MEMORIES: Laharum Primary School students Jayden Uebergang, Troy Winfield and Eden Kelly-Anderson are preparing to celebrate their beloved school’s 135-year anniversary with its eldest former student, Hugh Russell, 88, next month. The group have the important job of lifting a time capsule buried in 1987 during the school’s centenary celebration containing special memories and historic items from the school and community members. Full story, page 19.
Picture: PAUL CARRACHER
More Wimmera residents are reaching out for help with food and utilities as living costs continue to rise.
Horsham Christian Emergency Food Centre client assessment manager Bev Miatke said the number of people seeking support at the centre was increasing.
“It peaks and flows. Two weeks ago it was one of the busiest weeks we’d had and then last week was average, but generally people are finding things more difficult,” she said.
“We are seeing new clients, so peo ple seeking help is on an upward trend.
“Finding accommodation is difficult,
with people staying in their cars or be ing placed in motels.”
Ms Miatke said many people were finding it hard to afford living expens es and people with limited incomes were finding it tougher.
“We’re seeing more people become flummoxed by the rising prices of fuel and other commodities,” she said.
“When prices rise, people usually adjust their spending by using cheaper brands or forgoing speciality items. When it gets past that and they can’t feed their families, they come to us.”
Ms Miatke said she was also seeing more people request help with paying utility bills.
“We can’t pay someone’s bill in full, but we can advocate for them and help with utility grants,” she said.
“People are eligible every two years for a $650 payment to pay gas, elec tricity and water bills.
“People don’t know that sort of help is available and we want to make sure no one has their utilities switched off.”
Horsham Salvation Army captains Tracy and Chris Sutton said they had noticed the cost of running weekly community lunches had increased.
“It’s costing $150 to $200 for food for the lunches and it has never cost that before,” Mrs Sutton said.
“We’re doing as much as we can, but we have noticed steady numbers of people coming to the meals.
“We think it’s going to continue to increase – especially with the floods and potential for fruit and vegetables going up in price again. We are going
to see more and more people coming to us.”
The Red Shield Appeal funds the community meal, run every Tuesday from noon.
“When we do the lunch, we cook enough to be able to pack leftovers into containers to freeze for workers to regularly give out,” Mr Sutton said.
“We almost emptied the freezer a few weeks ago, so we have reloaded that now. The idea is that if those meals are there and the food centre is closed, they can still access assistance.
“We’re not working alone; we refer to the food centre and they refer to us.”
Mrs Sutton said there was an in crease in people seeking assistance for housing as well.
“I was talking to our housing man ager and she said she had noticed a lot more referrals for working poor,” she said.
“This means people who have jobs, but are struggling to make ends meet and maintain rentals.
“We have people who work with those who could be on the brink of homelessness, people who have the potential to be evicted, and they help to keep them in their house.
“People aren’t getting the same as sistance as they were during COVID, so more people are coming to the Salvos, food centre and housing team saying I need help.”
A new report from Uniting outlined the impact of the rising cost of living.
Accommodation demand in the Grampians region will out strip supply within four years.
A new Grampians Tourism-commis sioned report, ‘Invest in the Grampi ans’, includes ‘conservative’ forecasts for visitation to double within the next 10 years.
Chief executive Marc Sleeman said government investment in key tour ism attractions including the Grampi ans Peaks Trail, with $33-million in state and federal funding; MacKenzie Falls walking trail and visitor area, $7.76-million; and Brambuk – The National Park and Culture Centre, $6-million, were driving the increased demand.
“The state is backing the Grampians; they’re backing winners,” he said.
Grampians Tourism launched the re
port at an event in Horsham last week.
Mr Sleeman said the region repre sented a ‘compelling’ tourism invest ment case.
About $250-million investment in visitor experiences are already in the pipeline.
The report identifies 15 high-prior ity investment opportunities – from a high-end eco lodge near Ararat to a destination holiday park near Hor sham, a geothermal spa complex near Dunkeld to electric houseboats on Lake Bellfield, Lake Fyans or Rock lands Reservoir.
It found opportunities exist for other tourist attractions such as an indoor activity centre, a wine and produce centre and an aviation activity hub.
“We have so many pieces of the puz zle in our region – one of Australia’s great long walks, rich Indigenous cul ture, fabulous food and wine, wa
terfalls and lakes and the third-most visited national park in Victoria,” Mr Sleeman said.
“Now we’re looking to build on that by expanding our accommodation of ferings. We’d love to see everything from glamping and eco pods to luxury wellness resort-style offerings.”
The report will connect private in vestors and developers, both across Australia and internationally, to op erators, land owners and businesses ‘with great ideas’. It took 12 months to complete and provides data for the organisation and its partners to make ‘informed decisions’.
The report found that prior to the pandemic, visitation to the Grampians region was growing 7.5 percent a year, with nights spent in the region grow ing by seven percent a year.
It forecasts that by 2026, demand for three-star and higher accommodation
will exceed demand, with the shortfall growing to almost 300,000 commer cial guest nights per year by 2032.
The region welcomes 1.7 million visitors a year and $297-million in visitor spend annually.
Mr Sleeman said the pandemic period had brought his organisation ‘closer’ to partners such as local and state governments.
He said the region’s unique naturebased tourism was appealing for visi tors, businesses and investors.
“The region has been a shining light for Victoria in terms of COVID-19 re covery and in many instances, we’ve led the state in both growth in nights in the region and visitor spend,” he said.
“We’re positioned closely with local governments to speed-up the recovery for businesses across the region. Our connection to nature, particularly, is
going to continue to drive tourism into the region for the years to come.”
Mr Sleeman said the pandemic pe riod had encouraged greater domestic tourism, with people unable to travel internationally exploring closer to home. He said connections to nature were also positive for mental health and wellbeing.
Mr Sleeman said initiatives such as upgrades at Brambuk had come after years of advocacy.
He said First Nations-tourism, in cluding visitors ‘immersing’ them selves in the ‘living landscape’, was a focus and opportunity for the future.
The Grampians region includes the local government areas of Ararat, Horsham, Northern Grampians and Southern Grampians.
People wanting more information, or to view the report, can go to www. visitgrampians.com.au/invest
From page 1
The survey found 92 percent of re spondents were cutting back on food and groceries due to costs, and 85 percent of parents with children under 18 were experiencing mental ill-health as a result of rising costs.
Uniting chief executive Bronwyn Pike said many families were strug gling to afford essential items, includ ing food and rent.
“People can only live a safe and dignified life if they can afford life’s essentials and can live free from con stant worry about how they will keep a roof over their heads and food on their table,” she said.
“A basic standard of living means being able to turn on the lights and not worry about having the power cut off. It means being able to afford food, rent, energy, water, medicine and education, without being pushed into financial stress or crisis.
“Affording the necessities is now out of reach for many. A growing number of families are having to choose be tween putting food on the table and paying their bills.
“We have heard stories of people
wearing layers and layers of cloth ing because they can’t afford heating, reading by candlelight because they can’t afford to turn the lights on, and many not having food to eat.”
One person surveyed said: “You pay rent, you buy groceries, and you freeze, or you buy groceries, you turn on the heater and can’t afford rent.”
A new Beyond Blue community sen timent survey released on World Men tal Health Day, revealed cost of living pressures had overtaken COVID-19 as the main concern for people.
Beyond Blue surveyed 1500 people nationally to identify stressors im pacting people’s mental health and wellbeing.
Results showed increasing interest rates, high inflation, worries about the cost of living, war in Ukraine and what the future might hold as the main causes of concern.
• If you, or someone you know needs help, contact Salvation Army Hor sham at 5382 1770 or 0427 414 540; Horsham Christian Emergency Food Centre at 5381 2311; Lifeline at 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue at 1300 22 4636. In an emergency, phone 000.
Thousands of trout slated for release in the West Wimmera have been redirected due to in sufficient oxygen levels for their survival.
Victorian Fisheries Authority, VFA, scheduled a release of 6000 brown and rainbow trout at Lake Wallace, Edenhope, earlier this month but in stead released the fish at Rocklands Reservoir.
A VFA spokesperson said dissolved oxygen levels were ‘below the neces sary threshold’ to complete the project.
It is yet another challenge for the lake, which required a dramatic weedcutting program last month to clear space for fishing and other recreation.
“We are continuing to liaise with
the local angling club to determine the lake’s suitability for fish stocking, given the weed removal works,” the spokesperson said.
As part of a Go Fishing Plan, VFA has stocked the lake with about 10,000 trout and 5000 native silver perch fin gerlings over three years.
The authority said it would continue to monitor water quality at Lake Wal lace and has tentatively scheduled a fish release for late October.
Wimmera Catchment Management Authority chief executive David Bren nan said dissolved oxygen levels fluc tuated with changes in wind and wave action.
“On a still day there might be a re duction in levels. The time of day can affect levels as well,” he said.
“Lake Wallace also hasn’t received
the same amount of inflows that we have seen elsewhere in the region.
“I think the release for Edenhope was unfortunately poor timing, but fish will still be released at a later date.”
Mr Brennan said the fish would be travelling to the lake in prime condi tions.
“The risk of releasing the fish into a lake with low oxygen is that the fish will go into shock and die,” he said.
“To give the fish an optimal chance for survival and make it worth the time, effort and money, the release will have to be done on a better day.”
Earlier this year about eight hectares of native vegetation was cut in the lake.
West Wimmera Shire Council direc tor of infrastructure development and
works Ram Upadhyaya said shortterm depletion of dissolved oxygen was expected after weeds were cut.
“The weed-cutting exercise was a calculated trial to understand the im pact of weed cutting on the nutrient level in the water, as well as under standing the logistics of the boat used for weed cutting,” he said.
“The decomposition of the weed in the lake is slow-paced and hence not likely to adversely impact the water environment.
“Further tests and subsequent results will provide information regarding the impact of weed cutting in the lake.”
Mr Upadhyaya said the council was waiting for results from water quality tests to determine further action with the lake.
“The actual impact on the water
quality of the lake will only be known after the test results are returned,” he said.
“If the results are concerning, then we will start the discussion with rel evant authorities.
“Our main priority is to understand the biological activities and changes in the lake. Once we understand this, we will take rectification actions if needed, as advised by experts.
“We believe the weed removal will impact positively on the tourism of Edenhope and its surroundings.”
Mr Brennan said cut vegetation in the lake would break down and not have a lasting effect on water quality.
“Removing vegetation removes some of the pressure on nutrients of the lake and makes the quality better,” he said.
Crumbling roads would be revived under a $288-million Liberals and Nationals plan to re-establish the state’s ‘Country Roads and Bridges Program’.
The Coalition would offer annual grants of up to $1.5-million to Victoria’s 48 rural shires and regional councils, during the next term of government if elected, to fund the restoration and renewal of deteriorating road and bridge infrastructure under the plan.
Member for Lowan Emma Kealy said maintaining local roads was one of the largest cost burdens on local government – espe cially small councils with large road networks.
Ms Kealy, also the Nationals’ deputy leader, said the pledge was in addition to the Coalition’s $10-billion over 10 years for road maintenance across the state.
Horsham Rural City Council will spend more than $780,000 on a rebranding pro ject to ‘transform and revitalise’ the ap pearance of the regional city.
The rebranded design features four blade-shaped and individually coloured structures representing sky, land, light and shade.
It matches a six-metre interpretive sculp ture on the edge of Horsham’s Sawyer Park, installed earlier this year.
It is the council’s third rebrand in its 27-year history and will replace the cur rent purple, gold and green design which
depicts Mt Arapiles and the municipality’s ‘urban rural balance’.
The rebranding project requires replace ment of existing signs, publications and stationary, electronic assets and staff uni forms, among other items.
Docklands-based ‘wayfinding’ designers HeineJones completed the rebrand design at a cost of $20,000.
The rollout cost is estimated at more than $780,000 – delivered and paid over two financial years.
Councillors approved the spend, 5-2, at a meeting on Monday night.
Cr David Bowe said the branding was based on community feedback during a Horsham 2041 Community Vision process which determined a long-term vision for the region.
He said signs, particularly entrance signs, were one of the first insights people gained into a town.
Cr Les Power said a rebrand would help attract people to live and work in the region.
Crs Ian Ross and Claudia Haenel said roads and road maintenance were higher priorities for funding.
Masonic Hall – Urquhart St, Horsham Viewing starts at 12.30pm Auction commences at 2.30pm
tea
Students across the Grampians, Wimmera and Mallee region took out prizes in three out of five categories in a state-wide poster competition to celebrate National Water Week.
Congratulations to Mahli (Grades 3/4) from St Patrick’s who won top honours and Harry (Special Education) and Oliver (Grades 1/2) both from Concongella who were awarded third place.
National Water Week Calendars featuring the winning posters are available to collect, free of charge, at our office or by calling us on 1300 659 961.
As we navigate our way through the easing of Coronavirus restrictions, it’s good to remember we’re #StrongerTogether.
ARARAT LIBRARY WORKSHOP: DEVELOPING THE WRITER’S VOICE
Saturday, 29 October, 10.30am - 1.30pm
What makes a literary work truly original is not the degree of its polishing, but the writer’s voice: his or her particular joy, angst, humor, credo, the word choices and the worldviews expressed. The emotional truth of the voice is everything in writing.
Come to explore what YOUR voice is like. This workshop will provide the participants with an opportunity to explore their inner world: thoughts, dreams and emotions, and learn how to make use of them for their particular literary projects with author Lee Kofman.
Do you have a favorite business you think should win the Ace Radio People’s Choice Award?
Voting is now open in the East Grampians Business Awards until October 31. Go online to www.ararat.vic.gov.au and start voting today!
Proudly supported by Ararat Rural City Council and Greater Ararat Business Network.
PROGRAM
Applications are now open! Community Support Grants provide funding to clubs, organisations and community groups for the provision of programs, projects, activities, and events that deliver outcomes for the benefit of Ararat Rural City. For more info and to apply, visit www.ararat. vic.gov.au
Closing 10am on Thursday, 17 November.
An Ararat CBD laneway has been transformed into a green, usable, and engaging space for the community to enjoy.
Upgrades comprising of new outdoor seating, planter boxes and display frames have been recently installed as part of the Barkly Street Breezeway Rejuvenation Project.
The focus of the project is to transform our city into a safer, vibrant, and more accessible town, enhancing existing works via the Alexandra Corridor Linkage Project.
Ararat Rural City Mayor, Cr Jo Armstrong said the recent addition of new seating, greenery and outdoor exhibition space livens up the undercover laneway.
“The idea behind the breezeway transformation is to breathe new life into an underutilised space,” Cr Armstrong said.
“The renewal of the Barkly Street Breezeway has transformed a once glum laneway into a bustling, innovative community space with outdoor furniture, planter boxes, bluestone pavement, festoon lighting and a Grampians-inspired mural by Melbourne street artists.
“Led by Ararat Gallery TAMA, Council has also installed display boxes on laneway wall to create an outdoor gallery to showcase artworks from the local community.
“Council wants to see more people visit and spend time in our rural communities -- this laneway renewal has created another safe, accessible and useable space for all to enjoy.”
This $200,000 project is supported by the Victorian Government’s COVID Safe Outdoor Activation Fund 2021.
October is traditionally the spring emergence of peo ple and events from the winter months, yet this year, all eyes remain focused on the sky, on rain gauges and on rising and falling water levels.
The Wimmera has been on high alert for more than a week as big rains and storms threatened both widespread riverine and stormwater flooding.
Some residents have found them selves isolated as high water levels cut off access to properties and roads.
Road closures have caused both inconvenience and damage; school closures closeby to waterways remind students and parents of the challeng ing days of learning at home with
COVID-19 lockdowns; and walk ing and biking paths such as those along the Wimmera River and close to catchments have become increas ingly busy as watching the water level becomes a spectator sport.
For many of the catchments, levels are higher than we’ve seen in years — in instances such as lakes Wartook, Bellfield and Lonsdale, the water is spilling over 100 percent.
When warnings were issued, people responded. The memories of the 2011 floods are still fresh in people’s minds, despite the years gone by, and this rain event has only brought those memo ries to the fore.
Fortunately, forecasts for our re gion were later downgraded and life
By Jessica Grimblehas continued somewhat as usual for most. Though the true cost and impact of the rain on crops and for livestock across the region remain to be seen — particularly on the cusp of what appeared to be a bumper harvest.
Our hearts go out to those in other areas of regional Victoria who con tinue to face a flood threat to their homes, businesses and communities.
The wrap on today’s edition of The Weekly Advertiser is part of a state
wide news industry initiative to record and recognise the impact of the floods.
It honours the tireless efforts of many in responding to planning, pre vention and emergency measures.
For those interested in the rain data, Bureau of Meteorology records show that totals across the region are tri pling October averages.
Horsham has recorded 103mm of rain in October to date, taking the year-to-date total to 563.2mm.
It recorded 37.4mm in the past week.
For context, the average October rain for Horsham is 32mm and the 12-month average is 365.5mm.
Stawell has recorded 123.4mm for the month and 536.4mm for the year to date; while Ararat has exceeded
Natimuk Brass Band will celebrate its 120th birthday with a performance at Na timuk Showgrounds on Sunday.
The band, which formed in 1885, will play in conjunction with a Natimuk Farm ers Plus market, starting at 10.30am. The band will perform for an hour and a half. The performance will be undercover near the showground entrance gates.
Brass bands feature musicians who play instruments such as the cornet, tenor horn, euphonium, baritone, trombone, tuba, drums and percussion.
Brass bands have historically represent ed municipalities for ceremonial as well as entertainment purposes.
Many Victorian municipal parks and gardens feature historic rotundas espe cially built for band performances.
Natimuk Brass Band, which has a core group of about a dozen musicians, will have support from members of neighbour ing bands and former members for the occasion.
There will be about 24 musicians mak ing up the band during the celebratory per formance under the baton of band master and president Robert White.
Mr White, 84, who started in brass bands with St Arnaud Salvation Band as an eight year old and has been in brass-band music all his life, said the occasion provided a wonderful opportunity to return to playing.
He said the band, despite making the most of opportunities to rehearse, had been relatively inactive in public during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s great to get out and perform in front of people again and we hope people come along and enjoy the music. There is no charge and we welcome them with open arms,” he said.
“Many supporters and past players have been invited to attend and also historic photographs and memorabilia will be on display.”
Natimuk Brass Band has a long and colourful history, having provided musi cal entertainment for various Wimmera activities and events and has also been a regular competitor in regional and state wide band competition.
It traces its history back to the early co lonial days of the Wimmera, having main tained its presence as an operational brass band since it started, apart from a break of 17 years between 1930 and 1947, after a fire destroyed all of their instruments.
The band’s first notable bandmaster, from 1895 to 1904, was Jack Davis, who had previously been Horsham bandmaster.
Bandmasters such as Horace Woolmer, Harry Knight, Jim Henry, Jim Ratcliffe, Bob Palesthorpe and Arthur Jones fol lowed Mr Davis.
After the devastation of the 1930 fire, Bill Schmidt reformed the band and re mained bandmaster from 1947 to 1979.
When the band reformed its credit bal ance was 2/6 or 25 cents. It then, through
consequent years and mainly through the efforts of its ladies auxiliary, raised thou sands of dollars for new instruments, uniforms and a band hall.
Other bandmasters after Mr Schmidt were Harold Ballinger, 1979-1981, Edgar Hill, 1981 to 1990, Harry John, 1990-91 and Mr White 1991- present day.
The band has always encouraged and featured junior musicians and Robert Em mett, who started as an eight-year-old, remains a playing member, 67 years later.
Mr White thanked Natimuk and district residents and various organisations for their support during the many years of the band’s existence.
“We couldn’t have survived without strong community support and the hope is that this can continue for years to come,” he said.
“The band has struggled at times for members and we always encourage musi cians, young and old, to get involved. It’s a lot of fun.”
average yearly rain by almost 100mm, with a year-to-date total of 677.5mm.
Nhill has recorded 474.8mm for the year to date, above its yearly average of 342.7mm, and recorded 37mm this week. Warracknabeal has recorded a lower amount of rain, in comparison, with 80.4mm for the month, however it is more than double the town’s Oc tober average; while Edenhope has reached its 12-month average this month with 568.8mm to date.
The impact of the floods will con tinue long after the water recedes as attention turns to recovery measures.
If the past few years have taught us anything, resilience, adaptability and community are our best tools to navi gate what’s ahead.
BY ABBY WALTER
Frinj Biennale festival will bring Natimuk to life this weekend.
Director Greg Pritchard said the event was coming together in the final days leading up to the weekend of art and music.
“Everything is set in place and there aren’t a lot of clashes in the program, so people can pick and choose what they want to see and experi ence,” he said.
“I haven’t added a lot to former director Han nah French’s program that couldn’t go ahead last year, but there’s plenty in it – no one will be bored.
“There’s lots of music, lots of performances and lots to see and do.”
The Frinj festival starts on Friday and finishes on Sunday. It is the first festival since 2019.
Mr Pritchard said all eyes were on the weather forecast for the weekend.
“We are hoping the rain tapers off at the end of the week – we want people to come along and have fun,” he said.
“The Frinj has always been a fun event. We don’t want the weather to put people off, so come along and see what’s on show.
“People always seem happy when they are here for the event.”
Mr Pritchard said there were some prominent exhibitions and performances that would feature across the weekend.
“Someone in the Dark by Black Hole Theatre from Melbourne is based on a story written by Tracey Rigney for children,” he said.
“It’s incredible work that will be shown in a dome and done with puppets.
“There’s also the bamboo tower that started to be built on Saturday – slackliners will walk between it and the silos. With lighting and music, it will be stunning. The third feature is ‘Truck’
by Kat Pengelly, which will be all singing and dancing and will be great.”
Pengelly said ACT Natimuk’s Creative Lab Program kick-started her major project ‘Truck’.
“I worked through photography, branding, script development and I enjoyed it,” she said.
“There was no pressure on producing some thing. The ethos of the program was to play, have fun and explore.
“I’m so grateful for the opportunity to develop the full show that will be at the Frinj.”
Pengelly said this year would be the third time she presented a major show at the festival.
“I love the community and event – going way out west to visit a cutting-edge arts community like no other. I visit Natimuk for more than just events because I have made lifelong friends there,” she said.
The festival brings artists and musicians to the Wimmera to perform, including singer-songwrit er and former Natimuk resident Simon Hudson.
Hudson said the Nati Frinj, as a grassroots event, was always a weekend of ‘great fun’.
“Everyone is always relaxed, having a great time and I’m glad I can attend, doing what I love, which is playing music,” he said.
Hudson will play two shows on Saturday at Club Tropicana Bar.
“My style is Latin tinged with folky pop and rocking roots,” he said.
“It’s awesome to be able to get in as many gigs as possible this year and bring my music to new people.”
From music to performances, art installations and workshops, 2022 presents a bumper festival program for people to experience.
The program is available online at www. natifrinj.com
A Liberal-National focus on health infrastructure leading into November’s state election has con tinued with the coalition adding a Lowan-elec torate hospital upgrade to its pledge list.
State Member for Lowan Emma Kealy, along side Shadow Minister for Health Georgie Cro zier, announced a $7-million election commit ment to upgrade parts of Willaura hospital if elected on November 26.
The East Grampians Health Service campus in Willaura, south-east of Ararat, provides the region with ‘acute’ aged care services, as well as a range of community health services.
Ms Kealy said existing buildings at Willaura hospital were ‘significantly’ aged and in ‘urgent’ need of work to support the staff at East Gram pians Health Service and to ‘deliver the best possible healthcare to our local people’.
“We know that attracting and retaining clinical and support staff is getting harder in regional
Victoria, which is one of the many reasons we need to ensure our rural health facilities are firstclass,” she said.
Ms Kealy said the pledged money would pay for a purpose-built general practitioner clinic, private ensuites for 10 rooms, extensions to a day room for dining and recreation, disabili ty-access upgrades and a reception area.
She said the Liberal-Nationals had commit ted ‘more than $1.5-billion to bring regional Victorian hospitals up-to-date’ and reaffirmed the Coalition’s commitment to redirect money from Suburban Rail Loop construction to health portfolios.
“I am proud to be part of a Liberal and Nation als team that recognises that people living in and around Willaura deserve to access great health services locally, and they will be supported by a fantastic purpose-built GP clinic and other important upgrades,” she said.
Alack of health industry work ers in the regions has prompt ed a small Wimmera health ser vice to ‘think outside the box’ to fill staffing gaps.
A new partnership between Cen tral Queensland University, CQU, and Rural Northwest Health in War racknabeal headline potential new methods to reverse ‘worrying’ staff ing trends across the regional health sector.
Warracknabeal health leaders have spoken of short and long-term prob lems facing the service’s health-grad uate retention, successionless solu tions to ageing staff, and increased workloads – a consequence of ageing demographics in the region.
The new partnership will offer CQU students studying off-campus in regional Victorian and South Aus tralian locations an opportunity to complete their university-required clinical placements at a health service closer to home than alternative clini cal-placement options.
RNH clinical nurse Doug Mathe
son said the partnership intentional ly targeted off-campus students from regional areas, with a foresight to expanding their current staffing pool with graduates who had greater poten tial of an extended career in a regional service.
“We are trying to build our limited staffing pool with local people and encourage regional people to realise there remain options for training and career development in a rural setting,” he said.
“This new partnership came from discussions with a Warracknabeal stu dent who was completing their place ment in Hamilton, while studying at South West TAFE in Warrnambool.
“They spoke of an existing partner ship Hamilton had with CQU, so we decided to contact the university and negotiate something similar for the service here in Warracknabeal.
“We have three students who are fairly local to us, who have all ex pressed interest in doing their clinical placements here.
“Part of the agreement with CQU is for us to pre-subscribe clinical place ments to their off-campus students and
for these students to complete their laboratory placements at Hamilton.”
The agreement between Rural Northwest Health and the university was signed in August, with the place ment partnership to start in February 2023.
Mr Matheson said it was crucial to remain ahead of a potential graduate lag when considering medium and long-term staffing requirements, given the existing compounding obstacles that health services across Australia were grappling with.
“We have nearly 300 staff across our health service and it is hard to know how short we really are,” he said.
“A lot of people have left health jobs across Australia post-COVID and
Horsham Holy Trinity Lutheran College yearnine student Chloe Bolwell is the state champion in her age group in an annual Suncorp ESSI Money Challenge.
Chloe said the challenge was an online game set across 26 weeks that encouraged students to practise finance skills.
“You earn money and experience consequences such as scams, you have shares and investments, apply for jobs, deal with bills, buy things and have sick leave, which means you don’t get paid,” she said.
“We had end-of-week quizzes that asked ques tions about what we learnt, which helped us understand earning, saving and spending.
“The winner was the person who made the most money.”
Chloe said she ‘made’ about $41,000 - enough to win the state level and finish third nationally.
“I was surprised at how well I did,” she said.
“Before the game I didn’t have a proper under standing of finances, but now I do, which will be good going forward. My prize was a $250 visa gift card.”
Across Victoria, 6800 secondary students from 243 schools were involved in the challenge run by the non-profit Financial Basics Foundation.
Chief executive Katrina Samios said she hoped the students who participated had learnt import ant financial life skills.
“Many Australians have been struggling finan cially this year due to record inflationary pres sures and the aftermath of COVID-19,” she said.
“It’s become even more important to teach young people how to make smart financial choices, now and into the future.”
Suncorp Bank Everyday Banking executive general manager Nick Fernando said the current economic environment reinforced the impor tance of teaching young people how to make good financial decisions.
“Understanding and managing finances is an important skill, and helping teenagers build their financial literacy is part of the bank’s commit ment to increasing financial resilience and sup porting financial wellbeing,” he said.
with ageing staff and ageing demo graphics, we need to replace them.
“Keep in mind it takes three years to train a registered nurse if we start that planning today.”
RNH executive manager of people, culture and safety Glenn Hynes said the entire health sector had been ‘hit from both ends’ regarding staff reduc tions and increasing workloads.
“The workload has increased as re gional demographics age, while we struggle to retain existing staff who have had tough years dealing with COVID and who now also have an enticing workers market across the health industry,” he said.
As part of a staffing regeneration push, the service will host a careers exhibition on November 17 at its Warracknabeal campus for secondary students and people considering a health-sector career shift.
Mr Hynes reminded potential health employees that careers in the sector extended beyond roles in nursing and medicine.
He highlighted the benefits of taking on study with accompanied place ments in regional hospitals or re
locating to regional hospitals after graduation.
“We have a need for a range of clinical staff of all experience levels, as well as primary and allied space staff, physiotherapists and occupation al therapists, for example,” he said.
“There are greater opportunities to grow in your career at a smaller health service than at a metropolitan one and this careers expo is a way for us to demonstrate that.
“It is open to all of the community, and we encourage anyone, no matter what age, who might be interested in any area of health study to attend.”
Mr Hynes said the exhibition, open from 1pm to 4pm, included hospital tours, meet-and-greets with staff and opportunities to discuss vacancies and career development opportunities at the health service, as well as ser vice-aligned study options.
He asked interest visitors to register their attendance or call 5396 1200 for more information.
Rural Northwest Health is a public sector health service with campus eses at Warracknabeal, Hopetoun and Beulah.
Our office is at 2 Stawell Road, Horsham. Mail: PO Box 606, Horsham 3402. Telephone: 5382 1351. Fax: 5381 1147. Website: www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au Email: weeklyadvertiser@team.aceradio.com.au
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
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The publisher and general manager is Scott Grambau, C/- 2 Stawell Road, Horsham, for Ace Radio Broadcasters Pty Ltd, ACN 064 882 042. The Weekly Advertiser is a free paper printed by Newsprinters Pty Ltd, 7940 Melbourne Rd, Shepparton, and distributed by regional distributors and Australia Post.
“There are greater opportunities to grow in your career at a smaller health service than at a metropolitan one and this careers expo is a way for us to demonstrate that”
– Glenn HynesCHALLENGE MET: Horsham Holy Trinity Lutheran College student Chloe Bolwell finished on the state and national podium after saving money throughout an online financial challenge. Picture: ABBY WALTER
BY JESSICA GRIMBLE
The Bank of Melbourne’s Horsham branch will close.
The branch will close on February 20, with a spokesperson citing ‘more digitally active cus tomers’ and ‘declining customer use of branches’ as reasons for the decision.
The Financial Services Union, FSU, says the Horsham branch is among 23 Westpac Banking Corporation branches – including Bank of Mel bourne, Westpac, St George and Bank SA – to close, with a loss of 92 jobs.
The Bank of Melbourne spokesperson said the bank was notifying customers about changes to services in coming months.
“While we may be closing in some locations, we’re continuing to invest significantly in up grading our branch network,” the spokesperson said.
“When Bank of Melbourne Horsham closes, customers will be able to carry out cash trans actions at our Westpac Horsham branch, 120 metres away. This capability is being progres sively rolled out to Westpac Group branches throughout 2023.
“Customers will also be able to access cash services locally via Australia Post at Horsham Post Shop, just 200 metres away from our cur rent branch.
“ATMs are located in Horsham and Stawell, which do not charge our customers with operator fees. Customers can also call us on 132 266 to talk to one of our bankers.”
The Bank of Melbourne spokesperson did not detail the number of employees the Horsham branch closure would impact, but said the West pac Group was assisting them to secure new roles.
“As we continue to adapt to our changing cus tomer needs, this will result in new opportunities within the Westpac Group as we grow our phone, digital and virtual offerings,” the spokesperson said.
“We have a robust process in place to assist employees to find new opportunities within Westpac Group, meaning the majority of em ployees affected secure a new role and continue their career in the group.”
FSU national secretary Julia Angrisano called for the Federal Government to ‘step in and stop’ banks from ‘deserting’ regional areas. She said the group had announced the closure of a total 95 branches in the past four months.
“This is the most appalling decimation of a branch network by a bank which is now on the verge of abandoning its social contract with the community,” Ms Angrisano said.
“Hundreds of banking jobs have been lost as Westpac rips through what’s left of its branches.
“The Bank of Melbourne, Bank SA and St George brands are being hit hard and may well disappear if the current rate of closures contin ues.”
Ms Angrisano said branch closures were dif ficult for frontline staff, who were managing the complaints and feedback of ‘angry customers’.
“This latest round of closures is why we need the Federal Government to set up an inquiry into the closure of bank branches, especially in regional areas, where they have a devastating impact on retail and business customers,” she said.
These free sessions run weekly on Tuesdays from 1.30pm in Horsham, and cover mindfulness, connecting with creativity, sleep, music and managing trauma symptoms.
This program is open people impacted by sexual assault and women impacted by family violence, including past or present clients and those who have not engaged with our service.
For more information about the program, scan the QR code or call (03) 5381 1211.
Anational caravan club is giv ing Harrow’s Sound and Light Show a revamp as volunteers get back to scheduling regular shows.
The Trakmaster Caravan Club or ganised a five-day working bee to help improve sets, costumes and the townscape.
Club leader Fred Baltetsch said 36 club members, from 60 to 87 years old, turned out for jobs from remaking gravestones and coffins to repairing costumes and installing a solar-pow ered lighting system.
“It’s been a wonderful team effort and a great experience,” he said.
“This all came about because we had a big club gathering at Kaniva earlier this year and I took a smaller group on a trip down to the south-west and we came back through Harrow.
“I put some pressure on the group to do a show for us in March, which was the first one back for them after COVID restrictions, but noticed that some of the lighting and props needed upgrading.”
Mr Baltetsch said after getting to know Harrow Promotion and Devel opment Group president Ron Penrose, he thought helping the group upgrade
its show would be a good project.
“This is the first time we have ever done volunteering like this as a group,” he said.
“The group, our club and the council have put money towards the projects we have done.
“We have 10 sewing machines go ing in the hall repairing costumes, and people all over town helping with
small jobs.
“The community here is wonderful and this has all been for them.”
Club leader Murray Davidson said he originally arranged a birthday cel ebration for the club at Harrow, but it was cancelled due to COVID restric tions.
“We would have had 50 vans here for the event,” he said.
“We have members from all over Australia and most of us are retired. We do up to 20 outings a year, but this one is a little bit different – I think if the opportunity arises, we will do something like this again.”
Mr Penrose said Harrow Promotion and Development Group was happy with the support it received from the caravan club.
Ballot packs containing voting material were mailed to enrolled voters from Tuesday 18 October 2022.
This is a postal election only.
Voters who haven't received their ballot pack by Wednesday 26 October 2022, should call the election office on 1300 595 014 during office hours to arrange a replacement. Please note the election office will be closed for the Melbourne Cup public holiday on Tuesday 1 November 2022.
You must complete your ballot paper correctly for your vote to count. Put the number 1 in the box next to the candidate you most want to see elected, then number ALL the other boxes in order of your choice. You must number EVERY BOX and only use each number once.
Follow the instructions on your ballot paper to complete your vote. To return your completed ballot paper, put it in the ballot paper envelope then use the reply-paid envelope provided or hand-deliver it during office hours to: Community Meeting Room, Town Hall, 40 Napier Street, St Arnaud
“People have put in so much work and any job we suggested, they jumped at - which was great,” he said.
“They’ve stripped back and painted shop fronts, made garments, pruned garden beds and painted gravestones for us.”
Mr Penrose said the first show fol lowing COVID restrictions was in March and the second show of the year was earlier this month.
“We have three shows booked out but people can still get tickets for De cember 3,” he said.
“We’ve shaken out a few cobwebs and we still have fun after running this for 25 years.
“It’s lots of laughs as the volunteers get to become different characters and have fun as a community.”
Mr Penrose said a show would have 20 volunteers involved, with the group able to call on about 40 people for those roles.
“While there is a plot, it’s a lot of ad lib so we can still work around when people aren’t available,” he said.
“Sometimes the crowd gets in volved, too.
“With bushrangers, ladies of the night, a court case and a doctor, there’s something for everyone.”
Voting is compulsory for all voters who were on the State roll at 4 pm on Friday 9 September 2022
You may be fined if you do not vote — this includes homeowners and tenants. You are encouraged to vote, but you will not be fined if you don't vote, if:
• you live outside this local council area OR
• you are enrolled directly with the Council to be on the voters' roll for this election.
Your completed ballot pack must be in the mail or hand-delivered by 6 pm* Friday 4 November 2022
*Local mail clearance times vary. Ballot packs must be mailed before final clearance times in the last week of voting. Don't risk a fine.
State-enrolled voters can register for free VoterAlert SMS and email reminders at vec.vic.gov.au
BugROff Pest Busters is the toast of the Wimmera busi ness community.
It was crowned ‘Wimmera Business of the Year’ at an ACE Radio Wim mera Business Awards gala event at Horsham Town Hall on Friday night.
It also won the trade or service spe cialist award.
Steve and Rebekah Olver said their team, teamwork and a positive cul ture, and the business’ priority of put ting its clients first, set it apart.
“It’s 15 years of hard work, of per severance and of improvement in our business. Working out who does something better than us, and striving to be better in ourselves,” Mr Olver said.
“We don’t get it right all the time, but learning from our mistakes when we get it wrong is key.”
A year ago, the business achieved a long-held goal, being sold to a multi national. It is now a Flick Anticimex company.
“We have the same great team, doing what we do, and this award just caps it off beautifully for us — running and owning our own business,” Mr Olver said.
Wimmera Development Association hosts the awards every two years to promote regional business excellence and showcase diversity of businesses across the region. The 2020 awards ceremony was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Awards co-ordinator Vernetta Taylor said the awards received a record number of applications from busi nesses and individuals across Horsh am Rural City, Hindmarsh, Northern
Grampians, West Wimmera and Yar riambiack shires. Almost 30 indepen dent judges selected 46 finalists across 15 categories.
“The awards have been an oppor tunity to celebrate the diversity of businesses and the resilience shown particularly in recent years,” she said. “Throughout the night, people’s sense of community and collaboration has really shone through.”
Tanya Stanley of Beetanicals won the inaugural regional woman in busi
ness excellence award.
Tanya and her husband Wayne, a beekeeper, also won the small-scale food and beverage producer award.
The business makes a range of balms and honey. It began in response find ing an appropriate solution for their son Cooper’s dry and sensitive skin.
“It’s really amazing to share my sto ry with the broader local community and to celebrate our business and oth er businesses here tonight,” she said.
“We have some exciting new prod
ucts that we’re bringing to the region in the next few months.”
West Wimmera Health Service in fection control expert Christine Dufty was crowned employee of the year. She provides advice on management, prevention and control of infection — including the COVID-19 pandemic — across the service’s nine campuses.
“The award is a recognition of what a change nursing has had in the past couple of years. People know what infection control is now because it’s
HONOUR: Corey Mann was the apprentice or trainee of the year.
become part of our daily life. It’s an instant award but it’s been 40 years in the making,” Ms Dufty, also a quali fied theatre nurse and midwife, said.
“The past few years have been very challenging and with very long hours. Running vaccine clinics out of the blue wasn’t something I ever expected to do in my working life.”
Laser Plumbing and Electrical’s Corey Mann won the apprentice or trainee of the year award on his sec ond nomination.
He has worked at Laser for seven years – first completing an electrical apprenticeship, when he received the first award nomination; and is now completing a refrigeration apprentice ship with one year remaining.
“The two trades go hand-in-hand, so I stepped into it and took it on and it’s been the best thing ever,” he said.
The Capital Café Bistro in Horsh am was the People’s Choice Award winner.
Ballarat Emergency Communications Centre now hiring esta.vic.gov.au/current-jobs
Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne.
Experience a fulfilling career that will make a difference to you and to your community.WINNERS: BugROff Pest Busters won the Wimmera Business of the Year award at the ACE Radio Wimmera Business Awards on Friday night. It also took home the trade or service specialist award.
Leading start-up business: Wild Duck Kafe Community service impact award: Horsham Agriculture Society
Retail experience award: Rupanyup Living
Excellence in hospitality: Paper Scissors Rock Brew Co
Trade or service specialist award: BugROff Pest Busters
Excellence in agribusiness: Wimpak Tourism, events and attractions outstanding experience award: Grampians Helicopters Manufacturing and innovation award: Smallaire
Excellence in health, fitness and wellbeing: West Wimmera Health Service
Professional service industry award: Casey Kosch First Aid Training
Small-scale food and beverage producer award: Beetanicals
People’s choice award: The Capital Cafe Bistro Apprentice or trainee of the year: Corey Mann, Laser Plumbing and Electrical Regional woman in business excellence award: Tanya Stanley, Beetanicals
Employee of the year: Christine Dufty, West Wimmera Health Service
Wimmera business of the year: BugROff Pest Busters
presentations
at the
event, appear via www.weeklyadvertiser.com.au
BY MICHAEL SCALZO
Home-based palliative care can be ex pensive, but a committed group of art ists continues to subsidise these costs – one stitch at a time.
Faye Cameron has been quilting for more than 30 years and has two quilts ready to go under the hammer at this year’s Wimmera Hospice Care Auxiliary quilt auction.
The auxiliary’s yearly auction of quilts and crafted goods raises money to pay for equipment, from shower stools to breathing apparatuses, that can make someone’s home as comfortable as possible during their final weeks of life.
The group’s money contributions support the palliative-care department at Wimmera Base Hospital, with the hospital providing lists of needed equipment, which the auxiliary then rents on behalf of the hospital and its patients.
Mrs Cameron joined the Horsham Patchwork Quilters after moving from Marnoo to Horsham five years ago and remembers the care her new neighbours received when they entered hospice care.
“Donating my quilts to the auxiliary’s auction is a worthy cause because hospice care can be so expensive,” she said.
“My neighbours on either side of my home both had care in their homes, and it touched my heart.
“I know a lot of the patchers are getting in volved because they have been touched in some way by the needs of hospice care.”
One of Mrs Cameron’s two donation-ready quilts was crafted two years ago – a row-on-row patchwork, the other a native-themed, waratahinspired red and black creation she quilted three years ago.
She said most quilters including herself were constantly working on their art and the auction
was a chance to share their creations with people who enjoyed their products, while using their skills to gather money for hospice care.
“I know it will make a difference in people’s lives,” she said.
Jenny Green, a former midwife, joined Wim mera Hospice Care Auxiliary in 2019 because she wanted to be a part of a committee that ‘re ally did something’ for Wimmera people.
She is also an experienced patcher who has donated coasters, keyrings, potholders and other small items for a produce stall that accompanies the quilt auction.
She said as more people became aware of the role hospice played in end-of-life care, and how expensive its running costs often were, they felt a desire to contribute to the auxiliary’s work.
“Palliative care is really important and when people need care at their home, that is when a lot of money is required,” she said.
“The auxiliary hires the equipment, and this process has become an integral asset to the hos pital’s hospice care.
“A lot of people were at the 2021 auction, and not just to buy quilts, but to come and scan through the goodies on the trading tables.
“Auction visitors and contributors often have had something to do with hospice care in the past and they know how valuable the service is for the community.”
Auxiliary publicity officer Lea Crammond said items were often sold at a fraction of their retail price, so people knew they were getting homemade quality items for a reasonable price, while helping palliative care in the Wimmera.
With more than 100 quilts for sale, auction viewing starts at 12.30pm on Sunday, November 6 at Masonic Hall, Horsham, with the auction proper to start at 2.30pm.
Entry is $10 and includes afternoon tea.
It’s
warmed up and you’re running around playing netball court or football field and you feel that Oh so familiar twinge, in your hamstring. Or maybe the hamstring injury has already occurred and you’ve done the recovery exercises and something still isn’t right.
Often this is because the pelvis where the hamstring attaches to is out of alignment. It causes the muscles to shorten and increases the risk of injury or delay in recovery. This can also change the rest of the spinal movements as the body tries to compensate for the unusual movement of the pelvis.
When chiropractors are looking at your back, we’re looking at all of it seeing what’s working and what’s not. Chiropractic can help you move better and get more out of your game.
Dr. Pauline Walsh B. Clinc Sci B. App. Sci (Chiropractic), DACCP
ALWAYS ROCKING: Horsham Rockers, from left, Jenny Lawes, club president Wayne Lang, Gary Pilgrim, and Anne Erskine with Horace, the group’s ‘oldest’ rock-n-roll dancer. Mr Lang said Horace was the epitome of a phrase –‘old rockers never die’.
Abig weekend of rock-n-roll will return for Wimmera movers and shakers to morow, as dancers from across Victoria and South Australia converge on Horsham.
Horsham Rockers Inc, a group of specialist dancers to 1950s and ’60s-era rock-n-roll music, will host its annual headline event, Rockin’ At The Races, for the time since pre-pandemic 2019.
To celebrate the event coinciding with Victoria Seniors Festival, the club has also added two special sessions to its program tomorrow, for uninitiated dancers eager to learn some moves.
Club president Wayne Lang said discussions with Horsham Rural City Council led to the rockers hosting a one-off lesson for people who might not have danced to rock-n-roll before.
“We have some instructors travelling from near Hamilton especially for tomorrow’s two sessions, who are great at what they do,” he said.
“So, if you want to learn, come along and try it out. There is no pressure to become a member afterwards, just come and dance.
“It is energetic, and it keeps you fit. If you have an ear for music, love that ’50s and ’60s era of rock-n-roll, or want to meet some new people, we are keen to teach you the basic moves.”
Tomorrow’s instruction sessions have been added to the club’s multiple-event Rockin’ At The Races-weekend schedule, with Friday night’s themed night headlining festivities.
“The weekend is called Rockin’ At The Races because we always host the event the weekend before Melbourne Cup weekend, and this year,
Freaky Friday is the dress theme,” he said.
Mr Lang said a Freaky Friday-theme was sched uled for the club’s cancelled 2020 event, but fortunately, dancers could now enjoy the theme and the dance evening in 2022, now COVID restrictions had eased.
He said dancers from Horsham Rockers Inc, as well as from other Victorian and interstate clubs, would be in town for the weekend’s events, a dance celebration rock-n-roll members had craved after two years of cancellations.
“The rock-n-roll family is a big family. We have 230 people booked for Friday night, with people coming from South Australia, south-west Victoria and Mildura,” he said.
“Our Sunday breakfast is also to say thank you to everyone involved throughout the weekend.”
Program – Tomorrow: Seniors festival beginner sessions, Horsham Table Tennis Centre, 2pm to 3pm and 7.30pm to 8.30pm, free.
Friday: Freaky Friday theme night, featuring band Fender Benders and DJ Jeff and Susanne, Horsham Town Hall, 8pm to midnight, $25.
Saturday: Rock-n-roll demonstration at Hor sham Plaza, all dancers welcome to participate, 10.30am to 11.30am; Fender Benders and DJ Jeff and Suzanne, Horsham Town Hall, 7.30pm to midnight, $25.
Sunday: Free breakfast, Horsham Angling Club, 9am to 11am; dance session at Horsham Table Tennis Centre, music from James Book man from Fender Benders, 2pm to 6pm, $10.
Friday and Saturday night ticket package, $40.
Mr Lang said people could call Noel Brown to book a ticket and for more information on 0417 380 459.
Hall
At the beginning of 2022, the Australian economy appeared to be sliding into recession, dragged down by higher interest rates and even higher inflation levels.
As a result, it was tempting to believe the share market was also set to tumble.
While that’s not impossible, the local market traded higher during each of Australia’s past nine recessions, with some of the strongest trad ing on the Australian share market occurring when the economy was contracting.
For example, 1983 was the best year ever on the Australian share market, climbing 60 percent higher, while the economy was stuck hard in the 1981-1983 recession.
So, while it is tempting to think poor economic times mean a dismal outlook for the market, there are four key reasons why that is usually not the case.
Firstly, the market is driven by expectations.
of the
and the
RSL Avenue of
There is an old saying; investors buy on the rumour and sell on the facts.
Big share market falls occur suddenly, well before the economy officially moves into reces sion, as investors promptly react to bad news.
Once the economy is in recession, investors look to the future and how companies can take advantage of emerging opportunities in an im proving economy – improvements that can take time to show up in economic data.
Secondly, the share market reflects investor sentiment, while consumer concerns and beliefs dominate the economy.
Consumers might cut back on buying clothes or going out in preference to boosting savings when they fear bad times.
In contrast, professional investors are con stantly looking for opportunities, and economic downturns where small businesses go bust and
consumer sentiment changes, usually create them.
Thirdly, the share market comprises large suc cessful companies. In contrast, economic statis tics are dominated by what is happening to indi viduals and small businesses – two groups that can respond very differently to world events.
For example, the war in Ukraine prompted a rise in energy prices, particularly for oil.
Most individuals and small businesses re sponded by cutting back on their petrol con sumption, while large oil companies are crank ing up production to take advantage of these higher prices.
Finally, the share market has a much smaller universe than the economy. The market is made up of large companies entirely focused on get ting larger and more profitable and, in doing so, attracting more investors to support their efforts.
The economy is made up of governments, indi viduals and small businesses, all making a wide range of decisions about how they will live and operate in an ever-changing world and are bas ing those decisions on a raft of factors.
So, while the share market and economy are connected, they are influenced by widely dif ferent variants that often see them heading in different directions.
• The information provided in this article is general in nature only and does not constitute personal financial advice.
Laharum Primary School will mark an historic milestone next month when it celebrates 135 years of educa tion.
A community celebration on November 5 will highlight the past 35 years of the school, rais ing a time capsule of memo ries and historic items from the school’s centenary celebration in 1987.
The school’s eldest former stu dent, Hugh Russell, 88, and its three present-day students will raise the time capsule and school council presidents from each of the past three decades will ad dress an assembly from 11am.
Mr Russell attended the school until year eight, when he was old enough to seek work.
He remembers the former school buildings – including a new building where he was among its first students – as well as playing rounders in the yard and, in his final year, having to clean the toilets on Friday after noons.
He has kept a costume from his first school concert.
His mother made the costume, a smart red jacket for a little drummer boy, and he sat on the lap of the teacher, Mrs McTavish, throughout the concert.
“We used to go over to Griffiths’ dam, get mud balls and throw them over the roof. I don’t know whether we hit each other or what, but the idea was to throw
them back again. These were the things we used to do,” he said.
“In my time, there was only one teacher. There could have been 20 to 25 students each year, as it went, and they used to look after us all. That was from the juniors right through.”
Mr Russell’s late wife Mary was involved in the school communi ty, including driving the district’s children to school on a local bus.
Their children also attended the school.
The Russells are just one of many local families to educate multiple generations of children at the school – including current student Troy Winfield, the thirdgeneration of his family.
Principal Jane McLean, whose involvement reaches 10 years next year, said like any com munity, the school had been an important education and meeting place.
“It’s a community school and it has a long history of the commu nity being very active within the school, and we just want to en rapture that for the day,” she said.
There were almost 40 students enrolled at the school when she arrived in 2013.
Ms McLean said the school had experienced a slow decline in en rolments, noted since the closure of the district’s kindergarten.
The school is awaiting advice from the State Government about its future. Its current students are enrolled at both Laharum and Haven schools.
Spectators at Stawell’s Central Park will have a new large screen to keep in touch with football and netball action and other events, if there is a change of govern ment at November’s state election.
Member for Lowan Emma Kealy announced a $100,000 Liberal-Nationals pledge for an electronicscreen attachment to the existing north-western score board, if elected on November 26.
Ms Kealy said the screen was ‘critical’ to modernising the precinct.
“The new screen will give the thousands of people who flock through the gates each year for the Stawell Gift and football and netball matches the opportunity to get a close-up view of the action from wherever they are in the park. It will also give user groups a way to display important information and allow them to recognise their sponsors in a more prominent way,” she said.
“Central Park is one of the Wimmera region’s premier sporting grounds and this project will breathe new life into this multi-use community asset.”
The pledge follows last month’s State Government $800,000 grant to upgrade the precint’s pavilion and build female-friendly changerooms. The State Govern ment money was not tied to a government re-election.
Upgrades at Davis Park in Hill have again been placed under an election spotlight as the Nationals commit to funding the precinct renovation if elected this Novem ber.
State Member for Lowan and deputy leader of The Nationals Emma Kealy announced $900,000 for club rooms and undercover seating redevelopments at Davis Park if a Liberal National government was elected on November 26.
Laharum school will open be tween 10am and 3pm for view ing.
Next-door, Laharum Hall will also offer a place for people to reunite and share stories.
The school, hall committee, Laharum Sports Inc and North
Picture: PAUL CARRACHER
PERFECT FIT: Former Laharum Primary School student Hugh Russell with foundation student Eden Kelly-Alderson. Eden is wearing a costume jacket Hugh wore more than 80 years ago for a school concert.
West Grampians Lions Club are involved in co-ordinating and ca tering the event.
People wanting to attend the celebration are encouraged to register by emailing laharum.ps@ education.vic.gov.au or phone 5383 6202.
Ms Kealy said a redevelopment of Davis Park was ‘vital to ensure the future wellbeing of the Nhill com munity’.
“The buildings at Davis Park are significantly aged and are no longer fit for purpose,” she said.
“Nhill and District Sporting Club and the wider com munity have done an incredible amount of work over a long time to progress plans to redevelop this fantastic facility, and I am proud to stand with them and announce funding to help bring this vital project to fruition.”
Multidisciplinary artist Juana Beltran, of Ararat, is feeling more at home with her first exhibition showing in the Wimmera.
The installation, made from flywire and titled ‘Shadow Beings’, is on show at Murtoa Stick Shed until November 2.
Beltran said with her ‘shadow men’ being ex hibited in the Wimmera she felt more local than ever before.
“I came from the Mornington Peninsula to Ararat in January, so I’m new to the area, but knowing that my art is exposed in the land of the Wimmera, that I love, makes me feel more at home,” she said.
Beltran created 71 ‘Shadow Beings’ that hang suspended in the shed, representing an experi ence she had in Broken Hill, New South Wales.
“I was just outside of Broken Hill in 2009 and looking out everything was a flat horizontal line while the sun was above me reflecting my shadow onto the red soil,” she said.
“At that moment I saw myself like a speck of dust and I felt all these emotions – fear and free dom and expansion all in one go.
“I took that experience and started creating a month later. I started painting with cement because the desert was giving me a sense of looking for raw and heavy materials. Later, I was doing the shadows like outlines of a man on canvas that I had carved using cement.”
Beltran said she came to use the flywire as it was reminiscent of fencing in the desert.
“The first one I stuck on a canvas and slowly I thought perhaps I would like it not stuck on a canvas, so I hung it up. I loved it and thought this is what I am looking for,” she said.
“We all have shadows, not just the reflection of your body from the sun, but shadows that we carry the psychological aspect of ourselves – and that shadow follows us all the time. It’s our other self. You can call it a subconscious or you can call it spirit, people call it different things – it is the psychological shadows we all have.
“These are the reflection of that shadow.”
Beltran said not all ‘beings’ were the same.
“I bought metres of aluminium flywire, put it in my studio and with a stick and some chalk I started drawing the outline. When it was done I cut it with scissors and hemmed the edges be cause it was sharp,” she said.
“It takes time. People ask me how long it took but I did it organically, so there was no start and end date. One day I would feel like doing two or three, others I would cut up 12 and the next day I might do something else completely. It was very free flowing.”
Beltran said the Murtoa exhibition was the largest she had done, with previous exhibitions in Melbourne and Spain.
“After the exhibition in Spain in 2017, I knew I had to come back to Australia and search for a place to exhibit,” she said.
“I was not going to rush; I was going to be patient and look for the right place. We have a studio house in Rupanyup, so I thought I would visit Murtoa and I saw the Stick Shed and said this is the place, it has been waiting for me.
“Due to the pandemic, we had to postpone it three times.”
Beltran said the size and structure of the shed called to her.
“When people come to the shed, they all feel something, but everyone feels differently with different experiences and backgrounds – a car penter will think about it differently to a sculptor who will think about it differently to an architect. As an artist, I think of it as a canvas,” she said.
“When I come here it gives me the sense of a forest in the shed, because it’s full of tree trunks.
“I like the shapes with the wires and when I thought about how I would hang the installation the committee suggested putting wires between the poles, but I wanted to take the space as it was, so I used the wires that were supporting the structure to hang the beings.
“That’s why the installation looks like it’s there, but also not there. I didn’t want to over whelm the place.”
FABULOUS FUN: Horsham St Brigid’s College and Ss Michael and John’s students came together for an afternoon of colour and fun. Pictured after completing the ‘colour run’ are, clockwise from left: Olivia Taylor, Yarli Nelson and Ruby Janetzki; Indilly Penny and Claire Burton; Ss Michael and John’s students receive an extra splash of colour; Maddison Bethune, Mia Rees and Abbey Williams; Eadie and Finn Bowey; and Amber Pietsch, Ellita Scollary and Poppy Peters.
Paradoo Prime manager Josh Walter is happy with how the spring season is shaping up, with rain boosting pasture growth for stock. Mr Walter said Phalaris had recently been sown at the Pigeon Ponds property and would be well established for feed next year. “If the opportunity presents itself, you take it,” he said. “We have more sheep because we’ve had more rain and there’s more grass.” – Story, page 27.
PAUL CARRACHER
The Millenium drought meant there was a whole generation of children through the Wimmera and Mallee who knew nothing but the dry through their early years.
Born in the late 1990s, Maddi Mc Credden had never seen her home in anything but drought until she was 12 and big floods hit.
Growing up at Beulah in the south ern Mallee, Maddi has vivid memories of how limited water influenced every facet of farm life on the farm.
“Things like the Grampians-Wim mera Mallee Water mascot Phil The Bucket, having timed showers and then bucketing that water back out onto the garden, I can remember all those things relating to water and to saving water so clearly,” Maddi said.
“There was a real feeling of tension in the community, which only now as an adult, reflecting on it, you can un derstand. All the reports of the drought and the fires and the talk about how it never used to be like this, the stress about failed crops and money, it was a tough time.
“When the floods came I remember wading out in the Yarriambiack Creek near school and looking at all the wa ter bugs, they used to be common but we’d never seen them before.”
Maddi’s mother Prue said her daugh ters Maddi, Bridget and Charlotte missed out on everyday experiences due to the lack of water.
“They missed out on the joy of play ing under a sprinkler and the first time they got to see and play under a sprin kler – when visiting their grandparents outside the drought zone – they were so excited,” Prue said.
Prue said a pre-emptive decision to use government rebates to install more rainwater tanks helped to maintain some sort of a garden, as did a switch to hardier species.
“I came up from the Western District
when I was married and had high hopes of putting in a beautiful English cottage style garden. The drought taught us those sort of plants just aren’t suited to the Mallee,” she said. While the drought was tough, both Prue and Maddi said the tight-knit local community tried to keep life as normal as possible for kids, through school projects to installing shade sails and a grey water sprinkler sys tem.
“The community was fantastic in how it all came together, we had events and concerts and we kept on going,” she said.
Maddi said the Wimmera-Mallee Pipeline, which replaced leaky chan nels, had changed the landscape.
“It is nice to have just that little bit of water in the weir pools along the creek and a bit of green grass, it makes the region as a whole more liveable,” she said.
Water has also made the region more attractive for young people to move to the area to work.
“It’s great to see a lot more diversity in the region than when I was growing up. We’ve got a fantastic community of Indian nurses at Warracknabeal hospital and they really like the area
for the most part, but people probably need to be made more aware of what a move to the region really means, Maddi said.
“We have wonderful open spaces, we have friendly communities, but equally, there is a lot we don’t have.
“There is little public transport, there aren’t the array of art galleries and other entertainment you find in the city and that can often catch people by surprise when they arrive.
“I think if people have a clearer idea of what life is going to be like when they move here we are more likely to attract people who will stay for longer.”
The pipeline may have created more water security, but old habits die hard for Maddi.
“I still only run the dishwasher and washing machine every couple of days with very full loads to save water, take quick showers, don’t leave hoses on, have bottles of rain water saved in the fridge just in case – all that is a result of the drought, which is probably a positive overall.”
Prue said it was great to see the drought in the rear view mirror.
“It was very tough at the time but we definitely learnt a lot about living through dry periods and hopefully, although there will drought again, it does not have that massive impact on our lives.”
FAMILY: From left, Bridget, Prue, Charlotte and Maddi McCredden feature in a unique publication capturing Wimmera residents’ experiences of climate change and drought, due for release this weekend.
Of all the lessons learned in the Mil lennium drought, the importance of business and personal resilience was one of the most critical.
Farmers constantly adjusted to manage through tough seasons, whether it was through no-till or minimum till cropping systems or growing lower risk crops such as hay.
As a result, innovative farmers now man age to not only survive but thrive on much lower rainfall.
“We definitely learnt a lot during the drought years,” Lah farmer David Drage said.
“Getting our businesses more resilient to be able to cope with the unexpected was es sential, a lot of that came down to managing climatic volatility, through things like no-till and setting up low risk cropping programs.”
While farm businesses are better able to withstand the tough seasons, rural commu nities continue to reinvent themselves to survive.
“It might not be climate change, but we’ll face other challenges and we’re going to have to be able to handle them ourselves
without looking for government interven tion,” Mr Drage said.
“Hopefully the lessons on how to evolve to overcome problems will hold us in good stead to manage whatever comes up.”
Mr Drage said the next wave of positive change would be more likely be around mental and community health.
“Part of a sustainable business is ensuring you can do it without burning out,” he said.
“We’re going to hit crisis point in terms of the rural workforce if there is not some change, you can already see it, the short ages for seasonal workers like harvest or woolshed staff.
“We talk about sustainability primarily from an environmental point of view, but closer to home working 80-hour weeks is also not something you can keep up forever.
“The same applies with financial risk. It might be that taking forward contracts is a good idea for risk management in theory, but if you end up awake at night unsure if you’ll be able to fill the contracts after a dry spring, then it’s probably not worth it.”
Mr Drage said he would continue to work on a low-risk business model after watch ing average rainfall drop from 350mm to 300mm.
“It has become clear in drought years you
can lose far more in the dry years than you can make up in the good,” he said.
“The key is minimising the losses and to do that you need to understand your costs and the real risks to your business.
“You can’t praise the Wimmera-Mallee Pipeline enough, it has given us reliable stock water and allowed us to take advan tage of the good times in livestock in recent years. Without it there would not be sheep in this area, simple as that.”
Mr Drage is also a fan of long fallow where crops are rested for a year.
“The extra moisture can be the difference between getting a crop and not,” he said.
“It might seem costly leaving a pad dock out of production, but in our climate, particularly when we’re losing our spring rainfall, it often pays to take the long-term approach.”
This strategy extends to making more hay.
“Cutting vetch for hay allows us a better chance of putting some moisture into the soil profile before the following year’s crop and it is also better for nutrient replacement than a grain legume,” Mr Drage said.
“We seem to be seeing more of this boom and bust pattern, massive excesses of rain then dry periods, so it’s our job to make the most of the moisture whenever it lands.”
Aunique publication capturing Wimmera residents’ experiences of climate change and drought is due for release this weekend.
‘Climate Eyes’ captures grassroots sto ries of survival and adaptation through the eyes of those who lived in the unrelenting Millennium drought of 1999 to 2009.
Designed for an audience within and beyond the region, it includes tips for drought conditions, including what to ex pect and how to respond and adapt.
Information came from dozens of sur veys completed by locals, as well as 13 case study accounts of residents’ experi ences.
Topics include responses in the home, garden, on farm, in the landscape, commu nity, workplace and around issues includ ing health and leisure.
The final chapter also covers innovations and opportunities that emerged from this adversity, including the Wimmera-Mallee Pipeline.
Wimmera Development Association lead
“Our paddocks were bare, we bucketed water to thirsty gardens, had limited usable sporting grounds and our lakes and rivers ran dry. But through all this, the region learned a great deal about resilience and the importance of community, connections and our mental health”
– Chris Sounnessthe Climate Eyes project, which gained funding from the departments of Families Fairness and Housing and Environment, Land, Water and Planning with support from Wimmera Catchment Management Authority and Grampians Health.
Wimmera Development Association chief executive Chris Sounness said the publication would bring back many mem ories for people who lived through the Millennium drought.
“Our paddocks were bare, we bucketed
water to thirsty gardens, had limited usable sporting grounds and our lakes and rivers ran dry,” he said.
“But through all this, the region learned a great deal about resilience and the impor tance of community, connections and our mental health.
“While it seems strange to be talking about drought as the region faces floods, many lessons learned apply to both be cause of the uncertainty that comes with a changing climate.
“I encourage people to come and join us for the launch and think this will be a use ful document for the Wimmera, Victoria and indeed the whole nation, in years and seasons to come,” he said.
Grampians Health chief strategy and regions officer, Dr Rob Grenfell, who is from the Wimmera, will launch the pub lication at 10am on Sunday at Natimuk Community Centre in Main Street.
This is a free event, but bookings are essential via https://www.eventbrite. com.au/e/climate-eyes-launch-tickets443794490267
Contact Horsham Autoglass
to organise prompt
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Recent above-average rain is not all bad news for Wimmera farmers as harvest nears and stock sales continue.
Paradoo Prime’s Tim Leeming, of Pigeon Ponds, said spring rain had boosted grass growth for a ‘perfect season’.
“We’re lucky because we had a mild July, which was really good for lambing. It was also good for pasture growth,” he said.
“We weren’t super saturated coming into August, and then August, Sep tember and October have been wet and the fact that we’re getting longer days now means it’s been a perfect season for us.
“We didn’t get waterlogged, which inhibits pasture growth, and we’re fairly undulating, so the water tends to run off.”
Bartlett Brothers Contract Harvest ing’s Chris Bartlett, a Pimpinio farm er, said it was the wettest winter and spring he had experienced since the early ’90s.
“We’re seeing water lay in places we haven’t seen it lay before and one rea son is channels and dams have been filled in. It’s a different water land scape, but nothing extreme,” he said.
“It’s still a good season. I’m not complaining – I think we’re going to have very solid yields.”
Mr Bartlett said disease management was a priority now.
“We’ve been spraying fungicide a lot to control disease, rust in wheat, Ascochyta and grey mould in lentils and chocolate spot in beans,” he said.
“I’ve lost my good bean crops to chocolate spot disease.
“It’s a cereal year. Canola is looking unreal – we’re looking at big yields. We have some canola starting to lay over a bit because of the weight and wet conditions.”
Mr Leeming said with a 100 percent saturated profile, his farm looked to be in for a very big growth year.
“We bring a lot of cattle in. We have more than 600 head of cattle in at the moment and they’re additional to our prime lamb operation,” he said.
“When we grow grass, we bring more horsepower in to eat it.
“We grow as much grass as we can and then we eat as much grass as we can during spring, and turn that into lamb, beef and mutton.
“All the lambs go; surplus mutton goes and the surplus cattle go, so we are back to just our breeding enter prise post-January.
“A wet season like we’ve been dealt this year plays into our hands really well, we just grow more grass.”
Mr Leeming said the season provid ed a good opportunity to spring plant pasture.
“You often have to sow debrided
perennials like Phalaris in autumn, but when you have a really good profile and outlook, you can spring sow with confidence,” he said.
“Pretty much all the models indicate we are going to be wetter than aver age, so they’ll have that summer rain, which is good for plant development of those newly sown pastures.
“In dry finishes or El Nino type pat terns, we wouldn’t be able to do that, so it’s really good.”
Mr Leeming said big grass years often played favourably with meat prices and stock prices.
“I think the market might not be as strong as last year because we’ve had more restocking and people have built up their numbers a bit, but I think it will be pretty positive,” he said.
“A big concern is the meatworks ca
pacity, but as long as we can get meat processed it’s looking pretty good.”
Mr Bartlett said his contracting busi ness had not begun harvesting further north, which was unusual.
“I run headers in northern New South Wales and southern Queensland and we haven’t made a start yet be cause there’s been lots of rain, and it’s still raining,” he said.
“We don’t know when we’ll get started. It will definitely overlap with our harvest – this will probably be a year where I see it overlap the most, which is a massive worry.”
Mr Bartlett said a cool, soft finish would be ideal heading into harvest.
“We want cool conditions with no rain. We don’t want it to get too hot too quick,” he said.
Mr Bartlett said trafficability in pad docks would be an issue coming into harvest.
“The main thing is there’s so much water around and the paddocks are
so wet that you won’t be able to get trucks in the paddocks,” he said.
“There are no snatch straps avail able locally at the moment. Plus, all our roads are unroadworthy. They’re behind maintenance and I don’t know how they will get on top of it – it’s very ordinary.”
Grain Growers Australia chairman Brett Hosking, of Quambatook, said of a potential 60-million-ton Austra lian crop this year, about 20 million tons of production were in cropping areas experiencing weather events.
“Presently, we don’t know what the damage will be,” he said.
“There are a lot of variables at the moment. However, we know what grower concerns are.
“Infrastructure, particularly local roads, is a concern. Major supply routes are cut in half in many places and damaged roads are a significant safety risk for communities.”
Mr Hosking said the water would also make communities particularly susceptible to pests and diseases.
“As communities try to take in the impact of current damage, and are also preparing for further flooding, we urge government at every level to work together and provide fast, clear, coordinated and responsive support,” he said.
“Communities can’t be trying to navigate the intricacies of who does what with disaster declarations.”
“This season presents a huge opportunity to grow grass in spring. We would normally only be able to do this in autumn, but due to the rain we could do it now and it’s already germinating”
– Paradoo Prime manager Josh Walter, left
Neighbourhood Watch has released a new online tool designed to protect farmers from the threat of farm crime and property theft.
‘How Safe Is My Farm’ was developed with the advice and assistance of Victoria Police’s Farm Crime Co-ordination Unit.
Neighbourhood Watch Victoria chief executive Bambi Gordon said ‘How Safe Is My Farm’ was an extension of a ‘How Safe Is My Place’ series of resources about the simple things people can do to prevent being a victim of crime.
“Farmers need only take five to 10 minutes to review the safety and security of their farm, from gates and fences, sheds and vehicles, gun
storage and security of stock,” she said. “The comprehensive audit will then generate a report full of suggestions for actions farmers can take to secure their property.”
University of New England Centre for Rural Criminology co-director Alistair Harkness said thefts from farms had enormous social and eco nomic impacts.
“It can be costly, disruptive and mentally straining. The best way to avoid becoming a victim of farm crime is to do what is possible to prevent offending in the first place,” he said.
The ‘How Safe Is My Farm’ tool is available via www.howsafeismyplace.com.au/farm
Organisers say there is revitalised inter est and enthusiasm for events such as the Wimmera Machinery Field Days.
Field days president Tim Rethus and manager Vanessa Lenehan are leading planning for the return of the event – its 59th instalment – from March 7 to 9.
The field days last occurred in 2020 on the eve of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The threat of illness outbreak, and restrictions relating to people gathering and movement, can celled the event in 2021 and 2022 – the latter just five weeks from opening day.
Site applications are due to be sent out soon and new inquiries have already been strong.
Organisers are encouraged by the attendance and interest in field days at Speed and Henty.
“It’s back on again. Maybe the break was good and people before the break felt they didn’t need the field days. As soon as they’ve missed them for two years, all of a sudden they’ve been going fantastically,” Mr Rethus said.
“We haven’t had any events nearby here. Speed would be the closest and it’s at a different time of year and a different type of field days. Our field days accommodate for a wide audience.”
Mrs Lenehan took on the role of field days manager two years ago, after working with pre vious manager Murray Wilson.
Mr Rethus is the newly-elected president after serving on the committee for eight years amid lifelong family involvement.
Paid and volunteer staff support the running of the event.
The 2023 event will be the pair’s first at the helm. Fears for an emerging strain of COVID-19, amid large positive case numbers, forced their hand to cancel in 2022.
“I’m glad I did get to work alongside Murray for three field days. To come in cold and try to run a field days... it’s a massive task – so this
way, I have some experience behind me,” Mrs Lenehan said.
“Last year we got to crunch time. It was either full steam ahead or let’s stop now because there was no point going any further if we were going to cancel it.
“We had to know, and exhibitors had to know because they were starting to map all their travel arrangements and bring their gear to the site.”
The social outlet of the field days, money-rais ing opportunities for groups and clubs and education for children are among benefits of the event. A local wine and food producer market square is among the new ideas organisers are considering for March.
“The opportunities in agriculture are so great. There’s so much interest in it again and there’s so much technology, which we’ll see at the field days,” Mr Rethus said.
“The internet is great, but touching it, seeing the quality of the job and seeing how the tools physically work and asking questions that you can’t get off the internet is where I think field days still fit.
“And you only search on the internet for things you know, but you’re walking down the road here – down Main Road or Ladlows Road – and all of a sudden you’ll see something that is a brilliant idea and it will open your mind.”
Mrs Leneham said: “It will be nice to see all that work come to fruition. The vibe out there now – everyone wants to get out and go to events. We’re just hoping that people will come flooding in the gates.”
Gates will open from 8.30am to 5pm on Tues day, March 7 and Wednesday, March 8; and from 8.30am to 4pm on Thursday, March 9. The Wednesday remains a ‘traditional’ family fun day. People can purchase pre-paid tickets online and keep up-to-date via the field day’s social media channels and via www.wimmerafielddays. com.au
Horsham Regional Livestock Ex change manager Paul Christopher hopes lamb sale numbers will increase in coming weeks.
“It’s been a slow season. Lambs need sun shine, so we’re about two weeks behind,” he said.
“The lambs that are coming through are looking good, with the best lambs selling for about $240.
“Prices are still good so far and as we see more lambs in Hamilton and Ballarat, supply and demand will change, but there is still that demand for export if we can get refrigerated containers.
“As we get more sunshine, I’m hoping our numbers will increase.”
On Wednesday last week, 6250 lambs and 3050 sheep were yarded at Horsham Region al Livestock Exchange.
There were 8420 lambs and 2730 sheep yarded the week prior.
Mr Christopher said water lying in pad docks was stopping some producers from being able to yard stock.
“While the rain has been devasting in some areas, in the long term it will be nice to see the landscape green and water in our lakes,” he said.
Graham Pymer’s market report on Wednes day last week noted the market operated at $5 to $8 per head dearer than the previ
ous week. Medium and heavy trade weight lambs sold from $173 to $215, while heavier weights sold from $212 to $239 per head.
Old lambs sold from $134 to $250 per head. Light trade weight young lambs sold from $148 to $178 per head.
Mr Pymer noted sheep sold to stronger competition, with more buyer interest at times to $10 per head up on the week prior.
Merino ewes sold to $165, Merino wethers sold to $162 and crossbred ewes sold to $165 per head.
Grain prices are increasing, coming into the end of spring, with wheat and canola nearing $100 more than at the end of September. Bar ley prices remain steady.
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry reported Australian export prices, at October 20 were no more than one percent higher than the week previous.
However, the prices are up 19 to 39 percent higher than prices at the same time last year, except for canola, which is one percent high er than at the same time in 2021.
Milling wheat was exported at $601 a tonne, feed wheat sold for $558 a tonne and feed barley was exported at $468 a tonne. Canola was exported at $1049 a tonne.
In the Wimmera, recorded bid prices for APW1 wheat last week were $459 to $462; barley at $291 to $300; and canola at $780 to $800.
Melrose Fine Wool Merino Stud averaged higher selling prices at this year’s on-property ram sale compared with last year.
The average selling price was $2491, a $510 increase on last year, and 57 of the 60 rams sold.
Poll rams averaged $2739,
while horn rams averaged $1994.
The top price of $8000 sold to Rangeview Merino Stud, of Western Australia.
The poll ram, 17.3-micron, was reserve champion March shorn fine wool poll ram in Aus
tralian Sheep and Wool Show at Bendigo this year.
The second top price was sold to Ian and Kathy Ross, of Telan gatuk, for $6200.
Volume buyers were Glen heather and Leroy Mac Designs purchasing seven rams each.
Itravelled to Europe recently – mainly for a holiday, but while I was there, I tried to get a sense of the trends in agriculture and particularly the public and political mood as it relates to farming.
The Common Agricultural Policy, CAP, has been the centrepiece of European Agriculture for 60 years.
In my early days as a Victorian Farmers Fed eration member, I remember the CAP being demonised by Australian ag leaders. It was a nasty system of subsidies that distorted world markets and made it difficult for Aussie farmers to compete.
Some years later, as part of a ‘gap year’ study ing population shift from rural areas to the cities, I came to the view the CAP was as much about application of social policy as it was about ag industry policy. And today, that’s even more evident.
The opening paragraph of the latest CAP says it is ‘a partnership between agriculture and society ... between Europe and it’s farmers’.
And there’s no doubt the European taxpayer has a heavy investment in agriculture, to the tune of 58 billion euro a year.
Most of this – €41.4 billion – is in direct finan cial support to farmers.
At first glance, an Aussie farmer might think this is a system to envy. But as you read into the detail of the policy, it’s clear this is not a free handout of public cash. There are many, many strings attached.
At the centre of the CAP is the European Green Deal and a key component of this is the Farm to Fork Strategy.
Much of the language is familiar to us. Healthy food, sustainable farming systems, proactive response to climate change. All things we’re investing in here.
Dig a little further, though, and the commen tary outlines quite prescriptive detail such as the ‘sustainable use of pesticides directive’.
Under this directive, pesticide use will be re duced by 50 percent by 2030.
Similarly, fertiliser use will be reduced by 20 percent by 2030.
Farmers are required to establish permanent grasslands and to set aside at least five percent of arable land to ‘ecological focus areas’.
It would be easy to dismiss these policies as extreme and unworkable, but I think that would be a mistake.
The CAP clearly states an objective of raising global standards in the sustainable production of healthy food.
The EU will increasingly apply its standards to those who want to export produce to EU coun tries. That’s us.
And the direction of EU policy has strong public support. More than ever, consumers in developed nations are expecting farmers to focus on food safety and environmental sustainability.
Recent articles in the Australian media are shining a spotlight on our production systems.
Farmers here can quite rightly point to the vast ly different circumstances between EU farmers and Aussie farmers.
We don’t have the benefit of a heavily sub sidised production system. We have to evolve our business around the reality of playing in a competitive global marketplace.
But the direction is clear.
We shouldn’t think of this as all bad news.
The EU policy is already driving significant research and investment into Integrated Pest Management systems and more acceptable alter natives to mainstream pesticides and fertilisers. We can watch and learn from the Europeans.
For us, I think the message is to be alert but not alarmed. We can proactively engage with soci ety and government here to ensure we maintain trust as an industry. We can continue to evolve our farm practices, trialling new products and developing new techniques. We can manage the reality of farming today but with a clear eye to farming for the future.
Birchip Cropping Group celebrated its 30th an niversary earlier this month with special guests and current and former group members.
The theme of the event was ‘Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow’.
Guest speakers included The Guardian’s rural and regional editor Gabrielle Chan, Birchip Cropping Group’s inaugural chair Ian McClel
land, former chief executive Alexandra Gart mann and former chair Caroline Welsh.
The event also celebrated the launch of ‘Bir chip Cropping Group – The First Thirty Years’, authored by founding member Anne McClel land. It was commissioned by Birchip Cropping Group to provide a brief chronological record of the development of the group to what it is today.
Ararat bioenergy project, based on conversion of 300,000 tonnes of excess ce real straw a year into biogas using anaerobic-digestion technology, is continuing to advance positive ly through engineering and feasi bility studies.
In specialised reactors, hungry bac teria convert waste biomass in a low oxygen environment and emit biogas.
Between 60 and 70 percent of that biogas is typically biometh ane that can be injected into the gas grid as a direct substitute for fossil gas, also known as ‘natural’ gas.
The opportunity for Australia is that these renewable energy projects of fer a ready-made, decarbonised ‘fuel switch’ that is entirely compatible with existing gas infrastructure.
In particular, this allows commer cial and industrial customers that run emissions-intensive processes to procure this product to displace fos sil-gas supplies, at competitive cost.
This makes use of existing pipelines, engines, boilers, turbines, co-gener ation plants, kilns and refineries, for instance, and contributes to national energy security.
The process itself has many benefits, not the least being that it makes use of biological wastes that are already being produced. Essentially, croppers will end up with an excess of straw and residue in most harvest cycles. In the
2022-2023 harvest, combined forecast volumes of wheat, barley and cano la straw and harvest residues with in a 150-kilometre radius of Ararat could be as high as six-million tonnes.
In years of oversupply, this waste material can be a burden and is often landfilled, left to rot or even burnt without any energy recovery.
The widespread practice of residue burnoff has several unique challeng es, one of which is an increasing risk of wildfire.
Evidence seems to indicate that while there is some benefit to burning of crop stubble, this is outweighed by signifi cant drawbacks of doing so, including denaturing of nutrients, increased soil instability and direct emissions of car bon dioxide, smoke and particulates to the atmosphere. Notwithstanding, the cost to manage the process, for questionable gain.
At the other end of the scale, there are some farmers who legitimate ly elect to simply till their crop res idues back into the soil. A primary advantage here is it greatly reduces the risk of water and wind erosion in the soil substrate. However, there is of course a physical upper limit to how much root stock and stubble can practically be tilled back into the soil.
Research completed on behalf of Grains Research and Development Corporation shows that if there is not the right ratio of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorous and sulphur in your soil,
then much of the stubble retained is lost to the atmosphere as carbon diox ide in a relatively short timeframe, as it breaks down and degrades naturally.
Therefore, farmers would need to spend a prohibitive amount on fertilis er to address this imbalance.
Importantly, straw that is cut, baled and removed after harvest would still leave sufficient stubble and root stock to retain soil structure and se quester carbon, with eight to 10 centi metres typically left above the ground.
Furthermore, in relation to a biogas installation that uses straw as fuel, the residual carbon, growth nutrients and minerals can be recovered and recycled through redistribution of di gestate, the material left behind after the biogas process, displacing fos sil-based fertiliser and delivering a positive circular economy outcome for regional farming communities.
Anaerobic digestion works at, or close to, ambient temperature and low pressure, too, so it is relatively simple to operate and well suited to integra tion into the rural landscape.
The net impact of such a facility de livers considerable environmental, so cial and economic benefits compared with ‘business as usual’ and represents an exciting development, backed by solid science, mature technology and decades of operational experience.
– Scott Grierson, Pacific Heat and Power managing director, and western Victorian agronomist Craig Drum
Good crowds turned out for DMD and Westech Ag Kyle Livestock’s Nhill and Kaniva district annual ewe and wether lamb sale.
DMD director Andrew McIllree said the 6500 sheep yarded at the sale on Thursday at Nhill sold well.
“The best young ewe sold up to $320. Some of our middle-aged ewes made up to $318, some of our three-and-a-half-year-old ewes made up to $244 and the wether lambs made up to $250,” he said.
“I would say it is about where the job has been in other sales.
“Some of the wether lambs we
thought were dearer than other sales, so that was very strong.”
Mr McIllree said overall, the team was happy with the sale.
“Most of the sheep stayed with in the Wimmera – Warracknabeal, Ararat, Horsham, Kaniva and a few in the middle district,” he said.
“The overall quality of the sheep is good, although some of the younger lambs are lacking a bit more bloom due to the wet conditions.
“It’s about what we expected. We had a good crowd and it was a good day.”
Grains Innovation Park re searchers showed off yield improve ment projects during a Grains Research and Development Corporation, GRDC, South ern Panel tour.
Research into yield improvements through disease management and the impact of extreme weather events on grain crops were two of the projects featured throughout the tour.
Agriculture Victoria research director Sze Flett said Horsham staff showcased new facilities and research projects to the panel during their spring tour.
“The Southern Panel is one of three regional panels that advise the GRDC on how best to support grain growing through investment in research,” she said.
“The site visit was an opportunity for panel members to see first-hand how their funding is being applied to solve many problems that affect profitability in agriculture now and into the future.”
Dr Flett said the Horsham SmartFarm was one of the largest phenotyping facilities for disease in Australia.
“Our research scientists Joshua Fanning and Hari Dadu spoke about the 18 diseases being screened in trials at the site and the irrigation infrastructure, which were joint investments between the Victorian government and GRDC,” she said.
Narelle Nancarrow provided an update on her
– Sze Flett
research project, which is evaluating the yield impacts of the aphid-borne Barley Yellow Dwarf virus in cereals.
Dr Flett said they also heard about the ‘Free Air Temperature Extreme’ experiments led by Dr Glenn Fitzgerald, which undertakes advanced research into the effects of extreme weather such as heatwaves and frost on grain crops and new lentil varieties.
Dr Flett said the tour concluded with a walkthrough of the Australian Grains Genebank led by research leader Sally Norton.
“The Southern Panel tour is a tremendous opportunity for GRDC to get up close to our research, joint investments between GRDC and the Victorian government, and to talk directly to scientists, students and the research teams,” she said.
“The panel is made up of growers, agronomists and other agriculture extension experts, so it was a mutually beneficial day.
“We learnt about their concerns in the paddock and at the farm gate, which guides our research and makes sure we get practical outcomes for industry.”
“The site visit was an opportunity for panel members to see first-hand how their funding is being applied to solve many problems that affect profitability in agriculture now and into the future”
Western Victorian farmers will have an opportunity to better understand solutions avail able to improve soil health and farm profitability on Friday.
Hosted by Re-Gen Farming, the ‘Simple Soil Health Solutions’ event at Joel Joel, east of Stawell, will focus on helping farmers reduce expensive input costs, improve soil, plant, an imal and overall farm health while increasing profitability and lowering stress.
Re-Gen Farming consultant Zoe Crouch said farmers are under in creasing pressure with rising input costs, which do not look to be falling any time soon.
“Understanding soil structure and function, along with the role plants
and microbes play, is the first step to tapping into the resources Mother Nature has already provided us,” she said.
“Agriculture can be a soil-making tool, we just need to better understand the system and put all the tools in the toolbox to unlock the potential, which is right under our feet.”
The event will also feature agro ecologist David Hardwick who has more than 20 years of experience in rural landscapes, farming and food systems.
Through his business, Soil Land Food, Mr Hardwick runs extension programs to empower farmers to make their own agronomic and farm planning decisions.
“It can be very daunting trying to
put all the pieces of the puzzle togeth er, but we have a great team at the event to discuss how simple the first steps can be,” Mrs Crouch said.
“We have Nakala Maddock from NutriSoil attending, who will be dis cussing the role of biological inputs such as a vermiwash in the next gen eration of agriculture.
“Luke Harrington, who has been supporting farmers in reducing costly inputs and activating their soil health for well over a decade, will also attend to discuss the big picture of simple soil health solutions.”
The event will run from 9am to 4pm.
Tickets are available through Hu manitix by searching Simple Soil Health Solutions online, and are $30 each including catering.
West Wimmera Health Service’s Farmer Wants a Healthy Life podcast has returned for season three.
The locally produced podcast series focuses on health and wellbeing while on the farm.
West Wimmera Health Service’s health promotion team, which devel ops the podcast series, says the newest season is particularly full of heart.
Health promotion officer Alana Sto rey said the series featured a variety of guests who all had a compelling
story to tell. “Topics include gambling addictions and how to quit, being queer in a small town, how a passion for animals helps to live with chronic pain, and thriving after four close calls with death,” she said.
“The diversity of people and their personal stories in this season’s epi sodes are bound to engage listeners with their genuine and open conver sations about all things health, life, farming and rural communities.”
The first episode for the new season,
Women Thriving on Farm, featured the unique stories of farming women and how their roles on the farm have changed over time.
Hosted by well-known Wimmera identity and mountain climber turned storyteller Brigitte Muir, OAM, the season has 10 episodes, with one dropping every Friday.
People can tune in from any podcast streaming service or via www.wwhs. net.au/Farmer-wants-a-healthy-life
Slugs were a key focus of Birchip Cropping Group’s Integrated Pest Management, IPM, Landcare Work shop at the Rupanyup Community Centre earlier this month.
IPM Technologies’ entomologists Paul Horne and Jessica Page an swered slug-related questions from farmers, advisors and Landcare group members at the event.
Mr Horne said monitoring was the first step in protection against slugs.
“It is important to know if you have slugs and what type,” he said.
“Different species surface at differ ent times.
“Once the species is known, a strat egy can then be developed to target the slug present most effectively.
“It is important, however, to contin ue to monitor as new species might appear as weeks pass.”
IPM Technologies published a slug guide that attendees received to help identify slugs and differentiate be tween species.
Attendees were also able to see close-up live specimens and gain hands-on experience identifying each slug species.
Those present also heard how the adoption of IPM practices can help delay and prevent the emergence of chemical resistance among target insect species and how adopting IPM practices can reduce the potential impacts of insecticides on non-target insects and animals.
Anew initiative to improve a labour shortage in the agricul ture industry was piloted through Longerenong College last month.
Operation Grain Harvest Assist in volved former Australian Defence Force personnel learning the ins-andouts of the grains industry and opera tion of farm machinery.
The program started in Western Aus tralia before last year’s harvest and has now been piloted through Lon gerenong College with support from O’Connors and Case IH Australia New Zealand.
Eighteen former defence force per sonnel were involved in the program and are now looking towards oppor tunities to assist farming businesses during harvest season.
O’Connors executive senior sales manager David Hair said the deal ership became involved after Ouyen farmer and returned service person Ian Hastings and Royal Australian Armoured Corps officer lieutenant colonel Garry Spencer approached them.
He said the pair had been in discus sions about getting Operation Grain Harvest Assist running through a lead ing agriculture training institution.
Mr Hair said the decision to become involved in such an ‘exciting’ initia tive was an easy one, as O’Connors and Case IH had co-ordinated appren
tice training through Longerenong College for many years.
“This program helps achieve two big objectives, offering employment opportunities for returned service peo ple and addressing the considerable labour shortfalls we have across the grain-growing industry,” he said.
“Through undergoing this training, the participants could undertake ev
erything from operating harvesters and driving tractors with chaser bins, to unloading grain trucks and even working in grain-handling facilities.
“This initiative fulfils two critical needs and we’re proud to have been involved in it and to meet this amaz ing group of individuals who have done so much for their country during their many years of service.”
The program involved an intensive week of training at the college with classroom theory on machinery and broad-acre farm production, combine simulator training, working with two Case IH Axial-Flow combines and two farm visits.
Mr Hair said it was a pleasure for his team to meet the participants, who had a combined 450 years of service in the
Australian Defence Force and many of whom had risen to the top of their respective fields.
“They’re now looking for new chal lenges and it’s been so rewarding for us to introduce them to the many opportunities within the agriculture sector, and hopefully connect them with local farmers who can use all the help they can get, particularly during the looming harvest season,” he said.
Case IH general manager Pete Mc Cann said it was exciting to see what had been achieved and the potential for the agriculture industry going for ward.
“Operation Grain Harvest Assist helps provide new paths for our re turned service men and women, to whom our nation owes so much, and it’s also important to Case IH to sup port an initiative that can help Austra lian farmers meet their labour needs and increase the staffing pool for the agriculture sector, which, like so many industries at present, is struggling to find the number of workers it needs,” he said.
Mr Hair said the goal was for the program to continue through Lon gerenong College and expand further in years to come.
Case IH was the program’s major sponsor with support from O’Connors dealerships, MacDon Australia, Muddy River Agricultural and Waringa En terprises.
ANCAP has awarded its high est safety score to three new ly released vehicles – the BYD Atto 3, Nissan Qashqai and Volvo C40 Recharge.
The Volvo C40 Recharge, which competes in the same small SUV market segment as the BYD Atto 3 and Nissan Qashqai, scored a fivestar safety result in the latest round of testing.
Both single and dual-motor vari ants were awarded maximum points for the level of protection offered to the driver and front passenger in the frontal offset test, and for the driver in the full width frontal test, side impact test, oblique pole test and both far-side impact tests.
ANCAP said these scores were countered by the full 4.00-point pen alty applied for vehicle-to-vehicle compatibility, with the C40 Recharge presenting a higher risk to occupants of an oncoming vehicle, if struck.
The Volvo C40 Recharge also scored maximum points for the protection of child occupants in the side impact and frontal offset crash tests. It also scored full points for its ability to maintain its intended lane of travel and avoid run-off-road crashes through its lane support system functionality, while the AEB system also scored well.
The Volvo C40 Recharge scored 92 percent in the adult occupant pro tection category, 89 percent in the child occupant protection category, 70 percent in the vulnerable road user protection category, and 91 percent in the safety assist category.
The newly available Nissan Qashqai also performed well in ANCAP’s four key testing criterion, with a five-star overall result issued.
ANCAP praised the Qashqai’s ‘ad vanced and robust range of collision avoidance technologies’, awarding full points for the model’s active lane support and AEB junction and backover capabilities, and solid scores for
AEB pedestrian and cyclist perfor mance. High scores were also award ed for the Qashqai’s performance in AEB car-to-car tests.
ANCAP chief executive Carla Hoor weg said Nissan was to be congratu lated for the Qashqai’s range of active safety systems.
“The presence and performance of these features demonstrate the signifi cant effort Nissan has made to offer the best safety equipment possible to Qashqai buyers,” she said.
The Qashqai also received maxi mum points for the ability to protect the driver in the destructive side im pact and oblique pole tests, however, only adequate marks were noted for the chest of the driver in the frontal offset and full width front tests, and marginal performance noted in the full width test for the chest of the adult rear seat passenger.
The Nissan Qashqai scored 91 per
cent in the adult occupant protection category, 93 percent in the child oc cupant protection category, 74 percent in the vulnerable road user protection category, and 97 percent in the safety assist category
“By achieving these scores under ANCAP’s most stringent protocols, Nissan’s impressive safety perfor mance will be welcomed by families and fleet buyers looking to purchase their next SUV,” Ms Hoorweg said.
The battery-electric BYD Atto 3 small-segment SUV scored well in each of the four key areas of the assessment, with the New Zealandbased variants achieving a five-star safety rating for both the standard and extended range models.
Full safety scores were achieved for protection provided to the driver in the side impact and far-side impact tests.
Whiplash protection for front and rear seat occupants also scored well, while maximum points were achieved for the protection of child occupants
in the side impact and frontal offset crash tests.
ANCAP said the active safety capa bilities of the Atto 3 were also shown to be of a high standard with the stand ard pedestrian and cyclist-detecting autonomous emergency braking sys tem offering good levels of perfor mance in forward, reverse, day and night-time test scenarios.
The BYD Atto 3 scored 91 percent in the adult occupant protection cat egory, 84 percent in the child occu pant protection category, 69 percent in the vulnerable road user protection category, and 80 percent in the safety assist category
Ms Hoorweg said the five-star AN CAP safety rating for the BYD Atto 3 would no doubt come as welcome news to New Zealand buyers looking for a safe and green choice within its price-point.
Australian supplied BYD vehicles are currently unrated.
Jeep revealed its first battery electric vehicle, BEV, called the Avenger, at Paris Motor Show last week.
Having nothing to do with the by gone Dodge Avenger, the new BEV SUV marks Jeep’s kick-off point into the world of pure electric vehicles with numerous more in various seg ments scheduled for production soon.
The Avenger will sell in the five door, sub-compact SUV segment and will be available in single and dualmotor guises on an evolution of the Peugeot-Citroen eCMP platform shared with the Peugeot 2008, Opel Mokka and DS 3 Crossback.
At this point, no price details are available.
Other Stellantis companies have their own versions of a similar vehi cle under development including Alfa Romeo and Fiat.
The Avenger is initially intended for European, Japanese and South Korean market consumption with no plans announced yet for the USA, China or anywhere else, including Australia.
However, it would be naïve to ex pect a car such as this not to be built for the global market.
The model took pride of place on Jeep’s Paris Motor Show stand that was dedicated to EVs.
Unfortunately, scant information is available on Avenger at the moment,
suffice to say Jeep is spruiking it as being ‘fully Jeep capable’, presum ably in all-wheel-drive variants.
The model was unveiled in Septem ber alongside two other Jeep models and is positioned below the Renegade.
It will be the smallest vehicle offered by Jeep.
The Avenger will be offered with mild hybrid and battery electric mod els.
Designed in Italy and produced in Poland, Avenger deliveries to custom ers will start in 2023, with Jeep tar
geting annual production of 110,000 units.
The Avenger has a new generation electric propulsion system, which combines a new electric motor and battery.
Thanks to the high power and torque, in addition to a specific epowertrain calibration, Jeep says the new Avenger offers ‘uncompromised driving enjoyment’.
The second-generation 400V elec tric powertrain is the first one to be launched by Emotors, a joint venture
between Stellantis and Nidec LeroySomer Holding. It supplies 115kW and 260Nm of maximum torque.
The 54kWh battery, which is also produced by Stellantis, offers a high energy density and an impressive ratio between nominal and usable energy.
Specifically, the battery pack is made up of 17 modules and 102 cells utilis ing NMC811 lithium-Ion chemistry and delivers 400km of range in the WLTP cycle, which becomes 550km in the urban cycle.
The battery, which Jeep says was
tested for over two million kilometres, is extremely compact, non-intrusive and is found under the front and rear seats and the central tunnel. It is pro tected by a high ground clearance and underbody skid plates during off-road driving.
Recharging the new Avenger is sim ple via a 100kW Mode 4 cable in direct current, connected to fast pub lic charge, three minutes of charge is enough to provide travel distance of 30km; or 24 minutes is sufficient to charge the batteries from 20 to 80 percent charge.
Considering that European users travel 30km on an average a day, it is likely the vehicle can be driven for days before recharging.
Meanwhile, with an 11kW Mode 3 cable for alternating current connected to a Wallbox or public station, it is possible to ‘fill up’ from zero to 100 percent in 5.5 hours.
Jeep says the Avenger will com bine a modern and technologically advanced interior with plenty of space for people and cargo.
The Jeep Avenger will join an al ready fully electrified hybrid Euro pean line-up which includes 4xe ver sions of the Jeep Wrangler, Compass, and Renegade. It will also be followed early next year by the launch of the 4xe version of the all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee.
– Peter Barnwell
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.
With 38 years of experience in the mechanical trade, Andrew Mackley known as Macka, is the man to see for any repairs on your car.
Horsham Car Spares and Repairs team has been operating in the Horsham area for more than 20 years.
Macka and his team are known for their strong focus on customer service and ensuring each customer’s car leaves the business repaired efficiently.
Even people who have moved away from Horsham district will still make the effort to have their cars repaired at Horsham Car Spares and Repairs.
Horsham Car Spares and Repairs provides all general car servicing and repairing.
They have a large range of new and second-hand parts on site to deal with any mechanical repairs.
Macka and the team are also licenced to sell and buy cars, licence number 10773.
If your car is ever in need of a repair job – big or small – make sure you contact Horsham Car Spares and Repairs.
The business is open Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.30pm, and Saturday, 9.30am to 12.30pm.
Contact Macka and the team today on 5381 2434.
6:00 Sunrise 9:00 The Morning Show 11:30 Seven Morning News 12:00 Movie: “The Perfect Girlfriend” (M) (’12) Stars: Adrienne Frantz 2:00 Kochie’s Business Builders 2:30 Motorbike Cops (PG) 3:00 The Chase UK (PG) 4:00 Seven News At 4 5:00 The Chase Australia (PG) 6:00 Seven News 7:00 Home And Away (PG) 8:30 Kath & Kim (PG) 10:50
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10:00
6:00 Children’s Programs 1:00 Baywatch (PG) 2:00 Full House (PG) 3:00 The Nanny (PG) 3:30 3rd Rock From The Sun (PG) 4:00 That 70’s Show (PG) 4:30 Everybody Loves Raymond (PG) 5:30 The Nanny (PG) 6:00 3rd Rock From The Sun (PG) 6:30 Movie: “The Flintstones” (G) (’94) Stars: John Goodman 8:20 Movie: “Blade Runner 2049” (MA15+) (’17) Stars: Harrison Ford 11:20 The Emily Atack Show
2:00 Grantchester (PG) 3:00 Antiques Roadshow 3:30 Movie: “The Ship That Died Of Shame” (PG) (’55) Stars: Richard Attenborough 5:30 Murder, She Wrote (PG) 6:30 Cricket: ICC T20 World Cup: Australia v England *Live* 7:00 Antiques Roadshow 7:30 Antiques Downunder (PG) 8:00 Antiques Downunder Detectives (PG) 8:40 Movie: “Death Becomes Her” (M v) (’92) Stars: Meryl Streep
5:00 Worldwatch 9:00 Ageless Gardens 10:00 The World From Above (PG) 11:00 Paul O’Grady For The Love Of Dogs (PG) 12:00 Worldwatch 2:00 Motorsport: Superbike World Championship Argentina 2:55 Motorsport: W Series Austin 3:30
Figure Skating: ISU Grand Prix America 4:30 The Students, The Traitor And The Nazis (PG) (In French/ English) 5:30 Hidden Heroes (PG) 6:30 SBS World News 7:35 Michael Palin - Travels Of A Lifetime (PG) 8:25 Secrets Of The Royal Palaces (PG) 9:20 Ramses The Great Empire Builder (PG)
Stars: Rachel McAdams 9:40 Movie: “Chocolat” (M s,v) (’00) Stars: Juliette Binoche 12:05 The Avengers (PG) 1:00 Home Shopping 4:00 Religious Programs 4:30 Home Shopping
1. In Dennis Cometti’s final appearance working in the AFL commentary box, who kicked the last goal of that game?
2. What is an interlocutor?
3. The Australian MotoGP grand prix returned to Phil lip Island last week for the first time since 2019. Current Ducati rider and Australian Jack Miller had the track’s turn four hairpin named after him at a cere mony before the race. Who are the other three Austral ian riders who have one of the track corners named in their honour?
4. When making a cup or pot of tea, what happens to an already wet tea bag once hot water is added?
5. How did the Wimmera town Great Western get its name?
6. What is Victoria’s larg est freshwater lake when full?
7. In what country would you find a European land border with Africa?
8. After the Allied victory in the Second World War, what six republics were brought together to form Yugoslavia?
9. A pidgin language is a grammatically simplified means of communica tion between people who do not share language flu ency. The term ‘pidgin’ was established in the early 19th century during trade between the English and non-English speaking peo ple. The term is believed to have come from these people’s pronunciation of the English word for ‘busi ness’. Who were these peo ple who were trading with the British?
10. What instruments have a bridge, a nut, a stress rod and perhaps a set of hum buckers?
Spain.
6.LakeHindmarsh.
StonerCorner,namedafterCaseyStoner.4.Itfloats.Adryteabagwillsink.5.The townwasnamedaftertheGreatWesternvineyardestablishedin1865byJosephBest.
Someoneinvolvedinaconversation3.GardnerStraightisnamedafterWayneGardner, turnoneiscalledDoohanCorner,namedafterMickDoohan,andturnthreeiscalled
Answers:1.LiamPicken,WesternBulldogsvSydneySwans,2016grandfinal.2.
(March 21 - April 20)
Lucky Colour: Silver Lucky Day: Tuesday Racing Numbers: 1-2-1-9
Lotto Numbers: 1-12-19-25-28-37
More opportunities and scope to push career plans. Some may have doubts about existing relationships. Wise to leave things the way they are for the moment. Social scene brings some unusual invitations.
(April 21 - May 20)
Lucky Colour: Yellow Lucky Day: Wednesday Racing Numbers: 2-4-3-4 Lotto Numbers: 4-13-22-31-39-40
Friends could try to meddle in your private affairs if you let them. Your ideas could be spot on, so use you own intuition for the best results. Most will be more in demand on the social scene.
(May 21 - June 21)
Lucky Colour: Pink Lucky Day: Wednesday Racing Numbers: 4-5-3-2
Lotto Numbers: 4-13-22-31-32-42
Don’t rush into any romantic encounters on the side or you will be found out. Health is important, so look after yourself. Most will be feeling more aggressive and pushing their own point of view across at work and this could make things happen.
(June 22 - July 22)
Lucky Colour: White Lucky Day: Sunday Racing Numbers: 5-1-6-5 Lotto Numbers: 5-14-23-26-35-41
Emotionally a rather intense period and most are inclined to overspend to keep their loved one happy. New opportunities to gain financially are indicated.
(July 23 - August 22)
Lucky Colour: Peach Lucky Day: Saturday Racing Numbers: 1-4-6-4 Lotto Numbers: 5-14-25-30-32-44
New friends could bring opportunities to mix business with pleasure. Love relationships should be more enjoyable. Most can expect a few surprises while travelling.
(August 23 - September 23)
Lucky Colour: Green Lucky Day: Wednesday Racing Numbers: 1-4-1-7
Lotto Numbers: 1-10-14-17-27-33
A good time to ask for favours, start new ventures and make investments. Romantic opportunities are about and someone you meet during this period will definitely take your interest.
(September 24 - October 23)
Lucky Colour: Pink Lucky Day: Friday Racing Numbers: 1-1-3-4
Lotto Numbers: 1-11-25-35-40-43
Something in your past is likely to surface.
Answers to mysteries and tying up of loose ends is indicated. Ask favours from those in a position to further your ambitions. Many will set off on entirely new paths.
(October 24 - November 22)
Lucky Colour: Red Lucky Day: Tuesday Racing Numbers: 3-7-4-3
Lotto Numbers: 3-7-16-30-37-43
Most will be overcoming obstacles in family relationships, however make sure others are paying their own way and not relying too heavily on you.
(November 23 - December 20)
Lucky Colour: Blue Lucky Day: Thursday Racing Numbers: 2-2-7-6 Lotto Numbers: 2-11-20-27-29-38
Many will be renewing relationships and friendships. Many will be attracted to the unusual and someone with a hint of mystery could take your attention. However some may not be able to handle the pace.
(December 21 - January 19)
Lucky Colour: Blue Lucky Day: Monday Racing Numbers: 3-3-2-1 Lotto Numbers: 3-12-21-26-30-39
Friends could provide an excellent financial opportunity. Old friends get in touch and most will feel more like socialising. Financially a lucky period coming up.
(January 20 - February 19)
Lucky Colour: Green Lucky Day: Saturday Racing Numbers: 1-8-9-2 Lotto Numbers: 9-18-24-34-36-42
A period of rewards and surprises coming up. Most will gain more responsibility and harder work, but the rewards should be worth the effort and some could expect a financial windfall.
(February 20 - March 20)
Lucky Colour: Green Lucky Day: Friday Racing Numbers: 3-2-8-3 Lotto Numbers: 12-21-30-38-39-40
Others will be trying to influence you around to their ideas. However you could surprise all with your own ability to expand your business and aims. Believe in yourself when it comes to going after your own ambitions.
Kate and Steven Pilgrim of Winiam and Josie and Lance Dickinson of Nhill are delighted to announce the marriage of Jessica and Tyson at 3pm on Saturday, October 29, 2022 at Winiam.
We wish them a lifetime of love, good health and happiness forever.
Ora Bernice 2-3-1931 to 17-10-2022
God looked around his garden
And found an empty place, He then looked down upon the earth
And saw your tired face.
He put his arms around you And lifted you to rest.
God’s garden must be beautiful
He always takes the best.
He saw the road was getting rough
And the hills were hard to climb.
So he closed your weary eyelids
And whispered, ‘Peace be thine’.
It broke our hearts to lose you
But you didn’t go alone, For part of us went with you
The day God called you home.
Beloved wife of Keith.
Loved mother of Robin, Trevor, Jennifer, Michael, and Lynette, and mother-in-law to Linda, Kristina, Kent, Kathy, and Gary.
Loved Gran to ten grandchildren, nine great grandchildren & four step-grandchildren.
Forever in our hearts
20-5-72 to 18-10-22
Adored sister-in-law of Steven and Leanne & Auntie to Karniela, Kynan & Maddison. Passed away peacefully at home.
We’ll miss your smile and all the great times we shared together, especially at Dadswells.
Thankfully you were able to see your beloved Cats win the grand final.
Deepest sympathy to David, Emily & Ethan, Nick & Ella and family.
Son of Victor & Else (nee Konig) (both dec).
Brother to Gordon (dec) & Harold.
Father & father-in-law to Nola & Graeme, Glenda & Ian, Jeff & Wendy, Heather & Mark.
Grandfather of 13, Great Grandfather of soon to be 13. Peace perfect peace
Passed away at Nhill on October 20, 2022 aged 86 years.
Dearly loved husband of Joy (dec, nee Staehr).
Loving father and fatherin-law of Jennifer & Shane; Grantley & Dida.
Adored Pa to Rhyle, Makale & Keayra.
Reunited with loved ones
Late of Quantong and Burrumbeet.
The funeral for the late Mrs Ora Bernice Koop will be held at St Paul’s Lutheran Church at 2pm on Thursday, October 27, 2022.
Interment to follow at Nhill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Heart Foundation. Envelopes provided.
Emiley & Mathew Bone Nhill & District Funerals 0419 008 464
The Funeral of Helen Maree Meyer will take place at St Andrew’s Uniting Church, Horsham on Thursday, October 27, 2022 commencing at 2pm Private cremation.
Please wear Helen’s favourite colour red.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Helen may be made to the Cancer Council Victoria. Donation envelopes will be available at the service. The service may also be viewed online at horsham. unitingchurch.org.au/watch
Trevor Bysouth & Daughter Ph 5381 1444 AFDA Member
A Memorial Thanksgiving Service to celebrate the life of Mervyn Ruwoldt will be held at Murtoa Lutheran Church on Friday October 28, 2022 commencing at 1.30pm
A Private Burial will be held prior at the Murtoa Lawn Cemetery.
W.B. Gardiner & Son Funeral Directors Warracknabeal 0407 340 064
The Funeral of Lyle Douglas Teakle will leave St Andrew’s Uniting Church, Horsham on Friday, October 28, 2022 after a service commencing at 2.30pm for the Horsham Lawn Cemetery
Trevor Bysouth & Daughter Ph 5381 1444 AFDA Member
The Funeral of Colin Stuart Wade will leave St Andrew’s Uniting Church, Horsham next Wednesday, November 2, 2022 after a service commencing at 2.30pm for the Horsham Lawn Cemetery.
Trevor Bysouth & Daughter Ph 5381 1444 AFDA Member
Our precious son and brother.
Always loved and remembered by his mother and brothers and sisters.
The Vincent Family
We would like to express our sincere thank you for the many condolences we received on the passing of Geoff Tonkin.
The food, cards and phone calls were very comforting to our family.
We would especially like to thank the Kalkee Football Netball Club for their beautiful afternoon tea and Fran Robinson for the service and Horsham and District Funerals.
Please accept this as our personal thanks.
Edna, Val, Gwen, Brian and families
Bantams 2 males & 2 females $15 each Ph 53837527 after hours
Birds for sale, hand raised green cheek conures, lovely coloured aviary bred cockatiels, opaline turks, Bourkes all colours, all young birds, ring for prices Ph 0408535515
Boer and Boer x goats, near Horsham Ph 0429647095
Chook houses various sizes nest box attached, from $275 phone evenings 53583440 Goats wanted Ph 0427361940
Kelpie pups, 8 weeks old, vaccinated, wormed, microchipped ready to go, parents excellent workers, father from Kraken Kelpies, mother from Able Kelpies,1 bitch 2 dogs still available, m/chip# 953010006009188,9530100 06008219,953010006009177, source# V10274 Ph or text Harry 0458783601
~ KEENAN ~ (nee Hutchinson) Lorna Catherine 9-2-32 to 31-10-21
A year since saying goodbye. My mum, my best friend. Missing you daily and my love never fades. I pray to God, that Lorna enjoys heavenly life. God, care for Lorna. Your passing impacted greatly. But the years together impacted me the most. Sadly missed. R.I.P. Loving son Shayne.
Passed away peacefully surrounded by family on October 18, 2022 aged 50 years.
Dearly loved wife of David.
Loving mother of Megan (dec), Emily & Nick.
Loved daughter of John (dec) and Clare Eales.
Beautiful sister and sisterin-law of Andy & Janett; Chris & Chris; Rob and their families.
In God’s Care “Go Cats”
Passed away on October 18, 2022 aged 71 years.
Loved father and fatherin-law of Daniel & Robyn; Meredith & Greg.
Adored grandpa to all of his grandchildren.
‘Gone fishing’
It’s a tough time and there’s so much to organise. Choose the right people to take care of it all.
your
with
Bristlenose catfish , great tank cleaners $5 each until sold out Ph 0474159010 after 6.30pm
Budgies, assorted colours $10 each Ph 0417533579
Budgies, pastel and normal colours, lace wings $10 each Ph 0419505737
Budgies, young, asstd colours $10ea Ph 0423182267
Pembroke Welsh Corgi puppies are waiting for new owners and forever homes, 4 Red-White long tail male and 2 fawn /white bobtails. Puppies born on 21.8.2022 are available to loving new forever homes. They have wonderful personalities, happy adored babies raised in love and affection. All babies are very special and we will only consider full of love and responsible family. Mum and Dad are available to meet, Puppies will come with the first vaccination / vet checked / wormed every two weeks since two weeks of age / microchipped / puppy pack / pedigree paper, Interstate enquiries are welcomed and puppies can be delivered to most area of Australia at buyers cost, Welsh Pembroke Male Pups . Males ONLY Pedigree Papers . Red and White Males and Fawn and White Males . 953010005823666, 953010005822557/7598/3710/2565/3
667, photos available of parents and pups and and other info, Transport at Buyer Cost,MBDA 14545 Ph or text for info 0448024815
Pet carrier crate for cat or dog, large $50 Ph 0473870476
Pure breed black faced Dorper ewe lambs, pic# 3HSDC083 Ph Liz 0419664345
Pure breed black faced Dorper rams, pic # 3HSDC083 Ph Liz 0419664345
Rams Dorper/Australian White Cross PIC# 3HMRR021 Ph 0400099150
REDUCED last two Shepweiler girl puppies, dob 16/8, ready 14/10, lovely little girls vacc, chipped, wormed, vet checked, source# MB166978, m/chip# 95301000601619/614/606/626 $800 Ph Kerrie 0499853884 Dimboola Roosters and ducks wanted Ph 0469740723
Salami pigs wanted Ph 0481864397
White Suffolk Flock Ram, located Drung, OB-Free Certified, Gudair Vac, born Sept 2021, pic# 3HSJU041 Ph Brierwood 0400792111 or 0429935382
Young pigs 2mth old, well bred, free ranged, suitable to spit or grow out, PIC# 3H5CG003 from $100 each Ph 0439834521
Young pigs, 11 weeks old, $100ea Ph 0481166488 Camperdown
neat tidy clean van $4250 Ph 0419505737
1960s
1981 Viscount caravan, 16’ pop-top, roll out awning, full annex, shower, porta loo, double bed, microwave, 240v fridge, external gas hot water, 12v tv and aerial, reg till April 23, cover included, photo on request $8500 Ph 0428146771
91 Garden Gnomes,
$2000
$2600
Ph 0459355868
Abu Garcia Sonar Top Graphite composite heavy action, Penn overhead fishing reel no68, surfmaster fishing reels, Alvey fiberglass reels, Penn Delmar fishing reel no285 in box, Daiwa Sealine overhead fishing reel no250, Penn Power stick graphite TB980c fishing rod, Bullfrog series, E Glass fishing rod EC, all quality fishing reels and rods Ph 53824316
Aircon Levanti , VGC $300 Ph 0428527544
2002 Avan, 17.6” Tandem, pop top, elec hot water, double bed with bolster, R.O.A, full anexe, 12v system, VGC, S24,000 ONO, Ph 042786131
2003 Canterbury Signature series caravan, 17’ tandem, d/bed, elec hot water, air con, fridge, awning, reg 3/23 $16,000 Ph 0437164589 Ararat
Antique 1890 era solid iron babies cot, brass knobs on either end Ph 53981238
Arock recovery winch, 12v, as new , only used once $200, Pareless elec welder $100 Ph 0409891308
Berands 5’ slasher $1250 Ph 0481864397
Bricks, approx 350 red blue clinkers, unused $200 Ph 0417507882 Stawell
BT Goulburn toughened glass panel, 1950x900x10mm REDUCED $150 Ph 0427267902
Cabin type canvas tent, 12x15 metal poles, 3 rooms $95ono, King single bed, double decker single bed, full size tennis table with net bats and balls Ph 0429092349 will deliver local area
Mini Freezer with 3 baskets, EC $150 Ph 53821345
Multiple items for sale, Paslode gun with extra gas cartridges and nails, ozito miter saw plus impact driver plus multi tool plus circular saw under warranty, Feiyu Tech G5 gimbal for action camera, PS3 with 20 plus games, Epson printer, brand new Hikoki charger, Mavic Pro drone with 2 batteries and portable bag, call for prices, Ph or text 0419600049
New truck tyre, Triangle 265-70R 9.5, 16PR, suitable for drop deck trailer $250ono Ph 0407338811
Nordic Style Swing Walker $100 Ph 0491483336
Paint Taubmans sunproof exterior, 15lt, colour fudge truffle, cost $185 sell $100 Ph 0408504029
Pet carrier crate for cat or dog, large $50 Ph 0473870476
2013 On the Move caravan 21’, as new colour co-ordinated annex, cafe style eating area, lovely deco, q/bed, large 2 door fridge/freezer, washing machine, immaculate condition $45,000
Jayco Discovery pop-top, 2013, vin# 6AM000000DIR52049, tare 1518, regit til Aug 23, roll out awning,
hand
with
and
are as follows:
Carpet mat, heavy quality, GC, 1.6x2.3 $60ono Ph 53822267
CJM Crop lifters to suit 810, 1010 or 1020 header front $330 Ph 53870503
Clearance of plants, some citrus 53844274
Craft generator, 5.5hp, 240v $400 Ph 0487313892
Deutz mag air seeder, motor with fan, all accessories $700ono Ph 0407911884
Portable air conditioner, brand new, used for 2 weeks, paid $399 selling $350 Ph 0428844245
wind u
two single
with dvd, built in radio, hot plates 3 gas one elec with
plus microwave, reverse cycle split level
con,
and caravan mover, EC $28,000ono Ph 0409967815
Double bed mattress and base, as new $700 Ph 0456393984 Ararat
Portable Coopers shearing plant with a villiers mark 10 engine no.329X55720, not used for years, collectable item for person keen on restoring Ph 0418170153 Ararat
Potted plants, clivias, garviers, variety of succulents Ph 53821130
Red Loxton 7 rotor slasher, GC always shedded $8000, John Deere moisture check meter SW08 20 $300, Jarrett field bin winch $200, 12V electric fuel pump $200 Phone 0418166024
REDUCED
$200, Cub11 $250,
$400 Ph 0437970588
0407911884
1977
2000
2004
2016
REDUCED
2009
RWC,
173,000 kms, XKX302 $5500
2012 Holden Cruze ,1.8
recent major service with timing belt
water pump and all pulleys, new tyres, bluetooth android touch
Holden
REDUCED
Meeting
Meeting
Meeting will be held in Horsham and publicly broadcast via GCH social media.
be held
minutes of the
Meeting
the
Meeting
Annual
of
of new Board Directors
The
•
•
•
•
removal of redundant equipment and replacement of Remote Radio Units
1. Optus regards the proposed installations as Low-impact Facilities under the Telecommunications (Low-impact Facilities) Determination 2018 (“The Determination”), based on the descriptions above.
2. In accordance with Section 7 of C564:2020 Mobile Phone Base Station Deployment Code, we invite you to provide feedback about the proposal. Should you require further information or wish to comment, please contact Chan Chen at Axicom, 02 9495 9000, community@axicom.com.au or Level 1, 110 Pacific Highway, St Leonards NSW 2065 by Friday 11 November 2022. Further information may also be obtained from www.rfnsa.com.au/3400009.
JK Milling P /L has a position vacant for a Grain Merchant.
We are looking for a person who has the ability to communicate well with grain growers and end users. Previous experience in sales or within the grain industry would be an advantage. The successful applicant must also have the ability to manage Contracts and Logistics, and be proficient in Microsoft programs. Some data processing is involved.
Please reply with your resume to the: Human Resources Manager, JK Milling P/L, PO Box 1239, Horsham 3402 Ph. 5382 0044
Email: andrew@jkmilling.com.au
Part-�me, hours nego�able
We are seeking a suitably experienced and qualified person to meet the development needs of the College. This person will work with some autonomy and report to the Business Manager. This exci�ng and diverse role is available immediately and the successful applicant will join a posi�ve and dynamic College support team.
It is desirable the successful applicant will have:
• Appropriate qualifica�ons and/or employment experience in the areas of communica�on, marke�ng and public rela�ons.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to priori�se tasks
• High quality wri�en and verbal communica�on skills
• Excellent computer and problem-solving skills
• Proficient experience with Microso� and Adobe Suites
• Demonstrate ini�a�ve and be self directed
• Commitment to ongoing professional development
• Ability to be flexible with work hours as required
• Sa�sfactory Working with Children check
a role descrip�on visit: www.stbc.vic.edu.au
(clearly)
The Weekly Advertiser is seeking a highly motivated Graphic Designer to fill a rare vacancy within our production department operating out of ACE Radio Broadcasters’ Horsham headquarters.
The Weekly Advertiser is distributed free of charge every Wednesday across much of western Victoria and is a regional Australian media success story, having experienced dramatic growth in the past 10 years.
It has also become the benchmark print publication in a highly competitive regional media environment. The successful applicant will work in a close, collaborative and supportive environment with other production staff, along with the sales and editorial teams.
Duties and responsibilities:
• Create advertisements for print
• Produce other graphical elements and special publications as required
• Plan and produce newspaper layouts in conjunction with the editorial and sales departments
• Liaise and work closely with administration, production and advertising departments on newspaper design, construction and content
• Typesetting of classified advertisements as compiled by the reception and administration team.
• Send the paper to print
• Liaise with account managers regarding upcoming features in the paper
• Maintain quality control practices
Requirements:
• Experience with Adobe Creative Cloud software – specifically InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop
• Familiarity with spreadsheet software such as Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel
• Superb communication skills.
For additional information regarding this position including a full position description please forward your inquiry to kellys@aceradio.com.au
ACE Radio Broadcasters is an equal-opportunity employer.
Mature-aged
close November 25,
Are you an apprentice already in the trade & wanting to expand your growth & knowledge?
If you think you have what it takes to join our diverse team, we’d love to hear from you!
We offer a great work environment, awesome people, great training facilities and an enjoyable work place.
For further details please contact our office on 5382 1375
Or email your resume to: horsham@laserplumbing.com.au
Confidentiality will be assured
by
Horsham Greyhound Racing Club will host three race meetings in six days this week, with race meets on Monday, Wednesday and Sunday.
Sunday will provide a great opportunity for the Horsham community to get a taste of the racing action up close and personal with the first race scheduled to run about 1.30pm.
Trainers Heather Baxter, Murtoa, Garry George, Beulah, and Andrea Gurry, Nhill, have led in winners across the past 10 days, while Horsham track regulars Rodney Millington and Kerry Prowse, Red Cliffs, look to have another nice one on their hands with Watch The Clock who debuted for his new kennel in blistering fashion leading from start to finish in a bold front running display in a flying 23:06.
Cruisin Blaze, for Baxter, broke his maiden status at start number seven on Saturday night, winning by more than six lengths in the quick time of 23:27sec in a great front-running display. Solar Toby for Victor Millington, Great Western, was second past the post.
Cruisin Blaze has been building toward a win of this nature with two very good second plac ings in smart time in the past fortnight.
Baxter also finished with a further two second placings on the program with Moonlit Dior and Cruisin Cherry.
Baxter was again around the mark on Tuesday with Moonlit Dior and Special Innings running placings, followed by Cruisin Cherry running third in a mixed four-five grade event at Warr nambool across 390m.
Team Fullerton kept its impressive run going when Pressure Rising claimed the Damsels Dash at Warrnambool on October 13, when she again
with Peter Cartershowed explosive early speed to set-up a break and hold off the fast-finishing favourite in the time of 22.26sec for the 390m trip.
Got My Star for Garry George, Beulah, contin ued her excellent run of form. Exploding from the inside draw, Got My Star put two lengths on her rivals in the first 20 metres and when she held the lead turning for home, she was going to be nigh on impossible to run down and she went home the better by one-and-a-quarter lengths in the smart time of 27:44sec for the mixed four-fve grade event.
George then backed his charge at Bendigo six days later in grade five heats at Bendigo over the 500m journey and she again saluted – this time coming from behind to claim victory in the closing stages.
Got My Star is in a rare vein of form. Winning just one of her first 20 races, she has gone on a serious hot streak to win six of her past eight starts to now have the impressive resume of 28 starts for seven wins and 10 minor placings and close to $20,000 in prizemoney.
Alter Paddy was also placed on the Bendigo card for George running third over the 425m trip.
Orson Seth for Andrea Gurry, Nhill, was suc cessful on Monday last week at Warrnambool leading all the way to be an impressive winner in the time of 22:49sec over the 390m journey.
After a successful Trans Tas man Cup, Warracknabeal net ball export Riley Richardson will take the court in the Aus tralian Men’s Open team again this month against England.
Richardson debuted for the national team against New Zealand at a Trans-Tasman three-game tournament.
Australia won two of the
three games, coming away 2022 champions.
Game one was on October 12 in Auckland and Australia won 64-48.
New Zealand came back in the second game at Auckland to win 56-46 and Australia won the third game, played at Mel bourne, 61-57.
Richardson will now play in a
one-off England and Australian Men test match at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney on Sunday.
The Australian Men’s team will then make history on No vember 5 when it plays in its first appearance in a Fast Five International World Series in New Zealand.
ANNUAL CONCERT: Horsham School of Dance students performed for an appreciative audience at Horsham Town Hall on Sunday for their annual concert. Students of all ages performed across various styles for the program, titled ‘Precious Things’. Pictured, clockwise from left, are: Chloe Richards, Lydika Boyd and Ebony Ritchie; Georgie Schwarz, Claire Longstaff, Willow Martin and Julia Hastings; Goldie Kuhne; Ané van Zyl, Maya Shepherd, Harper Kelly, Clara Shirrefs, Serena Johns and Jana van Heerden; Bonnie Grieger, Ilze van Zyl, Ellua Boyd, Grace Puls and Isabella Thomas; Romy Olston and Willow Clough; and centre, Harlow Morrison and Evie Dean. Pictures: PAUL CARRACHER
Calisthenics Col lege students will show case their skills on Saturday at the club’s annual concert.
Principal coach Kylie Hermans said the concert would show off what the students had been work ing on throughout the year.
The concert will feature group routines from all ages, tinies through to seniors, along with some solo performances.
“It is a great way to finish off the year,” Mrs Hermans said.
“Family and friends are invited to come along and watch.
“The students all have a lot of fun performing for people they know at the concert.”
The tinies team will show off their routines for only the second time this year, after they previ ously performed at the college’s annual competition in August.
Mrs Hermans said the concert was also a good opportunity for people to discover calisthenics.
“We encourage people to have a look,” she said.
“People do not know much about calisthenics and think it is like gymnastics, but it is a com petitive sport with thousands of participants throughout the coun try.”
Mrs Hermans said the club had
about 45 participants, with stu dents travelling from throughout the Wimmera to attend classes.
Following the concert, calisthen ics students will turn their atten tion to exams in December.
“Students are tested on their technique, deportment and knowl edge of calisthenics,’’ Mrs Her mans said.
‘‘It is a way for the students to better themselves and learn new
skills.’’ The concert will be at the Horsham Town Hall from 6pm; tickets are available from the Hor sham Town Hall box office or via www.horshamtownhall.com.au
Horsham Lady Hornets’ first win of the season had spectators on their toes until the final quarter.
After two tough weeks in a row, the Lady Hornets enjoyed a win against Surfcoast Chargers on Saturday night in round four action.
The first quarter had the game at 17 points apiece, with a good tussle between opponents.
The second quarter went the Hornets’ way before the Chargers came back in the third and slowed the Horsham team down.
Heading into the final term at 56 points each, both teams had to give a final push and the Lady Hornets gave their all to win by 13 points.
Ema Iredell was the standout goal scorer with 33 points. She was supported well by Caitlin Story, who scored 19 points.
Horsham Hornets Men’s team had a tough weekend, losing both Saturday and Sunday matches.
The Surfcoast Chargers were too strong for the Hor sham side, winning by 11 points.
A slow start by the Hornets gave the Chargers an upper hand and although Horsham’s players lifted in the second and fourth quarters, it was not enough to make the difference. Matthew Lovel scored 17 points for the Hornets, followed closely by Matty Lloyd who scored 15 points.
On Sunday, the Hornets came close to the Colac Kookas, but went down by two points.
Another slow first quarter by Horsham gave way to a big second quarter that had them in front. A 10-point turnaround in the final term saw them lose in the end, keeping them eighth on the ladder.
Both Hornets teams have a bye in round five.
Meanwhile, Ararat Redbacks had a bye at the week end. They play a double-header in Warrnambool and Ararat this weekend.
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BY ABBY WALTER
Kalkee proved too strong for Horsh am Lawn in round three of Central Wimmera Tennis Association’s pennant competition.
The win was Kalkee’s second of the season. The first four sets all went to a tiebreaker, with Kalkee winning three of them.
Sam Hoffman played his first match for Horsham Lawn and played against Kalkee’s Steve Shultz, who was too strong and won the match eight sets to two.
Kalkee’s Jeff Friberg and Jordan Friberg teamed up well in the doubles, beating Gra
• Why do you play tennis or what do you like most about tennis? I like tennis because it is a non-contact sport and if you make a mistake you can move on quickly to the next point.
• What is your favourite tennis memory? Playing at Kooyong representing the Wimmera at the Ali cia Molik Cup in December 2021. It was the first time I had played on clay.
• Who is your favourite player? Ajla Tomljanovic.
• Who is the toughest player you have played against? I have only played two games in the Central Wimmera Tennis Association, previously playing in Warracknabeal. To date it would be Thalia Thompson.
• Do you think you could beat your family mem bers?Yes, I have my family covered in tennis!
ham Wood and Shane Gillespie eight sets to seven.
Horsham Lawn’s Tahlia Thompson and Cherie Wood had success in their singles matches, but lost their doubles to Melis sa Beddison and Paula Weidermann in a 90-minute marathon, ending eight sets to seven.
Emily Polack was at her best winning all three of her matches for Kalkee.
Kalkee defeated Horsham Lawn by three sets and 20 games.
Drung South and St Michaels met on Fri day night at Natimuk, however wet weather stopped play and the round ended in a wash
out. Logan Casey outplayed his opponents for Drung South, winning all his sets, while Marli Pymer played against her old team mates and also won all her sets.
The round finished with Drung South three sets in front, however, due to the washout, there was no final result.
Central Park had the bye in round three.
In round four, Drung South will continue to fight to put a win on the board but will have to bring its all against Kalkee.
Horsham Lawn and Central Park will have a good contest, however Central Park will be working hard to continue its undefeated status.
Pennant: Kalkee 9-85 d Horsham Lawn 3-65, Drung South 6-61 drew with St Michaels 3-48, washout.
A Special: Kalkee 9-89 d Homers 4-71, Brimpaen 8-89 d Haven 6-68, Horsham Lawn Thompson 13-111 d Drung South 1-43, Central Park 10-95 d Horsham Lawn Dorman 4-77, Natimuk 7-80 d Telangatuk East 7-76.
A Grade: Haven 8-83 d Central Park 4-62, Horsham Lawn O’Connor 9-86 d Drung South 3-62, Horsham Lawn Bardell 11-91 d Homers 1-46.
B Special: Natimuk 9-84 d Laharum 3-65, Central Park 9-82 d Horsham Lawn 3-57, St Michaels 9-92 d Haven 3-52.
Open: Central Park 6-36 d Horsham Lawn Gold 0-15, Natimuk Blue 6-36 d Horsham Lawn Green 0-11, Natimuk Yellow 4-29 d Homers 2-21.
Section 1 Boys: Natimuk 5-33 d Quantong 1-18, Central Park 4-30 d Haven 2-22.
Section 1 Girls: Homers 5-32 d Haven Red 1-27, Horsh am Lawn 6-36 d Haven Purple 0-14.
Section 2 Boys: Horsham Lawn White 4-31 d Horsham Lawn Green 2-19, Central Park 5-31 d Homers Red 1-19, Haven 5-33 d Homers White 1-18.
Section 2 Girls: Haven 3-29 d Homers 3-24, Horsham Lawn Green 4-32 d Horsham Lawn Gold 2-22, Central Park 3-27 d Horsham Lawn White 3-24.
Section 3 Boys: Haven 4-32 d Horsham Lawn White 2-24, Horsham Lawn Green 6-36 d Horsham Lawn Gold 0-9.
Section 3 Girls: Horsham Lawn Gold 5-31 d Natimuk 1-11, Horsham Lawn Green 3-29 d Haven 3-28, Horsham Lawn White 6-36 d Homers 0-9.
Section 4 Boys: Natimuk 6-36 d Horsham Lawn White 0-9, Haven 5-35 d Horsham Lawn Red 1-23.
Section 4 Girls: Haven Pink 3-23 d Horsham Lawn Green 3-21, Horsham Lawn Gold 6-36 d Homers 0-5, Horsham Lawn White 4-25 d Haven Orange 2-19.
Match Play Section 5: Natimuk 5-21 d Horsham Lawn Yellow 1-14, Horsham Lawn Red 4-18 d Horsham Lawn Purple 2-16, Horsham Lawn Gold 5-20 d Central Park 1-13, Haven 5-22 d Horsham Lawn Pink 1-13, Horsham Lawn White 4-20 d Horsham Lawn Green 2-17.
Match Play Section 6: Horsham Lawn White 3-19 d Hom ers 3-17, Natimuk 6-24 d Horsham Lawn Orange 0-10, Haven 5-21 d Horsham Lawn Gold 1-14, Horsham Lawn Blue 5-21 d Central Park 1-12, Horsham Lawn Green 4-22 d Horsham Lawn Red 2-15.
BY ‘ONE SHORT’
Grampians Cricket had to give way to the weather for the first round, due to be played on Saturday.
Cricket lovers will be hoping for bet ter things for round two this weekend.
The draw, should play be possible, reads Halls Gap 2 v Swifts-Great Western 1 at Halls Gap, RhymneyMoyston 2 v Halls Gap 1 at Moyston,
Pomonal v Chalambar at Pomonal and Swifts-Great Western 2 v St Andrews at Great Western. Rhymney-Moyston 1 has the bye.
The main game of interest is be tween Pomonal and Chalambar, which is a match between two of the former A Grade teams.
As little is known about the players in the respective sides, it is expect ed that both teams will be evenly
Horsham Cricket Association players will wait to see if it will be another week before they can bowl the first overs of the 2022-23 season as wet weekend forecasts continue.
If play does not go ahead it will be the third weekend in a row the start of the new season has been delayed, after round two of scheduled play was abandoned at the weekend with wet ovals and pitches unsafe for players.
Horsham Rural City Council maintenance and turf team leader Darrell Gunn said turf pitches and ovals were still ‘quite behind’ regular cricket-ready levels for the time of year.
“We just need some sunny days, everything is still sat urated,” he said.
“Even the ovals with non-turf, ‘hard’ pitches would be unsafe for bowlers running into bowl. It is a bit hard to tell when grounds will be ready for play, but we hope to get everything up and ready as quick as we can.”
Mr Gunn said his team’s focus for the upcoming cricket season was now solely on Horsham City Oval and its turf wicket.
“Homers Cricket Club has said it will look after Sunny side Oval. Normally we would get that ready for cricket before the first round. The same goes for Dudley Cornell Park, Horsham Colts Cricket Club said it would take over maintenance there,” he said.
“We have been doing some mowing at the hard-pitch ovals recently and they are all waterlogged. At City Oval, we have put the grow mats on the wicket to encourage cooch growth and to try and drag it through the top dressing – but ultimately we just want a bit of heat.”
matched, with early form determining the outcome.
Another match of interest is be tween Swifts-Great Western 2 and St Andrews, which is a replay of last season’s B Grade final.
Last season’s form would suggest wins to both the Tigers and the Saints. The other two matches are between former A Grade teams and last sea son’s B Grade representative teams.
This would suggest the Gappers and the Combine should prevail.
The association’s junior competition is scheduled to commence this week end, with the under-16s on Friday night and the under-13s on Sunday morning – although, like the seniors, it will be at the mercy of the weather gods.
Swifts-Great Western will be run ning a Woolworth’s Cricket Blast for
girls and boys aged from five to 10 years interested in trying cricket.
Those interested can sign up via PlayCricket.com or by contacting any Swifts-Great Western player.
Parents are assured that those con ducting the program will have their ‘working with children’ certificate and that the club complies with Cricket Victoria child safety guidelines.
Tom Sostheim, 16, Horsham Saints Cricket Club Grade: 16.5 and B Grade
• Why do you play cricket? Because of my mates. I enjoy just playing with them and having a laugh.
• What is your favourite or funniest cricket memory? Winning the 202122 B grade premiership.
• Who is your favourite cricket play er? Usman Khawaja. I enjoy the way he goes about his cricket and how he overcomes setbacks.
• Who is the toughest or best player you have played against? It would have to be either Logan Miller or Connor Weidemann.
• Do you think you could beat mem bers of your family at cricket? Yes definitely, they wouldn’t stand a chance.
With one week remaining be fore finals in Volleyball Hor sham’s winter season, there are still finals positions across all grades up for grabs.
Tonight sees the final round of Wednesday night volleyball, with all eyes on the women’s competition as three teams are vying for third and fourth on the ladder.
Mercedes Arnott’s Rangers are the team in the hot seat, having to beat topof-the-table Nuggets to hold onto their spot in the four.
At the same time, third-placed Acad emy Team Barnett needs to pull out all stops when it takes on second-placed Heidelberg.
Sitting back and watching these two games unfold will be Academy Team Turner, who should account for bottom placed Volleyroos to secure a place in the finals.
A better script you could not write to complete a close and exciting season of women’s volleyball.
In A Grade, the final spot on the lad der up for grabs comes down to the fi nal game, where the equation is simple for Phantoms – beat Tsunami and they will play finals.
Both teams have been thereabouts all season but haven’t quite nailed their positions due to the inexperienced na ture of their pass-hitters.
Much will rest on the setters in this game and how they use their attack to their greatest advantage.
Can Kara Johnson use all her experi ence to get her Phantoms the win they need? Or will it be Aaron Evans who sets his team to victory?
In A Reserve, the battle for top spot comes down to the final game where incumbents Heidelberg take on the young Blockbusters team.
Vaughn Maroske and Paul Dren del have their Heidelberg team in a strong position, while Tom Milbourne and Sam Peachey are key players for Blockbusters.
Perennial favorites Von Steiger Shad ows and Waterhammers have secured the final two spots on the ladder in what is shaping up as a close finals series.
It is an all Horsham College affair in B Grade, with teachers team, Team USA, leading all comers from student team Blockbusters, followed closely by Phantom Masters. Silent Theories are holding on to fourth spot by the skin of their teeth ahead of HTLC Tigers who are coming home with a wet sail.
In C Grade, Bingo Biddies lead all comers from Murtoa Geckos, with HTLC Block and Roll safely in third place.
After that, the final spot in the finals is a battle between KFC, Breakers and HTLC Serve-vivors, with any one of these three teams capable of grabbing
the final position. Zane Joseph’s Stars are cruising in the Junior competi tion, undefeated, ahead of Murtoa with HTLC Tigers and Vipers battling it out for third and fourth.
For the first time in three years, Ben digo Volleyball Association’s time hon ored Dragon City tournament returns this weekend.
Volleyball Horsham will send a wom en’s honours team to compete, with three juniors to make their senior de but. Grace Turner, Sophie Quick and Paige Hemley will come into a Vol leyball Horsham senior team for the first time.
All three have shown great improve ment during the year and will get their chance to play the best standard of volleyball they have seen so far.
Entries are rolling in nicely for the 27th annual Horsham Tournament on the weekend of November 19 and 20.
The highlight once again will be the staging of Harry’s Match 4.0 in mem ory of Harry Denson who passed away four years ago.
A charity match involving a team of Harry’s mates and an All Star Volley ball Horsham team will be played on the Friday night, where the spotlight will shine on men’s mental health and Beyond Blue.
Kalimna Park Croquet Club mem bers hosted a day of croquet for seniors during Seniors Week.
Kalimna Park’s Fay Pearson said the club invited seniors to join in the fun with games of Aussie croquet.
“We have people from Grampians Health Horsham Day Centre and some people who played croquet years ago,” she said.
Grampians Health Horsham Day Centre’s Faye Kelm said it was awesome to get out to the croquet club.
“We brought a bus load of clients down to the green to get them out and about,” she said.
“We haven’t had a lot of trips like this in the past few years, so they’re really enjoying it.”
•
Warracknabeal
Location: Warracknabeal, Closing
Skills and Experience
Ability
Willingness
• Hold
Current NDIS Worker Screening Clearance
• Evidence of COVID-19 vaccination
For more information, please contact
required
Clark on
Nathan Keel on 0408
Location: Horsham,Closing date: November 1, 2022
Requirements
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Be a team player with high attention to detail
Computer literate
• Current driver’s licence and
Client focused and
transport (desirable)
service skills
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Evidence of COVID 19 certificates may be required
For more information, contact Chris Barber on 0427 346 655
Location:
Plan
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Location: Horsham,
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For more information, contact Nathan Keel on 0408 109 324.
Location: Warracknabeal, Closing date: November 8,
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assistance to
and
and other staff members
Discuss
Order food, kitchen supplies and equipment
Explain and enforce hygiene regulations
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• Handle, sort, store and
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of
and
Clean food preparation equipment, floors and other kitchen tools or areas
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Wimmera Football Netball League Hatcher Medal list Georgia Hiscock will lead Rupanyup A Grade netballers in season 2023. She makes the move to the Horsh am District League team after nine years at Horsham Demons, with fi nals experience and a 2019 Hatcher Medal under her belt.
Hiscock said stepping into a coaching role had always interested her.
“It’s very exciting. I have a big challenge ahead, but I’m looking forward to it,” she said.
“The opportunity came up to coach and it was something I al ways wanted to do, although I did have many sleepless nights decid ing to leave the Demons.
“It was a tough choice as Horsham
was my home, but I am looking forward to getting to know the net ballers out at Rupanyup.”
Rupanyup president Rod Weide mann said appointing a new A Grade coach was part of building a competitive side.
“We hope Georgia can build on the team this year’s coaches, Emma Downes and Jenny Downer, worked hard with,” he said.
“We’re hoping to improve on this year and I think our final round win against Stawell gave us extra energy to push hard next season.”
Mr Weidemann said the club hoped to field all netball sides next year.
“That’s our goal for next season, if we have the numbers,” he said.
“We have worked hard with our football department and are doing the same in the netball because we have good juniors in both codes.
Horsham Croquet Club hosted its annual golf croquet tour nament this week with clubs across Victoria in attendance.
There were many closely contested matches, with some players appearing in all or both of the day’s results and a few handicaps were broken.
Day 1 – Level doubles results
Block 1 winner: Kim Mill house, Millswood, 3 wins 33 hoops; runner-up: Kate Lo gan, Victor Harbour, 3 wins 30 hoops. Block 2 winner: Hamish Menzies, Warragul, 4 wins 30 hoops; runner- up: Yvonne Dunn, Horsham, 3 wins 33 hoops. Block 3 winner: Michael Butterfield, Leongatha, 5 wins 35 hoops; runner-up: Claire Blunt, Millswood, 3 wins 31 hoops.
Day 2 – Level doubles results
Block 1 and 2 winner: Kate Logan, Victor Harbour, 7 hoops; runner-up: Robert Brown, Millswood, 3 hoops. Block 3 and 4 winner: Les Matthews, Drysdale, 7 hoops; runner-up: Gordon Chris tensen, Westerns, 2 hoops.
Block 5 and 6 winner: Mi chael Butterfield, Leongatha, 7 hoops; runner-up: Mary Windsor, Ballarat Alexandra, 3 hoops.
Block 1 winners: Lyn and Tony Pye, Eastern Park, 3 games 27 hoops, won on countback; runner-up: Pat Smith, Ballarat Alexandra and Darren Lester, Ararat, 3 games 27 hoops; Block 2 winners: Anne and Kim Mill house, Millswood, 3 games 27 hoops; runner-up: Jane and Wolfgang Klemenz, Belmont, 2 games 25 hoops. Block 3 winners: Claire Blunt, Mills wood and David Wortley, Horsham, 3 games 26 hoops; runner-up: Gordon Chris tensen and Sylvia Rooney, Westerns, 3 games 24 hoops.
Block 4 winners: Michael and Joanne Butterfield, Leon gatha, 4 games 28 hoops; runner-up: Kelly Walker and Cathie Charlesworth, Dim boola, 2 games 22 hoops.
“We want to give our junior net ballers a pathway and something to aspire to, so we want to continuous ly make our A Grade better.
“It’s fantastic to have appointed Georgia to the coaching role.”
Hiscock said she hoped to bring new energy to the Panthers.
“I want to emulate the pathway and the culture the footballers have built and follow in their footsteps,” she said.
“I find myself an approachable person and it’s important to listen to the players.
“One of my biggest assets is figur ing out people’s strengths and play ing to them, so that is what I’ll do.
“This is a new adventure for me and I have never played in the Horsham District League before, so that is also something I’m looking forward to.”
Lake Wallace parkrun organisers are raising awareness of mental health and promoting the introduc tion of parkrun to Edenhope, with a community walk on Saturday.
Grampians Health Edenhope wel fare officer Carine Bezuidenhout wanted to combine the plans for parkrun with an event for World Mental Health Month.
People are invited to walk or run around a five-kilometre pram and wheelchair-friendly track at Lake Wallace, Edenhope, from 8am.
Parkrun co-organiser Jess Nelson said she was hoping to see people of all ages and abilities, from newborn babies in prams to senior citizens, joining in.
“If you’re not able to walk the full distance, please still come along and enjoy the social side,” she said.
“This is about getting yourself out of the house early, walking along side others and starting your week end on a positive note; I promise you won’t regret it.”
Ms Nelson said organisers were encouraging people to dress in bright, happy colours.
“Fingers crossed the weather will be just as bright,” she said.
“This wonderful idea from Carine gives us the opportunity to enjoy
the parkrun experience while we’re still finalising details for our official launch.”
The official launch is expected before Christmas.
“We’ve got funding, track approv al and a growing list of volunteers on board,” Ms Nelson said.
“Hopefully more people will put their hand up after this weekend’s event.”
parkrun co-organiser Dani Grin dlay said the small committee had been overwhelmed by support from the community.
“Usually, an idea requires a lot of hard work and hassling of people, but this has been the absolute oppo site,” she said.
“Council has done all the legwork and the phone just keeps ringing with people who want to help.
“We’ve even had a Hamilton GP visit and offer to help with our launch because she’s so passionate about the physical, psychological and social benefits.”
The parkrun concept is registered participants turn up at 8am every Saturday and walk, jog or run five kilometres. Participation is free and every event is run by volunteers.
Water managers have hinted at a ‘potential transfer’ of water to Lake Toolondo this year as gauges top their averages across the state.
However, they have delayed an im mediate release of water to the lake despite its feeder storage Rocklands Reservoir having reached 116,000 megalitres – a ‘trigger point’ for a release to Lake Toolondo.
GWMWater managing director Mark Williams said a transfer would be ‘driven’ by its storage manager, who had sought engagement with rel evant water stakeholders in the region about a potential release.
Mr Williams said a Rocklands Res ervoir volume of 145,000 to 150,000 megalitres was closer to what was re quired for a release into Lake Toolon do.
He said with continued above-aver age rain expected in coming weeks, the reservoir could reach that ‘ball park’ figure.
As of yesterday, GWMWater reser voir level summaries reported Rock lands Reservoir had reached just be low 142,000 megalitres.
“These decisions are made by the storage manager with a set of rules in the background, as well as a few judgements, too. It is about whatever water in storage is held in the most ef ficient way,” Mr Williams said.
“Once we get a lot of water in the system it is always about efficiency, and when Rocklands is high it is rela tively inefficient because apart from a deep corridor in the middle, the water spreads out and evaporates during the summer.”
Mr Williams said transfers went through a consultative process to aid
storage manager decisions, including discussions with Victorian environ ment water holders Wimmera Catch ment Management Authority and Gle nelg Hopkins CMA – a process the storage manager performed on behalf of a State Minister for Water.
He said with State Government money allocated to upgrade the boat ramp and car park at Lake Toolondo, authorities valued the lake as a recrea tional space.
“If the lake wouldn’t have water
again, that wouldn’t be happening. We imagine it will have water again, but it is about the most efficient use of water relative to other demands,” he said.
Wimmera Catchment Authority chief executive Dave Brennan said he was ‘comfortable’ with the Rock lands-Toolondo transfer situation at the moment, after consultation with GWM leaders.
“When Rocklands hits that trigger, it means we can start to have that con versation about a transfer to Toolondo,
but with all this rain we don’t have to make a rushed decision,” he said.
“We have time on our side to make a well thought-out plan and make a transfer to Toolondo at the most ap propriate time – if that is determined to be the best course of action.
“With more good inflows expected, particularly during the next seven days, we have some breathing time.”
Mr Brennan said peak flow from last week’s rain had reached Dim
boola and was now on its way to Jeparit, while there had already been ‘good’ inflows into Lake Hindmarsh this week.
“Lake Hindmarsh has also been catching a lot of rain in its own right, while local creeks have been contrib uting as well,” he said.
Mr Brennan said current flow through Yarriambiack Creek and Dun munkle Creek had started to ‘peterout’ as it made its way north and was ‘not likely’ to cause flooding.
However, he said while there was still flexibility in catchment systems to handle more rain, Lake Bellfield, at 99 percent of capacity, Taylors Lake, 99 percent, and Lake Wartook, 100 percent, were closing in on their ca pacity volumes.
“With more rain coming through this week, and a big system shaping up this weekend, the ability for our catch ments, particularly of Lake Bellfield and Lake Lonsdale, to buffer any po tential flooding would be significantly reduced,” he said.
“There is plenty of water in the river and more flows are coming.
“Gauges have gone up in the past two days and water is running through the system three-times quicker than a week prior because weekend rain came from a storm event.
“We will have to see what rain comes our way this week.”
Between October 12 and 24, Rock lands Reservoir increased its volume from 39 percent to 48 percent capac ity, while Lake Lonsdale increased from 48 percent to 92 percent.
As of yesterday, there were 350,500 megalitres within the GWMWater catchment — an increase from 52 percent to 62 percent of capacity since October 12.
Three months after the reo pening of the Wimmera’s upgraded karting track, loom ing flood damage might wash the renovations away.
Parts of Wimmera Kart Racing Club’s track at Dooen were under water as the Wimmera River made its way across the track’s main straight early last week.
As the water retreated and flooddeposited debris on the track be came evident, clean-up on the new ly resurfaced and extended track started.
The club reopened for racing on July 31 after seven months of con struction work to extend, reprofile and resurface the now 630-metre track.
Karting club president Remo Lu ciani said it was possible resurfac ing might have to start again.
“It is too hard to tell if there is permanent damage at the moment,” he said.
“It is all about the sub-base of the track and whether that has been undermined. It could take six to 12 months for the damage to appear.”
Mr Luciani said the flood waters might have washed away parts of the track’s sub-base – foundational damage that could cause the track to lift and drop. It’s a dangerous proposition given the track’s main straight, where the karts reach their quickest speed, was the section of
the track the flood water affected most.
“How much damage the flood caused also depends on the heat we have this summer,” he said.
“With a damaged sub-base, the heat might cause the track to heave and buckle in places.”
Mr Luciani said the water seeped from the northern reaches of the Wimmera River, across the neigh bouring Dooen Swamp Bushland Reserve, and onto the racetrack quickly on Monday morning last week.
“The main straight was complete ly under water by Wednesday and at points the track was nearly twometres under water,” he said.
“By the end of the week the water started receding, but it left behind sludge, branches and even a tele phone pole that had been caught up
in the flood. We have cancelled our club day scheduled for Saturday, so that’s a few thousand dollars gone in club revenue.
“Any club income is vital now – the club still has loans from this year’s track renovations to pay off.”
Wimmera Kart Racing Club re ceived a $153,000 State Govern ment Sport and Recreation Victoria Community Motorsports Program grant last year for its 112-metre track extension and reprofile.
Mr Luciani said the club contrib uted additional money to resurface retained sections of the track to efficiently make use of time the track would be unavailable for racing.
But he said any track damage caused by the recent flood could jeopardise the financial situation
of the club, with loans for the track resurfacing still unpaid.
“I am just hoping if there is sub stantial damage, we could get some government assistance,” he said.
“After the 2011 floods, the main straight did buckle, but that was a surface already in need of renewal.
“We received $100,000 from the State Government as part of a flood relief package to get the damage fixed. Hopefully if there is dam age again, we might be eligible for something similar.”
The club also received a $10,000 State Government grant last week to purchase a suitable recovery vehicle to improve karting safety.
“The recovery vehicle is for firstaid responses at the track – it is a golf kart that can be driven across the track quickly for anyone who needs attention,” he said.
An indirect victim of last week’s Wimmera River flood warnings says preparing for the worst was a business priority as rising river levels threatened Horsham tourists.
Owners of Horsham Riverside Caravan Park cancelled visitor bookings and evicted residing tourists from its cabins and caravan and tent sites, as flood warnings emerged on the weekend of October 15.
Despite the holiday spot’s riverside location, rising levels of the Wimmera River left the tourist park unaffected.
Park manager Sue Johns said the decision to clear the park of campers was the right thing to do, even if at least a week’s worth of business was lost and cancelled staff work were unfortunate casualties.
“It was better to be prepared than not because there could have been chaos and panic in getting people out quickly. Rather than have that over our heads, the park’s owners made the call to get everyone out by Sunday night,” she said.
Ms Jones said it was a ‘damned if you do, damned if you don’t’ situation.
She said she completed late-night and earlymorning checks on the river level throughout last week’s flood-warning periods and, as the situation eased, some of the park’s staff had shifts returned.
“We had some cleaners in the cabins, trying to spread the shifts around so everyone gets some work. But there was not much we could offer when we cancelled visitors and people kept call ing to cancel their bookings,” she said.
“At the moment we have preferred the minimal visitors we have, to book for only one night at a time. It is about keeping across the situation and rather than people paying for four nights at once, we have been upfront about the situation – rather than just taking their money.”
Ms Jones said there was no flood damage to any part of the caravan park and a full-reopening had not been planned until there was certainty about the state-wide flooding situation.
UNKNOWN: Wimmera Kart Racing Club’s track at Dooen, a victim of last week’s rain event, might now have non-visible and lasting damage after the Wimmera River rose and Dooen swamp flooded parts of the track. It comes months after upgrades to the track.
As the flood waters continue to flow into Lake Hindmarsh, I would like to start by thanking the emergency management staff for the efficient and coordinated activities in the lead up to the floodwaters arriving.
The importance of being well prepared ahead of emergency events cannot be overstated.
In an emergency, there are clear delineations of roles between the various agencies. The SES was the lead agency for this emergency and any potential flood events in the coming weeks.
HRCC staff are responsible for providing relief and recovery, and post-impact assessment on private and council land and supporting the Incident Control Centre and other emergency agencies in the delivery of their responsibilities.
The coordinated sandbagging operation ensured that all residents that required sandbags had access to them well ahead of time. HRCC delivered more than 12,000 sandbags to the community, including many via the SES.
Thank you to the Council staff who worked tirelessly in providing sandbags, preparing road signs, drains and gutters, and ensuring that upto-date flood information was accessible to the community.
Our focus has now turned to the clean-up tasks. Immediate works include removal of flood debris from the river and surrounds, repairing damaged property and walking tracks and ensuring that flooded roads are open and safe for vehicle use, so that people are not isolated longer than necessary.
Assessment of road impacts has already begun including the need to strengthen our roads and make them resilient against future flood events.
Before the flood peak, the Governor General, David Hurley, telephoned me to pass on his best wishes to our community as we prepared for the floodwaters to arrive and to thank everyone for their hard work in keeping our community safe.
With our catchment already soaked, future rain events may lead to further flooding in coming weeks. Council and our community need to stay alert and prepared for this possibility.
Like most Councils, HRCC’s roadside slashing program has been impacted by the current wet weather conditions.
However we are committed to completing fuel reduction on all of our 2,100km of rural roads in time for the fire season.
I want to applaud the efforts of the emergency response agencies who supported our community particularly the SES Horsham Unit. This organisation is run by local volunteers who put the safety and welfare of others first.
Thank you to the Council staff who went above and beyond. We provided over 12,000 sandbags
• Victorian Flood Recovery
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Flood
• More than 120kms of sealed and unsealed rural roads that will require repairs including patching, new gravel and pavement sheeting
We have sustained significant damage across our road network, with more than 30 roads closed since the flood began and hundreds of call outs. A number of these roads are still not safe or accessible.
Please monitor VicEmergency warnings and avoid unnecessary travel if you can or have alternate routes planned, with many roads across the state in poor condition.
Road conditions could also get worse again with rain, so please drive to the conditions.
While a lot of water has receded, there are still some flooded areas within the municipality.
Road closure signs are there for your safety, never tamper or move a road closure sign or drive around it.
For all urgent road hazards such as trees down or water over the road on Council roads, please phone Council on 53829777 (including after hours).
For urgent road hazards on VicRoads roads please call 13 11 70.
A full list of local road closures can be found at hrcc.vic.gov.au/flood. For main roads, please visit VicTaffic.
to the community and staff are being deployed to assist with road closure monitoring and management, traffic control and emergency road and infrastructure repairs.
Lastly, the flooding situation has seen the best in our community as people put their hand up to help fill sandbags, check on their neighbours, follow advice and instructions and generally support the community.
Our communities and Council are grateful for the community spirit and resilience shown by our residents.
After the flood comes the mozzies Wimmera residents are being urged to be aware of more mosquitoes with flooding creating good breeding conditions.
There will be increased activity across the municipality, according to Environmental Health Co-ordinator Luke Mitton.
“Council officers are currently monitoring adult mosquitoes numbers across the area and will be continually assessing and reviewing potential breeding sites over the coming months,” he said.
Mosquitoes spread life-threatening and potentially debilitating diseases, such as Japanese encephalitis and Ross River virus.
There are ways people can protect themselves.
“Applying insect repellent, wearing loose clothes to cover arms and legs and wearing closed-in shoes can significantly increase your protection against mosquito bites.”
• Empty containers that may hold water, including old tyres, buckets, tins and rubbish bins
• Empty bird baths and pet water dishes on a weekly basis
• Put sand around the bases of pot plants to absorb excess water
• Keep roof gutters in good repair and remove leaves and debris so pools of water do not form •Mend leaking taps
• Install flywire screens on all windows and self-