations available from 24th March

• Saturday 8th April, 6:30am onwards

• Saturday 8th April, 6:30am onwards

Entry Cost: Senior $30, Junior (U/16) $20

Online registrations available from 24th March

Online registrations available from 24th March

Bank fishing only

Entry Cost: Senior $30, Junior (U/16) $20

COVID-19 safe proticols will apply

Entry Cost: Senior $30, Junior (U/16) $20

Bank fishing only

Bank fishing only

COVID-19 safe proticols will apply

For more information visit www.jeparitanglersclub.com or our Facebook page for updates closer to the event

COVID-19 safe proticols will apply

For more information visit www.jeparitanglersclub.com or our Facebook page for updates closer to the event

For more information visit www.jeparitanglersclub.com or our Facebook page for updates closer to the event

Celebrating 50 wonderful years

BY ABBY WALTER

Generations of Wimmera residents have found comfort in times of joy and sadness in a unique retailer that has stood the test of time.

Jacobs Well Bookshop in Horsham has overcome an ever-changing retail environment and continues to operate in the same location.

The store, in Roberts Avenue, has welcomed customers seeking a sentimental or inspirational book, gift or card for any occasion for half a century.

Bookshop manager Julie Hedt is celebrating reaching the 50-year milestone with store patrons and the Horsham Holy Trinity Lutheran Church community.

She said it was a ‘wonderful honour’ to be part of the 50th anniversary of the store’s doors opening.

“It’s amazing to reach 50 years – Christian bookshops are quite rare,” she said.

“We’re reasonably well supported and have paid staff work in the store, whereas a lot of bookshops like ours are run entirely by volunteers.

“I am pretty excited to be able to celebrate the occasion.”

Towards the end of 1972, the owner of Horsham Christian Literature Centre offered Horsham’s Holy Trinity Lutheran Church the first option to purchase the business, which was being sold due to the owner’s ill health.

At that time, the centre was operating out of the owner’s house.

The congregation approved the purchase of the store at a meeting after church on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1972.

Various names were suggested for the bookshop and the project was eventually named Jacobs Well, which arose from the event of Jesus at the well, meeting the needs of a person in the

community who met him there. The result was that their life was changed.

The church council appointed a board of management to make further investigations and decisions.

A lease was taken out to obtain a shop site at 41 Roberts Avenue with rent then costing $47 a week, plus rates.

The first meeting of the board of management was at the home of Mr and Mrs Harold Schwarz on January 14, 1973.

Maureen Wooller, wife of the then-vicar Ivan Wooller, was the first manageress. There have been six managers since that time – Audrey Johns, Shirley Preusker, Cheryl Hudson, Michelle Pitman and Lyn Pietsch.

Mrs Hedt has managed the store since 2012.

In February 1973, 12 families invested $5200 to support volunteers Allan Dymke, S. Dyke and Gary Ziersch, to fit out the shop.

Since 1985, Jacobs Well has operated as an auxiliary of the Holy Trinity congregation.

Mrs Hedt said people loved the products in the store.

“While we have Christian cards, gifts and Bibles we do offer something for everyone,” she said.

“There are inspirational items, gifts for people going through a hard time, and they aren’t all connected to faith.

“People don’t have to be Christian to shop here.”

Mrs Hedt said her favourite part of managing the bookshop was the customers.

“I love chatting to the customers and the regulars get to know them and their families – it’s what I enjoy most about the business,” she said.

“We’ve always been in the same location and it’s a good spot to be.

“Travellers come from out of town, pull up at cafes and supermarkets along our street and drop in because they see us here.”

HALF A CENTURY: Horsham’s Jacobs Well Bookshop manager Julie Hedt is celebrating the store’s 50th year in business. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Busy Easter calendar of events

Good Friday

Horsham: Horsham Fire Brigade Good Friday Appeal, 8.30am for a 9am start at the fire station on Hamilton Street. All volunteers welcome on the day.

Dimboola: Bendigo Bank Dimboola and Lions Club Easter egg hunt at the Dimboola Recreation Reserve Soundshell, 9am.

Great Western: Annual Great Western Rodeo at Great Western Racing and Recreation Reserve. Gates open at 11am with events from 3pm to 11pm.

St Arnaud: Good Friday Appeal family day at the Farmer’s Arms Hotel in partnership with the town’s Lions club. A 2pm start with an Easter egg hunt at 3pm and an auction from 8pm.

Easter Saturday

Nhill: Easter egg hunt at Jaypex Park, 10am to 11.30am. Scavenger hunt and other Easter games.

Warracknabeal: Market stalls at Ritchies IGA car park and in front of the town’s Tourist Information Centre, 9am to 1pm.

Warracknabeal: Easter Egg Hunt in the community garden, 102 Scott Street. First session from 9am, second session at 10.30am.

Warracknabeal: Easter street parade, starts at 11am.

Warracknabeal: Emmetts-John Deere Warracknabeal Cup. For more information visit country.racing.com/ warracknabeal

Jeparit: Bank-only fishing competition, 7.30am to 3pm. Registrations via jeparitanglersclub.com

St Arnaud: Uncle Bob’s market fair at Market Square, from 8.30am to 1.30pm.

Stawell: Harness the Hits music festival at Stawell Harness Racing Club in Patrick Street. Gates open 4.30pm.

Stawell: Vicious Blonde and Engine 45 at the National Hotel from 9pm.

Stawell: Mason Chamberlain performs at Grampians Ale Works in Victoria Place from 4pm.

Ararat: Rockabilly at Montara Winery, Chalambar Road, from 3pm to 7pm. Music from rockabilly trio Wolf Katz and wine tasting.

Natimuk: Goatfest Climbing Film

Festival from 6pm to 9.30pm at Natimuk Soldiers Memorial Hall. Organised by arts not-for-profit ACT Natimuk.

Kaniva: Mad Azz performs at the Commercial Hotel from 8pm.

Easter Sunday

Stawell: Stawell Gold Cup horseracing, gates open 11am.

Stawell: 40th annual L. Kent Memorial Fun Run, Stawell Racecourse car park. Registration on the day from 8am or online. Race starts at 9am with

the option of a five kilometre or three kilometre run or walk.

Ararat: Easter Sunday market from 9am to 1pm at Alexandra Hall. Farmers produce, craft, second-hand and new products.

Halls Gap: Market at Halls Gap Recreation Reserve from 9am to 1pm. Proceeds go to Halls Gap Primary School.

All weekend

Ararat: Exhibitions ‘Weaving Eucalypts Project: Liz Williamson’ and

‘Works from the TAMA Collection’ – open 10am until 4pm daily. Visit araratgallerytama.com.au for details.

Horsham: Exhibitions ‘The light fades but the Gods remain: Bill Henson’ and ‘Celebrating 40 Years of the Gallery at Horsham Town Hall’ – at Horsham Regional Art Gallery, open from 10am to 4pm daily. Visit horshamtownhall.com.au for details.

Warracknabeal: Easter vintage machinery rally on Saturday and Sunday from 10am. Working vintage tractors and machinery on show at Wheatlands Warracknabeal Agricultural Museum, 34 Henty Highway. Visit warrack nabealhistory.org.au/easter-rally for more information.

Great Western: Easter at Best’s Wines, 111 Best Road, Great Western. Live music on both Saturday and Sunday between noon and 4pm.

Stawell: 2023 Powercor Stawell Gift Carnival, starts Saturday with finals on Monday at Central Park in Main Street.

Stawell: 1981 Stawell Gift winner George McNeill presents ‘The Dream’ at Stawell Entertainment Centre. Tickets via trybooking.com/CFUAJ and at the door

Kaniva: Various events throughout the school holidays, April 7-25 including the Sheep Art Easter Bonnet Parade and Easter Actionbound. Visit kaniva.org/easter.html for more details.

Note: This list serves as a guide only. Some events incur ticket or entry fees. Event details and availability are subject to change. In order to confirm bookings or attain more information, contact the organiser directly.

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EGG...CITING: Good Friday Appeal Dimboola area manager Debbie Clark, left, with Bendigo Bank Dimboola staff Amanda Ingeme, Melissa Howard and Alexandra Wiese, prepare for a Good Friday Easter Egg Hunt at Dimboola Recreation Reserve on Friday.

Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

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Rural voices to amplify needs

BY JESSICA GRIMBLE

Housing, roads and the financial sustainability of rural councils headline the priorities of an ‘amplified’ rural voice to a national stage.

Rural Councils Victoria, RCV – which includes Wimmera representation – is among 30 peak bodies from across Australia to create a new group to advocate for rural, regional and remote communities.

RCV is the only rural Victoria representative, and the only Victorian-based local government representative group, among founding members of the National Alliance for Regionalisation – a Regional Australia Institute initiative that launched in Canberra last month.

RCV represents communities across 34 rural local government areas.

Yarriambiack shire chief executive Tammy Smith and Hindmarsh councillor Rob Gersch represent the ‘Rural North West region’ of Buloke, Hindmarsh, Northern Grampians, Swan Hill, West Wimmera and Yarriambiack.

RCV deputy chair Laura Binks said the alliance would ‘amplify’ the voice of rural Victoria and bring issues to national attention –particularly in the ‘halls of power’ in Canberra.

Cr Binks said RCV commissioned the ‘Rural Victoria Housing Blueprint’, which demonstrates rural areas require more than 87,000 new homes in the next 15 years to meet demand.

“Housing is crucial to every community and is needed to ensure that the workers we need in every sector – from childcare and aged care to roads and agriculture – have the homes they need,” Cr Binks said.

“In other research by Rural Councils Victo-

ria, an international and national search found there is ‘no silver bullet’ to alternative income streams for local government and that state and federal governments need to do more to support small rural councils.”

Ms Smith and Cr Gersch, as advocates for the North West among their other respective responsibilities, regularly attend meetings with state and federal ministers, ministerial advisers and senior bureaucrats to advocate on behalf of rural communities.

“The responsibility of representing the Wimmera and Mallee at RCV is a role I take very seriously and am proud to be a part of the new National Alliance for Regionalisation,” Ms Smith said.

“While many of the issues raised are not unique to the Wimmera and Mallee, our voice and our approach to solutions for challenges such as childcare, housing and workforce need to meet the unique needs of our communities.

“With agriculture and mining industries continually growing in the region, so, too, do our opportunities in health, education and retail.

“For our communities to prosper and grow, we require infrastructure and services to attract and meet the needs of residents. Our work with RCV and in the alliance will ensure that the voice of the Wimmera and Mallee people is heard loud and clear on a national platform.”

Regional Australia Institute chief executive Liz Ritchie said the alliance was the first of its kind in Australia, spanning business, health, education, infrastructure and environment.

“While each organisation has its individual policy priorities, it will work collectively to progress issues of commonality – such as regional housing, worker shortages, regional education, and migration,” she said.

Foundation delivering for service

A philanthropic group continues to support the work and initiatives of East Grampians Health Service.

East Grampians Health Service Building for the Future Foundation, established in 2009, aims to maximise its financial resources and assets in order to benefit the service.

An independent board of Trustees, consisting of volunteer community members with an interest, understanding and experience in philanthropy, governs the foundation.

Current Trustees include chair David Hosking, Bill Jones, Geoff Laidlaw, Graeme Foster, Jill Tivey, Heather Fleming and health service board directors Sybil Abbott-Burmeister and

Cameron Evans. Mr Hosking said the foundation funded educational scholarships to staff, assisted with purchasing equipment and funded large-scale projects.

“The foundation has contributed $350,000 in capital towards projects such as a CT scanner and most recently the foundation provided $50,000 to upgrade the EGHS birthing suite,” he said.

“Last year the foundation made available scholarships to staff valued at $30,000 to ensure the long-term viability of services across the health service.

“Since inception, the foundation has distributed $390,000 in scholarships for health ser-

vice staff to upskill and further their careers, also ensuring that the community continues to receive health care from a highly trained and motivated team of health professionals.”

Mr Hosking said the foundation was a public charitable fund, with all income directed to the trust fund.

People wanting to make a donation, or leave the foundation a gift in their will, can contact the foundation via buildingforfuture@eghs.net. au or by calling 5352 9300 to arrange a discussion with a Trustee.

People wanting more information can visit eghs.net.au/ foundation

SUSTAINABILITY: East Grampians Health Service Building for the Future Foundation Trustees, Sybil Abbott-Burmeister, Heather Fleming, Cam Evans, Bill Jones, Jill Tivey, David Hosking and Graeme Foster.

Ageing deserve the best care

Weall have older Australians we know and love and we want them to receive the best possible care as they age.

These people have worked for most of their lives to help build the nation and the regions we live in and deserve to spend their final years in comfortable surrounds with dignity.

Most older Australians wish to remain in their community, near the children they raised, who now visit them with their own families.

The Labor government has expedited now mandated Aged Care Standards which jeopardised the wellbeing of older residents in the Wimmera.

I saw first-hand the impact it would have on the community in Dimboola when Allambi Elderly Peoples Home closed its care facility and delivered a petition to the Prime Minister on the community’s behalf.

It is an absolute tragedy that Allambi was forced to close, particularly now the government has admitted its expedited standards, which they legislated, would not be met by the target date of July 1.

These standards largely centre around care minute requirements and 24-7 registered nurses at facilities.

Those legislated standards do not reflect the harsh workforce shortages faced by regional aged care homes.

A recent University of Technology Sydney report states that meeting the new mandated standards would have required an additional 6922 full-time registered nurses in Australia by July, and even then

COMMENT

with Dr Anne Webster

they would have to all be filtered out to where they are needed – it would be simply impossible.

Meanwhile at Senate Estimates the Department of Health said an additional 10,000 to 14,000 nurses would be required to fulfill the care requirements due to come into effect in October 2023.

I have spoken both in Parliament and through the media on this issue, advocating for flexibility for smaller regional aged care facilities who have unique circumstances.

I have also met with facility leaders within the Mallee and invited the ministers concerned to visit.

I met with the chief executive of Dunmunkle Lodge, Peter Ballagh, and board member, Andrew Clark and talked through their situation – listening to their proposals regarding how they could make their facility remain viable and sustainable.

Their main concern was around the registered nurse requirements – and for now they have a reprieve as the government is forced to actually work with smaller facilities.

These facilities provide great care for older Australians and are vital parts of Mallee communities – and I will continue to make sure the government knows that.

MUSICAL FUN: The ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ cast with lead cast members Maree Fraser-Croft as Truly Scrumptious and Lionel Holt as Caractacus Potts, centre, and Imogen Parsons as Jemima Potts and Shania Atkins as Jeremy Potts, front.

All roles filled for Ararat

Ararat Musical Comedy Society has assembled a strong cast for its June production of the beloved musical, ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’.

Director Jodie Holwell and musical director Leanne McCready were ‘thrilled’ with a great turnout to auditions in February, which enabled all roles to be filled – including 22 named roles, an adult ensemble and children’s chorus.

“The cast has spent the past five weeks rehearsing the show’s songs with Leanne, who has put in an enormous amount of work with the music,” Ms Holwell said.

“We are now ready to move to the next stage of blocking and choreography, which is always an exciting part of the process.

“It’s a fantastic production, and while you may think it’s just for kids, it’s a very funny show with

production

plenty of laughs ensured for adults who come along, too.”

Lead cast includes: Lionel Holt as Caractacus Potts, Maree FraserCroft as Truly Scrumptious, Shania Atkins as Jeremy, Imogen Parsons as Jemima, Bryan Kennedy as Grandpa Potts, James Hartwich as Baron Bomburst, Deb Slorach as Baroness Bomburst, Sam Dunks as the Childcatcher, Tyler Wineberg as the Toymaker, Zyggie Sanders as Boris, Harry Belcher as Goran, Sam Dunks as Lady Scrumptious, Evenne Cosgriff as Coggins, Zafirah Davies-Harrison as the Junkman, Libby Johnston as Miss Phillips, Jo Jarman as Miss Phillips’ assistant, Mary Reid as Chef, Sheridan Keith as Violet, Daryl Chaplin as Sid, Peta Chaplin as Turkey Farmer, Finlay Davidson as Greta and Violet Day as

Marta. Inventors are Peta Chaplin, Evenne Cosgriff, Zafirah DaviesHarrison, Sheridan Keith, Tyler Wineberg and Leanne McCready while soldiers are Daryl Chaplin and Carl Forshaw.

“We have a great cast who are bringing everything to their roles. I am really proud of the work they are putting in,” Ms Holwell said.

“We are also fortunate to have 11 children involved and it is wonderful to see their confidence increasing as the weeks progress.

“But of course the star of our show is Chitty Chitty Bang Bang herself, and we can’t wait for our audiences to see this magical car come to life.”

‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ will be staged at Ararat Town Hall across two weekends – June 16 to 18 and 23 to 25.

SMART BLINDS

Regional growth plan

Acohort of regional Victorian councils, including Horsham Rural City, have called on the State Government to commit to supporting regional growth when the State Budget is delivered next month.

Regional Cities Victoria, RCV, has highlighted five priority projects.

Relating to the ‘Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund’, RCV has asked for $800-million across four years to drive infrastructure projects, create jobs and improve the liveability of regional cities.

RCV has called on the government to support the unlocking of land supply for new housing through a $500-million ‘Growing Regions Development Fund’ to relieve the burden ratepayers face, and encourage housing development in new areas. This fund can be replenished with profits derived from the soon to-be-implemented Windfall Gains Tax.

In relation to liveability, the RCV has called on the government to establish a $200-million ‘Regional Living Fund’ to invest in civic, community and cultural infrastructure and open spaces to enhance the liveability of regional cities and boost the visitor economy. This fund would complement other economic-focussed programs by investing in art galleries and museums; libraries; playgrounds and parklands; recreation; and community health and wellbeing hubs.

It wants to see additional acute beds and wraparound healthcare for people experiencing serious mental health and alcohol and drug issues in all regional cities.

It seeks a commitment that the Commonwealth Games will create a legacy for the whole of regional Victoria – extending beyond the five cities hosting events and creating opportunities across the state.

RCV chair Andrea Metcalf said the priorities would raise the liveability

of regional Victoria and sustain the steady population growth it has enjoyed in recent years.

“The pace of growth in regional Victoria has been very strong for several years now and it is vital that investment and development keeps up,” Cr Metcalf said.

“Without continued investment in our regions, the liveability of our regional cities will falter and our residents will not have the adequate access to housing, open spaces and parklands, and cultural and community infrastructure they expect.”

RCV comprises mayors and chief executives of the 10 largest cities in regional Victoria – Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Horsham, Latrobe, Mildura, Shepparton, Wangaratta, Warrnambool and Wodonga.

It provides strategic advice, co-ordination and advocacy to state and federal governments to support policies which enable regional centres to grow and develop.

Edenhope rural outreach team expands

Grampians Health’s Edenhope Rural Outreach Program team has a new member.

Zviko Jinga joins Mal Coutts, Murray McInnes and Marnie Baker, who work to improve the well-being of the community.

Ms Jinga has a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology, a Master of Business Administration and is working towards completing a Diploma in Community Services.

“As a rural outreach worker, my role is to support anyone who might need a trusted person to talk to, of-

fering any non-clinical related mental health support while guiding them to the best service and assistance in the area,” she said.

“In the past, I have worked in a mental health hospital in the UK, supporting patients in the wards.

“In my previous role, I worked with families offering family violence support, child wellbeing support and nonclinical mental well-being support, linking them to the right services available in their local area.

“I am so passionate about working with families and individuals going

through challenging times, by offering emotional support, giving a listening ear and assisting them to work through their personal goals.”

The Edenhope Rural Outreach Program team works from the Health and Wellbeing Hub in Elizabeth Street and provides a free service to support people in need and connect them with appropriate services.

People wanting more information about the Rural Outreach Program or to speak with a member of the team can call 1300 688 732.

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RIDE ON: Horsham’s Holy Trinity Lutheran College year-four students Mia Yendall and Indi Finn were among a contingent of students, of all ages, participating in a National Ride2School Day initiative on Friday, March 24.

‘World first’ honour

BY SEAN O’CONNELL

The unveiling of a statue commemorating Stella Young symbolises significant progress for disability awareness in the region.

A bronze statue of Ms Young, a late comedian, journalist and disability advocate, will pose questions for visitors to Cato Park, Stawell following its reveal on Thursday last week.

A large crowd remembered Ms Young, who was born in Stawell, as a lifelong advocate for women and people with disability.

Ms Young died in 2014 at the age of 32. She spent much of her life in a wheelchair after being born with osteogenesis imperfecta, also known as ‘brittle bone disease’.

Northern Grampians-based sculptor Danny Fraser designed the statue with

Ms Young’s mother, Lynne, and father Greg, who performed ‘Over the Rainbow’ on his ukulele at the unveiling ceremony.

Filmmaker Sarah Barton, who is making a feature documentary about Ms Young, spoke about the importance of representation.

“For too long, disabled people have been absent from our screens, our arts,” she said.

The public art installation is part of a broader State Government program commemorating Victorian women.

Member for Western Victoria Jacinta

Ermacora described the statue as progress towards addressing a gender imbalance in public representation.

Minister for Women Natalie Hutchins said it was important to recognise the contributions of all people through public art.

“If we only see male statues, what

does that say?” she said. The installation has interactive and accessible features, which Northern Grampians Shire mayor Kevin Erwin described as ‘a world first’.

There is a plinth in front of the statue with a QR code designed for visitors with low vision.

The code directs them to a website with information about Ms Young.

Motion sensors are also installed to play audio material when triggered.

The broader project, which also includes a mural at Stawell Pop Up Park, involved students from the Skene Street Specialist School, who have lived experiences of disability.

The path leading up to the statue, and the mural, both contain a quote from Ms Young: “I would like to live in a world where disability is not the exception but the norm.”

Sports plan in motion

West Wimmera Shire Council will develop a 10-year sport and recreation strategy to improve community participation in physical activity.

The council received $30,000 from the State Government’s 2021-22 Local Sport Infrastructure Fund to develop the strategy, which will guide the development and delivery of infrastructure, programs and services and shape the council’s policy and planning frameworks until 2033.

Consulting firm Tredwell Management Services will lead a community consultation process and work with the council to inform the document.

The consultation sessions offer residents a chance to provide feedback on their sporting and recreational needs.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT:

Musicians entertained Rupanyup Dirt Music Festival attendees from house verandas and community spaces across Rupanyup on Sunday. The 11th annual event focused on acoustic, or un-amplified, music that could be played anywhere at any time and gave an opportunity for amateur musicians to showcase their work.

Pictured are, clockwise from above: Elle and Ash Teasdale; Danielle Simonson and Brett Schmidt; and Paul Drendel. Pictures: PAUL CARRACHER

The council’s chief executive David Bezuidenhout said the strategy was essential to building strong and engaged communities where diversity, participation and healthy lifestyles were encouraged and valued.

“Currently, we have no such plan in place, which hinders the council’s ability to invest in new facilities and infrastructure that respond to the needs of the community,” he said.

“A new plan would help identify gaps and priorities and provide a clear direction on how to respond to the community’s needs.”

Dates and times of community consultation sessions are still to be confirmed.

People can register their interest by calling sport and recreation officer Carlee Feder on 13 99 72.

CREATING MEMORIES: Greg Young performs ‘Over the Rainbow’ on his ukulele at his daughter Stella Young’s statue unveiling ceremony.

Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Sporty Sonata

Hyundai has unveiled a comprehensive update to its eighth-generation Sonata sedan.

Claimed to be ‘more than a simple facelift’ of the model that debuted four years ago, Hyundai says the Sonata’s four-door coupe styling embraces its ‘sensuous sportiness’ design philosophy.

The Sonata’s sporty design is characterised by a long bonnet and lower, broader frontal treatment that is adorned with Hyundai’s seamless ho-

rizon lamp between the headlights for a more aggressive image.

The more aerodynamic body is said to improve fuel efficiency and high-speed stability when compared with the Sonata’s direct rivals, which include the Mazda6, priced from $35,540 before on-road costs, Skoda Octavia, from $39,290 plus on-road costs and Toyota Camry, from $32,490 plus on-road costs.

Standard and N-Line variants of the new Sonata will be offered, both sporting linear design elements, a

black garnish along the beltline and a swooping spoiler-shaped boot lid to ‘reinforce the impression of a highperformance sports sedan’.

N-Line variants further adopt quad exhaust tips and bespoke 19-inch alloy wheels.

The current Sonata is offered exclusively in N-Line form and priced from $52,065 plus on-road costs.

The Korean manufacturer says the driver-centric interior layout of the new Sonata is punctuated with ‘delicate high-end details’, signalling a

move upmarket and likely price uplift. In-cabin technology also takes a leap forward with a new curved display encompassing both the 12.3-inch driver’s instrumentation screen and 12.3inch infotainment array as one.

This ‘future-oriented’ arrangement also serves to enhance the horizontal styling cues and expanded sense of space within the cabin and includes a touch-type climate control unit to provide a ‘high-tech vibe’.

The cabin is said to have undergone significant upgrades to benefit space

and passenger experience, with décor colour combinations that simultaneously ‘enhance the send of sportiness and premium character’ within.

A new shift-by-wire transmission controller frees up space on the centre console, which is now fitted with a palm rest, larger cup holders and storage tray where the gear selector once was.

The all-new Sonata is expected to make its Australian debut before the end of this year.

– Matt Brogan

Orders open for Peugeot’s ePartner light commercial van, in showrooms from mid-year — Page 29

Volkswagen confirms five

Volkswagen has confirmed five new battery electric vehicles will commence production for Australian delivery prior to 2025 – with each of the brand’s 100-plus dealerships nationwide ready to sell and service the vehicles ‘from day one’.

The forthcoming line-up will include the Golf-sized ID.3 hatch, Tiguansized ID.4 and ID.5 ranges, ID.Buzz people mover and ID.Buzz Cargo light commercial derivative.

VW says the models are all scheduled to start production for Australia in 2024 – or within about the next 20 months – at an average of one allnew battery electric vehicle, BEV, for every five calendar months.

The recently updated ID.3 line-up is expected to be priced from under $60,000 in order to maximise national and state-based electric vehicle incentives.

The rear-drive hatch offers a more premium look and feel than the outgoing model, as well as using the latest driver assistance systems.

Furthering the model’s green credentials are the high-quality, animal-free

and sustainable materials used where possible through the vehicle – a philosophy VW says it applies throughout the entire ID range of electric vehicles.

For the ID.4 and coupe-styled ID.5 medium SUV range, Volkswagen says buyers can expect up to 522km driving range and choice of 150kW310Nm ID.4 Pro Performance, with 82kWh battery, or the 125kW-310Nm ID.4 Pure Performance, with 55kWh battery, grades.

Pricing for the electric newcomer is targeted at the ballpark of VW’s own Tiguan 162TSI R-Line, which at $57,690 before on-road costs would make the ID.4 a lot more affordable than the least-expensive version of similar-sized rivals including the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, Tesla Model Y or Volvo XC40 Recharge that all cost upward of $70,000.

Both are built upon Volkswagen’s MEB dedicated battery electric architecture, which VW says allows designers and engineers to minimise front and rear overhangs, ensuring greater cabin space and cargo capacity.

The MEB platform also ensures the

heftier kerb weight inherent to BEVs is distributed in a way that benefits steering, ride and handling qualities. It currently underpins a range of models across the Volkswagen Group, including the Audi Q4 e-Tron, Audi Q5 e-Tron, Cupra Born and Skoda Enyaq, as well as the Volkswagen ID.3, ID.4, ID.5 and ID.6. Finally, the ID.Buzz and ID.Buzz Cargo will pursue maximum individuality and style, while also offering functionality, space and a long driving range.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles director Ryan Davies said the ID.Buzz and ID.Buzz Cargo have both gained technical approval for sale in Australia, meaning both are locked in for production at the end of 2024.

“Volkswagen has an incredible heritage with Australians from their love of the iconic Kombi decades ago to their world-beating enthusiasm for Amaroks in the present day,” he said.

“The ID.Buzz is a people mover that stops traffic. People stop, stare and smile. It’s an incredible blend of

style and function that will capture the imagination of Australians – and is reflected by our ambitious sales volumes.

“We expect the ID.Buzz Cargo to sell at least as well, and it’s incredibly appealing for sole traders who want to reduce their emissions in the most fun way possible. This is a proper, from the ground up tradies’ BEV, not a tacked-on reverse engineering of an existing diesel vehicle.”

– Matt Brogan

PRODUCTION READY: Volkwagen’s ID.Buzz and ID.4, pictured, are among five battery electric vehicles the company has approved for sale in Australia.

2013 Toyota Corolla Ascent $14,990

Peugeot’s plug-in Partner ready

Inconjunction with announcing the price of its new e-Partner fully electric van last week, Peugeot’s Australian distributor has commenced a pre-order ‘expressions of interest’ system for the light commercial van due from the middle of this year.

The new Peugeot ePartner battery electric vehicle, BEV, will hit the light van market priced from $59,990 plus on-road costs, closely rivalling Renault’s Kangoo electric Maxi ZE LWB priced from $50,398 plus onroad costs.

The French brand’s generation three Partner petrol van range starts at $35,606 plus on-road costs for the 1.2 Pro Short model.

The main protagonist in the segment, VW, does not have an electric model in its Australian line-up at the moment and Ford is yet to launch its eTransit.

Few other electric vans are available in Australia in any segment apart from the Mercedes eVito medium van from $89,353 and the LDV Deliver 9 large van from $116,537, both plus on-road costs.

Prospective buyers of the ePartner are being directed to pre-order through the authorised Peugeot dealer network or order online.

The ePartner will be Peugeot’s first fully-electric vehicle on the Australian market and precedes a number of BEVs from the manufacturer scheduled for this year and next.

Peugeot Australia will offer the ePartner in one spec’ only in long wheelbase configuration that will be powered by a 50kWh lithium-ion battery with a claimed WLTP range of 245km.

The van is built on Peugeot’s EMP2 modular multi-energy-platform designed to deliver smooth performance and secure handling and will feature a 100 percent electric engine with a maximum power output of 100kW and maximum torque of 260Nm.

Of critical importance to commercial users, the ePartner’s indicative charging times for the 50kWh battery are about 7.5 hours from 0-100 percent capacity via a three phase 16A wallbox and about 30 minutes rapid charge from 0-80 percent capacity via a DC current 100kW appliance.

Peugeot says the e-Partner van can accelerate from standstill to 100kmh in 11.7 seconds on its way to an electronically limited top speed of 130kmh.

Honda Civic Type R sold out for two years

Supply problems are bad enough at the best of times, but there is one thing Honda definitely has an oversupply of – demand for its hot new Civic Type R.

The company currently holds more than 1000 orders for its 2.0-litre turbocharged hot hatch, and while its waiting list forecast for that particular model was ‘up to 20 months’ at the end of January, that’s now swelled to 24 months from March.

Honda Australia general manager of automotive Matthew Evans said the model had exceeded expectations.

“We’ve taken more than a thousand

orders, so we’re managing that pipeline – we’re optimistic about being able to fill those customer orders,” he said.

However, Honda Australia managing director Carolyn McMahon said that order bank was enough to soak up 24 months of allocation at present levels.

Speaking to GoAuto, she said that while Type R supply was projected to be steady rather than sporadic, the huge level of interest in the vehicle –not just in Australia but in Europe, the USA and Japan – meant allocations would be limited for the foreseeable future.

Honda Japan issued a stop-sale on the Civic Type R to all its dealers in mid-January, which has yet to be lifted, though at this stage Honda Australia is not talking about adopting a similar strategy to bring demand back into alignment with supply.

The Civic Type R has very little in the way of range complexity – with no factory-fitted options besides colour, all Type Rs for the Australian market are offered in just one specification level.

Even so, some colours have a longer waiting list than most, with white cars understood to have the greatest demand and, thus, the longest ETA.

The electric motor fitted to the model drives the front wheels via a singlespeed transmission.

Peugeot says the e-Partner is not only efficient but practical, with a loading volume of 3.9 cubic metres.

The body is 4750mm long and features dual rear barn doors, while the entire vehicle is designed to provide a workspace ‘ready for the day ahead’.

Particular attention has been paid to the work-a-day cabin, which Peugeot designed with function front of mind.

Like petrol-powered Partner, the BEV’s two seat passenger space features a durable Curitiba grey cloth trim and numerous storage options.

The e-Partner boasts convenience and safety technologies including Peugeot’s signature i-Cockpit.

Convenience and safety technologies include bluetooth phone connectivity, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, autonomous emergency braking, electronic stability program, lane keep assist, speed sign recognition, a reversing camera and rear parking sensors.

Peugeot will back the fully electric ePartner with a five-year-200,000km warranty, a three-year paintwork and 12-year corrosion warranty, as well as an eight-year-160,000km battery warranty.

It will be available in four colours: ice white, nera black metallic, artense grey metallic and platinum grey metallic, optional at $690.

Peugeot Australia managing director Kate Gillis said the third generation Partner arrived in Australia in 2018 and since then had proven to meet a variety of needs for local small and medium sized businesses.

“We believe the benefits of the fully electric e-Partner will resonate with Australian consumers seeking a highly capable and efficient workhorse,” she said.

Full Australian specifications will be released at the on-sale date.

IN DEMAND: Supply constraints and high demand sees hot hatch buyers facing long waiting list.

PRACTICAL: Peugeot says the e-Partner is not only efficient but practical, with a loading volume of 3.9 cubic metres.

ALL HAWKS, NETBALL AUSTRALIA, BIG 4 AND MELBOURNE CITY FOOTBALL CLUB MEMBERS AND NISSAN OWNERS

www.consortiumpw.com.au

1. True or false? Bats and some marsupials such as sugar gliders are the only mammals capable of selfpowered flight.

2. What now inactive Volcano between Warrnambool and Port Fairy erupted about 30,000 years ago?

3. How long does it take for blood to make a full circuit around the body and back to the heart? A. One second. B. One minute. C. One hour. D. One day.

4. What is the connection between the 1854 Battle of Alma during the Crimean War and Northern Grampians Shire?

5. People who study or are experts on birds are known as what?

6. What was the name of the debut album released by provocative 1970s Australian musical band Skyhooks?

7. On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first people to walk on the moon. There was a third astronaut on the 1969 Apollo 11 mission, who stayed in orbit around the moon. What was his name?

8. The leader of the Eureka uprising Peter Lalor went on to become Speaker in the Victorian Parliament. What personal disability did he have that was a constant reminder of his role in the rebellion?

9. Australia’s Mountain Ash trees have the claim, specifically, as the world’s what?

10. What western Victorian town is nationally recognised as the birthplace of the Australian kelpie farm dog?

lins. 8. He was badly wounded during the Eureka battle and lost an arm. 9. Tallest flowering

ing in the Seventies. The band’s second album was Ego is Not a Dirty Word. 7. Mike -Col

4. The French commander in chief of the victorious Anglo-French force was Jacques Leroy de Saint Arnaud. St Arnaud is also a town in Northern Grampians. 5. Ornithologists. 6. -Liv

1.False. Bats are the only mammals capable of true flight. 2. Tower Hill. 3. B. One minute.

www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au

ARIES:

(March 21- April 20)

Lucky Colour: Blue

Lucky Day: Friday

Racing Numbers: 1.3.2.5.

Lotto Numbers: 1.12.26.36.30.33. You could be too trusting with some people – it would be a good idea to investigate matters before you decide on anything important like business or money matters. Sometimes it is wiser to keep your affairs away from the public.

TAURUS:

(April 21- May 20)

Lucky Colour: White

Lucky Day: Monday

Racing Numbers: 3.2.6.5.

Lotto Numbers: 2.13.25.45.40.9. If you believe that you are absolutely right then you must do things your way even if it could conflict with other people’s ideas. Using tact will, of course, help your cause much more. Someone will surprise you in some way.

GEMINI:

(May 21- June 21)

Lucky Colour: Green

Lucky Day: Monday

Racing Numbers: 4.5.2.1.

Lotto Numbers: 4.12.26.9.22.1. It’s time to take stock of what you really want to do in life. Many opportunities could be missed if you do not make up your mind. Give yourself time to relax and enjoy social life. Also a relationship could turn into much more.

CANCER:

(June 22- July 22)

Lucky Colour: Fawn

Lucky Day: Tuesday

Racing Numbers: 2.3.2.1.

Lotto Numbers: 2.13.26.36.39.5. It would be a good idea to let your partners know about your decisions before starting anything important in business or personal relationships. You could be in a position to save money very soon.

LEO:

(July 23- August 22)

Lucky Colour: Orange

Lucky Day: Wednesday

Racing Numbers: 4.6.2.1.

Lotto Numbers: 1.12.15.26.30.33.

Very exciting period in which you have a chance to try something completely different and maybe join people who have new ideas. Travel could also be on the agenda and visitors from far away will make your life happy.

VIRGO:

(August 23- September 23)

Lucky Colour: Blue

Lucky Day: Wednesday

Racing Numbers: 2.3.2.1.

Lotto Numbers: 2.13.26.25.40.44.

A period in which you should feel energetic, happy and full of enthusiasm for life. Some luck is indicated and some born under the same sign could be lucky with you. Look after your health during this period.

LIBRA:

(September 24- October 23)

Lucky Colour: Cream

Lucky Day: Thursday

Racing Numbers: 2.3.1.5.

Lotto Numbers: 2.13.26.25.28.7.

The beauty of your surroundings will be very important to your moods so make sure you have something colourful near you or on you. You will be feeling much happier then and more satisfied with results of your efforts.

SCORPIO:

(October 24- November 22)

Lucky Colour: Peach

Lucky Day: Tuesday

Racing Numbers: 2.3.9.5.

   

Lotto Numbers: 5.6.12.23.36.39. Do not rush into anything important during this period and your loved ones will need your support very much. Not a good time to confide in people, keep your secrets to yourself.

SAGITTARIUS:

(November 23- December 20)

Lucky Colour: Cream

Lucky Day: Monday Racing Numbers: 2.3.5.6.

Lotto Numbers: 2.13.26.36.30.45.

People will be ready to hand out advice but their expertise might not be up to par; seek professional help for important matters. Take your health problems seriously and get help before things get worse. Good period for romance.

CAPRICORN:

(December 21- January 19)

Lucky Colour: Pink

Lucky Day: Sunday

Racing Numbers: 2.3.2.1.

Lotto Numbers: 2.13.20.30.11.15. You must take care of yourself now and let others worry about their problems. Sympathy is all very well but you can over do it and some people can use your interest for their own ends. You could find a new way to earn some extra money.

AQUARIUS:

(January 20- February 19)

Lucky Colour: Purple

Lucky Day: Sunday Racing Numbers: 6.2.3.1.

Lotto Numbers: 6.12.23.30.22.29. This is a very vulnerable period in many ways. There are possibilities of some deceit around you so make sure no one will be able to steal from you. Also in personal matters do not take people on face value.

PISCES:

(February 20- March 20)

    For the week April 9 - April 15

WIth KerrY KULKeNs Visit KERRY KULKENS MAGIC SHOP at 1693 Burwood Hwy, Belgrave Ph/Fax 9754 4587 WWW.KERRYKULKENS.COM.AU Like us on Facebook 250 Barkly Street Ararat P h 5352 2616 www araratastorcinema com au Screening Times Thurs 6 April to Wed April 12 Disabled Access is Available only in Cinema 1 inema international the worlds nes t lms thur *7 30pm sat *12 50, *4 10 & *6 00pm sun *3 50 & 5 40pm mon *12 50 & *2 40pm tue *12 50, *2 40 & 5 50pm wed *12 50, *2 40 & 5 50pm sat 5 10pm wed 4 50pm tue 7 30pm sat 3 10 & *7 45pm sun 3 30 & *7 40pm mon 3 10p m tue 1 00 & *7 10pm wed 3 10 & *7 00pm thur 7 40pm sat 7 50pm sun 7 30pm tue 4 50pm wed 7 30pm sat 3 20pm sun 5 50pm sat *2 30pm mon 1 10pm tue 1 10pm wed 1 10pm sat 1 10pm sun 3 40pm mon 1 00p m tue 3 40pm wed 1 00pm thur 7 50pm sat 1 00, 5 40 & 7 30pm sun *5 30 & 7 50pm mon 2 50p m tue 2 50, *4 30 & 7 40pm wed 2 50 *4 30 & 7 40pm Screening Ti mes : T hr APR 06 to Wed APR 12 TICKETS AVAILABLE ONLINE: www ho rshamcentrecinemas com au follow us on: the worlds nest lms inema international 41 Pynsent St Horsham ph 5382 1249 www horshamcentrecinemas com au Thr 7 50 pm Sat 7 50 pm Sun 7 30 pm Mon 4 50 pm Tue 4 20 pm Wed 7 40 pm Tue 7 40 pm Sat 5 10 pm Mon 5 40 pm Sat 3 20 pm Sun 5 40 pm Thr 8 00 pm Sat 3 10 7 45 pm Sun 3 30 7 40 pm Mon 3 00 pm Tue 1 00 4 50 7 20 pm Wed 3 10 4 50 7 00 pm Thr 6 10 pm Sat 12 50 4 15 6 00 pm Sun 3 50 5 50 pm Mon 12 50 2 40 pm Tue 12 50 2 40 5 50 pm Wed 12 50 2 40 5 50 pm Thr 5 50 pm Sat 1 00 5 40 7 30 pm Sun 5 30 7 30 pm Mon 2 50 4 30 pm Tue 2 50 7 30 pm Wed 2 50 4 30 7 30 pm Sat 2 30 pm Mon 1 05 pm Tue 1 05 pm Wed 1 05 pm Sat 1 10 pm Sun 3 40 pm Mon 1 00 pm Tue 3 40 pm Wed 1 00 pm

Lucky Colour: White

Lucky Day: Wednesday Racing Numbers: 1.3.2.1.

   

Lotto Numbers: 1.12.26.36.30.44. Special people could help you to achieve something you have been hoping for, for some time. Show a little affection to loved ones who could feel left out in your own busy life. Some luck with Libra people.

Easter Eggstras

BUNNY FUNNIES

Q: How does the Easter Bunny keep his fur looking so nice?

A: He uses hare spray.

Q: Why did the Easter egg hide?

A: He was a little chicken.

Q: How does the Easter Bunny stay fit?

A: Eggs-ercise.

Each year, Easter is celebrated in one of which two months?

Easter baskets are normally filled

Rabbits live in burrows that are often called by what name starting with W?

Which marsupial is celebrated as an Australian alternative to the Easter Bunny?

Officer Judy Hopps (pictured) is the main character in which animated movie?

6. What food product is often dyed and decorated at Easter?

In the nursery rhyme, how many hot cross buns will a penny buy you?

And currently how many hot cross buns usually come in a pack?

Which chocolate brand’s main colour is

What is a baby chicken called?

ANSWERS:

SPOT 10 DIFFERENCES EASTER EGGS

Can you work out what the missing letter is that spells an 8-letter word? It could read either clockwise or anticlockwise.

Chocolate eggs

Warrens 4. Bilby 5. Zootopia 6. Eggs 7. One or two

Cadbury 10. A chick

Easter Eggstras

WORDFILL

Carve (4) 5 Challenge (4) 6 Nibble persistently (4) 7 Easter treats (4)

1 Border (4) 2 Stong taste

3 Mountain goat’s perch (4)

Chops

5x5 CROSSWORD

SOLUTION

EASTER QUIZ

1. kalti paarti carving is an Aboriginal art form that uses what type of eggs?

2. The cross on a hot cross bun is typically a paste made from what two ingredients?

3. Cadbury, Milka and Toblerone are all owned by which multinational company?

4. which zodiac sign falls within the Easter period this year?

5. In Irish, which day is known as Aoine an Chéasta?

6. what name is given to hidden messages, jokes and cultural references inserted into media?

7. The Easter Bunny is believed to have originated which country?

8. In which British Overseas Territory is it tradition to construct and fly kites at Easter?

9. Swiss chocolatier and confection company Lindt (pictured) was founded in which decade?

10. what day marks the first day of Lent?

WORDFIND

SOLUTION

ION:tUlOs The hoppiest four day weekend of the year

Starting with the six-letter word, drop a letter and form a five-letter word.

Continue in this manner until you reach the single letter at the bottom. You can rearrange the letters in each step, if necessary.

There may be more than one possible answer.

ION:tUlOs Across: Epsom, Tripe, Hunts, Edges, Reedy. Down: Ether, Prude, Singe, Opted, Messy.

tV GUIDe

Brush With Fame (PG) 5:30 Hard Quiz (PG) 6:00

Meet The Penguins 7:00 ABC News 7:30

Gardening Australia 8:30 Van der Valk (M v)

10:05 Jack Irish (M l,v)

12:00 No Man’s Land (PG) 2:00 Wild Transport (M l,s) 3:00 STIHL

Timbersports (PG) 3:30 Restoration Workshop (PG) 4:30 Shipping Wars (PG)

5:00 Storage Wars Texas (PG) 5:30 American Restoration (PG) 6:00 American Pickers (PG)

7:00 Pawn Stars (PG) 7:30 Movie: “The Recruit” (M l,v) (’03) Stars: Al Pacino 9:35

Movie: “Anaconda” (M l,v) (’97) Stars: Ice Cube 11:30 Armchair Experts (M)

1:25 Waffle The Wonder Dog 2:05 Book Hungry Bears 2:30 Daniel

Tiger’s Neighbourhood 2:55 Circle Square

3:30 Play School 4:00 Andy’s Prehistoric Adventures 4:25 Odo

6:00 The Talk 7:00 Farm To Fork 7:30 Good Chef Bad Chef 8:00 Everyday Gourmet 8:30 Entertainment Tonight (PG) 9:00 Judge Judy (PG) 9:30 The Bold & The Beautiful (PG) 10:00 Studio 10 (PG) 12:00 Planet Shapers 12:30 My Market Kitchen 1:00 Dr Phil (M)

2:00 TBA 3:00 Entertainment Tonight (PG)

3:30 Judge Judy (PG) 4:00 Good Chef Bad Chef 4:30 The Bold & The Beautiful (PG)

5:00 10 News First 6:30

5:00 Worldwatch 9:10 Paddington Station 24/7 (PG) 10:00 Rick Steve’s Europe 11:00 Susan Calman’s Grand Day Out (PG) 12:00 Worldwatch 2:00 Mastermind 3:00 NITV News: Nula 3:35 The Cook Up With Adam Liaw (PG) 4:05 Royal History’s Myths And Secrets (PG) 5:05 Jeopardy!

v) 2:00 Death In Paradise (PG) 3:00

Scottish Vets Down Under (PG) 3:30

Stargazing - Moon And Beyond 4:30

Landline 5:00 The Truth About Getting Fit

At Home (PG) 6:00 Back In Time For The Corner Shop (PG) 7:00 ABC News 7:30 The

Larkins (PG) 8:20 Under The Vines (M) 9:05

Grantchester (PG) 9:55 In Our Blood (M l,s)

10:45 Traces (M d,l) 11:30 rage Guest Programmer (MA15+) 5:00 rage (MA15+)

1:00 House Of Wellness (PG)

2:00 Escape To The Country

3:00 Australia’s Amazing Homes (PG) 4:00

Impossible Builds (PG)

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

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

7:00 AFL: Round 4: Sydney v Port Adelaide *Live* 10:30 AFL: Post Game 11:00 Movie: “The Long Kiss Goodnight” (M

Council Of Dads (PG) 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 Movie: “Sonic The Hedgehog” (G) (’20) Stars: Ben Schwartz

7:30 Movie: “Stargate” (PG) (’94) Stars: Kurt

Russell 10:00 Movie: “The Dark Tower” (M)

(’17) Stars: Idris Elba 11:50 Duncanville (M)

1:00 Blokesworld (M) 1:30 Cool Cars With Dermott And Elise

(PG) 2:00 Top Doorslammer (PG) 4:00 Last Car Garage (PG) 4:30 Irish Pickers (PG) 5:30

Storage Wars (PG) 6:00 Pawn Stars (PG)

6:30 AFL: Pre-Game: Sydney v Port Adelaide *Live* From The SCG 7:00 Movie:

“Peter Rabbit” (PG) (’18) Stars: James Corden 8:50 Movie: “Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children” (PG) (’16)

1:25 Charlie And Lola 2:05 Book Hungry Bears 2:30 Daniel Tiger’s Neighbourhood 3:00 Rusty And The Temple Of Boom 3:30 Play School 4:00 Andy’s Wild Workouts 4:25 Odo 5:00 Peppa Pig 5:30 Kiri And Lou 6:05 Octonauts 6:30 Peter Rabbit

7:05 Grace’s Amazing Machines 7:30 Spicks And Specks 8:00 Whose Line Is It Anyway? (PG) 8:25 Live From The BBC (M l,s) 9:10 Melbourne Comedy Festival (M)

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

Macarthur FC v Western Sydney Wanderers *Live* From Campbelltown Stadium 10:15 MacGyver (M)

1:00 Power Rangers Dino Super Charge (PG) 1:30 Pokemon XYZ

2:00 Movie: “Pokémon: Zoroark: Master Of Illusions” (G) (’10) Stars: Ikue Ôtani 4:00 IndyCar Series Highlights 5:05 About A Boy

7:05 Jeopardy!

Hoarders (M)

8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown (M l,s)

Sex Before The Internet (MA15+) 10:00 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo 10:30 Pointless (PG)

Movie: “The Captain’s Paradise” (G) (’53) Stars: Alec Guinness 1:20 Britain’s Best Home Cook 2:30 One Star To Five Star (PG)

NRL: Bulldogs v Rabbitohs *Live* From Accor Stadium 6:00 Dr Quinn Medicine Woman (PG) 7:00 Antiques Roadshow 7:30 NRL: Cowboys v Dolphins *Live* From Country Bank Stadium

12:00 ABC News 1:00 Under The Vines 1:45

Grantchester (M v) 2:30 Back Roads 3:00

Escape From The City 4:00 Antiques

Roadshow 5:00 Anh’s Brush With Fame (PG)

5:30 Hard Quiz (PG) 6:00 The Drum 7:00

ABC News 7:30 7.30 (PG) 8:00 Australian

Story 8:30 Four Corners

tV GUIDe

Operation

Ouch! 7:00 Horrible Histories 7:35 Kong:

King Of The Apes 8:00 Kung Fu Panda:

Legends Of Awesomeness

12:00 ABC News 1:00 Richard Leplastrier -

Framing The View 1:55 Short Cuts To Glory: Matt Okine vs Food 2:30 Back Roads 3:00

Escape From The City 4:00 Antiques

Roadshow 4:55 Anh’s Brush With Fame (PG)

5:30 Hard Quiz (PG) 6:00 The Drum 7:00

ABC News 7:30 7.30 (PG) 8:00 Hard Quiz

(PG) 8:35 The Weekly With Charlie Pickering

(PG) 9:05 Aunty Donna’s Coffee Cafe (M l,s)

Legends Of Awesomeness

The One Cleaning Service

Ph: 5382 2387

The one for all your cleaning needs

Locally owned and operated since 1999, The One Cleaning Service is the business for all your cleaning needs with an amazing 21 years in business!

Proud owners Michael and Jenni Tucker have made a well-known name for themselves across the Wimmera, Mallee and Grampians. After 20 years in business, they have developed a very good and loyal, but ever growing clientele across the region. A credit to their outstanding hard work.

The One Cleaning Service provides virtually any cleaning service, such as general cleaning, tile and grout cleaning, upholstery cleaning, and window cleaning inside and out.

Michael and Jenni also offer specialist cleaning service, from exit and empty house cleans, to home help, commercial and domestic cleans, steam cleaning of carpets and stripping and sealing vinyl floors.

The One Cleaning Service is available by appointment. You can call Michael & Jenni on 5382 2387 to obtain a free, no obligation quote for all your cleaning needs.

Classifieds

Thank you

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

Beautiful Chihuahua puppies ready for new homes, Long hair 3F, 1M, source# EE206537, vacc, chipped, wormed m/chip# 935010006382689/95301000638 2681/953010006382737 Ph Rose

0400711481

Purebred Labrador Puppies 2 male, 5 female. Vaccinated, wormed & microchipped, DOB 26/11/22, source # MB120138, microchip # 953010006239182/07 0/183/245/184/189/246 $2,200 Ph 0427396114

2000 Jayco Freedom pop-top caravan, tandem, engel upright fridge, 12v system with inbuilt battery charger and solar kit, island d/bed and brand new mattress, light weight, easy to tow $17,900ono Ph 0400894020

2005 Jayco pop-top 16’, reg til 12/23, EC, island d/bed, new annex, battery, kitchen and extras $20,000ono Ph 0428854313

Lumik car fridge, 40lt, 12v plus 240v, GC, works well $250 Ph 0447972097

Makita compound saw with stand $1000 Ph 0428525970 Nelson silo, 500 bag capacity, cone bottom, located Massey $700 Ph 0427981227

Bird cage $120 Ph 0428730777

Birds for sale, opaline turks, Bourkes all colours inc rubino, pied, cream, pink and rosa, 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, microchipped, vaccinated and wormed, m/ chip# 985141005191609/202548 /202223/201120/193890, source# EE188958 $1500 Ph or text 0493111730

Budgerigars, show birds at pet prices Ph 0447080439

Budgies, babies available $10ea

Ph 0423976711

Budgies, just out of nest, pastel colours and lace wings $10ea Ph 0419505737

Budgies, young, asstd colours $10ea Ph 0423182267

Central bearded dragon hatchlings, 2 males, hatched 28/11/22, licence # 13411918-B, $130ea Ph 55851231 Edenhope.

REDUCED Great Dane X Mastiff puppies ready to go now, vacc, chipped, wormed, healthy and happy, DOB 20/11/22, source no# MB166978, mc # 3953010 006239217/235/205/098/236/099/ 170/6393273/274, $500 each,Ph 0492486058

Roosters and ducks wanted Ph 0469740723

Salami pigs wanted Ph 0481864397

Young pigs 2mth old, well bred, free ranged, suitable to spit or grow out, PIC# 3H5CG003 from $100ea Ph 0439834521

The Weekly Advertiser welcomes your advertising. We are required strictly by law to include specific information on some items when publishing your adv your obligations are as follows:

ANIMALS -

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

• Individual microchip numbers

• Vet certificate to exclude individual animals from needing microchips

• Domestic animal-business number

PLUS a source number from the Pet Exchange Register LIVESTOCK*Selling, giving away or bartering of all livestock must include a Property Identification Code (PIC number) in the advertisement.

Galaxy 2007, new Tebbs annexe, a/c, oven, fridge, rego, batteries $25,000ono Ph 0402933972

Massey

Panel saw Linea Precision sliding table Panel saw model P3200, 3 phase 2004 make, cutting length is 3.10mm cutting depth is 100mm $8800 Ph Michael 0407744076

Steel fireguard/fence with gate 1mx1mx800H, very stable VGC $200ono Ph 53564225.

Stock crate, steel (Ute) 7’ x 6’ $150 Ph 0428826809

Stock crate, steel 2 deck 15’ x 8’ $600 Ph 0428826809

Jayco Outback Swan 10/2007, comes fully equipped, reg until Dec 23, all standard features, queen and double bed, sleeps 5, lots of storage, 3 way fridge/ freezer, microwave, 4 burner cooktop, full annexe, roof storage rack and bike rack, Anderson plug for on road charging, inspections welcome, $17,500 price negotiable Ph 0417160279

Mars Camper Trailer, hard floor annex, electric winch, GC $6000 neg Ph 0427957212

Barbers Chair , mechanically perfect $880 Ph 0499769869

Stock crate, steel sides, 15’ x 8’ $250 Ph 0428826809

Superior Miltihead slasher mower, 8’, as new condition $4500 Ph 53826461 or 0429309491

Transportable home , Bond home, 2 bedroom, VGC, includes verandah and hot water service and water tank, can arrange delivery, currently in Stawell, new $164,000 sell for $85,000 Ph Ken 0428123694

Caterpillar 2017 4 ton diesel forklift, operated 480 hours, $49,500 inc GST of $4500 Ph Michael 0407744076

CPAP Fisher & Paykel with modem, low hours, pressure checked, data erased, for sleep apnea, EC, used twice $650 Ph 0429092059

Craft generator, 5.5hp, 240v $400 Ph 0487313892

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

Eclectus parrots, Eclectus hen approx 18 months aviary bird not pet $600, breeding pair $1400, raise babies to perfection Ph 0492486058 Dimboola

Ferrets, 8wks to 18mths $30ea

Ph 0418843180 Nhill

Goats wanted Ph 0427361940

Muscovy ducks $10, drakes $20

Ph 0429842236

Pure breed black faced Dorper ewe lambs, pic# 3HSDC083 Ph Liz 0419664345

1999 Jayco 16’ pop-top caravan with unused annex, GC $14,500 Ph 0400823134

Mazda BT3-500 Motorhome , 1991 10spd, modern interior, sleeps 3, full RWC, full complianced, EC $39,000 Ph for full details 0411450027

Viscount pop-up caravan with safety cord and extension cord, 2-way fridge, 4-cooker, oven, collapsible kettle, compact cookware set, foldable dish drainer, microwave, air conditioner, 1 d/bed, 1 s/bed, L-shape sofa, ample storage $5700neg Text 0419600049 or 0405516207

Windsor Caravan 1998, 19’6 Statesman, island bed, reading lights, battery pack skylight, aircon, gas stove, microwave, fridge, rollout awning, annexe walls ECT $19,500 Ph 53820505

Hafco saw bench with sliding table $800 Ph 0428525970

Land for lease , 860 acres, cropping/grazing, Miga Lake $70 per acre, 3yr terms and 640 acres, cropping/grazing, Douglas $65 per acre, 3yr term Ph 0429811803

1 Solid wood bed and 2 side tables 2 1/2 years old, 1 mattress, warranty 7 1/2 years left $2300ono Ph 0459602388

8 Riverland dining chairs Harvey Norman, half price, as new $1436 Ph 0428861127

CLEARANCE SALE

Vintage shop at Former Pickers market, Longfield street, Stawell for 2 weeks from Easter Saturday. From 10am- 3 pm.

End of an era!!!

Swiss, French, Austrian and Irish laces. Incredible range of Swiss embroidered motifs at $2 per packet.

1999 Jayco pop-top, single beds, microwave, gas stove, 3way fridge, awning and full annexe, registered til Oct 23 $14,000ono Ph 0427481431 Murtoa

Massive stock of vintage buttons, braids, cottons, fabrics, wool fringing, doylies, linen, jewellery, collectables and more.

REAL CLEARANCE PRICES!

Massey Ferguson 585 12’ Header has been shedded for most of its life $1000ono Ph 0421442050 $28.60

Ferguson small bale pickup hay loader, GC $500 or highest offer Ph 0428504449

New Brooks Adrenaline mens sneakers, size 12 $80 Ph 0427993510

As new condition Stirling dishwasher, 8mths old, balance of 3yr warranty $165 Ph and text 0431215956 Ararat

Haines Hunter, 560SL, 1989

Motor Vehicles $10,000 - $20,000

Motor Vehicles over $20,000

Computer desk , sliding keyboard, plenty of storage $100 Ph 0414899872

EC, Yamaha O/B 140 hp, oil injected,160lts F/ T, cray pot winch, rod holders, lowrance fish finder, live bait tank, cutting table, HF marine radios, S/Gear, canopy, boat cover, EPIRB, flares, life jackets, Mackay tandem axle trailer 57502, 02/2003 s/guard, boat latch $39,000 Ph Barrie 0427861004

Hobie Mirage Passport 12.0 pedal kayak with motor, 50AH lithium battery and motor controller, extra hatch covers added $2,500 Ph 0407305457

Kawasaki Versys-X 300 SE ABS, 2018, heated grips, barkbuster handguards, carry rack and bag, reg until 8/23, RWC, 2H6ZJ 7300kms $5000 inc Gst Ph 0428852409 Murtoa

Holden Colorado LTR , dual cab, 3lt turbo diesel, auto trans, 4WD, towbar, side steps, lock up canopy, reg til 10/23, RWC, WRL987 $20,000 Ph 0428504449

REDUCED 2017 Hyundai Tucson Elite , 1.6l Turbo 81,000kms, like new inside and out 1KJ3ZQ $27,000ono Ph 0458030097

Rare Astor roller dial console radio, ex working order and cond Ph 53824316

REDUCED Yamaha CLP330

Clavinova Digital Piano, EC, great sound and feel, includes stool $2250 Ph0428894232

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

Matured limebush $50, matured curry leaf $70, other matured herbs available Ph 0418843389

New Omega electric oven display model, 900mm L, 800mm H, 560mm, D $1000neg Ph 0427993510

Steel fireguard/fence with gate 1mx1mx800H, very stable VGC $200ono Ph 53564225.

REDUCED Suzuki DRZ400 motorbike, 2020, 12mths reg, 1800kms, 2L2KO $8000 Ph 0417050612

Tyre 195 70R14, new, suits Camry Conquest $90 Ph 0407561135

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

Toyota Hilux 2wd 2009 SR

Twin Cab V6 5spd manual, EC, 210,000kms XGK391 $14,000ono Ph 0444593135

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

Student Cello and Bow $500 Ph 0427712331

Marcy Exercise Bike as new $100ono Ph 0458192247

Second hand 3 wheel jogger pram Ph 0437855189

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

2019 Evolution 600 Apex

Extreme, on Dunbier rull roller deluxe alloy trailer, Mercury 225hp 3.4lt V6 four stroke engine, elec power steering, fully equipped for crayfishing in SA and is equipped with anchor maz pot puller, marine carpets, full protection mat, always garaged, new as cond, low engine hours, genuine reason for sale, private sale, interested buyers may ring obligation free for further details, boat garaged in Robe, South Australia, VK748 $128,000 Ph 0418548726

Speedboat, 4.8m, 202 red motor, dog clutch, reg NBO069 and trailer Q99607 $5600 Ph 0409423541

Vicking Fisherman canoe with paddles, 3.6mtrs, with wheels. $900. Ph 0419590475

The Weekly Advertiser welcomes your advertising. We are required strictly by law to include specific information on some items when publishing your advertisement. A snapshot of your obligations are as follows: BOATSAll advertisements for boats must include:

• Hull number or registration number of the boat If a trailer is included with the boat, the advertisement must also include:

• Registration number or chassis number of the trailer.

Light blue Toyota Corolla 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

2009 Chrysler Pt Cruiser GT, black, fully option car, RWC and reg supplied, EC, lady owner, 115,000kms, XMS899 $9000ono

Ph 0428123694

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

Mazda B2600 Ute, 1999, petrol,2wd, aluminium tray, 5sp manual, roo bar,120,000kms, PTA 607, $5800, Ph 0427852270

Motor Vehicles $10,000 - $20,000

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

Motor Vehicles over $20,000

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

Airia, Fstyle, Mandolin with hard case, EC $300 Ph 0413207022

3.7 Stacer Alum Boat, 18HP

Tohatsu Motor, boat and motor covers, boat Tx874, trailer Y98760 $5000 Ph 0418810802

Ph 0409524112

Mobility Gopher Pathfinder 140XL as new condition with new batteries $3000 Ph 0427957212

2017 Holden BL Astra, 1.4l turbo petrol with auto, RWC, 4 new tyres, reg til 5/23, one owner, always shedded, full tank of petrol included, genuine reason for sale, 60,000km service done by Wilson Bolton Horsham, in# KL3BD5EMIHK63383743,000kms $17,500 Ph

Rod 0447613208

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

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

Invacare Comet Alpine Gopher, VGC, batteries replaced recently, charger, lights, indicators $1150

Horsham Country Music Inc. are pleased to present two spectacular shows

Peter Coad & the Coad Sisters

Dinner & Show at the RSL

Thursday, April 13

Start: 5.30pm Meal served: 6.30pm Cost: $45 (Two course meal & Country Music)

Morning Melodies at the RSL

Friday, April 14

$20 (Includes morning tea) Start: 10am Finish: 11.45am

Tickets available from: Horsham RSL, 36 McLachlan St, Horsham

Telephone: 03 5382 5912 (Bookings essential)

The Weekly Advertiser, 3WM and MixxFM Easter Trading Hours

The office will be closed:

Friday, April 7 (Good Friday)

PUBLIC

Monday, April 10 (Easter Monday

Revised radio and newspaper deadlines are in place. Please contact your advertising consultant for more details. Alternatively, phone the station on 5382 1351.

Please note: classified deadlines remain the same

in writing. Submissions are to be received by no later than 5pm Wednesday 3 May 2023 and sent to: Chief Executive Officer Northern Grampians Shire Council PO Box 580 Stawell VIC 3380

Any submissions received must be considered by the Council and any person making a submission is entitled to state in the submission that he or she wishes to appear in person, or to be represented by a person specified in the submission, at a meeting to be heard in support of the submission. Please note that copies of submissions (including submitters’ names and addresses) will be made available at the Council meeting at which the proposal will be considered. The submission will form part of the minutes of the meeting which are made available on the Council’s website.

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR AN EXPLORATION LICENCE

Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act 1990 (MRSDA) –

Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) (Mineral Industries) Regulations 2019 – Regulation 22(1) and Schedule 1

1. Name and address of the applicant

WIM Resource Pty Ltd

Suite 2004, Level 20, 201 Elizabeth Street, Sydney NSW 2000

2. Contact phone number and email address of the applicant for maps and other information requests Michael Winternitz, Telephone: (02) 9264 1990

Email: mwinternitz@wimresource.com.au

3. Applicant’s website

Further information about this application is available at the following website: www.wimresource.com.au

4. Details of the Application

Application number: EL007977

Locality: 22km south of Horsham Rural City

Area of application: 87 Graticular Sections / 87km2

Date of the application: 23/3/2023

Term the licence is applied for: 5 years

Outline of proposed works: Desktop geological studies and low impact air core exploration drilling. Please refer to WIM website for further details for the application, including the proposed work program.

5. Objections or Comments

Any person may object or comment to a licence being granted. (Section 24 and 24A, Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act 1990). A person who objects or comments must:

a. put the objection or comments in writing; and

b. include the grounds on which it is made.

All objections or comments must be lodged within 21 days after the latest date on which the application was advertised and can be lodged online or posted to: The Minister for Resources, c/- Manager Licensing, Earth Resources Regulation, GPO Box 4509, Melbourne VIC 3001

It is recommended that comments or objections are lodged online at https://rram-vic-gov.my.site.com/ObjectionSubmission to ensure timely consideration. Enquiries can be made by writing to the Manager Licensing at the above address or by phoning the Earth Resources Information Centre on 1300 366 356.

Other Statutory Requirements

Subject to other statutory requirements being satisfied, an exploration licence, if granted, entitles the holder of the licence to explore and search for minerals in the relevant land, but does not entitle the holder to undertake mining. Further information regarding the statutory requirements that must be complied with prior to work being undertaken on a licence, including landowner and occupier consent requirements, is available at https://earthresources.

vic.gov.au/communityand-land-use

PROPOSAL TO UPGRADE TWO TELSTRA MOBILE PHONE BASE STATIONS WITH 4G/5G IN MINYIP AND HORSHAM WEST

6272 Stawell-Warracknabeal Rd Minyip VIC 3392 https://www.rfnsa.com.au/339200

1. The proposal on the existing monopole consists of:

• Removal of (4) Omni antennas

• Installation of (6) panel antennas 2.533m and (3) AIR antennas 0.827m long on the existing headframe

• Ancillary works including cabling and the installation of (6) tower mast amplifiers (3) remote radio units and (3) junction boxes

• Internal works in the existing equipment shelter 110 Natimuk Road Horsham VIC 3400 https://www.rfnsa.com.au/3400012

2. The proposal on the existing lattice tower consists of:

• Removal of (3) panel antennas

• Installation of (3) panel antennas 2.533m long and relocation of (1) AIR antenna on existing mounts on the headframe

• Ancillary works including cabling and the replacement of (3) remote radio units, (6) tower mast amplifiers and (3) junction boxes. Internal works in the existing equipment shelter

3. Telstra regards the proposed installation as Low-impact Facilities under the Telecommunications (Low-impact Facilities) Determination 2018 (“The Determination”) based on the description above.

4. Telstra regards each of the proposed installations as Low-impact Facilities under the Telecommunications (Low-impact Facilities) Determination 2018. 5. In accordance with Section 7 of C564: 2020 Mobile Phone Base Station Deployment Code, we invite you to provide feedback about the proposals. Further information and/or comments should be directed to: Emily Wardlaw on behalf of Telstra, 0422 685 472, consultation@acquirecomm.com.au by Monday 24th April. Further information can also be obtained from www.rfnsa.com.au

11 April 2023 11 April 2023

I NEVER THOUGHT I’D BE HOMELESS.”

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR AN EXPLORATION LICENCE (EL008000)

Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act 1990 (MRSDA) –Section 15(5)

Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) (Mineral Industries)

Regulations 2019 – Regulation 22(1) and Schedule 1

1. Name and address of the applicant

WIM Resource Pty Ltd

Suite 2004, Level 20, 201 Elizabeth Street, Sydney NSW 2000

2. Contact phone number and email address of the applicant for maps and other information requests

Michael Winternitz, Telephone: (02) 9264 1990

Email: mwinternitz@wimresource.com.au

3. Applicant’s website

Further information about this application is available at the following website: www.wimresource.com.au

4. Details of the Application

Application number: EL008000

Locality: 7km north of Horsham Rural City

Area of application: 112 Graticular Sections / 112km2

Date of the application: 23/3/2023

Term the licence is applied for: 5 years

Outline of proposed works: Desktop geological studies and low impact air core exploration drilling. Please refer to WIM website for further details for the application, including the proposed work program.

5. Objections or Comments

Any person may object or comment to a licence being granted. (Section 24 and 24A, Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act 1990).

A person who objects or comments must:

a. put the objection or comments in writing; and

b. include the grounds on which it is made.

All objections or comments must be lodged within 21 days after the latest date on which the application was advertised and can be lodged online or posted to: The Minister for Resources, c/- Manager Licensing, Earth Resources Regulation, GPO Box 4509, Melbourne VIC 3001

It is recommended that comments or objections are lodged online at https://rram-vic-gov.my.site.com/ObjectionSubmission to ensure timely consideration. Enquiries can be made by writing to the Manager Licensing at the above address or by phoning the Earth Resources Information Centre on 1300 366 356.

Other Statutory Requirements

Subject to other statutory requirements being satisfied, an exploration licence, if granted, entitles the holder of the licence to explore and search for minerals in the relevant land, but does not entitle the holder to undertake mining.

Further information regarding the statutory requirements that must be complied with prior to work being undertaken on a licence, including landowner and occupier consent requirements, is available at https:// earthresources.vic.gov.au/community-and-land-use

horsham@ontgroup.com.au

The full story...

As Chicken Little was walking along the street one day, an acorn fell from a tree and hit chicken on the head. Chicken immediately assumed the worst - the sky was falling. Chicken then went and warned everyone that the sky was falling. Of course, the sky wasn’t falling! How would the sky fall?

We can make assumptions based on little bits and pieces we hear or see. Perhaps we believe what others have said without really exploring the story for ourselves. We might identify with the experience of others, so we have a shared perspective viewed from one experience.

Could this be the way we approach the Easter story? A far-off and distant fairy tale. We have heard too many negative stories about the church or Christians behaving badly. We can get through life on our own. We have built a comfortable life. A happy life. We also see so much trauma, uncertainty, despair and injustice.

If God was truly interested in you, in me, surely God would do something about it. And that’s why the full Easter story is so powerful. God has entered the world. In all its mess and joy. God brings light into the darkest of places through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. This message has changed the world!

Simon Risson – Horsham Church of Christ

horsham@ontgroup.com.au

www.ontgroup.com.au

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

Situations Vacant

Supporting thriving, productive and sustainable communities, environments and industries, at DEECA we’re focused on creating a liveable, inclusive and sustainable Victoria with thriving natural environments where the community is at the centre of everything we do.

Technical Assistant

• Salary: $56,271 - $72,262 (Plus Superannuation)

• Fixed Term to 30 June 2024

• Usual hours of work: Full Time (flexibility may be available)

• Usual work location: Horsham (flexibility may be available)

The Technical Assistant will provide technical support to the field, laboratory and glasshouse activities of the field crops pathology research program at Horsham. The field crop pathology team is a leading provider of disease management solutions for the Australian grains industry and works with national collaborators. The technical assistant duties will include the preparation of field and glasshouse experiments, field sampling of soil and plants, and data recording. The role will support both the field team and laboratory team, so it is desirable that the Technical Assistant has some knowledge or the ability to learn the operation of farm machinery.

To be successful in this role, you will have the ability to efficiently and accurately, prepare seed for trials, sow glasshouse and field experiments and process plant/ soil/grain samples following established procedures along with ability to learn laboratory techniques and operate a range of laboratory equipment using established protocols. If you possess the ability to safely work independently, sometimes remotely, undertaking data capture, sample collection and field assessment, then this could be the position for you.

For a confidential discussion, please contact Hari Dadu, Senior Research Scientist at hari.dadu@agriculture.vic.gov.au..

How to Apply

Please visit the www.careers.vic.gov.au website and search under position number 021433. As part of the application process, you will need to provide a copy of your resume and a cover letter addressing the key selection criteria outlined in the position description.

Applications close at midnight on 11 April 2023.

Christian Devotion

Swimming Teachers in Horsham & Warracknabeal

Do you want to make a difference in a child’s life?

Love working with children and water?

Austswim or Swim Australia

Qualification is desirable, but not essential as we are happy to train the right applicant.

SEND YOUR RESUME TO: PROUSE@WIMMERA.COM.AU

LEADING FARM HAND

Bentley Group is a large organisation at Warracknabeal operating approx. 8000ha of broadacre farm land.

The successful applicant will possess and be responsible in assisting and supervising all farming operations including but not limited to:

• Cropping and spraying operations

• Maintaining farming plant and equipment

Harvesting operations

• Liaising with other staff members

• Good communication skills

• Reporting to management in a timely and precise manner

• Current HA truck licence and Chemical Users Licence an advantage

We are a family friendly business offering a full-time position and an attractive remuneration package based on experience.

Please forward your inquiry to:-

The Managing Director Bentley Group of Companies PO Box 104 Warracknabeal, Vic. 3393 or E-mail: bentleys@netconnect.com.au

be someone making a difference for people in your community Employment Opportunities

**Attractive salary packaging in addition to salary**

See our website for further information

We are seeking committed and passionate people who are ready for exciting and rewarding careers in our growing community health organisation

Mental Health Peer Support Worker

38 hours per week

$31.59 to $34.24 per hour

Contact: Jemima Bibby

Exciting opportunities with The Orange Door based in Horsham

Integrated Practice Leader

19 hours per week

$57.91 per hour

Specialist Family Violence Practitioner

38 hours per week

$39.49 to $45.18 per hour

Contact: Gemma Beavis

Closing: 12pm Monday 17 April 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

PEOPLE & CULTURE MANAGER - FULL TIME

Across Australia Just Better Care provides in-home aged care and disability support services, supporting people to live independently. We are currently recruiting for a People & Culture Manager in our Horsham office.

The People and Culture Manager position is key in ensuring we provide safe and quality service and supports, in line with our values through the attraction, recruitment and retention of our biggest asset, our people.

Essential:

• Current and clear Criminal Record Check

• NDIS Worker Screening Check

• Tertiary qualifications in Human Resource Management.

• Minimum 3 years’ experience in a similar role (advisory level role)

• Extensive experience and knowledge in the application of contemporary HR practices and strategies.

• Comprehensive understanding of change management principles and proven experience in leading change.

• Proven experience in developing and implementing people and culture strategies that have brought about positive results.

• Previous knowledge and experience across the following HR areas: recruitment & selection, orientation & on boarding, training & development, payroll, HR administration, performance management processes, industrial relations and employee relations matters

• Proven interpersonal, communication, consultation and negotiation skills in dealing with a wide range of stakeholders

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Demonstrated organisational and time management skills

• Sound computer skills including Microsoft Office suite & experience with HR systems

• A current driver’s licence.

If you would like to join our growing team and become part of our friendly, professional network please apply today via the following web link. https://applynow.net.au/jobs/JBC1073718 , or via email hr.wv@justbettercare.com

Further information about this role is outlined in the Position

Description. Please contact Just Better Care - Western Victoria on 03 5381 1432 or email  hr.wv@justbettercare.com

Applications must address the Key Selection Criteria. Applications close 5pm Thursday 6 April 2023

be someone making a difference for people in your community Employment Opportunities

**Attractive salary packaging in addition to salary**

See our website for further information

We are seeking committed and passionate people who are ready for exciting and rewarding careers in our growing community health organisation

Co-Facilitator Men’s Behaviour Change Program

15.2 hours per week

$30.63 to $45.18 per hour

Contact: Jemima Bibby

Closing: 12pm Monday 24 April 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

LIVESTOCK TERRITORY SALES MANAGER

Horsham

Elders Territory Sales Managers provide clients with expert livestock sales support and insights. Working both in-branch and travelling the countryside in the iconic pink shirt, Territory Sales Managers assess and prepare livestock for market to obtain maximum value for clients.

What will I do?

• Maintain professional relationships and grow a strong portfolio of new and existing clients

• Identify and cultivate new livestock sales opportunities

• Provide professional onsite livestock advice to clients, recommending appropriate products and services to strengthen their business

Who am I?

• Passionate about effecting real change for both your clients and your community

• Have a passion for livestock sales and an active interest in safe livestock handling

• Driven by sales and success

• Aren’t afraid to roll up your sleeves to build new business

• Have the ability to provide a high level of customer service and cultivate relationships with potential and current clients

For further information please contact Mat Taylor, Branch manager, on 0437 018 787.

To apply go to https://elders.com.au/about-us/careers/current-vacancies/ Applications will be shortlisted as they are received. At Elders, we strive to create a safe environment where everyone can thrive. We aspire to do this by recognising talent, promoting inclusion and celebrating diversity. No matter how you identify, we encourage talented.

Full

Catalogue distributors wanted

Rural Ag Merchandise Sales - Horsham

DMD Horsham are leading Stock & Station Agents located in the Wimmera region of Victoria. Based in Horsham you will provide excellent customer service and assistance to our clients who predominantly specialise in broad acre and livestock farming, as well as being an integral part of the DMD team.

Applicants will have a genuine interest for the farming industry with an agricultural background being an advantage. Ability to learn quickly and be task-focused together with competent computer and sales skills, highly motivated and an eagerness to assist with other roles will be required.

At DMD we believe our staff are our most

Opportunity This Way

Full

Due to a number of internal promotions – Council now has a number of key roles to fill across our outdoor team.

We offer excellent work/life balance with a 9-day fortnight, annual leave, long service leave and aboveaward pay rates. Further details on each individual position can be found on our website, along with details of how to apply at www.hindmarsh.vic.gov.au/work-in-council

Applications close Wednesday 19 April 2023 at 12 noon and must address the key selection criteria as contained in the position description and application form.

For enquiries on these positions, please contact Nhill Customer Service Centre, on 03 5391 4444.

Council is an equal opportunity workplace that offers a diverse and supportive work environment.

an EC you will enjoy working with people from all walks of life, be driven to support our participants to reach their employment goals and also be committed to achieving organisational outcomes.

If this sounds like you we are currently seeking expressions of interest from people who are excited to become part of our team as an Employment Consultant (EC). If you are empathetic, hardworking and a relationship building superstar we would love to speak with you.

Your background may be varied and could include work experience in some of the following industries, however, not mandatory: •

•

•

• Youth work

What can we offer you?

Comprehensive and supportive on the job training

A competitive salary with the ability to purchase additional annual leave

Two additional personal days a year

A great team to be part of!

Fantastic salary packaging so that you take more home each pay ($15,900 pre-tax for rent, mortgage, school fees etc and $2,650 for meals and entertainment)

Opportunities to work across a range of different programs within three states including Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania. What do you need to do?

To register your interest, please search for this role on SEEK or send your application to careers@cvgt.com.au

CVGT Employment is an equal employment opportunity employer. We encourage applications from candidates with culturally diverse backgrounds, including Indigenous Australians and people with disability.

You must have the right to live and work in this location to apply for this position. The successful applicant will need to undergo a National Police Check and have a current Working with Children Check (VIC) or willing to obtain before commencement.

To ensure that CVGT Employment maintains a safe workplace, we prefer candidates to have undertaken their COVID vaccinations, or, to be prepared to have vaccinations in line with Government requirements in the future.

One step further

BY MICHAEL SCALZO

CoaChes

A Grade: Paula Wiedermann

B Grade: Mel Beddison

C Grade: Claire McGennisken

aimed to build on last season and take their results a step further.

Kalkee netballers looked a winning ticket during the early and mid-portions of the 2022 season.

The Kees only found trouble against Noradjuha-Quantong, twice, during the home-and-away leg of the season and entered the final series with confidence despite the rigour of reigning premier Laharum and hot favourite of many, Edenhope-Apsley.

They bowed out of the finals in straight sets.

A Grade coach Paula Wiedermann said the netball department would incorporate increased strength and conditioning practices, along with a more formidable fitness base, to capitalise on the team’s game plan.

“We are lucky we have a calibre of players who enjoy being physically active year-round,” she said.

“We started pre-season in No-

C Reserve: Rachel Goldsmith

17-and-under: Meaghan Pohlner

15-and-under: Mel Schultz

13-and-under: Lotus Martin

to the squad,” she said. Wiedermann said the majority of last season’s A Grade squad had returned ahead of the new season.

“We are fortunate to have maintained most of our A Grade team, along with the inclusion of Jedah Huf who joined us from Hamilton and Emily Polack, who crossed over from Dimboola,” she said.

“Casey Rentsch has returned to play at Horsham Demons, while Hayley Thomas has decided to have a go at Wimmera league netball at the Demons, too.

“Up-and-coming junior Jar-

“We had a great year and now with the inclusion of some young, active and eager players, mixed with the leadership and direction-setting of our senior players, this should help with our growth and development,” she said.

The Kees were within four goals at three-quarter time of last season’s semi-final against Laharum, before losing by eight goals.

They still had an opportunity the following week against Edenhope-Apsley when they entered the final term down by 10 goals, only to lose by 14 goals.

Pundits might suggest those margins could be overhauled quickly within a single off-season of steady training and player development.

Given how robust the Kees played across the home-andaway season to earn their minor premier tag, their Horsham District league competition might suspect the red-and-blue will do all it can to ensure it finds an extra gear at the pointy end of the

Kalkee meets Harrow-Balmoral at Kalkee in round one.

The Kalkee Football Netball Club

Football Coaches

Seniors – Doug Grining

Assistant Coaches - Jasper Gunn & Mal Adams

Reserves – Brendan McDonald

Under 17’s – Matt Nield & Ben Lawson

Under 14’s – Matt Beddison

Auskick – Andrew Brown

Netball Coaches

A Grade – Paula Wiedermann

B Grade – Mel Beddison

C Grade - Claire McGennisken

C Reserve – Rachel Goldsmith

17’s – Meaghan Pohlner

Assistant Coach - Jaymi O’Connor

15’s – Mel Schultz

13’s – Lotus Martin

Modifieds – Katie Ruwoldt

Lastseason’s Horsham District league netball minor premiers will be fitter and stronger in 2023, Kalkee’s A Grade coach says.

Paula Wiedermann will lead the Kees’ A Grade team in 2023.

Under pressure Kalkee YoUr CLUB in 2023

BY MICHAEL SCALZO

Afterlast season’s afterthe-siren lost opportunity to snag an underdog Horsham District league premiership, Kalkee senior footballers could be forgiven for feeling a little sorry for themselves.

The Kees’ free-flowing and attacking football, led by their flurry of half-forward and midfield types, pushed premier Rupanyup, and defeated anticipated grand-finalists Harrow-Balmoral during the 2022 final series.

With a new coach for 2023, Kalkee leaders say holistic structures replicated across the club’s football sides, along with repeat efforts and pressure, were hallmarks of their pre-season period.

Kalkee ruckman and incoming coach Doug Grinning claimed the top job from long-time coach Stuart Farr, who accepted a junior coaching role at Horsham Demons.

Grinning said he hoped trained structures would allow the Kees to play consistent football throughout the season.

“We have been aiming, this pre-season, to introduce a range of structures and set-ups that will allow us to play the style of foot-

CoaChes

Seniors: Doug Grinning

Reserves: Brendan McDonald

Under-17s: Ben Lawson and Matt Neild

Under-14s: Matt Beddison

ball we want — week in and week out,” he said.

“We have also been pushing a similar style of play for our reserves and under-17 squads, to make the senior step for incoming players just that much easier.

“There has also been a focus on our players’ repetitive efforts, communication and defensive pressure capabilities.”

Grinning said three senior players from last season’s grand-final team had departed the club.

“Nick Jasper, Corey Williams and Lachie Excell, all players who had their own unique impact in our team, will not be with us this season,” he said.

“They will be missed around the club in 2023, for sure.”

Grinning said former Horsham Saints defender Andrew Deveraux headlined new-season recruits.

“With natural leadership, Andy has made an immediate impact this pre-season on the playing group,” he said.

Grinning said Minyip-Murtoa import Deacan Campbell and former Horsham Demon Louis Beddison, as well as Jakob Butcher, had also joined the senior squad.

“There will also definitely be opportunities for younger members of our playing group to get a senior run this season,” he said.

“There was consistency in turnouts from that group across the summer and so those individuals should be rewarded with senior games throughout the season.”

Grinning said the team expected to play finals football again in 2023.

“We expect to have a successful year and playing finals football is the goal, once again,” he said.

The Kees start 2023 with a round-one game against Harrow-Balmoral – the side the Kees defeated in last season’s preliminary final, despite the expectations of many league punters.

Their round-six grand-final rematch against Rupanyup should tell Kees’ supporters all they need to know about a title chance this season.

Simon Hobbs will don the red-and-blue again in 2023.

YoUr CLUB in 2023

Panthers refreshed

BY MICHAEL SCALZO

Couldfollowers of Horsham District league netball witness a Rupanyup revitalisation in 2023 to match the rise of the club’s senior football side last season?

Perhaps.

The Panthers have recruited A Grade-experienced talent, including several players from Wimmera league’s Horsham Demons, to ensure finals-absent seasons remain only historical.

The club installed 2019 Hatcher Medallist Georgia Hiscock as its new coach early during the off-season.

Ally Hiscock and Georgia Kramm joined Hiscock in making the move to Rupanyup from Horsham Demons, while former Stawell Warriors goalie Zanaiya Bergen and former South Australia Premier League goalie Bianca Drum will also wear Panthers’ colours in 2023.

Georgia Hiscock said she was unsure what to expect at Rupanyup after leaving her former club of nine years, however, preseason training had been ‘productive’.

“We have been training gameplay and structures heavily,” she

CoaChes

A Grade: Georgia Hiscock

B Grade: Editha Davis

C Grade: TBC

C Reserve: Steph and Flick Searle

17-and-under: Emily Hurley

15-and-under: Sonia Webb

13-and-under: TBC

said. “We only selected our A Grade side last week to give ourselves more time to get to know our new faces.

“The club will also welcome back several players from maternity leave.”

Hiscock said her appointment and the club’s recruiting strategy was intended to give the Panthers’ A Grade team a ‘refresher’.

“There are no hard expectations about this season, but we are keen to reinvent Rupanyup netball and give the side new life,” she said.

“We will expect different results in 2023 compared with what the team achieved last season – but we will know more about what those results

could be after the first few rounds.”

Rupanyup A Graders went 15 rounds in 2022 before recording a win.

After decent sho wings against Swifts in round four and Natimuk in round 10, the squad came up trumps when it met Swifts again in a round-16 match at North Park, Stawell.

The Panthers led from halftime and won by two goals.

Hiscock said there had been a lot of change at the Panthers during the off-season and she was excited to see what the newlook squad could do in 2023.

Rupanyup meets Natimuk United in round one, Noradjuha-Quantong in round two, Swifts in round three and Pimpinio in round four.

With such a drastically different squad, could the Panthers take a chance and make their mark early?

Long-time Rupanyup supporters would hope such a streak could be the start of something special, and with how quickly teams across the league have climbed up the ladder in recent seasons, there are limited reasons to suggest why Rupanyup could not do the same.

Wimmera league 2019 Hatcher Medallist Georgia Hiscock will coach Rupanyup’s A Grade team this season.

Stockpiling talent

BY MICHAEL SCALZO

Leaders of reigning Horsham District league football premiers Rupanyup have faith a simple game style and key talent will have the Panthers striving for back-to-back flags this season.

The Panthers stormed up the ladder in 2022 with a revitalised playing list and a swathe of travelling talent that coalesced and gelled, well before the pointy end of the season.

Coach and key forward Brayden

Ison said the Panthers’ football department had recruited from beyond the region to cover player exits during the off-season.

He said with the club’s Wimmera-based players ‘cracking in’ during the pre-season, the Panthers’ game style would remain simple and based on movement through key players.

“Half of our side will be travelling this season and that is just how it is sometimes,” he said.

“But our local players have had a great pre-season and our junior players have been developing out of sight this summer.

“We will definitely see the reward of their efforts in the coming years.”

CoaChes

Seniors: Brayden Ison

Reserves: Matt Downer

Under-17s: Bill Foord-Engelsman and Blake Tuner

Under-14s: Matt Downer

Rupanyup has added former Navarre utility Cooper Reading, former Corowa-Rutherglen midfielder Bill Hansen, Kieran Sait and Angus Adams of Newstead, half-back flanker Josh Bolitho of East Geelong and inside midfielder Jacob Christie of Birchip-Watchem.

Ison said Panthers under-17 player and Greater Western Victoria Rebels squad member Connor Weidemann would also play senior football when available for selection during the season.

He said those additions would offset the loss of premiership players Daniel Weetra, Daniel Clee, Tim Tyler, Paul Trotter, Jarryd Graham and Andy Phelan.

“We will play a similar game style to last season, but with a new spin on it,” Ison said.

“With so many travellers, we need to keep things simple.

“It is country football – we will play through our key players and position them where they will be best used.

“Of course, we expect to win more games than we lose this season and obviously being reigning premier, teams will want to throw everything at us.

“We will have to make sure we are not complacent because everyone will want to have a crack at us.”

Ison said the squad would build into the season but would be at full strength when it mattered most, as it did in 2022.

The Panthers have a competitive mid-season fixture ahead of them, but perhaps a comfortable ride home during the latter stages.

They meet Natimuk United in round one at Natimuk, with a string of games, starting in round five, against the other four teams who finished inside the top five last season.

The Panthers play Edenhope-Aps ley, Kalkee, Harrow-Balmoral and Jeparit-Rainbow in succession be tween round five and eight.

Surely by the season’s midway point, the competition will have an early indication of the Panthers’ finals potency.

Hoping for a f inals

BY MICHAEL SCALZO

Theonce-dominant netballers of Ararat hope their A Grade rebuild will continue to motor along in 2023 after a possible finals finish slipped away late last season.

The Rats’ netball department has appointed new A Grade coaches for this season, who will oversee the return of several former Ararat netballers, as well as a couple of fresh recruits.

Incoming co-coach Tahnee Walker said while she was not part of the club’s 2022 campaign, in which the A Grade squad finished sixth on the Wimmera league ladder, the team was eager to ‘avenge’ last season’s result.

“We were almost in finals last season, but we left our run too late and relied on other results across the league to secure that last finals spot,” she said.

“It wasn’t the result, obviously, the team was after, but I can safely say we have our sights set on finals in 2023.”

The Rats met league runner-up Horsham Demons in the last round of the 2022 season, needing a win to safely earn fifth spot and an elimination-final chance.

They lost to the Demons by 13

CoaChes

A Grade: Tahnee Walker and Jess Taylor

B Grade: Lucy Mills and Leona Jennings

C Grade: Julia Boatman and Lauri Williamson

C Reserve: TBC

17-and-under: Jess Bligh

15-and-under: Bridie McMahon and Ash Hemming

13-and-under: Kate Bligh and Breeanne Fratin

goals, while Minyip-Murtoa’s round 18 five-goal loss to Southern Mallee Giants was enough to give the Burras a percentage-based edge to hold onto fifth.

Walker said with a few new players this season, the mix of youth and experience could be a recipe for finals action.

She said Genevieve Bush would return to the club in 2023 after part-time showings last season and

Georgie Peel would return to the squad after several years absent.

Walker said she was excited to

see new recruit Bella Westbrook line up for the Rats in goal defence, alongside the returning Peel.

“Racquel Scott has headed to Geelong for university and, with our support, will play netball there in 2023. Monique Scott is on maternity leave and won’t be on the court,” she said.

“Our game plan will change from last season and our focus will be on building a champion team with good people.

“Championships are not won by one or two players, but by a champion team.”

Walker said the squad’s aim was to play in a grand final and return Ararat netball to ‘where it should be’.

“After a few years rebuilding, we will set out to play in the last game of the season,” she said.

“A rebuild is never finished, but it does feel like we have a great mix that will play good netball together for the next several years.

“We are looking forward to getting on the court to see what we might need to polish up on during the season.”

Ararat begins its season against Stawell on Friday in a traditional Good Friday clash. The game is the clubs’ scheduled round-five match.

Jess Taylor, pictured, will co-coach this season’s A Grade squad with newly-appointed Tahnee Walker.

Rats raise expectations

BY MICHAEL SCALZO

Withan ability to replace outgoing players with new talent and a seeming propensity for finals football, Ararat football department’s premiership target remains unshifted.

The Rats fell seven points short of a successful last-quarter fight back on a wet and blustering Wimmera grand final day in 2022.

But their 2023 rivals are smart enough to know the Rats’ professionalism and luring attraction to quality senior players have them in good stead for perhaps back-toback grand-final showings.

Coach Matt Walder said while there had been a list ‘changeover’ during the off-season, its quality remained similar.

“The players coming in this season are not like-for-like replacements of players who left, but the quality of our personnel hasn’t changed,” he said.

Walder said intercepting centrehalf back Liam Cavanagh, and midfielders Matthew Hutchesson and Ben Christodoulou had left the club during the offseason.

However, the club had welcomed several players back to the fold.

Former Carlton player Tom Williamson is a major signing for the

CoaChes

Seniors: Matt Walder

Reserves: Daniel Todd and Tony Campbell

Under-17s: Nick Oliver

Under-14s: Mark Dadswell and Brett Charmings

club, while former Rats Jack Ganley and Callum and Dan Mendes will also pull on the red-and-white.

Jake Williamson is also returning to the fold and will support Walder as assistant coach.

Walder said there was also an opportunity to select several 2022 under-17 players.

“We never discount anyone, whether they are 14 or 44, but the club has always had a good production line of juniors and our under-17 squad has been strong for many years,” he said.

“The promotion of our young players is always front of our minds and we won’t stifle any young man who is capable.”

Walder said the senior squad had moved on quickly after its grandfinal loss and players were driving the team’s 2023 progression.

“You have your commiserations, that is natural and normal, but at the end of the day it is not like a death in the family. It is football,” he said.

“The players have taken hold of their actions and of their preparation and as much as I am managing and co-ordinating, they are taking the bit between their teeth and working on 2023,” he said.

Walder said the loss was an ‘anomaly’ and not representative of the Rats’ approach.

“The conditions both teams faced that day, with the wind and rain, required everyone to adapt, so it is hard to break down the loss to game style,” he said.

“You can go over the game with a fine-tooth comb, however, players only get one shot during clutch moments, and when they’re gone, they can’t get them back.

“We have raised expectations across the club, and we have big expectations and benchmarks we all want to hit. We have our aspirations, even if there are small steps to navigate along the way.”

Ararat begins its season against Stawell on Friday in a traditional Good Friday clash. The clubs were scheduled to meet in round five.

The Rats then have a bye in round one.

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Jack Ganley, pictured in 2018, will be back in the red-and-white this season.

Consistency key

BY MICHAEL SCALZO

Thereseems to be more potential in Minyip-Murtoa’s netball department than its A Grade squad showed in 2022 – and Burras leaders remain eager to demonstrate that point this season.

Coach Sheridan Petering said a new-look A Grade team would take the court in 2023, however, she remained ‘optimistic’ player progression and internal promotions would showcase the team’s versatility.

“We have lost a few players during the summer, but several promising former B Grade players and juniors will all have opportunities in their place this season,” she said.

Petering said Matilda and Isabella Griffiths, as well as Lexi Mackenzie had been promoted from B Grade into the A Grade squad, while 2022 15-and-under player Lily Wilson had also earned a senior spot.

She said they would replace Emily Langley, Faith McKenzie and Tamika Mentha who all left the club during the off-season.

Petering will be a non-playing coach this season.

She said despite some inconsis-

CoaChes

A Grade: Sheridan Petering

B Grade: Kristy Kerrins

C Grade: Brooke Parish

C Reserve: Brooke Parish

17-and-under: Christy Muller and Molly Fagan

15-and-under: Beth Harris and Amelia Leith

13-and-under: Annie Robbins

tency at points during 2022, the team’s competitiveness during last season’s final month had set benchmarks for Burras’ netball.

“We started off really well in 2022 but ran into a couple-month period where we were very up and down,” she said.

“In the last six weeks we played the best netball we did all year.

“Our elimination-final win against Dimboola was great and that semi-final loss against Southern Mallee Giants almost went our way.

“Things are looking really good for us in 2023 and the players moving into A Grade have not missed a beat all pre-season.”

Petering said former Burras player Jessie Mules had also returned to the club and would be a positive factor in steering the squad towards confidence and consistency.

“Mules has already had a massive impact during the pre-season,” she said.

“Her experience and knowledge, especially her steadiness, is already breeding more confidence among the group. She will be a big part of us improving consistency throughout the season.

“We probably won’t change our game plan too much, with Meg Cashin, Maddison Morgan and Molly Fagan still in the A Grade squad this season, they know what kind of play we want to achieve.”

Petering said the team was hoping to play finals again, but was setting sights on a semi-final win as it attempted to go one better than last season.

“We want to push further than we did in 2022, but of course, everything is week by week,” she said.

“There is so much versatility in the team, so we will play with combination options during the first half of the season, and then aim for finals from there.”

Minyip-Murtoa will take on Horsham Demons in round one at Minyip.

Minyip-Murtoa A Grade coach Sheridan Petering is in charge of a new-look team this season.

YoUr CLUB in

Desire to win

BY MICHAEL SCALZO

The coach of last season’s Wimmera league football premiers says he remains confident the club’s energy and player-manufactured drive could sustain an elongated era of success.

Minyip-Murtoa stormed ahead during the first three quarters of last season’s grand final and held off a comeback from Ararat during the final 15 minutes to win back-to-back premierships.

The Burras, with a large base of Wimmera talent, handled the wintery conditions for longer that day.

Coach Tim Mackenzie said despite the premiership win, the team had returned to pre-season training with drive and a desire for progression

“We are in a good position to have another crack this season, but we will need to execute, of course,” he said.

“The drive coming from the playing group is there, and there

CoaChes

Seniors: Tim Mackenzie

Reserves: Heath Pohl and Matthew Friedlieb

Under-17s: Warwick Stone

Under-14s: TBC

and a handful of those have put their hand up to be in the mix for selection at points during the season.

“We have a good mix of 19 to 24-year-olds and they are driving the club forward.”

Mackenzie said there would be a ‘few’ new faces at the Burras this season.

Mackenzie said Jordan Delahunty, former Horsham Saint Nick Caris and former Burra Michael Polhner had joined the club for 2023.

Marquee signing Lachie Delahunty, who returned to the Wimmera after a long stint at West

Mackenzie said given the team’s 2022 success, game style and structures would remain similar to previous seasons.

“We will introduce a few different things, and obviously with a change of ruckman we might have a different look up forward at times,” he said.

“But ultimately, what we did last season worked, so we won’t deviate radically from that.

“The club wants to be competitive every season and as long as we do that, we are meeting our expectations.

“The league should be very even this season and there will be some great teams on the park – it should be a tough season, as it always is.”

Mackenzie said with a young cohort of players emerging at the club, he hoped they could develop together and ensure the Burras remained premiership capable into the future.

“If they can stay together and continue to drive the club forward with the energy they are showing

Minyip-Murtoa coach Tim Mackenzie in action

Tight at the top as season breaks

BY DAVID BERRY

Ladder leaders in five of the six Volleyball Horsham competitions are sitting pretty on top, undefeated as the league heads into a school holiday break.

In A Grade, Phantoms are playing some consistent volleyball each week, with all seven players working nicely together and playing their roles to perfection.

The challenge will come after the break when they lose key middle attacker Nicolas Dalebroux, as he

moves interstate on his next project.

Captain Jack Exell said he hoped Aaron Evans would be available to slip into his role.

In A Reserve, Heidelberg sits on top of the ladder with an even team made up of youth and experience.

Captain Vaughn Maroske is happy so far with how his team is playing.

“We have settled our line up and players are getting used to the roles they play,” the veteran hitter said.

“We are looking forward to the back end of the season knowing full well we have been in this position before

and have faltered when finals come around.”

In the women’s competition, Bingo Biddies are a surprise clear leader and playing some good volleyball.

Captain Kara Johnson is pleased for her team.

“Each week we get an even contribution from all our players and now we have veteran Kymberly Murray back after injury we’re looking forward to seeing just how far this team can go,” she said.

In C grade, Cher-Leah Williams’ Spike It Up team has taken all before

them, playing some solid volleyball.

Wil Tippet and Henry Kinsman are the big hitters in the team, well served by setters Leah Eilola and Angela Rudolph.

In the junior competition, HTLC Cubs picked up where they left off from last season, when they made the grand final, and are improving as each week goes by.

Jack Kelly, Malakai van Buuren and Fletcher Hawken are all playing strongly, but have Horsham College Novas breathing down their necks.

The B Grade competition is sepa-

rated by percentage only, with the top three teams all sitting on three wins and a loss.

Logan Young’s Dommi Nators are ahead of Ella Van Duren’s Scemps with Bill Lindsay’s Murtoa Railway just behind.

Grand finalists from last season, Luke McCallum’s Team USA, are not that far off the pace and are capable of beating each other on the night.

The break will give all teams a chance to regroup and return for the second half of the season, firing and ready to make an assault on the finals.

Friday run a success

The third round of Stawell Amateur Athletic Club’s season saw the running of the club’s first Friday event.

Forty-nine people competed across the senior five-kilometre, junior threekilometre and sub-junior one-kilometre distances for the Edge’s Ironbark Dash. The run was followed by a social barbecue tea at the club house.

Senior and junior runners enjoyed an undulating loop in the Ironbark forest, while the newly-opened running track lights were used for the sub-juniors loop.

Only 24 seconds separated senior runners once handicaps were applied.

The fastest senior male was Tom Walker, who completed the course in 16 minutes 36 seconds.

The addition of the three kilometre junior race this year has been popular, with many enjoying the challenge.

The winner this week was Oscar Ellis in a time of 15 minutes and 22 seconds.

It was a sibling battle for second and third, with Cameron Christian edging ahead of his sister Claire once handicaps were applied.

Henry Ellis took after his older brother in the sub-junior race winning in a time of five minutes, 45 seconds.

IN CONTROL: Ashlee Ison keeps control of the ball during her team’s win against Portland Tigers on Sunday. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Demons off to a flying start

Horsham Demons women’s and youth girls’ teams have made an early mark on the Western Victoria Female Football League competition.

The women’s team kicked off its season on Friday night under lights at Horsham City Oval for a grand final rematch against the Hamilton Kangaroos.

While the Kangaroos saw more of the ball in their forward 50 in the first quarter, the Demons managed to capitalise and scored a goal to be one point ahead at the first break.

Taya Keyte was instrumental for the Demons and was supported well by Beth Bates in defence.

Another competitive second quarter saw the Demons leading by two points at halftime.

A powerful third quarter left Horsham comfortably in the lead going into the fourth term, but a determined Hamilton restricted any more significant scoring before the final siren.

League newcomer Dellie Brown and up-and-coming junior Ailish Heard made an impact for Horsham.

The final score was Horsham’s 4.5 (29) to Hamilton’s 2.9 (21).

Heard backed up her impressive seniors’ performance when she fronted up for the under-18s team on Sunday and scored best-on-ground against

There are a few new faces in the Oscar 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.

the Portland Tigers. Horsham scored 14.18 (102) against a young Portland team who did not get a score on the board.

The Demons played a consistent four quarters and kept building on their lead.

Greta Arnel and Amy Milbourne were strong across the oval, while Violet McGennisken snagged five goals and Scarlett Abbott scored three.

With a break for the Easter weekend, the Demons return for round two at Horsham City Oval on April 16. The under-18s face Terang Mortlake Bloods while the women’s team come up against Stawell Warriors.

In third place was always-improving Terry Jenkins. Second place, with a sensational sprint finish, was Gary Saunders and in first place was Elise Monaghan, who ran a blistering time of 23 minutes and 16 seconds. Monaghan, who has been doing lots of running training while away at university in Geelong, was also the fastest female.

Eva Harrison came in second place and Alfie Freeland in third.

The club has a break for school holidays, returning for the David O Jones Mitre 10 Handicap in Great Western on Saturday, April 22.

The club also supports the Lindsay Kent Memorial fun run on Easter Sunday at 9am at Stawell Racecourse.

Young runner-up in state finals

Chalambar Golf bowler Chris Young is the Victorian Open Men’s Singles runner-up champion for 2023.

Young competed in the state finals across the weekend at Traralgon Bowls Club and was undefeated leading into the final.

He started strong with a 14-shot win against Jamie Allinson, of Karingal, in the first finals round.

In round two, Young defeated Mark Bradley, of Beaumaris, 21 shots to nine and in round three defeated Rus-

sell Hall, of Heathmont, 21 shots to six. It was a close game in round four, with Young defeating Joshua Sanders, of Lilydale, by one shot. In another close game for the quarter-finals, Young defeated Jay Bye-Norris, of Deer Park by two shots and in the semi-finals he defeated Zac Woning, of Mitcham, by two shots. Young came head-to-head with Bradley Pavey, of Ocean Grove for the final and lost 21 shots to 13 to finish runner-up in the state.

For more photographs go to theweeklyadvertiser.com.au

Opening doors for young footballers

BY ABBY WALTER

Anewcompetition for girls to play football at a younger age will begin in the Wimmera this month.

In Wimmera and Horsham District leagues, girls can play football for a club in mixed Auskick and under-14s.

Horsham Demons have a youth girls’ under-18s team and a senior women’s team that compete in the Western Victoria Female Football League.

AFL Wimmera Mallee is working to create more opportunities for girls to play football close to home.

AFL Wimmera Mallee regional manager Angela Ballinger said many under-14 aged girls in the Wimmera and Mallee wanted to play football.

“AFL statistics show that while there are opportunities for girls to play mixed football, what they want is to be able to play against other girls,” she said.

“It is enjoyed and played differently when it is just a girls competition.

“So we aim to create a sustainable competition that will allow girls to play closer to home and remove any barriers that might stop young people from playing the sport they want to play.”

Mrs Ballinger said the competition was a collaboration between Horsham Saints, Horsham Demons, Stawell Warriors, Warrack Eagles and Ararat.

“It’s been driven by Terry Arnel and we have been liaising with him to create this competition and start growing footballers from a young age,” she said.

The new competition will be a 12-week program with four days of round-robin games.

Mr Arnel, Horsham Demons Female Football Club football director, said the competition would mean less travel compared with the under-18s and women’s teams.

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“We’re establishing the competition to be delivered by Wimmera Football Netball League host clubs which encompass the whole area of Horsham District and Wimmera leagues, so the member base will be made of not just host clubs but the greater region,” he said.

“The fixture is set up so rather than playing every week, which is a commitment from whole families to do that, to instead have skills-based training every week and to back that up

with games once a month on a Sunday and have a round-robin competition against four other teams.

“We’re looking at four to five teams, so Ararat and Stawell are working at the moment to be host hubs down that way, Warracknabeal is well on the way to getting set up and we’re trying to get a couple of teams out of Horsham clubs.”

Mr Arnel said expressions of interest had come from across the region, with players from Kaniva, Edenhope and Rupanyup looking for a chance to play.

“We have cast a net throughout the AFL Wimmera Mallee area to get as many players involved in this age cohort as we can,” he said.

“We’re looking to show a separation from home clubs as well, so we’re naming teams after notable AFLW players. Girls might find themselves playing for team Daisy Pearce or team Sally Riley, for example.

“Another benefit is they will be able to see where the under-18s train and play on home games so they can see a pathway beyond the under-14 age group for them to be able to keep playing, which they may not be aware of just yet.”

Mr Arnel said the format was designed to ensure there was not a ‘huge’ commitment from players.

“No one wants to train without play-

ing, so it gives a balance and it all wraps up within three months,” he said.

“We’re trying to make it manageable for people and have the best balance of training with limited travel, and game days happening locally, too.

“We hope to have our first carnival game at the end of April or the start of May.”

Ellie Bell, 11, is looking forward to her first under-14s football season.

“I have always loved footy so I am looking forward to the competition,” she said.

“I played with the boys in under 12s at Horsham Saints for two years, but now I can see where I can play football next.”

Mrs Ballinger said the goal was offering a safe, secure and happy environment for young girls to play football.

“We’re not trying to take girls away from other sports such as netball and tennis; we want girls to have the opportunity to play whatever sport they want,” she said.

“If the opportunity is there, they can find out what they want to play going forward and what they love.

“I’m very excited about this and to see where it grows in years to come.”

Players can register their interest by contacting AFL Wimmera Mallee participation officer Jaye Macumber at jaye.macumber@afl.com.au

Dimboola bowlers in winning form

Dimboola bowlers were triumphant at the annual Four Bowl Pairs Sets Play Tournament at Horsham City Bowling Club.

Sixty bowlers converged on the club’s greens for the 27th year of the twoday tournament, with prize money worth $3000 up for grabs.

Some of the best bowlers from Victoria and South Australia played in five sections of six teams to make the play-offs and finals.

Overall winner was the Dimboola Bowling Club team of Greg Cook, s, and Shannon Williams. They defeated Rainbow Bowling Club bowler Greg Sleep, s, and Russell Miller of Warracknabeal in the final.

Horsham City Bowling Club president Colin Morrell said it was great to see the greens full of bowlers and spectators witnessed exceptional bowling on the synthetic greens.

NEW OPPORTUNITY: Halle Arnel, 10, and Ellie Bell, 11, are signing up for a new girls’ under-14 football competition. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

SUCCESS: Dimboola Bowling Club’s Greg Cook, s, and Shannon Williams won Horsham City Bowling Club’s annual Four Bowl Pairs Sets Play Tournament.

Warriors, Rats counting down

BY ABBY WALTER

Ararat’s Alexandra Oval will be buzzing with energy on Good Friday as the first Wimmera Football Netball League matches kick off for 2023.

The traditional marquee match-up between Ararat and Stawell will set the scene for the season and the excitement for 2023 is palpable.

Both teams were key players in the top five of the senior football ladder in

PROMOTION:

Former Stawell Warriors footballer Jamie Bach, lining up to kick the ball, played in a tournament for a London team in Bulgaria in March.

2022 and always bring their all to their first clash of the year.

As a preliminary final rematch, the Warriors and the Rats will be out to prove what they are capable of in 2023.

A young squad will don the red-andblack, however coach Tom Eckel has taken the Warriors to a top-five finish in each of his three seasons coaching and a new-look team could keep that trend alive.

The team will be bolstered by re-

turnees David Andrivon and Charlie Nield.

Ararat has also experienced a flux of ‘ins’ and ‘outs’, so Friday will be the first test of where the teams could stand come September.

Tom Williamson, Jack Ganley and Callum and Dan Mendes are significant ‘ins’ for the home team and will be ones to watch this season.

In A Grade netball, Ararat and Stawell were not too far behind the top five by the end of the 2022 season.

They last played against each other in round 10 and with a similar lineup for this season, both teams will take lessons learned into 2023.

Stawell’s games tend to make or break in the third quarter, so their pre-season efforts will be put to the test to see if the Warriors will go further this season.

Teams will get a first look at coach Tessa O’Callaghan’s new and more structured plan for the team’s four quarters.

Bach sharing his love of Aussie rules

Former Stawell Warriors footballer Jamie Bach is taking his football skills international as part of a tournament to promote Australian rules football to Bulgaria.

Bach plays for the Wandsworth Demons, based in London, and travelled to Sofia, Bulgaria last month to compete against other representative teams.

The Bulgarian AFL representative team set-up the mini tournament.

“AFL is very new to Bulgaria, so they put on a mini-tournament to introduce and promote AFL in their country,” he said.

“The Wandsworth Demons supplied two teams and my team and the second London team played off in the final.

“Unfortunately my team lost.”

Bach said there were four teams involved in the tournament.

“We supplied two teams and there was also the Tel Aviv Cheetahs from Israel

and the Bulgarian representative team,” he said.

“There was meant to be two other countries involved, but they pulled out late in the piece.

“It was surreal. I’m used to travelling up and down the Western Highway to Horsham or Nhill, but flying to Bulgaria and getting to play our game there was an incredible experience.

“The majority of the London teams are Aussies who have relocated to London, and the question that was asked often was ‘are we actually in Bulgaria playing AFL?’.

“It was just unbelievable our game has reached such parts of the world.”

The tournament was structured as AFL 9s with 12-minute halves.

“At the end we threw a few teams together, mixing all teams up, so we played with some Israel and Bulgarian lads, which was a lot of fun. The highlight had

to be getting to meet and chat with some of the guys from Bulgaria and Israel –their passion for AFL even though they are only beginning was amazing to see,” Bach said.

“Also, the Bulgarians know how to have a beer, which was great after the game.

“They put on a Bulgarian feast with beer and music which only built more of a relationship between all the teams.” Bach plans to spend 2023 and possibly 2024 in London and will continue to play football in the United Kingdom.

“The Wandsworth Demons are an amazing club for any Aussies moving over and wanting to play footy,” he said.

“The idea of an AFL London premiership sounds pretty good for this season.

“But, there is a bit of work to be done between now and then.”

Less than one percent separated Ararat from a finals berth last year and Stawell will experience the Rats’ determination to not let a top-five finish slip through their fingers again.

Under the leadership of coaches Tahnee Walker and Jess Taylor, Ararat’s senior netballers will be ready to hit the court running.

In 2021, Stawell won by 10 goals and in 2022 Ararat won by 10 goals in the season opener, so 2023 will bring an interesting result.

Junior competition returns to Fridays

An under-12 junior football competition is returning to Horsham City Oval on Friday nights.

The competition ran preCOVID and is back up and running throughout the school term two in 2023, for children born between 2011 and 2015.

AFL Wimmera Mallee regional manager Angela Ballinger said children wanted a chance to play football from the time they began Auskick until they reached community club level.

“We know that children aged seven, eight and nine years old who have played Auskick then want to play footy that looks like real footy on a bigger ground,” she said.

“But they won’t go straight from Auskick to under-14s and they might sit on the bench until they grow, and that’s when they lose interest.

“Statewide, 30 percent of children who graduate Auskick do not go on to play football for a community club.

“That’s huge numbers, especially for us in the Wimmera Mallee where under-14 and under-17 numbers are critical.”

Mrs Ballinger said the under-12 competition would provide a regular playing opportunity for the age cohort between Auskick and under-14s.

“Stawell and Ararat have a regular competition for that age

group, but Horsham, as the biggest town in our region, doesn’t — so we will have a nine-week competition starting from the last Friday in April,” Mrs Ballinger said.

“On July 16 we will also bring under-12s from Horsham District and Wimmera league clubs together for an under-12 carnival in Dimboola.

“It’s a big weekend of football and a great opportunity to come together and play.”

Mrs Ballinger said discussions were underway to possibly establish an official under-12s competition on Saturdays in line with Wimmera and Horsham District fixtures in 2024.

“Both leagues are considering the possibility of a Saturday competition that would better connect Auskick to our community clubs, with teams following their home clubs’ fixture,” she said.

“It’s a great chance for clubs to grow their footballers into the future and we, at AFL Wimmera Mallee, want to support that.

“So far we have more than 50 registrations and ideally I would love to have enough players for eight teams of at least 10.”

Players can register via playhq.com/afl/register/c410b6

Dr Kate Torpey B. Hlth. Sci (Pod) M. APodA (Podiatrist)

Dr Loretta Howe B. Pod, M. APodA (Podiatrist)

Dr Gemma Morgan B.AppSc & M. PodPrac (Podiatrist)

Dr Lachlan Vider B. Pod, M. APodA (Podiatrist)

Club signs for gender equity

Horsham

Golf Club has taken a step forward to ensure every member has the same rights and opportunities to be part of the club and play golf.

The golf club is now a Golf Australia Women in Golf Charter signatory.

To qualify as a signatory, clubs must develop initiatives that focus on encouraging more women and girls to play golf and stay within the sport as members of clubs, while also empowering women to enjoy successful careers working within the golf industry.

Horsham Golf Club president Gerard Bardell said the charter was all about gender equity across the sport.

“This makes sure equity is top of mind when running events, day-to-day activities and welcoming new members,” he said.

“We are rapt that we have three women on our board to ensure we have representation and we make sure girls in our junior programs feel welcome.

“The golf club has been moving down this path for some time and the charter signatory is formal recognition of how serious we are about gender equity.”

Horsham Golf Club professional Cameron Howell said unlike in years gone by, all members now had the same rights.

“Years ago, women weren’t regarded as full members — they were called associates, which is a terrible word to describe someone as,” he said.

“Women weren’t allowed to play every day, they had to play at different times, but they still had to pay a portion of the membership.

“There’s been a massive push from Golf Australia to get rid of those antiquated ways and now everyone has full, equal membership rights.”

Mr Howell said it was important all members were considered the same.

“We started setting this path in motion 18 months ago and have now been recognised for ticking all the boxes on the charter,” he said.

“At the weekend our men’s and women’s club championships finished on the same day for the first time, which is great to be able to then celebrate together.

“We’re seeing more and more golf clubs become signatories and it is great.”

Horsham champion golfers crowned

Casey Schmidt and Sue Walter have taken out Horsham Golf Club championship honours for 2023.

After four rounds of competition, Walter, who won the championship in 2001, reclaimed the award from mainstay Jenny McRae. McRae was club champion every year in the intervening period.

Schmidt took home the men’s championship title for the first time since 2017.

Walter scored 82, 83, 85 and 81 across each round to finish on 331 and take out the women’s club champion award as well as the Puss Smith Trophy.

Schmidt fought off challengers to finish with 292 – with scores of 70, 74, 74, 74 – and regain the

men’s club champion accolade. In B Grade, Curtis Morson finished on 351 – including 97, 81, 86, 87 – to become the men’s winner, with Donna O’Connor claiming the women’s category with 386 – including 95, 100, 96, 95.

Joel Raeck was the C Grade men’s champion in a play-off, scoring 385 – with scores of 92, 98, 95, 100.

Judie Delahunty, with a result of 430 – including 104, 111, 108, 107 – finished women’s C Grade champion.

Schmidt said he was pleased with how the championship played out.

“I was pretty happy with my form throughout the three weeks,” he said.

“I won a few years ago. I was pretty excited to win again.”

Walter’s victory comes after only

recently returning to the competition.

Walter, based in Hamilton, rejoined the Horsham club about five years ago.

Behind her decision to return was the premier facilities on offer at the Horsham Golf Club.

She described the greens as ‘some of the best in country Victoria’ and ‘like playing on the sandbelt in Melbourne’.

Despite the significance of her win against McRae, Walter was quick to recognise the ability of the long-term winner.

“I was very lucky to win. Jenny hasn’t been playing very much,” she said.

– Sean O’Connell

JOBS BOARD

Placing

Parks & Gardens Apprenticeship

Location: St Arnaud, Closing date: April 11, 2023

Duties include:

• Planting, transplanting, and pruning small trees and shrubs

• Operating equipment and machinery

• Maintaining properties and structures

• Undertaking irrigation and drainage systems maintenance activities

For more information contact Daryl Eastwell on 0407 364 654.

Groundskeeper Location: Horsham, Closing Date: ASAP

Duties include:

• Maintain property lawns and gardens

• Prune trees and shrubs

• General gardening - mulching, weeding, spraying, watering etc.

• Operate mowers, whipper snippers & lawn edgers

To discuss this role further, please contact Nathan Keel on 0408 109 324.

Water Industry Operations Traineeship

Location: Donald, Closing date: April 11, 2023

Requirements:

• Competent computer skills

• Sound verbal and written communication and able to work in a team

• Ability to follow operational policies

• Willingness to commit to work and study

• Police check required

For more information contact Shane Cross on 0418 564 890.

Customer Service/Sales Assistant

Location: Horsham, Closing date: ASAP

Duties:

• Promote sales and hire of mobility aid equipment

• Arrange retail displays in sales are and showroom

• Check equipment and report defects

• Participate in promotional events, conferences and meetings

To discuss this role further, contact Nathan Keel on 0408 109 324.

Hospitality Traineeship

Location: Hopetoun & Warracknabeal, Closing date: April 17, 2023

Duties:

• To provide support and assistance to cooks, chefs and other team members

• Wash and clean utensils and dishes and store appropriately

• Handle, sort, store ,and distribute food items

• Wash, peel, chop, cut and cook foodstuffs

For more information contact Shane Cross on 0418 564 890 for a confidential discussion.

Business Administration Traineeship

Location: Hopetoun, Closing date: April 11, 2023

Duties Include:

• Answering phone calls and reception duties

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• Administrative support to other staff

For more information contact Shane Cross on 0418 564 890 for a confidential discussion.

Sue Walter

Casey Schmidt

State success

BY SEAN O’CONNELL

Natimuk

and District

Gymnastic Club gymnasts have excelled at Senior Victorian Gymnastics Championships, bringing home 10 medals between them.

Three gymnasts were awarded individual state champion titles at the event at Geelong Arena, with the club’s level-six boys also announced as state champion team.

Head coach Lynette Morrow praised the efforts of her six competitors.

“It was certainly a tough weekend. Everyone had lifted and our gymnasts were pleasing,” she said.

Hailey Puls and Brooklyn Fraser competed at level 10.

Puls placed sixth overall, is the state champion on vault and also placed fourth on beam, fifth on floor and sixth on bars.

Lani Jones competed at level nine, finishing sixth overall and placing fourth on beam and fifth on bars.

The combined scores of Eli Bailey, Edward Jones and Remi Bailey landed them their state team accolade.

Remi Bailey placed on all six apparatus, finishing third overall and becoming state floor champion. He also came second on pommel, third on vault, fourth on parallel bars, fifth on rings and sixth on high bar.

Jones finished fifth overall and is vault and parallel bars champion. He came second on floor and sixth on pommel.

Eli Bailey finished fourth on high bar and fifth on floor.

Morrow said the dedication

of the gymnasts and those around them was key to their success on the day.

She also highlighted the different challenges that came with competing from a gym in Natimuk.

“It’s great to have a country club represented at the competition,” she said.

“There are only a few country clubs and we are relatively small.

“Rural clubs train less hours. It’s the quality of what we do in training that made for success.

“The parents and the kids have to be committed.”

While the Senior Victorian Championships is the largest event for the year for this group of athletes, Morrow said the gymnasts had plenty to work towards.

“After a short break over Easter we will all be back in the gym working on new skills and levels for future competitions,” she said.

“We also have our junior levels working hard in the leadup to competitions in coming months, aiming to qualify for Junior Victorian championships later this year.”

Crawford crowned golf champion

Daniel Crawford was crowned the 2023 Chalambar Golf club champion after the annual Ararat Ford Championships came to a close.

Crawford finished second on multiple occasions during the year and his consistency awarded him the champion status.

B Grade champion is up-and-coming golfer Hayden Dowling, while the C Grade title was

awarded to Mark Robb. Handicap winners in each grade were Craig Potter, Phil Roberts and Robb.

Cameron Laurie picked up the monthly medal with a nett 68.

Tania Dignan won the inaugural Women’s Match Play Championship. She played against Donna Spalding in the final.

TOP TEAM: From left, Remi Bailey, Eli Bailey and Edward Jones are the level-six boys state champion team.

Horsham Demons’ Greta Arnel shepherds Ailish Heard as Portland’s Aleesha Whitehead tries to tackle her in the Under-18 Demons’ season-opening win on Sunday at Horsham City Oval.

The Western Victoria Female Football League 2023 season began with a series of cracking games across the board, which are set to continue in round two after Easter. The Horsham Demons women’s team also secured a first-up win on home turf on Friday night. Story, page 55.

Picture: PAUL CARRACHER