The Weekly Advertiser – Wednesday, June 26, 2024

EVER AFTER:

College students are deep into rehearsals for their annual production – they will stage

across various departments are having strong input into the production, from making mood boards, to creating,

and

Waste fees released

BY LAUREN HENRY

Horsham Rural City Council will increase its fees and charges for waste management by at least six per cent in 2024-25.

Council released a register of fees and charges at its Monday night meeting – they are usually announced as part of council’s annual Budget but given the delay in releasing the 2024-25 budget, councillors opted to immediately make the information public.

The increases mean the urban bin service will increase $30; rural bin service $19; and commercial

bin service $39. Most waste-management fees at Dooen landfill will increase at least six per cent including loads up to three tonnes by $42; and loads above three tonnes by $14.

The Budget will now be released at council’s July 22 meeting after the council requested an extension from Local Government Minister Melissa Horne.

Chief executive Sunil Bhalla, who was absent from the monthly council meeting on Monday night, last week blamed a new finance management system for the delay.

Corporate services director Kim Hargreaves told Monday night’s council meeting the rating differentials would also be confirmed as part of the revenue and rating plan 2021-2025, with the updates for 2024-25 also being presented at the July 22 meeting.

“The plan had to be updated as the difference in the valuation where the increase or decrease between the general differential rate category and another differential rate category has reached 3.5 percent following the general revaluation of properties ... trigger

for review of differentials in the revenue and rating plan,” she said.

Council adopted the Horsham Rural City Council Register of Fees and Charges for 2024-2025 at its May meeting, where it was noted the fees and charges provided were based on information available at the time.

Councillors were also told that Environment Protection Authority, EPA, waste levies had increased in the State Budget, released earlier in May, and that officers were still calculating some of the associated fees.

ed against the motion to approve the waste charges.

Cr Bowe said there was insufficient detail, data and justification for the waste management hikes.

“Our community deserves full transparency on how these fees are calculated and why they are necessary,” he said.

Continued page 3

HAPPILY

Horsham

Snow White on August 15, 16 and 17 at Horsham Town Hall. Students

sketching

constructing steampunk-style hats for costumes, and more. Pictured is Paige Millar as Snow White and Henry Overman as Prince Florian, with dwarfs, from left, Annabelle Gregor, Amara Crooks, Zoe Brennan, Amelia Altmann, Indy Webb, Casey Westmoreland and Clara Shirrefs at rehearsals. Story, page 17.

Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

At Monday night’s council, three councillors – David Bowe, Claudia Haenel and Bob Redden – vot-

New manager at West Side Horsham

West Side Horsham has welcomed Kim Millar as its newly-appointed general manager.

Originally from Melbourne, Kim has been a regular visitor to Horsham for more than 25 years and now calls Horsham home, along with her husband, Simon, and their three children.

She comes from a corporate background in real estate, nance, human resources and business management. Simon and Kim also ran a successful landscaping business for 10 years, in both Victoria and New South Wales.

Kim said she is excited to take on a new challenge at West Side Horsham and is looking forward to re-opening its bistro in coming months.

“I enjoy learning new things and keeping busy, so this role suits me well,” she said.

“West Side Horsham is such a great venue and has so much to offer, from the café, kids’ playroom, sports bar – which boasts the largest screen in the Wimmera – and our fantastic function room, which has access to an outdoor grassed area and great views overlooking the racecourse.”

Moving forward, Kim’s focus is to provide excellent customer service and an enjoyable experience from the time you walk through the door.

Open seven days a week, visit West Side Horsham today!

West Side Horsham

CAFE

Welcome Kim Millar, new general manager

Police use drone to detect offences

BY LAUREN HENRY

Police used a drone on Friday to target driver offences in Horsham for the first time.

Police Operation Metropolis is an ongoing police operation in Horsham, Ararat and Stawell, which started many years ago, and detects traffic offences.

Sergeant Dale McIvor from Horsham Highway Patrol said the operation targeted offences that centred on driver distraction, such as not wearing a seatbelt and using a mobile phone while driving.

“These are the offenses that are causing us the most grief in our towns,” he said.

“We’ve had a significant increase in the amount of minor and collisions that have caused injuries within our city and town areas and Operation Metropolis has arisen as a result of that.”

Sgt McIvor said the drone had enhanced capability to be able to detect motorists who were not wearing seatbelts and

were using their mobile phones from a height where they were unable to be identified.

“Hopefully the use of this technology will deter motorists in the future from engaging in those behaviours while they’re driving that are not conducive to safety on our roads,” he said.

“So if you’re checking your phone at an intersection, you might be being watched by a drone that’s about 200 feet away from you.”

Sgt McIvor said the drone operator, Leading Senior Constable Sam McCaskill from Lake Bolac, zeroed in on cars at intersections, looking at where the driver’s hands were.

“If they pick up a phone, we’ve got police cars stationed who are watching this in real time – we have a live feed,” he said.

“We carry portable devices in each vehicle, each member is assigned one, and we can get a real time download from the drone straight to the units, and the units will be able to identify the vehicle and the driver and be able to take the

appropriate action.”

Sgt McIvor said he expected the use of drones by police to become commonplace in the future, with several police officers licensed to use the technology.

“We have others based here in Horsham and another one at Stawell, and we have more than one drone,” he said.

Sgt McIvor said drones were one way that police could attempt to dissuade people from committing driving offences.

“If you accumulate 12 demerit points over a period of time, you’ll lose your license for a 12-month period – for those of us that really appreciate having a driver licence, it’s going to be very detrimental,” he said.

Police detected 21 infringements – four drug-driving; five failing to wear a seatbelt; six using a mobile phone while driving; while the others were speeding and unlicensed driving offences.

Petition to fight health mergers

Member for Low -

an Emma Kealy is seeking the support of residents through a petition calling on the State Government to drop plans for mega-mergers of health services across regional Victoria.

The government is keeping tight-lipped about the plan but several chief executives of regional health services have confirmed a move that will see rural health services cut from 76 to nine mega services across the state.

In the Grampians region, seven health services including West Wimmera and Rural Northwest, would merge into one entity.

Minister for Health MaryAnne Thomas also confirmed at least 20 health services across Victoria would have their funding slashed – by up to 30 per cent.

Ms Kealy said the online petition had been launched following confirmation of the funding cuts, leaving many services with no choice but to slash front line services.

Speaking in Parliament, Ms Kealy said the creation of Gram-

pians Health, which merged four health services, had already led to cuts to vital programs including cancelling the Edenhope dental service and cutting Horsham’s community rehabilitation exercise program.

Ms Kealy said she was aware of more hospitals in Lowan that would be affected by the funding cuts, with management trying to work out how to make the required savings.

“It will either mean job cuts or services reductions, and most likely both,” she said.

“Our local emergency departments are already struggling to meet demand, and in many cases failing to meet key performance targets, and the idea that reducing funding would have anything other than a detrimental impact is insulting.”

A State Government statement said the Coalition’s link between hospital funding and Labor’s health services plan was misleading, that they were not related and there was ‘no secret plan’.

Ms Thomas said in the 2024/25 financial year, more than 25 per

cent of the state’s entire budget would be invested into health services, with a total of $20 billion in operational funding to be delivered to hospitals.

“While others are playing politics, we are focused on delivering patients the best care and that is exactly what our record investment into our hospitals will deliver,” she said.

“Unlike the Liberals and Nationals who closed 12 country hospitals, we’re focusing on delivering more doctors and nurses, better facilities and the best possible care to all Victorians no matter where they live.”

Ms Kealy questioned Labor’s priorities.

“Premier Jacinta Allan can find the money for a $200 billion train line in Melbourne but goes missing when asked to find the money to keep local health services up and running,” she said.

“Why do vulnerable and sick Victorians have to pay the price because Labor cannot manage money?”

People wanting to sign the petition can visit www.handsoffourhospitals.com.au.

Fees released, budget delayed

From page 1

“I recently inquired about the performance of our four-bin system during a briefing and was informed that a report on the system would be provided at a later date. This report should be considered before any fee increases are finalised,” Cr Bowe said.

“Secondly, while the Environment Protection Authority base levies are set by State Government and beyond council’s control, I do not agree with the recent rises in this levy as many residents and businesses are already facing financial pressures and an increase in waste-management fees only adds to this burden.

“We need to balance our environmental responsibilities with economic realities of our community.”

Mayor Robyn Gulline said council operated its waste management, fees and charges in a cost-recovery system.

“We don’t make money out of it. We pay EPA levies for every tonne of landfill delivered to our landfill,” she said.

“We pay to manage, maintain and run a landfill without any support from the EPA. We brought in-house the waste collection service because ... it was going to be cheaper for the community rather than contracted out.”

Cr Gulline said no one liked to see fees and charges increase.

“But if we don’t increase it, we have to cut

services and our community would be less happy with a cut in services than an increase in fees to deliver the service that they expect and demand of us,” she said.

“I appreciate that every one of us is facing a cost-of-living crisis. Council is too.

“We have to recover the cost of this service or it will come through the rates that we collect and we’ll be able to deliver less services. So this is purely cost recovery.”

Councils are usually required to adopt their annual budgets by June 30 and to submit an annual report by September 30 each year.

Mr Bhalla said council had switched to a new finance-management system as part of the Regional Councils Corporate Collaboration Project, which contributed to the delay. He said the system change would deliver greater administrative efficiencies for HRCC and several neighbouring councils.

Mr Bhalla also said inflation and the escalating costs required to deliver community services were affecting all Victorian councils, including HRCC.

“Nonetheless, we are dedicated to formulating a budget that is truly fit for the purpose of serving our community,” he said.

“To achieve this, we believe it is crucial to provide our councillors with ample time to fully consider the budget prior to its final adoption.”

EYE IN THE SKY: Drone operator Senior Constable Sam McCaskill and Horsham Highway Patrol Sergeant Dale McIvor during Operation Metropolis at Horsham on Friday.

Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

HRCC NEWS

JULY GRANTS BONANZA

Council set to open three funding programs to support community

Horsham Rural City Council is set to launch three significant grant programs on Monday July 1.

Quick Response Grants

The Quick Response Small Grants stream is designed to support urgent and short-term funding requests from not-for-profit groups. The grants are particularly beneficial for organisations which cannot wait to apply for funding through the larger Community Development Grants stream which open every year in February.

Who can apply: Not-for-profit groups within the HRCC municipality who need short-term assistance.

Maximum amount: $1000

Youth Grants

This initiative is targeted at supporting community activities and projects that benefit young people who live, work, or study in the municipality. It's a fantastic opportunity for youth-focused organisations to secure funding for their initiatives that aim to enrich the lives of the younger members of our community.

Who can apply: Youth aged 10 to 24 or projects solely benefiting that age group within the HRCC municipality.

Maximum amount: $2500

Business Enhancement Support Program

An opportunity for businesses to secure funding that can help enhance their operations and contribute to the local economy. Grants can be used for business innovation, operational improvements, marketing strategies, accessibility, inclusiveness, and business growth.

Who can apply: Existing businesses within the HRCC municipality.

Maximum amount: $1000

Council encourages all eligible parties to consider these opportunities and apply for the grants.

The Re-Open The Wesley Campaign aims to restore the Roberts Avenue building and give it a fresh purpose as a niche performing arts space.

HRCC previously matched the Wesley Committee’s cash contribution to the project of $225,000 enabling it to kick off a fundraising campaign with $450,000.

The Wesley Committee is now seeking to raise an additional $550,000 from community donations and contributions from corporate and philanthropic entities.

This will allow the Committee to seek a dollar-for-dollar government grant to reach the final target of $2 million.

There are many benefits of having trees in our urban setting.

• Aesthetics- trees are pleasing to the eye

• Community wellbeing–a tree lined street generally makes people feel happy

• Heat sink – trees absorb heat and will decrease the temperature in a street on a hot day

• Habitat – trees provide habitat to all manner of wildlife

• Carbon dioxide – trees absorb all sorts of nasty gases from the atmosphere and store them

• Shade – as well as a heat sink, trees also provide shade.

HRCC is coming up to three years into its Greening Greater Horsham project, the goal is to increase the street canopy cover to 25 per cent by 2031.

As this project progresses you will see more and more trees planted on our streets and reserves.

The 2024 planting program will be focusing on the Southbank area west of Stawell Road.

Expect to see trees being planted across our city starting late July until September.

Consideration is taken into account when choosing species. Factors include planting under powerlines, restricted space areas. We choose trees with less invasive root systems as well.

Funding guidelines are available online now. Application forms will be available from July 1. Next Council Meeting: July 22, 2024 - 5.30pm Horsham Rural City Council: 18 Roberts Avenue Horsham | Postal

People have better access to Horsham Rural City Council’s website following the installation of ReadSpeaker text-tospeech functionality.

The text-to-speech software was purchased in partnership with West Wimmera Shire Council.

Chief Executive Officer Sunil Bhalla said it would allow people the option of listening to, rather than reading, the content on Council’s website.

“ReadSpeaker provides greater accessibility for people who have visual impairments, limited literacy skills or English as a second language and cater for the growing elderly population. Initiatives such as ReadSpeaker continue to increase engagement with our community,” Mr Bhalla said.

“People can access ReadSpeaker by clicking the button at the top right of any page on Council’s website and it will talk them through the information on the page.

Mr Bhalla said Horsham Rural City Council and West Wimmera Shire Council had worked in partnership to coordinate ReadSpeaker’s implementation.

“This is a great example of rural councils working together to improve accessibility for all of our communities. Wimmera people deserve the same equal access as other municipalities in the state.”

Current Community Engagements

HORSHAM AIRPORT MASTERPLAN

The Draft Horsham Airport Master Plan, which aims to transform the Horsham Aerodrome into a regional flight hub, is available for public comment. Feedback period closes 10 July, 2024.

For details visit the Have Your Say section of HRCC's website

Greasy food boxes, containers and plates can't be recycled, as grease and oils can contaminate the recycling process.

Contaminated paper can also ruin batches of recycled materials.

Therefore, greasy food boxes should be disposed of in the general waste bin instead of being recycled. Greasy plastics can be recycled after a good rinse.

The Horsham Public Dump Point located in Firebrace Street (near the caravan park) will be temporarily closed for upgrades.

The facility will be unavailable from Wednesday, June 26 until Friday, June 28. We appreciate your understanding as we work to improve our services. We encourage residents to plan their waste disposal activities accordingly during this period.

Online orders for Horsham Rural City Council’s Rural Revegetation program are now being taken.

People who live in the municipality with a property that is 0.4 hectares (one acre) or larger are eligible to order a selection of subsidised native plants.

The tube-sized trees are just 50c each and people can order up to 300 plants depending on the size of their property.

Infrastructure Director John Martin said the program had been popular for many years.

Orders close Friday 28 June at 4pm

Pickup will be from the HRCC Depot:

• Friday 12 July 8am to 6pm

• Saturday 13 July 8am to 4pm

| Email: council@hrcc.vic.gov.au | Web: www.hrcc.vic.gov.au

Plastics plant plans to boost economy

BY COLIN MacGILLIVRAY

An Australian company last week outlined plans to establish a revolutionary soft-plastic recycling operation in Ararat that it believes could bring more than $300 million to the region.

Plastoil Projects Ararat Ltd is working to establish a recycling facility that can transform soft-plastic waste into liquid oil with a range of potential uses, including in food-grade packaging.

The company will use WASTX technology developed by German firm Biofabrik, with an investment memorandum indicating it intends to begin operations within a month.

Plastoil managing director Arj

Wimalasuriya summarised the company’s plans at a business networking event in Ararat on Wednesday, hosted by Ararat Rural City Council and the Greater Ararat Business Network.

Mr Wimalasuriya said the project had the potential to transform Ararat’s economy, supporting 40 ongoing jobs as well as additional jobs during construction.

“The catch-up in Ararat was about engaging with the local business community to … making sure we’re delivering a key project but also delivering to Ararat’s strategic plan and creating jobs in the area,” he said.

“There will probably be about 40 jobs directly created as part of the project, but external to that with the construction and participation of con-

tractors, there will probably be an impact of about 100 jobs for the area.

“It’s a unique, first-of-its-kind thing in Australia, and Ararat leading the charge is going to be a great opportunity for the region.”

Mr Wimalasuriya said the project would support a circular economy by transforming waste products into usable goods, decarbonising local industry in the process.

“In a nutshell, we’re creating an advanced chemical recycling plant that is going to take soft plastic and convert it into an oil,” he said.

“That oil will then be used by our partners such as Viva (Energy), Exxon and our key partner Amcor to make into food-grade packaging.

“It’s fully circular, so it’s not wasting

energy. The oil that is produced goes back into food-grade packaging.

“There’s no wastage and little to no emissions – it meets Euro 5 emissions (standards) – so it’s great for the environment.”

Mr Wimalasuriya said Ararat was a good base for Plastoil’s operations.

“It’s in an area where there are intermodal connections – it’s close to rail and road,” he said.

Plastoil’s investment memorandum indicated the project was quickly and easily scalable.

The memorandum said the company was seeking between $15 and $25 million of funding to complete the first phase of its operations.

On average, Australians use about 136 kilograms of plastic per person

Exploring options at careers expo

Cherry picker rides were one of the most popular attractions at yesterday’s Western Victorian Careers Expo at Longerenong, and one of 84 career exhibits on display for the thousands of student and careerseeker visitors.

St Brigid’s College year 12 student Jorja Clode was one of more than 150 students who took advantage of the Powercor cherry picker rides, which raised students 26 metres into the air.

“It was a nice view from up there, I’d have fun doing that every day. I don’t have a career in mind yet – I’m 16, so will take a gap year and work at the hospital, or Kurrajong Lodge, before I think about going to uni,” she said.

Horsham linesworker Ben Lakin has been an apprentice at Powercor for nearly four years, after studying accounting at university for four years, then working at Grain Corp.

His indirect pathway into electrics is similar to his colleagues’ – one worked for Forest Fire Management Victoria, the other was a builder.

“Being a linesworker is a good gig, with good conditions – it could be a job for life for a lot of people,” Mr Lakin said.

“It would be great to get more local people on board.”

Expo organiser David Crooks said the defence force exhibit was also popular.

“The defence force representatives were also extremely busy – they are presenting a roadshow across the region for the rest of the week, taking the opportunity to visit schools while in the area.”

Mr Crooks said he received ‘wonderful feedback’ after the event.

“Having the VET centre separate to the rest of the exhibitors meant the main building was better-spaced and therefore not as crowded, exhibitors said they could have more in-depth, meaningful conversations with visitors,” he said.

“The exhibitors in the Alan Heard Pavilion said it was a roaring success for them – they were more than happy with the attendance over there.

“It was more than a lucky dip of merchandise, visitors made the most of the opportunity to ask questions about potential careers.”

Visiting schools brought students from year nine to year 12 to discover career, university and pathway options.

“By bringing year nine students to the careers expo, they are being exposed earlier and more often to the opportunities in front of them for both careers and VET courses,” Mr Crooks said.

“I want to thank the team at the Wimmera VET centre – they have done

a power of work for the expo.” Mr Crooks said exhibitors commented on the laid-back nature of the ‘country kids’.

“It’s a fun and engaging event that opens up the opportunity for discussions,” he said.

While the packing-up and decompressing has barely begun for the organisers this year, they were already mentally preparing for next year.

“With expo number 38 out of the way, we are now making plans for number 39,” Mr Crooks said.

“Again, it’ll be on the last Tuesday of term two, and it will be bigger and better next year.”

each year, with less than 16 kilograms of it being recycled.

The memorandum said the collapse of Australian soft-plastic recycling scheme REDcycle in 2022 had left the country without sustainable solutions for soft plastic – a breach Plastoil intended to help fill. Although all Australian states and territories have banned single-use plastic bags, Plastoil’s report projected the demand for plastic would increase by 100 per cent in the next 10 years as most food packaging were plastic-dependent.

“If you walk into a supermarket, 70 per cent of the products packaged on the shelves are made by Amcor, whether it’s for Cadbury or PepsiCo, or Kellogg’s or anyone else,” Mr Wimalasuriya said.

NEW HEIGHTS: Warracknabeal Secondary College student Charlie Martin with Powercor linesman Tom Young at the Western Victorian Careers Expo.

Celebrating 20 years in Business $20,000

DURING JULY

ON JULY 1 JULY 2-31

Giving away two massive discounts of $1200 each*

Each week day there will be two draws to win $400* will be broadcasting live from HDG on July 1 from 9am until noon *Terms and conditions apply.

New vision for gallery

BY COLIN MACGILLIVRAY

Natimuk and district residents will have a chance to hear about the future direction of the town’s iconic Goat Gallery on Friday in the first of a series of talks organised by ACT Natimuk.

New Goat Gallery owner Jacqui Tinkler will share her vision for the space in a presentation at Natimuk and District Soldiers Memorial Hall from 7pm to 9pm – the first of three Friends and Community events planned by ACT Natimuk.

Dr Tinkler purchased the Goat Gallery after visiting Natimuk for years with her son – a rock climber who often tackled Mt Arapiles.

With a background as an artist, art teacher and university lecturer, Dr Tinkler said she jumped at the chance to own the gallery when she discovered it was for sale.

“I am able to work remotely, so I can work from Nati, and start planning to revive the Goat Gallery that has such an important history in Natimuk,” she said.

“I am thrilled to be a part of the arts community in Natimuk, and I hope I can do the legacy of the Goat Gallery justice as its new owner.”

Dr Tinkler said Friday’s talk would outline her vision for the future of the gallery, encapsulated by the slogan ‘Art, Happenings and Mischief’.

“Moving to a small town and taking custodianship of an important piece of Natimuk history means I have to listen,

learn and not jump in and do things in a rush,” she said.

“Art can mean many things to many people, and I plan to encourage beginners to the art world, emerging and experienced artists, and those wishing to experiment and take artistic risks.

“Representing the work of First Nations artists is also a core value of the gallery and its role here. Likewise, the climbing roots of the gallery will make up a key part of the gallery’s program, and hopefully it can play a part in the reconciliation project that is ongoing in Australia.”

Dr Tinkler said she also envisaged fre-

quent ‘events, gatherings, performances, music, talks (and) shows’.

She said she was working to design and fund a new accessible bathroom and facilities and planned to extend the gallery’s sculpture garden and outdoor space for small events.

“I’m exploring the idea of a small shop where artists can have affordable artworks and souvenirs for sale, so if people can’t afford a big painting or sculpture, they can find a small work that will also give local artists some income,” she said.

“A rough future program includes a COVID five-year anniversary exhibition next year, climbing photography, a community exhibition where everyone can contribute their art, vinyl-music listening evenings, art workshops for beginners, a craftivist show, steam-punk costume workshops as a part of the Wimmera Steam-Punk Festival, and a show of historic prints of the Wimmera area and Mt Arapiles-Djurrite.

“There is such a vibrant and creative community in Natimuk, and I really hope I can contribute to the artistic community in positive and meaningful ways.”

Dr Tinkler said she would ask community members for their input on the gallery’s future.

Friday’s talk is free to attend, with drinks available to purchase at the bar and nibbles provided. People interesting in attending can reply by emailing gm@actnatimuk. com or visit actnatimuk.com for more information.

Protein company busts

An administrator has been appointed

teins, which has a site in Horsham. Administrator Manuel Hanna will meet with

company in Melbourne on July 3.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Dadwells Bridge was showcased on the national stage when Channel 7 television program Sunrise featured the Giant Koala on Thursday. Weather presenter Sam Mac is visiting Australia’s most famous ‘big’ attractions, with viewers needing to vote for their favourite in order for the Sunrise team to visit. A small but dedicated crowd joined for the live weather crosses in the dark, cold and rainy conditions.

NEW BEGINNINGS: New Goat Gallery owner Jacqui Tinkler plans to reinvigorate the Natimuk arts space.

New Waste Contractors

You will notice new waste and recycling trucks driving around the roads and streets of Northern Grampians Shire Council

We welcome Wimmera Mallee Waste as the new kerbside contractor They will commence the collection service as of July 1 2024 Wimmera Mallee Waste have been working with Northern Grampians Shire Council managing the Stawell Transfer Station since 2019

A huge thank you to Wheelie Waste for their dedicated service throughout the Northern Grampians

Local Area Action Plan (LAAP)Survey Extended to Tuesday 2 July 2024

Northern Grampians Shire Council would like to seek community feedback on the draft Northern Grampians Shire Local Area Action Plan before the plan is endorsed by council

The Local Area Action Plan (LAAP) is to assist Northern Grampians Shire Council, industry, and community to strengthen Northern Grampians Shire s visitor economy, further developing their visitor offering and, as a result, assist in building the resilience needed to mitigate economic vulnerability We want to know if the LAAP reflects the way you want your town and region to develop in the future If it does or doesn’t fit, we want to know why Please submit your feedback by Tuesday 2 July

To read the LAAP and take part in the survey visit www ngshire vic gov au/Projects-andConsultation/Have-Your-Say/NorthernGrampians-Shire-Council-Local-Area-ActionPlan

COMMUNITY UPDATE

Bulgana Green Power Hub Community Benefit Fund is open from 3 June to 31 July 2024

The Community Benefit Fund administered by the council on behalf of Neoen Australia, (owner of Bulgana Green Power Hub) has $120,000 to contribute towards community-led projects and programs Not-for-profit groups and organisations can apply for up to $5,000 to implement a small project and up to $20 000 for a large project with a co-contribution

To be eligible for the funding projects will need to contribute to increasing health and well-being and environmental outcomes enable First Nations-led initiatives, enhance arts and culture in the shire, provide advancements in education and training support disaster relief efforts and emergency services, and enable participation in sporting and recreational opportunities

Northern Grampians Shire Council Latest News

If you’d like to keep up-to-date with council activities please keep an eye out for our council news by subscribing to Latest News via the council website at www ngshire vic gov au/latest-news

To understand more about this funding opportunity check out the Bulgana Green Power Hub website page at https://bit ly/4btn or attend an information session at:

St Arnaud on Monday 17 June at 12pm and 5 30 pm in the Community Room at the Town Hall

Stawell on Tuesday 18 June at 5 30pm and Wednesday 19 June at 12 00pm at the Stawell Library

The information sessions will provide an overview of the funding eligibility, criteria, and expectations grant writing tips and an opportunity for you to discuss your project ideas

To discuss any queries you may have contact Rachel Whittaker on 03 5358 0512 or by email at community@ngshire vic gov au

Doctors win rural health awards

BY BRONWYN HASTINGS

Horsham

doctors Felix Ritson and David Wilson have won Victorian Rural Health awards for their professional contributions in their rural community.

Rural Workforce Agency Victoria hosted the awards, recognising the outstanding contributions made by medical professionals, nurses, allied health professionals, Aboriginal health workers, and practice managers across rural Victoria, across 12 contribution and service categories.

Both Dr Wilson and Dr Ritson are employed at Lister House Medical Clinic. Dr Ritson won the ‘outstanding contribution by a rising star’ from six finalists.

Dr Ritson said he started working at Lister House about a year ago and was interested in mental health, drug and alcohol addiction, and chronic pain.

“The award is very encouraging and motivating to keep doing what I’m doing – a pat on the back, I guess,” he said.

Outside his role at Lister House, Dr Ritson is involved in community wellbeing

initiatives like the Men’s Shed and men’s talk groups.

He facilitates a men’s mental health circle once a fortnight, hosts a doctors in schools clinic at Horsham College once a week, and has an interest in running spiritual health events.

“It sounds sort of airy-fairy when you first hear it, but it’s really about what gives people purpose and meaning, and a sense of good health and wellbeing,” he said.

“Whether it’s related to a religious tradition or more to nature or sport or whatever, I would like to run some events related to that.”

Dr Wilson was one of 18 finalists in the ‘outstanding contribution by a rural general practitioner’ award, and said he still enjoyed all aspects of his work.

“It’s a nice reward for the work I’ve done in obstetrics, paediatrics and training new doctors – I’m excited to be selected from the long list of very competent people on the finalist list,” he said.

“I am very much still enjoying my work – in teaching new doctors to operate on a

more skilled level than a GP, learning new things myself, as well as trying to implement new services within the practice.”

Dr Wilson has worked at Lister House for almost 34 years, been involved in more than 10,000 births in the Wimmera, and has been a police surgeon and supported forensic investigations.

He has organised a children’s asthma camp in Mildura and been instrumental in promoting bone marrow collection and registration – including donating his own marrow.

Dr Wilson now leads general ruralist training in paediatrics and palliative care.

He was also one of 16 nominees for the ‘outstanding contribution by a mentor or supervisor’ award.

Grampians Health Horsham’s Tim Raynor, and Christa Chamberlain from Horsham’s Equip Physiotherapy and Pilates were both finalists in the ‘outstanding contribution to rural allied health’ award.

The awards, in their 20th year, were presented at a virtual gala event last week.

Horsham nurses take industrial action

Horsham nurses are joining their colleagues across the state to fight for better pay, conditions and flexibility as part of a new enterprise agreement with the State Government.

Acting under the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation, ANMF, Horsham industrial relations organiser

Gareth Lane said Horsham nurses and midwives were among many to participate in speak-out sessions across major Victorian centres.

“Nurses and midwives have come outside for 15 minutes at a time, as part of the industrial action agreement, as

well as during lunch breaks, to fight for better working conditions, flexibility, permanent shifts, better parental leave and better work-life balance,” he said.

Staff at the Horsham session received promotional items such as t-shirts and pens, as well as a link to email Premier Jacinta Allan and Treasurer Tim Pallas to express their support for the new agreement.

The Victorian branch of the ANMF has called a statewide meeting today, June 26, in Melbourne and at eight satellite venues across the state.

Following discussions between the

ANMF, senior Department of Health representatives and the government, members will consider a 28.4 percent wage increase across four years.

The ANMF rejected an offer on May 20, which included 12 percent, cash bonuses and additional gender equity uplift. In addition to wage increases, improvements nurses and midwives are asking for include a change-of-ward allowance, improved night-shift penalties and on-call allowances, reducing the parental leave qualifying period from six months to zero, and interstate service recognition.

ACTION: Horsham nursing and midwifery staff at the speak-out session on Friday, asking for better working conditions, which is part of 48 days’ protected industrial action that began on May 7.

EXTRA MILE: Dr Felix Ritson, left, and Dr David Wilson have won Victorian Rural Health awards through Rural Workforce Agency Victoria. Dr Ritson is the recipient of the outstanding contribution by a rising star award and Dr Wilson was awarded for outstanding contribution by a rural GP.

Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Health system needs an overhaul

Victoria’s health system is broken.

People have been saying it to me for several years – especially during and post COVID-19 – but it is not until you experience it, either yourself or with a family member, that you truly understand.

One of my family became seriously unwell last weekend, and had to be taken to the emergency department at a Melbourne hospital.

And while he doesn’t live in the Wimmera, I’m sure plenty of residents can relate to his experience in trying to navigate the health system.

It all started on a Saturday afternoon, when he became cold and was shivering. By late afternoon he couldn’t

walk and was incoherent. After being told an ambulance would take more than hour to reach him, other family members decided to drive him to the nearest hospital.

There he was told to go straight to the nearest major hospital in Melbourne – without even being looked at by the local hospital.

After protests by family members, nurses at the first hospital checked him out and called an ambulance for him to be taken to a Melbourne hospital.

Four hours later, the ambulance arrived, taking him to the Melbourne hospital’s emergency department at 11.30pm on Saturday.

Fluctuating blood pressure, high

EDITORIAL

By Lauren Henry

heart rate, and high temperature, among others, accompanied his original symptoms.

By Sunday afternoon, he still hadn’t been admitted to a ward.

When that eventually did happen, the doctors and nurses tried their best to find the answer to why he was so sick.

While we could see they were all trying their best to work under busy

Celebration of culture, food

Refugee Week celebrations at Horsham Neighbourhood House last week brought people from the community together over a shared lunch.

Neighbourhood house manager Charlie Helyar said the event was an important opportunity for people to experience and celebrate the richness of cultures of refugees and what they brought to the community.

“Refugee Week 2024 has the theme ‘finding freedom’, with a focus on family, encapsulating the profound journey of resilience, strength and community that defines the refugee experience, he said.

“This Refugee Week, we shed light on the

transformative power of familiar bonds, of wellknown chosen bonds, in the face of diversity, and emphasise the crucial role that many families play in providing solace, support and a sense of belonging to those forced to flee their homelands.”

Refugee Week takes place the week from Sunday to Saturday that includes June 20, World Refugee Day each year.

Since the Second World War, Australia is on track to welcome more than one million refugee and humanitarian entrants by the end of next year.

conditions, it felt like we were answering the same questions over and over again, always to different people.

Communication was lacking and there seemed to be no one in charge who was overseeing his care and, importantly, keeping our family informed.

Thankfully intravenous antibiotics slowly started to fight against the mystery infection, and he improved enough to go home after a few days.

He was one of the lucky ones. It could have ended up so much worse –and for some people it does.

Delays and substandard care are mostly caused by an under-funded health system.

It is not the fault of those people who

are actually working every day in the system.

It is the way the system is being managed from the top, and the government funding – or lack of being allocated – that is causing headaches and heartache.

As a newspaper editor, I don’t have the answers to fix the health system –but listening to those who work in it and experience issues every day is a good place to start.

The allocation of more money each year needs to be prioritised by both levels of government.

The functioning of our hospitals is literally a matter of life and death.

TOGETHER: Refugee K’Lu Say Say and Horsham Neighbourhood House manager Charlie Helyar during Refugee Week. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Bistro Open

Days

Horsham Flying Club, Wayne Jackson:

Our grant was for $900 and it funded hi-vis vests for members to wear during our competition week which is held every year, one of the

events in Australia.

Having these vests gives us an identity as a club and is part of the safety requirements for people working on the aerodome as well. $900 for our club which doesn’t have a lot of members, is a significant amount.

It was very easy to work with HSCC to secure this grant, they have always been very supportive. The system in place to apply is excellent and the process for applying and getting funding is a simple as you’d want.

Job cuts, but committed to region

BY LAUREN HENRY

Despite cutting 163 positions across all its campuses in order to achieve $20 million in annual cost savings, Federation University vice-chancellor and president Professor Duncan Bentley says the higher-education institution is committed to the Wimmera.

As part of the Future Fed initiative aimed at the university returning to an operating surplus by 2026, 42 staff members have already taken a voluntary redundancy.

The proposed redundancies, which equate to 10 per cent of the university’s workforce, will predominantly be in professional and administrative support areas – but it is unclear which campuses the roles will be based at.

“We’ve also stopped some fixed-term contracts and not recruited more people, so in this current number, there are 105 roles which are going to be made redundant or change, but there are 52 new or changed roles which those 105 can apply for,” Prof Bentley said.

He said the redundancies would have little or no impact on teaching and the delivery of courses across the university.

Prof Bentley said cutting back administrative roles should make it easier for students to enrol.

“It makes it actually difficult for students to enrol if they’ve

got to go through several inboxes before they get a response, so it’s cutting out those sorts of handovers, making it more streamlined, making it more efficient, so students are getting a better service in fact through this change,” he said.

The university has extended counselling to affected employees and will continue supporting them as they transition out of their jobs.

“We have identified the roles ... and over the last couple of days we’ve been speaking to everybody who’s impacted and let them know that they can apply for the roles which are available in the new structure,”

Prof Bentley said.

Prof Bentley was insistent the future of the university in the Wimmera remained positive.

“In fact, we’re growing the Wimmera – in this last year,

Federation TAFE has received $2.6 million in State Government funding to establish a new engineering learning space ... to deliver vital skills for the Wimmera,” he said.

“The other one, which we’re really excited about as well,

is the recommencement of our offering of higher education in the Wimmera.

“The schools got together with us, and we went to the Victorian government.

“Unlike the feds (Federal Government) who are not helping with funding at the moment, the State Government has given us free TAFE, and the numbers are booming there.

“They have also helped to fund a cohort of 25 students enrolled in becoming teachers across the Wimmera because the shortage of teachers is critical, and so that has been something very important to us that we get higher education back to the Wimmera and we provide the jobs and skills that are absolutely needed.”

Inadequate funding

A Universities Accord Final Report, released by the Federal Government, recognised public funding for regional universities has historically been inadequate, and policy changes on international migration has resulted in significant changes to university income.

Prof Bentley called on the Federal Government to better fund regional universities.

“At the moment, as the Universities Accord Final Report identified, you can have up to 23 percent less students in the outer regional areas attending post-secondary education, whether it’s TAFE or it’s higher education, and mostly it’ll be TAFE. We need those skills

in our communities and so it’s vital they do help fund that,” he said.

“Now to his credit, (Federal) Minister for Skills and Employment Brendan O’Connor has taken up what Victorian Minister Tierney has done with starting free TAFE – Mr O’Connor has extended it, and you can see that in our classrooms –we’ve got more students.

“What we’re trying to do as part of Future Fed is to make sure we boost quality, boost the student experience so that we can attract more students and support them through with the right people so that they succeed and finish their courses and get into employment.”

Prof Bentley said he would be in Canberra this week ‘strongly advocating for regional universities to not be impacted by the caps on international students’.

“We need to work together with the regions and communities to advocate strongly for more funding from the Federal Government, and also the State Government. Too much is going into the metros and not enough is coming to our regional areas. We can’t be left behind. They can’t forget us.”

The Federal Government has announced its intention to consider regional equitable funding models in 2026 and the introduction of legislation to reshape the Australian international education sector.

The National Tertiary Education Union, NTEU, warned

the university’s plan to slash jobs would inflame its financial problems, and did not address the core issue facing the institution – enrolment decline and difficulties retaining students.

NTEU FedUni branch president Mathew Abbott said the professional staff set to be cut provided critical support to other staff and students.

“The problem is that these mass cuts only stand to exacerbate our revenue problems, making our university a less attractive place to study by undermining the quality of our programs and student support,” he said.

Mr Abbott said the cuts were the fifth round of redundancies at the university in the past five years, with 64 positions cut in 2020, 28 in 2021, 44 in 2022, and 18 in 2023.

“The change paper proposes to disestablish a senior provost position that was created only last year in a previous restructure. In 2022, FedUni management cut its arts program only to reinstate it two weeks later after a successful NTEU campaign,” he said.

“Chaotic decision making and distressing levels of job insecurity are taking their toll on staff at our institution, and these negative impacts are simultaneously felt by our students whose learning conditions are undermined as staff working conditions are. Staff members feel that the future of our university is under threat.”

Nature into art

Wimmera people have a chance to combine nature and art during a workshop at Horsham Neighbourhood House on Sunday.

Named Creative Foraging, it will involve participants exploring, drawing and collecting at the Horsham Police Paddock and then combining these inspirations on a canvas at the neighbourhood house.

The event, organised by Horsham Urban Landcare, will be led by Simone Dalton and coincides with the Art is … Festival.

Horsham Urban Landcare facilitator Annie Hobby said it was the first time the group had combined foraging with art.

“Once onsite, the sketching and collection is done, we will spend the rest of the day back at the house using paints, stencils, leaves, charcoal and drawings to create unique works of art,” she said.

The event is open to anyone 12 years and over, with each participant to receive a sketching journal and canvas to take home.

Lunch is supplied. Cost is $25 for HUL members and $35 for nonmembers.

Registrations are essential at events.humanitix.com/ creative-foraging

Professor Duncan Bentley

Wesley invokes special memories

BY ALEX RATHGEBER

Iremember back in the early 1990s, when I was a recent graduate of St Michael and St John’s primary and then in junior high school at Horsham College, as a budding young and aspiring performer, there was a lot of buzz around the opening of Wesley Performing Arts Centre.

I remember sitting in the auditorium, studying the beautiful stained and polished timber panelling and floors, and those incredibly ornate pipes of the original pipe organ, which had been kept in the venue’s transformation from church to performing arts space.

There was an inherent sacredness and theatricality that lent itself so well to Wesley’s new function.

Entering the foyer of a venue like that, there’s a sense of occasion, an anticipation, a feeling that you’re about to experience something special.

Every time I attended Wesley, whether in the audience or on stage, it was very special.

I have vivid memories of performing in the Wimmera Music Eisteddfod there.

I’d been learning piano with Marie Schirmer, and singing with Ann Dickson, and the eisteddfod was the perfect testing ground for the skills development of kids like me.

What’s more, Wesley was the perfect environment to create that ideal balance between formality and informality required for an event like the eisteddfod, where the atmosphere needs to be serious enough to encour-

age everyone to be striving to be their best, while simultaneously warm and relaxed enough to allow people to feel comfortable to have fun, to make mistakes, and to enjoy the learning process and the experience of live performance. I was aware at the time, largely through my mother and her involve-

Alex Rathgeber has thrown his support behind the fund to reopen The Wesley. Picture: MARCUS HART

people made – both energetic and monetary – really translated to giving everyone, especially us youngsters, a fantastic sense of support in pursuing our interest in performing arts.

Another special Wesley memory is from 1996 when I was a part of the cast of Godspell, a Horsham Arts Council youth production.

The year prior, I’d played Friedrich in the Arts Council’s production of The Sound of Music on the Horsham Centre Cinemas stage, which was a much bigger production in several ways.

ment as a teacher at the Horsham Music Academy, there had been a big effort to transform Wesley, led by Wendy Weight and a group of other passionate champions of the performing arts from the Horsham community.

Looking back now, I can see very clearly how the huge investment those

By comparison, performing the boutique-style musical Godspell in the up-close-and-personal environment of Wesley gave us a much more intimate connection to the audience.

The raw, unfiltered, and irreverent nature of Godspell itself, combined with our small band positioned sidestage rather than hidden away in a pit, made for a palpably affecting theatre

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experience for audiences and artists alike.

The Wesley, as it’s now named, is an aesthetically striking, historic building that’s brilliantly positioned at the heart of Horsham’s main centre.

It has prominence, presence, and proximity. The proposed plans to further develop The Wesley will expand its capabilities to include new functionality and accessibility and, as such, it is set to become a far more inclusive facility used by different groups spanning the Horsham and Wimmera communities.

What a wonderful venture and an exciting new chapter for such a grand old dame.

Editor’s note: Alex Rathgeber grew up in Horsham before playing principal roles in productions across Australia, New Zealand, Asia and on London’s West End. He is currently performing in The Mousetrap, touring Australia.

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Second theatre for Stawell hospital

A$5.15-million operating theatre planned for Stawell hospital will boost surgical capacity and deliver optimum patient care.

Grampians Health Stawell announced plans for a second theatre to meet growing patient demand and position the hospital as a specialised healthcare provider in ophthalmology, endoscopy, gynaecology and general surgery.

Grampians Health chief executive Dale Fraser said the expansion was in response to extensive consultations with healthcare professionals and staff.

“The revised blueprint incorporates a comprehensive suite of enhancements including an endoscopy reprocessing room, sterile stock storeroom, staff write-up area, expanded recovery section, eye block anaesthesia space, improved staff amenities and cutting-edge medical equip-

ment,” he said. “This comprehensive approach ensures a holistic and efficient environment for patients to receive care and for our staff to work.”

Mr Fraser said Grampians Health was committed to enhancing healthcare accessibility for the Stawell community and helping to deliver care closer to home.

“Our ongoing engagement with key healthcare stakeholders has informed these strategic changes, designed to optimise surgical care delivery,” he said.

“While this may extend the timeline slightly, we are confident the enhanced plans will result in a substantial increase in surgical capacity, ultimately benefitting our patients.”

The second theatre is expected to be completed by March next year.

BOWERS CHIROPRACTIC CENTRE

SHOULDER JOINT PROBLEMS

Is the shoulder joint really a joint?

Not really, it’s a shallow cavity with the A/C joint on top. The shoulder has a wonderful range of movement. If you think of a cup and saucer, the hip is a bit like a cup (a ball and socket joint) and the shoulder is more like the saucer, shallow with a small lip on one side. The average person can move their shoulder in a number of ranges of motion: up, down, in, out, large circles and up behind your back, or in your case, maybe not.

The shoulder is supported by 16 muscles and they’re a bit like a union, one out all out. Also, it has close association with the neck and upper back. So, when there is a problem with the shoulder as chiropractors, we often see locked up muscles in the shoulder region, the shoulder joint not moving as freely as it should and tight, locked up upper back and neck, shoulder blade and clavicle.

So how does a Chiropractor help? With adjustment to move the jammed-up areas in the neck, upper back, and shoulder, corrective posture and sometimes massage, you can see a huge improvement. This is also relevant care if you have had shoulder surgery or a fracture in your arm which means you haven’t been able to move it properly. Getting all these areas to move better means that any physio or other treatment, will work better with better results.

Dr. Pauline Walsh B. Clinc Sci B. App. Sci (Chiropractic), DACCP

POSITIVE: Grampians Health Stawell team members, back from left, Rani Justin, site director and director of nursing Sue Campigli, Taylor Cameron, Ruby Landwehr, nurse unit manager Sally Hamilton, Sophie Taylor and clinical nurse specialist Belinda Reading, and front, Roel Cabije and students Tumy Lu and Katrina Aquino, welcome plans for a revised second operating theatre.

A happy, grumpy, sleepy production

BY BRONWYN HASTINGS

Horsham College students across all levels are preparing to stage their annual production –in a detailed, cross-curricular way.

Producer Emily ‘Freddy’ Friedrichsen said a mix of student agency and cross-curricular learning had steered the production of this year’s show Snow White.

“We have made an effort to incorporate a real student agency and student voice this year,” Ms Friedrichsen said.

“We have integrated a lot of the school’s curriculum into the production, from year eight theatre studies

to the Sketchy As art class, students are pulling scripts apart and learning them, creating mood boards, and designing sets themselves.

“It’s all applied learning, from the idea, to the construction, to the final piece – they are taking real pride in what they’re doing.

“They can say ‘I painted that’, and ‘I designed that’.”

Ms Friedrichsen said the Sketchy As art class was learning hatching with a pencil, with students required to produce a sketch.

“I got them to be creative and sketch a steampunk hat. They had a go at drawing cogs and doing shading,

which will lead to constructing their designs to be part of the costumes.

“Other pieces from the lead-up to the production will be on display in the foyer during the show, such as the mood boards, to show all the cross-curricular connections and how students have taken ownership of their learning.”

Although it has been a slow recovery since COVID-19 limited school activities, including productions, Ms Friedrichsen said there had been an incredible response this year.

“Only 12 students auditioned last year, but from the success of that performance and rebuilding after

COVID, we now have more than 60 students involved – there are 42 cast members and 20 crew members, which is awesome.

“They are having a ball.”

Playing Prince Lorenzo is 15-yearold Henry Overman.

“It’s my first-ever role,” he said.

“The production is pretty much the same at the movie, just with a few extra people – I’m really looking forward to it.”

In her first lead role is Paige Millar, 16, who rehearsed for ‘Matilda’, but COVID-19 restrictions prevented its staging.

She has performed minor roles in

Horsham Arts Council productions.

“We only started a couple of weeks ago, I’m still learning lines, but I reckon we’ll get it done,” she said.

Ms Friedrichsen said the production had again been a major process, but the cast and crew were doing an ‘absolutely sensational job’.

“It’s always hard yakka, but when you watch those kids on stage opening night and see the smiles on their faces, it’s just awesome,” she said.

“Words cannot describe the feeling it gives me.”

Tickets are on sale at Horsham Town Hall website or box office, for 7.30pm shows on August 15, 16 and 17.

Start growing now for Stawell mullet competition

Stawell Agricultural Society is giving all showgoers an early heads-up to let their hair down –there will be a mullet competition at this year’s annual event.

President of the home craft committee Donna Holden said she first heard of the idea when she was shown a flyer from another show.

“I said we are rolling with that – I’m going to give it a go,” Mrs Holden said.

“Some of the young men I’ve approached said they’ve seen the competitions at B and S Balls, and they’ve been popular.”

There will be a range of sections to enter, from age zero to five years, six to 12 years, 13 to 17 years, and men’s and women’s.

Mrs Holden said she and her husband Anthony would sponsor the section.

“We will offer cash prizes for categories such

as best women’s, best men’s, longest mullet, and the sporting team challenge,” she said.

Mullets will be judged following the opening of the show and the tiny tots and show ambassador competitions.

“We welcome everyone to come along and enter – we have a friend coming from Melbourne for it, and my husband is growing his longer too,” Mrs Holden said.

“We hope to bring a variety of people to the show that wouldn’t normally come.

“I’m excited to have it as part of our show.”

The October 26 show will feature many traditional attractions, such as a gold mines display, food and drink vans, Country Fire Authority, State Emergency Service, sideshow alley, showbags, and displays by local kindergartens and childcare centres.

WHO IS THE FAIREST OF THEM ALL: Left, Imogen Stockdale, Sophie Miller, Ella van Duren, Angle Ochieng and Natalie Gregor at rehearsals for Horsham College’s production of Snow White. Right, Asha McGennisken and Sienna Walsgott get ready at rehearsals for the play.

Pictures: PAUL CARRACHER

Wendy hangs up on council career

BY BRONWYN HASTINGS

Horsham Rural City Coun-

cil customer service officer

Wendy Davies retired this month after starting as the former City of Horsham’s youngest employee in 1976.

Mrs Davies applied for a position as typist when she was 17, having just finished form-five at school, and looking for more than the Saturday mornings of work she had at Langlands’ Department Store since she was 15.

“When I applied, I had an interview at the old CES, Commonwealth Employment Service, building at the top of Firebrace Street with Lois Haines, town clerk, Arch Conn’s secretary,” Mrs Davies said.

“I then interviewed with Mr Conn at his office. It was a big thing as a 17 year old, to have an interview.”

She was hired, with her early responsibilities including pushing a refreshments trolley around the town hall building for staff, most of whom were men.

Mrs Davies’ resources included a Gestetner – a hand-operated photocopier – and a typewriter that would ‘type uphill and was a bit untidy’. There were no computers, and people smoked freely at their desks.

As time went on, Mrs Davies’ responsibilities extended beyond typing and photocopying; she helped with immunisations at the town hall, delivered cheques to employees and council’s suppliers, and crossed off voters at the town hall during elections.

of Horsham’s sewerage and water fell under council.

Mrs Davies took time off for the birth of her first child.

“My first daughter was born in 1983, so I left then, as you do,” she said.

“Back then, you left, you took your super, bought a family car and put carpet in your house.

of different council departments. The council moved from the town hall to its current location in the early 1980s, sharing a building with Shire of Wimmera employees, who had moved out of their office in Firebrace Street.

for the likes of emergency services in finding homes.

“In 1999 I went full-time in customer service – the youngest of my four girls was four years old then.”

“My first daughter was born in 1983, so I left then, as you do. Back then, you left, you took your super, bought a family car and put carpet in your house” – Wendy Davies

footpath when there was a deadline for payment of rates or animal registrations,” she said.

“Now, the processes are much faster, and the need for manual calculation of rates instalments is a thing of the past.”

Mrs Davies has seen Horsham grow over time, too.

“I love how much our city has grown, all the facilities we have now – the heated pool, the town hall, we had small children at the time they were installed, and we found it all very inviting,” she said.

Easing into retirement, Mrs Davies is already ‘rostered’ for grandmother duties two days a week.

“I’m looking forward to spending more time with family. We have three daughters in Horsham and one in Ballarat, so we’ll be able to see her and her husband more, and my mum is still an important part of my life –she’s 97 and in aged care.”

“Things changed again, and we became a municipality, taking in the shires of Arapiles, Wimmera and part of Kowree,” Mrs Davies said.

Mrs Davies marvelled at how far customer service had come in the past 48 years.

Mrs Davies’ husband Russell has been retired for two years, with the couple now looking to visit different parts of Australia while spending more leisure time around home.

She was also responsible for adding water meter readings and rates to the bills of residents – the management

“I started back three months later, helping staff change over to computers, doing three mornings a week.”

Mrs Davies has been in and out

–

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ROAD TO RETIREMENT: Wendy Davies is retiring from her role as a customer service officer at Horsham Rural City Council. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Candidate opportunity

In partnership with Victorian councils, the Municipal Association of Victoria is delivering a series of information sessions for the community and prospective candidates ahead of this year’s local government elections.

The only in-person session in the Wimmera will take place at Nhill Memorial Community Centre on August 14 from 6pm.

The MAV Stand for Council Program, which can be attended either in-person or online, will provide participants with information about local government and the important role councils play for our local communities; the role and responsibility of a councillor, mayor, deputy mayor and chief executive; the election process and candidate requirements; what newly-elected councillors can expect soon after the elections; and councillor training and development opportunities.

Victorian local council elections will be on October 26 via postal vote. Elections are every four years to provide residents, businesses, property owners and entitled representatives of companies the opportunity to choose who is on their respective councils.

Hindmarsh Shire Council chief executive Monica Revell said council elections were an opportunity for people have their say on councillor representatives from each ward –

Hindmarsh wards are north, west, and east wards – but also for people to consider whether to make a difference in their community by nominating themself to run for council.

“The election process is managed by the Victorian Electoral Commission, but Hindmarsh Shire Council has published a guide that provides you with information on running for council and what the role of a councillor looks like in our community,” she said.

“If you are thinking of becoming a candidate for the elections, you must be an Australian citizen, aged 18 years or older, be enrolled to vote in Hindmarsh Shire Council and have completed the Local Government candidate training.

“Whether you vote in the election or become a candidate, we look forward to your contribution in shaping the future of Hindmarsh Shire.”

More information on eligibility and training is available at www.vec. vic.gov.au/candidates-and-parties/ becoming-a-local-council-candidate.

People must register for the MAV Stand for Council Program via Hindmarsh council’s website at www. hindmarsh.vic.gov.au/MAV-Standfor-Council.

For more information on council elections, visit www.hindmarsh.vic. gov.au/2024-Council-Elections or the VEC website at www.vec.vic. gov.au/voting/types-of-elections/ local-council-elections.

Students pop up for cancer centre

A class project created by students at Horsham’s St Brigid’s College has provided financial support for Wimmera cancer patients.

Year 11 and 12 VET students in the college’s small business class created their own range of products, which they sold at a pop-up shop in

Horsham Plaza earlier this year. All money raised from the sale was donated to the Wimmera Cancer Centre in Horsham.

Centre manager Carmel O’Kane accepted the $889 cheque and thanked the students and their teacher Chris Rook for their efforts.

“It’s so lovely to see young people contributing to their community while learning new skills and developing a business acumen at the same time,” Ms O’Kane said.

“We are very grateful to the school and to the class for wanting to support our centre.”

One Tree Per Child project kicks off

Garden Centres of Australia and One Tree Per Child are rolling out a program to engage children and promote gardening as a family activity.

GCA is calling for green-thumbed parents and grandparents to visit participating garden centres to purchase a plant, including trees, shrubs or indoor

plants, and plant it with their children or grandchildren to promote environmental consciousness.

The program launched mid-June at participating centres, including Grow Master Grampians in Ararat.

One Tree Per Child is a not-forprofit social initiative founded by Ol-

ivia Newton-John and Jon Dee. Every plant purchased for One Tree Per Child comes with a commemorative certificate that can be signed by a child’s parent, grandparent or custodian.

For more information, people can visit www.gardencentresaust.com.au.

GRATEFUL: Wimmera Cancer Centre manager Carmel O’Kane, centre, accepts a cheque from St Brigid’s College VET students and teacher Chris Rook, right.

State honour for therapist

Grampians Health occupa-

tional therapist Ashleigh Maybery’s biggest professional challenge was finding a way to clone herself.

The pregnant mother of two had many ideas for her role, but only three days per week to implement them.

Her solution was to bring staff from multiple departments together in innovative group programs that could operate in her absence.

Instead of servicing a handful of clients during limited hours, dozens of people benefitted from her systematic approach, leading to her being named a finalist in the Victorian Rural Health Awards for her ‘outstanding contribution to rural allied health’.

“The impact Ash has had is nothing short of remarkable,” Grampians Health primary health co-ordinator Jo Grant said.

“She identifies a gap, advocates for her community, then creates these unique programs and trains staff to deliver them.”

Among Ms Maybery’s achievements are the fitness programs ‘Strong Shoulders, Fit Fingers’ and ‘Strength and Balance’, designed for older people.

“These were meant to be six-week programs but, due to strong demand, Ash created an ongoing maintenance version,” Ms Grant said.

“Clients really enjoy the social element and wanted to maintain their fitness, so she extended it.”

Ms Maybery also created a bank of equipment that is commonly needed

“Ash is so quiet and humble; she would never boast about this award nomination, so we have to do it for her. Other Grampians Health campuses are looking to implement her screening programs, so it’s impossible to quantify the reach of this one remarkable person”

– Jo Grant

following an acute hospital stay, ensuring it was available to patients immediately.

“She was frustrated by delays in sourcing things such as shower aids and walkers, so we applied for grant funding and now have everything available locally,” Ms Grant said.

“Ash does an assessment to identify client needs, trains allied health assistants to deliver the relevant equipment, then follows up to make sure it’s working.

“The equipment is covered by government funding, which we apply for, so clients often have no idea about the background work involved.”

In a similar program, parents will soon be able to access a toy library so they can replicate speech or occupational therapy activities with the same equipment at home.

Ms Grant said although Ms Maybery’s expertise would be missed during her maternity leave, her work would ensure the community continued to benefit from established programs.

“Ash is so quiet and humble; she would never boast about this award nomination, so we have to do it for her,” she said.

“Other Grampians Health campuses are looking to implement her

screening programs, so it’s impossible to quantify the reach of this one remarkable person.”

Victorian Rural Health Award winners will be announced on June 20.

Free handset to help needy

Telstra customers facing hardship, who are disadvantaged, or elderly are eligible to receive a complementary handset to ensure they remain connected after the 3G network closes on August 31.

People who are facing financial hardship, recovering from a natural disaster or ‘priority assistance’ customers with life-threatening medical conditions will be among the 12,000 people to receive a handset.

Telstra will contact eligible customers to let them know a device is on the way, with instructions on how to connect to the 4G network.

Other customers who are still relying on the 3G network will hear a pre-recorded message when outgoing calls are made, reminding them to upgrade.

To check which network a device uses, text ‘3’ to 3498.

History grants

Projects at Kaniva, Nhill and Serviceton have benefited from the latest round of funding under the Labor government’s local history grants program, which allows organisation to research, record and showcase local history.

Nhill’s silo heritage project was awarded $3334 for the Nhill Noske silo documentation conversation project, West Wimmera Shire Council was awarded $1700 for its history of Serviceton Railway Station with Les Millikin, and Kaniva and District Progress and Action Association was awarded $14,882 for Wiregrass.

The three projects were among 42 successful applicants to share in $350,000.

The next round of the local history grants program and Victorian community history awards will open later this year.

FINALIST: Occupational therapist Ashleigh Maybery is a finalist in the Victorian Rural Health Awards for her ‘outstanding contribution to rural allied health’.

Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Rural Aid: All is not well on the farm

Rural Aid chief executive

John Warlters says primary producers are feeling overworked, underappreciated and anxious amid unusually dry conditions.

Mr Warlters said a recent Rural Aid study showed one in two farmers indicated they have felt their mental health decline in the past year.

“Seventy-six percent of our farmers rated their mental health as poor, very poor or average,” he said.

“These numbers show all is not well on the farm.

“It’s a sentiment echoed across the industry; Rabobank’s Rural Confidence Survey has shown farm confidence has plummeted in the past three months.”

Across Victoria, Rural Aid counsellors continue to provide wellbeing support while discussions with industry continued regarding how Rural Aid could best support farmers above and beyond its ‘traditional’ service delivery.

“Rural Aid continues to be active right across the country at this time providing hay for livestock,

drinking water, and financial relief,” Mr Warlters said.

“Our counsellors are particularly active in providing one-onone support, but are also attending a wide cross-section of industry events to ensure they are visible and easily accessible to anyone who wants to chat.”

Rural Aid’s mental health and wellbeing manager Myf Pitcher said weather conditions, biosecurity concerns, and disaster recovery were on farmers’ minds.

“Our counselling team is making a really important difference every day. We’ve been all over the country supporting primary producers,” she said.

Mr Warlters said rain had failed to dampen demand for fodder to feed drought affected livestock.

“We don’t expect the demand for fodder, or the challenge in sourcing it, to change in the short to medium term,” he said.

Large parts of Victoria remain especially dry – rainfall during autumn had been at record lows in the south-west, parts of the west, north-east and East Gippsland.

Edenhope’s autumn rain totalled 32.4 millimetres, well below the

autumn average of 127.1mm, Bureau of Meteorology data showed.

Similar totals were recorded at Kanagulk, near Balmoral, with 31.6mm across March to May, compared to the autumn rain average of 99.2mm.

Mr Warlters said record dry conditions in the south and west of the nation were proving especially difficult for farmers to deal with, and the demand for hay in South Australia had been particularly strong.

He said Rural Aid relied heavily on community and corporate support to fund its activities and was encouraging tax-time donations to help sustain its efforts.

“Rural Aid can’t do any of its vital work without the generosity of the Australian public,” he said.

“With June 30 just around the corner, now is an opportunity to make a tax-deductible donation in support of Rural Aid and ‘our mates in the bush’ – the farming families who need our help.”

To donate to Rural Aid, or to find out more about Rural Aid’s mental health and wellbeing program, visit www.ruralaid.org.au or call 1300 327 624.

BCG podcast sharing solutions

Birchip Cropping Group’s latest podcast series ‘On the Horizon: Farm Tech’ empowers farmers with knowledge and confidence to explore the integration of on-farm technology.

BCG’s communications and engagement officer Jess Bidstrup said BCG was on a mission to bring the latest in agricultural technology to farmers across the Wimmera, Mallee and North Central regions.

“The latest series of BCG’s podcast, Shared Ag Solutions by BCG, explores topics such as protein mapping, optical spray technology and batching machines,” she said.

“Episodes of the On the Horizon: Farm Tech series will also investigate non-chemical weed management strategies, the latest in drone technology for livestock management, autonomous spray units and on-farm security.

“By conducting interviews with farmers who have walked the path, we’re arming

our listeners with the information they need to ask the right questions and feel comfortable in the ever-changing technological landscape of agriculture.”

The first episode with Wimmera farmer Tim Rethus, called New technology and when to pull the trigger, aired on June 9.

Mr Rethus discusses some of the technology he has implemented on his farm, such as camera sprayers, drones and variable rate treatment application.

It is available across all podcast streaming services.

Ms Bidstrup encourages farmers to follow the podcast on their favourite player to receive updates when new episodes release.

Hosted by mixed-farmer and BCG media and communications manager Janine Batters, listeners can expect each episode to delve into the benefits, challenges and solutions associated with implementing new technology.

Birchip Cropping Group’s Janine Batters and Jess Bidstrup create their podcast.

A boost for farm tech Hay plant’s jobs boost

BY BRONWYN HASTINGS

Quality Australian Hay, the Wimmera’s latest animal-feed hay exporting enterprise, is under construction and set for production to begin early next year – in time for next hay harvest.

Owned by Warracknabeal farmers Scott Somers and Paul Johns, the Henty Highway site will feature one production shed and three storage sheds, with a sprintproduction rate of 28 tonnes an hour.

Mr Somers said site construction was well underway, with footings in place for a 1.1-hectare production shed, and concreting for the 12-hectare site started within the production shed.

“Barring a front garden bed, the site will be concrete to make sure we don’t have to do any further ground works for many years – concrete takes a bit more chewing,” he said.

From the front entrance, trucks transporting hay to the facility will travel in one of two directions and onto a weighbridge. They will continue to a long-term storage shed, or to the production shed where the hay will be graded and stacked, ready for production.

“In the main production shed, we’ll decontaminate the hay to make sure there’s no foreign objects in it and to comply with export standards, before breaking it down and pressing it into the container packing.

“It needs to be re-pressed to make it exportable – if we put it into a shipping container in the form it comes in, we can’t get enough weight in the containers to ship it around the world.”

QA Hay will purchase all grades of hay and straw from local farmers, with several signing up at a growers’ day in February.

Mr Johns said both his and Mr Somers’ families had lived in the Warracknabeal district for generations.

“We’re farmers ourselves, Scott is sixthgeneration, I’m fourth-generation – we wanted to do something different, have another option for farmers,” he said.

“It’s taken six years to this point, from the first beer and casual thought, then the next discussion was, ‘far out, that’s big’.”

Mr Somers said the concept grew over the years.

“We were going to build the plant on my farm and produce about 25,000 tonnes, enough to do our own hay, but then we decided we’d make it on a mutual facility,” he said.

“After another year or so, we approached a local farmer and told him what we were

going to do, and ended up here.”

Mr Johns said the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the project, delaying the subdivision for 18 months.

“It was like the chicken and the egg, it seemed you needed the other one first – you can’t subdivide unless you have a planning permit, and the planning permit won’t pass unless you have a subdivision.”

During the COVID-19 delay, the concept was still being developed.

“We finally broke ground and shifted 30-odd-thousand tonnes of dirt to level the site, then we got really wet a few years ago,” Mr Somers said.

“We lost our general manager, he was killed in a road accident, we then pulled the pin and said it was never going to happen.”

However, the project suddenly fell into place with a new general manager and Bec Winsall joining the team in September.

“We were full steam ahead – we were too far in to turn back,” Mr Somers said.

The production shed will be fully airconditioned and will include an office and board room.

The site boasts the latest fire-detection technology, hay plant management software, expert safety plan layout and a dust management system.

Mr Johns said when he and Mr Somers first talked about starting the business, they wanted to employ as many local people as possible.

“We have the local earthworks guy, the local concrete guy – in this calibre of job, you usually get people from major centres, who ultimately take the money out of town. Housing may be an issue, but

our main reason for this is to support our town,” he said.

Mr Somers said the pair wanted to encourage people to live and work at Warracknabeal, offering both skilled and unskilled roles at the site.

“We will have 60 to 70 full-time jobs. It’s not finalised yet, but we have the basic ones lined up and we’re putting lackeys on now,” he said.

“It’ll be six months before we need the rest of the workforce, and a lot can happen in six months.”

In the meantime, mains power to the site is being upgraded, and three storage sheds will have solar panels installed on top to supply more power than the plant uses.

Mr Somers said the production shed would be the first of four sheds erected.

“We were supposed to start the install of the machines in July. We’re a little bit behind schedule, but it’s probably not a real problem,” he said.

“We’re concreting through now, so the shed builders aren’t affected if it rains –the first load of the shed is coming on site shortly.

“It’s a big facility – it’s probably the one thing that’s surprising everyone the most.”

The plant will operate 24-hours-a-day across a five-day week, with an estimated average output of 28 tonnes each hour, and 120,000 to 130,000 tonnes each year.

If there is demand, production can increase to seven days a week.

“It started as a few million dollars and mates stuffing around, and is now a multimillion-dollar venture,” Mr Somers said.

A new world of tough

The State Government is supporting the establishment of tech startups to create new technologies that will help farmers improve efficiency and adapt to new challenges in the industry.

Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence announced $1 million for the AgTech Grants program, which will invest $50,000 in eligible startups looking to build their business capability.

Delivered in partnership with LaunchVic, the grants provide founders with mentoring from startup experts to build their businesses and seize new opportunities.

They can also support activities that help create new jobs and support Victoria’s economic growth.

Ms Spence said the agriculture sector was critical to the Victorian economy, but that changing conditions meant the sector needed to continuously adapt to new challenges.

She said AgTech startups would help drive adaptation and provide farmers with the tools, data and knowledge they needed to improve productivity and sustainability.

“We’ve seen some inspiring AgTech startups come through the program addressing everything from weather, crop productivity, and supply chain,” Ms Spence said.

“AgTech startups are driving innovation and adaptation in our agriculture sector, and we are providing crucial support in their early critical stages.”

LaunchVic chief executive Kate Cornick said the AgTech Grants Program had awarded grants to 19 startups since 2023, providing services in supply-chain efficiency, farming automation, soil sensing intelligence and pollination-management systems, among others. A recipient of the first round was Drone-Hand, the first commercially available, user-friendly, AI-driven, automated flight-app for livestock monitoring. Applications are open until Sunday. To read more about past recipients and to apply, visit launchvic.org.

Expressions of Interest

Long-term Farm Lease

at

Expressions of Interest (EOI) are invited for long-term leases to manage farmland that surrounds GWMWater’s Birchip, Horsham and Murtoa wastewater treatment plants.

The farmland at these sites is suitable for dryland farming and grazing purposes. Recycled water may also be available, depending on seasonal conditions and water quality requirements.

To express your interest, please complete our EOI form and return to us at eoi@gwmwater.org.au or to our Tender Box at 11 McLachlan Street, Horsham.

EOIs close 2 pm on Wednesday 31 July 2024.

Our EOI form is available on our website at gwmwater.org.au/news. If you prefer a hard copy of the form, please contact our Customer Service team on 1300 659 961 during business hours.

Mark Williams Managing Director

GWMWater is an innovative water corporation providing, managing, operating and protecting water supply and sewerage systems within the Grampians, Wimmera and Mallee regions of Victoria.

11 McLachlan Street Horsham Call: 1300 659 961 (business hours) info@gwmwater.org.au | gwmwater.org.au

Farmland

GWMWater’s

Birchip, Horsham

Murtoa

GROUND-BREAKING: QA Hay owners Scott Somers, left, and Paul Johns, right, with employee Bec Winsall prepare to open their Warracknabeal site.

Roads win for freight vehicles

Asignificant route for agricultural freight in the Ararat municipality will undergo a $6.25-million reconstruction.

Six kilometres of Mount William Road, also a popular route with local and tourist traffic, has been allocated funding in Ararat Rural City Council’s 2024-25 Budget.

The road is critical to wheat, barley, canola and oats farmers accessing the Lakaput bulk grain storage facility – CHS Broadbent’s primary Victorian bulk grain receival space.

Improving access and efficiency for the larger capacity vehicles that transport the harvests will increase the efficiency of transport, reducing supply-chain costs for primary producers and enabling them greater competitiveness in an increasingly global market.

Mount William Road is also the main route for residents accessing the Yalla-YPoora Tennis Club and Recreation Reserve, and is used by many people to get to the Tatyoon Cemetery.

The works will deliver a smoother road surface and driving experience, reducing travel times and levels of fatigue.

In addition, the widening of the road seal will reduce impact of dust on crops located close to Mount William Road.

Currently, when vehicles veer off the narrow seal onto the unsealed shoulders to avoid passing traffic, they generate dust that spreads to the crops via wind. Reduction in dust improves the yield quality of the crops.

The project splits the targeted segment of road into three subsections to be completed chronologically, with works for each subsection including the excavation and removal of the existing degraded road seal and pavement, new road base course layers, drainage works, sealing, line marking, safety barriers and associated safety signage.

Ararat Rural City Mayor Bob Sanders said the project was jointly funded by the Federal Government’s Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program, which awarded Ararat Rural City Council $5-million earlier this year, and council’s own contribution of $1.25 million.

“These upgrades will make the road safer and improve efficiency,” he said.

“Cars and trucks won’t need to slow down and drive off the narrow road seal onto the gravel shoulders to pass each other.

“It will fix the pot holes and uneven patches, so the journey can be safe and smooth, which we desperately need during harvest time when there are many more trucks using this route.”

EXPERIENCE:

Students on industry placement

The Fox and Lillie Group hosted Longerenong scholarship recipients Charlotte Cain and Patria Lees for industry placement, where they gained hands-on experience in the company’s wool brokerage, direct buying services and export division.

Charlotte, of Carisbrook, and Patria, of Ullswater, were each awarded a $5000 Fox and Lillie Wool Scholarship last year.

The Fox and Lillie scholarships provide financial assistance towards their tuition fees over the two-year course at the college and students are also offered work placement during their second year of study.

Fox and Lillie has been work-

ing with Longerenong College for seven years as part of the company’s ongoing commitment to attract more young people into the agriculture industry, particularly in wool.

The work placement is designed to give students hands-on industry training to support their studies and expose them to various career opportunities in the wool industry.

Over the course of industry placement, Charlotte and Patria gained experience in store door wool buying, wool brokering, showfloor logistics, and wool auctions, as well as gaining experience in wool trading and exporting.

They also had the opportunity to visit two local wool scourer and carbonising mills in Melbourne to see a couple of Fox and Lillie’s orders going through early-stage wool processing before being exported overseas.

Both Patria and Charlotte are undertaking their wool classing qualification at Longerenong as part of their studies and were able to put that into practice while learning a few new skills.

Fox and Lillie Rural human resources manager Casey Ritchie said the business was growing and there have been some instances where industry placement had led to career opportunities for some past Longerenong students.

Contact Horsham Autoglass today to organise prompt repair or replacement.

Longerenong College students Patria Lees and Charlotte Cain with Fox and Lillie Group’s James Lillie during the students’ work placement.

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Success depends on reducing emissions

Agriculture keeps getting a bad rap for its part in greenhouse gas emissions. It also needs to keep pace with what other countries are doing, or not doing, to reduce emissions.

The growing economies such as India and China are surging ahead with little evidence of attempts to curb their greenhouse gas output.

I’ll hazard a guess that you probably do not know that nitrous oxide is a greenhouse gas. It’s number three after carbon and methane.

The bad news is that agriculture is responsible for 75 percent of nitrous oxide emissions, mainly due to the use of synthetic fertilisers.

Unlike methane, which only lasts in the atmosphere for about 12 years, nitrous oxide hangs around like a bad smell for a century.

The latest Global Nitrous Oxide Budget shows agriculture is the primary driver of humaninduced nitrous oxide emissions.

“The top five country emitters by volume of anthropogenic N2O emissions in 2020 were China with 16.7 percent, India 10.9 percent, USA 5.7 percent, Brazil 5.3 percent, and Russia 4.6 percent,” the report revealed.

The good news for us is that Australia’s anthropogenic, human induced, N2O emissions have been stable during the past two decades.

But we must not just take a big sigh of relief and think, ‘job done, at least our share’.

The report reveals the once top emitter, Europe, has reduced its emissions since the 1980s by 31 percent, through industrial emission reductions.

That gives the EU more licence to pressure

Country

other countries to prove their environmental credentials. If we ignore its demands, we do so at our peril, not just for the sake of our changing climate: for the sake of our ability in the future to continue to be one of the globe’s most successful exporters of agricultural produce.

For example, the EU’s deforestation regulations, which come into effect at the end of this year, will require large companies trading in seven key commodities to prove these products do not originate from recently deforested areas or contribute to forest degradation.

Those commodities are cattle, wood, cocoa, soy, oil palm, coffee and rubber. Yes, cattle.

Cattle Australia is taking submissions on how to define deforestation in our unique context. But the clock is ticking.

The EU has also just committed to controversial environmental footprint labelling laws. The final details are yet to be decided, but the wool industry has been fighting for several years to ensure synthetic fibres do not have an advantage over natural wool products.

Yes, that wool will come off second best to synthetic fibres that are made from fossil fuels.

Today with Libby Price

Jochinke delivers to Europe

National Farmers’ Federation president and Wimmera farmer David Jochinke is in Europe championing Australian trade and sustainability.

Mr Jochinke, who runs a farm at Murra Warra, west of Warracknabeal, has joined NFF chief executive Tony Mahar, along with Special Representative for Australian Agriculture Su McCluskey to meet with key personnel about Australia’s trade and sustainability credentials in Europe.

The delegation has been showcasing the Australian Agriculture Sustainability Framework, AASF, an industry-led initiative that highlights Australia’s dedication to sustainable agriculture.

The visit began in the Netherlands, a global leader in agricultural technology and the third-largest exporter of agricultural products worldwide.

“This engagement underscores Australia’s commitment to sustainable agriculture on the global stage, as well as the pivotal role of collaborative initiatives such as the AASF in ensuring both industry and government are positioned as leaders in this space,” Mr Jochinke said.

The delegation’s itinerary included meetings with the Ministry of Agriculture of the Netherlands, visits to the World Horticultural Centre, the Greentech Conference, discussions with representatives from Wageningen Uni-

versity, farm tours, and meeting with the Dutch Farmers Association.

The delegation also visited Rome to meet with key representatives of the Food and Agriculture Organisation and is hosting an evening event on the AASF at the Australian Ambassador’s residence alongside the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

They also attended the World Farmers’ Organisation General Assembly where the NFF will ensure Australian farmers’ voices are heard and are part of international agricultural policy development.

“Engagement with government officials and industry stakeholders has centred around common challenges such as environmental regulations, farm productivity, water management and trade,” Mr Jochinke said.

“It’s imperative we work with our EU counterparts on their approach to deforestation, animal welfare, and use of chemicals in agriculture, especially making sure they understand how these are managed in Australia’s unique landscapes.”

In her role as the first SRAA, Ms

ON TOUR:

National Farmers’ Federation

president

David Jochinke and chief executive

Tony Mahar engage with the Food and Agriculture Organisation in Rome.

McCluskey works to boost Australia’s presence and influence in the agricultural institutions that shape farmers access to export markets.

Mr Jochinke said the NFF valued its partnership with the SRAA, recognising it as pivotal for ongoing bilateral engagement and advocacy in international forums.

“This collaborative effort underscores the shared commitment by industry and government to present a ‘team Australia’ approach on the world stage,” he said.

Business spotlight

Agronomist Dr Kate Burke will lead several farming business courses across the state, offering advice on seasonal challenges and developing adaptive plans to meet business goals.

Two-day events at Brim, Goroke and Joel Joel will cover topics including income versus cost of production and impact of rotation, calculating basic financial benchmarks, key profit drivers and high-level benchmarks, and scenario planning for the 2024 and 2025 seasons and beyond.

The courses are suitable for grain and mixed farmers, and are delivered through the Farm Business Resilience Program, jointly funded by the Australian Government Future Drought Fund and State Government Future Agriculture Skills Capacity Fund.

The course will run at Brim on July 24 and 25, Goroke on August 20 and 21, and Joel Joel on August 27 and 28. People can book by visiting TryBooking or www.agriculture.vic.gov. au/events.

CFA backs farmers

BY COLIN MacGILLIVRAY

The Country Fire Authority has thrown its support behind Marnoo and Gre Gre residents opposing planned high-voltage power lines in the region, confirming its members will not fight fires beneath the lines.

The proposed lines are part of the VNI West project, which aims to connect renewable energy generators in Victoria and New South Wales via a series of overhead transmission lines.

Marnoo and Gre Gre are among several regional Victorian towns to express misgivings about the proposal, and CFA West Region deputy chief officer Brett Boatman said local brigades backed their communities.

“That proposal has been in discussion for quite a while now, and the brigades and the community members up in that part of Victoria have got some concerns around this proposal,” he said.

“Our CFA members are voicing their concerns about it. They’ve come out and said they’re not going to fight fires under high-voltage transmission lines, which is consistent with CFA’s procedures, and also around electricity-generation infrastructure they would only take a perimeter defence.”

Mr Boatman said the CFA had few concerns about large-scale lithium-ion battery storage present in renewable power generators such as wind farms, but that fighting fires amid wind turbines presented its own set of risks for CFA volunteers.

“Typically the issues we see with lithium-ion batteries are in small transport devices such as scooters and e-bikes, and typically those that are not made by quality manufacturers and they might be imported,” he said.

“In terms of grid-scale battery energy storage, there was one fire at a storage facility at Geelong a few years ago while that facility was in the process of being commissioned, but once they’re up and running and being properly monitored, generally we don’t see any issues with grid-scale

battery energy storage. CFA has guidelines for the developers of renewable energy in terms of how they set their sites up, what the space is between their facilities, how much water they have on site, their emergency procedures and the like, which are world-class guidelines that guide developers.

“At that end of the scale we’re not seeing a whole lot of issues.”

Mr Boatman said while the CFA had developed procedures for fighting fires around high-voltage power lines since they became commonplace in regional Victoria in the 1950s, they still presented risks to volunteers.

“It does change the way we approach and fight fires, and it’s another hazard in the environment that we have to work around,” he said.

“We don’t fight fires under transmission lines –we stay out of the easement, we stay at least 25 metres away from the wires. If a fire is travelling under the transmission lines, we need to find a way to catch up with the fire on the other side of the transmission lines.

“There are none of these lines running across the communities now, so we’ve been doing some work with the brigades and local groups up there to do training and bring them up to speed with what the procedures are.”

Mr Boatman backed the members protesting against the planned power lines.

“CFA and community members are interchangeable. I would expect that most of the people who live at Gre Gre are probably members of CFA, so as firefighters in their community they are demonstrating their right to have their voices heard,” he said.

“From a CFA perspective we understand their concerns – we understand the anxiety in the community that’s with them every day.

“They’re being a very respectful group of people in the way they’re having this conversation and I think from a CFA perspective our job is to give them the right tools and resources to go and do their job safely, which is our mission.”

Money for gorse control

The annual Victorian Gorse Taskforce grants program has opened for 2024-25, with funding available for community-led gorse control projects.

Gorse, an invasive weed that grows up to four metres tall, is difficult to eradicate, with seedlings repeatedly emerging for many years.

The community grants program’s objectives include building community knowledge and capacity in managing gorse, and reducing the impacts of gorse on environmental, agricultural and social values.

Community groups can apply for funding up to $8000 for on-ground gorse control works on private land. All participating landholders involved could receive up to $1500 in grant funding and must match this with their own monetary contribution.

People can apply or find more information at vicgorsetaskforce.com.au/community-projects/ community-grants and downloading a copy of the 2024-25 VGT community grants funding guidelines and application form.

LIFE MEMBERS & SPONSORS

All ATTENDEES will go in the draw to win 2 x Medallion Club tickets

SATURDAY 13TH JULY

GOODS & SERVICES AUCTION

Marquee from 2pm to 5.30pm then follow on with the from 6pm in the Pavilion

Roast Meat & Salads Tea – $20 adult – $10 kids – Under 12 Free All Natimuk and surrounding community welcome to attend THERE WILL BE SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE!

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Duck-season infringements on the rise

This year’s duck season ended on June 5, with Victoria’s Game Management Authority conducting more than 500 waterway and wetland patrols on private and public land.

Working in partnership with Victoria Police, Safe Transport Victoria, New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Parks Victoria, and Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, GMA regulated the eight-week season.

GMA director of compliance and intelligence Zac Powell said there was an increase in patrols this year, with officers inspecting 1550 games licences and 1200 hunter bags.

“Officers were deployed to conduct 511 patrols across wetlands and waterways on both private and public land this year,” he said.

“During the whole period, there were 56 offences across the state – from people infringing on public safety laws to people having invalid game licences.

“We have public safety laws to keep non-hunters away from hunters – it’s obviously a very contentious issue.”

GMA detected 26 hunting-related offences, mainly having an invalid game licence, being in possession of toxic, or lead, shot, and failing to leave a wing attached.

“Some people had expired game licences – the one or three-year terms may have been overlooked – and some had never bought a licence,” Mr Powell said.

“There were also people using toxic shot, which has been banned for more than 20 years for waterbird hunting.”

The discharge of lead into the environment is poor for the health of non-target species that might ingest those pellets.

“People can still obtain toxic shot for other purposes, and I wouldn’t call it ignorant, I call it lazy, if people are still using it when it’s been prohibited,” Mr Powell said.

“There’s a range of people that don’t like duck hunting, that’s not our issue, it’s part of a being in a healthy democracy, the biggest issue for us is making sure we don’t have instances of public safety being compromised by people coming into contact with each other, that’s why we have public safety laws.”

There were 23 people suspected of breaching public safety laws by entering or remaining in a specified hunting area, or hindering or harassing hunters, with GMA issuing 22 banning notices as a result. Seven non-hunters are also being investigated for hindering or obstructing an officer.

GMA uses a range of sanctions to deter illegal hunting and protestor activity, including official warnings, infringement notices, license suspensions and cancellations. Illegal activity can be reported online or by calling 136 186.

Duck farms wary of bird flu

Aresponse to avian influenza, or bird flu, on seven poultry farms across Victoria and New South Wales is underway after the first detection of an H7 HPAI strain was confirmed last month at a farm near Meredith, Victoria.

The viral disease is described as low pathogenicity, LPAI, which causes minimal disease in wild birds and poultry, or high pathogenicity, HPAI, which causes widescale death of poultry and wild birds.

The federal, state, and territory governments along with affected livestock industries are working together to manage the outbreaks through well-established response arrangements.

Nhill’s Luv-a-Duck chief executive Daniel Shoppee said the duck farm had not detected any cases of avian influenza.

“We are pleased to confirm that no positive tests for bird flu have been recorded at any of our facilities,” he said.

“This is a testament to the stringent biosecurity protocols we al-

ready have in place to protect our birds and operations.”

Luv-a-Duck enforces several biosecurity measures to minimise the risk of spreading disease, including restricting access to authorised personnel; strict hygiene practices for staff, equipment and vehicles; flock health monitoring; and wildbird control.

“All of Luv-a-Duck’s livestock and primary processing operations are situated over 300 kilometres away from the infected properties in Meredith and Terang, ensuring a safe distance from the affected areas,” Mr Shoppee said.

The current strains do not appear to transmit easily between humans, nor do they pose any threat to the consumption of eggs or chicken meat, provided they are handled and cooked according to standard food-handling practices.

“We want to emphasise that avian influenza does not pose a food safety risk,” Mr Shoppee said.

“Consumers can continue to enjoy duck meat products with confidence, as our products undergo stringent quality control processes

to meet the highest safety and hygiene standards.”

The six infected properties near Meredith and one near Terang are confirmed to have a high pathogenicity strain, with restricted and control areas in place at all affected premises.

The outbreak-affected properties have been placed in quarantine, with all poultry required to be safely and humanely disposed of, with the sites to be cleaned and cleared of the infection.

Agriculture Victoria staff are supporting the affected properties and working with poultry owners and industry to contain and eradicate the virus.

Tracing is also underway to determine the source and spread of the infection.

“The outbreak at the chicken farm at Meredith transferred to nearby ducks, but it has not come close to our farms,” Mr Shoppee said.

Luv-a-Ducks 23 farms, including 55 sheds, are located from Nhill to St Arnaud, and across to the Natimuk area.

FUN WITH FUNGI: Ecologist and environmental photographer Alison Pouliot, above and right, spoke at Landcare’s Meeting with Mushrooms fungal ecology and identification workshop at Natimuk earlier this month.

“We remain committed to working closely with government authorities to ensure the health and safety of our flocks and the wider community,” Mr Shoppee said.

“We will continue to follow all guidance and regulations set forth by Agriculture Victoria and other relevant agencies to prevent the spread of avian influenza.”

All bird species are considered vulnerable to avian influenza, including domestic poultry and birds. Domestic bird owners can manage the risk of avian influenza by preventing contact with wild birds, quarantining new birds, and knowing the signs of disease, including sudden death, lethargy, droopy appearance, diarrhoea, and reduction in egg production.

Poultry farmers, backyard flock and bird owners are urged to report any cases of unexplained bird deaths to the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226.

People can visit farmbiosecurity. com.au for more detailed information on preventing disease in chickens, ducks and other species.

The workshop introduced participants to the diversity of fungi and the basic principles of fungus identification, including fungi from both local habitats and further afield. In addition to the ecological and mycological aspects, cultural and conservation aspects of fungi were also discussed, with participants having an opportunity to examine and handle fungus specimens.

Pictures: PAUL CARRACHER

National freight strategy roadmap

GrainGrowers earlier this month unveiled its National Grain Freight Strategy, with a road map for government to help drive Australia’s global competitiveness.

The strategy is designed to increase the productivity and efficiency of the supply chain, driving down costs and delivering savings for Australian growers.

Launching the strategy, GrainGrowers chairman Rhys Turton said a unified and considered approach was vital to address a complex and multifaceted issue.

The launch was supported by a panel discussion featuring participants across the supply chain discussing some of the challenges and opportunities facing the grain supply chain.

Panel participants included Minyip grower Ryan Milgate, GrainCorp commercial general manager Sean Barker, Australasian Rail Association freight and haul general manager Georgia Nicholls, and Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association executive director Rachel Smith.

Mr Turton said the grain freight supply chain was characterised by diverse, complex and multidirectional freight journeys across multiple modes of transport.

“In 2022-23, a record winter crop production of 65.7 million tonnes was moved from paddocks across regional Australia, by either road or rail to port for export or to domestic markets,” he said.

“The expense of moving grain is the

FIRST-HAND: Freight transport service Specialised Container Transport, SCT, in conjunction with Horsham Rural City Council, hosted an industry event on June 13, featuring guest speakers and a tour of the Wimmera Intermodal Freight Terminal at Dooen. ‘Wimmera Regional Port Logistics Industry Event 2024’ also featured guest speakers from various sectors of the logistics industry at a networking event at Horsham Town Hall. Pictured is SCT operations manager Damian Paynter explaining SCT’s operations at the Wimmera Intermodal Freight Terminal.

Key elements of the action plan

Road funding: With most domestic grain and an increasing proportion of export grain transported by road, a well-maintained national road system is required. Elements required in the short-term include the development of state-based grain freight strategies; increased funding to direct funding mechanisms such as the Roads to Recovery Program; funding to critical grain freight routes under the Infrastructure Investment Program; and elevating the National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy’s governance structures to a national cabinet priority to increase resourcing and accountability.

Road regulation: Short-term actions include a greater streamlining of HPFV regulations; improvements to safety and reduced red tape, including crossing rail lines; and increased sharing of resources to local councils to determine road access decisions.

Bridges: Practical ability to operate is impeded by bridge infrastructure nearing the end of its useful life, with many councils unable to afford bridge replacement and imposing bridge load limits to protect assets. Immediate action is required to identify and fund bridge upgrades on high-volume freight routes.

Rail: Increasing rail grain freight is a viable way to not only reduce carbon emissions, but efficiently transport grain long distances from growing regions to port. Unfortunately, a localised rail network, undermines the interoperability of the network reducing overall freight efficiency and increasing costs. Urgent work required includes targeted funding to upgrade critical rail freight corridors; the harmonisation of roll-

single largest cost of production, with CSIRO modelling highlighting transport costs of $2.1 billion per annum.

“Increasingly, our ability to compete on the global stage is not just determined by what we grow, but also how efficiently and effectively we can get our grain to market.

“For context, prior to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, both

ing stock access agreements; an audit of infrastructure standards to identify opportunities for standardisation and expansion; and co-funding for industry to upgrade rail sidings and loading capacity.

Ports: A well-functioning port system is critical to transport grain to overseas markets, however Australian ports and landside logistic chains face major challenges from a growth in trade. Increasing trade will intensify current issues, with inefficiencies impacting grain exports with spiralling costs and delays. In the short term the industry requires a nationally co-ordinated approach to port regulation to improve consistency and co-ordination including terminal charges; and monitoring of port productivity by the Federal Government.

Freight decarbonisation: As a hard-to-abate industry, a nationally co-ordinated and staged transition is required, to implement a fundamental shift to Australian grain freight. With the commercialisation of low-emission road and rail technologies still in its infancy, targeted government support is required to establish low-emission pathways for grain freight. Immediate steps required include: the implementation of a National Transport and Infrastructure Net Zero Roadmap and Action Plan; ensuring decarbonisation is included in the National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy; developing a National Modal Shift Scheme to encourage increased grain rail freight; and exploring opportunities for domestic production of canola-based biofuels for use in existing machinery to reduce emissions.

countries production costs were $70$120 AUD less than Australia’s.”

GrainGrowers commissioned international consulting firm LEK to develop the ‘Connecting the Dots’ report to identify key pinch points in the supply chain.

Following the report, GrainGrowers consulted with more than 40 stakeholders across the supply chain to gain

further input into the issues.

“By collaborating with industry stakeholders and policymakers, we’re paving the way for a more efficient and resilient grain supply chain that meets the evolving needs of Australian grain growers,” Mr Turton said.

“While growers are at the heart of the strategy, with a key focus on the issues that impact transporting

grain off farm such as local roads and bridges, it is vital the approach reflects the views of the broader supply chain.

“What we have now is a clear strategy built around six key objectives, with the potential to make a real difference to productivity and efficiency of the grain freight supply chain.”

The framework underpinning the strategy is based on the following objectives: encourage competition and new supply chain entrants; increase scalable capacity within the supply chain; streamline and harmonise regulation; build supply chain resilience; support new technologies and innovation; and enhance freight sustainability.

Mr Turton said the practical application of the strategy was embedded in an action plan focused on road funding, road regulation, bridges, rail, ports and freight decarbonisation.

It outlines ways for government and industry stakeholders to work together, ensuring Australia’s grain supply chain remains competitive on the global stage.

“Part of this strategy highlights what needs to happen and the timeline required to deliver results,” Mr Turton said.

“This is not a wish list. It is a pragmatic, strategic pathway forward, and we urge the government to support this and make strategic investments to bring substantial benefits to the industry and broader Australian economy.”

In The Paddock

With Simon, Jack & Charlie

It is important to monitor the forecast for frost as it will significantly a ect the results of certain modes of action, particularly groups A (1) and B (2).

Sprouting Strength: Embracing Change in the Post-Emergent Season

Although this season has been slow, the time has come to prepare for post-emergent spraying. This month’s article will cover off two key drivers in getting the most out of our selective spraying jobs.

Environmental Conditions

Spraying in poor conditions can often cause poor results when applying post-emergent products. For example, products that are translocated or move within the plant are heavily impacted by growing conditions. When targeting Annual Ryegrass, Clethodim efficacy is dramatically reduced if sprayed within 3 days of a frost. A study by the University of Adelaide showed up to 50% survival of susceptible Annual Ryegrass at label rates of Clethodim when applied after 3 days of frost and up to 30% survival before 3 days of frost. Their findings also showed that survival percentage grew when resistance occurred and/or when targeting ryegrass that is 4 leaf of larger. There are also some groups of herbicides that require good sunlight intensity and high humidity to get better results. Group H (27), which is often used to target resistant Wild Radish and other brassica weeds, requires good light intensity and humidity during application for good results. The most common Group

H (27) actives include Pyrasulfotole and Topramenzone. Another product that requires these conditions is Glufosinate, a Group N (10) which is great for targeting resistant ryegrass on fence-lines and used in Liberty Link canola.

Resistance Management

Herbicide resistance to post-emergent chemicals is widely known and ever increasing, particularly in problem weeds such as Annual Ryegrass and Wild Radish but it also occurs in Wild Oats and Sow Thistles. According to Dr Chris Preston from the University of Adelaide, there are an estimated 40 000 resistant populations in Annual Ryegrass to herbicide groups A (1) and B (2) across Australia. There is also confirmed Ryegrass resistance to 9 different herbicide groups including pre and post emergent chemicals. However, there are very few populations that are resistant to multiple herbicide groups and multiple active ingredients and as such mixing different mode of actions (MOA’s) is a crucial component to delay resistance and improve weed control. Following rules such as only using 1 application of each MOA or herbicide group per year and not using the same MOA or group in consecutive years goes a long way in reducing the number of resistant weeds in

your paddock. This is especially important with Group B (2) herbicides which have been over-used due to the increased area of Imidazolinone Tolerant crops leading to these products having poor results on problem weeds such as Wild Radish and Ryegrass.

Overall, a good result from post-emergent chemical applications will lead to a better crop and more profit. Finding a balance between spraying in good conditions and spraying on time is important to getting a good result. Identify any failed post-emergent sprays and find the cause because it will change how you manage that paddock in the future. If there are any weed populations that are suspected to be resistant, get them tested to confirm and tailor a strategy to remove the resistant population from the seed bank.

If in doubt, please give us a call and let’s hope that we get some good rain over the next few weeks.

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Farm safety focus ongoing

The Victorian Farmers Federation’s Making our Farms Safer project will continue to run until 2025 after receiving a $600,000 grant from the State Government.

VFF vice-president Danyel Cucinotta said the project, which launched in April 2020, would continue to help shift the dial towards zero on-farm deaths and injuries.

“The project has been a vital and trusted resource for the farming community since 2020 and the team will hit the ground running to help reduce the over-representation of the agriculture industry in workplace deaths and injury,” she said.

“Farmers and our regional communities have told us loud and clear how important this project was to them, and I welcome the government’s commitment to helping us keep farmers safe.”

Ms Cucinotta said the project would focus on four key areas to help ensure the safety of farmers.

“Mental health is an enormous, hidden burden confronting many farmers,” she said.

“The VFF MOFS project will develop and publish a handbook specifically made by our farmers, for our farmers.

“The use of telehandlers on

farms brings particular risks, which are a key focus for the VFF.

“With the new options for telehandler licencing to rollout beginning in July, we’ll be working with farmers to help ensure they understand the requirements and dangers when operating or working around them.”

Ms Cucinotta said more than 40 percent of all deaths on farms in 2022 were people aged older than 60.

“This announcement means we’ll be able to continue the rollout of the recently launched ‘Stay Farming Longer and Safer’ handbook, aimed at farmers over 60,” she said.

“Nothing beats in-person, tailored safety advice to your farm.

“The team will be busy conducting on-farm safety visits, safety briefings as well as attending field days and presenting to community groups throughout Victoria.”

Agriculture minister Ros Spence announced three grants, totalling $1.25 million, awarded to the VFF, Gardiner Foundation, and Fruit Growers Victoria.

The funding will help extend existing safety programs and contribute to new initiatives that will support cultural diversity in the agricultural workforce.

The Gardiner Foundation will

receive $610,000 from the government and provide $1.22 million of its own money to increase the engagement of culturally and linguistically diverse communities in agricultural regions.

Fruit Growers Victoria will receive a $49,402 grant to deliver farm safety videos relating to cool stores and working from heights in multiple languages targeting culturally and linguistically diverse, CALD, workers, and a mental health webinar for fruit growers in the Goulburn Valley.

Ms Spence said the Farming Safe and Well Program was part of the government’s Backing Victoria’s World Class Producers to

Grow commitment in the 202324 State Budget. “These grants encourage proactive measures to ensure the wellbeing of farmers and agriculture workers, while promoting diversity and inclusion across the sector,” she said.

“It is vital that we can continue to work alongside industry to combine our resources and expertise to enhance farm safety standards and farmer wellbeing and create a more inclusive environment that can benefit all.”

People can learn more about the program and access resources by visiting makingourfarmssafer. org.au.

Feed for winter

Lactating stock, weeds and wastage are among the considerations growers will have when purchasing feed and sheep for cattle during winter, although costing feeds based on energy is still the number one consideration.

There are immediate and long-term implications when feeding to energy content requirements – maternal and offspring survival can be compromised if nutrition is insufficient during late pregnancy and lactation, with long-term implications for future growth, maturity and fertility.

While feeding requirements of maternal stock is significantly less once young are weaned, early-weaned stock have the highest protein demands of any livestock on a farm.

Lactating or young growing sheep require more than 12 percent protein – up to 18 percent – whereas lactating or growing cattle require more than 10 percent. Therefore, feeds such as maize, oats and hays might not be sufficient for some stock if fed on their own.

Once lambs are weaned, the requirements of the ewes are significantly less and depending on their condition, a maintenance ration or poorer pasture might be adequate to maintain weight and halt weight loss.

Wastage must also be factored into costings, particularly when conditions are wet – pellets break down quickly, and other feed become unpalatable when ground-feeding.

Fibre and roughage need to be carefully balanced, as too-high fibre might result in stock not able to eat enough to meet their energy needs.

Some grains, such as wheat, triticale and barley, need to be processed for cattle to achieve the full energy value – processing grains for sheep is not required and will increase the chance of acidosis.

Storage and handling of feed also needs to be considered, as does introducing weeds from new suppliers. Growers can visit agriculture.vic.gov.au to find more tips on feed and early weaning.

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Farm financial skills workshop

Horsham district farmers will have an opportunity to expand their knowledge at a free Rabo Client Council workshop designed to teach financial skills critical to managing an agricultural enterprise.

The practical financial skills workshop, which provides farmers an opportunity to both upskill and network, will be in early July.

The workshop is spearheaded and funded by food and agribusiness banking specialist Rabobank’s Rabo Client Council, a volunteer group of the bank’s farming clients who implement programs that contribute to the sustainability of rural and regional communities.

The interactive workshop provides practical, hands-on advice for understanding financial statements and banking requirements, and explores topics including taxation versus management accounting, essential business management ratios and understanding key components of a business’ financial profile.

Rabo Client Council South Australia and northwest Victoria chair and Millicent-based mixed farmer Nikki Kirkland said financial literacy was ‘essential for both existing farmers and the new generation joining the sector’.

Ms Kirkland said the workshop aimed to bridge a divide between agricultural expertise and financial understanding.

“While many of our up-and-coming primary producers may have strong education backgrounds or extensive on-farm experience, understanding the complexities of financial reporting and banking requirements can still be unfamiliar. That’s precisely why these workshops are immensely valuable,” she said.

Ms Kirkland said while the original target audi-

ence for the workshop was the next generation of farmers, the Rabo Client Council was also receiving feedback that current farmers also received benefit from the sessions.

“The workshop is designed to allow couples and family members to attend together,” she said.

“It offers an excellent chance for farmers to step away from their business, absorb the same information, and develop a shared understanding of financial reporting.

“By learning together, they can enhance their financial knowledge as a team.”

Ms Kirkland said the Rabo Client Council network was focused on developing grassroots initiatives to support agri education, rural wellbeing, sustainability, adaptation and creating rural-urban connections.

“By equipping farmers with the knowledge to effectively utilise financial reporting, the financial skills workshop plays a role in enhancing the resilience and prosperity of local farming enterprises,” she said.

“As a result, our rural and regional communities also reap the benefits of a financially robust and healthy agricultural sector.”

The workshop – which will be limited to 30 participants and open to all farmers regardless of who they bank with – will be presented by director of Hudson Facilitation, Tony Hudson.

It will be on Tuesday, July 2 from 8.30am to 3.30pm at Horsham Golf Club. Morning tea and lunch catering will be provided.

People can register to participate by visiting rabobankaunz.eventsair.com/financial-skillsworkshops/registration/Site/Register.

People can email rabocommunity@rabobank. com with any queries about the workshops.

Growing support for compost program

Ararat Rural City Council is encouraging residents to support its new composting endeavour after a recent case study sparked interest across the community.

Council last month shared the story of TerriAnne and Mark Lewis, a Cathcart couple who established a market garden on their property using 200 tonnes of council-created compost.

Chief executive Tim Harrison reported a surge in community interest in the compost program after the story’s publication and said he hoped people would investigate how they could become involved.

Dr Harrison said the project was a joint venture between Ararat Rural City Council and Gaia EnviroTech, a Ballarat bioenergy and wastemanagement company.

He said Gaia set up a composting system at Ararat’s transfer station under a reciprocal agreement that allowed Gaia’s senior engineers to try out new ideas.

“We need to be collaborative, and commit to the process of research and development. We’re not just end recipients; this isn’t a turn-key solution. It’s about continual innovation – and there are a whole range of great community stories

coming out of it,” he said. Dr Harrison said the transfer station produced 120 tonnes of compost each fortnight, mixing green waste and food waste from across the municipality.

Gaia technical director Sandy Gray said the company carefully measured the ratio of green waste to food waste to create top-class compost.

After mixing, contaminants are removed by hand before the material is shredded by a machine and loaded into pasteurisation containers made from repurposed shipping containers.

The containers heat the mixture to more than 55 degrees for 72 hours, while engineers digitally monitor and control temperature, moisture and other factors.

The resulting matter is drained, screened and tested to ensure compliance with relevant health and safety regulations.

“Every batch of compost we process is sampled and sent to the Gaia EnviroTech lab for testing,” Dr Harrison said.

People can learn more about the composting process and secure batches of 50 or more tonnes for agricultural projects by emailing Ian Cooper at icooper@ararat.vic.gov.au.

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Farming groups protest export ban

The Australian agricultural industry is reeling following the Federal Government’s announcement that it will phase out the live exporting of sheep during the next four years.

Federal Agriculture Minister Murray Watt made the announcement in Perth on May 11, offering the industry a $107 million transition package.

Representatives from the National Farmers’ Federation, NFF, joined by multiple agricultural bodies, walked out of Mr Watts’ address during an agricultural industry budget breakfast in Canberra on May 15.

The group comprising the NFF, Wool Producers Australia, Sheep Producers Australia, Cattle Australia, Australian Livestock Export Council, WA Farmers, AgForce Queensland and NSW Farmers left the event when the minister started talking about the ban.

NFF president and Murra Warra farmer David Jochinke said the walkout was intended to show the minister that he had crossed a line by announcing a four-year timeline to banning live sheep exports.

“We turned our back to the minister just like he turned his back on farmers,” he said.

“The walkout represents what this government did to agriculture when it pursued this ideological agenda, dis-

regarding the real-world implications this ban will have on farmers, communities, our trading relationships and animal welfare outcomes.

“It appears this government listens to activists over agricultural experts and farmers. Perhaps if we start behaving like activists it might listen to us.

“Overseas farmers are taking to the streets to rebel against governments who won’t listen. We don’t want that here, but is that what our leaders want?

“We are putting this government on notice. We are only just getting warmed up. There’s plenty of fight in farmers.”

Mr Jochinke said it was imperative

to make a stand for the thousands of people and small businesses the trade ban would impact, but that it was also much bigger than the live sheep export trade.

“The government has cancelled a viable and important industry. What industry will be next on the chopping block?” he said.

“We know the calls are already ramping up for cattle to follow suit, but what if a vocal minority decides it doesn’t like apples or cotton or dairy?

“We will fight this decision tooth and nail. Agricultural policy must be built on evidence, science and listening to farmers, not ideology and inner city vote grabbing.”

The Victorian Farmers Federation,

VFF, also voiced its disapproval, saying the Federal Government’s decision to ban live sheep exports could have dire consequences for Victorian farmers.

VFF president Emma Germano said the decision demonstrated a lack of understanding of the entire agricultural industry.

She said the move had left many farmers questioning the motive of government decision makers.

“The flow-on impact of this decision simply cannot be underestimated and couldn’t come at a worse time with many Western Australian farmers battling severe drought,” she said.

“Decisions like this don’t actually improve animal welfare outcomes. It’s ignoring the fact that Australian farmers are world-leaders in animal welfare practices and are regulated using science-based methods.”

Ms Germano said the government was pandering to the demands of minority activists, which was ‘incredibly concerning’.

She said the live sheep sea export ban decision would add further strain to an already insecure food security situation.

“Decisions like this don’t just impact those directly involved in the industry. It sends a message that your business can be shut down with the stroke of a pen and that leads to massive uncertainty throughout the entire Australian agriculture industry,” she said.

“We urgently need leaders that understand the critical importance that our industry plays.

“We help feed millions around the globe, inject billions into the economy and employ hundreds of thousands of people in the country.

“It’s time our leaders understood the decisions they make have very real and potentially dire consequences.”

“Undoubtedly there will be direct impacts, nonetheless the livelihoods and generational farmers that have been destroyed. That is devastating and the mental health impacts will sadly be enormous.

If you think you are out of range for your household goods to be serviced, think again.

Call Horsham Betta today on 5381 2207. You can even drop into the store at 156 Firebrace Street, Horsham, during business hours, 8.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday.

LOCAL TRADE DIRECTORY

Fiat revealed the first pictures of its new Grande Panda last week, the model recalling an icon of Italy’s roads in the 1980s Panda hatch.

Based on what the 125-year-old brand describes as a multi-energy platform, the Grande Panda is the first of a range of new global models that will see the Fiat move to offer its product in markets including Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

Electric and hybrid versions of the Grande Panda will be offered, the slightly larger model now moving into the B segment with a body length of

just under 4000 millimetres. The vehicle will offer seating for five in a ‘well organised’ interior, and is said to offer family levels of comfort and technology fitting of ‘today’s urban mobility’.

Fiat says it will launch a new vehicle model every year between now and 2027, beginning with the Grande Panda.

All will be based on a shared Smart Car platform which Fiat says ‘works in every region of the world’, allowing it to create many different vehicles to respond to customers’ needs.

Fiat says the design of the Grande Panda is one that conveys strength and uniqueness with a robust and

structured volume, bright colours, and pronounced profile lines.

It delivers what Fiat describes as innovative and smart use of space with ‘a cool personality and surprising features’.

The headlights of the model are said to reflect those in the façade of Fiat’s Lingotto factory.

In homage to the classic Panda 4x4, the Grande Panda features P-A-ND-A lettering in a bas-relief across the doors, while the ‘unmistakable inclination of the angular ratio with the vertical volume of the rear is reproduced by the robust C pillar’ – in other words, it looks ‘chunky’.

Finally, to maintain the geometric theme of the 1980s model, the Grande Panda sports 17-inch diamond cut alloy wheels that Fiat says offer a ‘captivating, stylised ‘X’ design’.

Fiat chief executive and Stellantis Global chief marketing officer Olivier Francois said the best way to celebrate Fiat’s 125 years was to start writing the first pages of its future, beginning with the new Grande Panda.

“Designed in Turin, Italy by our Centro Stile, Fiat’s new creation embodies its forerunner’s values,” he said.

“This compact car is based on a global platform, giving the brand

the opportunity to expand its global reach.

“With the Grande Panda, Fiat now begins its transition to global common platforms that cover all regions of the world, passing on the resulting benefits to its customers worldwide.

“In fact, the Grande Panda is perfectly suited for families and urban mobility in every country – a real Fiat.”

There is no word yet on whether the Fiat Grande Panda will be offered in right-hand drive markets including Australia.

– Matt Brogan

Premcar hints at electrified future

Australian

vehicle remanufacturing firm Premcar – best known for its Nissan Navara and Patrol-based Warrior off-road offerings – is eyeing an electrified future, saying it will work with partnered original equipment manufacturers to develop appropriate vehicles where such opportunities exist.

Speaking with Australian motoring media at the launch of the MY24 Nissan Patrol Warrior at Premcar’s homebase in Epping last week, engineering director Bernie Quinn said the ability to adapt and re-engineer electrified models for the Australian market was not beyond the scope of the firm’s capabilities.

“While we don’t have anything in the pipeline right now, we do have, obviously, a need to adapt to the market – and it’s an interesting question for me because it ties back to the new vehicle efficiency standard discussion,” he said.

“If we take the Patrol Warrior as an example, you can’t make an electrified Patrol Warrior that meets all our brand’s non-viables. That’s just a fact.

“Three-and-a-half tonne towing, the ability to go out into the bush, that can’t happen with the current level of technology available.

“Customers drive the market demand in that instance. But what we can do is bring in other products via this new vehicle efficiency standard program to offset the CO2 emissions from the products that customers want.”

As to whether other products from within the Nissan range – those already featuring all-wheel drive and electrification, such as the X-Trail e-Power – could offer a business case suitable to ‘Warriorisation’, Mr Quinn said there was already a plan on the table.

“While we don’t have anything in the pipeline right now, we do have, obviously, a need to adapt to the market”

– Bernie Quinn

again offer a locally-developed Warrior product was something that was already under discussion.

“The relationship we have with Premcar is a solid one, and while it’s not something we normally talk about openly, we are obviously in discussion with Bernie and the team about what we can do with future product going forward,” he said.

“The dialogue is open, and we have a portfolio of products we are looking at, and obviously we are really focusing on what Australian customers want, and what products we think we can expand the Warrior brand into.”

Asked whether Nismo Patrol and Navara were posing a threat to the Warrior program, Mr Humberstone was circumspect, saying he believed the Premcar offering would continue to hold its own.

In terms of the existing Navara and Patrol offerings – which are both scheduled for model renewal in the not-too-distant future – Nissan Oceania managing director Andrew Humberstone said the opportunity to

“The simple answer is yes, there are products in the existing Nissan portfolio that would lend themselves well to a Warrior-type conversion, and while I am so tempted to talk about specifics, I’m not going to,” he said.

“I wouldn’t say so, no. We’re looking at the Australian component, and I think the relationship we have with Bernie and with Premcar is very important to us,” he said.

– Matt Brogan

INCOMING: Australian remanufacturing firm Premcar says electrified vehicle modification is on the horizon.

Fronx to replace Suzuki’s Ignis

Suzuki Australia is set to say goodbye to the long-serving Ignis light SUV, and hello to the all-new Fronx crossover in the first half of 2025.

It might be one of those awkward farewells, though, with the Ignis expected to be sold for several months into 2025 alongside the Fronx, which is forecast to be more expensive than the car it will essentially replace.

For context, the current Ignis sells from $21,490 plus on-road costs, making it the most wallet-friendly option in the Suzuki Australia range.

But considering this generation model launched in 2016 at $15,990 plus on-roads for a near-identical spec, price and positioning of the new Fronx will be crucial for the brand.

Suzuki Australia general manager Michael Pachota said there might be some crossover between the two little crossovers as the Ignis is phased out.

“Locally, it is a new model introduction for us because it will be a light SUV,” Mr Pachota said.

“I can’t see those two models selling side by side outside of 2025.

“There might be a transition, subject to, I guess, supply and sales.”

Mr Pachota did not comment on pricing for the new model, but if the trajectory of the Swift is anything to go by, Australia could see the Indianbuilt Fronx arrive here close to the

current Ignis pricing. Mr Pachota said he was conscious of costs and offering what a broad range of consumers want, and Suzuki Australia needed to be mindful of the impending influx of new brands from China in the coming six to 18 months.

“The more players in the game, subject to the segments they compete in, create greater opportunities for segment consideration, which creates more customers in those spaces to

be considered as an option,” he said.

“So for me, I see that as an opportunity to have those competitors there.

“Obviously, we don’t want to flood the market with 100 brands in Australia, which makes it extremely competitive and difficult. But at the same time, I don’t wish them any harm, and I wish them the best of luck.”

Mr Pachota further backed his previous comments as reported last year, regarding the potential introduction of

a Japanese-built ‘Kei’ car for Australia, though he admitted there had been no significant movement on the topic.

“I still want it,” he said.

“Funnily enough, we had a survey at one stage talking about ‘what do Kei cars look like in all different countries’, you know, what would the appetite be like and so forth. And so we responded back on that survey, and have heard nothing.

“But I’d put my hand up for five

models off the bat. Which would probably amount to 15,000 to 20,000 sales a year, incremental, I believe.

“I see a huge opportunity for Kei cars,” he said, before – as other executives have – calling out the limitations that some arguably unnecessary Australian Design Rules place on imports of a broader range of cars that could be considerably cheaper.

“That’s why we haven’t done it sooner,” Mr Pachota said.

Mitsubishi Australia recently brought in an eK X electric Kei car for local evaluation and feedback, and the brand is believed to be weighing up its introduction.

Insiders at Nissan have confirmed to GoAuto the brand would also be interested in bringing the related Nissan Sakura EV, as an entry point to the brand’s range.

Full specifications and pricing for the new Fronx range is set to be revealed late this year or early in 2025.

Suzuki’s Ignis is still selling in reasonable numbers, with 881 units registered through the first five months of 2024, which is down almost 20 percent on the previous year’s figures.

More broadly, Suzuki Australia has seen a better start to 2024 with a tally of 8716 units compared with 7159 for the same period last year, an increase of 21.7 percent.

– Matt Campbell

CROSSOVER: Suzuki Australia’s Ignis will be farewelled when Fronx arrives early 2025.

PUZZLEs

Quick Workout

Fit the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 into the hexagons so that where the hexagons touch, the numbers will be the same. No number is repeated in any hexagon.

Fit the given numbers into the hexagons so that where the hexagons touch, the numbers will be the same No number is repeated in any hexagon

On This Day

From The Weekly Advertiser archives: June 24, 2004 –Horsham’s Kurrajong Lodge resident Annie Weir, pictured with her daughter Phyl Morcom, was set to celebrate her 104th birthday on Friday, June 25. She was looking forward to celebrating with her six surviving children, 13 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren.

10 years ago: June 25, 2014

Stawell Regional Health gained a grant of $14,000 to purchase a chair lift hoist, making the Stawell Leisure Centre’s indoor and outdoor pools more accessible to Macpherson Smith Nursing Home residents to use during water therapy, residents of Eventide Homes and students from Skene Street Primary School.

Five years ago: June 26, 2019

New business Beyond Community Inclusion opened its doors in Horsham. Volunteer disability advocate Alma McKenzie created the not-for-profit business to give people with disabilities the same support and opportunities that were afforded to her son Garth, who has an intellectual disability. The store sold artworks, soaps, plants, jewellery and hand-sewn clothing.

One year ago: June 28, 2023

The Rupanyup and Minyip communities celebrated the 25th anniversary of the opening of their community bank – Australia’s first. Established in 1998, the Bendigo Bank initiative had given $2-million back to the communities through grants and sponsorships of sporting clubs, schools, and community groups under its profit-with-purpose model.

TaKE a BREaK

1. Premiering in London on this day in 1973, was which long-running musical, the film adaptation of which premiered in 1978 and became the highest-grossing movie musical of all time?

2. What is deer meat called?

3. Parliament House, Melbourne Town Hall and the State Library in Melbourne were built from stone from where?

4. What is the smallest country in the world?

5. What famous German composer is responsible for the musical scores for movies such as Academy Award-winning The Lion King, Pirates of the Caribbean, Gladiator, The Last Samurai and The Dark Night trilogy?

6. What event marked the beginning of World War I?

7. What genre of music did Taylor Swift start in?

8. What is the name of the fourth book in the Harry Potter series?

9. Parkers, trenches, bombers and peas are types of what winter outerwear?

10. Who is the American singer, born on this day in 1993 in Boca Raton Florida, who had hits with ‘Into You’, ‘The Way’ and ‘Problem’?

tion of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. 7. Country. 8. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. 9. Coats. 10. Ariana Grande.

Answers: 1. Grease. 2. Venison. 3. Heatherlie Quarry at Ledcourt on the eastern side of the Mt Difficult Range in the Grampians. 4. Vatican City. 5. Hans Zimmer. 6. The -assassina

Getting in touch with The Weekly

Our office is at 2 Stawell Road, Horsham. Mail: PO Box 606, Horsham 3402. Telephone: 5382 1351

Website: www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au Email: weeklyadvertiser@team.aceradio.com.au For classified advertisements: 5382 1351 – email: horsham@aceradio.com.au

Advertising 5382 1351: Mark Sulic: marks@team.aceradio.com.au;

Lily Olver: lolver@aceradio.com.au Newsroom 5382 1351: Lauren Henry: lhenry@aceradio.com.au; Bronwyn Hastings: bhastings@aceradio.com.au; Georgia Bailey: georgiab@team.aceradio.com.au

you. Take whatever comes your way; it’s wiser to let others do the organising. Double-check any financial schemes involving partnership monies.

GEMINI: (May 21-June 21) Lucky Colour: Yellow Lucky Day: Wednesday Racing Numbers: 9.6.5.3. Lotto Numbers: 9.15.26.35.36.3.

Promises made under present aspects may not be relied upon. Make sure you know what you are doing and what you want before embarking on any new venture. Luck comes in many ways and could be at the right time. CANCER: (June 22-July 22) Lucky Colour: Blue

Romance looks great for singles and family extensions for the married. There are bargains around for home shoppers. Your concentration could be off-centre at work, so take each task carefully – you are accident-prone!

LEO: (July 23-August 22)

Lucky Colour: Violet Lucky Day: Monday Racing Numbers: 4.6.5.2. Lotto Numbers: 4.7.12.26.35.36.

Be cautious in all your financial dealings and plans, and you’ll succeed. Your ability to talk anybody into anything can spectacularly advance your career prospects. Contacts from the past can return favours owed.

VIRGO: (August 23-September 23)

Lucky Colour: Orange

Lucky Day: Sunday Racing Numbers: 3.6.9.5. Lotto Numbers: 9.5.12.24.45.40.

Ensure you don’t overspend on things you don’t want. You should be in a more benevolent mood, and the time should be passing pleasantly. In romantic partnerships, the pace is really up to you.

LIBRA: (September 24-October 23)

Lucky Colour: Green

Lucky Day: Tuesday Racing Numbers: 8.6.5.2. Lotto Numbers: 8.12.26.35.40.22.

It’s a somewhat restless period. Don’t be caught gossiping or repeating hearsay. In the romantic sense, this could be the start of something big. Career-wise, there is no limit to how far you can go if you apply yourself.

SCORPIO: (October 24-November 22)

Lucky Colour: Mauve

Lucky Day: Wednesday Racing Numbers: 5.2.3.1. Lotto Numbers: 5.12.23.32.20.3.

The information you receive could be of great interest to those who can advance your career affairs. Many opportunities to further romantic ties are indicated, as is the return of a special someone for many.

SAGITTARIUS: (November 23-December 20)

Lucky Colour: Green

Lucky Day: Saturday Racing Numbers: 5.6.2.1. Lotto Numbers: 5.12.45.40.9.7.

Take life as it comes; there will be no reason not to enjoy yourself. For many, money can be coming in faster than it is going out, surprising as it seems. Romantically, it may be wanting to get close to the new and out of the old.

CAPRICORN: (December 21-January 19)

Lucky Colour: Dark Blue

Lucky Day: Wednesday Racing Numbers: 1.3.2.5. Lotto Numbers: 1.12.15.26.36.37.

Sudden changes in plans can throw you off balance, so keep any extreme tendencies under control. You could tend to go overboard on physical activities at the expense of your love life.

AQUARIUS: (January 20-February 19)

Lucky Colour: Silver

Lucky Day: Thursday Racing Numbers: 4.6.5.2. Lotto Numbers: 4.12.26.35.5.1.

It could be a case of too many parties and too many friends. It could be wise to refuse at least half of the social activities offered. Most will be doing and saying the right things at the right time to fulfil life’s aims.

PISCES: (February 20-March 20)

Lucky Colour: Red

Lucky Day: Monday Racing Numbers: 4.6.8.9. Lotto Numbers: 4.12.26.39.8.33.

It is the right time to ask for favours from fate and those in a position to help your career plans. Believing that you can accomplish anything can bring surprising, if not spectacular, results.

Classifieds

y

90th Birthday

Roy Krause

30-06-2024

Congratulations and Best Wishes for your special day.

Love from Lorraine, Stephen, Raeleen, Sharron, Bobby and Families.

DUBOIS, Warwick Leon

Passed away peacefully at Edenhope on June 23, 2024 aged 89 years.

Loved husband of Elizabeth (Betty).

Loving father and fatherin-law of Robert & Wendy; Graham & Pam; Michael & Sandra, Peter & Melinda.

Adored Pa by all of his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Rest In Peace

HULL, Desmond Clive

1-3-1937 - 20-6-2024

Beloved husband of Thelma.

Much loved father and father in law of Gary and Tracy, Chris and Penny, Anthony and Maria, Sharyn and Richard.

Pop of 14 and Great Pop of 15.

KNIGHT, Cynthia

Grampians Health extends its sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Cynthia Knight.

Cynthia was a valued and respected volunteer and member of the Wimmera Base

Hospital Ladies Auxiliary for over 32 years, and a Life Governor of Grampians Health. She was well known for her powder puffs at the Ladies Auxiliary fashion parades.

Cynthia will be dearly missed by the Grampians Health team.

MILLS, Dianne Margaret

Passed away on June 22, 2024 aged 71 years.

Dearly loved wife of Ralph (dec).

Loving mother and mother-in-law of Michelle & Alex; Belinda & Tim; Jaye & Alan.

Adored Nan to Ella and Archie; Alex and Toby; Jeremy and Meg.

Great Nan to Sienna.

Happily reunited with Ralph

SANDERS (nee Keller), Fay Elaine

13/09/1943 – 16/06/2024

Passed away aged 80 years

Devoted wife to Alfred (dec)

Cherished Mother of Paul, Mark & Wayne

Grandmother of Rory, Braden (dec), Scott & Jensen. Forever in our hearts

DUBOIS, Warwick Leon

The Funeral of Warwick

Leon Dubois will take place at the Edenhope Anglican Church on Friday, 28 June 2024 commencing at 1.30pm.

Private cremation.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Warwick may be made to Alzheimer’s Australia.

Donation envelopes will be available at the service.

Trevor Bysouth & Daughter Ph 5381 1444 AFDA Member

HULL

A funeral service for the late Desmond Hull will be held in John Dunn Memorial Chapel, 9 Campbell St, Ararat on FRIDAY (June 28) commencing at 11:00am

A committal will follow at Ararat Cemetery.

JOHN DUNN FUNERAL

MILLS, Dianne Margaret Funeral arrangements for Dianne Margaret Mills have not yet been finalised. Details will be advised as soon as possible.

Trevor Bysouth & Daughter Ph 5381 1444 AFDA Member

SANDERS (nee Keller), Fay Elaine

The funeral service for Fay will be held at the Nhill Lutheran Church Friday 28th of June at 1pm. Interment to follow at the Nhill Cemetery.

Emiley & Mathew Bone Nhill & District Funerals 0419 008 464

Thank you

McINTYRE (nee Barnes), Annette Florence

Annette’s family would like to express our sincere thanks and appreciation to family, friends and community groups. Your many acts of kindness and sympathy have been a great comfort to us in our time of sorrow.

A special thank-you to Susan Hobbs and Fran Robertson for their care, and such a fitting service. Allan; Emma, Ian; Cameron and Abigail.

Thank you

REES, Gilbert Robert

19.9.49 – 13.04.24

Glenda, Luke, Karen, Joel, Alex and Mia, Bec, Jed, Will and Ella, Kobi, Dev, Brody and Madison would like to sincerely thank our family, friends and community for your kind wishes, words of sympathy, love and support given following the sudden passing of Gil, our adored husband, much loved Dad and treasured Pa.

1 Honey Boy and 1 Black Girl Spoodle available now to new Furever Families, both have been raised in a family environment on our farm, socialised with other dogs, cats, horses, live stock and chickens, They love cuddles, walks and time spent with you chilling in front of the fire, microchip 956000016666706/6579578 source# EE223376 $1500 girl $1800 boy Ph 0400035456 5mth old Guinea fowls

$25 each Ph 0435124012

Dimboola

Alaskan Malamute pups , Born 21/2/24 Vet checked, microchipped wormed Source number MB168224 Boy 98514007720630. Boy 985141007720631, Girl 985141007720628 $1000 Ph Nadine 0429836214

Aust White x Dorper cross ewe lambs, no shearing, crutching or fly problems, excellent 4 legged lawn mowers, will sell in lots of 10 or over Ph 0447275737 for further details

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.

Cocker spaniel pups, 4 tan 1 black& tan 1 black both parents reg with dogs victoria vet checked vaccinated microchipped & wormed ready for their new homes, m/chip# 956000016725032 956000016330824, source# RB185238 Ph 0429912620

Doberman pups , 4x girls black/tan, 4x boys

3 black/tan and 1 brown/ tan, ready to go, m/c # 956000014813157/14702252 /14697789/14699139/148457

71/14850566/14817621/1481 0773 $2000 Ph 0431982052

Female desexed mini dachshund , I like kids, dogs, cats, I am toilet trained, love walks and snuggles, microchip# 900141000504012, source# MB197522 $1400ono Nhill Ph 0431725487

Hungarian Viszla Pups, 1 girls 5 boys, born 13th April 2024, microchip# 9851410 07305942\9851410073059 46\985141007305940\985 141007305939\985141007 305941\985141007305943, source# MB216417 $1750 Ph 0413926539

Merino Sheep , 1 Suffolk merino cross, 1 whether suffolk merino cross, $600 and no separation Ph 0481756063

Purebred black faced Dorper rams, pic# 3HSDC083 Ph Liz 0419664345

Roosters, ducks and guinea fowl wanted to buy Ph 0469740723

Suffolk Rams, 18 months old,fully vaccinated, OB accredited, PIC3SGP010, ready to work, good bloodlines, well grown, $800 plus GST, can arrange delivery Ph 0429196337

Young Muscovy ducks , available now, $15 each Ph 042992620

1998 Jayco Westport , full annexe, a/c, oven, microwave, always shedded, many extras $22,000ono Ph 0419514118

2003 Avan , The Robina, poptop, new awning, new battery, new tyres, diesel heater, immaculate, tare 1150kg, $16,000 Ph 0418504985

2009 Roma Elegance Pop Top, 18ft 6, air bags, full canvas annexe, has new awning and hot water service, VGC, $25,000ono Ph 0429951322

2010 Galaxy Odyssey, combined shower/toilet, queen bed, air con, battery, awning, annexe, tare 1900kg, $24,990 Ph 0418504985

2013 Jayco Starcraft, 21’, one owner, very little use, as new, many added extras

$42,000 Ph 0427909230

2016 Supreme Spirit Limited Ed 11, exterior black and white, 24’6”, long full front wardrobe, cafe style kitchen, big ensuite toilet, shower, 5kg washing machine, 4 brand new tyres L/T, diesel heater, big fridge, lots of cupboards, annexes winter and summer solar power, 2 x 120 watt batteries plus more, medical reason for selling top unit

$75,000neg Ph 0427911765 or 0477138363

2017 Jayco Silverline , Outback 21.65-3, ac, battery 100amp deep cycle x2, full annexe, 174L fridge/ freezer/3way, 2 gas bottles, 21”, 12volt LED TV, washing machine, 3 x80L water tanks, 300 watt solar system, 2 solar panels, always shedded $62,000 Ph 0408504867

2018 Dingo Ultimate Camper, heavy duty top of the line off-road trailer including boat rack, fully enclosed annexe including ensuite, lots of storage, built-in instant gas hot water to sink and shower, dual AGM batteries and built-in inverter and charger, innerspring mattress and ability to make up second double bed, two new off-road tyres, VGC, Y76535 $18,500ono Ph 0407360212

2022 Goldfields camper trailer as new, used once, loads of extras $20,000 Ph 0438722796

Galaxy Scenic caravan , 2004, 19’, EC, shower on outside $18,000 Ph 0400603022

Goldstream RV Off Road

2007 , solar panels, new deep cycle battery, roll out awning, pull out flys each end, outside shower, new porta loo, full annexe, queen bed, RC air con, hot water, full oven with grill, 3 gas burners, electric fridge runs off solar electric, built in radio plus tv, storage cupboards over bed, storage under seats, reg until October 2024, $16,000 Ph 0409967815, Horsham

Kokoda Tribute 2 Platinum, 2015 as newcondition, semi-off-road, ensuite, custom design, lots extras $56,000 Ph 0493052729

Motorhome Jayco Conquest 2021, 25’, satellite system, diesel, heater, 7625knms, 1UU2JX $168,000 Ph 0429821461

New Age 2013, queen bed, TV, large fridge, microwave, gas/electric hot plates, toilet, shower, washing machine, full annex, sway bars, $45,000 Ph 0427778747

Paramount Caravan, VGC, registered, rollout awning, full kitchen $22,000 Ph 0407542856

REDUCED 2011 Pinnacle camper trailer - full off-road, hard floor, a full canvas annexe, tag hinge towing included, 2 new tyres- spare is brand new, 2 batteries, Anderson plugs for charging batteries are included, 2 power points, light in camper, queen size bed and mattress, new fly screens in windows and doors, 4 burner gas stove, includes 2 gas bottles, 60L water tank,sink with water tap and electric pump to sink and outside tap, carries 2 large fuel containers, portable gas heater, portable toilet with pop-up shower or toilet cubicle, folding camp table, Rego till Sept 2024, U28090 $9,000ono Ph 0429942936

REDUCED 2018 Jayco Swan Camper, hardly used, as new, front & rear double beds, couch & table bed, can sleep 6 easily, battery pack, 4 Burner gas stove & grill, microwave, 3 way fridge, awning, lots of cupboards, $20,000ono, Ph 0427467622 Kaniva

REDUCED Concept

Ascot caravan, 2006, 18’, pop-top, tare 1420, low kms, kept undercover, regularly serviced, EC, many extras inc, near new full annexe, easy to tow, R3373 $20,000 Ph Ray 0413445347

REDUCED Isuzu Outback

Express Motorhome for sale, 2 seater, sleeps 3, auto, deisel, fridge, tv, shower, toilet, stove and lots more, have to see to believe, can drive on normal car licence, 3.1m long, RWC, $42,000 with 12mth rego and RWC Ph Phillip 0428173606 or Susan and ask for Phillp 0458727370 Horsham

1984 Inter Acco 1830A , 18’ tray with bulk bin and double deck sheep crate, 02697P $16,000 plus Gst Ph 0400603022

Brandt 46’ auger, 8” super charge, new battery, new motor 3rd wheel drive $14,000 plus Gst Ph 0400603022

Case IH 2144 Harvester , 4375 engine hrs, 3108 rotor hrs, trimble auto steer, no screen, 25-foot flex front on Leith trailer, $50,000 inc Gst Ph 0428852409 Murtoa

CAT , 955 K taxcavator DROTT, ROPS, strong double ripper, GP bucket, D330T motor $35,000 plus Gst Ph 0400603022

Connor Shea, 18 plate disc, hydraulic lift and fold $850ono,Southern cross pump jack, electric motor, working $80, Asuc wool table $120ono Ph 0407911884

Croplands Pegasus 6000lt boom sprayer, all hydraulics, 36m wide, air bag suspension, 20 point 8 forty, 2 tyres $77,000 inc Gst Ph 0498549832

Heaslip grouper , VGC, 2 bins, 4200L each capacity, Honda motor, new bearings in elevator, adjustable legs, always shedded $7700 inc Gst Ph 0427330078

Stoll S6 2014 boom spray, 6000lt tank, 36m boom,10 sections, 520/85R 42 tyres, 2.3mt axle on air bag suspension, mud guards, stainless steel centrifugal pump with hydraulic drive, 450lt flush tank, fence line nozzles both sides, TriJet nozzle bodies, one owner/ operator, $80,000 inc Gst Ph 0428852409 Murtoa

Tractor Tyre, 1/2 the new price, 16.9 x 28, near new Ph 0353870522 AH or 0413073478

Trailing Grain Feeder, with canopy, good condition, $1100, Ph 0400894020

Table, black steel, glass top, with three chairs, GC, outdoor $50 Ph 0419560817

4.0m Stessl Aluminium

Seeking Individual Support Worker (Ageing) to provide in-home care, Horsham based, duties include, dressing, bathing, toileting, minimum 1 overnight + 1 day shift per week, male or strong female ideal, Italian/English language skills ideal, more detail on enquiry Ph 0439307176

20 ft sea container, GC $4000 Ph 0408144139 Horsham

2016 Ramco C Dolly trailer, registered X17337 $4000 Ph 0407542856

Aluminium windows , 4 x double approx 6’x6’, 2 x single approx 6’x3’, other smaller sizes, VGC, also quantity of timber louvre wardrobe doors, make an offer Ph 0437754474

Chicken manure, ex sheds or composted available now The Good Dirt Company

Lethbridge Vic Ph 0409889250

Doll collection, celluloid, porcelain and collectables, leather handbags, brand names, tapestries large variety Ph 0498621118

Fencing material , cyclone combination stays $66 inc, 100mm heavy duty galv pipe, ideal for strainer posts, 6m length cut to size $120 inc, 1000 elec fence standoffs $220 inc Ph 0428579838

Honda EU70is generator , almost brand new, 14 hrs, $5800 Ph 0417500311

Massage Machine, duo MKII

Professional complete with instructional DVD, $300ono Ph 0429820692

Pine Posts S/H, good order, $5 each Ph 0429954000

REDUCED Horse hames , old, 8 pairs $10 pair ono, McCormick deering 2236 tractor, front wheel $120ono Ph 0407911884

Ryobi router $100 , Triton router table $150, Triton jaws

$150, band saw $200, band saw small $50, angle grinder $40, air compressor $100, plasma cutter $180, Ryobi drill press $120 Ph 0499769869

3 seater leather couch Ph 0439110899

4 Leather Swivel rocking recliner chairs VGC, $125 each Ph 0427826763

Baltic pine kitchen dresser, buyer to collect, locally crafted in 1990, 2.8H x 1.32W x .52D $1890ono Ph 0429142897 & leave msg

Household items, Diamond Creek round pedestal table $140, buffet three door 3 draw $140, pine dressing table with mirror $50, combination steel and timber head and foot, $100, 2x single bed Antique head and foot set, $30 each set Ph 0428504569

Mattress $250, single bed blackwood $250, as new Ph 0437688336

Pool table, slate, 2.1/1m , plus accessories, $500ono Ph 0419892890

2001 Savage 418 Kestrel SF, reg GG970, exp 18 Sep 2024, 30Hp, 2S Mercury motor, cover and canopy, dunbier gal trailer zeg U57972, exp 18 Sep 2024 all in very good condition $8250 Ph 0429924704

3.8 Savage aluminium boat, new 18 hp Tohatsu motor, Biminis, Eagle fish finder, Mackay galvanised trailer, GC, $3700 Ph 0428826113

3.8 Stacer Kippa boat,15hp, 2 stroke Mercury, trailer A77849, cover, canopy, extras, boat reg J0296 $3900 Ph 5382 4210

Runabout , on galvanised trailer, 25HP evinrude outboard motor, electric trolling motor, not used over 2 years, trailer reg V82175, boat reg DT917, serial no 09185405, $4000, Ph 0437899398

Aspire Wheelchair, extremely comfortable, padded headrest, additional padded section for leg support, barely used over 3 month period, paid $3500, selling for $1500 Ph 0427562913

Electric Recliner lift chair, $1500, Ph 0435787449, pick up Horsham

Oscar remote electric lift chair as new hardly used, bargain $1200 Ph 0408504682

Roho Brand Permobill dry flotation pressure cushion and cushion cover, $250 ono, Ph 043578749

Single electric/adjustable bed, includes mattress,used but in EC, Includes as new Health Flex mattress topped with bamboo fabric, designed for pressure redistribution, purchase price $5000, sell for $2500ono Ph0435787449

Honda Cross Tourer adventure bike, 1200cc, many extras, elderly owner retiring, Reg 203YV, $11000ono Ph 0439797737

Scooter, excellent condition, 6100km, RWC, 6 months reg, ideal for learner, $1800ono Ph 0408824739

BMW PT1200 Motorcycle , 2007,

Price reduced to sell Ute

2012 Nissan Navara D40

S6 MY12 RX cab chassis, single cab 2dr, manual, 6sp 4x4, 1222kg 2.5DT, one owner, a 92yo retired farmer who no longer needs the ute, excellent condition, serviced with log book and with RWC, seats have been covered since purchase so “as new”, solid fitted rubber matting in tray, YYU634, $10,000 Ph 0402135520

REDUCED 2010 Hyundai i30 diesel wagon, reg, RWC, economical, XWS504 $7000 Ph 0419132137 Ararat

REDUCED 2012 Peugeot 4007 4WD diesel, auto, tow bar, genuine one owner, country kms, RWC provided, 340,000kms, ABB324 $5100 Ph 0429352391

2004 VY SS Commodore, black, RWC, VGC, YKW598 $16,000 Ph 0400603022

2011 Mercedes E Class , 250 CGI, AMG pack, motor travelled,130,000kms excellent condition, RWC,registered Feb 2025, ZUC413, $17,900ono Ph 0481285906

2011 White Nissan Navara D40 STX550 V6 twin cab, auto, diesel, bull bar, driving lights, snorkel, long range fuel tank, duel battery system, 2 inch lift kit, canopy, hard top tonneau cover and roll bar, 1 owner, serviced regularly, rego paid until 23/12/2024, comes with RWC, engine number: V9X007595C, 297,500kms, YTZ 215 $20,800ono Ph Craig 0429832207

2015 Nissan Navara, bbar, lbar, snkl, rrak, canopy, T-bar, ebrks, dbats, abags, 6spd man, 9mths reg, RWC, only 118,000kms, ADP699 $23990 Ph 0427423609

2019 Subaru Impreza Hatch back, AWD, glass electric sunroof, safety, comfort, Pearl White, EC, 40,000kms, 1PA8PJ $26000 ono Ph 0427822909

Holden WB Panel Van 1983, 6 cylinder petrol/gas, 3spd manual, VGC, extra parts included, FSE369 $25,000ono Ph 0407614706

Honda Civic VTI-L Sportshatch 2017, CVT auto, 1.5L turbo, 5L/100km, fully optioned, Honda warranty, amazing car, as new, genuine sale, 1MT-2IG, 46,000km, $25,900 Ph 0408881137

ISUZU DMax 3.0 litre

Ph 0423967449

2 bedroom house for rent in Horsham Ph 0432774645

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are better tears or truth?

Let’s say you are in a situation where you experience an extreme heartbreak. It’s

Christian Devotion

Trades & Services

Public Notices

We

Program Leader Healthy Communities

38 hours per week

$51.90 per hour

Closing: 12pm Monday 1 July 2024

Contact: Kristy Price

Orange Door Practitioner - Perpetrator Focussed

38 hours per week

$47.50 per hour

Closing: 12pm Monday 8 July 2024

Contact: Gemma Bayliss

Step Thru Mental Health Practitioner

38 hours per week

$41.52 to $47.50 per hour

Closing: 12pm Monday 8 July 2024

Contact: Danny O’Brien

Scheduling/Rostering Coordinator

30.4 hours per week

$33.63 per hour

Closing: 12pm Monday 15 July 2024

Contact: Karen Watson

Closing:

Contact: Gemma Bayliss

Warracknabeal

Aboriginal Cultural Support & Awareness Advisor

• 1 x Horsham, 1 x Warrnambool

• $117,718 to $128,897 per annum pro rata + Superannuation

• Fixed Term to 30-JUN-2025 (Part-time 0.6FTE, 45.6 hrs per fortnight)

The Aboriginal Cultural Awareness Advisor provides advice to and builds awareness of Child Protection practitioners working with Aboriginal children and engages with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and community services organisations to improve outcomes through progression of self-determination reforms for Aboriginal children, families, and communities. While the role does not develop cultural plans, it provides important cultural expertise and guidance which supports child protection practitioners with the cultural planning process, and cultural plan compliance.

This crucial role enables Aboriginal children to remain connected to community, build resilience and support them remaining with family. The role will also focus on area improvement and implementation processes, aligning outcomes to relevant divisional policies and processes

• Child centred and family focused relationship - based practice - focuses on the Aboriginal child and incorporates the family kinship groups and community in maintaining a child’s cultural connection and self- identity.

• Collaboration - engages, consults, and co-designs solutions with children and their families, other practitioners and teams, agencies, services, and the community, in order to deliver the best outcomes for children and their families. Works hand in hand with Child Protection, attending care team or other meetings to provide advice on the development of cultural plans.

• Knowledge sharing - exchanging critical information with Aboriginal families and both internal and external stakeholders, to ensure shared understanding, and timely and appropriate action for Aboriginal clients.

Contact for further information: Jenna Dennis, Area Operations Manager Jenna. Denniss@dffh.vic.gov.au

Reference number : DFFH/732249 & DFFH/732250

Applications close: Midnight: Wednesday 3rd July 2024

For more information about this opportunity, please go to www.careers.vic.gov.au and download a position description to view departmental information, the selection criteria, our pre employment screening requirements and our Diversity and Inclusion commitments.

TEACHERS WANTED

Horsham West and Haven Primary School’s vision is to empower all students to achieve their personal best.

Our mission is to maintain a community of learners who are happy and confident in their ability to learn, grow and succeed. We have Teaching and Casual Relief Teacher Positions available

If you would like to discuss this opportunity further please contact Lee McKenzie 0438 824 580 or email your resume to: lee.mckenzie@education.vic.gov.au

Employment Opportunities

Position One

Graduate Accountant (or near completion of Degree)

The appropriate candidate should possess:-

- Excellent time management skills

- Excellent verbal and written communication skills

- Exceptional attention to detail

- Highest standard of ethics, confidentiality and professionalism

- Willingness to learn, show initiative and be a positive team player

Position Two

Administration Assistant

The appropriate candidate should possess:-

- Excellent verbal and written communication skills

- Exceptional attention to detail

Duties will include:-

- Answering calls

- Making appointments

- Processing accounts

- Mailouts

- Support to other administration staff Days and times of work are negotiable

We are currently seeking a highly motivated, enthusiastic and well organised person with accounting/bookkeeping skills to join our team.

Whether you are a senior or junior accountant looking to further your career or a graduate or bookkeeper looking to get into the industry, an opportunity awaits for you now at Watts Price Accountants! Why work at Watts Price Accountants? Our team enjoy:

✓ 9 Day Fortnight or other flexible arrangements

✓ Working with great clients

✓ Career development & on-going training

✓ Comprehensive training and mentoring program

✓ Excellent workplace facilities

✓ Variety of work and a supportive environment

A position description is available from our website, by emailing us or calling our office (03) 5382 3001.

Applications can be emailed torichardk@wattsprice.com.au by 15 June 2024;

Closing: Monday 22nd July 2024 unless lled earlier Applications or further queries to: info@advanceacc.com.au or 84 Wilson Street, Horsham VIC 3400

Expressions of Interest Long-term Farm Lease

Farmland at GWMWater’s Wastewater Treatment Plants - Birchip, Horsham and Murtoa

Mark Williams

Managing Director

GWMWater is an innovative water corporation providing, managing, operating and protecting water supply and sewerage systems within the Grampians, Wimmera and Mallee regions of Victoria.

Upgrade to oval

A$330,000 upgrade to Tatyoon Recreation Reserve’s sports oval is among items headlining Ararat Rural City Council’s draft 2024-25 budget.

The money will go towards improvement works including surface upgrades to the existing football and cricket oval, the construction of cricket wickets, new line markings, and improved irrigation and drainage, aiming to enhance the playing surface’s quality and reduce maintenance costs.

Council chief executive Tim Harrison said the project, if approved, would be funded by $80,000 the council along with a $250,000 grant from the State Government’s Country Football and Netball Program. The project is scheduled to be completed between October 2024 and January 2025.

Dr Harrison said the Country Football and Netball Program was a $2.5 million State Government initiative to assist regional football and netball clubs, associations and umpiring organisations to develop facilities, and was delivered in partnership with the AFL, AFL Victoria and Netball Victoria.

“These comprehensive upgrade works are aimed at revitalising Tatyoon sports oval into a premier sporting venue within our community and mark a significant step forward in our commitment to supporting local sports and community engagement,” he said.

Council has a public tender for oval upgrade works. Dr Harrison encouraged interested parties, contractors and stakeholders to put their hands up to get involved in the project. Tenders close at 5pm on July 12.

People can view documents and full details of the tender notice at www.eprocure.com.au/ararat.

SEARCHING: Ted Pilmore is looking for more information on his grandfather’s medallion, which he inherited from his late uncle. It belonged to Frank Pilmore, who was awarded it at the age of 20. It is engraved with ‘PFC’ - most likely Propadollah - ‘Premiers Lowan Star Comp, 1925’. People can contact Mr Pilmore on 0413 966 906 if they have any information.

Photo: BRONWYN HASTINGS

Ararat sport study for people over 60 published

An East Grampians Health Service research project into a community-based modified sport program for people over 60 years of age has been published in the Australian Journal of Rural Health.

Led by EGHS exercise physiologist Jake Romein, ‘A community-based modified sport program for rural community-dwelling older adults: A pilot study’, aimed to identify the factors influencing participation in a modified sport program for adults aged 60 years or over, and to develop a modified sport program that addressed these factors.

“EGHS conducted two focus groups with community members over the age of 60 to

gain a better understanding of the barriers and facilitators to participating in modified sport,” Mr Romein said.

Using information from focus groups, Mr Romein and co-researcher Gabrielle Hutchins designed and implemented a modified sport program in collaboration with the local Ararat Fitness Centre.

Sports included basketball, netball, cricket, football and soccer, with modifications including walking rather than running, and no tackling or contact. Mr Romein said 13 older adults participated in the six-week pilot program throughout the duration of the study with a high attendance and satisfaction rates.

“Participants in the modified sport program highlighted the most enjoyable aspects to the program included being more active, the coach and facilitators, learning new skills, meeting new people, and having a greater sense of wellbeing,” he said.

The Ararat Fitness Centre has commenced the next season of modified sport in Ararat, using a hybrid sport of both netball and basketball. People over the age of 60 are welcome to join in each Wednesday from 12.45pm until 1.45pm - a free trial period is offered for new members, after which each session costs $5 to attend. People can contact the Ararat Fitness Centre on 5352 1064 for further details. 8am-10am

INTENSE: Edenhope-Apsley’s Jasmine McIntyre and Kalkee’s Georgia Schultz contest positioning.

HANDS: Edenhope-Apsley’s Brock Summerhayes.

SHARP-SHOOTER: Lavinia Fox, Edenhope-Apsley, shoots for goal..

SCRAMBLE: Horsham young-gun Archie Elliott and Thunder captain Coleman Schache fight for possession.

INJURED: Field umpire Patrick van Dyk is helped off the ground after injuring his leg during the Horsham and Southern Mallee Thunder game at Horsham City Oval on Saturday.

CROWDED: Horsham veteran Al McKinnon dishes out a hand pass against Southern Mallee Thunder.

Dunn uncovers a diamond in Ruff

BY TONY LOGAN AND LEN BAKER

Horsham horseman Aaron Dunn captured the opening event at Horsham last week when Ruff Nut proved too strong for the opposition in the Carbine Chemicals 2Y0 Pace over 1700 metres.

Starting solo on the second line, Dunn settled Ruff Nut back in the field before making a sustained three-wide run to be abreast of the leaders at the top of the home stretch.

The gelded son of Poster Boy pulled out plenty in the final stages to snatch victory on the line in a rate of 1:57.1 and made it two wins from three career starts.

Ballan-based trainer Phil Chircop took the training honours at Horsham with a stable double courtesy of McGee in The Weekly Advertiser Trotters Handicap and Fearless Writer in the World’s Best Hoof Oil 3Y0 Maiden Pace.

McGee began safely from outside the front line but was trapped three-wide early, before driver Greg Sugars managed to slot the four-year-old gelding into the one-one sweet-seat for the middle stages of the 2200-metre journey.

Sugars eased McGee threewide down the back straight and the son of Centurion Atm USA quickly had their measure.

The promising squaregaiter raced clear of the pack around the home turn and strolled to the

post for a five-metre victory in a rate of 2:05.3, with a final half in 58.6 seconds.

Stablemate Fearless Writer, bred and raced by ‘The Pacing Priest’ Father Brian Glasheen, lead easily from gate six and driver James Herbertson let the filly bowl along at her leisure during the 1700-metre trip.

Untroubled throughout, Fearless Writer cruised to the wire 3.2m clear of Our Better Bro, for Kerryn Manning, to post her maiden victory in a rate of 1:56.7.

Great Western’s Peter Manning snared the quinella in the 2YO Trot at Bendigo last Tuesday night with the Aldebaran Eagle USA gelding Mystery Fred, Kerryn Manning, and Volstead USA filly Nipotina, for James Herbertson.

Despite doing all of the work outside the leader, Mystery Fred held off his stablemate to score by a head in a rate of 2:01.9 for the 1650-metre sprint trip.

Swan Hill raced on Wednesday night and Great Western-trained, four-year-old mare Surfingmakescents won like an odds-onfavourite should in a heat of the Vicbred Platinum Mares Sprint Championship.

The lightly-raced daughter of Vincent and Our Surfer Girl raced three and four wide during the early stages before driver Kerryn Manning elected to push forward to the lead approaching the bell.

Raced by Stawell breeder Ken

Salmon and a large group of owners, Surfingmakescents coasted home to score by 11 metres in a rate of 1:55.1 and should be a live chance in the $30,000 Final at Melton on Saturday night.

Stawell horseman Jason Ainsworth produced the drive of the night at Swan Hill aboard fouryear-old gelding En Seventeen in the Haras Des Trotteurs 4Y0 and Older Trotters Mobile over 2240 metres.

Raced by trotting fanatic Terry Cahill, En Seventeen settled at the tail of the field early on and steadily made ground in the last lap to be in striking distance with 250 metres remaining.

Faced with a wall of horses, Ainsworth weaved a path through a narrow gap then angled his charge down towards the sprint lane in the shadows of the post to claim a half-head victory over three runners beaten by less than a metre on a blanket finish.

Ainsworth’s luck continued at Ballarat on Friday night when his nine-year-old gelding The Regulator backed up from a close second at Horsham four days earlier to snare the $7000 Dr Claire O’Leary Concession Drivers Pace with Maryborough’s Louis Emerson in the sulky.

Given every opportunity in transit, The Regulator found plenty over the concluding stages to record his fifth career success for Ballan owner and breeder Larry Lynch.

Horsham Harness Club president Terry Lewis was honoured by Harness Racing Victoria on Saturday, presented with a Lang Distinguished Services Award.wMr Lewis joined Clinton Welsh and Chris Hunter as recipients of the award.

The three men, along with a long list of winners from other categories, were presented with awards at HRV’s annual awards evening at Melton Entertainment Park on Saturday night.

Major award winners were Just Believe, the 2023 Victorian Horse of the Year; Lance Justice, claiming the Gordon Rothacker Medal; Georgie Coram, taking home the Pearl Kelly Award; and David Aiken, inducted as the newest Caduceus Club Living Legend.

Mr Lewis said he had been involved in harness racing his entire life.

“I was basically born into them, but I’ve been on the Horsham committee for 35 years,” he said.

“Currently it’s my second stint as president of the club, I’ve been president of Harness Breeders Victoria, been on the Victorian Harness Racing Advisory Council, and had a number of roles within harness racing.”

Mr Lewis said his passion for harness racing came from a love of horses.

“My father was a trainer and a lot of my family is involved in it,” he said.

“As I said on Saturday night, what’s been the greatest thing about it is the people. All the people I’ve met along the way – I’ve met some wonderful people, had a lot of fun and met some lifelong friends out of harness racing.”

Mr Lewis said his horse A Better Punt was a standout performer.

“We’ve had a lot of other good horses, like Masters of Disguise who took us to an Inter Dominion on the Gold Coast,” he said. Mr Lewis continues to breed horses on his Quantong property.

sport

Competition tight at halfway point

BY SIMON KING

The Wimmera Hockey Association will cross the halfway point of its regular season in round eight at Dimboola this weekend, and with no teams having confirmed a finals place there is plenty to play for.

The most interest will be in two games bookending the round, with the Dimboola Roos taking on the Horsham Jets in the women’s division on Friday and the Warrack Hoops and Kaniva Cobras clashing in an open twilight game on Saturday.

The Roos are coming off a comfortable win and will go into their match as favourites, with the Jets failing to play to their potential in a loss to the Nhill Thunderbirds at the weekend.

The Jets could drop out of the top four and need a win to relieve some pressure.

Both teams will be motivated by the possibility that the winner could challenge for the top of the ladder by the end of the round, depending on other results.

The first of the women’s games on Saturday also has a lot riding on it, with Nhill Thunderbirds buoyed by their confidence-boosting win over the Jets on Saturday.

They take on Yanac, which had a hard slog in a one-goal loss to Kaniva.

Although the match pits first place

against fifth, it is difficult to predict a winner, with the reigning premiers slightly favoured.

Kaniva should bounce back and overcome the enthusiastic Warracknabeal women in the remaining game, but should not underestimate its opponent.

An unexpected loss could see Kaniva drop as low as fourth, while the team could finish the round atop the ladder with a win.

In the open division the competition-leading Yanac Tigers are coming off their worst run of results in the past seven seasons – two consecutive drawn matches in a sequence of 47 unbeaten games.

They will want to reassert themselves against Nhill Rangers who, although winless this season, looked dangerous against the Hurricanes and are getting closer to surprising an unsuspecting opponent.

The closing game will see a clash of two teams coming off draws against the Yanac Tigers in their previous outings.

The Warrack Hoops should be fresher coming off a bye, with Kaniva Cobras enduring heavy conditions at the weekend.

The match could go either way, with spectators who endure a cool evening to watch will witness a top game.

In the under-16 division, a Friday evening match will see the Dimboola

Kangaroos, fresh from their first win for the season, take on the Horsham Bombers, who played out a draw last round and need a win to consolidate a place in the top four.

Other games will see the Yanac Warriors aim to stay undefeated when they play the Nhill Leopards, and the Kaniva Raiders aim for a win against the Warrack Revengers.

Round seven results

Open: Yanac Tigers 1 (goal, B. Alexander; best, B. Alexander, J. Honeyman, S. Farmers) drew with Kaniva Cobras 1 (goal, K. Glasgow; best, C. Beattie, A. Wallis, K. Glasgow). Horsham Hurricanes 3 (goals, T. Batchelor 2, L. McBride; best, T. Batchelor, H. Knoop, P. Mackereth) d Nhill Rangers 1 (goal, R. Reichelt; best, J. Reichelt, B. Tishler, C. Schultz).

Women: Kaniva 1 (goal, Z. Smith; best, L. Stimson, I. Williams, N. Hutchins, J. Braisby) d Yanac 0 (best, E. Alexander, M. Mackley, A. Farmers). Nhill Thunderbirds 5 (goals, R. Clark 2, S. Keller, N. Kuhnell, N. Rowe; best, K. Clark, C. Shurdington, R. Clark) d Horsham Jets 0 (best, L. Schilling, H. Knoop, A. Heal). Dimboola Roos 5 (goals, L. Graham 3, J. Hauselberger, V. Elliott; best, L. Graham, J. Hauselberger, C. Hadzig) d Warracknabeal 0 (best, E. Williamson, Madisson Bentley, K. Williamson).

Under-16: Yanac Warriors 2 (goals, Ar. Zanker 2; best, As. Zanker, S.

CONTROL: Yanac’s Erin Alexander runs with the ball while Kaniva’s Nyree Hutchins looks for a chance to tackle. Picture: SIMON KING

Pedie, L. Cramer, Ar. Zanker) d Kaniva Raiders 1 (goal, C. White; best, C. White, R. Williams, L. Williams, J. Beattie). Horsham Bombers 0 (best, H. Knoop, J. Schwarz, C. Blake) drew with Nhill Leopards 0 (best, D. Clark, O. Bone, B. Cannell). Dimboola Kangaroos 2 (goals, J. Ward 2; best, J. Ward, V. Ward, L. Hauselberger) d Warrack Revengers 1 (goal, N. Eilola;

best, N. Eilola, J. DiPietro, C. Peters). Under-12 development program: Warrack Avengers 3 (goals, M. Peters 2, Z. Nuske) v Dimboola Kookaburras 1 (goal, C. Wallace). Yanac Lowan Stars 5 (goals, S. Farmers 3, E. Alexander, C. Alexander) v Kaniva Rampagers 2 (goals, A. Bedford, D. Stimson). Horsham Black Hawks 0 v Nhill Bandits 1 (goal, B. Clark).

of CHS

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After 7 amazing years, I am excited to announce JB Electrical has merged with CHS Group. Amongst this change, I wanted to take a moment to assure you that my commitment to providing you with exceptional service remains as strong as ever. For me, being an electrician has always been about more than just fixing wires and installing switches - it’s about building relationships with each and every one of you, and ensuring that your electrical needs are met with the highest level of care and expertise.

While there may be a new name on my ute & on my shirt, the things that truly matter remain unchanged. You can still expect the same friendly service, the same dedication to quality workmanship, and the same unwavering commitment to your satisfaction that you’ve come to know and trust over the years.

So, whether you’re a long-time customer or someone who’s just discovering my services for the first time, please know that I am here for you, ready to tackle any electrical challenge you may have, with the support of CHS Group behind me.

Thank you for your continued support and trust.

I look forward to serving the community for many years to come.

Warm regards,

around tHe leagues

Mixed success at interleague junior level

Horsham District Football Netball League celebrated the culmination of its 2024 junior interleague program against the Maryborough Castlemaine District league in Stawell on Sunday.

Five of six planned football and netball matches went ahead, with the 17-and-under netball clash ending in a forfeit due to a spate of COVID-19 illness within the MCDFNL side.

Horsham District won the 15-andunder netball and under-15 football convincingly, with the MCDFNL winning the 13-and-under netball, under-13 football and under-17 football.

The under-17 football was a thrilling match, with the MCDFNL narrowly winning 9.11 (65) to Horsham District’s 9.8 (62). Maryborough Castlemaine player Campbell Blair named best on ground.

The under-13 football also went down to the dying minutes, with late MCDFNL scores giving it an 8.3 (51) to 6.3 (39) victory. Visiting player Oliver Ross was best afield.

Horsham District defended its home turf in the under-15 football,

winning 19.7 (121) to 4.6 (30), as Rupanyup’s Riley Downer claimed best-on-ground honours.

Rupanyup also had plenty to celebrate in the 15-and-under netball, with club junior Ilze Van Zyl named best-on-court in the Horsham District league’s 48-27 triumph.

Kalkee junior Ella Schultz was a standout in the Horsham District league’s 13-and-under clash, despite the team going down 21-14.

HDFNL chair Rosemary Langley said the league was thrilled with the success of the interleague program, with the forfeited 17-and-under netball game the sole blemish on the day.

“It’s a shame because our [17-andunder] girls were really looking forward to it, but the girls got to go to all their other tournaments, which is good,” she said.

“There was a lot of time and effort put in by all the coaches and the players to go through the system.

Steve Hoffman on our board did a huge job facilitating it.

“Last year it was a bit rushed to get it back up and going because it was the first time since COVID, but

REPRESENT: Horsham District Football Netball League’s 15-andunder and 13-and-under teams were in action at Stawell on Sunday.

this year we had a bit more time to plan and work through it.

“The players all seemed really keen. They love it, and that’s the main thing.

“As the coaches said, the players

often make lifelong friendships with players from other clubs. There are just so many positives that come out of it for junior sport, so we’re really pleased.”

Drawn match a thriller

Athrilling draw between Tatyoon and Glenthompson-Dunkeld headlined round nine of the Mininera District Football League.

The reigning premier Hawks had won three straight and four of their past five matches entering the round as they looked to push into finals contention.

But the Rams, playing at their Glenthompson home, stuck with Tatyoon through a high-scoring first quarter before taking a seven-point lead into half time with a four-goals-to-one second term. Another high-scoring third quarter saw Tatyoon regain a narrow three-point lead, before an all-out tussle in the last quarter.

The visitors scrapped their way to 1.2 – a far cry from the free-flowing goals of the first and third terms – and were fortunate the Rams were unable to split the big sticks, kicking 1.5 from their forward entries.

The final siren sounded with scores locked at 14.9 (93) apiece, with onlookers describing the contest as a ‘cracking game of footy’.

More than half of Tatyoon’s score came off the boot of Marcus Darmody, with the full forward

slotting eight majors to move into fourth place on the league goal-kicking table.

Other leading players for the Hawks were midfielders Jay Anderson and Josh Lee, with Charles Murrie’s two goals adding scoring support for Darmody.

The first draw of the season moves Tatyoon to within two premiership points of the fifth-placed Ararat Eagles, who were no match for ladder leader Penshurst at the weekend.

The Bombers were undaunted by a trip to Alexandra Oval, opening the game with a five-goalsto-one first term on their way to a 15.14 (104) to 7.8 (50) win against the Eagles.

Despite valiant efforts by the likes of Ararat players Jackson Taurau, Ryan Weppner, Scott Cocking and Daniel Waldron, Penshurst had too much class and firepower, with Sam Weston, Jack Kruger and William Bester leading the way.

Great Western shrugged off the form of a thusfar largely disappointing season to thrash SMW Rovers 20.17 (137) to 7.7 (49) at North Park.

With forward Nick Costello, nine goals, on fire and Scott Portaminni, Renn Lovitt and Tim Barton dominating across the field, the Lions put

the game to bed early with 12 goals to three in the first half.

Moyston-Willaura was unable to snag its first win of the season against Woorndoo-Mortlake, going down 12.16 (88) to 7.11 (53) at Woorndoo.

Only a wasteful 2.7 in front of goals from the Tigers kept the Pumas in the contest at quarter time, but when the home side straightened out its kicking in the second term it secured a matchwinning lead.

Ruckman Kaiden Cooper and wingman Bowdyn Webster-Bamford were Moyston-Willaura’s top performers, with Benjamin Kumnick and Bailee Turner kicking two goals each across the half-forward line.

In other games Lismore-Derrinallum 13.10 (88) defeated Hawkesdale-Macarthur 11.13 (79) and Wickliffe-Lake Bolac 19.20 (134) thrashed Caramut 4.3 (27).

In round 10, the Pumas will host Great Western at Moyston and Ararat Eagles will visit Tatyoon, while SMW Rovers are at home to LismoreDerrinallum, Glenthompson-Dunkeld travels to Hawkesdale, Penshurst hosts Wickliffe-Lake Bolac and Woorndoo-Mortlake visits Caramut.

Match in review

Minyip-Murtoa 13.6 (84) d Dimboola 10.6 (66)

Minyip-Murtoa had a heap of players out injured and Dimboola had its season on the line, but the Roos stumbled.

Minyip-Murtoa started well and probably should have been further in front at quarter time. They had opportunities but didn’t put scoreboard pressure on.

In the second quarter Dimmy struck back. They kicked four goals and Jackson Caldow had three of them.

The Roos led at half time, and after a fairly tight third quarter they still had the lead.

Even at the 11 or 12-minute mark of the last quarter, Dimboola led by about 17 points, but Minyip-Murtoa kicked eight goals in the last quarter and ran over the top of them.

It was just about season on the line for Dimboola. They now go two games behind Minyip-Murtoa with seven to play.

Dusty Cross was sick at half time and sat most of the second quarter on the bench, but he came out and started in the midfield again and had a big impact.

Lachie Johns shut down one of Dimboola’s key playmakers and Tim Mackenzie played well on Calder.

Minyip-Murtoa had their backs to the wall. They had plenty of key players out, but their good players came to play and took up the slack.

When their other players come back, Minyip-Murtoa look like they could be a real threat to the other finals sides.

The standout player: The garden gnome Luke Fisher turned the clock back and was a contested beast in the midfield. He won lots of possessions and got them forward.

The rising star: It’s the second or third time we’ve gone with him, but Oscar Gawith just takes big contested pack marks in the forward line and kicks goals. He kicked 7.1 and probably could have had nine. He was just dominant.

The Wimmera league can inscribe the best under-21 medal and present it to him right now. He’s won that by the length of the straight.

with Kuges, Cobba, Easty & Hugh

HorsHam district league

Saints’ season remains alive

BY COLIN MACGILLIVRAY

Edenhope-Apsley coach Adi

Campbell believes his side is still capable of challenging for a Horsham District Football Netball League senior finals berth after winning its second successive game and third for the season.

The Saints defeated Kalkee 12.8 (80) to 9.6 (60) on Saturday, surging ahead in the third quarter after a hotly contested first half and withstanding a final-term Kees comeback.

Edenhope-Apsley midfielder Flynn

Loft shone with two goals to go along with ‘30-odd possessions’ in Campbell’s estimation, while veteran defender Boyd Packer, forward Charlie Campbell and emerging talents Heath Keatley and Adam Hood also impressed their coach.

Campbell said the Saints’ win was built on improved execution.

“In the first half it was really close, but we started to get on top in the third quarter. We ended up being 32 points on top in the third quarter, so the boys had a great quarter,” he said.

“They came back a bit in the last quarter. They had kicked five [goals] to our one at one stage in the last quarter, but we came back again after that.

“I think the boys stuck to the game plan a lot better than they have in the past.

“We switched the play and had lots of run off of half back, and our midfielders were just getting the footy and getting it forward. Our forward line presented really well as well.”

With Saturday’s win at Kalkee following a 40-point triumph against Pimpinio, the Saints moved to seventh place on the ladder – two wins behind sixth-placed Laharum.

Campbell said a win against KanivaLeeor United this weekend would be crucial as Edenhope-Apsley fought to remain in the finals race. He backed his side to maintain its momentum against any opposition.

“I expect to get over the top of them. We’re improving each week and getting better and better,” he said.

“We’ve had three or four players out each week, if not more, so we’re just starting to get players on the park and playing together.

“The way we’re playing at the moment, I think we’re going to be hard for anybody to beat.

“I know Harrow-Balmoral is probably a little bit out of our league, but we’ve been close to pretty much every other side all season apart from when we’ve had a few injuries and outs.

“With a full list I reckon we’ll really push everyone.”

Other results at the weekend saw Swifts stamp themselves as a clear number-one challenger to Harrow-

Balmoral’s dominance, trouncing Rupanyup 18.22 (130) to 8.9 (57) at Rupanyup Recreation Reserve.

The Baggies led by only a goal at quarter time, but ran riot in the second term with 5.8 to one behind and were never seriously challenged thereafter.

Ryan Folkes and Paul Summers continued their strong seasons in the midfield and forward line respectively, with Folkes accruing plenty of possessions and Summers booting 10 majors to move 25 goals clear atop the league table.

Best for the Panthers were Blake Turner, Bill Hansen and reigning Dellar medallist Mitch Gleeson.

Pimpinio bounced back from its loss to Edenhope-Apsley with a 17.7

(109) to 6.6 (42) win against Natimuk United. The Tigers dominated the first half, with midfielder Matthew Rosier and forward Brock Hamerston, six goals, leading the way.

Daniel Werner and Kyah Wilkinson were the Rams’ top performers.

Harrow-Balmoral predictably thrashed Kaniva-Leeor United in a match-up of top versus bottom, with the Roos kicking 32.14 (206) to the Cougars’ 2.4 (16) at Kaniva Recreation Reserve.

Mitch Grant and Nick Pekin headlined a lengthy list of Roo goalkickers with six each, while Maddox Blake, Michael Close, Cody Deutscher and coach Jai Thompson booted four apiece. Ruckman Hamish

Bennett turned in a strong effort for the outgunned Cougars. Noradjuha-Quantong was similarly dominant against Taylors Lake, winning 22.15 (147) to 4.8 (32).

Midfielder Jayden Besford gave Bomber forwards Judah Hobbs, seven goals, and Alex Ross, five, silver service while kicking three of his own in a best-on-ground display.

In addition to Edenhope-Apsley’s clash with Kaniva-Leeor United at Edenhope, round 11 will see the Roos host Taylors Lake at Balmoral, Kalkee travel to Natimuk to take on the Rams, Swifts defend their North Park home against Pimpinio and Rupanyup visit Laharum at Cameron Oval, while Noradjuha-Quantong has a bye.

Natimuk netballers aim high in race to district finals

Natimuk United’s A Grade netballers have set their sights on a strong run home after defeating Pimpinio for their second win of the Horsham District Football Netball League season on Saturday.

The Rams entered the contest with an identical 1-7 record as their opponents, ready to play one of only a few remaining games that seemed realistically winnable to coach Danielle Hanson.

In front of a Pimpinio crowd, the visitors trailed by three goals at quartertime and one goal at half time before Hanson made some changes to good effect in the second half.

B Grade players Casey Vanstan and

Jo Taylor were called up in the absence of regular goal-keeper Keeta Scown, and played in defence in the first half before Vanstan shifted to goal-shooter in the third quarter.

The move paid immediate dividends, with Vanstan scoring 14 of Natimuk’s 21 second-half goals en route to a 41-34 win.

“We don’t have a lot of height, so even though we brought Casey up as a defender we ended up putting her in goals and making some changes at that end as well,” Hanson said.

“That seemed to make a difference, because Casey was able to stand up at that end and hold her ground and get the rebounds.”

Hanson said the win was ‘reward for effort’ for her developing team.

“Some of the younger girls might lack in confidence a little bit and overthink things, so it’s a real confidencebooster as a team to get a second win under our belts,” she said.

“It was a full team effort. Everybody worked hard and gave it 110 per cent.

“They played it right out to the end with all the pressure and never dropped off even when we were up by six or seven goals in the last quarter.

“We have had some very tough games – some floggings, you could say – and we’ve got another tough game coming up this week against Kalkee. We’ll take the highs as they

come and hopefully stay as high as we can against Kalkee.”

Rupanyup defeated Swifts 51-36 at the weekend to shore up its top-three position, and Noradjuha-Quantong did the same against Taylors Lake, winning 79-39.

Kaniva-Leeor United moved ahead of Swifts into sixth place with a 56-34 win against Harrow-Balmoral spearheaded by goalers Nikki Hawker, 30 goals, and Ruby Gordon, 26, who thrived on accurate entry passes from wing attack Sinead Kuchel.

Nine players took the court for Harrow-Balmoral, with youngsters Mia Rees and Rori Mason getting a taste of A Grade netball.

Kalkee outpointed Edenhope-Apsley 45-36 for its seventh win of the season, led by goal-shooter Jarrah Martin, 25 goals, and centre Molly Lakin. Best for the Saints were goal keeper Rebecca Heath, who made Martin take 44 shots for her 25 goals, and co-coach Sarah Domaschenz. This weekend Laharum will return from a bye for a blockbuster clash against Rupanyup, putting first against second at Cameron Oval.

Edenhope-Apsley will host KanivaLeeor United, Pimpinio is away to Swifts, Harrow-Balmoral will defend its Balmoral court against Taylors Lake and Kalkee travels to Natimuk, while Noradjuha-Quantong has a bye.

SAINTS ON SONG: Kalkee’s Andy Devereaux tries to spoil Flynn Loft, who was a star player for EdenhopeApsley on Saturday. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

league

Demons take it up to ladder leaders

BY LAUREN HENRY

Southern Mallee Thunder has claimed top spot on the Wimmera league senior football ladder but not without a fight from Horsham Demons.

Playing at Horsham City Oval, the Thunder might have taken home a 21-point win but the match was much closer than the score indicated.

Down by two goals at three-quarter time, the Demons got within one point in the last term, but the Thunder’s five-goal quarter proved too strong.

Every time the Demons came within a whisker, the Thunder were quick to reply in the free-flowing match.

In the dying minutes of the final quarter, as the sun started to set and a cold breeze started to blow in off the Wimmera River, the experienced heads of the Thunder proved too strong – kicking two late goals to seal the win.

Forward Bradley Lowe, with three goals, was among the best, along with Jackson Fisher, Liam Nelson and Billy Lloyd. Thunder coach Kieran Delahunty said it was a great result for his side run away with the win.

“Horsham are young up-and-coming side, and they certainly played some good brands of footy and challenged us at different stages,” he said.

“If you have a look at their results, they haven’t been blown away at all this year and they’ve been competitive in a lot of games that they’ve played. They’ve got some good players and I certainly think that they’ll be therea-

at Horsham City Oval on Saturday.

bouts come finals.”

Delahunty was pleased with the Thunder’s midfield performance.

“They’ve been pretty consistent all year and the beauty of our midfield that we’ve got is, if teams decide to clamp down on one player, the other two or three stand up,” he said.

“That’s been one of the biggest strengths that we’ve had this year. I thought the way we moved the footy was quite good, and it was an exciting, fast game.”

Delahunty said it had been a good start to the year for the Thunder, who have had the extra task of gelling

together since the merger in the offseason.

“If you said halfway through the year we’ll be sitting on top, we certainly would have taken it,” he said.

“I think the way we’ve come together and gelled, we’ve played some exciting footy and hopefully we can keep improving in the back half of the year leading to finals.”

The Thunder take on Warrack this weekend and Delahunty is expecting an improved Eagles side compared to the one they took on in round one, when they won by 129 points.

“They’ve been competitive in games

without winning and always pose a bit of a challenge. They’re going to be competitive and they’re going to make you earn the footy.”

Meanwhile, the Demons face just as tough of a task this Saturday when they host Ararat, which had the weekend off as it played its round-nine match against Stawell earlier in the season on Good Friday.

The Warriors will host Horsham Saints, who suffered a 44-point loss to Nhill at Davis Park. The Tigers came out firing to lead by 28 points at the first break.

Kicking seven behinds and no goals

in the second term proved costly for the Saints, who trailed by 48 points at half time.

The ever-consistent Jake Harrap and Daniel Batson stood out for the Tigers, while Joshua Lees, Patrick Purcell and Deek Roberts bobbed up to be named in the best.

The Saints, through Corey Morgan, with four goals, Becker Irwin and Sam Clyne, fought back to outscore the Tigers in the third term, but the home side was already home on the scoreboard.

The Tigers will be hoping for consecutive wins when they take on Minyip-Murtoa this weekend. The two sides sit fifth and sixth on the ladder, and a Tigers win would put them inside the top five.

But the Burras, riding high after an 18-point win over Dimboola, will go into the match with confidence. Led by Luke Fisher, Kade Petering and Jake Leith, Minyip-Murtoa came back in the final quarter to score the win at Dimboola Recreation Reserve.

Oscar Gawith booted seven goals and again impressed for the blue and white to take his goal-kicking tally to 25 goals.

For the Roos, Jackson Calder’s four goals bumped him up to second on the goal-kicking leaderboard, with 32 goals, one spot behind Ararat’s Tom Williamson. Old hands Ashley Clugston and Jackson O’Neill were among the best for the Roos, who will use this weekend’s bye to regroup if they are any chance to resurrect their season.

Dimboola finishes strongly Finals venues announced

The scorers were kept busy by not only the goals shot in the Dimboola versus Minyip-Murtoa A Grade netball match, but the number of rolling substitute changes.

The Roos were eventual winners by 12 goals, but the match was much closer with the margin five goals at quarter time, two goals at half time and six at the last change.

Paige and Stephanie Glover stood out for the Roos, whose mainstay in goals was Nicole Polycarpou who shot 29 goals.

Another sharp-shooter to feature was Burras coach Kirby Knight, who celebrated her 100th game

by scoring 25 goals. Midcourters Claudia Griffiths and Tamika Mentha were named in the best for Minyip-Murtoa, which remains in finals contention as three teams sit on 12 points.

Dimboola will be hoping its win helps cement third spot as it enjoys a bye this weekend, while the Burras will travel to Nhill.

The Tigers will be aiming to bounce back after a loss to Horsham Saints by 12 goals.

After shooting out to a 16-8 goal lead, the Saints, without star goalshooter Jorja Clode, did enough to hang onto the win as goal attack

Abby Hallam shot 35 goals.

Down the other end of the court, Ruby James and Claudie McRae were in fine form in the goal circle, with 28 goals and 19 goals respectively.

The Saints have another away game, this time travelling to Stawell to take on a Warriors side that is well rested after a two-week break.

Horsham was a convincing winner over Southern Mallee Thunder, with a home court 71-41 win.

The Demons are hot favourites to post another win as they host Ararat, while the Thunder take on Warrack Eagles this Saturday.

Dimboola will host the 2024 Wimmera Football Netball League grand finals.

The league’s board selected finals venues at a meeting on Monday.

Nhill will host qualifying finals on Saturday, August 31 at Davis Park, while elimination finals will be at Central Park in Stawell on Sunday, September 1.

Warracknabeal’s Anzac Park will host second semi-finals on Saturday, September 7 and Horsham Saints will open Coughlin Park for first semi-finals on Sunday, September 8.

The preliminary final will be at Murtoa Recreation Reserve on Sunday, Septem-

ber 15, with the grand finals at Dimboola on September 21.

League chairman Peter Ballagh said the league was excited with the finals venues and the hosting clubs were on board. Mr Ballagh said venues could change depending on club participation through the finals.

“We are particularly pleased to have Horsham Saints host a semi-final and the club has worked with us since the start of the year to get the netball facilities compliant,” he said.

“With the works at Horsham City Oval still in progress we are rapt to be able to have a final in Horsham.”

STANDOUT: Southern Mallee Thunder forward Brad Lowe was once again impressive in the Thunder’s win over Horsham Demons

Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

sport

Grand finals await

BY DAVID BERRY

After 15 weeks and 270 games played by more than 280 members, Volleyball Horsham’s summer season reaches its climax tonight when seven grand finals will be decided.

In A Grade Tyler Puls’ Rangers will do battle with Tyler Snowden’s Heidelberg. Rangers have been the dominant team all season on the back of the power hitting of Jack Hannan and Puls, who have been well served by setter Sammy Peachey.

For Heidelberg to cause an upset, captain Tyler Snowden will have to make the tough decision on whether to play himself as a middle, where he has made his name throughout his career, or as a pass-hitter, to enable to give his team the firepower to stay with the Rangers team.

The night will kick off at 6pm with the women’s final between Laelah Robertson’s Phantoms up against the much-improved Lakers.

Robertson and sidekick Cleo Baker will be hard to stop for Phantoms while Kayla Kelm and Tayla Eltze will give their all for Lakers.

In A Reserve, Calm Yo Tips will go in as short-priced fa-

vourites to beat Rangers. The youngsters from Calm Yo Tips in Noah Werry, Oscar Jackman and Haidyn Young should pack too many punches for their opposition who will look to veteran middle Vaughn Maroske and Ronan Garth Lindsay to get some big blocks.

In B Grade, Luke Johns’ HTLC Tigers, who have been the top team all season, will do battle with Mark Radford’s much improved Phantoms Blue.

The HTLC team has some strong attackers in Charles Hassall and Tayte Wardle, who are well served by setters Rhianna Williams and Johns.

Radford’s team have some firepower of their own in the crafty Tim O’Donnell and big hitting import Adel.

In C Grade, KFC Black, who have been the ladder leaders all season take on the improving Von Steiger Filos, who have been a revelation in their first season participating.

Tim Phelan is KFC Black’s go-to player and he is well supported by Aimee Ruth Cummings and Zara Humphreys.

The Filos play a different style of game, which often catches opposition teams napping. The clever Jhon Michael and bighitting Cherwin Ocubillo are

standout performers.

In the Junior A grand final, HTLC Tigers will face off against Cookies.

The HTLC team have Malakai Van Buuren as their power hitter, as well as Fletcher Hawken and Jack Kelly.

Cookies will never lay down, as they proved in winning their preliminary final in five sets, after being two sets to one down.

Serena Johns, Molly Gawith and Amelia Van Buuren are key players for Cookies and if they can assert some service pressure on their opposition, they could cause an uspet.

In the Junior B grand final, Phantoms will do battle with Von Steiger Kids.

Phantoms have some emerging talent in Mia and Lacy Perry, along with Romy Hofmaier-Butler and Ayla Morrison.

Von Steiger Kids will look to Drew Armstrong and Ruby Hallam to win plenty of points. When they last played each other in the second semi-final. the game went to five sets. Expect similar in this grand final as both teams are evenly matched.

Games get underway at 5.45pm at St Brigid’s College stadium in what is shaping up as a great culmination to a wonderful season of volleyball.

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Beulah trainer Garry George continued his run of form with the lead and collar, leading in three winners last week.

George trained a double at Horsham on Tuesday with first starter Lilydale and the up-and-coming Moonlight Grand.

He then travelled to Bendigo on Friday, where Sweet Caviar jumped to the front and made every post a winner.

George started the locals off with a bang at Horsham, training two winners from the first three races on the card.

Lilydale was in her first start in the 410-metre maiden event, and made every post a winner, leading from start to finish after crossing from box six and greeting the judge a four-length victor in the smart time of 23.44 seconds.

In race three it was Moonlight Grand who took her spot in the winner’s circle.

Beginning well, Moonlight Grand was positioned second early and was able to rail through and looked a winner as she took the

lead turning for home, but halfway down the straight Genesis Bale joined in with a strong run and put a serious challenge to Moonlight.

Both dogs hit the line together and Moonlight bobbed at the right time to win by the barest of margins, 0.03 of one length in a time of 23.37 seconds.

George travelled to Bendigo for a Friday meeting and again tasted success when Sweet Caviar won the Grade Five 425-metre event.

Jumping from the middle trap, Sweet Caviar was forced to work for an early lead but was never troubled once she found the front and won comfortably in 24.25 seconds.

This week sees a huge number of local dogs entered, with about 23 local runners set to take their place on the Horsham card for Tuesday. Let’s hope we can cheer a few home.

– PETER CARTER

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QUICK: First-starter Lilydale, trained by Garry George, wins at Horsham. Triple treat for Beulah trainer

Apprentice Mechanical / Hydraulic Fitter

BY COLIN MACGILLIVRAY

Two young Natimuk and District Gymnastic Club members are set to make history this week, becoming the first gymnasts to represent the club at the Border Challenge in Queensland starting today.

Remi Bailey and Edward Jones are among six athletes selected for the Gymnastics Victoria level seven team for the Border Challenge, placing them among the top up-and-coming gymnasts in the state.

The Border Challenge is the second-highest level of gymnastic competition nationally, behind only the Australian Gymnastics Championships, and Natimuk coach Lynette Morrow said it would be invaluable experience for Remi and Edward.

“We haven’t had anyone qualify in the past, and we probably haven’t had anyone in the position to qualify in the past, so it’s an exciting time for both the boys and the club,” she said.

“We know the boys have worked hard. They’ve been focused. Now this is a big opportunity for them.

“I think the focus for both of them is to qualify for the national championships next year, so this is certainly a step in the right direction towards that for them.”

Morrow said both boys had produced strong re-

sults at April’s state championships, where they competed along with Remi’s brother Eli.

She said Edward’s third-place finish on floor and Remi’s third-place finish on pommel at the state championships showed they were capable of strong performances.

“Edward is quite strong on floor, they’re both quite strong on vault and Remi is probably strongest on pommel,” she said.

“Both boys are pretty clean across the board.

“Competition is competition, so you don’t know what will happen on the day, but based on the Victorian championships … if they put in their best performance they might have a look in.”

The Border Challenge begins today on the Sunshine Coast with team and overall individual competitions, with individual apparatus competitions tomorrow.

Morrow wished both competitors luck on behalf of the club and the Wimmera.

“I think they’re excited. The nerves are starting to kick in with the competition being this week, but I think they’re ready,” she said.

“They’ve been consistent with their training and their routines.

“They went to Melbourne this month and had a state training session. Not too much was changed with their routines, which was reassuring for them that they were on the right track.”

NATIONAL LEVEL: Natimuk and District Gymnastics Club members Edward Jones and Remi Bailey will represent Victoria in the Border Challenge in Queensland this week.

Kee defence

Kalkee goal keeper Lotus Martin defends Edenhope-Apsley goal attack Lavinia Fox during a Horsham District Football Netball clash at Kalkee on Saturday. Fox scored the majority of the Saints’ 36 goals as Kalkee posted a nine-goal win. The win put the Kees two games clear over the Saints in fourth place on the ladder. Story, page 64.

Picture: PAUL CARRACHER