The Weekly Advertiser – Wednesday, September 27, 2023

WE HORSHAM

BY JESSICA GRIMBLE

Shopping Spree LIFT-OUT INSIDE

The council adopted changes to its parking plan at a meeting on Monday night.

The council’s director communities and place, Kevin O’Brien, said it would take some time to implement the changes — including installing new signs and relocating meters — with timeframes still being finalised.

This Thursday, September 28

After a 45-minute debate, the motion passed 4-3 with councillors Penny Flynn, Robyn Gulline, Les Power and Bob Redden voting in favour.

The changes are: 30 minutes free parking for those using a metered two-hour park; introducing four bays of 30-minute free unmetered parking

at the post office; an increase of 58 all-day parking bays and 30 four-hour parking bays in close proximity for those wanting to park beyond two hours with no charge; no charge at the parking meter for people with an accessible parking permit, noting it will be time limited as sign-posted; relocating and installing additional meters so people will walk no further than 30 metres to use a meter; and two new long-vehicle parks in Ward Street for vehicles with caravans to access the visitor information centre.

Despite the changes, people must still enter their vehicle’s registration in a meter, or via the Blinkay mobile

phone app, to claim a free parking period.

There was regular interjection from the gallery during debate, including both applause and criticism, that prompted mayor Gulline to warn on four occasions that gallery members were observers only, and she would ‘clear the gallery’ if councillors were not respected.

Most councillors raised the cost of living crisis — some stating paid parking added to the community’s stress; others stating the crisis was the biggest influence on a ‘quiet’ city centre in recent months.

Continued page 5

GRAND TIME: Youngsters Carter Walters and Molly Fereday were among patrons in a strong turn-out to Horsham Show on Friday night and Saturday. Amid beautiful spring weather, the Horsham event, which both embraced tradition and introduced a range of new attractions, is the first in the calendar of Wimmera shows, which follow throughout October and November. Story and more photos, pages 20-21. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

AVONBANK PROJECT NEWS

PROJECT UPDATE

The Avonbank Mineral Sands Project (Avonbank Project) test pit rehabilitation trial is now in its third year and continues to show positive results.

The past few months has seen WIM Resource Pty Ltd (WIM) complete the Avonbank Project Environment Effects Statement (EES) Panel Hearing, which was hosted over a period of four weeks both via a hybrid in person and online mode.

WIM continues its community engagement initiatives, sponsorships, and partnerships, and is pleased to announce that it has joined as major sponsors of the Horsham Rockets Tri State Games team and the Defying the Drift Program. WIM is again proud sponsors of the Murtoa Big Weekend, and encourage the community to get behind this fantastic local event.

I would also encourage you to drop by the WIM Community Information Hub in Horsham to learn more about WIM and our Avonbank Project.

Michael Winternitz, Director of Projects

STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT UPDATE

Horsham Rockets Tri State Games Team

TEST PIT UPDATE

2023 Crop Update

The 2023–2024 crop of wheat was seeded in midMay over the rehabilitated test pit and is growing well. Now in the third year of rehabilitation, the disturbed area is easily distinguished from the undisturbed area (darker green and higher areas as shown left), with the crop having a lush appearance compared to the unmined areas of the paddock (lighter green and lower areas). WIM continues to work closely with the local landholders for ongoing successful site rehabilitation.

Longerenong College

WIM’s partnership continues for a third year, with Longerenong College 2nd Year Diploma of Agriculture students undertaking a research project at the test pit site. Monitoring activity of the rehabilitated area is underway, and the 2023 student project team will be active on the ground with regular visits. This year’s team will undertake research within the plots including monitoring plant growth and health, pest and disease impacts, soil mapping, as well as NDVI data imagery. Students Deakin McKay and Brayden Webb are pictured left at the test pit site.

EES UPDATE Panel Hearing

WIM announced the formal conclusion of the EES Panel Hearing on 24th August 2023. The fourweek legal hearing was overseen by a panel of three independent members appointed by Planning Panels Victoria. Taking place at the Church of Christ in Horsham, it was an opportunity for members of the public to speak to their written submissions.

Next Steps

The panel committee will carefully consider all the matters raised during the hearing. They are expected to submit their report to the Victorian Minister for Planning within approximately 40 business days. Subsequently, the Minister for Planning will assess the project. Once the Victorian Minister for Planning releases her assessment and the committee’s report, Planning Panels Victoria will notify all those who made a submission. Following this, the Victorian Minister for Planning’s assessment will be forwarded to the Commonwealth Government for approval. This stage typically takes around 40 business days.

WIM has recently partnered with the Horsham Rockets Tri State Games Team and Committee as a major sponsor of the all-abilities sporting team for the next three years. This significant partnership will go towards assisting the Horsham Rockets to continue competing in the annual week-long event, providing participants the opportunity to compete against their peers in a range of sporting activities.

Defying the Drift Program Partnership

WIM announced a new three-year partnership with Rotary District 9780, joining as gold sponsor for the Defying the Drift program. Since 2010, the Defying the Drift program encourages senior secondary school students to explore careers in regional and rural Australia, and by doing so cultivating a responsible and sustainable future for the regional communities. Defying the Drift organisers will be welcoming the 2023 participants to Longerenong College on 18th–20th September.

Murtoa’s Big Weekend

During the Murtoa’s Big Weekend, from the 6th to 8th October 2023, the WIM Resource MBW Lake Market will be held Saturday, 7th October from 9:00am until 1:00pm. The market will feature a large variety of stalls, live music, children’s activities and entertainment, and a fantastic selection of food and local gourmet produce. Make sure you drop in and visit the WIM team at our pop-up information booth.

2023 Victorian Women in Resources Awards

Free Call: 1800 959 298

Email: admin@wimresource.com.au

www.wimresource.com.au

2023 Western Victorian Careers Expo

WIM exhibited at the Western Victorian Careers Expo and as a part of this successful day, our team chatted to hundreds of visitors abaout WIM’s projects and careers in the mineral sands mining industry. Thank you to our guest James Sorahan from Mineral Council of Australia, who spoke at our Careers in Mining presentation.

81 Hamilton Street, Horsham VIC 3400 Monday to Friday, 9:30 am – 3:30 pm

WIM sponsored the recent MCA 2023 Victorian Women in Resources Awards, with the presentation night held at the historic Fortuna Villa, Bendigo. Special guest Lily D’Ambrosio, Victorian Minister for Resources, helped celebrate the achievements of women working in the Australian resources sector. Congratulations to award winners Joanna Stevens, Premier Strategy; Rachel Peng, Agnico Eagle; Alia Melgin-Hill, Agnico Eagle; and Suneeti Purohit, CSIRO; four exceptional women working in the mining and resources industry in Victoria.

Photo: Paul Carracher

Plan to rebuild community’s trust

BY JESSICA GRIMBLE

Horsham Rural City Council will seek to rebuild trust through increased communication and community information while reviewing its customer service and engagement practices.

The council will also use data from its latest community satisfaction survey to inform Rural Roads Victoria of identified problem roads and advocate for improvements, implement a ‘capital works dashboard’ for community information, and run ongoing, targeted campaigns about roads education including management and renewal processes.

The survey, released in July, found damning perceptions of performance and direction and the council vowed to

The end of an era

Saturday marked the end of an era for car dealerships in Hindmarsh shire as the final WJ Cordner tools, collectors’ items and parts went under the hammer.

WJ Cordner was a garage in Dimboola and became a Ford dealership in 1949.

William John Cordner, known to many as Bill, established the business in 1931, with his brothers Lesley and Alan later joining him.

Lesley’s son Don was the final owner of the dealership, having started as a junior apprentice in 1960.

Don said the garage was first located near Dimboola’s old fire station on Lloyd Street and, in 1956-57, a new premises was built at 125 Lloyd Street.

“I remember people used to be fascinated by how big it was for a garage at the time,” he said.

“We had a fire in 1998, so we moved to the old Westerfield Motors and had another property on Lloyd Street we also used.

“We moved back into the original premises after we rebuilt it in 2000.”

He said the early days of servicing and selling cars were different.

“Cars go so much further now but we used to run two hoists on Friday afternoons because the farmers used to come into town to have their motor cars serviced,” he said.

“We sold and serviced tractors as well but it was hard to do both in the end, as vehicles were going one

develop an action plan to rebuild trust and address community concerns.

Councillors adopted the plan, at their latest meeting on Monday night, which also included reviewing its customer service charter including complaints management and timely response; and ensuring its community engagement plans are appropriate for the level of engagement required for various projects and initiatives.

It will seek to highlight the council’s day-to-day functions via social media and public notices, and share progress of implementing the municipal monitor’s recommendations.

A waste management review will proceed in November while a parking meter review was also presented to Monday’s meeting.

Councillor David Bowe said the

council was committed to improvement and the action plan made steps for greater accountability, while Cr Bob Redden said better informing residents about the workings of council, including good news stories, was important.

Cr Ian Ross said he was concerned the plan did not contain detail, including timelines for implementation.

Corporate services director, Kim Hargreaves, said the plan was a high-level document and, following its endorsement, would be converted into a work plan including timelines.

Cr Ross said: “It’s good to have listened to the community. I hope this leads to real outcomes, not just spin.”

Cr Claudia Haenel said the action plan was a positive step but questioned whether it was ‘enough’.

“Are we really listening? I wonder whether this is really enough,” she said.

“This is on the back of, I hate to say it, one of our worst surveys — below the state average.

“I believe good leadership shows character, that we can show humility, and if it means making an apology to the community, that we may have gotten it wrong, then I think an apology may be what’s called for.”

The survey results showed 64 percent of respondents rated the council’s performance as average and above and its top-performing area was waste management.

However, the council’s overall performance score was 45 of a possible 100, compared with 56 a year ago.

Regional centres, and councils state-

wide, gained an average score of 56.

The condition of sealed local roads, extensively impacted by floods last year, was one of the lowest performing service areas, along with decisions made in the interest of the community, and consultation and engagement.

Many of the roads respondents identified, however, are state-managed roads.

Rural residents, and those aged between 50 and 64, had the lowest perception of the council.

The survey, an annual legislated requirement of councils across Victoria, came after a challenging year — including allegations of bullying among council staff and the instalment of a municipal monitor to improve governance practices and cohesion among the councillor group.

WE HORSHAM

The streets of Horsham are tipped to come alive tomorrow as the annual ‘We Love’ campaign continues for 2023.

The Weekly Advertiser and radio stations 3WM and MIXX FM’s ‘We Love’ series is designed to highlight opportunities available to regional shoppers and promote a ‘shop local’ drive.

way and tractors the other. We used to have an area where we did most of the tractor work and you wouldn’t fit today-sized tractors in.”

Mr Cordner, now 80, said he moved away from selling cars in 2008 and ceased to be a Ford dealer in late-2009 — just short of 60 years of being a Ford dealer. He said several years later, he stopped parts and servicing as well.

“I was one of the last people in the Hindmarsh shire who could sell cars in my own dealership,” he said.

“When I first started there would have been four dealers in Nhill, three in Jeparit, two in Rainbow, three in Dimboola and three or four in Warracknabeal.

“I still have a hoist in my shed so

I can service cars if I need — but I don’t touch anything unless it’s old and has a Ford badge.”

Mr Cordner said the family tradition continued through his eldest son, Chris, who works for Ford.

“Chris was studying mechanical engineering at university and needed 12 weeks’ work experience, which he did with Ford, and he is still there to this day,” he said. “Our younger son Danny took a different path and is a graphic designer.”

Mr Cordner said changes in vehicles were progressive over time.

“There wasn’t one big jump of changes for cars — it all came in gradually,” he said.

“Automatics had been around for a long time, but it wasn’t until 1965

HISTORY: WJ

The Horsham event will lead into a long weekend, with many people and businesses enjoying the AFL Grand Final public holiday on Friday.

There will be plenty of bargains and discounted products and services available during the day.

that it was more common to see them and 1984 that I began to drive one myself.

“Ford automatic cars were twospeed when they came in and today they’re up to 10-speed in some vehicles.

“The change to electronic ignition was another big step and then fuel injection came in. Computers came in with fuel injection and they were able to do more and more. Cars are much more reliable to drive now.”

Mr Cordner said of his 384 items available at the weekend auction, only a handful of low value were left unsold. Items sold to people in Darwin, Sydney and Adelaide as well as across Victoria.

— Abby Walter

People who make purchases at participating businesses will need to remember to ask for a ‘We Love Horsham’ card to be eligible for one of two $250 vouchers.

Inside today’s edition is 12 pages of shopping deals from participating businesses.

ACE Radio Horsham promotions manager Kaycee Bould said the MIXX FM Street Team van would be set-up in Roberts Avenue, broadcasting live from 9am to 3pm.

She said shoppers who made a purchase at a participating business could present their card at the van to enter the draw, with vouchers able to be spent at participating businesses.

The ‘We Love’ series occurs until December, with the next location being Stawell on October 20 before highlighting Nhill on November 17 and Ararat on December 1.

Cordner owner Don Cordner said goodbye to the final pieces of his family’s business at the weekend.

Picture: ABBY WALTER

Age Friendly Communities Plan due for update

Horsham Rural City Council is renewing its Age Friendly Communities Plan and is inviting the community to help shape it.

Age friendly communities are places where older people live safely, enjoy good health and stay involved in society.

Healthy ageing is the ability to live an active, safe and socially inclusive lifestyle.

People can have their say on what should be considered in the plan by completing a survey available in hard copy at the Civic Centre and online.

Submissions will be open until Friday November 3.

Council staff and the Older Persons Advisory Committee will then review the public feedback and prioritise actions and goals for the plan.

Councillors will be presented with a draft

TENDERS AND RFQ

plan in early 2024 and a four-week community consultation process will follow before final changes are made and Council endorses the new plan.

The current Age Friendly Communities Implementation Plan is in its final year of implementation. It is available on the HRCC website or in hard copy by request. For more information please contact Daniel Rees - daniel. rees@hrcc.vic.gov.au or 5382 9777.

SCAN CODE TO ACCESS SURVEY

CITY OVAL REDEVELOPMENT Frequently Asked Questions

The City Oval/Sawyer Park redevelopment project is one of seven precincts included in the City to River Masterplan, and is the second to progress after work was completed on the riverfront precinct in 2023. We have developed a list of frequently asked questions to help answer some of your queries, and update you on what, when and where and how individual projects will happen.

Is the oval being re-orientated?

No, it will stay as it currently is.

Original concepts as part of the Draft City to River Masterplan showed the oval re-orientated to run north-south with an expanded playing surface.

However re-orientation was abandoned following community consultation prior to the Masterplan’s adoption in 2021.

Will the size of the oval be increased?

The City Oval Concept Plan has the playing surface of the oval increasing by three meters on each side.

This is planned at a later stage of the redevelopment and depends on external funding.

What will happen to Hocking Street?

Hocking Street will remain a two-way straight road connecting O’Callaghans Parade and the bottom end of Firebrace Street.

Parking will be significantly improved. With sealed parking bays, upgraded drainage, pedestrian crossings and footpaths on both sides of the street.

Why have trees along Hocking Street been removed?

This is to make room for the new netball pavilion and multipurpose stage as well the new footpaths.

Will the 2024 netball season be disrupted?

Netball will be able to return to City Oval next season. The two new netball courts will be completed ready for round one. The netball pavilion will not be completed and alternative change room arrangements will be made.

Will the 2024 football season be disrupted?

Football will not be interrupted at City Oval.

There will be changes to parking arrange-

ments within the ground, and improved parking availability outside the ground following the completion of Hocking Street works.

When will the football clubrooms be replaced?

Council is advocating for state and federal government funding for a new single-story modern and accessible community pavilion and sporting change rooms.

The new facility will be available for community use.

HRCC is awaiting the outcome of a federal government Growing Regions Fund grant application which will allow the project to proceed.

What will the new multifunction stage be used for?

Horsham will be able to attract large scale music and entertainment events.

Streaming of these events live or graphics on large screens is part of the design and the new structure will accommodate removable LCD displays on each side and across the back of the stage.

Due to our regional location it is not feasible or economical for touring shows to

Next Council Meeting: Monday 23 October 2023 - 5.30pm Horsham Rural City Council: 18 Roberts Avenue

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

bring all required infrastructure for these displays, so our stage has been designed to support the screens.

The Soundshell at Sawyer Park cannot now host modern music festivals because it has a limited capacity for patrons and performers and is more than 40 years old.

The new stage will meet contemporary sound and lighting requirements and be able to host up to 8,000 people.

Council will initially target the scheduling of two large events in the first year of operation, increasing tourism numbers by up to 15,000 people which would create an estimated $5 million boost to the Wimmera economy.

It will also benefit local sports competitions on match days or presentations.

What’s happening with the grandstand?

A replacement grandstand on the Baker Street side of the oval is included in the City Oval concept plan.

The planning works will happen over the next financial year however construction will only take place when funding becomes available for this final stage of the City Oval precinct development.

24-009

FLOOD RECOVERY WORKS – PACKAGE 15

Council invites contractors to tender for the 2022 Flood Recovery Roadworks Program (Package 15) in the Rural City of Horsham.

Closes 12 noon on 12th October 2023

24-011

PLANT AND MA CHINERY HIRE

Council invites tenders from suppliers and contractors to provide a comprehensive list of plant items available for hire

Closes 12noon, Wednesday 27 September

Q12-2024

SUPP LY AND D ELIVER Y OF OUTDOOR

S TAFF UNIF ORM BULK ORDER

Quotation for bulk uniforms to cater for outdoor staff.

Closes 5pm, Thursday 28 September

24-006

ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES – WIMMERA MULTI-SPORT SCHEM ATIC PLANS Schematic plans and quantity surveyor estimations for the plan's three proposed sites.

Closes 12noon, Monday 2 October

All tender, EOI and RFQ details at hrcc.vic.gov.au

HAVE YOUR SAY Current Community Engagements

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

SAFER RIVER LINKAGES

Council was successful in receiving grant funding from the State Government to upgrade lighting along the riverfront. This work has been completed and Council is now required to undertake a follow-up survey to assess the effectiveness of the lighting improvements.

PROPOSED REGIONAL MUSEUMINVENTORY OF COLLECTIONS

Council would like to hear from community members or groups who house significant historical items that could be part of the proposed museum.

ACCESSIBLE PATHWAYS AND CROSSINGS

HRCC wants to hear from the community about improving pathways or crossings to increase accessibility, ease of travel and pedestrian safety. The information you provide will assist Council to develop a Pathways and Crossings Plan.

Prescribing income

BY ABBY WALTER

AWimmera pharmacist is hopeful expedited negotiations of a national Community Pharmacy Agreement will ensure a new 60-day dispensing policy works.

The policy allows stable, chronic patients to use 60-day prescriptions instead of 30-day prescriptions for some Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, PBS, medications at no higher cost.

Horsham Amcal Pharmacy owner Carlie Streeter said a Community Pharmacy Agreement detailed what the government paid pharmacies for supplying PBS medications.

“With the 60-day change and no change in remuneration, that income would have halved for those medications,” she said.

“It’s important the agreement reassures pharmacies of their financial stability. We’re glad negotiations will proceed for a new agreement to ensure

FOUND: Jack Walter, of Horsham, found his wedding ring — 56 years after losing it while cutting hay.

pharmacies are paid accordingly and, therefore, the new policy can survive and thrive.”

A Department of Health and Aged Care spokesperson said the current agreement, 7CPA, was between the Commonwealth of Australia, Pharmacy Guild of Australia and Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, which would remain signatories.

The 7CPA was a five-year agreement commencing in 2020, but in August, Health Minister Mark Butler announced early negotiations for 8CPA.

The department spokesperson said it provided $18.9 billion for pharmacy remuneration for dispensing PBS-subsidised medicines, professional pharmacy programs, and Community Service Obligation and National Diabetes Services Scheme product distribution arrangements.

The spokesperson said remuneration of pharmacists was key to supporting access to affordable medicines.

“The 7CPA supports all Australians

Councillors divided

From page 1

to continue to have access to timely, safe, affordable, and life-saving medicines,” the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson said stage one of the 60-day dispensing scheme commenced smoothly on September 1 and by September 1, 2024, would apply to more than 300 common medicines listed on the PBS.

“The order of medicines to be made available in stages two and three, in March 2024 and September 2024 respectively, are still being finalised,” the spokesperson said.

“No shortages of medicines have been reported to the department due to 60-day prescribing.”

Ms Streeter said she did not notice an immediate impact from the scheme’s implementation..

“It’s going to be a gradual change and build over time,” she said. “We’re still having stock shortages so that’s an ongoing concern, which we are worried will get worse as 60-day prescriptions begin to filter through.”

Jack finds long-lost treasure

Here’s a little story about Jack and Diane.

Jack and Diane Walter were married in February 1966.

A year later, during a drought, Mr Walter was cutting hay at Neuarpurr where he was share farming.

As he was cleaning some build-up on the slasher, he lost his wedding ring.

“I shouldn’t have been wearing my ring to work,” he said.

“I went and looked for it and gave

up, thinking it was lost. We didn’t have metal detectors back then,” he said.

Mr Walter said only a couple of weeks ago — 56 years later — the wedding ring was finally found.

“I was speaking to Leon Kafegellis recently and he has a metal detector,” he said.

Mr Walter, with nephew Paul Walter and Mr Kafegellis travelled from Horsham to Neuarpurr to look for the ring and found ultimate success.

Mr Walter said the ring was only a couple of inches under the dirt and it was the third item they found, after a piece of a bullet and a rusty nail.

“It only took us half an hour and the noise the detector made when it found it was loud,” he said.

Mr Walter said he had never replaced the ring.

He said Mrs Walter did not expect them to find the ring, so it was a nice surprise that he walked back into their house wearing it.

Speaking in favour of the motion, Cr Penny Flynn said 33 percent of on-street parking was free and paid parking generated significant funds for city centre works — in 2018-19, for example, raising $361,000 in revenue. She raised the ‘tale of two cities’ — Horsham and Ballarat, a highly discussed comparison of parking arrangements that she said did not consider alternative revenue streams should the council scrap paid parking; nor the high cost of parking in Ballarat after a free first hour.

“Yes we’ve heard from approximately 2000 people, so let’s say that’s 10 percent of the population — so there’s 90 percent of the population we haven’t heard from. These visitors and residents, do they understand the cost of removing the parking meters?” she said.

“My question is to the people: What are you going to get your councillors to cut from the budget so we can continue to benefit the CAD?”

Cr Gulline said it was ‘unfortunate’ that respondents to the survey were not presented with information such as revenue generated and projects funded from paid parking, and the risks of removing it, to make an ‘informed decision’.

“In a rate-capped environment, we have no opportunity to be creative in our income streams. This is our creative way of finding a revenue stream,” she said.

She said eight of 10 regional cities had paid parking — only two of which have a population smaller than Horsham — and noted the municipality serviced a catchment of 60,000 people including people living in neighbouring shires.

Cr Les Power said the survey and petition ‘only’ reached 10 percent of the population, which was ‘pretty sad to see’ — evoking loud protest from the gallery.

Cr Power said the ‘great debate’ about parking meters was poor publicity for Horsham and its ongoing campaign to attract people to move to, or visit the region.

“Why aren’t we talking about the facilities we have for education, for our medical facilities, our doctors and encouraging them to come to Horsham, our roads which we talk about on a regular basis or sporting facilities,” he said.

“All these things come into perspective but for some reason at the moment, parking meters overrule all of them. It’s strange to see.”

Cr Redden said paid parking was important to promote traffic movement and visitation to businesses.

He said people working in the city centre required access to all-day parking and called for additional parking options for visitors to the Horsham Town Hall’s tourism services. He said a tap-and-go payment option could alleviate angst.

Councillors speaking against the motion received applause and verbal praise and encouragement from the gallery as they spoke.

Cr David Bowe said the current system was not serving the community’s interests and changes should reflect sentiment.

“The community’s passion for this issue is crystal clear. It shows that our community is not just concerned, but actively invested,” he said. “While change is a constant, it is imperative that the changes we implement resonate deeply with our community.”

Cr Claudia Haenel said the parking meters were ‘making lives harder’ in the wake of the pandemic, floods, bushfires and cost of living crisis.

She called on the council to ‘show leadership’ and ‘find creative ways’ to find alternate revenue streams.

“The feedback is that the meters and the zoning is confusing; that it’s not user friendly. Now we are proposing to change it all over again,” she said.

“Just make parking free in Horsham. It’s welcoming, it’s friendly for visitors, it’s good for business and it’s less stress for our community.

“I currently believe the community are more concerned about feeding their families and not feeding the meters.”

Cr Ian Ross said Horsham did not need paid parking and he was concerned the council’s survey format was biased. He said the community petition had ‘organically’ and ‘without publicity’ earned 895 signatures.

“If we ignore a petition of this size, I think it’s to our detriment. We should listen to what people think,” he said.

The meeting agenda tabled more than 400 pages of community feedback, more than 100 pages containing a redacted copy of the petition along with the council’s parking management plan, maps of on-street parking zones, and a carparking permits policy.

People can read more detail, including the full list of changes and maps of affected areas, via hrcc. vic.gov.au

• Editorial, page 11.

Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Premier calls time on political career

Victorian premier Daniel Andrews has announced his resignation, effective from 5pm tonight.

The announcement, which also impacts his elected role as Member for Mulgrave, came during a press conference in Melbourne yesterday.

Mr Andrews was elected to parliament in 2002 and became Labor Party leader in 2010.

He has served as premier since 2014.

Mr Andrews said resigning was not an easy decision, and was one he made recently, but it had been an ‘honour and privilege’ to be the state’s premier for nine years.

“Recently, in talking to my kids and wife Cath, thoughts of what life will be like after this job have started to creep in and

I’ve always known that the moment that happens, it’s time to go and to give this privilege, this amazing responsibility, to someone else,” he said.

“It’s not an easy job, being premier of our state.

“That’s not a complaint, that’s just a fact.

“It requires 100 percent from you and your family. That, of course, is time limited and now is the time to step away.”

Mr Andrews said the only way he knew how to do the job was to have it ‘consume’ him.

“To a certain extent, every waking moment is about the work and that takes a toll,” he said.

“To have been premier for nine years and the leader of my party for 13 years is a greater set of opportunities than I ever

thought would be afforded to me — a kid from the country with only really an aspiration to do good, to work hard, to work with teams of people to perhaps make things better.”

Mr Andrews’ tenure began with the scrapping of what was then known as the east-west link through Melbourne and has concluded with, most famously, overseeing the state’s pandemic response, including its controversial lockdowns, and a bungled Commonwealth Games bid.

His final reform as premier was releasing Victoria’s Housing Statement last week, which provides a framework to create jobs, help businesses grow and build more homes in rural and regional Victoria.

The Labor Party will meet at midday today to appoint the new premier of Victoria.

STUNNING DISPLAY: Stawell Orchid Society’s annual spring show begins on Friday and runs until Sunday at Stawell Entertainment Centre. Committee member Ian Welsh is pictured preparing flowers for event, with a variety of orchids on show from 9am Friday. Horsham and District Orchid Society’s spring show will follow on October 7 and 8 in Maydale Pavilion, Horsham Showground from 9am on the Saturday.

Jochinke eyes national role

Murra Warra farmer David Jochinke has nominated for National Farmers’ Federation, NFF, president.

Mr Jochinke has been the federation’s vice-president since November 2017, after serving as a director for several years.

“I want to build a connection with the farming community and focus on core issues that have an impact on farmers’ bottom line,” he said. “I also want to build relationships between government and communities to tell the agriculture story and how important it is to our country.”

Georgie Somerset of Durong in Queensland and Tony York of Tammin in Western Australia also nominated for president.

John Hassell of East Pingelly, Western Australia nominated for vice-president. An election process will now occur, with results announced at the federation’s annual general meeting in Canberra on October 25.

Mr Jochinke also served as president of the Victorian Farmers Federation from 2016 to 2020.

Homicide investigation

Homicide Squad detectives are investigating the circumstances surrounding a fatal shooting in Ararat on Tuesday. Emergency services were called to a Kennel Road property about 11.45am.

A woman, who is yet to be formally identified, died at the scene and a man was taken to hospital with lifethreatening injuries.

The parties are believed to be known to each other.

Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

SUMPOILERS: The team cranks up the amazing Richard Hornsby engines at last year ’s big weekend.

Celebration of community

Murtoa’s Big Weekend will include new and exciting elements when the three-day event returns from October 6 to 8.

A ‘stunning’ line-up will offer the Murtoa community and visitors a chance to come together and enjoy a range of features, attractions and events to suit every age.

Headline elements include a free admission ‘Donald Mineral Sands Lake Cinema & Music Experience’ and ‘GrainCorp Murtoa Sound and Light Show’ on the evening of Friday, October 6 at Lake Marma.

The night will feature live music, outdoor cinema, and an incredible sound and lighting instalment developed by locally and internationally acclaimed artist, Dave Jones. Food trucks and Wimmera Winery and Brewery will be in attendance.

“This is a unique opportunity to experience Lake Marma’s beauty as never before — for one night only,” spokesperson Natasha Pietsch said. People can also enjoy old-fashioned fun at the Speakeasy cabaret at Murtoa Mechanics Hall on Saturday, October 7.

The dress code is ‘mobsters and molls’ with live music and entertainment.

The Stick Shed welcomes people to view an art exhibition by former local Julie Kent, an

accomplished artist. Past employees will also lead tours of The Stick Shed on Saturday, presenting an insight into the working days of the shed.

The Dunmunkle Sumpoilers Rally will fire-up an impressive historic single-cylinder Richard Hornsby Engines on Saturday and Sunday.

“These massive engines, still on their original 1911 Wimmera Inland Freezing Works foundation, are a sight to see as they slowly fire up and begin rotating their huge flywheels at a breathtaking 300 revs per minute — a great family event with wonderful sights and sounds of the past,” Ms Pietsch said.

“The Murtoa Historical Precinct, which includes the water tower museum, Concordia cottage, Bell Tower and railway station, is open for people to explore in wonder, with an opportunity to view the nearby remarkable Murtoa Silo Art, digitally lit at night.

“Other spectacular events to enjoy across the weekend are the Ecycle Solutions Murtoa Cup race day, Murtoa Agricultural Show, Level Up! Gaming event, Shannons Show ‘n’ Shine, WIM Resource Lake Market, Railway Hotel entertainment, Lake Colour Run, social bowls, pilates classes and a multi-faith worship service.”

People wanting more information, and to view the full list of events across the weekend, can go to murtoabigweekend.com.au

All aboard to Murtoa

For the first time in decades, Wimmera people can travel by train, and in air-conditioned luxury, from Horsham to Murtoa.

The Murtoa Big Weekend committee and Seymour Railway Heritage Centre are working together to make this year’s event, from October 6 to 8, a memorable one.

The Horsham to Murtoa shuttles will offer people the chance to experience luxury aboard a heritage train, with 1930s period carriages once part of the Spirit of Progress that ran between Melbourne and Albury.

The Victorian-built sets were the first air-conditioned trains in the Southern Hemisphere and still retain the ambience of nearly a century ago.

Big Weekend organizing committee member Tom Hamilton, a Yarriambiack shire councillor, said the engine pulling the train was no stranger to Murtoa — the mighty B74 being a regular visitor in its ‘working days’, though the rolling stock it moved was ‘nowhere near as glamorous’.

“This is really exciting, once-in-a-lifetime experience and a really memorable way to get to and from Murtoa for the weekend,” he said.

“Getting to Flemington by train for the Melbourne Cup is a real Melbourne tradition and this year Horsham folk will be able to get that same experience coming to Murtoa.

On Sunday, October 8 the heritage train departs from Horsham and embarks on the rarely-travelled Hopetoun branch — a route that last saw regular passenger services back in 1976.

The train will stop at Murtoa, Sheep Hills, Warracknabeal and Beulah before reaching Hopetoun, returning to Horsham with stops at Rosebery, Beulah, Warracknabeal and Murtoa.

For train enthusiasts outside of the Wimmera, a glamorous Wimmera Weekender tour package is also available.

People wanting more information, or to book their seat, can go to srhc.org.au/tours

Lifetime of love, memories

BY SEAN O’CONNELL

Acouple who have lived in the Wimmera for many years, where they became heavily involved in various youth organisations, will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary tomorrow.

Marion and Rodney Smith were married on September 28, 1963 and said neither of them ‘ever expected’ to reach the impressive milestone.

Mrs Smith said the pair met and married in her home town of Creswick, before honeymooning in Adelaide

“We got married in the Creswick Methodist Church. I was born and bred in Creswick and he was born in England,” she said.

“We didn’t have very much money to do anything fancy so we towed a caravan for our honeymoon. It was lots of fun.

“The first night out of Creswick, we had a massive thunderstorm.

“We stayed the night at Stawell and that was as far as we got.

“We’ll never forget it.”

Mrs Smith said Mr Smith’s work later brought them to the Wimmera.

“He was an electrician and he wanted to better himself and knew someone in the State Electricity Commission, SEC, who suggested that he try to get a position there,” she said.

“After we got married, we had two years in Creswick and then we moved to Melbourne. From there, his first appointment with the SEC was at Edenhope.

“Then subsequent promotions took him to Stawell and then he retired from the SEC in Horsham.”

Mrs Smith said some of the best memories of their marriage were holi-

days with their children, Jacci, Leonie and Wesley.

“We’ve had some lovely holidays when they were little,” she said.

“We took them to Queensland and, when our boy was two, we pulled a caravan to Cairns.

“In 1980, we took the family to England. That was the first time that Rodney had been back to see his family.”

Mr Smith said, after being born just before the start of the Second World War at Burton upon Trent, he ended up in Australia on the advice of family friends.

“I was an only child and came to Australia with my mum,” he said.

“My father was a First World War veteran and his health was not good.

“The doctors suggested that maybe we get to a warmer climate than England.

“He suggested western Canada or Australia and it just so happened that Mum and Dad had made friends from Australia during the war.”

Mr Smith said the couple had involved themselves with different youth groups throughout their lives and he had been a member of Lions Club International for 55 years.

“We did a tremendous lot with the Lions Youth Exchange Program,” he said.

“We had 10 trips overseas chaperoning the kids. We went to America, Canada, Europe, the UK, Japan and the four countries in Scandinavia.

“Knowing what you can do for youth, a lot of them they are so shy and you can bring them out of their shells a bit.”

Mrs Smith said she had been a leader of Girl Guides for 57 years, with ‘fun

MEMORIES: Married 60 years ago, Marion and Rodney Smith have dedicated themselves to community organisations and their family, including three children and seven grandchildren.

and friendship’ keeping her involved for so long.

“I started as a youth member in Creswick and you can progress through to become a leader,” she said.

“If it wasn’t for the girls, it wouldn’t be there. There are girls who are now leaders that were guides when I was a young leader.”

Mrs Smith was awarded an Order of Australia medal in 2012 for her

Vaccines encouraged

Free Japanese encephalitis vaccines are being made available to people in the Wimmera and Grampians at risk of the virus, through a State Government initiative.

Acting Minister for Health Gabrielle Williams said expanded vaccine eligibility would continue during summer.

“Now is the perfect time to get vaccinated against Japanese encephalitis virus — it will protect you ahead of this year’s mosquito season,” she said.

“You can get your vaccination today through your immunisation provider including GPs, Aboriginal community-controlled organisations, community pharmacies or local council.”

Vaccinations are recommended ahead of summer and its increased mosquito presence.

They are available for people who live or work in high-risk local government areas including Hindmarsh, Horsham, Northern Grampians, West Wimmera and Yarriambiack.

Most people with Japanese encephalitis virus infection do not show, or have only mild symptoms — but in extreme cases, it might lead to death or permanent disability.

service to youth, particularly through Girl Guides Australia.

Mr Smith said he felt lucky to mark 60 years of marriage and that the pair had been able to maintain their health.

“It’s like everything in life — you have some disagreements but we don’t have big quarrels. It’s been a lovely marriage,” he said. “I feel I’m so lucky I can still just waltz around like I’ve been doing today.”

Symptoms usually develop within five to 15 days of a bite from an infected mosquito.

Symptoms include fever, headaches and vomiting. Symptoms for severe infections can include severe headaches, neck or back stiffness, sensitivity to light, confusion, seizures, paralysis and comas.

For more information, including full eligibility criteria, go to health.vic. gov.au/infectious-diseases/japaneseencephalitis

Some compromise, but work to do

The community has won a compromise, of sorts, when it comes to paid parking in Horsham.

However, one of the biggest challenges among residents — the useability of new meters, installed across the city centre six months ago — remains somewhat unresolved.

Horsham councillors endorsed changes to the city’s parking management plan on Monday night — just.

The suite of changes, which gained support from four councillors, will include more all-day and four-hour free parking, and the first half-hour of a motorist’s visit at no charge.

In line with concerns about the distance between meters, there will be more machines available in areas

EDITORIAL

By Jessica Grimble

which require payment for parking — with 30 metres the expected maximum distance to travel from a vehicle.

The timeline to implement the changes is being confirmed.

However, in what will remain a bugbear for many residents, they are still required to enter their vehicle registration into a meter or the app before going about their business.

The community’s angst about the parking changes have been crystal

clear —sharing their views to social media, and some reaching the lengths of lashing out at council officers. Sometimes, helpfully; other times, not so much.

But ultimately, all circles back to a new meter system and parking zones. Public education and support must continue in order to both help people learn new technology and minimise confusion.

While the long list of changes tabled at Monday’s meeting was challenging to place in mind, it must be acknowledged that the previous system was also a mish-mash of rules — and the new system sought to rectify this.

It’s not there yet.

The council received a remarkable response to the review — with more

than 2000 submissions, in the form of a council-led survey and community petition. The community petition, alone, gained 895 signatures by sitting on shop counters and largely without publicity and fanfare.

It often takes real passion, care and impact for an individual or group to be driven to make a public submission to such matters; and it’s rare the council receives more than a handful.

So while most councillors acknowledged the community’s significant time and efforts in providing positive, or not so positive feedback, there was some who disregarded the 10 percent of the community who took time out to add their voice to the conversation.

That’s a remarkable number; and four times the number of people who

Community bank is ‘changing lives’

After celebrating 25 years of operation, Rupanyup-Minyip Community Bank has been inducted into Bendigo Bank’s ‘hall of fame’.

The successes of the Rupanyup-Minyip Finance Group, since co-founding the first community bank in Australia, were recognised during Bendigo Bank’s 2023 national conference.

RMFG board of directors chairperson Michael Funcke said the acknowledgement singled out the bank as a major contributor in the community.

“On a per capita basis, the impact we’ve had on the community would be as strong as anything,” he said.

“In Rupanyup, we helped with the building at the recreation reserve, the grocery store was seed-funded and the community fuel station was seed-funded and wouldn’t have gotten up without it.

“That’s on top of sponsorships and grants to sporting and other community organisations.”

Mr Funcke said the hall of fame award was testament to the longevity of the bank and its ongoing viability.

“The community bank has put $2 million back into community and $1 million in the past five years,” he said.

“Not all community banks have turned a profit and some have had to close.

“It is a feather in the cap of everyone at Rupanyup-Minyip Community Bank

SUCCESS STORY: Rupanyup-Minyip Finance Group board of directors and Rupanyup-Minyip Community Bank staff celebrate the hall of fame honour.

and, most importantly, the customers.”

Bendigo Bank’s head of community banking, Justine Minne, said community banks in rural areas were often the last left.

“People may not think that who you bank with matters — but it really does,” she said.“Every day, our 2.4 million customers help change lives and save lives — simply by banking with us.

“Their home loans are building skate

were considered statistically significant to develop council’s community satisfaction survey.

At a time when one of the community’s greatest concerns is the council’s engagement processes, as demonstrated in the satisfaction survey — specifically whether feedback is listened to and acted upon — it begs the question, what constitutes as ‘enough’?

Many of the people who provided a submission haven’t been heard in the manner in which they had hoped — but the changes as endorsed on Monday night are a step in the right direction.

It’s now over to the council to support the continued transformation and turn the tides of community perception — for the better.

and sports parks, hospital wings and classrooms. Their personal loans, business banking and credit cards are funding ambulances, defibrillators, rescue boats, CFA brigades, scholarships and disabled and aged care facilities.”

Rupanyup-Minyip Community Bank has also appointed a new branch manager, Vanessa Lantzakis, who begins in early October.

— Sean O’Connell

Services honour sacrifices of law enforcers

This Friday will serve as an opportunity to remember the commitment and sacrifice of police officers.

Services will commemorate Blue Ribbon Day and National Police Remembrance Day, which both fall on September 29.

Blue Ribbon Foundation Horsham

branch secretary Kelly Schilling said the day was a chance to remember 175 Victorian police officers who had lost their lives in the line of duty.

Services are in Horsham, at Ss Michael and John’s Catholic Church in Roberts Avenue; and in Ararat at Holy Trinity

Anglican Church in High Street at 10am.

Blue Ribbon Foundation Horsham branch has partnered with Woolworths, running a raffle during September to help purchase a rapid infuser for Wimmera Base Hospital.

A raffle winner will be drawn on October 2.

The RV Service and Repair Specialist

Connections important

BY SEAN O’CONNELL

Goolum Goolum

Aboriginal

Co-operative’s second annual Hand-Up event on Friday brought together community members in the name of mental health and youth wellbeing.

The initiative started last year with a similar event at Sawyer Park in Horsham and a broader mental health awareness campaign, which had been expanded for 2023.

Ngarrindjeri man and comedian Kevin Kropinyeri said the community gathering was a chance to reflect on the importance of mental health.

“Having had my own personal struggles as a young man, I’m always about supporting any type of event that helps young people,” he said.

“Especially with the state of a lot of youth suicide and a lot of mental health problems, these types of events help highlight services that help our community and, especially, our young people.”

Mr Kropinyeri said comedy had proven to be an outlet in his life and he enjoyed sharing laughs during Friday’s event.

“The flipside of tragedy is comedy,” he said.

“I come from a very hard background, grew up around a lot of domestic violence and a lot of unsavoury conditions.

“We can have a look at these types of conditions that we grew up in, make some jokes about it and have a laugh about it. Not sweeping under the carpet the ugliness of stuff,

but to say, ‘hey, we’re resilient, we’ve overcome it and look where we are today’.”

Paul Kelly introduced people to the game of Marngrook, which influenced Australian rules football, and said it was integral to pass down traditions to future generations.

“The AFL is so popular nationwide and everyone has their role models. It’s so important to show, at the grassroots, where it does come from,” he said.

“Of course, we have no texts or anything like that in our culture.

“Seeing physical evidence such as scar trees, the language, paintings and playing these sports is vital to keeping our culture alive and continuing.”

Chunky Move’s Kristy Ayre said the Melbourne dance company worked with Indigenous youth from the region in preparation for their performance on Friday.

She said the organisation led school holiday activities that taught contemporary dance, hip hop and traditional dance.

“The most special thing about it is the connections that they are able

Mine rescue

A simulated mine rescue and emergency response exercise in Stawell next month offers teams an opportunity to develop their skills and receive vital feedback.

The Minerals Council of Australia, Victoria will host the annual Victorian Mine Rescue Competition in Stawell from October 20 to 22 with teams from across Victoria, New South Wales and New Zealand competing. The council’s executive director James Sorahan said the competition was one of the largest-scale safety training exercises in mining, involving about 160 people.

Emergency services respond to five scenarios — a fire, first-aid, road crash rescue, underground rescue, and search and rescue — and are scored, with an eventual winner crowned at the end of the weekend.

“Even though it’s a competition and there is assessment involved, it’s really a way of giving feedback to the teams. Ultimately, the weekend is training,” he said.

Mr Sorahan called for volunteers to participate in the weekend as ‘casualties’.

“They pretend to be injured, are rescued by mine rescue teams and assessed,” he said.

to build with each other,” she said.

“We have kids from Stawell, Halls Gap, Dimboola, Donald and Horsham who all participate in the program.

“We can facilitate their connections with each other and their connection to traditional dance practice and their culture.”

If you, or someone you know needs help, phone the 24-hour line, 13YARN on 13 92 76.

People can also phone Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800; for emergencies phone 000.

“It’s a good opportunity for people who are interested in emergency services, or want to try their hand at acting — and we dress them up, with professional make-up and special effects with cuts, bruises and blood, making it realistic as possible.

“We also have a number of paramedicine students from Ballarat taking part. Ambulance Victoria, Victoria Police, SES and CFA all take part.”

Stawell last hosted the competition in 1999.

People can watch the scenarios play out at North Park, Stawell on October 21 and 22 from 7am to 3pm.

People wanting more information can go to minerals.org.au/about/mca-vic/victorianmine-rescue-competition

People wanting to inquire about volunteering can email minerescue@minerals.org.au

Growing Pains and Leg Pain in Teenagers

In these fast growing years, teenagers can suffer a lot of pain in their legs and it’s often dismissed as simple growing pains. Now that’s not completely correct. As teenagers grow so rapidly their muscles and ligaments have trouble keeping up and the rapidly growing joint puts pressure on these areas causing pain.

Also, a very real issue is that areas are out of alignment or have been jammed up for awhile. Whilst teenagers have been growing slowly it’s not so noticeable, however with sudden growth spurts it highlights a hidden problem. This is what a parent doesn’t want to miss, because it can set teenagers up for ongoing issues that can be dismissed as simple growing pains.

A chiropractor can also see a teenager with bilateral knee pain and heading for surgery for that knee that keeps dislocating, discovers that they have a sacral problem which is undiagnosed, because it’s knee pain. The sacrum is often thought as a solid tail bone. Well in young children it is five individual bones which don’t start to join to form one bone until they are around 13yrs of age. Each one can misalign or jam up

As a chiropractor we look at all areas of the spine and check all joints in the legs to find out what is not moving properly and the best way to correct it. Keeping teenagers moving well helps them grow straighter, stronger and assists them to perform better at their activities.

GATHERING: Back, from left, Arlai Jetson, Drake Gray and VFLW star Courtney Ugle with, front from left, Rhylee Olston, Finn Olston and Jaydee Symonds during the Hand-Up event at Sawyer Park, Horsham on Friday.

Picture: SEAN O’CONNELL

“The

“It’s a fantastic way to help clubs and I know of other clubs in Kaniva that have benefited from the Horsham Sports and Community Club grants.”

“We were there for lunch last week and the service was great.”

“They do a wonderful job.”

Growth chance

Attracting millennials and people born overseas to rural and regional areas remains the biggest opportunity to drive a regional renaissance, data shows.

The Regional Australia Institute released its Big Movers 2023 report earlier this month, analysing population data from the latest Census period of 2016 to 2021 and building on RAI research undertaken in 2020 with information from the previous Census period.

The latest report also considered two key demographics — millennials, that being people aged 25 to 39, and those born overseas.

Nationally, data showed an additional 54,000 millennials moved into regional areas between 2016 and 2021; while a similar story unfolded among the overseas-born population, with regional areas doubling net gain of this demographic across the two Census periods.

Wimmera Southern Mallee Development chief executive Chris Sounness said this trend both recognised, and posed an opportunity, for communities across the region.

Latest Census data for the Lowan electorate shows about 16 percent of the population are millennials. Top countries of birth for Lowan residents are England, New Zealand, India, Philippines and Thailand, with about 10 percent of the population having both parents born overseas and a further six percent having one parent born overseas. Karen is the most commonly used language spoken at home, other than English.

Mr Sounness said ensuring a diversity of housing options, for varying needs and budgets, was important to supporting people to relocate to the region — and an element that was impacting the region’s ability to grow.

He said a range of organisations were supporting refugees to settle in the Wimmera through programs such as English language classes and accessing support including Centrelink.

“These services make a difference to people’s lives and we are working closely with providers to ensure people can access those services, so

they can contribute everything they can to the region,” he said.

Mr Sounness said WSM Development’s Wimmera Settlement Services also supported migrants in their pathway to permanent residency.

“Settlement Services helps people navigate and build a network and connect them to people and services who can support them and to help them feel connected and part of the community,” he said. “In rural communities, if you have lived there your whole life and feel connected, you might think everyone feels the same — but it’s not always the case.”

Mr Sounness said advocacy relating to childcare accessibility and provisions in the region, along with his organisation’s Leadership Wimmera development programs, were two examples of initiatives supporting and enhancing the lives of millennial residents.

“If millennials are helping make decisions about how their communities will look into the future, they will be among the people to reap the rewards,” he said. “Everyone has different needs and wants, and that’s why diversity, and diverse voices, is so important. Leadership development allows more voices to be heard, so we can strive for a better future.”

RAI chief executive Liz Ritchie said regional leaders told the RAI population growth strained existing social and physical infrastructure and ‘substantial’ investment was needed in areas such as housing, healthcare and schools.

She said while the pandemic was a significant catalyst for capital to regional migration, the report, and its earlier counterpart, showed increased movement between cities and rural areas was a trend that had been building for a decade.

“Australia is in the midst of a regional renaissance,” she said.

“We need governments, policymakers, leaders and community to work together to support regional Australia through this period of change.”

People can view the Big Movers 2023 report online via regionalaustralia.org.au

WEEK 12 – Ending 17-9-23

SPIRIT: Dianne Koenig, Anne Clugston, Chris Becker and Anne Plozza of Horsham Elgas were among Wimmera businesses and people to support the inaugural Reverse Advent Calendar initiative last year. People can collect boxes from Horsham Sports and Community Club to make a contribution to this year’s initiative from next week.

Christmas donation campaign

A Wimmera campaign supporting people at Christmas time will launch on Monday.

Horsham Sports and Community Club is leading the Reverse Advent Calendar initiative for a second year, calling on people, groups and businesses to donate boxes containing a specified list of non-perishable items.

This year’s campaign starts some weeks earlier to enable Horsham’s Christian Emergency Food Centre to distribute the boxes across the Wimmera leading into Christmas. The shopping list includes canned fruit, soup and spaghetti; staples such as sugar and flour; meal bases such as rice, pasta and sauces and ready-to-eat, non-perishable meals; cereals and spreads;

coffee, tea and biscuits; and personal-care items including toothpaste and toothbrushes.

Horsham Sports and Community Club manager Glenn Carroll said the shopping list was revised from last year’s campaign, which gathered 440 boxes filled with goods.

“That’s so the Christian Emergency Food Centre volunteers can pack the boxes down and it makes it safer for them to handle,” he said.

“If people want to donate extra items, we’ll take them and deliver them — but please put them in a separate bag.”

Mr Carroll said the campaign received positive feedback, with schools across the region, which were significant contributors last year,

particularly keen to get involved again.

“Collecting boxes last year, you could see the smiles on the children’s faces, knowing they had helped someone else; and that was generally the same reaction across the board,” he said.

“Hopefully people get on board again and understand the benefits across the wider community.”

The initiative has support from Horsham churches, Christian Emergency Food Centre, Horsham Sports and Community Club, Caledonian Transport and 3WM, MIXX FM and The Weekly Advertiser

People can collect a box and shopping list from Horsham Sports and Community Club.

Horsham

Seniors Festival

Monday 3 OctoberFriday 27 October

The Seniors Festival program is bursting with Council and community events encouraging people to stay independent and connected to their community.

2023 Program

Wednesday 4 October, 10am-4pm

Horsham and District Community Groups Expo

Organised by Horsham and District U3A Horsham Town Hall – 71 Pynsent Street, Horsham

Free, no booking required

The expo will be attended by community groups from the area, providing attendees with information about their services. Courtesy bus provided from Park Drive to Horsham Town Hall every 30 minutes from 10:30am to 4pm.

Friday 6 October, 2:30pm-5pm

Uke can Sing Together

Organised by Horsham Neighbourhood House

Horsham Neighbourhood House, 15 Robin Street, Horsham

Free, no booking required Silver Strings Ukelele Group will perform at the Neighbourhood House, which is sure to be an enjoyable afternoon for those attending.

Sunday 8 October, 2pm-4pm

Come and Try Croquet Afternoon

Organised by Horsham Croquet Club

Horsham Croquet Club, William Guilfoyle Drive, Horsham Free, no booking required

An afternoon of fun, club members will help new people to play the game. Tea and coffee supplied.

Wednesday 11 October, 2pm-4pm

Natimuk & District Senior Citizens High Tea

Organised by Natimuk & District Senior Citizens Natimuk Soldiers Memorial Hall, Main Street, Natimuk

Free, booking required (0429 846 273)

Members of the Natimuk & District Senior Citizens centre will invite non-members of Natimuk district to join them in a social event.

Wednesday 18 October, 1:30pm3:30pm

A fun day for all seniors

Organised by Kalimna Park Croquet Club

Kalimna Park Croquet Club, 14 park Drive, Horsham Free, no booking required

A fun day at Kalimna Park Croquet Club for seniors to play a range of fun games including skittles, sunrise, duck in the pond and Aussie croquet.

Thursday 19 October, 2pm-4pm

Let’s Dance

Organised by Hamilton Lamb Memorial Hall Committee

Hamilton Lamb Memorial Hall, Kalkee Road, Horsham North Free, no booking required

Old time rock n roll dancing followed by afternoon tea.

Friday 20 October, 9am

Tai Chi at Haven Hall

Organised by Fit4You Haven Haven Hall, 4378 Henty Highway, Haven $5, booking required (0487 313 909) Tai Chi class from 9am for 45 mins and can be done standing or sitting. Followed by a catered morning tea.

Sunday 22 October, 1:30pm-5pm

Music for the Young at Heart

Organised by Laharum Hall Committee

Laharum Hall, 1574 Northern Grampians road, Laharum

$20, no booking required

Performances from Russ Kellett and Chris Leskie at the Laharum Hall. Afternoon tea provided

Tuesday 24 October, 9:30-12pm

Horsham Seniors Concert

Organised by Horsham Rural City Council Horsham Church of Christ , 91 River Road, Horsham

Free, no booking required

‘Get Rhythm’s’ Elvis and Marylin Tribute Show will perform from 11am. Morning Tea provided from 9:30am.

Friday 27 October, 1:30pm

Tai Chi at Horsham Senior Citizens Centre

Organised by Fit4You Haven

Horsham Senior Citizens Centre, 17 Roberts Ave, Horsham $5, booking required (0487 313 909)

Tai Chi class from 1:30pm for 45 mins and can be done standing or sitting. Followed by a catered afternoon tea.

Strengthening communities

Wimmera and southern Mallee groups are among recipients of a record-breaking round of a grants program to strengthen communities.

The Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal, FRRR, announced more than 200 recipients sharing $2.7 million through its latest ‘Strengthening Rural Communities’ program last week — the most money awarded in any one round of the 25-year program’s history.

Projects will address diverse needs, including ongoing COVID and disaster recovery, strengthening community resilience and preparedness, and address small, yet vital, needs of communities.

Among recipients in the program’s ‘small and vital’ category were Arapiles Historical Society at Natimuk with $10,000 to sustain the work of older volunteers to collect, preserve and celebrate local history by repairing a damaged roof of an historic building; Rupanyup Primary School with $10,000 to install shade sails; and St Arnaud Community Resource Centre with $5000 for its FoodShare and volunteer kitchen project.

Recipients within the ‘rebuilding regional communities — micro’ category were Arapiles Community Theatre with $8162 for its Circus Jam project; Beulah Historic Learning and Progress Association with $10,000 for its Hoof and Harvest Festival; and Wimmera Women Connect with $7374 to undertake strategic planning and purchase resources and equipment to sustain the work of volunteers post-pandemic.

Grants were also awarded for bushfire recovery and flood recovery initiatives.

FRRR place portfolio lead Jill Karena said volunteers continued to find meaningful ways to support their communities. She said people and communities were shifting from responding to the immediate impacts of the pandemic, or other disasters, to looking at long-term recovery.

“One of the best parts of my job is seeing the way people in remote, rural and regional areas come together to support one another. We see it time and again in the projects put forward — usually led by volunteers, all of whom want to make things better for their community,” she said.

“I know it’s tough, as the diverse impacts of successive shocks — COVID and various disaster events — continue to ripple through communities.

“The mental health implications of this sustained stress are clear but so, too, is the commitment to improving things — especially by combatting social isolation.”

Ms Karena said the grants were made possible through donations from private individuals to larger foundations.

She said with a high demand for financial support, FRRR was calling on people and groups with capacity for additional partnerships to contact the non-profit organisation.

“Grant programs, like Strengthening Rural Communities, SRC, are one way that we can work with government, business and philanthropy to ensure communities remain attractive places to live and work,” she said.

People can go to frrr.org.au/src for a full list of recipients and to apply for the next round of funding, which closes on December 4.

Fostering creativity for all ages

Horsham Neighbourhood House is getting creative for term four.

Additional to regular programs and offerings, the House is preparing to host a range of events for people of all ages in October and November.

Manager Charlie Helyar said the House would host a mobile phone photography competition, in line with Get Online Week, with the theme of ‘nature’. He called on people to submit a photograph by Tuesday, October 10. All entries will be included in an exhibition on Tuesday, October 17 and Wednesday, October 18, where people can vote for their favourite photograph. People can enter, and vote, once.

“It’s up to the individual what they classify as nature,” he said.

A ‘Drawing on creativity’ workshop follows on Saturday, October 21, with a session for children aged five to nine from 9am to

noon, and a session for children aged 10 to 15 from 2pm to 5pm.

Artist Simon Dalton will lead the workshop, with funding support from the State Government, during Children’s Week.

“Children will get out in nature, in the backyard of the House, to do rubbings, drawings, texture works and photography all at the same time,” Mr Helyar said.

The inaugural Horsham Neighbourhood House Garage Sale is then scheduled for Saturday, November 11 from 8am to 4pm — part of an Australia-wide Garage Sale Trail initiative.

“We are encouraging people to buy a table and get rid of their pre-loved items,” he said.

“Being a post-COVID initiative, it also encourages people to get out into their communities well.”

Horsham Neighbourhood House is in Robin Street.

People can submit a photograph,

or register for the drawing or garage sale events, by emailing hello@horshamnh.com.au

Cyber safety

The community’s senior members have a chance to learn more about using the internet.

Information sessions, ideal for beginners or as a refresher, will address different types of websites and how to engage with them, search, bookmarking webpages, eSafety tips, printing webpages, and copyright.

Laptops will be provided.

The sessions are on Tuesday, October 3 at 10.30am at Horsham Neighbourhood House; and on Friday, October 6 at 10.30am at Horsham Library.

Limited places are available. People can book via the library on 5381 5707, email info@wim meralibraries.vic.gov.au or visit the library in person.

The team at OʼBrien and Smith Lawyers look forward to assisting with your legal needs.

OPTIONS: Charlie Helyar and Caeleb Warren of Horsham Neighbourhood House are preparing for a busy term four.

Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Harvest success

Spring is the perfect time to rejuvenate your financial habits as well as your garden.

Here are five ways to set you, and your garden, up for success:

Start with deciding what type of garden you want. In other words, get clear about what goals you want to achieve and by when.

Once you have your list of goals, prioritise them so you know where to focus your efforts.

If a goal is large and will take some time to achieve, set yourself smaller goals with shorter time frames along the way.

Secondly, pull out the weeds.

You don’t see garden designers on TV rushing in to plant a new garden without getting rid of the weeds first. In financial terms, this is the same as eliminating bad debt.

Bad debt is debt used to purchase things that don’t go up in value, such as cars and household goods.

Financing purchases with credit card debt where the entire balance isn’t paid off each month, personal loans and perhaps ‘buy now, pay later’ facilities mean paying very high interest rates or late fees. Your total cost ends up much more than the original purchase price.

These are your weeds. Pull them out and don’t let them take hold again.

Thirdly, a key element to a flourishing garden is good soil. For us, this is managing cash flow.

For many people, our income is fairly consistent so the focus is on managing outflows.

Think of this as a spending plan, not a budget.

The ‘B’ word has a strong association with denial and, much like a diet, too much restriction can be counter-productive.

Be honest when completing it, as you need to know exactly where your cash is going.

It’s a chance to look at your spending and think about your goals. Is the enjoyment you get from three streaming services more than what you will get from achieving your goal?

Tip: Ways to reduce spending often require

FINANCE focus

with Robert Goudie CFP GradDipFP Consortium Private Wealth

some planning — such as taking lunch to work, which can save a heap of money. Too rushed to do it in the morning? Make something the night before, and remember to take it with you the next day.

Next, it’s time to plant your garden and this is where things start to take shape.

Gardens often start small, so think of this as your initial investment which, over time, becomes larger and larger. In your financial life, this is the power of compounding.

To help those initial plants fill out your garden quicker, you can add small plants over time.

This is known as dollar cost averaging or adding regularly to your initial investment to boost the effect of compounding.

Lastly, your garden will appreciate some help to guard against pests and disease and, in the same way, it’s a good idea for you to protect your biggest asset — your ability to earn income.

Income protection and other types of life insurance can protect you against unexpected events and prevent all the hard work you’ve put into your financial garden from unravelling.

Success requires commitment because, just like droughts which affect your garden, there will be times when reaching your goal seems hard going. Don’t abandon your dreams.

With clear goals, elimination of bad debt, a realistic cash flow plan, disciplined regular saving and protection of your biggest asset, you will be harvesting rewards season after season.

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

Big chop for a good cause

Two Stawell Secondary College students had a haircut for a special cause.

Year-11 student Klancy Repper decided to fundraise and donate her hair, in support of her cousin Zac, who has Alopecia, an auto-immune disease.

Klancy’s classmate Liam O’Shannessy also cut and donated his hair as part of the initiative.

“The event day at school was a success with myself and Liam both cutting our hair at lunchtime in front of other students and teachers,” Klancy said.

“We ran a barbecue and auctioned off a hair wash and style, organised a casual dress day with a gold coin donation

and all the proceeds went towards Alopecia research.

“So far we have raised almost $3000.”

She said a family connection led to her starting the fundraiser.

“My cousin Zac has Alopecia, so I have seen him struggle over the years with this auto-immune disease,” Klancy said.

“I had done a similar thing five years ago at primary school, cutting 36cm off my hair. This time I cut 50cm off my hair, donated it to Wigs for Kids and raised money for research into a cure for Alopecia.”

She said cutting her hair was daunting but the purpose behind it made it easier.

“I was a little nervous about cutting my hair, but it’s going to go to great use,” Klancy said.

“It will be made into a wig for a child who has lost their hair due to Alopecia, cancer treatment or other medical problems.

“I think my cousin and my family are proud of my efforts to help try to raise money for an important cause that is close to all our hearts.”

She said people could still donate to the fundraiser online via the Australia Alopecia Areata Foundation website aaafhairdonation.gofundraise. com.au and searching ‘Klancy Repper’.

DONATION: Stawell students Klancy Repper and Liam O’Shannessy have donated their hair to help make wigs while raising money and awareness of Alopecia.

Celebrating community passion

Kaniva Agriculture and Pastoral Society’s Louise Hobbs won the 2023 Victorian Agricultural Society’s Rural Ambassador award during the Royal Melbourne Show at the weekend.

She was representing the Wimmera Agricultural Society and, as Victorian winner, will go on to compete at national finals next year.

The award is presented to a person aged between 20 and 30 years-old who shows ‘outstanding’ participation in their community and show.

Miss Hobbs said she was surprised to win, with five worthy candidates also contesting the award.

“It’s an advocacy position that works to get more young people involved in agriculture shows,” she said.

“I am hoping to also implement a senior schools competition that aligns with the years-11 and 12 curriculum so teachers will be supported in their delivery and it can be presented at local shows to encourage involvement.”

Miss Hobbs said agriculture shows were more than rides and food.

“Agriculture shows showcase the talents of people in our region and demonstrate the true spirit of agriculture in our towns,” she said.

Miss Hobbs said it was ‘fantastic’ to represent the region as the third Wimmera state ambassador, and the first since 2012. Previous winners were Donald’s Rose Harris, 2011, and Dimboola’s Kate Cross, 2012.

Corruption perceptions

An Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission, IBAC, survey has revealed a majority of state politicians and local government councillors believe corruption is a problem.

Feedback from Victorian MPs and councillors informed the ‘Perceptions of Corruption’ survey.

The survey, which MPs and councillors volunteered to complete, builds on a 2022 survey of state and local government employees, Victoria Police employees, business suppliers and the community.

The online survey was sent to all Victorian MPs and councillors in May and 159 people participated.

it was a problem among elected officials. Favouritism and nepotism, breaches of professional boundaries, misuse of resources and collusion were identified as the most common risks facing MPs and councillors.

Councillors appeared to be more aware of how to report corruption, at 88 percent, compared to MPs, 61 percent.

Councillors said they were more likely than other cohorts to have personally observed corrupt behaviour, compared to MPs or local government employees.

Miss Hobbs has been entering her show since age six.

She has been a steward of Kaniva’s photography section for 10 years. She is a member of the Kaniva Show committee and co-ordinates its social media and marketing strategy.

Awards honour those who preserve past

Entries for the Victorian Community Historical Awards, recognising community and history groups, writers and historians, are now open.

The awards are presented through a partnership between the Public Record Office of Victorian and the Royal Historical Society of Victoria.

They celebrate the people and groups involved in history projects that tell local stories and promote a better understanding of the past.

There are a large number of categories, with each including a cash prize.

Past winners include creators of walking tours, mobile phone apps and

Drung – 7533 Western Highway, Drung Premium farming package & lifestyle

288 hectares or 712 acres in 4 titles.

websites, writers of non-fiction books, history groups, museums and exhibitors of history-related displays.

Entries close on October 13.

More information on the award categories, and how to enter is available via prov.vic.gov.au/community/ grants-and-awards

IBAC prevention and communication executive director, Linda Timothy, said IBAC sought the opinions of MPs and councillors to better understand their knowledge of corruption; perceptions of the prevalence of corruption; and awareness and attitude towards reporting corruption.

“It was important to gather the views of Victoria’s elected representatives,” she said. “It helps us to better target our corruption prevention, detection and education efforts to address corruption risks and vulnerabilities across the whole public sector.”

The survey showed 73 percent of councillors and 68 percent of MPs believed corruption was a problem in Victoria; while 59 percent of councillors and 61 percent of MPs agreed

For example, 64 percent of respondents personally observed or suspected a breach of professional boundaries in the past year compared to 39 percent of MPs, 46 percent of public sector employees and 37 percent of local government employees.

Dr Timothy said one of the interesting findings in the report was learning that while most councillors and MPs said they would report corruption if they observed it, not all of them knew how to do so.

“IBAC has work to do in educating our political representatives on IBAC’s role and functions,” she said.

Dr Timothy said the survey findings also revealed some councillors and MPs were unclear when inappropriate behaviour became corruption.

“If our elected officials are unsure what corruption looks like, then it can go unreported,” she said.

Charam-Wombelano Road, Charam Vic Versatile Grazing/Cropping land

271.5ha / 571 acres

This may very well be a once in a lifetime opportunity to secure some prime cropping land in a very tightly held area close to Horsham.

Improvements include an impressive 4 bedroom modern brick home with sensational mountain views along with excellent shedding, and close to Taylors Lake and Green Lake for recreational activities.

FOR AUCTION: Friday, October 20 2023 @ 1.00pm if not SOLD prior

Venue: Haven Hall

Auction Terms: 10% deposit with Settlement 29th March 2024.

For full details please call Mark Clyne

M 0417 568 200 or 5381 1131

Offered for genuine sale is 271.5 hectares or 571 acres of versatile grazing/cropping land located 13kms northeast of Edenhope in the Charam area.

The property has excellent fencing suitable for sheep or cattle, 3.2 km central gravel track, a 2-stand shearing shed, new sheep yards, a brand-new solar bore pump including troughs along with 3 reliable catchment dams. Soil types consist of heavy brown to undulating grey loams suitable for a range of farming uses.

For Sale by Expressions of Interest

Closing 1.00pm Thursday 9th November 2023

For full details please call Mark Clyne M 0417 568 200 or 5381 1131

STATE RECOGNITION: Kaniva’s Louise Hobbs will represent Victoria at next year’s national Agricultural Society’s Rural Ambassador awards after winning a state award at the weekend.

ADAPTING TO CHANGE EVENT

Show shines with change, tradition

Horsham Show’s move to a Friday evening and Saturday time slot has proven to be a hit, with improvements already in the works after the weekend’s festivities.

Horsham Agricultural Society secretary Andrea Cross said this year’s show had been a success, with ‘perfect’ weather aiding the two-day event.

“We had a great show. Our numbers were as good as last year, which has really encouraged us to believe our show has a purpose in the community,” she said.

“Our entries in a few of the different categories, including the yard dog trials, had to close because we got so many.”

Mrs Cross said entries in other areas were not as high, but new entrants left her hopeful for the future of the show.

“In the maker’s pavilion they were on par with last year, if not a little bit lower, and we are looking at how we can remedy that in the future,” she said.

“In saying that, we had new people entering in the maker’s pavilion who had never done it

before and some have already put their hand up to volunteer for next year.”

Mrs Cross said lessons from the first show to take place on a Friday evening and continue into Saturday would guide the event going forward.

“That was interesting — especially the new element of Horsham Show ‘After Dark’,” she said.

“It was an opportunity to delve into how late our show could go.

“After this year’s effort to keep people engaged at the show as late as possible, we’ve learned that after the fireworks are done, there will be people who continue on the rides but families tend to leave.”

Mrs Cross said the show committee would discuss successful elements, and those that required attention, as the group looks to continue to improve the event for next year — with several new items proving a hit.

“The wine tasting has gained a lot of support from local producers and it’s certainly something we can grow,” Mrs Cross said. “It’s always nice to keep the show fresh and alive.”

‘Tis the season as towns come alive

Horsham show on Friday and Saturday kicked off a run of agricultural and pastoral shows across the Wimmera this spring.

Murtoa’s Big Weekend across the weekend of October 6 to 8 will feature the town’s annual show on Friday.

Goroke show is scheduled for October 7, followed by Warracknabeal on October 12 and Kaniva on October 14.

Hindmarsh shire will be a hive of activity with the Rainbow show on October 17, Nhill

show on October 19, Dimboola show on October 21 and Jeparit show on October 22.

Stawell and Ararat shows will round out a jam-packed month of shows, with events on October 28 and 29, respectively.

Edenhope show is scheduled for November 18 to finish the year of shows in the Wimmera while Natimuk show occurs in March.

People wanting more information about indi vidual show events can go to vicagshows.com. au/welcome

Look and Play

Growing gold

A solid moisture profile and hopes of spring rain will set-up Wimmera crops for a promising finish. Drung farmer Ken Schilling, with his six-year-old kelpie Chloe, is cautiously optimistic about the quality and quantity of crop this year. More, page 27.

Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Farmers at heart of climate solution

BY ABBY WALTER

Developers of a biogas plant in Ararat say the project will give farmers a ‘proactive’ way to lower emissions.

Ararat Bioenergy, led by project developer Valorify, will transform cereal straw and stubble into renewable gas that will be injected into the mains network.

The company would source stubble from farms in the region, where it is burned-off each season.

Valorify managing director Scott Grierson said the company had built a ‘fantastic rapport’ with the district’s farmers.

“It takes a bit of faith to get something like this off the ground, because we’re trying to do something that has never been done in Australia before,” he said.

He said there appeared to be several drivers behind farmers’ involvement.

“One is they have a real commitment to community economic development and doing the right thing for the region,” he said.

“There’s a theme which comes through that there’s an altruistic motive for a lot of them. They want to see this for the community because it will deliver new investment and jobs.

“The second thing is, in a lot of other jurisdictions around the developing world, we see governments are moving to regulate against crop stubble burn-off.

“The change meant farmers had to be creative about what they were going to do with this mega-galactic pile of stuff they accumulate at the end of each harvest season.”

Dr Grierson said there was an expectation the same regulations would occur in Australia, although there was no timeline established for the change.

“This change is coming and when it comes, people need to have a solution for what they’re going to do with that material,” he said.

“This project provides them with a market for that and provides economic reward for putting it to work.

“The third point is that this has fantastic environmental and economic benefits. From a greenhouse gas emis-

sions reduction perspective, this puts substantial scale of renewable gas into the Australian domestic gas supply and that’s a great outcome.”

Dr Grierson said biogas provided an alternative for commercial and industrial consumers, which could not easily electrify.

“This solution gives them the ability to decarbonise their businesses, including in terms of transport, sustainable aviation fuel, renewable diesel and bioethanol and low carbon shipping,” he said.

“All of these things become possible when you make better use of these agricultural residues that have traditionally been discarded or combusted in the paddock and generally treated as a low-grade waste without much utility.”

Dr Grierson said there had been discussions about the chance of rolling blackouts in Victoria during summer.

He said retirement of aging coalfired generators, at a faster rate than expected, and a question mark about renewable capacity to cover the gap was part of the cause.

“Having renewable gas in volume in the market could provide firming capacity in the electricity market because one of the biggest potential customers for offtake of the gas is coming from gas-fired generators,” he said.

“Our view is if you have renewable gas, you can utilise the existing pipeline network and it’s underground, so a gas pipeline enables both transport of energy and storage of energy at a fraction of the cost of the electricity network and forms of large utilitystyle storage.

“This is the lowest cost pathway to keeping costs of electricity down while enabling the growth of more wind and solar without having to criss-cross the landscape with quite as much transmission infrastructure.”

Dr Grierson said farmers had been excluded from conversations and solutions regarding climate change for some time.

“Farmers are inherently predisposed to caring for the environment — that’s what they do and that’s how they get an income,” he said.

“This project provides a solution

that puts them right at the heart of that debate in actual solutions and I think that’s immensely exciting.

“It brings farmers back to a space they should rightly occupy and take a leading role in.”

Dr Grierson said he was often asked why Ararat was chosen as the location to establish the first of what the company hopes will eventuate to 20 bioenergy plants.

He said Ararat Rural City Council was a major supporter and partner in the project’s establishment.

“The Ararat catchment has some of the most reliable and fertile land in the country for cereal cropping,” he said.

“One of the challenges will be how to manage inter-seasonal variation due to climate change and usual cyclical variations we see in farming, but Ararat has the advantage of being a solid, productive, long-term, multi-seasonal yield region.

“Nothing is ever going to be 100 percent predictable but compared to a lot of other parts of the country, there is less volatility.”

Counselling available

Australian charity, Rural Aid is encouraging farmers to contact them for assistance as the Bureau of Meteorology officially declares an El Niño event.

Rural Aid chief executive John Warlters said the bureau’s announcement last week had confirmed many producers’ fears.

“The announcement of the El Niño weather pattern will bring a lot of unwelcome memories to the surface for our farmers, who have been anxiously watching land and waterways dry up,” he said.

“Thousands of farmers are already managing their land with a view to drought, but the El Niño announcement makes that approach all the more important.

“We’ve already seen a huge increase in requests for emergency hay and household drinking water from farmers right across the country,” Mr Warlters said.

“In the past four months, requests to Rural Aid for emergency drinking water have increased by 240 percent and our free water tank offer was exhausted in just four hours, with more than 95 applications.

“We’re aiming to deliver another 50 water tanks by the end of this year to meet demand.

“This El Niño declaration is a particularly upsetting moment for our farmers. It means conditions are likely to get worse before they get better.

SILLY SEASON: Christmas is three months away and Dadswells Bridge turkey farmer Daryl Deutscher is preparing for his busiest time of year. He said while it was ‘always turkey season’ and he supplied turkeys year-round to people and businesses, he was ‘flat out’ when preparing for Christmas. “People have passions in life. Some collect stamps or fly planes and a few of us farm turkeys,” he said. Mr Deutscher has been farming turkeys for more than 40 years at his 80-acre property. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

“The past drought was regarded as the worst in living memory for the majority of the country, and it’s understandable that many farmers are scared of going through that again.”

Rural Aid offers primary producers a range of assistance measures including financial, hay, drinking water, counselling and volunteer assistance.

“I’m encouraging farmers who are finding themselves overwhelmed to give our rurally-based counselling team a call for a free chat, to make sure they’re in the best possible position they can be to take on the upcoming seasons.”

People can register online at rural aid.org.au or phone 1300 327 624.

Rural Aid’s counsellors can be reached at 1300 175 594.

Oversupply plummets prices

BY ABBY WALTER

Sheep prices are plummeting after several consecutive good seasons resulted in an oversupply.

Australian Livestock and Property Agents Association president Peter Cabot said there were several reasons for low prices, which was affecting farmers nationally, including in the Wimmera.

“We have the highest sheep numbers we’ve had in Australia for 20 years and that would primarily be on the back of three to four really good seasons in the eastern states,” he said.

“With that, we had massive commodity prices, so everyone bred more sheep, they retained old ewes for an extra year, they joined young ewes and fertility genetics have ramped up over the years which means a massive oversupply.”

Mr Cabot said the oversupply had exacerbated issues at abattoirs which already weren’t processing at full capacity.

“During COVID, abattoirs shut down. Because many staff are from overseas, we’ve had a lot of trouble getting them back and none of the abattoirs are quite running at full capacity yet,” he siad.

“They’re getting close, but it has taken a lot longer than we thought.”

Mr Cabot said many export markets were recessional, which was leading to a lack of confidence in the market.

“The big issue, I believe, is the issue of the Federal Government electing to stop the live export of sheep,” he said.

“It had a massive effect in Western Australia. A lot of those sheep came across the border in the initial stages but now they’re not worth enough, so farmers can’t pay the freight to get across.

“That also had a big effect on our numbers in the east and their decision to phase-out live export is an incorrect decision.”

In the Wimmera, Graham Pymer’s market report for Horsham Regional Livestock Exchange on Wednesday last week demonstrated how prices had changed compared to last spring.

Medium and heavy trade-weight young lambs sold for up to $127 a head and heavy weights sold for up to $150 a head.

In comparison, medium and heavy trade-weight young lambs sold for up to $222, with heavier weights selling for up to $238 a head at the same time last year.

Restockers paid from $15 to $74 a head for young lambs last week, compared to between $109 and $139 a head at the same time last year.

Light trade weights sold from $89 to $97 a head, down from $147 to $171 a head 12 months ago.

Medium trade weights sold from $113 to $118 a head, down from $178 to $209 a head last year.

Heavy trade weights sold from $118

to $127 a head compared to $196 to $222 a head in 2022.

Heavy merino ewes sold from $21 to $48 a head while merino ewes sold to $166 at the same time last year.

Crossbred ewes were down by $140 on last year — from $165 a head to $25 a head.

Mr Cabot said sheep were selling for well below the cost of production.

“When the value of sheep becomes so low, all of a sudden people don’t elect to feed them because the exit price point isn’t enough,” he said.

Mr Cabot said during more than 30 years in the industry, he had seen

Inspection reminder

Agriculture Victoria has reminded livestock owners to inspect animals before loading them for transport, ensuring the animal is not suffering from conditions that could cause increased pain or distress.

Senior veterinary officer Jeff Cave said the person in charge of the animal was responsible for its welfare.

He said when in doubt about an animal’s suitability for transport, people could consult a private veterinarian or any Agriculture Victoria animal health officer or veterinary officer.

prices both worse, and better, than current prices.

“A lot of older people say nothing fixes high prices like high prices but what I would say is nothing fixes low prices like low prices either,” he said.

“There will come opportunities with where the prices are that will hopefully drag them back up.

“Australia has the premium brand in sheep and lamb meat across the world — it is much desired, considered green and free of antibiotics and hormones and while we are going through what we are at the moment, it won’t last and markets will open up.”

An animal is not fit to load if it is not able to walk normally or bear weight on its legs; is not strong enough to make the journey; is suffering from severe distress or injury; is in a condition that could cause it increased pain or distress during transport; is blind in both eyes; or is in late pregnancy.

Dr Cave said if an animal was unfit to load, owners had options.

“You could treat the animal and transport it when it has recovered and is fit to load,” he said.

“Alternatively, you could humanely destroy the animal. A knackery service is available in many areas to help with this option. Finally, you could consult a veterinarian and only transport the animal under advice.”

People wanting more information can contact Agriculture Victoria on 136 186.

When you scrap it, you BANK IT!

LOW PRICES: Mathew McDonald, Will Schilling, Pat Dunn and Wayne Driscoll of AWN Livestock at a Horsham Regional Livestock Exchange sheep sale. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Outlook is cautiously optimistic

BY ABBY WALTER

Wimmera

farmers are hopeful this season’s crops will remain in good condition leading into harvest.

Soil moisture from heavy rain last year, along with consistent rain in early winter, had crops off to a solid start — with canola, in particular, flourishing.

Meanwhile, the looming threat of an El Niño spring and summer has come to fruition after the Bureau of Meteorology declared the climate pattern would bring hot, dry conditions this season.

Drung farmer Ken Schilling said while it was predicted to be a dry season, he was cautiously feeling the crops were close to perfect at this stage.

“As always, rain about the time of the Horsham Show, which was on the weekend, would finish the job off,” he said.

A worker and friend

There wouldn’t be many stronger bonds than one between a farmer and their dog.

Six-year-old kelpie Chloe might be Drung farmer Ken Schilling’s dog, but he is also her human.

Mr Schilling said Chloe could find him no matter what. Whether he was spraying paddocks kilometres away or harvesting down the road, Chloe always knows where he is.

“It’s like she has a radar,” he said.

Chloe once tried to follow Mr Schilling on a trip to deliver hay up north, but only got as far as Green Lake before she was recognised and promptly returned to the farm.

Mr Schilling said Chloe was a smart dog who was good with sheep.

“I had a stock agent visit and showed him why I didn’t need yards when she was doing exactly as she was told. They said they’d never seen anything like it,” he said.

Mr Schilling said he was selling part of his property next month to downscale operations, but was yet to break the news to Chloe.

“As long as we don’t get a run of hot days, the crops should make it.”

Mr Schilling said he was fencing recently and noticed the soil had a full profile of moisture.

“The crops, particularly canola, forged ahead of schedule this season,” he said.

“The temperature, although it didn’t feel it, was milder than a normal year which meant the crops advanced more and, barring frost, that’s a good thing.”

Rupanyup farmer Andrew Weidemann, also Grain Producers Australia southern director and research spokesperson, said Wimmera and Mallee groups were holding up ‘pretty well’.

“We have stored water, which is good, but hot days can impact crops and everything will depend on daytime temperatures from now on,” he said.

“The availability of urea meant nitrogen reserves may not have been adequate for all crops and that could have an impact, too.

“With an El Niño announced, we will likely see more heat and potential for frost so we’re still cautious.”

Mr Weidemann said this year was a tale of two seasons.

“In the beginning, it was an unprecedented start and it was wet, so farmers were battling slugs in pretty much everything,” he said.

“Now we’re moving into El Niño conditions which, unfortunately, could impact the finish.

“Canola was off to a terrific start with great water reserves so, without frost, I believe it’s almost home and will be one of the better crops this year.

“We would love some more rain and any we get now is worth double because of the timing.”

Murra Warra farmer, David Jochinke, also National Farmers Federation vice-president, said the Wimmera was facing a ‘goldilocks scenario’.

“We had a reasonable season to start — it was wet, but not too wet,

and now with an El Niño it will get drier,” he said.

“Unless anything unforeseen happens, harvest could produce aboveaverage results.

“Farmers are optimistically cautious, and any rain we get in spring will equal profit.”

Mr Jochinke said while there were strong prices in the cropping sector, mixed and livestock farmers were experiencing pain.

“Low prices in the livestock portfolio show that agriculture is a game of diversifying for risk and capitalising on opportunities,” he said.

Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics, ABARES, is predicting a solid agriculture season across the country despite an El Niño.

Executive director Jared Greenville said while the sector was not likely to break records, it remained strong.

“After a record $92-billion result in the 2022-23 financial year, the forecast 14 percent decrease will see value

fall to $80 billion in 2023-24 because of drier domestic conditions and an expected fall in global commodity prices,” he said.

“As we come out of a higher rainfall La Niña period and move into a drier El Niño climate, it is expected that below-average rain and warmer temperatures will reduce Australian crop yields and production from the previous year’s record highs.

“Total crop production value is set to fall 20 percent in 2023-24 to $46 billion.

“National winter crop production is expected to be around 45.2 million tonnes, slightly below the 10-year average.

“It is also expected that summer crop plantings will fall from last year but remain above average, due to lower rain forecast for spring and summer being buffered by high levels of water storages.”

Higher yield gained

LongReach Plant Breeders’ new wheat variety, Soaker, is opening opportunities for farmers.

Soaker, derived from Scepter, has one imidazolinone tolerance gene and is a new approach to IMI systems management in the wheat phase with APW Quality, SA and Victoria.

Grains Innovation Australia, GIA, bred Soaker, which is developed by LongReach as part of an ‘innovative wheat program’ to develop new IMI products for growers.

GIA derived Soaker from Scepter with 1xIMI tolerance gene being selected in field herbicide screens without crossing to existing varieties.

LongReach spokesman Colin Edmondson said the company had widely tested Soaker in Victoria and South Australia since 2019.

“Our long-term trials have shown that Soaker has slightly higher yield than Scepter with similar mid maturity, disease, and growth habit,” he said.

He said the addition of 1xIMI tolerance gene meant Soaker could shield the wheat crop from IMI residual carryover after crops such as lentils, beans and canola in the previous year while delivering the high yield of a ‘Scepter type’.

“This is especially important in years when conditions dry up after winter application of IMI products and we don’t get the required rainfall to break down IMI residues before planting wheat the following year,” he said.

“This is exactly the situation many lentil growers are in this season with the need for a ‘Soaker Wheat option’ widely discussed at spring field days. “The other exciting thing about Soaker is that it is available to be farmer to farmer traded, which allows ease of access in seasons with higher IMI carryover risk from the previous year.”

Mark Schilling of AG Schilling and Co, the exclusive distributor of Soaker, said ‘trading across the fence’ was a bonus. He said Soaker should be strategically targeted as a rotation product to reduce the risk of IMI residues in the wheat phase. With the rapid expansion of lentils in particular, a residual specialist helps preserve IMI chemistry for the pulse phase while protecting wheat yield. Mr Schilling said people wanting more information about 2024 seed availability could phone 08 8825 7224 or go to agschilling.com.au

BEST MATES: Drung farmer Ken Schilling and his six-year-old kelpie, Chloe, have an unbreakable bond. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Call to listen

Victoria Farmers Federation members and board directors will meet this week to discuss a pathway forward after two resolutions to call an extraordinary general meeting, EGM, were dismissed.

The VFF board denied a motion from members calling for an extraordinary general meeting to dissolve the board and spill elected positions.

Former grain group presidents Brett Hosking and Andrew Weidemann moved the motion in June after a meeting at St Arnaud found members felt disengaged from VFF leadership.

A motion to replace president Emma Germano and vice-president Danyel Cucinotta later followed.

But the VFF board, in a statement, said it had determined the request was defective.

“The request proposes that the members can remove the president and vice-president and install a new president and vice-president without holding an election,” the statement said.

“This is contrary to the Constitutionally enshrined democratic election process under the federation’s Constitution.”

The board said it noted it was the second defective call for an EGM.

“The previous request was invalid, unconstitutional and would have put the federation in immediate breach of

Philosophy strives for consistency

the Corporations Act 2001,” the statement said.

“The board believes that certain members disagree with the prudent and difficult decisions of the board, including among other things: To retire debt of the federation in part by selling the Credit Suisse-managed securities portfolio of the federation; to limit unnecessary organisational spending and insisting upon financial accountability; and to consult on potential constitutional reform.”

Mr Hosking said a meeting this week would enable members and the board to discuss steps towards a resolution.

“The next step for us is effectively going to court,” he said.

“The advice we have is the board made an incorrect decision, so it’s a simple process for us to take it to a judge to decide — which could have complicated consequences for the board.

“This meeting is a courtesy to see if they have an appetite to listen to their members and we’ll leave it in their hands.”

The board had recently announced its intentions to host an EGM on November 20 to amend the Constitution.

After feedback from members calling for more consultation, the EGM was cancelled and voting on proposed amendments will occur at an annual general meeting in February.

all POLY REPAIRS

Melrose Merino Stud at Nurrabiel is looking forward to its annual on-property auction as ram sale season begins across the region.

The stud will offer a line-up of 60 rams, 40 poll and 20 horn rams on property on Wednesday, October 11.

Its Merinoselect Australian Sheep Breeding Values and indexes showed its rams lift fleece weight, increase the number of lambs weaned and reduce micron.

Melrose Merino Stud’s Warren Russell said breeding sheep at Melrose revolved around utilising all tools available.

“This includes independent opinion and advice from renowned sheep classer Chris Bowman, using ASBVs and indexing in a considered approach to aid in classing ewes and selecting sires for breeding,” he said.

“The Melrose breeding philosophy is a balance of technology and tried and true methods of breeding sheep.

“This approach achieves measured improvements with animals that will breed predictably, profitably and true to type, every time.”

The Melrose on-property auction of 60 rams last year sold to a top price of $8000 for a 110-kilogram, 17.3-micron PP poll ram.

Range View Merino Stud, WA, purchased the ram — a reserve champion superfine poll ram at Bendigo Sheep and Wool Show 2022.

QUALITY: Melrose Merino Stud’s Warren Russell with a grand champion superfine ewe earlier this year.

WORKING HARD: The Horsham Show Yard Dog Trials were a feature of the weekend’s Horsham Show with open, novice and encourage categories for sheep dogs and their owners. Ash Carvana was among the entrants, working with his dog Go Getta and herding around the yards.

Shared value of ‘turf’

For a long time, agriculture has been the mainstay of many rural communities.

And it’s a fantastic industry — the only one I can think of that makes new wealth, year after year after year.

Increasingly, though, we’re seeing other industries looking to share the same ‘turf’ as farmers.

And if the new arrivals don’t engage in a constructive manner right from the beginning, it regularly leads to mistrust, delays and sometimes abandonment of a proposed investment.

The first example I recall of this was CRA’s discovery of large mineral sands deposits in the Wimmera in the 1980s.

To be fair, farmers and miners probably began from a position of mutual distrust in those days.

But this wasn’t aided by what the farmers viewed as a disrespectful attitude by a large corporate in the way they engaged with family farms.

It felt like the corporate strategy was, ‘we’ll listen politely for a while, have a couple of public meetings, then get on with the job’.

People who don’t understand the country way can often mistake polite listening for acceptance of the spiel.

They underestimate our ability to sense when engagement is disingenuous.

More recently, a wind farm devel-

From left field

with David Matthews

oper learned this the hard way as they rolled out plans to build turbines in south-west Victoria.

In their blueprint there was obviously a heading, ‘community engagement’.

The community liaison officer duly arranged the public meeting at the local hall. The company heavy weights arrived to give their pitch.

I suspect they thought it was going pretty well and were especially pleased with announcing the $4000 grant to repaint the hall; and didn’t sense the country folk would think $4000 in a $300-million investment would look a bit skinny.

But things deteriorated from there when, after 30 minutes or so of quite reasonable questions about land impact, access and ongoing farming operations, the head of the construction company became a bit impatient.

“Look” he said. “We’re really busy and have a tight schedule for this project. We’re happy to consult landowners but we just have to get on and build this wind farm.”

That went down well.

Pleasingly, though, some companies get it right.

The mineral sands deposit between Minyip and Donald is getting closer to full-scale development.

The company involved engages well with the community.

It provides regular detailed updates which incorporate commentary on everything from economic impact to radiological assessment, to impact on endangered plant species.

This open communication, even with the potentially controversial issues, builds trust.

You feel this company will be a good citizen and readily co-exist with the farming and broader community.

And it’s in our collective interest to embrace new, compatible industries.

We know continued consolidation in the farm sector is likely to threaten the viability of many rural towns.

We know climate volatility can create large fluctuations in revenues flowing into the rural economy.

Diversifying the economic base of rural Australia has so much upside.

So to the proponents of projects that may impact the existing land use, there’s a few things we could suggest. Engage early, openly and honestly. Don’t just think about shareholders; think about shared value.

And have a mindset to feed into the prosperity of our regions, not off it.

Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

CONNECTIONS: Chatsworth House Pastoral’s Tom and Sarah Whinney, with Upper Hopkins Land Management Group, will host a two-day event for the farming community to share knowledge and network.

Networking to enhance output

Upper Hopkins Land Management Group is partnering with members Sarah and Tom Whinney, of Chatsworth House Pastoral, to offer an opportunity for livestock and cropping farmers to connect and learn.

The theme of the Chatsworth House Field Days is ‘Bringing together farm business and natural capital’.

The two-day event is at Chatsworth House at Chatsworth, south-west of Lake Bolac, on October 4 and 5.

Attendees have the chance to expand their knowledge of natural capital in the context of the global economy, consumer trends, carbon and biodiversity markets and what it means for individual farm businesses.

There will be a focus on building natural capital, farm resilience and profitability.

Day one is a conference-style event, with speakers to encourage farmers to

think about natural capital and how to integrate it within their business to build resilience and profitability to meet consumer demands.

Speakers on day one include Rabobank agriculture and environment lead Lachlan Monsborough, Meat and Livestock Australia project manager Julia Waite, Rabobank’s Angus Gidley-Baird, Greenstock Woolworths’ Anna Speer, Soil Land Food’s David Hardwick, Resource Consulting Services’ Nic Kentish, and Bendigo and Adelaide Bank head of ESG and sustainability, Brooke Pettit.

Wilmot Cattle Co’s Stuart Austin, Down Under Covers’

Grant Sims, Rhynie Pastoral’s Jack Tucker and Mr and Mrs Whinney will host farmer sessions.

Shanna Wahn, co-founder of Sober in the Country, is guest speaker at a dinner to close the first day.

The morning of day two

will focus on how to account for natural capital and opportunities that exist around this, including soil carbon and biodiversity markets, carbon accounting and emissions reporting.

The session finishes with a panel discussion on soil carbon projects, with perspectives from both project developers and farmers.

Event speakers on day two include Atlas Carbon founder and chief executive Ashley Silver, Australian Soil Management’s Greg Bender, farmer and University of Melbourne PhD candidate Jonathon Jenkins, and an Accounting for Nature representative.

The afternoon session is a chance to join industry experts at Chatsworth House for a series of paddock walks with Mr Hardwick, Mr Kentish and agronomist Craig Drum.

Tickets are available via events.humanitix.com/2023field-day

Infrastructure upgrade support

Agricultural and pastoral societies can apply for a grants program, offering cash help of up to $10,000 to eligible projects.

The State Government program funds projects including new or upgraded facilities for the displays of arts and crafts,

upgraded fencing or areas used for shearing demonstrations, wool exhibits or judging of animals.

The program also offers funding to upgrade toilets, seating, disabled access, and electricity and water supply.

Variousagriculture commodity prices are fluctuating during spring, however, most have dropped since September 2022.

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry reported that Australian export prices, as of September 21, remained similar to winter, but had dropped since September last year.

Grain prices have decreased between 10 and 20 percent compared to the same time last year.

Milling wheat exported at $488 a tonne, feed wheat sold for $466 a tonne and feed barley exported at $405 a tonne.

Canola was exported at $820 a tonne.

Prices for mutton, lamb and live sheep as of Wednesday last week are significantly lower than in September last year.

Mutton was exporting at 126 cents a kilogram and lamb was exporting at 437 cents a kilogram.

Beef export prices are sitting at 413 cents a kilogram.

ANZ agribusiness industry insights director Michael Whitehead said the country was emerging from three ‘fantastic’ years of crop production.

“This year, everybody’s eyes are still on the sky — even in September,” he said. “Will more rain come and bring things to above average; will things dry out below current levels?

“At the moment everybody, by and large, is forecasting a return to average crop.”

He said current international dynamics and markets put a ‘positive spin’ on prices.

“While prices would normally have gone down a lot further because of ample Northern Hemisphere supplies, the continuing uncertainty is putting a floor underneath prices,” he said.

Mr Whitehead said uncertainty about rain, as

well as input prices and availability at the start of the season, meant the national crop could look different this year.

Barley exports also changed in the past month as the first shipment was sent to China after 80 percent tariffs, implemented in 2020, lifted.

South Australian-based Australian Grain Exports, AGE, secured the deal and barley trader Tyson Hewett said the tariff lifting had increased barley prices.

“It’s also a good time for buyers. Canada and Europe, our competitors, are nearing the end of their harvest, so they’re slowing down on sales and buyers are keen for Australia to fill that gap,” he said. “My grandfather used to say it doesn’t hurt to have barley in the rotation because it keeps the soil sweet, and can handle dry years.”

Mr Whitehead said in other commodities, sheep prices were down but he was hopeful it could present more opportunities in the market.

“If we look for one silver lining, if the price of sheep is down and therefore the export price is down it does make Australian sheep attractive to some other new markets or to grow in some existing markets,” he said.

“If that demand is built, hopefully that will be sustained going forward.”

Mr Whitehead said the wool industry was always one impacted when economic times became tough in other parts of the world.

“Consumers are tightening what they spend money on and that flows through to the wool market,” he said. “If we look reasonably ahead all forecasters say the economic tides will get better going forward and we need to make sure we are ready for that when that gets better and wool exports pick up again.”

Member for Lowan Emma Kealy said agricultural shows were a vital part of rural and regional life, offering important social connections.

Applications are available via agriculture.vic.gov.au and close on October 13.

Picture: GEORGIE MANN PHOTOGRAPHY

Power to people

Advancements in spotlight

Perennial Pasture Systems’

Protests

about renewable energy projects that include huge powerline infrastructure to be built in Victoria to connect solar and wind farms to the grid are starting to gain traction.

Federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King hit the front page of The Australian after she told the Australian Energy Market Operator, AEMO, to, “engage thoroughly and honestly with impacted communities … from project conception to construction and beyond.”

Why the outburst when renewable energy is being pursued with a vengeance from her Federal Government and other State Labor Governments?

Parts of Ms King’s electorate are in the path of the route of the Western Renewable Link — a 190-kilometre overhead high-voltage electricity transmission line that will carry renewable energy from solar and wind farms from Bulgana, north of Ararat, to Melbourne with towers more than 80 metres high.

“I have been shocked and disappointed by the lack of respect shown to communities and the lack of consideration

Country Today

with Libby Price

of their land uses, local government views and landscape,” Ms King said.

From the moment the plan was revealed, the bluntly named lobby group ‘Piss Off Ausnet’, based in the Ballarat and Daylesford region spoke against it.

Its Facebook page says: “We are concerned potato farmers, growers, landowners who object to AusNet’s above-ground substation, towers, transmissions lines proposed to destroy precious farm land and homes.

“We are fighting for food security against a battle for energy security. We advocate for the Western Victorian transmission line to go underground down the middle of the Western Highway. The land and easement is already there.”

The underground option is expensive. But Bruce Mountain, Victorian Energy Policy Centre director at Victoria University and an energy economist, has an alternative proposal.

“Our alternative plan might essentially be thought of as a brownfields plan. Upgrading the existing transmission lines means increasing the scope of the existing lines to carry more load or to add circuits to the lines, and we know this plan will mean much less new land to be occupied; it will host far more wind and solar capacity; and it will be much cheaper — less than half the price — and much quicker to achieve because it doesn’t impose greatly on the environment and on landholders,” Professor Mountain told Country Today

So why has the Andrews Government rejected plan B?

“I’ve agonised over this question. The government has said, essentially, they believe the information they are given by the Energy Market Operator,” Professor Mountain said.

“Yet they contradict each other on key points.

“For example, the market operator expects Victoria to become a very major energy importer, whereas the government says with this interconnection will be a major exporter.”

To quote Shakespeare, “Ill blows the wind that profits nobody.”

14th annual conference attracted 120 agriculture professionals to Ararat this month.

PPS farmers and non-member farmers, service providers and tertiary students participated in speaker sessions, a farm tour, annual meeting and dinner with a guest speaker.

The conference began with Lisa Warn of Warn Ag Consulting, who gave an updated financial analysis on a pasture investment project completed in 2018.

The ‘Greenfields Project’ was a full pasture and infrastructure analysis on land at Glenlofty, near Elmhurst, and Ms Warn presented results with 2023 prices and costs.

Cam Morris of Ag Diagnostics discussed management options to improve profitability on existing paddocks before a pasture renewal stage.

Professor Bill Malcolm of Melbourne University analysed farm expansion options.

Carlyn Sherriff of Pinion Advisory presented requirements for employing people including culture, professionalism, communications, workplace standards and compliance, and leadership.

Stuart Robinson, farm manager at Terrinallum Estate presented the practical onfarm aspect of how he became an employer of choice.

Think Agri’s Kate Burke proposed two strategies for building a shock-proof farming business in her presentation. Her proposals were embracing risk as essential to shockproofing a business, and qualitative and quantitative examination of farm performance.

Ballyrogan farmer Dan Jess joined Ms Burke to discuss how he has ‘bulletproofed’ his

farm Illoura Farms. The onfarm tour was to PPS member Tom Brady’s property ‘Jallukar Ridge’ at Rhymney.

The day ended with an annual conference dinner, including guest speaker Peter Jess, at Ararat RSL.

Two original committee members, Ben Greene and Simon Brady, stepped down and Emma Goodall and Marc Stevens were duly elected.

Outgoing president Matt Kindred stepped aside for vice-president Craig Altmann to take the reins.

NETWORKING: Perennial Pasture Systems members Paul Harrington of Mt Cole Creek, Ian Maconachie of Ballyrogan, and Ray Zippel of Laharum at Ararat.

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Trial insights

Birchip Cropping Group staff hosted about 500 farmers, agronomists, researchers and secondary school students at the organisation’s annual field day at Kinnabulla.

The BCG Main Field Day, earlier this month, was a chance to discuss the latest local agronomic research and information.

Chief executive Fiona Best said the event was a culmination of a year’s worth of planning and preparation, with the site showcasing more than 30 trials.

Board chair John Ferrier said he was pleased with the content delivered, along with the condition of the research site.

“We had some great trials on show with excellent messages for everyone in attendance,” he said.

More than 20 presenters shared their expertise, including BCG staff and industry experts.

Kenton Porker, CSIRO, and Kate Burke ThinkAgri, encouraged people to prepare for the upcoming warmer weather by knowing the critical stress periods of their respective crops in their presentation, ‘Frost and Heat Risk in 2023’.

They urged growers to be confident to inspect crops after a frost or heat stress, to manage expectations of harvest.

Hari Dadu, Josh Fanning and Chloe Findlay of Agriculture Victoria, with Foundation for Arable Research’s Nick Poole, generated discussion about disease management.

BCG’s Yolanda Plowman shared the objectives of a Farming Systems Trial, situated across the road from the 2023 main site, which will run until 2026.

“The research will go beyond shortterm productivity and consider profitability and sustainability over the longer term, including new systems that are currently uncommon in the southern Mallee,” Dr Plowman said.

BCG staff introduced attendees to on-site trials.

Brooke Bennett and Kelly Angel discussed wheat and barley varieties, Kate Finger and Angus Butterfield shared the results of a herbicide efficacy trial and Alison Frischke discussed oaten hay considerations.

About 130 secondary school students from the North Central LLEN region including Birchip, Donald, Wycheproof, Pyramid Hill, Tyrrell College and Bendigo bolstered the crowd.

The students participated in a specialised program featuring a careers panel, tour of the main site and treasure hunt designed to encourage interaction and exploration.

School tour finds futures focus

Goroke P-12 College agricultural and horticultural science students have received a hands-on experience at Agriculture Victoria’s Horsham SmartFarm, learning about climate action research and preserving important grains and plants for the future.

The students’ study delved into how new technology can assist in the production and conservation of plants, including acknowledging the effects of climate change.

Agriculture Victoria senior research scientist, Ashley Wallace gave students a tour of Horsham SmartFarm’s research and innovation facilities.

Students saw the Free Air Temperature Extreme facility, FATE — a set

of computerised, custom-engineered trolleys mounted with infrared heaters.

It aims to help scientists better understand the impact of heatwaves on crops.

Students also toured the Australian Grains Genebank.

“Students were presented with the differences in crop varieties grown in Australia compared with other parts of the world and were shown how seeds are carefully preserved in the Genebank for plant breeders and future generations,” Mr Wallace said.

The students participated in a demonstration, with guidance from Agriculture Victoria researchers, on how they use high-tech equipment to

measure quality traits in grains in the crop quality laboratory.

Mr Wallace said research studied the colour of lentil grain and quality of dough and bread made from the flour of different wheat varieties and breeding lines.

The students toured the Digital Centre for Agriculture, where they saw modern technology that seeks to increase grain growers’ productivity, profitability and sustainability. Students were keen to apply knowledge gained from the trip to their studies as they prepare to enter the final units of the subject in 2024.

Student Lucinda Smith said the tour was an exciting, educational and fun experience.

LEARNING: Lucinda Smith, Maisy Batson and Will Hausler of Goroke P-12 College tour the Australian Grains Genebank at Agriculture Victoria’s Horsham SmartFarm with researcher Dr Sally Norton, left.

Built for conditions

Nissan has revealed the final piece of the puzzle for its Patrol Warrior.

It has announced pricing for the Premcar-enhanced model at $101,160 plus on-road costs, or $16,260 more than the Patrol Ti on which it is based.

Joining the Navara PRO-4X Warrior and Navara SL Warrior, Nissan says the Patrol Warrior was built based on customer feedback and is tailor-made for harsh Australian conditions.

The Patrol Warrior by Premcar is based on the Patrol Ti and as such, carries over all safety, equipment, and technology features.

It is further enhanced by black 18inch wheels wrapped in more off-road oriented Yokohama all-terrain tyres, new guard flares, and a beefy bimodal exhaust system with side-exit outlets.

A blacked-out exterior and interior does away with much of the dated chrome accents, while Alcantara upholstery adds a premium flair.

The Patrol Warrior retains Nissan’s standard 298kW-560Nm 5.6-litre petrol V8 engine, coupled exclusively to a seven-speed automatic transmission.

It rides 50mm higher than the derivative model and retains Nissan’s complex Hydraulic Body Motion Control, HBMC, suspension system used to eliminate the need for anti-roll bars, albeit with several enhancements.

Backed by a five-year factory warranty, the Nissan Patrol Warrior by Premcar will be available from October in four paint colours — brilliant silver, moonstone white, gun metallic and black obsidian.

The Australian engineered and developed model, which is remanufactured in Epping, will join the Navara Warrior in Nissan showrooms. It brings similar levels of enhancement for off-road conditions following what Premcar engineering director Bernie Quinn says is the completion of its final local tuning and manufacturing readiness programs.

“Australia is a unique country with unique conditions and many highly in-

formed new-car buyers, who demand a four-wheel drive that’s engineered for our vast and rugged landscape,” he said.

“The Patrol Warrior by Premcar has been developed specifically for Australian conditions and is the product of some of Australia’s leading carmaking know-how.

“It’s been developed after thousands of hours of intensive research by our dedicated team of automotive industry

engineering and manufacturing specialists.”

The aging, sixth-generation Y62series Patrol, which has been available since 2016, received a facelift in 2020 in the form of a new-look front end and additional driver assistance technologies.

Alongside the Navara, it is now one of the longest serving models in Nissan’s Australian portfolio.

— Matt Brogan

All-electric performance

Whendreaming up ways to publicise Porsche’s destination charging network and to demonstrate how easy it is to recharge a Porsche Taycan battery electric vehicle, what could be better than doing an outback road trip from Darwin to Bondi Beach?

Porsche Cars Australia enlisted the help of Porsche brand ambassador, former Formula One driver and endurance racing champion Mark Webber to prove the point on a 19-day jaunt.

Traversing red dirt country, Webber used a Taycan 4S Cross Turismo, a semi-off-road-capable shooting brake with dual electric motors providing all-wheel-drive traction to go with the height-adjustable suspension and body cladding in the recipe for a quasi-SUV performance car.

Porsche described the effort as a ‘ground-breaking demonstration’ of Porsche electric performance, reaffirming the power and viability of electric vehicles in long-distance travel.

The 5000-kilometre odyssey, Porsche says, was an adventure that not only highlighted the Taycan’s battery

range and versatile performance but also to the growing network of electric charging infrastructure that is ‘rapidly transforming’ the way people think about all-electric travel.

Given the remoteness of the route, the expedition incorporated an array of charging options — from outback cattle stations to fast-charging stations and Porsche destination chargers.

The 420kW-650Nm electric test vehicle, weighing 2245kg, was configured with the optional 22kW on-board charger which enables quicker AC charging times in remote locations.

The journey included 27 recharging stops and a total 85 hours spent recharging, mostly overnight.

Enroute to Bondi, the car travelled through Nitmiluk National Park, which is home to Nitmiluk, or Katherine, Gorge in the Northern Territory, then on to iconic country town Daly Waters and a successful ascent of the infamous Simpson Desert sand dune ‘Big Red’ in Queensland.

The road trip took a stopover at the heartland of Porsche Carrera Cup Australia, Bathurst’s Mount Panorama race track, followed by the convoluted roads of the Blue Mountains before

JOURNEY: Formula One driver

heading towards the surf of Bondi Beach in Sydney.

Porsche Cars Australia chief executive Daniel Schmollinger said the Taycan demonstrated the seamless integration electric vehicles could easily make into everyday lives — or perhaps those with the means to own a Porsche — proving that electric road trips are not only feasible, but also enjoyable.

The drive also draws attention to Porsche’s ambitious electrification strategy that includes a plethora of new electrified models including the

incoming all-electric Macan medium SUV that Mr Schmollinger says has reached the home straight of development and will be available to customers in 2024.

After that, the all-electric 718 sportscar range, currently comprising Boxster convertible and Cayman coupe, will be available followed by the allelectric Cayenne large SUV.

“The technology in the all-electric Porsche Taycan has proven its performance capabilities under difficult conditions and, as the charging infrastructure further expands, electric vehicles

are becoming more popular than ever, reshaping how Australians travel on their roads,” Mr Schmollinger said. “Embracing the spirit of exploration on this all-electric trip, the Taycan Cross Turismo redefines the very essence of reduced impact adventure.” There are 165 Porsche destination chargers across 87 locations in Australia.

The ultra-rapid, up to 350kW, DC chargers at Porsche dealerships are among the fastest available in Australia.

— Peter Barnwell

Tech, safety upgrades identified

Volkswagen has announced changes to its model year 2024 range, expected in dealerships later this year.

Although the German importer has yet to advise pricing of its updated portfolio, the announced changes see important technology and safety revisions affect several models in the Australian line-up including Golf, Polo and T-Roc.

Importantly, the Golf small hatch line will now start with the dearer Life grade from the end of this year, with Volkswagen Australia noting a preference for more highly specified variants within the range.

A Volkswagen Australia spokesper-

steering wheel capacitive touch controls on Polo GTI and T-Roc R-Line models, returning to physical switches after nearly five years in the market.

The maligned touch-sensitive controls were introduced on a range of VW models in 2019, controlling HVAC, cruise control, infotainment, and other systems.

Polo GTI and T-Roc R-Line will be the first to return to traditional buttons and dials when the model year update arrives later this year.

Volkswagen Australia has not stated which models will be next to ditch touch-sensitive steering wheel controls.

GoAuto notes that Golf GTI, R and

DAILY CONVENTIONAL CROSSWORD 15 X 15 GRID Y

Quick Crossword

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

FOCUS

An All Australian Word Game

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

* Each word must be four letters or more

* Find at least one nine letter word

* No swear words

* No verb forms or plurals ending in ‘s’

* No proper nouns and no hyphenated words

TODAY’S Good: 9 words

FOCUS Very good: 18 words

Excellent: 32 words

Sudoku Join the Dots Spot the 5 Differences

Quick Workout

Fit the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 into the hexagons so that where the hexagons touch, the numbers will be the same. No number is repeated in any hexagon.

Note to Editor: Created in QUARK XPRESS. VER.4.03 Items not needed for publication can be erased as each is in a separate text box.

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION else ensile inverse INVERSELY isle lenis lens resile resin resiny revise rinse rise risen seen seer seine seiner senile sere serein serve servile seven sever sieve silver sine sire siren sliver slyer sneer snivel verse

8484 Checked: Rosemary

Reference: Macquarie Concise Dictionary Focus No. 3892

What is this? Find out by joining the dots.

Fit the given numbers into the hexagons so that where the hexagons touch, the numbers will be the same No number is repeated in any hexagon

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On This Day

1. What type of historic aeroplane, occasionally seen in the Wimmera sky, is named after a large member of the cat family crossed with an insect renowned for its nocturnal behaviour?

2. The Falklands War fought between the United Kingdom and Argentina for the Falklands Islands and the South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands went for 10 weeks during what year?

3. What famous character made his debut in the 1928 American animated short film called ‘Steamboat Willie’?

4. In musical terminology, what do you call a piece of music used to contrast with, link and prepare for the return of a theme, verse and-or chorus?

5. What famous and at times controversial Australian artist painted the Nebuchadnezzar series?

6. A series of fantasy novels called ‘A Song of Ice and Fire’ by author George R.R Martin has led to an international hit and multiple award-winning HBO television series called what?

yOur lucky sTars

ARIES: (March 21-April 20)

Lucky Colour: Blue

Lucky Day: Friday

Racing Numbers: 1.3.2.5.

Lotto Numbers: 1.12.26.36.30.33.

You could be a little too emotional to make decisions rationally just now. Leave all your problems until later. Don’t promise things that you could find hard to do.

TAURUS: (April 21-May 20)

Lucky Colour: White

Lucky Day: Monday

Racing Numbers: 3.2.6.5.

Lotto Numbers: 2.13.25.45.40.9.

A missed opportunity that has bothered you in the past should return, and you could make a great success of it this time. Love life improvement is also evident, and someone special should surprise you.

GEMINI: (May 21-June 21)

Lucky Colour: Green

Lucky Day: Monday

Racing Numbers: 4.5.2.1.

Lotto Numbers: 4.12.26.9.22.1.

The good news concerning career matters should give you a boost but keep an eye out for too much indulgence – bad for your waistline. Someone special could enter your life.

From The Weekly Advertiser archives: October 3, 1998 –Horsham mayor Bernie Dunn says the first six months of his term at the city’s helm has been one of the most satisfying periods of his life. Cr Dunn attended 70 functions and 169 scheduled meetings during that six months and doesn’t expect the workload to diminish.

10 years ago: September 25, 2013

The Wimmera has a new patient-transport service, with representatives from the Royal Flying Doctor Service Victoria and Wimmera Health Care Group formally signing an agreement. The scheme will allow the Flying Doctors to provide non-emergency patient transport for Wimmera and Mallee patients through a Mobile Patient Care Service.

Five years ago: September 26, 2018

A Grampians helicopter business has joined forces with one of Australia’s most historic wineries in an effort to protect fragile vines and grape crops from frost this spring. Grampians Helicopters is working with Best’s Wines at Great Western in a concerted and integrated effort to thwart the lateseason conditions that devastated the winery’s crops last year.

One year ago: September 28, 2022

Directors of an Australia-Japanese agricultural venture say rail-transport costs remain a significant barrier for any maximisation of intermodal freight hubs. With construction of Johnson Asahi’s new processing facility at Dooen, near Horsham, nearing completion, directors have noted the company will continue to rely on trucks to get its hay export to Victoria’s sea ports despite the new processing plant’s proximity to the region’s intermodal hub.

FIVE-DAY forecast

7. What is the name of the highly toxic plant common in Wimmera gardens which is also the official flower of the Japanese city of Hiroshima because it was the first to bloom after the atomic bombing of the city in 1945?

8. Television personality Andrew Denton is the son of former prominent Australian author and broadcaster the late Kit Denton, originally Arnold Ditkofsky. Kit Denton wrote a book called ‘The Breaker’ based on what famous person?

9. What iconic food product, created in 1923, was the result of Fred Walker approaching chemist Cyril Percy to make a vitamin supplement from yeast being thrown away at Carlton United Brewery?

CANCER: (June 22-July 22)

Lucky Colour: Fawn

Lucky Day: Tuesday

Racing Numbers: 2.3.2.1.

Lotto Numbers: 2.13.26.36.39.5.

This could be one of the happiest times of the whole year. Your personality should be sparkling, and people are looking for your company – some unexpected luck in surprising ways.

LEO: (July 23-August 22)

Lucky Colour: Orange

Lucky Day: Wednesday

Racing Numbers: 4.6.2.1.

Lotto Numbers: 1.12.15.26.30.33.

There should be more cooperation from above; people in high places could help you unexpectedly. One of your long-time wishes could come true soon.

VIRGO: (August 23-September 23)

Lucky Colour: Blue

Lucky Day: Wednesday Racing Numbers: 2.3.2.1.

Lotto Numbers: 2.13.26.25.40.44.

6. Game of Thrones. This is also the name of the first volume of Martin’s series. 7. Oleander or Nerium Oleander. It is one of the most poisonous of commonly grown garden plants. 8. Harry ‘Breaker’ Harbord Morant, an Anglo-Australian serviceman executed for war crimes during the Second Boer War. 9. Vegemite. 10. Pigeon Ponds.

10. The name of a settlement 19.5 kilometres south-west of Balmoral refers to a type of bird and a collection of water. What is its name? Answers:

sponsored by

Stawell Road, Horsham. Mail: PO Box 606, Horsham 3402. Telephone: 5382 1351

Website: www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au Email: weeklyadvertiser@team.aceradio.com.au

For classified advertisements: 5382 1351 – email: horsham@aceradio.com.au

Advertising 5382 1351: Mark Sulic: marks@team.aceradio.com.au; Lee Meadows: leem@team.aceradio.com.au; Michelle Reid: mreid@aceradio.com.au;

Brendan

064

There could be more to do and more responsibility for you to handle during this period. Many of your romantic ideas may have to be postponed, but you will be compensated later on.

LIBRA: (September 24-October 23)

Lucky Colour: Cream

Lucky Day: Thursday Racing Numbers: 2.3.1.5.

Lotto Numbers: 2.13.26.25.28.7.

Not a reasonable period to get involved in group activities. Wait for more energy and interest in something new. Improvements in health and welfare should be imminent.

SCORPIO: (October 24-November 22)

Lucky Colour: Peach

Lucky Day: Tuesday Racing Numbers: 2.3.9.5.

Lotto Numbers: 5.6.12.23.36.39.

Some happier affairs with your trusted friends and you could help someone out of a tricky situation. Business success could come as a big surprise with increased income.

SAGITTARIUS: (November 23-December 20)

Lucky Colour: Cream

Lucky Day: Monday Racing Numbers: 2.3.5.6.

Lotto Numbers: 2.13.26.36.30.45.

Getting away from it all could be a good idea for you now. Too much work will get you ahead but also make you tired. An emotional period in which you could make errors of judgement.

CAPRICORN: (December 21-January 19)

Lucky Colour: Pink

Lucky Day: Sunday Racing Numbers: 2.3.2.1.

Lotto Numbers: 2.13.20.30.11.15.

The time has come to get rid of some old things and ideas and start fresh. If you must do some signing of papers, make sure you know what you are doing and get expert advice.

AQUARIUS: (January 20-February 19)

Lucky Colour: Purple

Lucky Day: Sunday Racing Numbers: 6.2.3.1.

Lotto Numbers: 6.12.23.30.22.29.

If you have had bad experiences with someone, it could be that you will again, so do not trust them. People could be friendly if you let them, and asking for help is wise sometimes.

PISCES: (February 20-March 20)

Lucky Colour: White

Lucky Day: Wednesday Racing Numbers: 1.3.2.1.

Lotto Numbers: 1.12.26.36.30.44.

If you feel at all under the weather, make sure you get treatment before things get worse. Rest is as good as a holiday sometimes. Financial matters should improve soon.

Locally owned and operated family business, BK carts is your one stop shop for all things Golf Carts in the Wimmera.

BK Carts, owned by Ben and Kate-Lyn Perkin is now your local authorised Yamaha parts and carts specialists.

The business can supply new Yamaha carts, parts and accessories.

“Having the dealership link with Yamaha means we have a wide variety of accessories and parts that we can supply our customers. It also means that we have support from the company that makes the carts, and can use their knowledge and expertise to ensure our service is second to none,” Kate-Lyn said.

“Since starting the business we have been able to expand our services to all over the Wimmera and even into South Australia. Our onsite services are very popular, with Ben now visiting golf clubs in Stawell, Hamilton and Bordertown on a monthly basis.”

You can book BK carts mobile service van to come to you no matter where you cart is stored.

“We’ve even been called out for a stranded cart on the golf course,” Kate-Lyn said.

BK carts source as many of its parts and products it can locally and have teamed up with other Wimmera businesses as part of a broad support and promote philosophy.

“We also have been supporting lots of Wimmera sporting clubs.”

“We are overwhelmed with the local support we get from around the region, and so we want to be able to give back to those who support us,” Ben said.

If you’re looking for a new or second hand cart, or just need to give your cart some love, contact Ben on 0408 268 424.

P&S Cross Builders

Birthdays

80th Birthday

Carolyn West

28-9-2023

To the most amazing Mum, Nana and friend,

Wishing you a beautiful 80th birthday, keep being the radiant light in our lives. All our love, Shayne, Paula, Olivia & Josh, Eliza & Meg; Joanne, Michael, Jess & Ash, Jed & Riana.

Death Notices

DICKERSON, Glenda Lea

6-11-51 to 17-9-23

Sleeping peacefully my darling

Precious memories keep you near

Until we are together again

Your loving Mum

No more checking

No more notes

Rest in perfect peace

Dearly loved sister of Nettie & Peter Auntie to Monica, Gavin and families

The memories as sisters that we have shared, our love of our family, our good times together, and so many tears. Sleep peacefully with our Dad and brothers.

Forever in our hearts, Margie and Brian.

Loved Auntie & Great Auntie

Your long hair and your sausage dogs ❤️❤️ Adam, Taryn, Sally and their families.

For many years we’ve shared our lives

One roof we were under

Although we went our separate ways

Our bond in life remains

Rest in peace my sister, you will always be in our hearts.

Reunited with Dad, Ian & Perce

Love your baby brother

Daren, sister-in-law to Kellie, Auntie to Beau, Staci, Bianca, Miley & Koa

ELDRIDGE, Lawrence Gordon

Passed away after a short illness on September 24, 2023 aged 81 years.

Dearly loved husband of Bev.

Loving father of Mark and Michelle. Adored Pa to Luke, Felicia and Sophia. Forever In Our Hearts

KING, Harold Cecil

Passed away peacefully surrounded by family on September 22, 2023, aged 89 years.

Dearly loved husband of the late Noreen King.

Step-father and father-inlaw to Greg and Sharon, Ross (dec), Sharon and Rod, Craig and Grant.

Cherished by his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Back now, dancing with your beloved wife forever more

RUSSELL, James (Jim)

On September 19 suddenly at Harrow aged 88 years.

Dearly beloved husband of Joyce.

Loved and loving father and father-in-law of Robert and Anne, Pam and Mick, Susan and Russell, Wayne and Kylie.

Loved Granddad of Andrew and Amanda, Brendan and Emeilia, Megan and Mick; Nathan and Sara, Melissa and Mark, Kathryn; Jessica and Mo, Brad and Kellie; Ashley, Emily and Jack.

Loved Great granddad of Myra, Evelyn and Cayden; Daisy and Lucy; Tess; Lily and Max, Casey and Jordan; Owen and Chelsea, Percy; and Charlotte.

TAYLOR, William Charles “Jim”

Passed away on September 21, 2023 aged 92 years.

Dearly loved husband of Naomi (dec).

Loving father and fatherin-law of Steven; Jane & Alan (dec); Kay; Gillian & Wazza.

Adored Pa to all of his grandchildren & great grandchildren.

Reunited with loved ones

ELDRIDGE, Lawrence Gordon “Laurie”

The Funeral of Laurie Eldridge will take place at the graveside, Horsham Lawn Cemetery on Tuesday, October 3, 2023 commencing at 11am Trevor Bysouth & Daughter Ph 5381 1444

KING, Harold Cecil

The Funeral of Harold Cecil King will leave Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Horsham on Tuesday, October 3, 2023 after a service commencing at 2pm for the Horsham Lawn Cemetery.

The service may also be viewed online at www.youtube.com/ channel/UCazLsHP0NcC2 APLqg5dil0Q

Trevor Bysouth & Daughter Ph 5381 1444 AFDA Member

RUSSELL, James (Jim)

A graveside service for the late Mr James (Jim) Russell will be held at Harrow Lawn Cemetery, HarrowClear Lake Road, Harrow on Wednesday, September 27 at 11.00am.

Returned service personnel members are respectfully invited to attend.

TAYLOR, Williams Charles “Jim”

The Funeral of Jim Taylor will leave St Paul’s Lutheran Church, Natimuk on Wednesday, October 4, 2023 after a service commencing at 2pm for the Natimuk Cemetery.

Trevor Bysouth & Daughter Ph 5381 1444 AFDA Member

WEIDEMANN, Ronald Elias “Ron”

A Memorial Service to celebrate the life of Ron Weidemann will take place at St Andrew’s Uniting Church, Horsham on Monday, October 2, 2023 commencing at 1.30pm

The service may also be viewed online at horsham. unitingchurch.org.au/watch

Trevor Bysouth & Daughter Ph 5381 1444 AFDA Member

Thankyou ~ McLEAN ~ Norm

He lived his life for others.

Life is but a stopping place, a pause in what’s to be, a resting place along the road to sweet eternity. We all have different journeys, different paths along the way; We are all meant to learn some things, but never meant to stay. Out destination is a place far greater than we know.

For some, the journey’s quicker, for some, the journey’s slow, “Norm”, and when the journey finally ends we will claim a great reward and find an everlasting peace together with the Lord.

Thanks to all, Marlene

Purebred Cocker Spaniel puppies black female and gold male, available now, vet checked, vaccinated, Microchip no # 956000014851219, # 956000014847574, source no RV185238 $1500ea Ph 0429912620

20 Merino lambs, GC $25 each ,PIC No 3YKHF059 Ph 0481864397

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

Budgies , young, asstd colours $10ea Ph 0423182267

Ferrets, 8wks to 18mths $30ea Ph 0418843180 Nhill

One male German Shepherd 3 month puppy, great temperament, toilet trained, straight, source # MB115424, m/chip # 95301000661546 Ph 0421018631

Goats Boer and boer cross from $60 each Ph 0427361940

Funeral Directors

Kildare Border Collies now have a litter of purebred puppies for sale at $1800, we have been breeding border collies for over 50 years and strive to breed quality true to type and temperament in our puppies. Our pups have calm natures and make excellent working dogs or family pets. Three are chocolate and white puppies 2 female and 1 male and the remainder are female black and white puppies with piercing dark eyes and traditional black and white markings. Born 28/05/2023, all have fun loving natures and ready to find their forever home. All puppies have been microchipped, vet checked vac/wmd, m/chip# 991001005403261/2368 source# MB196330, call Brendan Hogan for more information Ph 0439971754 Donald

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

Roosters, ducks and guinea foul wanted Ph 0469740723 White Suffolk flock rams, flock # 870, born Sept 2022, OB free and guidar vaccinated, priced from $450 PIC # 3HSJU041 Ph 0400792111 located in Drung near Horsham Young pigs 2mth old, well bred, free ranged, suitable to spit or grow out, PIC# 3H5CG003 from $100ea Ph 0439834521

1995 Roadstar Voyager 17’ pop top single axle caravan, 2 single beds, has full size annex in as new cond, van presents very well $10,000ono Ph Eileen 0437899398

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

Labrador Puppies, Purebred, 3 black females and 1 black males

Born 14/7 due for pick up 8/9, vet checked, m/ chipped, vacc and wormed source# MB131530, m/chip # 985141006234027/26985141007 305210/17 $1000 Ph 0429821171

Horsham

Pigeon fantails, lots of colours, $5 each, plus other breeds, no texts Ph 0408846796

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

ANIMALS -

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

• Individual microchip numbers

• Vet certificate to exclude individual animals from needing microchips

• Domestic animal-business number

PLUS a source number from the Pet Exchange Register

LIVESTOCK -

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

2005 Caravan Excel 511, air bag, roof lift, 2x120 AH batteries and solar, 3 way fridge, gas heating, tv, full awning annex, d/bed, plenty storage $21,000 Ph 0419566055

2005 Traveller Caravan 19’ Hurricane, shower and toilet, full annex $35,000 Ph 0417555823

2014 Jayco Starcraft Pop top, 14’, d/bed, ac/heating, $22,000 Ph Debra 0458088377

Ezytrail camper , Sterling G, Mark 2, EC $21,999ono Ph John 0427562876

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

Regal 1991 pop-top 15’ caravan, 2 s/beds, table goes down for 3 bed, no leaks, has full annex, 4 burner stove, oven and microwave, new western mags and tyres, reg til 24/6/24 $7000 Ph 0417166277

When mum said years ago she was going to make funeral arrangements, we were surprised...

2017 Toyota Hilux SR5, 4X4, manual, one owner, diesel, roof racks, bullbar, towbar, electric brakes, heavy springs, tinted windows, dual batteries, reg til 6/24, 161,000kms, AMF813 $41,000 Ph 0408504867

Dimboola Natimuk

Lutheran Parish

Sunday, October 1

Edenhope 9am HC

Goroke 11am HC

MONTHLY PAPER DRIVE IS ON THIS WEEKEND

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1 from 9am

Wanted, Land to Lease or Share-Farm anywhere south of Horsham, from 100 acres to 700 acres, cropping country preferred Ph Roger Hallam at Mockinya 0418822700

wanted to buy

6’ slasher or similar Ph 0419007741

Natimuk 10am LR

Vectis 10am LR

Dimboola 9am LR

CASH FOR GOLD & SILVER

F250 Ute 2002 XLT Power stroke diesel V8, 284838kms, right hand column auto, tub liner, tie down points, tow bar, bucket seats, elec windows and mirrors, a/c, tyres 90%, rego 28th Aug 23 RUG765 $42,000 Ph 53826103 in business hours

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

expressions of interest

We buy any condition jewellery, coins & bars. WE COME TO YOU! Call Chris for an appointment 0467 777 379

Leave your old newspapers and catalogues out for residential curbside pick-up within the Horsham township.

NEW MEMBERS WELCOME

Stawell Flood Study

Council has been successful in receiving funding from Emergency Management Victoria to undertake a flood study within the Stawell township and immediate surrounds, appointing WaterTechnology to undertake the study. Council is seeking photos, and your recollection of the 2011 event as well as any suggestions for mitigating the effects of future flood events.

A drop-in session is being held between 11am and 1pm at the Stawell Library, 7-9 Sloane Street, Stawell on Friday, 6 October 2023.

You can provide information online www.ngshire.vic.gov.au/haveyour-say, in person at the Stawell Town Hall from 25 September to 6 October 2023, by mail to Northern Grampians Shire Council, C/ Stawell Flood Study, PO Box 580, Stawell VIC 3380, or email to ngshire@ngshire.vic.gov.au

Holden WB Panel Van 1983, 6 cylinder petrol/gas, 3spd manual, VGC, extra parts included, FSE369 $35,000ono Ph 0407614706

Expressions of interest are invited from cleaning contractors to provide cleaning services to Holy Trinity Lutheran College. Cleaners are invited to attend a site inspection between Monday, 2 October - Thursday, 5 October 2023.

To book a time or to request tender documents, please email britt.keller@htlc.vic.edu.au, with subject heading of ‘Cleaning Tender’.

Tender period opens Wednesday, 20 September, closes Friday, 13 October 2023 at 5pm.

All applications will be informed of outcomes, via email.

If you have any further questions, please contact Britt Keller via email at britt.keller@htlc.vic.edu.au

White 2011 Holden Commodore SS VE series II, selling due to upgrade to 4x4, service up to date with book, rego till May, roadworthy supplied, kept very neat and tidy, 177***kms, ZPK676 $35,000 Ph 0409579397

expressions of interest

Expressions of

MEMBERSHIP OF EDENHOPE RACECOURSE AND RECREATION RESERVE COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT INCORPORATED

Nominations are invited from interested and skilled members of the community wishing to be considered for membership to the Edenhope Racecourse and Recreation Reserve Committee of Management Incorporated. This volunteer committee is responsible for the day-to-day management, care and development of the reserves under their control. The term of appointment is three years to 18 July 2026

Specific interest or skills in one of the following areas would be highly regarded:

• Community connection and interest in seeking a position on the CoM

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

• Governance

• Financial management

• Working on other committees/working in teams

• Strategic planning

All registrations of interest for the voluntary role will be considered. Further information and nomination forms are available from Emily Farrugia on 0407 146 202 or email publicland.grampians@delwp.vic.gov.au

Expressions of Interest are to be on the formal nomination form and addressed to: Land and Built Environment Team, Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action – 110 Natimuk Road, Horsham, Vic, 3400 or emailed to: publicland.grampians@delwp.vic.gov.au

Women, First Nations People, people with disabilities, young people and people from culturally diverse backgrounds are actively encouraged to apply to ensure that the committee’s membership reflects the composition of the community it serves.

Expressions of Interest close 13 October 2023

www.deeca.vic.gov.au

Customer Service Centre 136 186

Christian Devotion

Basic Information Before Leaving Earth

Did you hear what the little boy said to his Dad? “Dad, I know what the letters in B.I.B.L.E stand for.” “Oh yes?” said his Dad, What do they stand for?” “Basic Information Before Leaving Earth.” The Bible is certainly that, and more. It is the story of God’s love for the world.

Starting in the beginning, when God made and everything and it was good, the Bible tells the story of how as people, we think we can do better – we go own way and think our ideas are better, only to find that selfishness brings disconnection and disaster. The Bible is basically the story of God trying to get our attention, to call us back, to show us how we are made to be, and how beautiful that can be. To do this, God sent so many to bring God’s message of hope – prophets, judges priests, faithful people, kings, but constantly we think we know better. So finally, God offered the ultimate sacrifice –, Jesus Christ – God’s Son, who shows us what God looks like, offering love, healing, acceptance, and finally himself; to suffer and die, to take our place so we could be restored with God and each other. He broke the power of death by rising to life again.

“Amazing love, o what sacrifice; the Son of God given for me. My debt He pays, and my death He dies; that I might live. Basic Information we all need to know!

Susan Pearse – Baptist & Uniting Church, Hopetoun and Rainbow

HORSHAM BOTANICAL GARDENS

OCTOBER 14 & 15, 2023

Exhibitors Welcomed

Move

BRENT McALISTER CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

week - Fixed term

$47.50 per hour

Contact: Danny O’Brien

Closing: 12pm Monday 16 October 2023

horsham@ontgroup.com.au

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

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

POSITION

AOD Worker

DO YOU HAVE

Knowledge of issues impacting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Qualifications or relevant experience in the alcohol and other drug discipline. Flexibility and good organisational skills. Excellent time management and case planning. A strong team ethic. WE OFFER

horsham@ontgroup.com.au

www.ontgroup.com.au

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

Community Bank Rupanyup & Minyip

Customer Service O� icer

We're all about service. Are you?

An opportunity to help people in a positive environment. Permanent / Part time - 26 or 37 hours per fortnight

Located in Rupanyup & Minyip

Hey there! Are you a logistics expert in search of an exciting job opportunity? Look no further!

Winner of Manufacturing & Innovation Award

Golf Course Road, Horsham. Ph 5382 5688

We have a fantastic job opening for you as a Freight Dispatch Specialist. This role requires you to utilize your organizational skills to the fullest. Additionally, you will be assisting in the manufacturing of our products and performing general duties as well.

To be a successful candidate, you must possess strong organizational skills, excellent communication abilities, and have a knack for problem-solving. Some of the key responsibilities include managing distribution and shipment budgets, coordinating and scheduling shipments, communicating with drivers and carriers, tracking deliveries, and resolving any logistical issues that may arise. You will play an integral role behind the scenes, ensuring everything runs smoothly and providing top-notch service to our customers. This position also allows you to help manufacture our products and perform general duties within the factory.

FULL-TIME HOURS 40

Send your CV and cover letter to: jock.baker@smallaire.com.au

This opportunity closes on Monday, October 2, 2023.

Join us in walking the talk when it comes to supporting our customers, giving back, and making our communities a better place to live. As a Customer Service O� icer, you will be the face of Community Bank Rupanyup & Minyip, performing a key role in our vision to be Australia’s most customer connected bank.

You will be given the support you need to do what you do best – listening to customers and using your skills to help them with transactions, provide education on our online platforms and tools, recommend the bank’s products and services, and assist them to achieve their financial goals.

This position is located at Community Bank Rupanyup, working across Community Bank Minyip. The role is Permanent, Part Time. The roster can be 26 or 37 hours per fortnight (2 or 3 days per week).

There’s so much more to a career with Bendigo Bank than just banking. You bring your brilliant mind, and we’ll help you take your learning to the next level with on-the-job training and external development opportunities - we want you to shine. After all, YOU are the di�erence that makes us the better big bank.

Visit bendigobank.com.au/jobs to find out more or to submit your application, quote reference number 937805

Applications close on Monday, 2nd October 2023.

be someone making a difference for people in your community Employment Opportunities

**Attractive salary packaging in addition to salary**

See our website for further information

We are seeking committed and passionate people who are ready for exciting and rewarding careers in our growing community health organisation

Dedicated Intake Worker

30.4 hours per week

$32.21 to $36.00 per hour

Aboriginal Health Development Worker

22.8 hours per week

$32.21 to $36.00 per hour

Customer Engagement Officer

22.8 hours per week

$32.01 per hour

Contact: Kristy Price

Case Manager Perpetrator Family Violence

22.8 hours per week

$32.21 to $41.52 per hour

Contact: Gemma Beavis

Case Manager Aged Care

38 hours per week

$36.00 to $41.52 per hour

Contact: Karen Watson

Closing: 12pm Monday 2 October 2023

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

For further information email

employment@gch.org.au or call contact person on 5358 7400

be someone making a difference for people in your community Employment Opportunities

**Attractive salary packaging in addition to salary**

See our website for further information

We are seeking committed and passionate people who are ready for exciting and rewarding careers in our growing community health organisation

NDIS Support Coordinator

38 hours per week

$36.00 to $41.52 per hour

NDIS Plan Management Officer

38 hours per week

$36.57 to $40.77 per hour

Contact: Ruth-Cheryl Lennie

Program Leader Human Resources

38 or negotiated hours per week

$51.90 per hour

Contact: Gwen Williams

Closing: 12pm Monday 9 October 2023

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

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

Grampians Communit y Health Board Director Applications

An opportunity to make a difference for people in our community.

Grampians Community Health is looking for community minded people to join their Board of Directors

We are seeking candidates who:

Are passionate about community health and wellbeing

Have experience that can enhance the GCH Board including health service governance, clinical governance, workforce planning, strategic direction, community and stakeholder engagement, data analysis, compliance, or aged care

Can provide a suitable level of strategic oversight and guidance to support the CEO and the organisation

Can contribute ideas to respond to strategic challenges faced by community health organisations.

Have a sound understanding of best practice corporate governance

Understand clinical risk and continuous quality improvement.

Can oversee financial performance against budgets and an understanding of community sector funding arrangements.

Are looking for an opportunity to develop their board level leadership

Are willing and able to commit the time to meet the responsibilities of this voluntary role. It is not necessary to hold experience in all the above, one or more is sufficient to submit an expression of interest or have a discussion.

Nominations close 9 October 2023

The position will begin after the GCH AGM in November 2023

For more information or to receive a Board nomination pack please contact:

Board Chair: Tammy Schoo on 0428 790 783 or board.chair@gch org au

CEO: Greg Little at greg.little@gch org au

Grampians Community Health (GCH) is a not-for-profit company and operates as a registered Community Health Centre under the Health Services Act Established in 1985, GCH has expanded from a small counselling and community development service to having a team of over 200 staff and volunteers.

GCH provides a broad range of primary health care, therapeutic and community support services in the Pyrenees, Grampians and W immera Southern Mallee to individuals, families, and communities. www gch org au

OUR VISION: Healthy, resilient people and communities.

OUR PURPOSE: To lead the change towards improved health and wellbeing of people in our region

Catholic Education and to the safety and wellbeing of children;

• possess the skills and abilities necessary to provide students with a rich and rewarding educational experience;

• embrace a team approach to learning and teaching;

• have a current Working With Children Check.

Salary and conditions are implemented according to the Catholic Education Multi Enterprise Agreement 2022.

How to apply:

Details on how to apply are available by accessing the School website at: https://spnhill.catholic.edu.au/employment

All applications are to be directed to:

The Principal, email principal@spnhill.catholic.edu.au

Written applications must contain the following:

• A completed Application for Employment Form

• A Cover Letter

• A Curriculum Vitae that includes 2 nominated referees, including current employer

Applications Close: Friday, 6th October, 2023

The Goroke Hotel, Bar & Bistro ARE HIRING

We are looking for a kitchen hand, a dishwasher, a waiter and bar staff.

Apply to Stefano on 0409 099 745 or email resume to hotelgoroke@gmail.com

Works Coordinator

West Wimmera Shire Council has a vacancy for a Works Coordinator to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of maintenance and selected capital improvement projects in our shire’s Northern region.

The successful candidate will ideally have experience in road asset maintenance, parks and gardens and delivering capital works. The role will also be involved in managing customer concerns and prioritising requests.

The ability to manage a team is critical to this leadership role, and previous experience managing staff will be highly regarded.

The position is based in Kaniva and manages the Kaniva Depot operations.

Benefits of working for Council include:

• 4 weeks annual leave with 17.5% loading

• 9-day fortnight

• Uniforms provided.

Applications for both positions close: 9 October 2023

For more information, contact Operations Manager Daryl Sinclair: 0473 805 771

West Wimmera Shire Council is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and is committed to the principles of workplace diversity.

For a copy of the position description and to apply: visit http://www.westwimmera.vic.gov.au/employment

Opportunity This Way

Trainee Local Laws Officer Full Time, Permanent

Do you enjoy getting out and about and speaking with community members? Then this is the role for you!!

We are seeking an individual with excellent communication skills, strong attention to detail and a willingness to learn to join our team as a Trainee Local Laws Officer. Council will support your development with on-the-job and formal training to grow into the role.

You will assist Council in maintaining peace, order and safety in the community as well as the promotion of fire safety and prevention throughout the townships. From time to time, you will also assist with caring for animals in the pound.

If you are an organised person with the ability to work independently and enjoy contributing to a team, then this is the position for you.

Position descriptions and details on how to apply are available at www.hindmarsh.vic.gov.au/work-in-council

Applications close Wednesday 11 October 2023 at 12 noon and must address the key selection criteria as contained in the position description.

Customer Engagement & Liaison Officer

Full Time

Just Better Care provides in-home aged care and disability support services, supporting people to live independently.

As a result of an internal promotion, Just Better Care currently has a vacancy for a Customer Engagement & Liaison Officer based in our Horsham office. If you are looking for a role that make positive impacts in people’s lives within our community, then this role is for you. Be part of a passionate inclusive team built on a strong, healthy culture.

Customer Engagement & Liaison Officer (CELO) performs an integral role in business development and client engagement, ensuring individualised services & support plans are developed and delivered to, both new and recurring customers.

The CELO is responsible for the development of individualised support plans in consultation with customers, their family or advocates, key health professionals and other key stakeholders.

The CELO is responsible for liaising with the Rostering and Administration Assistants to coordinate the delivery of services to customers in line with service agreements and support plans and to provide quality oversight and reporting of the services back to key stakeholders. If you would like to join our growing team and become part of our friendly, professional network please apply today via email hr.wv@ justbettercare.com or via the following web link; https://applynow.net.au/jobs/JBC1074102

Applications must address the Key Selection Criteria. Applications close 15th October 2023

Further information about this role is outlined in the Position Description. Please contact Just Better Care Western Victoria on 03 5381 1432 or email hr.wv@justbettercare.com to request a copy

Maintenance Coordinator

Full-Time

West Wimmera Shire Council has a vacancy for a Building and Maintenance Coordinator responsible for day-to-day building maintenance and works across the shire.

The role includes:

• Supporting Council’s Built Assets Renewal and Capital Works Program.

• Minor building works and repairs, and oversight of major construction works

• Compliance with Essential Safety Measures for buildings owned and/or managed by Council.

The successful candidate will have experience in maintenance of buildings and facilities, the operation of small plant and power tools and managing contractors.

The position can be based in either Kaniva or Edenhope.

Benefits of working for Council include:

• 4 weeks annual leave with 17.5% loading

• The option to work a 9-day fortnight or accrue a monthly RDO

• Uniforms provided.

Applications close: 9 October 2023

For more information, contact Manager Infrastructure

Engineering John Griffiths 0418 139 759.

West Wimmera Shire Council is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and is committed to the principles of workplace diversity. We are committed to protecting all children in the West Wimmera Shire.

For a copy of the position description and to apply: visit http://www.westwimmera.vic.gov.au/employment

GWMWater is an innovative and progressive employer committed to contributing to the sustainable growth of communities within the Grampians, Wimmera and Mallee regions.

Water Modelling and Data Officer

(Fixed Term 2 years)

Position number VG/4209

The Water Modelling and Data Officer undertakes a range of water resource modelling work. The role is also actively involved in managing the crucial water resource data that we rely upon for operations, planning and reporting. Your work in this role will inform reservoir system planning, water allocation processes and modelling of water diversions against Murray Darling Basin limits.

On the data front, you’ll get involved in the review, analysis and quality control of water resource data, as well as preparing a range of data and reports to meet our organisation and compliance requirements.

With this role having a technical focus, a high level of attention to detail and the ability to think flexibly and problem-solve will be key to your success.

This role is well-suited for a recent graduate or someone in the early stages of their career.

To apply online, please visit: gwmwater.org.au/careers

Applications close: Friday 6 October 2023

GWMWater contact:

Ollie Reynolds, People Talent and Culture Officer

GWMWater is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to providing flexible working arrangements to enable the right candidate to be successful.

To receive information in relation to this vacancy in an accessible format such as large print, please contact our People Talent and Culture team

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

Coordinator Strategic Planning

• Band 7 ($99,415 - $111,122 per annum) or Band 8 ($115,457 - $129,254 per annum)

• Permanent Full-time or Part-time

• Flexible working arrangements available

Senior Statutory Planner

• Band 7 ($99,415 - $111,122 per annum)

Permanent Full-time or Part-time

• Flexible working arrangements available

Coordinator Performance & Events Band 7 ($99,415 - $111,122 per annum)

• Permanent Full-time or Part-time Flexible working arrangements available

Concrete Worker/Handyman

• Band 3 ($64,203 - $67,418 per annum, plus allowances)

• Permanent Full-time 8 day working fortnight

To apply for this job go to: hrcc.recruitmenthub.com.au

Tenders

CLEANING CONTRACTOR

Tenders are invited from cleaning contractors to clean the Warracknabeal Education Precinct

(Primary & Secondary Campuses) Cleaners must be listed on the Department’s Contract Cleaners Panel. Inspection by Arrangement Contract documents will be available at that time.

Register attendance: 0419 144 313

Applications close on 6th October, 2023 Only short listed applicants will be contacted.

VOCAL: Supporters showed their colours during the Wimmera and Horsham District league finals series, which came to a close earlier this month. Pictured, clockwise from above, Laharum supporters cheer on their A Grade team; Dimboola supporters back A Grade netballers during a preliminary final; Ararat senior football coach Matt Walder takes a higher view atop the coach’s box; Noradjuha-Quantong’s Charlie and Jason Kerr; and Jeparit-Rainbow supporters at the grand final at Quantong.

Come Join Our Team!

Wimmera Aquatrail Shop Assistant

Wimmera Aquatrail currently has an exciting position for an energetic salesperson. This is a diverse position to work in a business that caters to the sale of irrigation, plumbing, and landscaping supplies and services in the Wimmera region. Previous experience in landscaping or nursery would be highly valued but not essential. We will provide on-the-job and external product training from industry leaders.

The Position:

• Irrigation and pump salesperson

• Customer service in all areas of the business

• Computer knowledge a plus

• The position is full-time, part-time or casual and will form part of a weekend roster

• Remuneration- above award rates

About you

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

• Willingness to learn all areas of the business

• Interest in irrigation and nursery practices

If you are looking for employment security and value the importance of great customer service with good attention to detail, then this could be the perfect job for you.

To express your interest in this position, please email a cover letter and your resume to apply@chsgroup.com.au or call in and see us at Wimmera Aquatrail, 2 Apricot Ave Horsham

Young athletes prepare for new season

Horsham Little Athletics Club is jumping into a new season with a come-and-try night tonight before the season officially begins next week.

The competition season occurs throughout term four and continues during term one, with two track and two field events every week.

Club president Peta Foster said Little Athletics was open to children who turned five years old during the

year, with the eldest competitors 17 years-old.

“There are opportunities for state and regional events, with regional relays in October, regional athletics in February and state events in March,” she said.

“Athletes can also come along every week to just improve their skills and have some fun.

“We awarded medals for athletes who reach eight, 20 and 30 personal

Team enjoys successful run

Western Victorian trainers have delivered a steady stream of winners across the past three race meets at Horsham, with back-to-back wins of Dunach Fireball for committee member Ian Robinson, Avoca, a highlight.

Dunach Fireball is a smart pup and, in Robinson’s own words: “He is the best pup I’ve had in the past 20 years.”

After finishing a flashy second in the Greyhound Racing Victoria Breeders Maiden Series on September 5 and following a dominant heat win the week prior, his past two runs have been just as dominant with easy wins in fast times — 23:17sec on September 12 and 23:20sec last week — with his dominant early speed on show.

bests during the season – so it’s not just about winning; it’s about doing your best.”

Ms Foster said the club also offered discounts for families with multiple athletes.

She said people could follow the ‘Horsham Little Athletics Centre’ Facebook page for information. The come-and-try night is at Dudley Cornell Park, Horsham from 5.15pm.

The Fullerton and Hartigan teams were also successful at the September 12 meeting.

She’s All Grace landed the money for the Fullerton team, of Red Cliffs, working through the field and hitting the line in a close three-way go to win in 23:90sec.

Kracken Ace speared the lids for the Hartigan team, of Horsham. From a wide draw, the dog made every post a winner, stopping the clock in 23:47sec.

Friday, September 15 saw the Horsham club running in an alternate time slot.

It was Ivy’s Joy for Heather Baxter, of Murtoa, who pushed through hard, entering the corner to take the lead. The dog gave nothing else a chance, winning comfortably in 23:37sec. Meantime, team Fullerton struck once again with Elite Blazer. Stepping up to the 485m, Blazer jumped straight to the front and gave nothing else a look-in, winning in a dominant 27:46sec.

Blazer then backed up at Bendigo on Friday and made it three wins on the trot, winning across the 500m journey. Beginning well from the inside, Elite Blazer was shuffled backed to third and a wide position as the greyhounds turned for home.

But Blazer went on to display his strong turn of foot, bursting away from his rivals to win by close to five lengths.

TAKE YOUR MARKS: Horsham Little Athletics Club members, from left, Jack Sawyer, Joel Plazzer, Stephanie Plazzer, Georgia Foster, Hannah Plazzer, Mitchell Sawyer and Gretel Blake are ready for a new season, which starts next week. A come-and-try event is on tonight. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Manning stars with treble

BY TONY LOGAN

Champion horsewoman Kerryn

Manning stole the show at Hamilton on Friday with a driving treble for three outside stables.

Smart three-year-old filly Valerie Lane got the chocolates in the $10,000 Alexandra House Handicap for her father, trainer Peter Manning.

The daughter of Father Patrick, USA stepped away safely from the tapes to lead early but Manning was content to take a sit on the back of Double Helix, Jackie Barker, for the last two laps.

Valerie Lane relaxed with the moderate tempo through the middle stages then responded smartly when eased away from the pegs at the 300m mark.

She scooted home in 28.7sec to score by eight metres, taking her record to six wins, six minors and $88,370 prizemoney from 18 starts.

Manning’s next success came with Vinny Rock for Horsham ownertrainer Rod Carberry in the $4500

Grants boost

The latest round of the State Government’s sporting club grants program is accepting applications.

Grants of up to $1000 are available for uniforms, equipment and resources that improve accessibility and engagement.

The program also provides up to $2000 for projects to strengthen volunteering and officiating, up to $4000 to deliver a new sport or recreation program, and up to $750 to support athlete travel.

Community Sport Minister Ros Spence said the grants would provide a boost for clubs and communities, and allow more people to play sport.

“Sport clubs are a real focal point for local communities, providing a place where locals can come together to play, volunteer, learn new skills and provide support for each other in good and tough times,” she said.

“That’s why we’re supporting even more clubs with help towards training, volunteer and skills development as well as funds for uniforms, equipment and travel costs.”

People wanting more information, or to apply, can go to sport.vic.gov.au

Applications close at 4pm on Sun-

Team Hulk victorious

3HA MiXX FM Pace. The four-yearold gelded son of Pet Rock, USA enjoyed a soft trip on the back of the leader for the majority of the 2160m and utilised the sprint lane in the run to the finish.

‘Vinny’ scored by a neck in a rate of 1:58.6, posting his fourth career victory from 28 starts.

The gelding was bred by Robbie Connelly from the family’s former race mare Doutzen, two wins.

She has, to date, left four foals of racing age and all are winners — being Bou Chard, eight wins, Fourth In Line, four, Curryo Gentleman, one, and Vinny.

Win number three for Manning saw some sisterly success courtesy of three-year-old filly Nosweetsforyou in the $8000 Taylor Motors Hamilton Pace for Michelle and Craig Wight.

Drawn nicely in gate two, Nosweetsforyou lobbed one early but was then taken forward to sit outside the leader approaching the bell.

Despite the extra work required, the filly pulled out plenty across the final stages and managed to hold off a late charge from Im Wesley, Ryan Duffy, to score by a head in 1:56.9.

After taking 12 tries to win her maiden, Nosweetsforyou now has a record of three wins and four minors from 24 starts.

Favourites find success

Naracoorte trainer Greg Scholfield continued his season’s great results at Globe Derby on Saturday night.

Scholfield saddled up two shortpriced favourites, Rakero Storm, $1.65, and Hanging Fire, $1.15, and both came home as winners.

Rakero Storm was purchased from NZ as a six-start, one-race winner but the four-year-old Bettors Delight mare has gone on to post six wins from 15 starts this season. Hanging Fire was also bought late last year after a maiden victory at Hamilton and has added another 12 wins this season.

Team Scholfield, with three months remaining of the 2023 racing season, boasts a mighty 27 wins and 14 minor placings from 58 starters.

Locals salute

Ouyen hosted the second round of the time-honoured, Northern Region Championships on Sunday afternoon and three Wimmera and Grampians participants enjoyed success.

Armstrong trainer Leroy O’Brien landed the quinella in an $8000 combined two and three-year-old pace, courtesy of his youngsters, Im Sir Patrick, James Herbertson, and Tiny Dancer, Ellen Tormey.

Deep Lead owner-trainer Marnie

Bibby also made the winner’s circle with her three-year-old filly Emjaybe in the $7000 Hilltop Motel Pace with Daryl Douglas in the sulky.

Young Horsham driver Ryan Backhouse celebrated a victory with All Da Rage in the $10,000 Mallee Racing Group Pace for Red Cliffs ownertrainer Andrew German.

‘Team Hulk’ is Horsham Badminton Association’s winter teams competition premier.

Finals matches were keenly contested, with every match decided in the closest possible margin of 4-3.

‘Team Hulk’ and ‘Team Thanos’ advanced to the grand final and played an intense battle in front of eager onlookers.

Hulk’s Ben Sawyer and James Gardner combined to take the first match against Thanos’ Josh Dunn and Peter Brennan but scores were soon levelled 1-1 when Thanos’ Paul Robertson and Alex Dunn defeated Hulks’ Daniel Aitkin and Amy Barton.

The following four matches were hotly contested, with each team sharing the wins and tying scores at 3-3.

A singles match between the two number-one-ranked players was the decider.

Dunn gallantly took the first set but Sawyer fought back to take the next two which handed ‘Team Hulk’ a 4-3 match victory.

The association will host a free come-and-try night on Monday at the Horsham College gymnasium on Baillie Street from 6.45pm. Beginners are welcome and rackets are available.

The weekly summer competition begins the following week on October 9.

President Luke Dunn said the competition catered for all abilities and included a vast array of ages among its members.

Saint selected

Horsham Saints export and Greater Western Victoria Rebels footballer Joel Freijah has been selected for Coates Talent League team of the year.

Freijah, 17, was selected in the midfield. He averaged 20 disposals this season across 14 games, including the wildcard round and elimination final. He also kicked 13 goals. Other Wimmera footballers who were part of the Rebels’ squads this season included Minyip-Murtoa’s Oscar Gawith and Tyler Pidgeon, Ararat’s Hugh Toner, Rupanyup’s Connor Weidemann, Horsham Demon Olivia Brilliant and Ballarat Storm’s Brook Ward, who hails from Dimboola.

HOLD IT HIGH: As supporters gear up for a weekend of football fever, Horsham twins Lenny and Carter Robinson, 8, got a closer look at the 2023 AFL Premiership Cup at Horsham City Oval. The cup made a trip with a convoy of Toyota vehicles to towns across Victoria, Tasmania and NSW during September, ahead of the grand final between Collingwood and Brisbane Lions on Saturday.

Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

package with Justin Leppitsch and Henry Dwyer,

Bowlers perform

A team of Horsham tenpin bowlers have made their mark, finishing second in a state-wide tournament at the weekend.

Horsham’s Lanes and Games hosted the 2023 Junior Country Cup on Saturday and Sunday, with the home team finishing second behind Latrobe Valley.

Almost 50 tenpin bowlers from country centres across Victoria participated in the annual competition.

Horsham’s Logan Young placed fourth in the individual men’s rankings with a high score of 224 and an average of 180.4 per game.

His teammates Noah Werry and Haidyn Young recorded averages of 167.4 and 165.4, respectively.

Chloe Gee, also from the Horsham team, ranked third in the female category with an average of 171.5 and a high score of 215.

Dakota Smith averaged 145.9 while fellow Horsham bowler Ebony Jones averaged 100.4.

Lanes and Games owner Wayne Watkins said competitors travelled from Bendigo, Ballarat, Shepparton and the Latrobe Valley.

“There were eight teams with six players to a team, but only four bowl

at once,” he said. “There’s three girls and three boys in each team.”

Mr Watkins said the competition returned to Horsham after a long interval.

New format

BY ABBY WALTER Horsham

Cricket Association’s 2023-24 season will experience a shake-up, with more Friday games and a more even spread of teams across grades.

The association’s executive includes Travis Hair as president, Sam Leith as vice-president, Kate Hair as treasurer and Tony Wills as general committee.

The senior cricket season begins on October 14 with juniors taking the field the following week — under-16s and under-12s playing on Friday nights and under-14s on Saturday.

“Moving to Friday nights will give juniors the opportunity to play 40over games compared to last year’s 20-over games,” Mr Hair said.

“Juniors are only allowed to bowl eight overs per day, so by splitting it up for under-16s, who were playing seniors as well, they will now be able to bowl a full quota of overs.

“It gives them more of a go.”

Mr Hair said the change was focused on participation.

work around the tennis fixture for any juniors who want to play both sports.”

Mr Hair said there would be a more even spread of senior teams.

Among notable changes, long-time A Grade powerhouse Rup-Minyip will not play in the top grade.

“In the A Grade the competition will increase from five teams to eight — Horsham Saints, Lubeck-Murtoa, Laharum and Blackheath-Dimboola will join Horsham Tigers, West Wimmera, Bullants and Homers in the A Grade,” Mr Hair said.

“There will now be seven teams in B Grade and eight teams in C Grade.

“It’s about the same number of teams as last season but a more even spread across grades. There will also be Friday night games from time to time so people can have the opportunity to go away on weekends as well.”

Senior cricket begins with a one-day format before A and B grades play two-day cricket and C Grade plays Twenty20.

“Hopefully changes will reinvigorate the competition,” Mr Hair said.

“We host it every 10 years and it was our turn this year,” he said. “It’s a two-day event, they play 14 games over two days and we present the shields after that.”

“There will be more of an opportunity to bat and bowl as they will play two-day cricket and Twenty20 cricket as well,” he said.

“We are also looking at the possibility of playing on some Sundays and incorporating that with under-12s to make it easier for families.

“We wanted to try our hardest to also

“We will have some earlier start times this year, too — particularly in January.

“Numbers are dwindling, as they are with all sports, so we want to encourage people to be involved and we are no worse off by making changes.

“We have to move with the times and we are hoping for a great season.”

FIRING: Horsham’s Logan Young placed fourth in the individual men’s rankings during the Junior Country Cup at Horsham’s Lanes and Games across the weekend. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

For more photographs go to theweeklyadvertiser.com.au

National gold

BY DAVID BERRY

Volleyball Horsham’s Tamikah

Dockrill has played a key role in her Phantoms team winning the National Club Championships division-one gold.

The team went through the tournament undefeated and squared off against Volley Friends United, Melbourne, in the championship decider.

The team opened their campaign with a five-set win against Sydney United Blue before a comprehensive win against Sydney United White.

A four-set win against Volley Friends United put the team at the top of the ladder and into a gold medal qualifier against Sydney United White, which they won in straight sets.

A three-set win in the final against Volley Friends United capped off a great weekend for the team.

“We were a bit nervous going into the tournament because even though we were a premier team playing in division one, you don’t quite know the ability of the opposition,” Dockrill said. “When we saw Volley Friends United as one of our opponents, we knew they were going to be tough to beat because they were a club that had enjoyed a lot of success this state league season.”

Dockrill cited her team’s ability to block well as key to the victory, alongside the work done by the pass hitters.

“Between Shatha and myself we

were able to rack up plenty of block points, while Warrnambool duo Gabby Lougheed and Emma Hannigan did a great job both from a serve receive perspective and front court attacking,” she said.

The inclusion of former Taiwanese elite-level player Anito was another big tick for the winning team.

“Anito owned the backcourt and she read the play really well. Her defensive efforts were sensational and kept us in the point many times,” Dockrill said.

Dockrill now sets her sights on the Blue Lake Invitational in Mt Gambier this weekend.

“This tournament is going to be so different from the point of view it is a mixed event, but given our team plays in a mixed competition, we are confident of doing well,” she said.

“We have four big, strong boys to do most of the work above the net, while us girls will give them the back court defence and passing they need to be effective.

“We don’t know the calibre of opposition; all we know is there are two teams from Adelaide and two from Mt Gambier we’re up against.”

Dockrill is welcoming every opportunity that comes her way at present as she enjoys a season like no other.

“I’m lucky to be playing with some wonderful people in all the teams I play in which makes me really love volleyball so much,” she said.

Education Support Traineeship & Business Traineeship

Hopetoun

Closing date: ASAP

3 positions available at a local school.

Requirements:

• Strong communication skills

• Patient and compassionate

• Able to accept direction and supervision

• Able to work with computers and its technology

• Willing to obtain a Police Check and/or WWCC prior to commencement

For more information contact Kate Clark on 0428 971 821.

Light Vehicle Mechanic Apprenticeship

Donald Closing date: ASAP

Requirements:

• Patience and perseverance

• Good hand-eye coordination

• Aptitude for all things mechanical

• Willingness to work in awkward positions in or under vehicles

For more information contact Kate Clark on 0428 971 821.

Coffee, chat and chance to try croquet

Horsham Croquet Club is once again embracing the Victorian Seniors Festival and inviting people to try golf croquet on October 8.

President Donna Frost said the club hosted an annual event during the festival to encourage new people to the game.

“It is a fun and easy-to-learn game,” she said.

Aged Care Support Traineeship

Stawell

Closing date: ASAP

Requirements:

“We will show people how to play and finish the friendly afternoon with a coffee and a chat.

“It’s quite a gentle sport for people, which makes it easy to play.”

Ms Frost said the event had been successful in previous years.

“We have welcomed various members to the club after come-and-try days,” she said.

“We provide mallets for people and ask they wear soft-soled shoes. “We will also appear at the Horsham and District Community Groups Expo at the Town Hall on October 4 and hope to meet lots of people there, too.”

The event begins at 2pm at Horsham Croquet Club, near Horsham Botanical Gardens on Guilfoyle Drive.

Casual Traffic Controllers

Horsham

Closing date: ASAP

Requirements:

• Current Driver’s Licence

• Caring & patient individual with passion for industry

• Positive attitude and able to adapt to varying situations

• Physically fit and enjoy being active

• Current National Police Check Clearance

• Construction Induction Training (White Card)

• Traffic Control/management tickets

• Police Check

For a confidential discussion, please contact Daryl Eastwell on 0407 364 654.

• This role requirements staff to be fully vaccinated against Influenza & Covid-19 Casual Waste Transfer Operator

Horsham

Closing date: ASAP

Requirements:

• Must have a valid Driver’s Licence

• Preferably have Bobcat and forklift tickets

• Current Police Check

• Must be able to communicate with the public in a courteous and efficient manner

• Understand quality control techniques in recycling, reusing and waste disposal.

To discuss this opportunity further, please contact our Recruitment Team on 03 5381 6200.

To discuss this opportunity further, contact Nathan Keel on 0408 109 324.

Road Worker

Stawell

Closing date: ASAP

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Medium Rigid Truck Licence

• Traffic Management Certificate or willingness to attain

• Plant operator’s competency

• Current First Aid Certificate

• Experience in a similar role advantageous

To discuss this opportunity further, contact Nathan Keel on 0408 109 324.

WISDOM: Wimmera lawn bowlers were treated to a master class from Australian Jackaroo Barrie Lester this week. Lester delivered coaching sessions at Ararat, Horsham City, Warracknabeal and St Arnaud bowling clubs. He is pictured instructing avid players at Horsham City Bowls Club on Monday ahead of the Wimmera Bowls Region season, which begins in early October. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Mentoring youth

BY SEAN O’CONNELL

Justin Beugelaar will take the reins as Taylors Lake’s senior coach for 2024 after a season wearing the red-and-white.

Beugelaar, who previously coached Wimmera league’s Dimboola after moving to the Wimmera from the Northern Territory, said he enjoyed a season as a player for the Horsham District league club but was keen to return to leading a team.

“I really needed the year off and wanted to refresh,” Beugelaar said.

He said he had since gotten ‘the urge’ to return to coaching, with the chance to work with young and developing players at the Lakers a motivating factor.

“The majority of the list is 23 years-old or under,” Beugelaar said.

He said people he had met during his time in football had been another reason spurring his interest in coaching.

“One of my biggest mentors is Xavier Clarke, who is now an assistant coach with Richmond,” he said.

“Just seeing him go about things, I would love to coach at a higher level one day.”

Beugelaar said country football, including competitions such as the Horsham District league, had its own appeal for coaches.

“It’s a massive challenge doing country football. You get thrown in at the deep end and you have to be a really good people manager,” he said. “You have to be able to work with people from different backgrounds.

“Take Dimboola, for example. I was initially

a fly-in, fly-out player when we were getting pumped by 100 points a game.

“We built a really good culture and they were bearing the fruits of that last season.”

Beugelaar said he was likely to take the field in addition to his coaching duties, after winning the Lakers’ best-and-fairest in 2023.

“At this stage, I’ll be going around one more time and see if the body holds up,” he said.

Beugelaar said he had already been looking into areas of improvement for next season, following an 11th-placed finish for the side in 2023.

“It will be a simplified game plan and it will all go back to our culture. The football will take care of itself,” he said.

“My key message is to make sure everyone sticks around.

“I’ve been a part of a lot of rebuilds. It’s easy for guys to go somewhere else and chase a premiership but when you stick it out, it’s worth a lot more.”

Beugelaar takes the reins from Kyle Pinto who has been announced senior coach of Ormond in the Victorian Amateur Football Association, VAFA.

Kees leaders

Kalkee also announced a new senior football coaching team earlier this month, with Kees premiership player Steve Schultz taking on the role with co-coach Andrew Devereaux.

Devereaux joined the Kees as a player at the beginning of 2023 from Horsham Saints, playing six games during an injury-plagued campaign.

The duo take the role from Doug Grining.

Kicking into summer season

Horsham Soccer Club is gearing up for its first summer competition.

It begins with a registration and information night on October 13 before continuing each Friday from 6pm, taking a break at Christmas.

Committee member Paul Barnett said the new competition would take place at Haven Recreation Reserve, offering a ‘social outlet’ for people after the Australian Rules football season had finished.

“We’re hoping to attract all age groups,” he said.

“We’ve done particularly well with five to 15 year-olds. We’d really like to see some older kids and even adults come out and have a go.

“Even if we get a majority of the kids who are there now, we are going to have really good numbers — but, obviously, we want to build on that as well.”

He said the summer competition would feature 10 players per game in a ‘five-a-side’ format.

“The pitches are smaller, it’s a bit of a quicker game and a lot more running, too,” he said.

He said the club would also trial a five-

week competition of Omega Ball in the coming months — a new sport based around soccer.

“We will be one of the first clubs in Australia, ahead of the Football Federation of Australia and Victoria,” Mr Barnett said.

“It’s very hard to explain but I do invite people, if they are interested — there are some really good videos on YouTube about it.

“If I was to liken it to anything, I would say it’s probably going to have a similar impact on soccer as what Twenty-20 cricket did to cricket in general.

“It’s all-action, high-scoring, fast-paced, nonstop and you don’t need to know soccer to play it.

“For us, it’s a good pathway into people wanting to check out 11-a-side soccer.”

Mr Barnett said the regular preseason would begin on February 23, with the club looking to enter an under-13s and under-12s team in the Ballarat League.

Mr Barnett said poeple wanting more information, or to register, could email hdscsec@gmail. com

TAKING THE LEAD: Justin Beugelaar is taking the job of senior coach at Taylors Lake for the club’s 2024 Horsham District league campaign, after pulling on the Lakers’ jumper during the season. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Little stars start

Horsham Little Athletics Club members, back from left, Stephanie Plazzer, Hannah Plazzer, Georgia Foster and Gretel Blake; and front, Joel Plazzer, Jack Sawyer and Mitchell Sawyer are ready to compete. The new season begins with a come-and-try night at 5.15pm today at Dudley Cornell Park, Horsham, with the regular season to begin next

Story, page 55. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

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