The Weekly Advertiser – Wednesday, March 29, 2023

Key to independence

BY JESSICA GRIMBLE

A14-unit development in Horsham’s Sunnyside will support people with a long-term mental health diagnosis to live independently in the community.

Work to construct The Haven Foundation development, worth $5.6-million on a decades-vacant double-block in Baillie Street, has begun, with a scheduled completion date of August 2024.

Homes Victoria is funding the project as part of the State Government’s $5.3-billion Big Housing Build.

A spokesperson for The Haven Foundation said the development would create ‘significant’ employment in the area for more than a year and employ ongoing staff when operational.

The spokesperson said the development included one-bedroom selfcontained units for residents plus common kitchen, dining, recreation and meeting areas, and facilities for on-site support staff.

“It is purpose-designed to look and function like any other well designed residential development,” the spokesperson said.

“The Haven Foundation residences create a stable and supported living environment for people in the local community who can otherwise be at risk of not getting the support they need to manage their mental health concerns.

“Mind Australia staff provide not only day to day support but also support residents into education, training and employment.”

There are six Haven residences across the state, with more builds underway in Pakenham, Drouin, Seymour and North Bendigo.

“These are created by The Haven Foundation, a charitable organisation established by a group of families to create stable, supported living environments for their family members.

The Haven Foundation is a subsidiary of Mind Australia,” the spokesperson said.

“Locations for Haven Foundation residences are chosen based on the need of their regions for mental health support of this kind. Specific sites are chosen to be close to shops, public transport and other amenities.”

The spokesperson said the develop-

ment met building standards and planning requirements relating to elements such as height, boundaries, access and egress, parking and shading.

The spokesperson said representatives of The Haven Foundation would doorknock properties in the area to introduce themselves and the Haven Horsham, and answer any questions neighbours might have.

Homes Victoria is a State Government authority and is exempt from requiring a planning permit via local government channels.

Continued page 3

CHAMPIONSHIP READY: Natimuk and District Gymnastic Club gymnasts, from left, Eli Bailey, Edward Jones, Brooklyn Fraser, Lani Jones and Remi Bailey are gearing up for Senior Victorian Gymnastics Championships this weekend. Their peer Hailey Puls, absent for the photo, will also join them. Head coach Lynette Morrow said the gymnasts had practised their routines ‘hundreds of times’ and were going into the championships ready to do the best they could. Story, page 67.

Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

HRCC NEWS

It's time to start filling new bins

With the new Better Sorted Waste services starting next week, now is the time to begin filling your new bins with the correct waste.

URBAN RESIDENTS

From now on – separate glass into your purple bin and organic waste into your green bin.

RURAL RESIDENTS

Start filling your new yellow recycling bins with recyclable material – but not glass. Take your glass bottles and jars to your nearest drop-off point or transfer station.

The changes to our kerbside collection services is not just better for the environment, it will minimise future cost increases.

CHECK YOUR MAILBOX

Over the coming days urban and rural residents will receive a Better Sorted Waste collection calendar and a flip book to explain all there is to know about the new system.

Can't wait? Visit hrcc.vic.gov.au/Bin-Instructions. You can enter your address to see when the new services start.

New service starts next week

BRIDGE SECTIONS ARRIVE

Viewing platforms on each side of the Wimmera River will provide residents with a safe vantage point to watch the construction of the Hamilton Street Pedestrian Bridge. With foundation works completed, the site will be a hive of activity as structural sections are delivered on site from this week. Assembly will happen after Easter, and the bridge will be fully completed with adjoining pathways and ramps by the end of June.

With public interest increasing, HRCC has made designated areas available for people to watch the construction process. These areas will alternate depending on where construction is happening. More information regarding these viewing areas will be provided.

A strict exclusion zone on the river will be enforced for the safety of water users, with signage in place.

Council invites the public to come out and celebrate this milestone with us but also request that people remain in the defined areas at all times to ensure their safety and the safety of the contractor and its subcontractors.

HAVE YOUR SAY

Current Community Engagements

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

ANNUAL ACTION PLAN

HRCC has developed the Annual Action Plan for the financial year 2023-2024. The community has the opportunity to provide feedback until 31 March.

COMMUNITY DEMAND FOR FLIGHTS FROM AND TO HORSHAM

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

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

People can share their opinions by completing a survey on the HRCC website and in paper copy form available at the Civic Centre.

ENCEPHALITIS VIRUS VACCINE AVAILABLE

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

Four immunisation sessions have been scheduled, with two remaining.

• Thursday 30 March

• Thursday 13 April

Book via the HRCC website or call 53829777.

PLANNING PERMIT APPLICATION

Reference number: PA2300589.

The land is located at: 1/20 Velthuis Drive, Haven 3401.

The application is for a Permit to: Construction of a carport within a covenant as outlined on the title.

The applicant for the Permit is: Garrett Liston.

Any person who may be affected by the granting of the Permit may make submissions to Council.

Copies of submissions received may be made available to any person.

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

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

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

Council will not decide on the application before 11 April 2023

SORTED: From now on glass goes in purple bins - not yellow bins and food and garden waste goes in green bins - not landfill bins.

Service station plan blocked

BY JESSICA GRIMBLE

Horsham councillors have spectacularly voted to refuse a proposal for a new service station in the regional city.

Councillors reached a stalemate after about 30 minutes of debate, before a packed and vocal public gallery, when three representatives voted in favour and three voted against a planning permit application to build a 7-Eleven service station at the corner of Dooen Road and Baillie Street.

With councillor Bob Redden absent from the meeting, mayor Robyn Gulline, after a brief adjournment to consider his wishes, used her casting vote to refuse the proposal to raucous applause from the public gallery.

Procedurally, it meant the council was required to move a second alternative motion to officially refuse the application. The second vote, officially, found unanimous support.

The applicant – Urbis Pty Ltd, for Spectrum Retail Group – could yet take the council’s decision to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, VCAT.

Cr Gulline, in originally voting for the permit’s approval, said matters such as competition or devaluation of property was not eligible for consideration to refuse an application under planning scheme rules.

She told the meeting she had searched previous VCAT rulings for precedent but panels had never previously addressed concerns relating to pollution and health impacts of living nearby a service station, and had ruled it was not the role of town planning to address issues of public health and regulate pricing and availability of a product.

“If this planning permit gets turned down by us and goes to VCAT, I read multiple examples where VCAT had overturned council’s rejection and granted it based on the conditions that we have included. We need to be very mindful of that,” she said.

Cr Claudia Haenel, voting against the first motion, said the proposal would not improve the lives of people in the community and she was ‘yet to be convinced’ it was a good idea.

She said she feared the health impacts of petrol fumes for residents nearby, particularly children.

Cr Ian Ross also expressed concern about health and fire risk.

He said a traffic report, contained within the application, was ‘cheap’ and lacked detail – including incorrect street names – to instil ‘faith’ in its validity.

He said the proposal had the potential to diminish Horsham’s liveability.

“If we keep approving projects

where it jams the traffic up more and more and becomes a half-hour or three-quarter hour wait, the benefits of living here are gone,” he said.

“You can build as many play parks as you like, but it won’t counter the liveability of the day-to-day grind of people just trying to get to and from work, drop the children off and get to activities.”

Cr David Bowe, voting against the first motion, said it was imperative the council considered health and wellbeing as a priority in its decisionmaking.

He said introducing another fuel outlet into the market would be an ‘oversaturation’.

Division

Crs Les Power and Penny Flynn voted to approve the permit, in the first vote.

“It’s good that we’ve got this on the floor. It’s no good sitting here and letting it die a death,” Cr Power said.

In the second vote, Cr Power voted against the refusal motion.

He changed his vote when a ‘division’ officially recorded where the votes occurred.

Cr Flynn said conditions of the permit would address a number of community concerns.

She said the planning rules were clear.

Inspectorate details change

“We are a regional city. We might be the baby of the 10 regional cities in Victoria, but we are certainly one,” she said.

“Planning is very challenging for all of us and sometimes it can be emotional, but you need to set that aside and actually look at the facts and figures.”

Members of the public gallery interjected numerous times throughout the debate, prompting Cr Gulline to remind them they were observers, not participants of the meeting.

Among them was ratepayers group, Community Matters HRC co-chair Rebecca Sluggett, who said the group helped people understand council reports and consoled many who spoke against the proposal.

“I fully expect the decision to go to VCAT. Community Matters HRC will be working with objectors and would like to get a group together and work together to get our objections shored up and try to get some scientific data behind our arguments,” she said.

“The council has guidelines as to what it can and can’t object to within the planning scheme.

“I believe this has enough against it, especially with traffic and health, to stand up against it – and that’s the tact I hope we go down.”

West Wimmera Shire Council has made progress in strengthening its governance practices and culture, a Local Government Inspectorate review has found.

The Inspectorate’s 2018 examination of the council focused on allegations regarding conduct issues between councillors and staff, and management of conflict of interest, interest returns, assets and finance including procurement, grants, councillor expenses and reimbursements and credit cards. It also reviewed general governance and human resources.

The examination had identified ‘significant deficiencies’ in key governance practices and that the council did not have a structured training program to ensure staff had the capacity or opportunity to best undertake their roles. Governance issues were longstanding, as many had been identified in a 2011 Inspectorate report to council.

Chief Municipal Inspector Michael Stefanovic said in returning to the council in June, it was pleasing to identify general governance improvements had been implemented, however, it was clear that despite the publishing of the report in November 2018, and allowing for ongoing impacts of COVID-19, a majority of the improvement strategies had not commenced until 2021.

He said discussions with staff acknowledged positive cultural change.

Chief executive David Bezuidenhout said the council had implemented several improvements including an increased focus on staff training and had enhanced its conflict-of-interest practices through the engagement of industry specialists.

New development

From page 1

A Homes Victoria spokesperson said the development was part of the government’s Big Housing Build, which would deliver more than 12,000 new social and affordable homes by 2026 –including investment worth $1.25-billion in regional Victoria for 3000 new homes.

“The Haven Foundation has received funding to build 14 new onebedroom houses on a site in Horsham to provide safe, stable and supported accommodation for Victorians who need it,” the spokesperson said.

Wes Davidson of Wes Davidson Real Estate in Horsham sold the block for a record land price. It was previously sold in 1998.

Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

TRADITION: Heihser Paw Payhae, Eh P’Saw Paw Talee and Sarah Po Kyat were among the students to celebrate their heritage and culture at a Harmony Day event at Horsham College on Thursday. A lunchtime fiesta included a range of activities based around food, games and learning about traditional dress. Among highlights were a group of Karen students performing a traditional dance.

People wanting more information about The Haven Foundation residence can go to mindaustralia.org.au/ haven-foundation

Regionalisation roadshow in Stawell

Northern Grampians leaders will craft a strategy for growth this week, based on a national plan to increase population and prosperity in rural and regional Australia.

The Regional Australia Institute, RAI, launches its ‘regionalisation roadshow’ in Stawell tomorrow – the first stop of a national tour to support leaders to tackle the issues that could be holding communities back.

RAI chief executive Liz Ritchie will support the region’s leaders to consider local actions that leverage the RAIs ‘Regional Ambition 2032’ plan – with a particular focus on areas including

job vacancies, education and housing.

The plan seeks to ‘rebalance’ the nation and have 11 million people living prosperously in regional Australia by 2032.

“Regionalisation is often misunderstood. It’s not only encouraging movement to the regions; it’s about so much more than that,” Ms Ritchie said.

“It’s the process of reaching our potential, of strengthening regional Australia to ensure it is firing on all cylinders.

“It’s about making sure regional towns have the infrastructure, services, investment and population needed to thrive and grow – ensuring every Australian, no matter their location,

has the opportunity to help drive national prosperity.”

The RAI launched its 10-year plan in September.

Ms Ritchie said the document set 20 key targets – including bolstering regional workforces and housing stock, improving the educational performance of children and futureproofing communities against natural emergencies such as drought and fires.

She said collective action from governments, industries and communities would better position the regional economy to reach its potential.

The roadshow comes after the RAI launched National Alliance for Regionalisation in Canberra last week,

bringing together 32 chief executives from some of Australia’s most influential peak bodies.

RAI has received more than 50 pledges from some of Australia’s largest companies.

“Through the collective lens of this group, it will work to advocate for the policy priorities needed in regions at a national level,” Ms Ritchie said.

“Our first regionalisation workshop in Stawell takes the ‘Regional Ambition 2032’ document to the local level, and I look forward to working with leaders on the issues most pressing in the Wimmera and Northern Grampians area.”

Wimmera Development Association

chief executive Chris Sounness welcomed the workshop to further the region’s own pledged actions.

“We have pledged to grow the Wimmera and southern Mallee’s population by 7000 people in the next 10 years,” he said.

“We have our plan to achieve this, but in the spirit of the Ambition document, we know we will need to collaborate with the Wimmera communities to help us get there.”

The regionalisation roadshow will visit towns in every state and territory throughout the year.

People can view a copy of the ‘Regional Ambition 2032’ document via rebalancethenation.com.au

Redevelopment lead appointed

Grampians Health has appointed a leader of its $541.6-million Ballarat Base Hospital redevelopment – the biggest infrastructure project ever undertaken in Ballarat.

The health service’s new chief redevelopment and infrastructure officer, Veronica Furnier-Tosco, has worked on some of Melbourne’s major infrastructure projects including CityLink, Marvel Stadium and Docklands Marina during her 25-year career in the construction industry.

In her new role, Ms Furnier-Tosco will be instrumental in the delivery of infrastructure projects across Grampians Health’s campuses in Ballarat, Stawell, Horsham, Dimboola and Edenhope.

Chief executive Dale Fraser said Ms Furnier-Tosco would play a ‘crucial’ role in ensuring Grampians Health remained at the forefront of healthcare delivery in regional Victoria.

first

series of ‘Coffee with a Cop’ meet-andgreet opportunities. Wimmera Proactive Policing Unit officers will host people at the plaza, and at Cato Park in Stawell, on Thursdays, and at Lake Gardens Cafe and Alexandra Gardens in Ararat on Fridays from 10am to 11am. Leading Senior Constable Rabone said it was a chance for people to meet and talk informally to police. “It will also help us to break down the misconception and barriers that police aren’t approachable,” she said.

“Even though we are police, we are still members of the community and we want to build relationships with people.”

City’s security cameras ‘working effectively’

Horsham Rural City Council has moved to reassure Horsham residents and visitors that its closed circuit television system, CCTV, is working effectively and keeping people safe.

Chief executive Sunil Bhalla said an ‘extensive network’ of cameras were installed across Horsham’s central business district and 72 percent were fully operational.

A maintenance and repair schedule is in place.

“We want our city centre to be a hub where people can gather together safely no matter what time of the day or night it is and go to community events and support local retail outlets,” he said.

“Our quality of life and the liveability of our community is part of what makes Horsham such a great place to be.”

Mr Bhalla’s comments come after public questions relating to the cur-

rent operation status of the CCTV network.

He said the council was advocating for funding to install additional cameras in recreational areas across Horsham.

Horsham police Senior Sergeant Matt Haughton said the presence of a CCTV network was a proven deterrent.

“If incidents do occur, they can be used by police to monitor the incident

as it unfolds and follow up to clarify exactly what happened,” he said.

“The footage from the cameras form an important and impartial piece of evidence when they are used during police investigations.”

Monitoring and access to CCTV footage is controlled in accordance with council policies and a Memorandum of Understanding between the council and Victoria Police.

“Veronica’s passion for continuous improvement and championing inclusion, diversity and social responsibility within the construction industry and government will be an invaluable addition to the team,” he said.

Ms Furnier-Tosco’s career began as a site engineer with Baulderstone Hornibrook. Her career then focused on the Victorian Public Service, where she gained experience in local and State Government agencies, including Melbourne City Council, Court Services Victoria and Parks Victoria.

“I’m passionate about creating a learning environment where people are encouraged to develop and maximise their potential while achieving positive outcomes. This is what I will be focussing on while helping to deliver many exciting infrastructure projects for our region,” she said.

PUT THE KETTLE ON: From left, Senior Constable Aaron Creek, Inspector Di Thomson, Leading Senior Constable Teilah Rabone and First Constable Corina Barnwell are inviting people to join them at Horsham Plaza tomorrow for the

of a

Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Hamstring Injuries

It’s that time of the year again. It’s cold and you’re playing sport. You’ve warmed up and you’re running around on the netball court or football field and you feel that Oh so familiar twinge, in your hamstring. Or maybe the hamstring injury has already occurred and you’ve done the recovery exercises and something still isn’t right.

Often this is because the pelvis where the hamstring attaches to is out of alignment. It causes the muscles to shorten and increases the risk of injury or delay in recovery. This can also change the rest of the spinal movements as the body tries to compensate for the unusual movement of the pelvis.

When chiropractors are looking at your back, we’re looking at all of it seeing what’s working and what’s not. Chiropractic can help you move better and get more out of your game.

Agriculture museum call

BY JESSICA GRIMBLE

Amuseum in Horsham could celebrate and commemorate the history of agriculture across the region.

Former Murra Warra farmer Col Thomas suggested the region was ‘badly in need’ of a permanent place to store historic items, including farm machinery manufactured in the region, and other ‘old’ items.

He has called for the development of a museum where future generations could learn how Horsham and district had developed, and changed, over the years.

A passionate collector, Mr Thomas said he had offered the idea to Horsham Rural City Council for its consideration.

The council’s City to River master plan had also considered the feasibility of a museum in the regional city.

“There’s no direct group, it’s not an official lot of people – but I suppose you can point the finger at me for raising it,” Mr Thomas said.

“I have seen items in other towns’ museums that have come from Horsham, because Horsham has nowhere to keep them.

“I suggested the idea of a museum to different people, and they were all in agreement that it was a great idea.

“Over the years, as we grow older, collections get broken up and disappear.

“If a person puts his or her collection in a home of history, their descendants, as well as the public, can enjoy them for years to come.

“People don’t realise just what is about,

and that we don’t see, and then it disappears.”

Mr Thomas highlighted a war memorabilia museum, near Horsham Botanic Gardens, as an example of a place to commemorate the region’s history.

He also drew attention to Horsham Historical Society and its extensive collection, located in an historic building in Pynsent Street.

He said his idea would require significant funding support, and a collective effort, to develop and run the space.

“It would need to be government funded. It’s past selling raffle tickets,” he said.

“It would be up to people – they might leave an item for their lifetime with the organisation, or they might wish to sell it to them and we would need to make sure there were funds to take it off their hands.”

Horsham Rural City Council director communities and place, Kevin O’Brien, said the council welcomed ideas and feedback from the community at any time.

“Discussions have taken place in relation to a proposed museum,” he said.

“Council completed a feasibility study regarding a museum and this was considered as part of the City to River master plan.

“We will continue to work with community members to advance this idea further and, as a council, we play a key role in this regard.

“Council is happy to meet with community members anytime in regards to any such ideas.”

UNITED: About 100 people participated in a ‘Walk in the Park’ in Horsham on Sunday to raise money and awareness for Parkinson’s disease. Wimmera Parkinson’s Peer Support Group hosted the event at Weir Park, coinciding with a Melbourne-based event – Fight Parkinson’s biggest annual fundraiser. Grampians Health movement disorder nurse Gay Brown said the hospital program offered support for families and patients. Grace Marnell and her dog Bruno, left, were among participants.

Pictures: PAUL CARRACHER

National 3 Wheelers Association on show

Three-wheel vehicles of all kinds will converge on Horsham’s May Park this weekend.

Members of the National 3 Wheelers Association will host a showand-shine in the regional city on Saturday, with more than 20 trikes and other three-wheel vehicles.

Most members live within Victoria though the association’s membership base is Australia-wide.

Vice-president Gayle Watson said the visit coincided with the association’s annual general meeting. It will involve about 50 members.

“We like to have our AGM some-

where different each year,” she said.

“As the club has grown, we went from visiting smaller towns to visiting bigger towns because we need the motel space.”

Entry to the show-and-shine is free.

Saturday 8th April 2023

Saturday 8th April 2023

8 April 2023

7:30am-3pm

7:30am-3pm

7:30am-3pm

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

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

• Friday 7th April, 12 noon - 6pm

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

• Saturday 8th April, 6:30am onwards

• Friday 7th April, 12 noon - 6pm

• Friday 7th April, 12 noon - 6pm

Online registrations available from 24th March

• Saturday 8th April, 6:30am onwards

• Saturday 8th April, 6:30am onwards

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

Online registrations available from 24th March

Online registrations available from 24th March

Bank fishing only

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

COVID-19 safe proticols will apply

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

Bank fishing only

Bank fishing only

COVID-19 safe proticols will apply

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

COVID-19 safe proticols will apply

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

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

Hopetoun urgent care on standby

Rural Northwest Health has temporarily paused urgent care services at Hopetoun due to a shortage of qualified and appropriately-skilled registered nurses.

Chief executive Jenni Masters said the service would review the decision daily and would work with neighbouring health services and health staff agencies to recruit more staff and ensure the safe recommencement of services as soon as possible.

She apologised to the Hopetoun community but said the decision was ‘necessary’ to ensure high-quality and safe care.

The health service has worked with partners including Ambulance Victoria to ensure the community has alternative pathways to access emergency care.

“We always strive to ensure our community has access to the care they need as close to home as possible,” she said.

“To ensure safe care for people and taking into account the staff mix and the health staff shortages across Victoria, we’ve had to make this difficult but important decision.

“While clearly this is not what we want, our sole priority is patient safety and this is an effective alternative.

“We will also do all we can to recruit necessary staff and will reinstate urgent care as soon as it is safe to do so.”

Ms Masters said the health service had put a range of options in place for the community to seek medical assistance.

If someone is seriously injured, or needs urgent

medical help, people should always dial 000 for an ambulance.

For non-life-threatening emergencies, people can contact the state-wide Victorian Virtual Emergency Department, VVED, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The service provides patients access, via video call, to highly-skilled emergency medical teams such as physicians, paediatricians, nurse practitioners and other specialists.

The health service is offering VVED at the Hopetoun facility for people who are unable to access the service remotely. A private room has been set up with access to VVED.

Ambulance Victoria is also supporting people as they access the virtual system.

Rural Northwest Health board chair Genevieve O’Sullivan said the board was united behind the executive team and sought to support staff across the health service.

“I acknowledge the work of all our staff who have helped us through challenging times, and their work to serve the community,” she said.

“I also thank the community for their patience and ask for their support while we do this essential work to ensure long-term quality care at RNH.”

People wanting more information on VVED, and to establish a video conference with a medical practitioner, can go to vved.org.au or phone Rural Northwest Health on 5396 8200.

People can keep up-to-date information on the progress of resuming the urgent care service via rnh.net.au

COMMITTED: Members of the Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation Ararat branch, from left, Jess Seres, Shaun Allen, Jodie Holwell, Kirsty Millson, Dianne Radford, Sandra Marriner, Nick Bush, Dean Pinniger, Peter McIntosh and Stuart Kerr with the new East Grampians Health Service general x-ray machine. Absent was Chris Emmerson.

Ararat foundation delivers

East Grampians Health Service has installed a new general x-ray machine with the help of the Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation Ararat branch and the generosity of the community.

The Ararat branch completed the fundraising project last year, announcing at its Gala Night of Nights it had reached its $235,000 fundraising target while also announcing the branch had reached the important milestone of raising $1-million since its establishment in 2002.

The general x-ray project was originally announced at the 2019 Gala Night of Nights, and Ararat branch president Dianne Radford said she was thrilled the branch could complete the project despite the cancellation of fundraisers due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I am extremely proud of our small Ararat branch team who have worked hard throughout the past three years, despite the obstacles of COVID-19, to raise $235,000 for the general xray machine – the biggest stand-alone project to date in our 20-year history,” Mrs Radford said.

“It is in no small part due to the generosity of our community that we were able to deliver on our commitment, and to see the x-ray machine now installed in the East Grampians Health Service medical imaging department is exciting for all members of our branch.”

The branch is looking towards a special event, on April 12, when a Blue Ribbon Foundation Memorial Dedication Ceremony is at Ararat Town Hall.

Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police, Shane Patton APM, will dedicate the new Blue Ribbon Foundation Wing of East Grampians Health Service, which includes the medical imaging and pathology departments.

The wing will be named in honour of the 175 Victoria Police officers who have died in the line of duty.

The ceremony will also include a re-dedication of the medical facilities and equipment the foundation and Ararat branch has provided to the health service in honour of Sergeant John McNally and police recruit Jason Bond.

The branch has taken on a new project this year, making an initial commitment of $85,000 towards a general ultrasound machine.

“Today, as in the past, the Ararat branch is indebted to the ongoing generosity of the community and together with the strong partnership with ACE Radio, AME Systems, Ararat Rural City and many others we are committed to supporting East Grampians Health Service to make a difference for all in the community,” Mrs Radford said.

Rural Northwest Health temporarily pauses its Hopetoun Urgent Care service

From Monday 20 March 2023, Rural Northwest Health (RNH) will temporarily pause its Urgent Care service at Hopetoun due to a shortage of qualified and appropriately skilled Registered Nurses. To ensure patient safety, RNH has worked with key partners including, Ambulance Victoria, to put in place alternative pathways for the community to access emergency care while to reducing inconvenience for the community.

Chief Executive Jenni Masters apologised to the Hopetoun community but said the decision was necessary to adhere to its commitment to high quality and safe care that is within the capability of the health service.

“We always strive to ensure our community has access to the care they need as close to home as possible. To ensure safe care for people and taking into account the staff mix and the health staff shortages across Victoria, we’ve had to make this difficult but important decision.

“While clearly this is not what we want, our sole priority is patient safety and this is an effective alternative. We will also do all we can to recruit necessary staff and will reinstate Urgent Care as soon as it is safe to do so,” she said.

The temporary pause in Urgent Care service at Hopetoun will be reviewed daily as RNH actively works with neighbouring health services and health staff agencies to recruit more staff to ensure the safe recommencement as soon as possible.

RNH put the following options in place for the community:

1. If someone is seriously injured or needs urgent medical help, people should always dial 000 for an ambulance as normal.

2. For non-life-threatening emergencies, people are encouraged to contact the state-wide Victorian Virtual Emergency Department (VVED), which is available 24 hours per day, seven days a week. This provides patients access via video call to highly skilled emergency medical teams such as physicians, paediatricians, nurse practitioners and other specialists from the comfort of their home.

3. RNH is offering VVED at the Hopetoun facility for people who are unable to access the service remotely. A room has been set up with access to VVED.

4. Ambulance Victoria is also supporting people as they access the virtual system. RNH Chair Genevieve O’Sullivan endorsed the decision, and said the Board was united behind the entire executive and every staff member at the health service.

“I acknowledge the work of all our staff who have helped us through challenging times, and their work to serve the community.

“I also thank the community for their patience and ask for their support while we do this essential work to ensure long-term quality care at RNH.”

For more information on VVED and to establish a video conference with the medical practitioner, people can visit https://www.vved.org.au/ or call RNH on 03 539 68200.

For the most up-to-date information on RNH’s Urgent Care service, visit https://rnh.net.au/

Children in the hunt for reading fun

Stawell children will play ‘hide-andseek’ with books this week.

Stawell Tuition is leading the third ‘Read and Re-hide’ initiative throughout Cato Park tomorrow and Friday to encourage children to have fun while reading books.

Stawell Tuition director Helena Grobbelaar said a lockdown ‘well-being Wednesday’ idea had grown.

“My daughter Lenka and I thought of some ideas to inspire kids to read and decided to do a book drop where kids look for books at Cato Lake, read them and then re-hide them for other friends to find,” she said.

“It’s just a little bit of fun to help kids to enjoy reading and to share their love of reading.

“Reading is such an important skill that parents can help their kids with from a very young age.”

Stawell Tuition has sponsored books and Stawell library has donated pre-loved books. Specsavers Stawell has also donated to the book drop.

People are encouraged to share a photo to the Stawell Tuition Facebook page when they find a book.

Battle far from over

Emotions ran high at Horsham Civic Centre on Monday night when councillors deliberated over a planning permit application for a new service station.

It was always bound to be a challenging conversation among elected officials, under the watchful and critical eye of a packed, vocal public gallery.

The proposal to build a 24-hour service station on the corner of Baillie Street and Dooen Road in Horsham has been met with public outcry for some months. The council has heard from many objectors to the proposal — citing varying concerns including health, noise and light pollution and increased traffic volume.

Previously a service station, before transformation to a retail business space, the site is nearby heritage residental properties, schools and the hospital and a few short paces from a major highway intersection.

It took more than a half-hour to reach a tied 3-3 vote, and it required the mayor’s casting decision to determine the next steps for the application —

EDITORIAL

By Jessica Grimble

approve it, and proceed with the development, with conditions; or reject it, and risk developers taking the decision to a VCAT hearing.

Members of the gallery applauded those who supported their calls to block the proposal; and caused disruption to the meeting, prompting warnings from the mayor, when they vocally protested debate. There were accusations, fingerpointing and a walkout. Conversly, there was even a standing ovation.

It, quite literally, could have fallen either way.

At the end of the night, objectors knew they had won the battle but their appeal, and the uncertainty, is far from over. Now it’s the developer’s play as to what comes next.

Daylight Saving ends

Sunday, April 2

Move your clock backward one hour at 3am

Clean-up thanks

Horsham Tidy Towns thanks all those who took part in a successful Clean-up Australia Day effort in Horsham and surrounding districts on Sunday, March 5.

Community teams collected 12 cubic metres of litter and rubbish in Horsham, while 40 bags were collected from 15 kilometres of roadsides at Wartook and Laharum.

Other community teams made collections in Haven and along Golf Course Road.

Forty volunteers from Horsham were assigned to the Western Highway, every central business district car park, the railway station precinct and the riverfront.

Compared with previous years, it was encouraging that litter and rubbish was considerably less – indicating continuing community attitudes to reducing litter and contributing to our widely acknowledged ‘Tidy Town’ signature.

Horsham Tidy Towns thanks

FIVE-DAY forecast

Our

Horsham Rural City Council, Horsham Bunnings, Horsham Rotary, the Laharum community and members of the CFA for their contribution to another successful Clean-up Australia Day effort.

Horsham Tidy Towns is now continuing to liaise with Horsham council for an acceptable replacement ‘Tidy Towns’ sign on the Stawell Road entrance to the city.

The committee also advise that the group will again enter Horsham in the 2023 Tidy Towns Keep Australia Beautiful Victoria Awards.

Activities and initiatives within our community will be highlighted in the state-wide judging for Victoria’s Tidiest Town 2023, which will be held in June or July this year.

David Eltringham OAM, chair, Horsham Tidy Towns committee

Getting in touch with The Weekly AdverTiser

Our office is at 2 Stawell Road, Horsham. Mail: PO Box 606, Horsham 3402. Telephone: 5382 1351.

Website: www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au Email: weeklyadvertiser@team.aceradio.com.au

For classified advertisements: 5382 1351 – email: horsham@aceradio.com.au

Advertising: Mark Sulic: 0407 313 456, marks@team.aceradio.com.au; Lee Meadows: 0407 046 864, leem@team.aceradio.com.au; Nathan Henry: 0418 657 247, nathanh@team.aceradio.com.au

Advertising: Mark Sulic: 0407 313 456, marks@team.aceradio.com.au; Lee Meadows: 0407 046 864, leem@team.aceradio.com.au; Michelle Reid: 0428 870 511, mreid@aceradio.com.au; Danica Turvey: 0488 473 562, dturvey@aceradio.com.au; Heidi Higginson: 0438 759 220, heidih@aceradio.com.au

Newsroom: Dean Lawson: 0448 571 811, deanl@team.aceradio.com.au; Lauren Henry: 5382 1351, laurenh@team.aceradio.com.au

Newsroom: Jessica Grimble: 0400 836 483, jgrimble@aceradio.com.au; Abby Walter: 0483 027 536, awalter@aceradio.com.au; Georgia Bailey: 5382 1351, georgiab@team.aceradio.com.au

The publisher and general manager is Brendan O’Loughlin, C/- 2 Stawell Road, Horsham, for Ace Radio Broadcasters Pty Ltd, ACN 064 882 042. The Weekly Advertiser is a free paper printed by Newsprinters Pty Ltd, 1 McKoy Street, West Wodonga, and distributed by regional distributors and Australia Post.

The publisher and general manager is Scott Grambau, C/- 2 Stawell Road, Horsham, for Ace Radio Broadcasters Pty Ltd, ACN 064 882 042. The Weekly Advertiser is a free paper printed by Newsprinters Pty Ltd, 7940 Melbourne Rd, Shepparton, and distributed by regional distributors and Australia Post.

BOOK WORMS: Back, from left, Helena Grobbelaar, Reuben Martin, Sunday Kongor and Lenka Grobbelaar; and front, Lilly Holmes, Alex Kongor and Minay Grobbelaar are preparing for the third ‘Read and Re-hide’ in Stawell this week.

Empowering others to use their voice

Anational campaign seeks to highlight the power of a voice when it comes to mental health awareness and support.

The Australian commercial radio industry, which includes the ACE Radio Network, is leading the ‘You’re the Voice’ initiative.

Eight national mental health organisations – Beyond Blue, 13Yarn, Lifeline, the Suicide Call Back Service, MensLine Australia, Kids Helpline, Open Arms and Support Act – are also involved in the campaign.

It recognises that one-in-two Australians will experience mental health issues in their lifetime and encourages people – no matter where they live or what circumstances they face – to reach out to a mental health organisation that best meets their needs.

Australian world music star and mental health advocate Mitch Tambo, a proud Gamilaraay man, is leading the on-air education campaign.

Tambo rose to prominence when he performed John Farnham’s iconic anthem, ‘You’re the Voice’ in Gamilaraay language on Australia’s Got Talent in 2019. He went on to sign with Sony Music.

Tambo said he had ‘felt the pressure’ to ‘hide problems’ – particularly considering his professional role as a social worker.

If you, or someone you know, needs help phone: Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636

13Yarn: 13 92 76 Lifeline: 13 11 14

Helpline: 1800 55 1800

“The narrative of this country is coming from the generations before; that we don’t talk about our problems – suck it up, move on, be strong, hold it together, press on,” he told ACE Radio.

“Thankfully, we’ve all realised that does not work.

“The best possible approach is to identify that my voice is my power, and your voice is your power, and there’s nothing wrong with using that power as a vehicle to reach out and access help or to ask someone how they are doing.

“We can really get lost in our thoughts in our mind.

“What starts off as a pebble grabs all this momentum and ends up a gigantic mountain.

“When we’re able to talk, and let those feelings go, we might realise it really was just a pebble and it’s not that bad.”

Beyond Blue chief executive

Georgie Harman said there were many ways people could seek support.

“We encourage people to seek mental health support at the first sign they’re not feeling like themselves, because reaching out before you’re in crisis can make it easier to bounce back,” she said.

Ford Ennals, chief executive of Commercial Radio and Audio, CRA, the radio industry body co-ordinating the campaign, said radio was a powerful connector and educator.

“Mental health is such an important issue for all of us; it’s fundamental to all our lives,” he said.

“There’s so much uncertainty in the world and all the experiences throughout the pandemic – particularly the isolation of young people.

“Radio has such a powerful way of connecting us all.

“One of the key issues is to normalise the dialogue; to get people comfortable in talking about themselves and the issues they’re having – and to put them in touch with experts.”

The four-week campaign launched on the UNs International Day of Happiness last week.

The UN General Assembly, in 2011, recognised happiness as a fundamental human goal and called for a balanced approach to economic growth that promotes happiness and well-being.

SINGING FOR SUPPORT: A music show in Horsham has provided critical funds to support the mental health of returned servicemen and women. Horsham Lions Club has donated $1000 to Wimmera Veterans Centre, in Horsham, following a fundraising concert featuring country music singer Justin Standley and Wimmera performer John Cameron in December. The concert, the brainchild of Lion Ivan Smith, a Standley fan, attracted about 110 people to Horsham RSL. Horsham Lions Club president Chris Sutton, left, and social committee member Elaine Cutjar are pictured presenting the donation to Horsham RSL members Rex Dumesny, second from left, and Colin Hill, right. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

City band granted hall license

Horsham Rural City Band has been granted an extended user license at Horsham’s Jubilee Hall following a month-long engagement period.

The band is considering calling the Roberts Avenue building home for the next 15 years with two five-year extension options available.

The extended license term was granted following a four-week community engagement process, as required by the Local Government Act.

Horsham’s new bin system will be introduced in April 2023.

The council received seven submissions during the consultation period – none of which objected to the proposal.

Since the adoption of the Sawyer Park and Horsham City Oval Concept Plan, council officers have worked with representatives of both Horsham Rural City Band and the Horsham Pipe Band, who have been impacted by the plan.

The pipe band has signed a nine-year agreement to use part of Jubilee Hall.

The contents from our municipality's recycling bins go to Wheelie Waste in Stawell for sorting Plastics, paper, cardboard and metals are separated into their categories, then bailed and then passed on to be processed into new products

Remember: Contamination by putting the wrong things in your recycling bin can mean that your recycling will be sent to landfill

GOES IN YOUR RECYCLING BIN BIN ELSEWHERE

Aluminium foil and cans, steel cans and trays

Paper and cardboard (flattened)

Rigid household plastics and their lids

e g milk bottles, soft drink bottles, washing liquid bottles, yoghurt tubs, etc

Hard plastic trays and containers

Clean pizza boxes, milk and juice containers

Aerosol cans (empty and non toxic)

Glass bottles and jars(Place in purple bin)

Coated cardboard and packaging including milk cartons, tetra packs, coffee cups

All black plastic such as meat trays and pot plants

Polystyrene

Light globes and tubes

Batteries

Electrical items or appliances (E-Waste)

Fabric or clothing

Nappies

Flammable items

Debt can be overwhelming and stressful, but creating a plan to pay it off can help ease that burden.

In Australia, household debt is on the rise, with the average household owing more than $260,000 in 2021, Australian Bureau of Statistics show.

If you’re struggling with debt, following are some tips and strategies for creating a debt repayment plan.

Create a budget

The first step in creating a debt repayment plan is to create a budget. This will help you understand where your money is going and where you can cut back on expenses.

List all of your income and expenses, including bills, rent or mortgage payments, groceries and any other expenses. Once you have a clear picture of your finances, you can start to identify areas where you can save money.

Prioritise high-interest debt

If you have multiple debts, it is important to prioritise the ones with the highest interest rates.

These debts are costing you the most money in interest charges, so paying them off first will save you money in the long run.

Make minimum payments on all of your debts, and put any extra money towards the one with the highest interest rate.

Automate payments

Automating your debt payments can help ensure you do not miss any payments and incur late fees.

Set up automatic payments for the minimum payments on all of your debts, and then add extra payments as you can afford them.

Choose a repayment strategy

There are different methods of debt repayment, such as the snowball and avalanche methods. The snowball method involves paying off the smallest debt first, while the avalanche method involves paying off the debt with the highest interest rate first.

FINANCE focus

with Robert Goudie CFP GradDipFP Consortium Private Wealth

Choose the method that works best for your situation, and stick to it.

Case study

Let’s compare two scenarios to see how creating a debt repayment plan can make a difference.

In scenario one, Sarah has $10,000 in credit card debt, with an interest rate of 20 percent. She is making minimum payments of $200 a month, but is struggling to make progress on paying off the debt.

In scenario two, John has the same amount of credit card debt, but has created a debt repayment plan. He is making minimum payments of $200 a month, but has also cut back on expenses and is putting an extra $200 a month towards the debt. He is using the avalanche method, and has prioritised the credit card with the highest interest rate of 25 percent.

After one year, Sarah will still have $8360 in credit card debt, and will have paid $1440 in interest charges.

In contrast, John will have paid $4800 of his debt, and will have saved $1200 in interest charges.

Creating a debt repayment plan can make a big difference in your financial situation.

By creating a budget, prioritising high-interest debt, automating payments, and choosing a repayment strategy, you can take control of your debt and work towards becoming debt-free.

If you need help creating a debt repayment plan, consider speaking with a financial adviser who can provide guidance and support.

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

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Wimmera voices help shape policy

BY JESSICA GRIMBLE

Wimmera healthcare professionals have offered their voice to a national forum seeking to address the industry’s ongoing workforce crisis.

Federal Member for Mallee Anne Webster hosted the two-day Mildura Regional Health Summit, in Mildura, earlier this month for 130 delegates from across Australia – including representatives from across the electorate.

Frontline healthcare professionals including GPs, nurses, nurse practitioners, allied health, practice managers and pharmacists joined leaders of peak health sector bodies and representatives of universities.

Horsham’s Lister House Medical Clinic leaders were among attendees.

Dr Webster said the summit was a chance to bring peak bodies and regional workforce representatives together, to hear the challenges of rural and regional health first-hand.

“The summit created an environment where professionals could speak freely and share their ideas without fear of backlash – it was true collaboration,” she said.

“The summit reinforced the issues regional healthcare professionals experience are universal.

“The room was unified that the Labor government’s decision to expand the Distribution Priority Areas last year had bled the regions of international doctors to move to outer urban areas.

“In a broader sense, issues such as expanding the scope of practice to be determined at a local level to respond to the needs of local communities and health providers was discussed, as well as different models of funding.”

Dr Webster said a preliminary summary of the summit’s discussions had been sent to Health

Minister Mark Butler, Department Of Health secretary Professor Brendan Murphy and National Rural Health Commissioner Adjunct Professor Ruth Stewart.

“My work from here to is to collate and thematically analyse the data collected at the summit and work towards policy reform which will improve healthcare across regional Australia,” she said.

Systemic change

Lister House chief executive Amanda Wilson said attendees discussed opportunities for systemic change.

“From a person on the ground, it was incredibly well run, the attention to detail was excellent, and we were put into discussion groups – where we found themes were very similar across different areas,” she said.

“It was excellent to get so many people to the forum and it felt it was led and run by us – the people on the ground.”

Former Australian deputy chief medical officer Nick Coatsworth was the summit’s facilitator.

Representatives from peak bodies including Australian College of Nurse Practitioners, Australian College of Nursing, Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine, Australian Medical Association Council of Rural Doctors, La Trobe University, Murray PHN, National Rural Health Alliance, Pain Australia, Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, Royal Flying Doctors Service Victoria, Rural Doctors Association of Australia, Rural Doctors Association of Victoria, Rural Workforce Agencies Network, Rural Workforce Agency Victoria, Services for Australian Rural and Remote Allied Health, University of Melbourne, University of Sydney and Monash University were in attendance.

committee members, from left, Darryn Wardle, Max Wright, Caz Forster, Alana Morrow and Peter Miller on the Maydale Pavilion stage at Horsham Showground.

‘Bring your boot-scootin’ boots’

Organisers of this week’s Pleasant Sunday Afternoon concert at Horsham’s Maydale Pavilion are indicating the name of the event might be a bit deceiving.

Committee member Alana Morrow said the majority of performers were popular country music artists, with other local musicians providing well-known covers.

“While we’ve called it a Pleasant Sunday Afternoon, the vibe the artists will be providing lends itself to some great dance music, so we encourage people to bring their boot-scootin’ boots as there will be plenty of opportunities to dance,” she said.

Elders Southern Wool Report

She said there had been interest for the event from throughout the region and across to South Australia.

Maydale Reserve at Horsham Showground has both powered and unpowered sites available for people wanting to camp there before and after the event. Campsite bookings and all other information can be found on the Horsham Country Music Inc Facebook page.

The family event on Sunday, starting at 1pm, is a fundraiser to support Wimmera Cancer Centre’s harpist and Horsham Rural City Band.

Horsham Agricultural Society will open the Maydale Bar

and canteen for catering. The Pleasant Sunday Afternoon is featuring regional artists including St Arnaud-based band Roadhouse, who will be backing The Austins, Ian ‘Bidge’ Boyd, Robyn Norton and Sandra Loats for the country fans.

Darryn Wardle, Jeff Woodward and Peter Miller will provide a blend of popular and rock songs, with the event planned to finish at 5pm. Tickets cost $15 for adults and are available online at trybooking.com /cgmzy or can be purchased on the day; tickets for children 16-andyounger are free.

49,501

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ENTERTAINMENT: Pleasant Sunday Afternoon

Warm welcome

Gaining Australian citizenship has been a family affair for the Ebersohn’s, of Horsham.

Dr Christiaan Ebersohn, a physician, and Ursula Ebersohn, a dental assistant, and their children Christiaan, Christian and Maria migrated to Australia from South Africa five years ago.

They became Australian citizens earlier this month – almost five years to the day they moved to the country – at a citizenship ceremony at Horsham Civic Centre.

They were among a group of 16 people to gain citizenship.

“It’s such a big highlight for us all,” Dr Ebersohn said.

“We’ve spent nights doing paperwork and working hard to get everything ready to this point.

“It’s been quite a journey for us, as a family, and we are absolutely delighted.”

Dr Ebersohn said moving to Australia was a long-held dream – but his experience, so far, exceeded all expectations.

“I had been dreaming about coming to Australia for a long time, so this for us is like a new beginning,” he said.

“The whole family has embraced it and we’re really happy to be here and part of the Wimmera. We love it.

“I often look at this journey and think we probably should have done it a little earlier in our lives.”

Hindmarsh Shire Council also hosted a citizenship ceremony this month – coinciding with Harmony Day celebrations in Nhill.

Councils officiate citizenship ceremonies on behalf of the Federal Government.

All new citizens receive a native plant as a gift from their respective council to mark the occasion.

Horsham – 115 Stawell Road

Ballarat – 29 Coronet St, Wendouree

P – 03 5382 6777

Horsham VIC 3400 T | 03 5382 6777

F | 03 5382 7093

W – www.bondyscontractors.com.au

E – info@bondyscontractors.com.au

Trading Hours –

Trading Hours | Monday - Friday: 8am - 5.30pm

Monday - Friday: 8am - 5.30pm

CELEBRATION: New citizens with Horsham Rural City mayor Robyn Gulline, right, after a ceremony in Horsham. Pictures: PAUL CARRACHER

FORMAL: Hindmarsh shire councillor Melanie Albrecht, left, and mayor Brett Ireland, right, with new citizens Kimberly Bermudez and daughter Nicollette, Bleh Bleh Wah and Eh Wah Htoo Shwe.

DELIGHTED: Maria, Christian, Christiaan, Christiaan and Ursula Ebersohn celebrate becoming Australian citizens.

WEED-IT INFORMATION & WORKING DEMONSTRATION

THURSDAY MARCH 30TH

Traction Ag are hosting a WEED-IT information afternoon at the Rainbow FNC clubrooms next Thursday the 30th of March. Starting at 3pm, there will be working demonstrations, representatives from Rometron Australia and Agronomists for discussion on-site, followed by a BBQ.

WEED-IT In The Wimmera Features

Rometron Australia was established with a mission of bringing WEED-IT sensors to farmers fitted on the best boom sprays for our unique farming landscapes. Now proudly partnering with Traction Ag bringing retrofit options to Wimmera farmers.

25cm Nozzle Spacing

Tall weeds head to foot coverage

Reduced stubble shading

Twice the detection & twice the savings of 50cm spacing

Automatic Background Calibration & Exceptional Monitoring

Peace of mind operation

User friendly Simple to operate

ISOBUS Compatability

Interface with multiple controllers

Automatic boom section control

Weed mapping capabilties

Prescription / coverage maps upload and application

If you are interested in the WEED-IT working demonstration, use the QR code or email admin@tractionag.com.au to book your attendance. Booking is essential for catering purposes.

SCAN HERE

Traction Ag Horsham

135 Stawell Road HORSHAM

Phone: 03 5381 1385 www.tractionag.com.au

PWM

Constant rate with varying speed Corner compensation

Light Weight

Easyfitout

Less weight on boom 1 sensor per metre

750 g per metre

Smart Power Management

PSU conversion 12v - 48v 4 times less current Lighter wiring

Reduced power loss

Current draw on tractor approx. 2.2 amp/m

Traction Ag Nhill

6 Brougham Street NHILL Phone: 03 5391 1144

Generations awarded for innovation

BY ABBY WALTER Horsham’s Nagorcka

fam-

ily has marked a full-circle achievement this year.

The family took home the 2023 Wimmera Machinery Field Days’ best new machine accolade – 40 years after they first won the award.

Edgar Nagorcka won the best new machine award with his flat 10-bale system bale buncher in 1983.

At the 2023 field days, his son Brian and grandsons Richard and Eddy won the same award with their Bute Disc Chain.

Positivity in the air

Agriculture machinery business leaders are recognising confidence in the industry as farmers approach cropping season and machinery delays shrink.

Business representatives had the opportunity to connect with farmers at the Wimmera Machinery Field Days and discuss sentiment for the upcoming season.

Horsham Hydraulics director Eddy Nagorcka said farmers appeared positive.

“I think everyone is happy with how the past few years have gone and there’s moisture in the ground, so they are pretty excited about the season,” he said.

Emmetts Horsham sales representative James Gardner said the coming months looked promising.

“All farmers seem happy – the past three years have averaged pretty well, so feedback has been good,” he said.

“There’s plenty of moisture around, so it could shape up to be a good year if we get follow-up rain later in the season.”

Mr Gardner said most machinery wait times were between eight to 12 months – a stark contrast with the 12 months to two-year wait in recent years.

“Machinery wait times are slowly getting better and we’re in the process of playing catch-up now,” he said.

“I think in the next 18 months to two years we will be back to where we should be, but that always depends on

The Bute Disc Chain was a collaborative project between Bute Discs and Horsham Hydraulics, where Brian Nagorcka is owner. Richard and Eddy Nagorcka are directors of Horsham Hydraulics.

Brian Nagorcka said the project was three years in the making.

“The team from Bute Discs designed the discs and got them made and we designed the frame for it,” he said.

“The machine cuts the stubble ready for cropping, which means farmers don’t have to burn stubble. It works well.

“It’s been a slow development, but the team at Horsham Hydraulics has worked hard.

“We have a draftsman who had the components cut out and we welded it together in one frame.”

Mr Nagorcka said the team had built the machine to sell and also had another for hire.

“Machinery these days is pretty costly and you have to have a certain amount of work for them to make it worthwhile to buy,” he said.

He said the award marked three generations of the family developing new

machinery. “I have been a farmer for a fair part of my life,” he said.

“Dad developed a 10-bale handling machine, that meant farmers didn’t have to touch hay bales.

“All they had to do was drive the machine which put the hay in a form of 10 and someone could come along with the front-end loader to load it onto a truck and then take them off the truck to put on a stack.

“We sold quite a few of those, but machines and the industry progresses and now you have big bales that weigh about a tonne or more.”

Mr Nagorcka said to win the same award as his dad was very special.

“There are other good machines that are here, too. To win an award at the field days is no mean feat,” he said. He said after three years it was ‘almost strange’ to return to the field days.

“I have been connected with the field days for 40 years,” he said.

“We started here with the machine Dad built, we had a site here for several years and then have attended since we bought Horsham Hydraulics 28 years ago.”

manufacturers, where parts and machines are coming from and shipping.

“Nearly everything we had on our field days site was sold – we had to use some of the customers’ machines, as well, to show it off.

“It was all new machinery waiting to go out to buyers.

“There are some machines available to buy right now, but it is minimal.”

Agrimac sales manager Justin Beugelaar said he could also see manufacturing catching up to demand for machines.

“The industry is playing catch-up and we are seeing in certain models, where we have been waiting 12 to 18 months, that the wait times are getting shorter,” he said.

“As with everything, there are models that are really sought after, so the lead times are still out to some degree.

“However, we are telling people who are looking at buying – get your

name on what you want quickly and be next in line.”

Mr Beugelaar said after significant rain in spring last year that impacted some farming areas, there was a positive feeling in the air.

“I think it’s going to be a better year,” he said.

“Obviously, we had a successful year last year because of the rain, but we got hay off in the Wimmera and grades weren’t the best we’ve seen in

all areas – but there’s always a market for that.

“I think this year farmers are looking forward to some slightly drier weather, so I do see a lot of machinery being purchased in hay and little tractors.”

FIELD DAYS FUN: Pictured enjoying this year’s Wimmera Machinery Field Days are, above, Carter Allison; left, Corey Trevena and Tyler Moyle; below right, Lincoln and his dad Tom Fax with Ron Schneider; and below left, Pat Barton and Matty Lenssen. Pictures: PAUL CARRACHER

Bet made with confidence

Itravelled to Devenish for a grain grower meeting last week.

Devenish is a small village in northeast Victoria, 50-kilometres east of Shepparton.

Like so many small towns throughout regional Victoria, it is working hard to maintain a sense of community.

It lost its footy and netball club a few years back and the Graincorp silos have closed – but it still has a great pub.

I went there to talk about the High Amylose Wheat, HAW, project we are working on.

Think of it as a ‘wheat with benefits’ – probably the first wheat to have clear health benefits beyond just normal nutrition.

The first commercial production of HAW was in the Wimmera last season, with 11 growers producing 3500 megatonnes.

The first shipment is now on its way to a flour mill in Japan.

A domestic miller has also joined the project and will take 500mt of the

From left field

with David Matthews

2022 crop to begin commercial-scale trials in Australia.

So it is time to expand production and to manage seasonal risk by spreading the geography.

I’m pretty upbeat about prospects for HAW, and not just from the perspective of growing a profitable crop.

With this project, the farmers are working directly with the technology owner and the customer.

We don’t need an elongated supply chain, which often distorts information flow and always disperses value.

If we get the model right, we can repeat this with other new technologies.

So after giving the HAW spiel at Devenish, I was a bit taken aback to hear a crusty cockie grunt and say, ‘heard it all before mate’.

Turns out the crusty cockie was a

bloke named Ged. We both started an ag science degree at La Trobe University many years ago. He lasted one term, I lasted two.

At the time, I claimed to be twice as smart as him.

Ged countered saying he’s clearly the smartest – completed his uni degree in half the time it took me.

Either way, Ged had a point. They have heard it all before.

Farmers have been to many, many meetings where they have been told about the next beaut thing that will be great for their business.

They invest time and money into the product or project only to find in a year or two it hasn’t delivered on the promises made. How is this any different?

Contemplating this reminded me of that favourite line of Rob Hunt, ex managing director of Bendigo Bank and architect of the Community Bank model.

Rob would say a bank’s role is to ‘feed into prosperity, not off it’.

It’s not a bad filter to use when listening to a proposition and when

Bounty back

presenting one. Will this project or product add to the prosperity of the people who ‘buy in’?

Or is it just trying to tap into some of the wealth they have created in their enterprise?

I couldn’t really give Ged a definitive answer as to why this is different.

I could point to the CSIRO origin of the science, the capability of the plant breeding company developing the varieties and the co-operation of Japan’s largest flour mill.

In the end, though, this project will only be successful if consumers want the product.

So in the absence of a guarantee, the only option was to make a bet.

If in two years’ time the HAW project is not continuing to expand, I have to shout the bar in the Devenish pub.

If, however, the project is a success, Ged shouts the bar.

Turns out the other 14 farmers at the meeting are determined to ensure HAW is a success.

Apparently, Ged doesn’t shout often.

Victoria’s fox and wild dog bounty has resumed for 2023 and a new digital system is in place for the application process.

Agriculture Victoria biosecurity officers will operate monthly collection centres across the state from March until October.

Agriculture Victoria biosecurity manager Jason Wishart said participants could submit entire fox scalps for a $10 reward and entire wild dog body parts for a $120 reward at specified collection centres during scheduled collection times.

“I urge participants to refresh their knowledge of the bounty terms and conditions to ensure their bounty submissions are accepted,” he said.

Last year, 82,558 fox scalps and 384 wild dog body parts were collected.

Mr Wishart said Agriculture Victoria introduced a new system last year to streamline the application process, reduce wait times at collection centres and allow participants to keep track of bounty applications.

Registration for the new digital system is available via agriculture.vic. gov.au/bounty

SKILL: Sheep dogs and their handlers had a day out at the 95th annual Moyston Sheep Dog Trials earlier this month. It was a successful meet for Michael Deppeler whose dog Deppeler’s Spot topped the pool in both the open and improver categories; while Somerville Buddy was runner-up in the open section. Clementsville Depp, for Thomas Joyce, took out the novice section. Organisers received more than 35 registrations for the novice section and about 70 registrations for the open and improver categories. Among them was St Arnaud’s David Hines and Blue, pictured above.

Shaun Casey, Sandra Casey, Erin Wallace

Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Recognition of ongoing work

Field

Applied

Research Australia

managing director Nick Poole is the fifth recipient of Birchip Cropping Group’s Harm van Rees award.

Mr Poole received the award in recognition of his expertise and commitment to extending best practice in canopy and fungicide management to farmers across the Wimmera and Mallee.

He received the award at BCG’s trials review day after thinking he was attending the event to deliver a disease management presentation.

Mr Poole said he had always enjoyed working with farming systems groups.

“It’s such a fantastic way to get the message across to a large number of people,” he said.

“BCG is such a welcoming organisation, which I feel proud to have worked with and continue to work with.”

The Harm van Rees Award is awarded to a farmer, researcher, agronomist or industry leader who has made a significant contribution to agriculture in the region.

The recipient must capture and share the qualities of the award’s namesake, Harm van Rees, in that they are committed to supporting farmers with science, delivered in practical messaging.

BCG chief executive Fiona Best said Mr Poole’s stripe rust research and extension work was significant.

“Nick has been working with grow-

ers for the past 20 years, providing research-based strategies across Australia,” she said.

“He has worked with BCG from the beginning, leading fungicide diagnostic schools locally and across borders.

“Nick is a true leader in his field, having developed integrated disease management strategies including variety choice, fungicide timings and awareness around optimum seasonal conditions to ensure growers are well equipped to make informed economic decisions.”

Dr Harm van Rees said BCG existed because of the ‘tremendous support’ of farmers, sponsors, funding agencies, staff and research supporters.

“Nick has been a part of BCG’s journey for a long, long time,” he said.

“He has an intrinsic ability to clearly explain, demonstrate and cajole us to think about how crops grow and what the crop needs to optimise its yield potential.

“Nick is known for his quiet, measured speech, ensuring his audience hangs on every word.

Information hub for meat industry

Meat and Livestock Australia has launched Aussie Meat Trade Hub to improve connection and access to information for red meat growers, importers and exporters.

The hub is a single source of resources and services to assist with buying, selling and marketing Australian beef, sheep meat and goat meat to global markets.

Meat and Livestock Australia, MLA, international markets general manager Andrew Cox said the greatest benefit of the hub was that it brought together a wide variety of great promotional tools into one place.

“Prior to the hub’s launch, users might have needed to log in multiple times across multiple websites to complete different tasks,” he said.

“Now, users can access the five functional areas – exporters database, brand and licensing, assets library, global insights and trade shows – in one place via a single sign-on using their existing myMLA account.”

Agricultural burn permits

Country Fire Authority officials have moved to ease concerns of a fire emergency, as permitted burn-offs begin on rural properties across the region.

District 17 commander Lindsay Barry said people might begin to see smoke as the authority starts to issue ‘schedule-13’ permits to people working in the agriculture industry for the burning of fine fuel including grass, stubble and weeds.

A ‘schedule-13’ permit may be issued to an individual, only where there is an essential need to burn during a fire danger period, for example farming purposes.

“I have cherished my time working with him and I am pleased to see his hard work recognised with this award.”

The Harm van Rees award was first awarded in 2007 to no-till farming pioneer Allen Postlethwaite.

Subsequent recipients have been oilseed expert Steve Marcroft, Mallee agronomist Rob Sonogan and the late Tony Rathjen, who was responsible for creating the popular wheat varieties Frame and Yitpi.

Mr Barry said the authority would work with an area’s ‘group officer’ to determine requirements of a permit – including the size of the burn-off and fire breaks, the number of people required to attend and monitor a burn-off and the volume of water required on-hand. Wind speed, temperature and time of day are also considered.

Conditions of a permit can change from year to year.

Mr Barry said people could expect a response to a permit application within days.

The fire danger period remains in place until early May.

The hub is open to all MLA partners, including exporters, importers, retailers, butchers and chefs from across the world.

There is also relevant and profile-tailored content for Australian red meat producers and MLA’s industry partners, and importers can connect directly with potential exporters to inquire about Australian red meat.

Mr Cox said the ultimate role of the hub was for the world to have a single, streamlined site to access suppliers of Australian red meat.

“Australia’s reputation for producing trusted high-quality red meat products is shown by Australia exporting to more than 100 countries around the world,” he said.

“The Aussie Meat Trade Hub simply makes buying and selling the world’s best red meat easier.

“We’re very excited to showcase our product to more of the globe through this hub.”

HONOUR: From left, Birchip Cropping Group chair John Ferrier, Dr Harm van Rees, Nick Poole and BCG chief executive Fiona Best at a trials review day where Mr Poole received a coveted Harm van Rees award.

Third instalment a ‘brilliant’ result

BY ABBY WALTER

Horsham Agricultural Society

hosted its biggest Wimmera Merino Sheep Show on Sunday, with 160 sheep exhibited at the event’s third instalment.

The show, at Horsham’s Maydale Reserve, included the Wimmera Fleece Show and Wimmera Yard Dog Trial.

The society’s executive officer Andrea Cross said to have 160 sheep exhibited was a ‘brilliant’ result.

“We had more than 200 people attend, which is good numbers for a show of a specific breed,” she said.

Wurrook Fine and Superfine Merino

Wools won grand champion ewe and Terrick West Poll Merinos won grand champion ram.

The most successful exhibitor was Orie Cowie, a merino and poll merino stud based at Warooka, South Australia.

Belbourie Merino and Poll Merino

Stud principal Paul Hendy judged the strong and medium classes and Ben Hartwich, of Mt Challicum Merino Stud, judged the fine and superfine classes.

Mrs Cross said it was good to see more women involved in studs exhibiting at the show.

“The number of women representing studs and coming through their family businesses is really good,” she said.

“Claire McGauchie represented Terrick West Poll Merinos, who won champion ram, and Ava Harris, of Koole Vale Merino and Poll Merino Stud, won the junior judging.

“We’re seeing a shift in the industry and there’s a great future in agriculture for everyone.”

The yard dog trials were run under

the Victorian Yard Dog Utility Farm Dog Association by local delegates. Volunteers ran the Wimmera Fleece Show and used the showcase as an opportunity to fundraise for Wimmera Legacy.

Craig Eagle, of Glenera North Merinos, won grand champion fleece of the show.

WINNER: Craig Eagle and Loreta Batalla with Craig’s champion fleece at the Wimmera Merino Sheep Show. Pictures: PAUL CARRACHER

ON SHOW: Longerenong College students Patria Lees and Ruby Smith.

PROUD: Warren Russell, of Melrose stud, with his champion fine wool merino at the Wimmera show.

Grain market fluctuating

BY ABBY WALTER

National grain market prices are slowly dropping, and quite different to the state of play in March 2022, while Wimmera prices have fluctuated compared with February.

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry reported Australian export prices, as of March 22, were noticeably down on the same time last year.

Grain prices have dropped between 10 and 20 percent compared with the same time last year.

Milling wheat exported at $477 a tonne, feed wheat sold for $452 a tonne and feed barley exported at $409 a tonne. Canola has dropped below $1000 and was exported at $946 a tonne.

Wheat and barley prices have dropped marginally compared with February, while canola has seen a more considerable decrease.

In the Wimmera, AWB recorded bid prices for APW1 wheat last week were about $350; barley at $280; and canola at about $590 a tonne.

GrainCorp recorded bid prices from $335 to $34 for APW1 wheat, about $320 for barley and about $600 a tonne for canola yesterday, compared with

more than $700 at the end of last month.

In the livestock industry, lamb numbers at Horsham Regional Livestock Exchange are increasing lifting ahead of April.

On March 15, 4950 lambs and 1700 sheep were penned, while 7750 lambs and 2000 sheep were yarded on March 22.

Graham Pymer’s market report on Wednesday last week showed some ‘excellent’ runs of trade weight and heavy lambs yarded

The extra heavy-weight lambs and short skin trade weights sold a few dollars more on the previous week.

Medium and heavy-trade-weight lambs sold from $153 to $187 with heavy-weight lambs selling from $215 to $248 a head.

Lightweight lambs sold from $60 to $114 a head and light-trade-weight lambs sold from $112 to $151 a head.

Light sheep sold from $34 to $70 a head and medium-weight sheep sold from $63 to $106 a head.

Heavy merino ewes sold from $84 to $115 a head, crossbred sheep sold from $84 to $125 a head and merino wethers sold from $105 to $151 a head.

Rams sold for up to $39 a head.

CLICK GO THE SHEARS:

Above, Amy Kilpatrick gathers the wool as Sarah Lloyd shears a sheep, and left, Hamish Pearse in action at the Natimuk Show on Saturday. The show’s new raised shearing board had its first run at the weekend, enhancing occupational health and safety measures for people and competitions into the future. Johno Lovel built the board and Travis Maybery and project officer Michael Sudholz, the chief shearing steward, transported it to Natimuk showground last month.

Pictures: PAUL CARRACHER

Therole of real-time data in timely on-farm decisions was a key theme at Tatyoon and Willaura digital farm tech field days.

Ararat Rural City Council hosted the field days to promote opportunities available within the Ararat Digital Twin Spotlight Project.

The project involves working with the region’s farmers and planners to solve agricultural industry and planning challenges using a range of innovative sensor technologies and leveraging the powerful data visualisation and sharing capabilities of the Digital Twin Victoria platform.

The field days enabled the region’s agricultural community to connect and hear first-hand how locally-generated, real-time sensor data could assist on-farm efficiencies and boost productivity.

The council’s chief executive Dr Tim Harrison said the project would unlock exciting local value for the Ararat region.

“Agriculture and agribusiness are strong drivers of our local economy and building digital capacity to provide smart farming technology opportunities, including weather and soil condition monitoring capability, is an area we believe where the Ararat Digital Twin Spotlight project can deliver,” he said.

Growers and advisers in attendance heard from leading sensor technology providers Attentis Australia, FarmBot and Smart Paddock. They also watched presentations from proj-

ect partners Federation University and Telstra, which discussed the Narrowband network and its role in connecting real-time data with easyto-use product apps and interfaces.

The establishment of a local on-farm weather monitoring network, with a target to connect several local, strategically-placed weather stations, is one of the council’s core objectives.

The network is intended to support live data feeds, at the discretion of data owners, into the Ararat Rural Information Network – enabling residents to connect with the environment in real time.

Dr Harrison said he was pleased with grower interest in establishing the on-farm weather monitoring network, and in accessing available council grants.

“We look forward to collaboratively implementing the on-farm network in the coming months,” he said.

“The council’s involvement within the Ararat Digital Twin Spotlight demonstrates our commitment to becoming Australia’s rural innovation capital, leading the way with collaborative partnerships with Federation University Australia to drive advanced research and development in local agriculture and bioenergy.”

The Ararat Digital Twin Spotlight Project is a collaborative partnership with the Digital Twin Victoria program and Federation University Australia.

Report reflects shift in certainty

Victorian farmer confidence is decreasing after harvest delays caused by excessive rain at the end of last year, easing commodity prices and increasing interest rates.

The latest quarterly Rabobank Rural Confidence Survey found farmer sentiment across Victoria dropped compared with the previous quarter.

Nine percent of Victorian farmers expect business conditions to improve in the coming 12 months, down by three percent from the previous quarter, while about 39 percent anticipate conditions to worsen. Fifty-one percent expect conditions to stay the same.

The main driver for those farmers expecting the agricultural economy to worsen is falling commodity prices, with 69 percent citing this, up from 17 percent who listed it as a factor in the previous quarter.

Rabobank southern Victoria and Tasmania regional manager Deborah Maskell-Davies said concerns about falling commodity prices should be tempered with the reality they were coming off record high levels.

“Most agricultural commodity prices have already – or are predicted to – come off the highs of the past few years,” she said.

“However, although cattle prices have backed off a significant peak, milk prices remain strong, and the

quality of broadacre crops was better than many anticipated.

“The situation reflects the settling of factors, which influence agricultural economics in Victoria, so we’re seeing a return to ‘normal’ conditions after a few boom years.

“Many producers have come to terms with this over the past quarter, so it is no surprise this is the main reason farmers anticipate some decline in the agricultural economy.”

Other factors contributing to the drop in Victorian farmer confidence were concerns about drought, rising interest rates and the challenge of

accessing labour. Ms Maskell-Davies said the emergence of drought concern was interesting after significant rain in 2022.

“This potentially reflects some uncertainty, which is normal at this time of year for grain growers in particular, as they look towards the coming autumn break and the unknown of how it will impact this year’s growing season,” she said.

“Forecasts of a drier year ahead could also be weighing on some farmers’ minds.”

The survey found farmers were relieved by easing input costs, with

38 percent of Victorian farmers now citing input costs as a factor in worsening economic conditions.

“This takes some pressure off the inputs’ side of the ledger, with urea prices, in particular, coming off the highs we saw last year,” Ms Maskell-Davies said.

“However, many grain growers may have purchased essential inputs at a high point last year, which has compounded the impact to cashflow and margins from the drop in commodity prices.”

The grains industry had the greatest drop in those expecting the agricul-

tural economy to improve, to only 12 percent compared with 21 percent last quarter.

Ms Maskell-Davies said the latest results reflected the mixed bag of seasonal conditions and harvest yields served up across the states.

“A common theme with grain growers is their frustration due to a long, drawn-out harvest,” she said.

“Many growers would have still been finalising harvest and had plenty of grain on-farm when the previous survey was conducted, while at the same time, they were looking ahead to what the next season could hold in terms of the autumn break for seeding.”

Sheep production was the only sector in Victoria where more producers expect the agricultural economy to improve, creeping up from three percent last quarter to five percent.

Ms Maskell-Davies said many factors were playing into a mixed-bag sentiment.

“Although confidence was up in the sheep sector, many producers are also managing poor growth rates in lambs following the late, wet spring, which meant lambs were either sold later than usual or redirected into the stores market rather than being finished onfarm,” she said.

“Both these factors have impacted cashflow and confidence going into a new season of unknowns.”

ADDRESS: Dennis Vosnesenski presents at the Rabobank stand at the Wimmera Machinery Field Days.

varieous parts, boom transmission final drives

Gleaner N6, all parts new overhauled Alison engine, front.

Case 1640 Header, all parts including front.

AGCO 9250, flex front, most parts.

Manitou MLT745, 2015 model, booms, transmission, drives, various parts.

MF2190, Baler parts, complete pick up (suit 2170), various parts.

JD7810 Tractor, various parts.

JD7930 Tractor, various parts.

MF7475, DynaVT Vario transmission, most parts.

JD 8960 4WD.

Rogator

1. Which reservoir holds more water when full –Toolondo Reservoir south of Horsham or Lake Bellfield near Halls Gap?

2. What historical landmark running along the 36th parallel roughly separates the Wimmera from the Mallee?

4. What former Horsham junior cricket prodigy won a reserves best-and-fairest award with Wimmera league club Horsham and later played 235 games, including two premierships, for North Melbourne?

5. The population of what historic Ararat district goldmining settlement reached 10,000 in the early 1900s and what is it named after?

6. Parts of the Wimmera are home to large earthworms. What is the difference between male and female earthworms?

www.consortiumpw.com.au

7. The relatively flat and open landscapes of much of the Wimmera, coupled with the region’s many clear nights, makes it an ideal place to view rare appearances of the ‘southern lights’. What are the other names of this phenomenon and what causes it?

8. What former Horsham District Football League team won senior premierships in 1951, 1967, 1970 and 1971?

9. Who was the Federal Member for Mallee between 1972 and 1993?

10. Mount Byron is in what 11,700-hectare Wimmera State Park?

Southern Aurora. Solar winds, ions continuously owingfl from the sun, become trapped in the earth’s magnetic eld.fi These particles collide with atmospheric atoms and molecules creating a release of energy which appears as auroras or ‘curtains of light in the sky. Aurora colours generally range from red to green.

ARIES:

(March 21- April 20)

Lucky Colour: White

Lucky Day: Friday Racing Numbers: 5.6.2.3.

Lotto Numbers: 1.12.15.25.29.33.

A busier than usual period. A nancial venture with others could be pro table, although a third party could try to block your path if you let them. A holiday with loved ones should put more of a spark in your love life.

TAURUS:

(April 21- May 20)

Lucky Colour: Green

Lucky Day: Monday

Racing Numbers: 4.6.2.5.

Lotto Numbers: 1.12.15.29.34.40.

A very eventful period for app partnership a airs and although things may not be going to plan, the results could be better than expected. Most will be communicating well with their loved ones.

GEMINI:

(May 21- June 21)

Lucky Colour: Silver

Lucky Day: Wednesday

Racing Numbers: 1.3.5.8.

Lotto Numbers: 1.12.24.40.9.44. Keep a check on your social calendar, otherwise you may have to be in two places at the same time and lose friends and support as a result. Do not buy anything you cannot pay for or a real problem could occur. Love life could be rather hectic.

CANCER:

(June 22- July 22)

Lucky Colour: White

Lucky Day: Friday

Racing Numbers: 2.3.6.5.

Lotto Numbers: 2.13.5.45.40.33. New and exciting friends about to appear on the scene. Extra money will come through luck or e ort. Social events will keep most very busy.

2. A rabbit-proof fence.

3. Kalimna. 4. Craig Sholl. He played for the Kangaroos from 1987 to 2000, averaging 14.1 disposals a game. He was an under-16 Horsham junior cricket ‘run machine’. 5. Mafeking. It was named after the siege and relief of Mafeking during the Boer War in South Africa. Gold discoveries were brief and most people had left the town by 1912. 6. Nothing. Earthworms, despite needing to mate to produce offspring, are hermaphrodites, producing both sperm and eggs. They also have a brain, no lungs and vefi hearts. 7. Aurora Australis or

Answers: 1. Toolondo Reservoir. It holds 106,600 megalitres while Lake eldBellfi holds 78,550.

LEO:

(July 23- August 22)

Lucky Colour: Cream

Lucky Day: Tuesday

Racing Numbers: 5.6.2.1.

Lotto Numbers: 5.12.24.40.39.36.

Sudden changes are indicated and many will get the chance to get away from recent stress and strains. A social gathering could bring a lot more people than planned.

VIRGO:

(August 23- September 23)

Lucky Colour: Peach

Lucky Day: Friday

Racing Numbers: 9.8.4.2.

Lotto Numbers: 8.15.24.42.40.22. Many will bene t through the unexpected lotteries promotion gains. A very busy period with added responsibilities. A contact from the past could add more excitement to the season.

LIBRA:

(September 24- October 23)

Lucky Colour: White

Lucky Day: Wednesday

Racing Numbers: 8.6.4.2.

Lotto Numbers: 8.12.40.25.29.19.

Most will be more attracted to outdoor activities instead of being inside. More at peace within yourself. Pleasant romantic interludes and wedding invitations are indicated.

SCORPIO:

(October 24- November 22)

Lucky Colour: Blue

Lucky Day: Monday

Racing Numbers: 9.6.2.1.

Lotto Numbers: 1.12.15.29.34.36.

Your social activities could be in uenced by long distance travel. Most will be spending a lot more time outdoors. Unwise to risk money or possessions.

SAGITTARIUS:

(November 23- December 20)

Lucky Colour: Fawn

Lucky Day: Saturday

Racing Numbers: 4.6.2.3.

Lotto Numbers: 4.12.26.25.5.22.

Your energy and enthusiasm could be a bit low. Any promises you make will have to be kept; so think very carefully before agreeing to anything important.

CAPRICORN:

(December 21- January 19)

Lucky Colour: Pink

Lucky Day: Friday

Racing Numbers: 2.6.2.1.

Lotto Numbers: 2.13.25.24.40.33. Most will have a more exciting period and will be in for a wilder time on the social scene. However the wise will be more cooperative around their loved ones to keep situations from boiling over.

AQUARIUS:

(January 20- February 19)

Lucky Colour: Dark Blue Lucky Day: Friday

Racing Numbers: 5.6.3.2.

Lotto Numbers: 5.12.23.36.39.30. Stay out of the a airs of those who do not concern you. A very social period and remaking of friendships. Luck in games of chance is indicated.

PISCES:

(February 20- March 20)

Lucky Colour: Mauve

Lucky Day: Monday

    For the week April 2 - April 8

   

Racing Numbers: 5.6.1.9.

Lotto Numbers: 5.19.26.34.37.35. Many will take a holiday and decide to make the area permanent or buy property for their future retirement. Friends and lovers will become more demanding of your time and money.

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

3Pm-6Pm 7Pm-9Pm 9Pm-11Pm 6Pm-7Pm Nhill to the border ararat & the grampians horsham & the wimmera Scan to listen live Music that makes you feel good e All New Line-up for 2023 Weekdays on

Puzzles

Sudoku

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

4 9 5 7 9 1 3 4 7 8 2 9 1 6 5 8 1 3 6 5 9 3

DAILY CONVENTIONAL CROSSWORD 15 X 15 GRID Z

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.

Quick Crossword

the numbers will be the same.

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: 10 words

FOCUS Very good: 17 words

Word Find

L B R O W N D R Y U O O R A L D D S A E D I A E W B A S E L A L S O M S

Find the following words in the grid. They may read in any direction, even diagonally. Some letters are used more than once.

I R E D V I S F Y Dads Dial Dry Idea Lady

Laid Lies Meadow Nod Nose

Join the Dots

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION aisle also case class close isle laicise lass lassi lassie lasso less liaise lose loss oasis ossa sail sale scale seal silica silo sisal slice sloe social SOCIALISE soil sola solace sole soli

Reference: Macquarie Concise Dictionary

Focus No. 3869

What is this? Find out by joining the dots.

Puzzles and pagination supplied by Auspac Media

Rude Sadly

Focus 7 4 9 8 6 1 2 3 5 6 5 8 3 7 2 9 4 1 2 1 3 9 5 4 8 6 7 9 3 4 1 2 7 5 8 6 8 7 2 6 3 5 4 1 9 1 6 5 4 9 8 7 2 3 5 8 7 2 1 3 6 9 4 3 2 6 5 4 9 1 7 8 4 9 1 7 8 6 3 5 2 No. Quick 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 11 16 17 18 21 22 23 24 27 28 31 32 33 34 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 Yesterday’s Solution L A G E R C A V A L C A D E A E E V E E O D N R B A D G E P A T I C O M P E R E R E A L I S T E A L I S P R T O T E N D E L E A T H E R L A T T U N E S E E R S I R A Y S A N O N O S T E E P E X P E L S D L E S S E E S G E V E N T R S C A R E U P R E C E D E A T E L I E R P R O D A G R E E L S E I S A D D E E R E P R E S E N T S D E S Media auspac@auspacmedia.com.au www.auspacmedia.com.au 3200 284 3201 L B R O W N D R Y U O O R A L D D S A E D I A E W B A S E L A L S O M S

Premium approach

Seventh CX-badge to join Mazda line-up

MAZDA

Australia has confirmed its new three-row CX-80 SUV will join the local line-up alongside the forthcoming CX-60 and CX-90 as part of what it calls a growing range of premium products.

As the third new model in the Mazda ‘large product’ family, the yet-to-beunveiled CX-80 will replace the longserving CX-9 as Mazda’s full-size seven-seat model, likely offering both rear and all-wheel drive formats with the choice of mild-hybrid diesel and petrol power, as well as a plug-in hybrid option.

Mazda has yet to confirm arrival timing, specification or pricing for its newest SUV, but says the model will play an important role in the growth of its CX range of models.

The Japanese importer will soon offer seven ‘CX’ branded models locally, including the CX-3, CX-30, CX-5, CX-8, CX-60, CX-80 and CX90, with the CX-9 to be retired at the end of 2023. There is also the possibility the CX-70 could join the range in time, possibly as a replacement for the recently updated CX-8.

Mazda Australia managing director Vinesh Bhindi said the first-ever Mazda CX-80 would play a key role

in growing the premium product portfolio by distilling the exemplary qualities of the CX-60 and CX-90, while offering customers an even broader choice of options.

If the CX-80 adopted the same driveline offerings found in the recently announced CX-60, it would feature a turbocharged 3.3-litre six-cylinder petrol with 48V mild hybrid assistance, making 209kW and 450Nm, and a turbocharged 3.3-litre six-cylinder diesel with 48V mild hybrid assistance making 187kW and 500Nm.

There is even the possibility the model could offer the 2.5-litre fourcylinder petrol and plug-in hybrid

unit found in the smaller CX-60, giving Australian buyers a 241kW and 500Nm option backed by a 17.8kWh lithium-ion battery pack.

Whichever option buyers choose, the CX-80 is certain to outperform the current CX-9, in which a turbocharged 2.5-litre petrol unit makes 170kW and 420Nm.

The CX-9 range is available from $47,600 plus on-road costs.

Mazda Australia marketing director Alastair Doak said the Mazda CX-9 became an instant hit and, more broadly, helped to lay the foundations for a Mazda premium approach.

“It has left an indelible mark in our

line-up and continues to be universally loved for its quality, versatility, timeless design and signature driving dynamics,” he said.

“The first-ever CX-80 is set to take these reins, along with the CX-60 and CX-90, ensuring the widely lauded qualities of the CX-9 are further refined and advanced as part of Mazda’s latest cutting-edge model introductions.”

Mr Doak said Mazda Australia would offer more information on the CX-80, including introductory dates, later in the year.

– Matt Brogan

• Honda holds back on electric vehicles, favours hybrid strategy — Page 37

Honda holds back electric offering

Honda Australia sees no need to introduce an all-electric offering within the next half-decade, with the company confident its renewed petrol-electric hybrid push is the best pathway for the medium-term.

“I wouldn’t say it’s not important for us to get an electric car, but I think our strategy at the moment is right for us,” Honda Australia director Carolyn McMahon said.

“When we take a look at Australian readiness, or the Australian market’s ability to cope with EVs, we don’t think it’s quite there.

“The other critical point is our regional and rural Australian market and for us right now, we think hybrid is right.”

Ms McMahon said the company aimed to offer at least one hybridised variant of every model line in the near future, with the CR-V – due for a full model changeover – currently the only nameplate to not offer a hybrid derivative in Australia.

The ZR-V small SUV will squeeze in between the mid-sized CR-V and light HR-V when it arrives in the middle of this year, and a hybrid alternative to the conventional 1.5-litre turbo petrol powertrain is already confirmed for that model.

Ms McMahon would not be drawn on when the new-generation CR-V

– revealed in mid-2022 and already on sale in the USA – will reach Australia, though its absence from the rest-of-2023 outlook that was given to media suggests it is more likely to be a 2024 proposition.

If so, that would leave Honda Australia without an electrified option in the commercially critical mid-size SUV segment at a time when rivals are rolling out hybrid and fully electric options with increasing frequency.

Toyota reports significant demand for its RAV4 hybrid variants, Nissan recently launched its X-Trail e-Power, and Mitsubishi’s Outlander PHEV and Ford’s Escape PHEV both arrived last year, adding to existing hybrid SUVs offered by Haval, MG and Subaru. However, in year-to-date figures, overall hybrid uptake has declined by 17.2 percent, while plug-in hybrid, PHEV, sales have risen by 49.8 percent.

Meanwhile, deliveries of batteryelectric vehicles, boosted largely by the arrival of newcomers such as BYD’s Atto 3 and Tesla’s Model 3 and Model Y, have exploded by 783.9 percent.

The numbers suggest that PHEVs and pure EVs are where buyers are heading, but with Honda’s Australian arm ruling out EVs for now – and no PHEV product available for the local market as yet – the company might

end up behind the eight ball towards the end of the decade when it comes to having the right products for its customers.

But right now, the company’s ‘No EVs’ stance is easy to understand.

The only all-electric Honda product globally is the diminutive Honda e, which is sized smaller than the previous-generation Honda Jazz light hatch, is powered by a 113kW motor and 35.5kWh lithium-ion battery pack, and only offers a WLTP range of 220 kilometres.

Looking further into the future, there will be more battery-electrics for Honda Australia’s product planners to choose from, and that will likely drive a rethink on powertrain mixes locally.

Honda’s global leadership pledged late last year to spend $56-billion in the next decade on ‘electrification and software technologies’, with a goal of launching 30 EV models globally by 2030, with total EV production of two million units.

Among those will be a light commercial van, passenger cars, a pair of performance cars and a bevy of SUVs. Some will be exclusive to regions such as China and the USA, but others, particularly those earmarked for Japan, will likely be of interest to Honda’s Australian office.

Tony O’Kane

NOT YET: Honda Australia is holding fast on hybrids, saying no electric vehicles before 2028. The only allelectric Honda product globally is the diminutive Honda e, pictured.

Brought to you by NEIL MITCHELL

6:00 News Breakfast 9:00 ABC News 10:00 Pilgrimage (PG) 11:00 Australia Remastered 12:00 ABC News 1:00 In Our Blood (M l,s)

2:00 QI (PG) 2:30 Back Roads (PG) 3:00 Escape From The City 4:00 Antiques Roadshow 5:00 Anh’s Brush With Fame (PG)

5:30 Hard Quiz (PG) 6:00 The Drum 7:00 ABC News 7:30 Gardening Australia 8:30

Van der Valk (M v) 10:00 Jack Irish (M l,v)

10:55 ABC Late News 11:15 Close To Me (M l,s) 12:00 Traces (M l) 12:45 Smother (M l)

1:40 rage (MA15+)

6:00 Sunrise 9:00 The Morning Show 11:30 Seven Morning News 12:00 Movie: “Web Of Dreams” (M v) (’19) Stars: Jennifer Laporte

2:00 House Of Wellness (PG)

The Chase Australia (PG) 6:00 Seven News 7:00 Better Homes And Gardens 7:30 AFL: Round 3: Collingwood v Richmond *Live*

AFL: Post Game 11:00 Armchair Experts (M) 12:00 Movie: “All American Girl: The Mary Kay

12:00 No Man’s Land (PG) 2:00 Wild Transport (M l,s) 3:00 STIHL Timbersports (PG) 3:30 Restoration Workshop (PG) 4:30 Shipping Wars (PG)

5:00 Storage Wars Texas (PG) 5:30 American Restoration (PG) 6:00 American Pickers (PG) 7:00 AFL: Friday Night Countdown 7:30 Movie: “The Green Mile” (MA15+) (’99) Stars: Tom Hanks 11:15 Movie: “Risky Business” (M l,s) (’83) Stars: Tom Cruise

2:05 Book Hungry Bears 2:30 Wolf Joe 2:55 Floogals 3:30 Play School 4:00 Andy’s Prehistoric Adventures 4:25 Odo

6:00 The Talk 7:00 Farm To Fork 7:30 Good

Chef Bad Chef 8:00 Everyday Gourmet 8:30

Entertainment Tonight (PG) 9:00 Judge Judy

(PG) 9:30 The Bold & The Beautiful (PG)

10:00 Studio 10 (PG) 11:30 Australian

Formula 1 Grand Prix *Live* From Melbourne

5:00 10 News First 6:30 The Project (PG)

7:30 The Graham Norton Show (M) 8:30

Taskmaster Australia (PG) 10:30 Just For

Laughs Australia (M l,s) 11:00 Just For

Laughs Uncut (MA15+) 11:30 The Project

(PG) 12:30 The Late Show With Stephen

Colbert (PG) 1:30 Home Shopping

12:00 Lebanese Beauty Queens: Untold Australia (M l,s)

Of Ladybug And Cat Noir 6:00 Turn Up The Volume 6:30 Operation Ouch! 7:00 Horrible Histories 7:35 Kong: King Of The Apes 8:00 Kung Fu Panda: Legends Of Awesomeness

6:00 rage (PG) 7:00 Weekend Breakfast 9:00 rage (PG) 10:30 rage Guest Programmer (PG) 12:00 ABC News 12:30 Van der Valk (M v) 2:00 Death In Paradise (PG) 3:00

Scottish Vets Down Under (PG) 3:30 Magical Land Of Oz 4:30 Landline 5:00 The Truth About Boosting Your Immune System (PG)

6:00 Back In Time For The Corner Shop (PG)

7:00 ABC News 7:30 The Larkins (PG) 8:20

Under The Vines 9:05 Grantchester (PG)

9:55 In Our Blood (M l,s) 10:50 Traces (M d,l)

11:35 rage Guest Programmer (MA15+) 3:00

Daylight Saving Ends 5:00 rage (MA15+)

Better Homes And Gardens 3:00 Escape To The Country 5:00 Seven’s Horse Racing: Randwick - The Championships Day 1 Bendigo - Golden Mile Day *Live* 6:00 Dog Patrol (PG) 6:30

The Highland Vet (PG)

Peppa Pig 5:30 Ginger And The Vegesaurs 6:05 The Adventures Of Paddington 6:30 Peter Rabbit 7:05 Grace’s Amazing Machines 7:30 Spicks And Specks 8:00 Hard Quiz (PG) 8:30 Movie: “Hook” (PG) (’91) Stars: Robin Williams 10:45 Doctor Who (PG) 11:30 Silent Witness (M)

6:00 Sunrise 7:00 Weekend Sunrise 10:00

The Morning Show (PG) 12:00

1:30 Cool Cars With Dermott And Elise (PG) 2:00 Australian V8

Loves Raymond (PG) 4:00 The Nanny (PG)

5:00 Bewitched 5:30 I Dream Of Jeannie

6:00 Movie: “Sherlock Gnomes” (G) (’18)

Stars: Johnny Depp 7:40 Movie: “The

Huntsman: Winter’s War” (M v) (’16) Stars: Charlize Theron

6:00 Reel Action 6:30 Religious Programs

7:00 Freshly Picked With Simon Toohey 7:30

Escape Fishing With ET 8:00 Everyday

Gourmet 8:30 What’s Up Down Under 9:00

Farm To Fork 10:00 Australian Formula 1

Grand Prix *Live* From Melbourne 6:00 10 News First 7:00 Bondi Rescue (PG) 7:30 Blue Bloods (M v) 8:30 CSI: Vegas (M v) 9:30 NCIS (M) 10:30 NCIS: Hawaii (M) 11:30 Bull

(M) 1:00 Home Shopping 5:00 Religious Programs

(M) 12:00 Days Of Our Lives (PG) 12:55 The Young And The Restless (PG) 1:50 Britain’s Best Home Cook 3:00 Antiques Roadshow 3:30 Movie: “Our Miss Fred” (PG) (’72) Stars: Danny La Rue 5:30 Dr Quinn Medicine Woman (PG) 6:30 Antiques Roadshow 7:30 NRL: Rabbitohs v Storm *Live* 9:55 NRL: Golden Point 10:40 Movie: “Man On A Ledge” (M l,v) (’12)

Junior 7:35 Kong: King Of The Apes 8:00 Kung Fu Panda: Legends Of Awesomeness 8:20 Dragons:

Defenders Of Berk 8:55 Dwight In Shining Armour (PG) 9:20 Mystic (PG)

Play School 4:00 Andy’s Wild Workouts 4:25 Odo 5:00 Peppa Pig 5:30 Ginger And The Vegesaurs 6:05 The Adventures Of Paddington 6:30 Peter Rabbit 7:05 Grace’s Amazing Machines 7:30 Spicks And Specks 8:00 Whose Line Is It Anyway? (PG) 8:20 Live From The BBC (M l,s) 9:10 Melbourne Comedy Festival (M) 11:10 The Set (M l)

Reel Action 6:00 JAG (PG)

7:00 Football: Round 22: Sydney FC v Western United *Live* From Allianz Stadium

10:15 MacGyver (M) 11:00 48 Hours (M)

12:00 Yu-Gi-Oh! Sevens (PG)

12:30 Beyblade Burst Quad Drive (PG) 1:00 Power Rangers Dino Super Charge (PG) 1:30 Pokemon XYZ 2:00 Movie:

“Pokémon: Arceus And The Jewel Of Life”

(G) (’09) Stars: Sarah Natochenny 4:00

Formula E 2023 Highlights 5:10 About A Boy

(PG) 5:40 Movie: “The Flintstones” (G) (’94)

Stars: John Goodman 7:30 Movie: “Twister”

(PG) (’96) Stars: Bill Paxton

Highlights 3:30 Cycling: Volta A Catalunya Highlights 4:35 Pluto: Back From The Dead

5:45 Lost Gold Of World War II (PG) 6:30 SBS World News 7:30 The World’s Most Beautiful Landscapes (PG) 8:30 Charles: The New King (PG) 10:25 Planet Sex With Cara Delevingne (MA15+) 11:15 Outlander (MA15+) 12:25 Germinal (M s,v) (In French)

1:20 Bamay

12:00 Dave Gorman: Modern Life Is Goodish (M l,s) 2:45 Lee Lin Chin’s Fashionista 3:00 BBC News At Ten 3:30 ABC World News Tonight With David Muir 4:00 PBS

Classifieds

CARRACHER, Coral Lillian

Passed away peacefully on March 25, 2023 aged 82 years.

Dearly loved wife of Greg (dec).

Loving mother of Mark and Mandy.

Cherished Grandma to Marty and Great Grandma to Charlotte, Harrison and Riley.

Sadly missed

Reunited with Dad

CLODE, Norma Lesley

4.10.1933 - 22.3.2023

Peacefully and surrounded by family passed away at the age of 89.

Reunited with husband Peter, sister Margaret and son Steven.

Ninny/Nanna forever loved by Jenny, Andrew, Deidre, Bruce, Sam, Kylie, Alex, Jac, Jack, Jorja, Sophie, Maurs & Phoebe.

As is the family’s wishes, Norma will be farewelled at a private service

Horsham & District

Funerals

Amity Perovic & Dylan Hartwich

5382 1149 NFDA

CORNELL, John

My mind knows that you are gone, but my heart will not accept it.

You honoured God with the life you lived, I know you don’t regret it.

To your country, you gave your best and we thank you for your sacrifice.

To your family, you were the provider, protector, and the spice of life.

We miss you already, and know that we will never be the same.

I will cry, laugh, and be insanely proud every time I hear your name.

You meant so much to so many that the impact of how you lived will be felt for generations.

So, thank you for what you have given.

We refuse to say ‘goodbye’, only ‘until we meet again’.

We hold hope that one sweet day we’ll be reunited in Heaven.

I salute your life John

Cornell, beautiful Corny to me. xo

Shelly Pedder

HENSTRIDGE (nee Rashley), Cherry

Passed away March 18, 2023 in Murray Bridge Hospital after a sudden illness, aged 90 years.

Beloved wife of Jim (dec) and loved partner of Richard.

Dearly loved mother of Alistair and Lynda, Michael and Robyn and Jane and Brenton.

Adored Nan of eight and Great Nan of ten. She was deeply loved and respected by all who knew her.

McIVOR (nee Symes), Rhonis Joy (Rhonie)

07.11.1944 – 25.03.2023

Dearly loved, cherished and best friend of husband Alex for 57 years.

Adored mother of Jeffrey (in heaven), Sally and Kellie and mother in law of Jason and Addy.

Much loved Granny of Joel and Jess, Lochie and Claire, Molly, Charlie and Archie.

A beautiful lady now at peace

Loved by all who knew her

MORRELL, Heather

Passed on, on March 24, 2023 aged 87 years.

Dearly loved wife of Henry. Loving mother and mother in law of Rohan & Rachael; Angie & Leith; Jacqui & Paul.

Adored Gram to Haydn, Braithe & Rhys; Joel, Talitha & Leah; Jasmine, Tammy & Sharon and their partners.

Great Gram to 19 great grandchildren.

In God’s Care

Forever in our hearts

WIMBURY, Dad, Chris, Oupa

Passed away peacefully at home on March 15, 2023, aged 64 years.

Dearest father and fatherin-law to James, Josh, and Frances.

Adored Oupa to Summer.

Beloved brother to Janet, Denise and Jacqui.

Loving partner to Jillian.

Former husband to Ingrid.

He will always be much loved, forever missed, and his laughter cherished.

RUWOLDT (nee Noske), Rose Gertrude

Born 12 June 1933

Passed away peacefully on 24th March 2023 aged 89. Much loved wife and lifelong partner of Norm (dec).

Mother and mother in law to Graeme & Chris, Timothy, Mark, Robert & Wendy, Jan & Tony and Steven & Suzanne.

Much loved grandmother to Carl, James, Emma, Jennifer, Lauren, Kate, Justin, Samantha (dec), Holly, Alex, Sean and Cooper.

Great Grannie to 15 great grandchildren.

A lady of Christian faith, who was loving and kind and was always willing to help others. She worked tirelessly to support her family, who meant everything to her. She got great joy from all her precious grandchildren and great grandchildren. She will be sadly missed.

CARRACHER, Coral Lillian

As was her wish, Coral Lillian Carracher will be farewelled at a private family gathering.

Trevor Bysouth & Daughter Ph 5381 1444 AFDA Member

MORRELL Heather

The Funeral of Heather Morrell will commence with burial at the Horsham Lawn Cemetery on Monday, 3 April 2023 at 10.30am and will be immediately followed by a Memorial Service at the Horsham Church of Christ

The service may also be viewed online at youtube. com/live/EWoYTK49KdQ

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Heather may be made to the Christian Emergency Food Centre. Donation envelopes will be available at the service. Trevor Bysouth

Your classifieds team

McIVOR

Rhonis Joy (Rhonie)

A Memorial Service to Celebrate the Life of Rhonie McIvor will take place at St Andrew’s Uniting Church, Horsham on Tuesday, 4 April 2023 commencing at 10.30am Privately interred. The service may also be viewed online at www. horsham.unitingchurch. org.au/watch

Trevor Bysouth & Daughter Ph 5381 1444

RUWOLT, Rose Gertrude

The Funeral of Rose Gertrude Ruwoldt will leave Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Horsham on Monday, 3 April 2023 after a service commencing at 2.30pm for the Horsham Lawn Cemetery.

The service may also be viewed online at www. youtube.com/channel/ UCazLsHP0NcC2AP Lqg5dil0Q

Trevor Bysouth & Daughter Ph 5381 1444 AFDA Member

WIMBURY, Dr Chris

The Funeral of Dr Chris Wimbury will take place at St Andrew’s Uniting Church, Horsham on Friday, March 31, 2023 commencing at 2pm Private cremation.

The service may also be viewed online at www.horsham. unitingchurch.org.au/watch

“Donations in lieu of flowers, to our charity – it would make Chris smile. Our Wimbury family of 4, arrived as “lucky” immigrants. So many other wonderful, courageous migrants & refugees rely on support. Please make a donation to the Asylum Seeker Refugee Centre via donate. asrc.org.au/donate.”

Donation envelopes will be available at the service.

“Chris was dearly loved, colourful personality; please wear something colourful to his funeral.”

Thank you ~ LATUS ~ John

We would like to sincerely thank everyone who extended their sympathy, love and support in so many ways after the passing of our much-loved husband, father, father-in-law and Pa, John. Your expressions of kindness were of great support. Our grateful thanks to the medical team, carers and the wonderful Wimmera Nursing Home staff for their professional care for John. Also, we would like to thank Suzanne and staff for their guidance and care. Our heartfelt thanks to you all.

Pat, Matthew, Katie and families.

Thank you

John Miatke

16/9/55 - 27/2/23

Thank you so much to everyone for your kindness following the death of John. For all the prayers, cards, food, flowers and hugs and for everyone who attended his funeral service. A special thank you to Pastor Gus Schutz for leading the service and all those who participated in giving John such a wonderful send off. To all the team at Bunnings, I thank you so much for attending and giving him the guard of honour together with his ex work mates from NAB. Everyone’s amazing support has made such a difference and highlighted that John was so well loved throughout the community.

Bev and family

Thank you ~ WHITE ~ Betty (Elizabeth)

Passed away 2-3-2023

The family of the late Betty (Elizabeth) White wish to extend their thanks to all who helped and for the support given at the time of our loss.

Special thanks to Yandilla staff, doctors, nurses who attended and treated Betty with dignity. Especially nurses Belinda, Sydney, Mel and Victoria.

Thanks to Pastor Susan Hobbs and Uniting Church members, and Wimmera Funerals for their compassion and support.

Music played by Natimuk Brass Band and organist Jill, and for those who travelled and others who helped make the service truly memorable. A very special thank you to Kendra for her care of Grandma prior to her passing.

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

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

Beautiful Chihuahua puppies ready for new homes, Long hair 3F, 1M, source# EE206537, vacc, chipped, wormed m/chip# 935010006382689/ 953010006382681/953010006382737 Ph Rose 0400711481

Bird cage $120 Ph 0428730777

Birds for sale, opaline turks, Bourkes all colours inc rubino, pied, cream, pink and rosa, all young birds, ring for prices Ph 0408535515 Black faced Dorpers joined $140 each Ph 0429912620

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

Border Collies, black and white, male and female, microchipped, vaccinated and wormed, m/chip# 98514100519 1609/202548/202223/201120/193890, source# EE188958 $1500 Ph or text 0493111730

Budgerigars, show birds at pet prices Ph 0447080439

Budgies, babies available $10ea Ph 0423976711

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

Budgies, young, asstd colours $10ea Ph 0423182267

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

Ferrets, 8wks to 18mths $30ea Ph 0418843180 Nhill Goats wanted Ph 0427361940

Funeral Directors

PUBLIC NOTICE

This notice has been posted by order of the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria at Horsham to bring to the attention of Adrian Bland and The Estate of Jean Martin that proceeding MAG-CI-220044606 has been brought against you by Yarriambiack Shire Council for payment of unpaid rates and charges of your property Land Particulars Lot 1 on Title Plan 094470T (formerly known as Lot 49 on Plan of Subdivision 009711), Volume 10048 Folio 397, also known as Brunton Avenue Rupanyup VIC 3388.

The amount sought in the Complaint is $4,052.29 plus interest and costs. If you seek to defend this Complaint, or if any other party claims a proprietary interest in this property, they can do so by filing a notice of defence in the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria and serving a copy of that defence on the Plaintiff care of LawyersAU Pty Ltd, 419, 566 St Kilda Road Melbourne VIC 3004 or by email at sonalim@lawyersau.com

DID YOU KNOW?

U3A Horsham is offering days where members of the public can come and try various classes. These will be available during the month of April and would be an opportunity to help decide whether U3A would meet their needs and interests. People may choose more than one activity.

Current Programs - Monday: Table Tennis, China Painting, Bridge, Writing for Fun, Cryptic Crosswords, Garden Group, Luncheon Group, Local History.

Tuesday: Resistance Band Exercise Class, Art, Singing For Fun, Solo, Film Classics, French Conversation, German Conversation, Bookworms.

Wednesday: Table Tennis, Seated Gentle Exercise, Card Making, 500, Canasta, Mah-Jong, Nature Watch, Lifestyle Program, Grumpy Old Wrinklies.

Thursday: Sounds of Music, Patchwork/Stitch, Scrabble.

Friday: Table Tennis, Tai Chi, Oil Painting, Knitting/Crochet, Technology Group

PROPOSAL TO UPGRADE A TELSTRA MOBILE PHONE BASE STATION WITH 4G/5G AT: 4533 HENTY HIGHWAY HAVEN VIC 3401

1. The proposal on the existing monopole consists of:

• Removal of (6) panel antennas

• Installation of (6) panel antennas 2.533m long on existing mounts

• Ancillary works including the replacement of (3) remote radio units and (6) tower mast amplifiers behind the antennas. Internal works within the existing equipment shelter.

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

3. In accordance with Section 7 of C564: 2020 Mobile Phone Base Station Deployment Code, we invite you to provide feedback about the proposal. Further information and/or comments should be directed to: Emily Wardlaw on behalf of Telstra, 0422 685 472, consultation@acquirecomm.com.au by Monday 17th April 2023 Further information can also be obtained from https://www.rfnsa.com.au/3401005

www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au

“ I NEVER THOUGHT I’D BE HOMELESS.”

“Come and Try Days” are happening at U3A.

We at NQFNC pride ourselves on providing a safe and enjoyable environment whilst enjoying our state of the art facilities including our recently refurbished oval. If you or your child are interested in joining our club, we welcome you to come to one of our training sessions.

Expression of Interest

Hindmarsh Shire Council invites Expressions of Interest for:

SALE OF 2 x SEIZED CARS EOI NO. 2022-2023-14

The specific details are listed in the Expression of Interest (EOI) documents which can be downloaded via Council’s website at www.hindmarsh.vic.gov.au/disposal-of-council-assets

Closing time for the above EOI is 5:00pm on Thursday 27 April 2023.

All enquiries should be directed to Stephen Nicholson, Local Laws Officer, via email to snicholson@hindmarsh.vic.gov.au or by telephone on (03) 5391 4444.

Greg Wood Chief Executive Officer

Dimboola Natimuk

Lutheran Parish

Lenten Service

Wednesday 29th

Vectis 7.30pm

Sunday 2nd April

Palm Sunday

Edenhope 9am HC

Goroke 11am HC

Natimuk 10am LR

Vectis Join Natimuk

Dimboola 9am LR

The Weekly Advertiser

@theweeklyaddy

www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au

Catalogue distributors

• Stawell

Smartphone required www.deliverfordollars.com.au

PROPOSED COMMUNITY LOCAL LAW NO 9 2023

Council’s Community Local Law No 6 of 2012 came into operation on 1 October 2012 and in accordance with the Local Government Act 2020 (LGA 2020) and “sunset’ on 30 September 2022.

Accordingly, Council has commenced the process of preparing a new local law. The objectives of the proposed Local Law are to provide for the peace, order and good government of the municipal district. The proposed Local Law was advertised on 17/11/2022 and submissions invited.

Council now proposes to replace the townships maps previously advertised with updated township maps, Accordingly, pursuant to section 73(6) of the Local Government Act 2020, Council has resolved to seek further submissions from the community in relation to the updated township maps. The impacts of the proposed Local Law have been evaluated, and are outlined in the Local Law Community Impact Statement, which, together with the proposed Local Law can be: • downloaded from the Council website; or • obtained by contacting the Council on 13 99 72 or at council@westwimmera.vic.gov.au or

• visiting one of the Customer Services Centres in Edenhope or Kaniva.

Responses to the proposed Local Law must be provided by a written submission in accordance with Council’s Community Engagement Policy

Submissions in relation to the updated township maps should include feedback and the reasons for holding that view. Submissions are not confidential and may be incorporated or summarised (including the submitter’s first and last name only) into the agenda and minutes of the Council meeting that considers the proposed Local Law. Council agendas and minutes are publicly available on the Council website.

Submissions must be received before 4:00pm on 14/04/2023 and will be considered at the Council meeting on 17/05/2023.

David Bezuidenhout

Chief Executive Officer

Giving Thanks and Sharing the Love

Last week I attended a School where students shared what they were grateful for. Examples such as a home, running water, friends, parents etc were given. Gratitude is a popular movement in our times; giving thanks is an extension of showing gratitude. Giving thanks not only lifts the other, but helps us feel good, too. It also helps us to stop focusing on ourselves and look out and up.

Giving thanks is a practice seen in the Bible, (eg. in the Psalms), from thousands of years ago. The Psalmist realised what we are saying now – that giving thanks takes us to another place.

If we can thank others for who they are and what they do; if we can encourage each other and help others to see they are appreciated and valued, like the pebble in a pond, it has the potential to spread. Maybe there would be less stress, less need for us to prove ourselves? Maybe it might bring more calm and hope and joy?

If, each day, we find three things for which we are grateful, what difference does it make in our lives? How differently might we feel about other people? About ourselves? How much more might we see things we appreciate?

We could share it with those around, too. I invite all our readers to practice this for a month and see how you feel at the end of the month, and how others might feel too.

Susan Pearse – Baptist/Uniting Church, Hopetoun & Rainbow

•

Swimming Teachers

in Horsham & Warracknabeal

Do you want to make a difference in a child’s life?

Love working with children and water? Austswim or Swim Australia

Qualification is desirable, but not essential as we are happy to train the right applicant.

SEND YOUR RESUME TO: PROUSE@WIMMERA.COM.AU

and spraying operations

• Maintaining farming plant and equipment Harvesting operations

• Liaising with other staff members

We are a family friendly business offering a full-time position and an attractive remuneration package based on experience. Please forward your inquiry to:The Managing Director Bentley Group of Companies PO Box 104 Warracknabeal, Vic. 3393 or E-mail: bentleys@netconnect.com.au

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

Information Technology (IT) Lead Band 8 (109,896 - $123,028 per annum)

• Permanent Full-time

• Flexible working arrangements available

Coordinator Property and Rating Band 7 ($94,627 - $105,770 per annum)

Permanent Full-time

• Flexible working arrangements available

Senior Statutory Planner

• Band 7 ($94,627 - $105,770 per annum)

Permanent Full-time Flexible working arrangements available

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

CASUAL STAFFING OPPORTUNITIES

Horsham Rural City Council is seeking to establish a resource pool of casuals to support the functions, staff and operations at the highly utilised Horsham Town Hall (HTH) Venue. The HTH Venue delivers a range of public and community programs for residents and visitors to our municipality including the provision of Performances, Exhibitions, Public Programs, Community Events, Visitor Services, Education Programs, Promotions, Marketing and Customer Service.

The casual roles will support permanent staff at times of high demand and peak service delivery. Please note that rostered hours are variable and avilability to work flexible hours including after-hoirs, weekdays and some weekends is essential.

The roles include:

Casual Customer Service and Administration Officers

$38.24 / hour (Band 3A)

Casual Bar Staff

$38.24 / hour (Band 3A)

Casual Education Tutor in Visual & Performing Arts

$40.59 / hour (Band 4A)

Casual Gallery Installer

$40.59 / hour (Band 4A)

For a confidential conversation about any of the casual roles, please contact Michelle Rethus - Creative Services & Events Lead on 00436 012 660, or Carolynne HamdorfManager Arts, Culture & Recreation on 0428 505 605

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

Opportunity This Way

Are you looking for a wide - ranging role in a supportive workplace where you get to use all your skills? Hindmarsh Shire Council currently has the following key vacancies: Working with Hindmarsh Shire Council offers: Beautiful National Parks, rivers and lakes at your doorstep

• A safe, friendly, active community

• Monthly rostered day off (RDO)

• Modern office facilities

Flexible working arrangements

Coordinator Planning Services

Permanent Full Time Salary commencing at $96,902 p.a. (plus 10.5% superannuation)

About the role

The Coordinator Planning Services is an exciting new role within Council that will be responsible for all aspects of Council’s statutory and strategic planning. We are seeking a highly organised, driven person with extensive experience in planning to join our team. The successful candidate will have excellent communication skills to be able to liaise with members of the community.

A tertiary qualification in planning is highly desirable with experience in local government statutory and/or strategic planning, however, planning graduates or practitioners with experience are encouraged to apply.

Operations Coordinator

Permanent Full Time Salary commencing at $86,388 p.a. (plus 10.5% superannuation)

About the role

The Operations Coordinator is a key new role within Council that will be responsible for assisting the Manager Works and Operations to prepare and deliver the annual and long-term capital works and maintenance programs. The Operations Coordinator will also provide management support to the Team Leaders East, West and Mechanics to deliver the operations and works program.

You must have the right to live and work in Australia to apply for this job.

To be considered for these positions, your application must address the key selection criteria outlined in the position descriptions that are available on Council’s website at www.hindmarsh.vic.gov.au/work-in-council

Applications close Wednesday 12 April 2023 at 12 noon

For enquiries on this position, please contact Jessie Holmes, Director Infrastructure Services, on 03 5391 4444.

Council is an equal opportunity workplace, and we offer a flexible, supportive environment.

POSITIONS VACANT –

Maintenance Employee/Plant Operator – St Arnaud

The Operations team is seeking applications from suitable candidates to join their team. The Maintenance Employee/Plant Operator is responsible for maintaining, repairing and servicing the council’s property and equipment and will also perform various specialised duties in accordance with council maintenance programs. Applications close Monday, 17 April 2023 Please apply via our website at www.ngshire.vic.gov.au/careers

BRENT MCALISTER CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Junior Leisure & Lifestyle Assistant Casual

Job No. 4628 closes 04/04/2023

Operating Suite Cleaner

Casual Job No. 4632 closes 04/04/2023

Emergency Management CoordinatorWest Permanent Part Time

Job No. 4631 closes 12/04/2023

Health Safety & Wellbeing Coordinator / Advisor Permanent Full / Part Time

Job No. 4626 closes 13/04/2023

Practice Nurse

Casual Job No. 4634 closes 14/04/2023

To apply or for more information please go to: https://whcg.mercury.com.au/

PEOPLE & CULTURE MANAGER - FULL TIME

Across Australia Just Better Care provides in-home aged care and disability support services, supporting people to live independently. We are currently recruiting for a People & Culture Manager in our Horsham office.

The People and Culture Manager position is key in ensuring we provide safe and quality service and supports, in line with our values through the attraction, recruitment and retention of our biggest asset, our people.

Essential:

• Current and clear Criminal Record Check

• NDIS Worker Screening Check

• Tertiary qualifications in Human Resource Management.

• Minimum 3 years’ experience in a similar role (advisory level role)

• Extensive experience and knowledge in the application of contemporary HR practices and strategies.

• Comprehensive understanding of change management principles and proven experience in leading change.

• Proven experience in developing and implementing people and culture strategies that have brought about positive results.

• Previous knowledge and experience across the following HR areas: recruitment & selection, orientation & on boarding, training & development, payroll, HR administration, performance management processes, industrial relations and employee relations matters

• Proven interpersonal, communication, consultation and negotiation skills in dealing with a wide range of stakeholders

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Demonstrated organisational and time management skills

• Sound computer skills including Microsoft Office suite & experience with HR systems

• A current driver’s licence.

If you would like to join our growing team and become part of our friendly, professional network please apply today via the following web link.

https://applynow.net.au/jobs/JBC1073718 , or via email hr.wv@justbettercare.com

Further information about this role is outlined in the Position

Description. Please contact Just Better Care - Western Victoria on 03 5381 1432 or email  hr.wv@justbettercare.com

Applications must address the Key Selection Criteria.

Applications close 5pm Thursday 6 April 2023

forLookingstaff? We can help

Place

Contact:

• Leading community services organisation

• Salary packaging, and competitive sector remuneration

• Do you have transferrable skills? Experience or qualifications not essential.

• Are you a people person who can support others and problem solve.

Kinship Care Case Manager

Full-time Maximum term Horsham location

The Kinship Care Case Manager will work in partnership with kinship carers, birth parents, extended family and professionals to strengthen the carers’ capacity to provide a safe and stable environment which nurtures child development.

Ensuring kinship care placements are established, supported, and monitored well to ensure they meet each child/young person’s ongoing safety, stability and developmental needs and harnessing the capacity of extended family networks to provide the best possible kinship care arrangements for children and young people.

About you

Tertiary qualification in Social Work, Welfare Work or Social Sciences, or less formal qualifications with significant industry experience, are desirable but not essential and experience in providing case management within complex family circumstances where multiple service providers may be involved and/or there are complex family issues. Learn more visit: www.unitingvictas.org.au

Interested?

If this sounds like you, apply today. Please upload the following as part of your application to https://careers.unitingvictas.org.au

• Cover Letter

• Current Resume (no more than 3 pages) Get in touch

For more information, please reach out to Belinda Elliot, Team Leader M:0466 934 401 Position closes: Tuesday, 04 April 2023

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

school sPorts

READY, SET, GO: Horsham

Primary School students dressed in their house colours and tested their track and field skills at the school’s athletics carnival yesterday. Pictured in action are, clockwise from above: Coby Cray; Ty Wilshire; Kai Barnes, Paul Caffey and Jackson Dumesny; Bella Walker; Ella Thomas; Adele Tucker, Ella Schultz and Imogen Barclay; and centre, Imogen Dumesny.

FULL OF CHEER: Horsham’s Holy Trinity Lutheran College hosted school athletics sports for its junior students last week. Pictured competing for their respective houses are, clockwise from above: Dusty Peucker; year-five students Honey Kaur, Charlotte Kelly, Ajiyah McDonald, Madeline Lee, Jenna Lockhart, Stella Moore, Luella Burke, Nahla Midgley, Elsa Drendel, Alyssa Stewart, Aizla Shrestha and Ané van Zyl; Luella Burke; Lachie Dunn; Alyssa Stewart; Jemma Hoffmann and centre, Malaya Willmore.

We’re changing names!

Country Care Horsham is changing its name to “Oscar Care”.

Oscar Group have called the Wimmera home for 40 years and look forward to many more. New logos, same great team, same great service!

expertise, chosen for

Bouncing back

BY MICHAEL SCALZO

WillHarrow-Balmoral footballers prove their 2022 preliminary-final exit was an anomaly and bounce back this season?

Bounce back might seem like a severe phrase for a football side that was still mighty in many facets last season – a team many predicted would meet Rupanyup in the Horsham District league grand final.

However, the potential in the Southern Roos’ list in recent years stands them in strong stead for a shot at a second flag in three seasons.

On-field leader Nick Pekin relinquished coaching duties in the off-season, but will remain on the field in the blue-and-white.

His coaching replacement, Jai Thompson, landed at the club after a long stint as captain of powerful Geelong Football League club Leopold.

Thompson is a two-time premiership captain of Leopold, fivetime Geelong league representative player and three-time Leopold best-and-fairest winner.

Thompson said he was impressed with the club’s senior football list after watching several

coaches

Seniors: Jai Thompson

Reserves: David McClure

Under-17s: Max Leeming and Will Burbury

Under-14s: Ed Ferguson

of the team’s later-season games in 2022.

He said despite the squad’s disappointment after its loss to league runner-up Kalkee in the preliminary final, he believed soreness, key injuries and a tiring fitness base slowed the side’s back-to-back charge.

“Our focus this pre-season has been on building a strong fitness base and introducing improved player management services at the club – fitness coaches, physiotherapists and the like,” he said.

“We are adding more professionalism to other parts of the team management that will help us –especially given there is so much player talent at the club.”

Thompson said he would not upset the ‘solid’ game plan Pekin had introduced, however, there would be new elements and ‘tweaks’ to the team game plan this season.

“I didn’t want to come in and throw around what has worked here, but there will be bits and pieces I have learned during my career that I think can give us an extra few percent,” he said.

Thompson said the club had retained 90 percent of its senior 2022 playing list and no structure-altering players had left the club for rival offers.

“Josh Dawson will join us from Dunkeld and he will help us in the backline, and we have picked up another ruckman,” he said.

“A few younger players who didn’t get a chance in the squad last season will have an opportunity this season, and Matt Jones, recovered from a broken leg, will be back on the field.

“Obviously, I hope to add to the side through the midfield, too.”

Thompson said he believed it was important the club maintained expectations about its finals capacity in 2023 and that without expectation, ‘there was nothing to strive for’.

“It is important to have a goal and ours is to at least achieve what we did last season,” he said.

Harrow-Balmoral will start its season with a preliminary-final rematch against Kalkee at Kalkee.

Harrow-Balmoral star player Michael Close will return to the field again this season.

Your cluB in 2023

Roos redeveloping

BY MICHAEL SCALZO

Harrow-Balmoral netball

rivals will face a newlook Southern Roos A Grade team in 2023 as the club moves into a redevelopment and regeneration era.

Incoming A Grade coach Penny Dunstan said while impressive numbers of netballers took the court during pre-season, only two players from last season’s squad would be wearing the blue-and-white in round one.

“We have a really great bunch of players at the club and numbers across the senior grades are strong. But we will be redeveloping and that will be exciting,” she said.

Dunstan said 2022 A Grade players Jorja Jones and Courtney Clough had remained at the club in 2023.

“Some players have moved back to play closer to Horsham, and other players have moved away from the region for a variety of reasons,” she said.

“We do have some former players returning to the club, however, as well as several 17-and-under players stepping into senior grades this season.”

Dunstan said a final A Grade

coaches

A Grade: Penny Dunstan

B Grade: Alice Houlihan

C Grade: Jane Hamilton

C Reserve: Liz Hage and Laura Hutchins

17-and-under: Fiona Price

15-and-under: Melissa Matthews and Jane Craig

13-and-under: Penny Dunstan

squad would be selected in coming weeks.

The Southern Roos had a chance to be the last Horsham District league team in the A Grade finals series last season when they met Kaniva-Leeor United in round 16 – the rival team also vying for the sixth finals spot.

Kaniva-Leeor United skipped ahead during the second quarter of that match and maintained its advantage until the final whistle.

The result placed the Southern Roos at a lonely seventh.

Dunstan said there would be a club ethos on netball enjoyment, as the department worked hard

to develop its next premiershipcapable A Grade squad.

“It is about development and ensuring the club continues to be a great place to be,” she said.

“There will be a focus on team building and through that, success will come.”

Dunstan said there were no expectations on what results the team could achieve in 2023.

“We are redeveloping and to be honest, things will be unknown until we get into the season,” she said.

“A lot of our players will not have played together before, so we will know more about results later in the season.”

Club president Teresa Hobbs said it was great to welcome Dunstan to the A Grade coaching job, as well as incoming senior football coach Jai Thompson.

“They have made great starts already and we are looking forward to another season of football and netball,” she said.

“It always comes around quickly and we are excited to have our new coaches with us for 2023 and beyond.”

Harrow-Balmoral players and supporters will travel to Kalkee in round one to play against the Kees.

Jorja Jones will be back in action for Harrow-Balmoral this season.

BY MICHAEL SCALZO

Jeparit-Rainbow football

leaders remain optimistic about their club’s chances in 2023, despite changes to the senior list during the offseason.

New senior football coaches

Scott Driscoll and Matthew Everett have taken the helm in 2023, from Daniel Batson, who will remain on the Storm’s list as a player.

Driscoll, who was a key utility-style player during the Storm’s 2022 Horsham District league campaign, said while there had been significant list changes during the off-season, there remained opportunities for Jeparit and Rainbow district-based players to shine in 2023.

He said there was still a desire to play finals and to build on last season’s fourth-place home-andaway finish.

“We lost our semi-final in 2022, so we would be eyeing off at least a similar finish in 2023,” he said.

“Ultimately, the major prize is a premiership, but we feel that if we can get the team playing its best this season, and the group develops like we know it can,

coaches

Seniors: Scott Driscoll and Matthew Everett

Reserves: Jordan Leach

Under-17s: Thomas Long, Matthew Thomas and Thomas Schumann

Under-14s: Nathan Cocks

we will be capable of pushing the top sides of the competition.”

Driscoll said 2021 and 2022 club leading goal-scorer Jay Kirwood had relocated to Cairns, Lochie Donne returned to Lorne and Patrick GraceLong to Darwin.

Shane Maslin and Brad Hunter won’t be in Storm colours this season either.

Driscoll said new recruits Will Hutchinson and Matt Synoradzki would travel from Geelong, while a couple of Darwin-based footballers would join the Storm at unconfirmed stages of the season.

“The players who left us this season were big losses, but it presents a chance for our young and local players to claim more

responsibility in the team,” he said.

“In terms of Kirwood, I can’t replace a player who has kicked more than 100 goals in two seasons, so we will need to develop other avenues and find alternative routes to goal.

“Matt Everett and I will focus on empowering our local players every week – but when we do have the opportunity for some fly-in, fly-out players to join us, we will take it.”

Driscoll said the Storm was proud to be one of the league’s least-scored against sides in 2022, however development of the team’s attack would enable the club’s young players to play with ‘freedom’.

“The club is excited to play another full season of football and build towards reaching a preliminary final – whether that be this season or next season,” he said.

“Hopefully we can develop our core local group of players and have another ripping season.”

Jeparit-Rainbow will start the 2023 season with a round-one trip to Apsley to play Edenhope-Apsley.

Proud sponsors of Go Storm!!!

Your cluB

Pushing ahead

BY MICHAEL SCALZO

There is hope at JeparitRainbow that its A Grade netballers will hold onto their 2022 gains this season in Horsham District league competition.

The Storm secured a fifth-place finish and elimination appearance last season after a mid-season flourish against rival middling sides and fell two goals short of a potential semi-final showing against eventual premier Edenhope-Apsley.

Despite defeating the Bombers in round 11, the Storm’s close elimination-final loss to Noradjuha-Quantong showed their netballers were closer to the top four than the bottom six.

Storm coach Penny Fisher said the club was close to finalising its A Grade playing list and netball leaders were still hoping to secure several last-minute signings.

She said the side had lost key shooter Georgia Batson, who will play netball for Horsham in the Wimmera league.

“Losing Batson’s height will hurt us, but we are still working on a few replacements for her,” she said.

“If they don’t come off, then

coaches

A Grade: Penny Fisher

B Grade: Rylee Cocks

C Grade: Bridget Dorrington and Kate McKenzie

C Reserve: TBC

17-and-under: Elly Schumann

15-and-under: Macey Laverty and Gracie Hurlstone

13-and-under: Tracey Tregenza

we will work with the players we have.

“Georgia and I worked hard to improve the squad’s ball movement last season. We wanted to play more direct, and it worked.

“While there is still a long way to go, we are on the right track.”

Fisher said junior players would continue to filter into A Grade this season, including Shekinah Hurlstone and Nekeisha Bastin, who joined the senior squad at different points during 2022.

“They are very promising players and hopefully will be consistent improvers this season,” she said.

Fisher said when the Storm dis-

covered its potential last season, the team’s winning belief grew.

“When we got a taste of success in 2022, we started to move along nicely,” she said.

“We always want to play finals and that is our aim this season. But we might have to be realistic and ensure we remain poised for a deeper finals shot the following season if things don’t go our way.

“As long as the squad remains up there, then it is a good result.

“If some last-minute recruits eventuate, then finals are very realistic, but we will wait and see.”

Incoming club president Lucas Edleston said the Storm would ‘keep on, keeping on’ in 2023 and focus on putting competitive teams on the court.

“We want to play good netball and make sure community sport stays in our community,” he said.

“Sometimes it is about more than just winning games, even if we have had some good results in our senior football and netball teams recently.”

The Storm starts its season with a round-one game against reigning premiers Edenhope-Apsley, at Apsley, in what could be an early litmus test of the Storm’s capacity for finals this season.

B Grade coach Rylee Cocks in action for A Grade last season.

Your cluB

New-look War riors

BY MICHAEL SCALZO

Coulda more youthful Stawell Warriors football group help craft the next premiership for the red and black?

The club’s senior coach Tom Eckel has faith a new-look squad in 2023 might breed something exciting as several of the team’s more experienced movers call time on their era at the club.

The Warriors matched it with the Wimmera league’s best last season and found themselves in a preliminary final against Ararat – who the Warriors defeated in round 10 by less than a goal.

Stawell conceded a five-goal lead to the Rats at half-time of that game, before dominating the third quarter and pegging the margin back to four points by the final change.

The comeback was not enough and the Warriors let slip a grandfinal showing with a five-goal loss.

Eckel said David Morris and Cam Kimber headlined a group of players who would not take to the field for the Warriors in 2023.

However, he said he was excited about the opportunity several absences provided for the club’s emerging talent.

“We will look different this sea-

coaches

Seniors: Tom Eckel

Reserves: Shane Bibby and Nick Considine

Under-17s: Jarrod Illig

Under-14s: Shannon Notting

son, but with some players having earned their senior spot through reserves performances, and several under-17s now part of the senior squad full-time, it is exciting,” he said.

“Our play style might have to change a bit without some of the experienced players we had last season, but our young players will have a chance to play with freedom. There might be some onthe-run adjustment as the season progresses.”

Eckel said while there was an acceptance the team would forge a new path towards another premiership, football leaders still believed in the side’s ability to be competitive in finals.

“We want to play finals and go deep into finals if we are playing the right way – we have not written ourselves off,” he said.

“Everyone wants to go one step further than we did in 2022, but we are also realistic about the level of competition at the top end of the league.

“The club is not getting ahead of itself – but we will be fit and we should run out our games well.”

Eckel said former Warriors player David Andrivon had returned ahead of the season, as had Charlie Nield, back from an anterior crucial ligament injury.

The Warriors were less consistent in 2022 than the teams that finished above them on the ladder.

However, as their third-place finish showed, and their results against Ararat and Minyip-Murtoa, the Warriors were not far off the pace last season.

Eckel said while it hurt to lose a preliminary final, the loss of senior players did not mean the Warriors would not be there again soon.

“You never know with youth,” he said.

Stawell will begin its season against Ararat for a traditional Good Friday clash at Ararat on April 7 – considered their scheduled ‘round five’ match.

The Warriors will play Southern Mallee Giants at Stawell in round one on April 15.

Stawell Football & Netball Club

“Callawadda Estate” Warriors

We would like to thank our sponsors, members and all our supporters for your continued support as we lead into the 2023 season. We would like to wish all coaches, players, supporters, members and committee all the best as they embark on another new season. These people volunteer each week and help us keep our club progressing forward.

Seasoner Opener:

SPORTSDAY

Scan

1st Home Game: Saturday April 15, Stawell v SM Giants at Central Park, Stawell. After the game all welcome upstairs in clubrooms for meal & social night to listen live 3wm: your home for afl season 2023 starts here!

Stawell playing coach Tom Eckel.

Culture the way forward Stawell Your cluB in 2023

BY MICHAEL SCALZO

Stawell Warriors netball department hopes a strong culture will be the antidote to arrest a slide down the Wimmera league ladder in 2023.

The Warriors’ A Grade team finished with four wins and a draw last season.

Warriors’ supporters might suggest there was potential in the squad to finish a couple of spots higher than the seventh position they earned after 18 rounds.

A Grade coach Tessa O’Callaghan said her team let possible wins slip away during the third-quarters of several rounds.

But she said the squad had an appetite for more comparative success in 2023.

“We have a strong team culture and we all play for each other,” she said.

“Hopefully that can breed more success as we continue to support each other.”

O’Callaghan said the core of the A Grade team would return this season, however new faces would replace several players who had left the region to study.

“A few players from our B Grade squad last season will make the move up to A Grade, and we

coaches

A Grade: Tessa O’Callaghan

B Grade: Naomi Hunter and Sam Cook

C Grade: Michelle Elvery and Kristy Ainley

C Reserve: Michelle Elvery and Kristy Ainley

17-and-under: Lisa Stafford

15-and-under: Christine Graveson

13-and-under: Amber Mitchell

have a few recruits from the region joining some returning players this season,” she said.

O’Callaghan said 17-and-under players Ruby Peters and Avya Mitchell would train with senior squads this season as they continued their development.

She said the Warriors would rely on their versatility and an array of possible line-up combinations.

“We do have the potential to win more games and we have added layers to our game plan that might allow us to match up better against different opponents,” she said.

“A more structured game plan

will also make it easier for our players to execute.

“We don’t want to play scrambled netball – we want to go back to basics and play the game how it should be played.”

Perhaps with some advanced structures, the Warriors could make the jump its leaders believe is possible in 2023.

Their third quarter against Minyip-Murtoa in round eight demonstrates that small lapses cost the squad dearly last season, as does their round-18 match against eventual premiers Horsham Demons.

The Warriors had led the Burras by five points at half-time in round eight, but allowed the Burras to claim a two-goal lead at three-quarter time, and a threegoal win at the final whistle.

In round 18 the Warriors, down by four goals at half-time and after leading the Demons by two goals at quarter time, let the Demons cement a 10-goal buffer at the last change.

A new game plan could make all the difference.

The Warriors will start their 2023 season against Ararat at Ararat on Good Friday, April 7.

Lisa Considine, nee Fleming, in action last season for Stawell Warriors.

Demons retain, recalibrate

BY MICHAEL SCALZO

Thefocus for Horsham Demons’ football department this off-season was player retention and ‘quiet’ recruitment.

Tyler Blake will lead the Demons solo in their 2023 Wimmera league season, after co-coaching alongside Jordyn Burke last season.

Blake said the Demons’ 2022 campaign ‘redlined’ towards the final rounds of the season and lamented ‘lapses’ during key moments.

“The ladder probably didn’t do us justice last season,” he said.

“Losing games by less than a few goals through 10-minute lapses is never reflected in the ladder and its results.

“It also doesn’t reflect where the side is heading.”

The Demons scraped into the 2022 finals series after a surprise win against minor premier Ararat in round 17, and a last-minute win against thirdplaced Stawell in round 18.

They showed their class with a six-goal win against Dimboola in the first elimination final, but were blown away by

coaches

Seniors: Tyler Blake

Reserves: Alistair McKinnon

Under-17s: Damien Bunworth, Brett Janetzki and Keith Thistlewaite

Under-14s: Stuart Farr

the Warriors during the second half of the first semi-final.

Blake said the squad had a good mix of young and experienced players.

“We have kept the foundation we showed during the last part of 2022 and we will build from those displays,” he said.

“We will be young and quick. With a good bunch of 17 to 21 year-olds, along with some structures in place to assist them, we are focusing on developing the squad from within.

“The side has lost some older heads, but that gives the young ones coming through a chance to take the next step.

“We have great depth in our reserves, with several players keen to cement their spot in the seniors.

“The Demons’ brand of quick

and clean football will continue as our core younger group comes into their prime during the next few seasons.”

Blake said the club’s off-season goal was to maintain its playing list, rather than to chase big-name recruits.

“We have recruited some players, but our goal was to retain – which, for the most part, we did,” he said.

“There is enough talent within the club to get us to where we want, but it will take hard work and development.

“That doesn’t mean there is no expectation to play finals –the list is still good enough to play finals football in 2023, but we will need to be consistent.

“We are not looking too far ahead, so we will see where we land after the first few rounds.”

Blake said former coach Burke would ‘sometimes’ play reserves this season, while the club was happy to welcome 2022 Kalkee senior coach Stuart Farr back to the club, who will coach the Demons’ under-14s team.

The Demons begin the season against reigning premiers Minyip-Murtoa at Minyip.

Tyler Blake will lead the Demons solo in their 2023 Wimmera league season,

Your cluB

Big expectations

BY MICHAEL SCALZO

Horsham Demons netball leaders have rejigged and re-embarked on a premiership charge this season after their minor-premiership season came unstuck on a cold September day at City Oval in 2022.

With a suite of new and returning players wearing the Demons colours in 2023, Horsham’s A Grade netball team will look different, but perhaps no less imposing.

A Grade coach Tiffany Heir said the club had lost five players from its top squad during the Wimmera league’s off-season.

However, she said she felt positive about the impact her new recruits could have on the Demons’ 2023 campaign.

“Georgia and Ally Hiscock and Georgia Kramm have headed to Rupanyup, Jedda Heard is living overseas this year and Grace Manserra is studying in Ballarat – and will play in Ballarat,” she said.

“They are all big outs, but we have picked up a lot of talent in their stead.”

Heir said Ebonie Salter had returned to the club and Marnie

coaches

A Grade: Tiffany Heir

B Grade: Missy Neale

C Grade: Georgie Carberry and Baylee Hartigan

C Reserve: Anissa Mackley

17-and-under: Alex Neale

15-and-under: Abby Uebergang and Kelsey Clark

13-and-under: Jodi Bigmore

Lehmann had returned from maternity leave.

She said Kalkee’s Casey Rentsch and Jeparit-Rainbow’s Georgia Batson had also joined the club.

“We certainly do have big expectations and we would be disappointed not be there again in September,” she said.

Heir said the A Grade squad ‘felt the pain’ after losing the 2022 grand final to Horsham Saints – the team’s only loss for the season.

“We were definitely the better team last season, but credit to the Saints – they played great and deserved it,” she said.

“The weather didn’t play to our advantage, and we have been working hard this summer to add more short-game options to our play style.

“The Demons have always played fast and long netball, but our players didn’t adjust to the windy conditions and the Saints were able to pick it off all day.

“I spoke heavily to the group about the pain of that day, but also about the need to move on.

“We had some training sessions before Christmas last year, but hit the court full-time in January with a lot of numbers.”

Heir said Keely Pope, who won the 2022 Wimmera league B Grade best-and-fairest while playing for the Demons, would be among the club’s A Grade team this season.

“That is what our club is about and we are excited to have her in A Grade,” she said.

The Demons start 2023 with a round-one game against Minyip-Murtoa.

They meet the Saints for a 2022 grand-final rematch in round two at Horsham City Oval, in a marquee game for Anzac Day on April 23.

2022 Hatcher Medallist Georgie Carberry will take the court with Horsham Demons again this season.

Available Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm

sPort

Racing back under lights in Ararat

BY TONY LOGAN AND LEN BAKER

The new lights are primed and ready to shine at R.T. White Raceway on Friday night for the running of the $30,000 Ararat Pacing Cup and $25,000 Ararat Trotters Cup.

It will be a most welcome return to night trotting, with the club being forced to stage day fixtures since the old lighting system went down in mid-2021.

There is free entry through the gates from 5.30pm and along with all the action out on the track, families can enjoy live music with The Double Agents, a $1000 cash draw, face painting, a jumping castle, rides on Aston the Train, ever-popular $10 punters

club, Hygain-Allbenz Park Pony Trots and a Jane McGrath Foundation raffle.

Full fields, form guide, punters corner and gear changes for Ararat Cup are available at www.harness.org. au and the action can be streamed live at TrotsVision.

People who would like to be involved in the Punters Club and-or McGrath Foundation Raffle, can contact Shaz via the club’s Facebook page.

Tallaras Shadow shines

Stawell trainer Jason Ainsworth combined with Lexton driver James Herbertson to snare the $7000 Thank You Rob Barker Pace with five-yearold mare Tallaras Shadow at Hamilton on Monday over 1660 metres.

Settling near last from the extreme outside second row draw, Tallaras

Shadow was sent forward in the last lap and after making the home turn four wide, rattled home to record a most impressive 1.2 metre victory from the pacemaker Major Assassin, Taylor Youl, with Rocknroll Opal, Michael Bellman, third.

Ainsworth has the Natasha Raven owned pacer racing in rare air with three in a row and four wins from her last six starts.

Astute Naracoorte owner-trainer

Greg Scholefield’s four-year-old gelding Hanging Fire made it two in a row when successful in the Matthews Petroleum Hamilton Pace over 1660 metres.

Beginning brilliantly from outside the front line to lead for David Drury, Hanging Fire after was rated to perfection at the head of affairs and had

plenty left in the tank for a blistering last quarter in 26.4 seconds.

Hanging Fire scored by two metres ahead of We Bettor Believe It, Matty Craven, and Springfield Affair, Kevin Von Duve, making it three wins from seven starts for Scholfield since his purchase at the start of the year.

St Arnaud part-owner-trainer-driver Scott Torney made a welcome return to the winners’ stall at Bendigo last week, when his 10-year-old mare Tension Seeker registered her first success since June 2021.

The daughter of Tennotrump deserved to break her lengthy run of outs after posting three recent minor placings and did it in style, leading from go to wow over the 2150m journey.

It was Tension Seeker’s sixth career

Davies family dominates second round

The second round of the Stawell Amateur Athletic Club season saw three of the four Davies family runners place, with Claire coming third in the seniors, and Hunter coming second just in front of his brother Flynn in the sub-juniors.

The winner in the seniors five-kilometre loop culminating with the much dreaded ‘Bonnie Dundee’ hill was Leon Monaghan, making it two wins from two races for the season so far.

In second place was Jakob Davis, showing strong form early on.

The fastest times for the seniors course were Neil Beaton in a blistering time of 20 minutes and 40 seconds for the men, and Michelle Dunn in a time of 28 minutes and 14 seconds for the women.

Only 26 seconds separated the top three place-getters in the three-kilometre junior race once handicaps were applied, with Sienna Santuccione coming in first, closely followed by Louis Fletcher in second and Jerome Baker in third.

Beau Freeland was the winner in the sub-juniors one-kilometre dash in a speedy time of five minutes and 25 seconds.

The club will host a Friday night race this week with runners meeting

at the Keith Haymes Club house at North Park, Stawell at 5.30pm.

Seniors will run 5km, juniors 3km and sub-juniors 1km.

All fun runners are welcome and there will be a barbecue following the run.

Monaghan starts well

The first run of the Stawell Amateur Athletic Club syllabus saw 48 runners tackle the five-kilometre, three-kilometre and one-kilometre distances across the senior, junior and sub-junior categories.

The Iron Bark Forest provided

some shade to runners on an unseasonably warm March day.

Leon Monaghan attributed training on Big Hill to his win by nearly three minutes on the 5km course that finished with a 2km uphill slog.

Claire Davies came in second with Tom Walker hot on her heels in third.

Walker was also the fasted senior man on the day, running a blistering 17 minutes and 54 seconds.

Elise Monaghan was the fastest woman, finishing the course in 25 minutes and 27 seconds.

The junior runners loved the lon-

STARTING YOUNG: Stawell

Amateur Athletic Club’s weekend sub-junior winners, from left, Flynn Davies, Beau Freeland and Hunter Davies.

ger 3km course, with Jerome Baker coming in first once times were adjusted for handicaps in a speedy time of 13 minutes and 45 seconds.

Nash Santucci and Tanner Freeland were not far behind on adjusted times.

There was only 12 seconds separating the first and third runners in the sub-junior race after handicaps were applied.

Willow Davies came in first place, with Kade Santuccione in second and Hamish Baker enjoying success in his first start with the club in third.

victory and came up at start 92 for the Torney family.

Bendigo also saw another St Arnaud trainer, Denis McIntyre, in the winner’s circle with his very smart fiveyear-old gelding Captain Pins proving much too good in the $10,000 VHRC Super Bonus Pace.

Drawing gate seven, driver Michael Bellman eased his charge out of the early action and was content to bide his time at the tail of the small field while enjoying the solid tempo set by the pacemaker.

Bellman secured a three wide trail into the contest at the 400, then eased four wide rounding the home turn and once Captain Pins balanced up he forged home to score by four metres in a rate of 1:55.1 for the 1650m sprint trip.

McIntyre a life member

Horsham Amateur Basketball Association, HABA, stalwart Rebecca McIntyre has been presented with one of the highest accolades for contributions to an association.

McIntyre was awarded a HABA life membership for more than 30 years of playing, volunteering and coaching.

Horsham Basketball president Jon Fitzgerald said it was an incredible honour and privilege to present McIntyre with a life membership.

“Bec’s commitment and dedication to the HABA, across a variety of roles on and off the court, deserves to never be forgotten,” he said.

“I’m thrilled for her name to be listed on our life membership board alongside her Dad, Gary Bird.”

McIntyre’s lists of achievements and voluntary contributions began when she played in the Horsham Hornets Junior Representative Program from 1990 to 1998. During that time, she played at state and regional levels.

Moving into senior ranks, she has played for Horsham Hornets, coached at national, state and regional levels and co-ordinated various tournaments.

McIntyre is currently Horsham Hornets women’s head coach, under-18 girls junior representative squad head coach and Horsham sub-hub state development coach for HABA and Basketball Victoria.

Millington strikes again

Horsham Greyhound Racing Club has been a hive of activity with eight greyhound race meetings in the past month.

The club hosted the Horsham Cup, which found great success – possibly due to the turnout the public afforded the club on cup night.

The club thanks every Horsham local and those who travelled from other areas to attend the marquee event. Without the turnout and numbers on-course, the night would not have been as successful as it was.

Local trainers have continued their run of good form, which extended as far back as Horsham Cup night.

The in-form Fullerton team, Red Cliffs, continued its winning ways when Red Strand broke through for his maiden victory in a heat of the CHS Group Maiden Event with an all-the-way victory in the smart time of 27:51sec over the 485m trip at the club’ March 14 meeting.

Victor Millington, Great Western, has been in a rich vein of form. Solar Toby was victorious on March 14, coming from near last to win by a nose in the time of 23:49sec.

ONE

Millington then struck again at the March 20 meeting when Orson Thunder was victorious by one length, working home strongly from midfield in the solid time of 23:57sec.

He kept the show rolling on Friday when Go Go Daisy jumped straight to the front to go home an easy winner in 23:83sec, breaking her maiden status at just her second start.

Millington is a stalwart of the club and not many weeks of the year go by when he doesn’t have a runner. His continued success is a credit to the way he presents and trains his dogs.

Andrea Gurry, Nhill, was back on the winners’ list following her tremendous effort in the Jan Wilson race on cup night when Treloar Bale was victorious on March 14 by three-and-a-half lengths in the time of 23:24sec in the Watts Price Mixed Grade 6-7 race.

Heather Baxter, Murtoa, then added her name to the list of local winners when Brigadoon Rose led from start to finish to break her

maiden status on March 20, at just her second start, in the time of 23:74sec.

It was a solid night for Baxter throughout, with Cruisin Blaze and Moonlight Mandy both running third.

Team Hammerstein, Ararat, also struck at the March 20 meeting when Lakeview Jet was victorious in 23:55sec.

Brady to launch District season

The unofficial anthem of the AFL will sing loud to open Horsham District league’s season next month.

Legendary musician Mike Brady, best-known for his iconic song ‘Up There Cazaly’, will perform before the round-one senior football game between Natimuk United and Rupanyup at Natimuk on April 15.

The Rams won an ACE Radio competition to have Brady perform at their club.

Brady is also known for his song, ‘One Day In September’ and also co-wrote and produced Greg Champion’s hit, ‘That’s What I Like About Football’. His latest release, ‘The Engine Room’ was written about grassroots football and pays tribute to country competitions – including players, clubs and fans.

Rams president Greg Radford said Brady would perform from 2.30pm to 3.30pm prior to the first bounce at 4pm.

“We’re looking forward to hearing the classics we all know and his new stuff as well,” he said.

“Everyone is welcome to come along, watch Mike perform and stay on for the senior footy.”

Coming from just off the pace, he worked home very strongly to win by one-and-a-quarter lengths and the team looks to have a smart one on its hands.

The busy schedule continued with a twilight meet last night and a Saturday morning race taking place this weekend. Entry is free.

ACE Radio Network Horsham content director Adam Roche said weekly sports show, The Shirtfront, would broadcast the game live to 3WM.

“This was a network-wide ACE Radio promotion, initiated by Mike Brady himself, because of his love of regional football and local sport,” Roche said.

“Not only were we delighted that Natimuk United won the competition, but our first district league broadcast match for the season will be this unique event.”

Box

with Peter Carter

STALWART: Great Western trainer Victor Millington has enjoyed a run of success on the track.

Phantoms win Ballarat tournament

BY DAVID BERRY

The 43rd annual Volleyball Ballarat ‘skins’ tournament was the perfect set up for the Phantoms’ premier teams as they prepare for state league, with both the men and women recording confidence-boosting grand final wins.

The writing was on the wall for both teams after strong showings in Warrnambool a fortnight ago and they picked up where they left off, playing some consistent volleyball across the two days.

In the men’s final, which featured Volleyball Horsham members Nathan Berry and Jack Exell, Phantoms had all the answers to Victoria University Vultures to win in four sets, while the women, with Kara Johnson and

Honour for tennis stalwart

Horsham Lawn Tennis Club stalwart Maree Thompson has been recognised for her volunteer efforts with a Tennis Victoria service award.

Thompson said she had played, organised tournaments and helped out around her club for more than 20 years.

“I took on the junior co-ordinator role six years ago when we had 50 players and now we have 130, with 32 junior teams in the most recent season,” she said.

“It was a big surprise to receive the award, but a nice surprise all the same.

“The award is a thank you to recognise what I have contributed, but that’s not why I do it – I love the sport and I love seeing juniors playing sport and making new friends.

“That’s my real reward.”

Tamikah Dockrill, were too strong for Maroondah Cobras in straight sets.

The men’s final was highlighted by some huge hitting and monster blocking from both teams, with Phantoms gaining the ascendancy, only to see their opposition bounce back with their own form of attack and strong blocking, to level the final at one set all.

Both teams traded points for most of the third set, with scores level at the pointy end of the set until some outstanding defence from Phantoms at 27-27 enabled them to win the set 29-27.

In the fourth set, the Phantoms continued to defy their opposition with libero Josh Gordon setting the tone with some amazing defensive ups which enabled his team to stay in the

contest, while Sunraysia’s hitters Tom Hermans and Ballarat pair Paul Sanderson and captain Cam Robinson were the finishing architects.

“The win was a tremendous reward for effort for the team and we will now enter round one of state league –whenever that might be as the draw is still to be finalised – with a great deal of confidence,” Robinson said.

“To have the services of former Australian player Paul Sanderson in our team is a fantastic coup for us.

“Not only will he be a key player, but his presence alone makes the rest of us better players.”

Key setter Kara Johnson said the key to victory in the women’s final was aggressive serving in an overall team performance.

“Most of us have been playing

together for a while now and that showed as we were all comfortable in our roles, which enabled us to maintain our consistency and keep Maroondah at arm’s length throughout the final.”

Both teams should have key players returning for round one, with Bendigo pair Matthew Berry and Lachie Parkinson in line for selection for the men and Sunraysia’s Brooke Freckleton and Warrnambool’s Emma and Hillary Hannigan for the women.

Volleyball Horsham was well represented at the tournament at the weekend with Mercedes Arnott, Paige Hemley, Ella Van Duren and Clare Whyte playing for Phantoms and an academy girls’ team playing in division three.

Sebastian Maggs, Jack Snowden,

Tyler Puls and Caleb Smith played in a division two Phantoms team, which finished third in their pool.

Former Volleyball Horsham member Jayden McQueen returned to the court after a six-month lay off due to injury and was a key player for his Volley Friends United men’s division one team.

McQueen also confirmed his invitation to play for Volleyball Horsham at the upcoming country championships in Mildura as the association’s marquee player. This will help strengthen the team as it prepares for selection trials in coming weeks.

While not featuring in finals, all players would have gained valuable experience playing against different and stronger opposition, which will stand them in good stead going forward.

Alexander wins top award

Horsham Cricket Association wrapped up the 2022-23 season as West Wimmera Warriors all-rounder Nathan Alexander claimed the Cec Hopper Medal for champion player at the association’s presentation event.

Alexander also won the A Grade batting average with 56 runs, a total of 336 for the season.

Warriors’ Brad Alexander won the batting aggregate with 347 runs.

Matt Combe, Noradjuha-Toolondo

Bullants, won the A Grade bowling average and aggregate with 25 wickets at 10.48.

Nathan Schorback of the Blackheath Dimboola Cricket Club was presented the Ellie Flack Memorial award for outstanding service to cricket.

Jung Tigers’ Prabath Kaushalya Bandara won the B Grade Alan McRae Medal for champion player. He also won the batting aggregate with 369 runs.

Clint Midgley, Rupanyup-Minyip,

won the batting with an average of 83. Lubeck-Murtoa’s Nic Ballagh won the bowling average and aggregate with 33 wickets at 5.79.

In C Grade, Rod Kirkwood, Horsham Saints, won the Ivan Morrison Medal for champion player.

Kirkwood also won the batting average and aggregate with 520 runs at an average of 260.

Quantong’s Stuart Jose won the bowling average with 15 wickets at six and Natimuk’s Jed Uebergang won the bowling aggregate with 18 wickets.

Dunmunkle’s Connor Wiedemann won the under-16.5 champion player and batting champion.

Homers’ Gibson Perry won bowling champion.

Horsham Saints Black’s Chase Whelan won the under-14 champion player, Dunmunkle’s Jarvis Mitchell won batting champion and Riley Downer won bowling champion.

Back-to-back title for Bruce

Horsham basketball export Shaun Bruce is a National Basketball League, NBL, back-to-back title winner after Sydney Kings defeated New Zealand Breakers.

The five-game final saw Sydney Kings win three games, 81-74, 91-68, 77-69 to win the series.

The Breakers won the first and the

fourth games, 95-87 and 80-70. Bruce is a guard and played all five games against the Breakers, averaging 16 minutes a game in a strong Kings line-up.

The NBL season typically starts in early October with the home-andaway season concluding in February and finals throughout March.

THANK YOU: Tennis Victoria presented Horsham Lawn Tennis Club’s Maree Thompson with a tennis service award to thank her for her volunteer work within the sport.

Kalkee serves up premiership win

BY ABBY WALTER

Atwo-set win has awarded Kalkee the 2022-23 Central Wimmera Tennis pennant premiership.

Kalkee defeated Central Park at the weekend by two sets and 14 games in a fitting finish to a close season.

Kalkee’s Jeff Friberg, James Sayle and Steve Schultz were a powerful trio – not dropping a set all day.

In turn, Central Park’s Willow Sainsbury and Sue Walter also did not lose a set.

The game between Central Park’s Adele Joseph and Kalkee’s Paula Weidermann made the final difference, with Weidermann winning 8-3.

Natimuk concluded the A Special season in near-perfect style, only losing one round, and coming home with premiership honours.

Horsham Lawn Thompson put up a good fight against the favourites but fell two sets and six games short of the title.

Natimuk’s players were consistent, with most winning two sets each.

Tom Bourchier and Ben Garwood worked hard against Horsham Lawn Thompson’s Brett Thompson and Dylan Thompson to take an 8-5 win.

Ella Thompson won two sets for Horsham Lawn Thompson in singles and doubles – keeping her team close to Natimuk’s score.

CONSISTENT: Central Park pennant player Willow Sainsbury has been consistent all season, winning all her sets against Kalkee in Saturday’s grand final.

In the end, Natimuk displayed the strength it had all year and took home the win.

Haven defeated Central Park in A Grade to win the grand final by two sets and three games.

Haven’s Sarah Hateley and Breanne Mills played well and were tough opponents all day.

Central Park’s Roger Kotz put up a good fight, winning all his sets but

could not get Central Park across the line.

St Michaels are B Special premiers after a four-set win against Central Park.

Rebecca Pohlner, Sam Clyne and Becky Schmidt were strong all day for St Michaels and did not drop a set.

Central Park’s Nathan Jensz was consistent for the runners-up and also did not drop any sets.

POWERFUL: Kalkee’s Steve Schultz, pictured, Jeff Friberg and James Sayle were a powerful trio – not dropping a set in their pennant grand final against Central Park. Pictures: PAUL CARRACHER

Grand final results

Athletes line up for Stawell gift

TheVictorian Athletic League has announced handicaps for all athletes competing in this year’s Stawell Gift Carnival.

More than 675 athletes have been awarded handicaps for events including the prestigious men’s and women’s Gift.

Fields for the men’s and women’s 120m gifts include a group from Australia and New Zealand’s best track athletes and pro runners

— Jake Doran, New Zealander Eddie Nkeita, Jack Hale, 2018 gift winner Jacob Despard, 2019 gift winner Dhruv Rodrigues Chico, Bree Masters and Mia Gross.

The 1000m invitational women’s handicap will see the likes of Abbey Caldwell, Catriona Bisset and Linden Hall compete.

Stawell Gift event management chairman

Murray Emerson, a Northern Grampians shire councillor, said the event had again attracted the highest-calibre runners.

“It’s encouraging to see the high number of runners joining us for the grand finale of Australian professional running,” Cr Emerson said.

“Thanks to our partnership with Athletics Australia, we will have some of the top Australian and New Zealand track athletes lining up against an excellent field of professional runners again this year.”

Nketia will again run off the scratch mark

in front of Australian National 100m champion Doran at 0.5m; Hale and Rodrigues Chico are off 0.75m and Despard has been given 1.25m.

With his mark and experience at running on grass in the 120m distance Despard could be the fourth winner of two finals in the 141year history of the Powercor Stawell Gift.

The 2017 champion, Matt Rizzo, is back in form and ready to join the exclusive doubles club.

Masters, who placed third in the 2019 Women’s Gift, will start off scratch and her 4x100m Commonwealth Games teammate Gross will start at 0.25m.

The 2018 winner EJ Forsyth is back with a mark of 3.75m while 2019 winner Lexi Loizou is off 2.25m and 2021 victor Hayley Orman has been given 8.25m.

Last year’s winners Harrison Kerr and Carla Bull have been pulled back to 2.5m and 2m respectively.

The event runs from April 8 to 10, at Central Park, Stawell.

Easter Sunday is a family day with a range of children’s activities on and off the track; admission is free for under-12s.

The Gift and other race finals are broadcast live on Seven from 11.30am on Easter Monday.

Tickets are now on sale via Ticketek.

PERFECT START: Greater Western Victoria Rebels coach Sally Riley takes Horsham College AFL academy students through drills. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Students put through paces

Horsham College students experienced a taste of Greater Western Victoria Rebels training as girls’ head coach Sally Riley ran clinics at the school last week. Riley said she was heading to Horsham to catch-up with players in the under-16 Rebels girls’ squad when she was invited to work with students in Horsham College’s football programs.

Parks & Gardens Apprenticeship

Location: St Arnaud, Closing date: April 11, 2023

Duties include:

• Planting, transplanting, and pruning small trees and shrubs

• Operating equipment and machinery

• Maintaining properties and structures

• Undertaking irrigation and drainage systems maintenance activities

For more information contact Daryl Eastwell on 0407 364 654.

Apprentice Diesel Mechanic

Location: Horsham, Closing date: April 4, 2023

Duties include:

• Inspect, service and repair heavy vehicles

• Repair cooling systems and radiators

• Implement and monitor environmental regulations in the automotive industry

• Attend trade school and additional training as specified by Skillinvest

For more information contact Chris Barber on 0427 346 655.

Water Industry Operations Traineeship

Location: Donald, Closing date: April 11, 2023

Requirements:

• Competent computer skills

• Sound verbal and written communication and able to work in a team

• Ability to follow operational policies

• Willingness to commit to work and study

• Police check required

For more information contact Shane Cross on 0418 564 890.

Delivery Driver

Location: Horsham, Closing date: ASAP

Requirements:

• Drivers licence

• Enjoy hands-on & technical tasks

• Relevant industry related experience

• Evidence of covid-19 vaccination certificates may be required

To discuss this role further, contact Nathan Keel on 0408 109 324.

To

“I came to Horsham to run some sessions and start to educate young athletes about what it might take to get into the Rebels and potentially make AFL,” she said.

“We had 30 girls at the lunchtime session and 25 of them could kick a drop punt – girls’ footy has come a long way since I was young and growing up.

“Some girls might not have realised before that they can kick or that they enjoy football, so now they have given it a try who knows where they can go from here.

“I know football often starts at school – that’s where I got into it – so it’s great that I could have some impact on young people across western Victoria.”

JOBS BOARD

Placing the right people in the right organisations

Carpentry Apprenticeship

Location: Horsham, Closing date: April 4, 2023

Requirements:

• Enjoy mathematical and technical activities

• Good hand-eye coordination, good sense of balance and ability to work at heights.

• Willingness to commit to work and study

• Current driver’s licence and reliable transport (desirable)

For more information contact Chris Barber on 0427 346 655.

Staff Payroll Officer

Location: Horsham, Closing date: ASAP

Requirements:

• End to end payroll experience;

• Strong communication skills;

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

• Excellent computer and administrative skills;

• Excellent payroll database knowledge and experience

• Availability to work up to 38 hours per week to cover periods of leave

• Ability to work collaboratively with other staff.

For further enquiries, please contact Linda Loft - linda.loft@skillinvest.com.au

Scooting off to nationals

BY ABBY WALTER

Five Horsham scooter riders have qualified for Australian Scooter Association National Championships and will ride at RampFest Indoor Skate Park, Melbourne, next month.

Nate Keating, Connor Briggs, James Moore, Jed Hermans and Anderson Dike rode at Volo Park, also in Melbourne, for state championships at the weekend, among 56 other competitors.

The top 10 in each age category qualified for the national event.

The winners in each category at nationals will have a chance to progress to the world championships.

Dike finished second in 10-and-under boys, Keating eighth in 12-and-under, Moore first in 15-and-under, Hermans third in open men and Briggs finished sixth in the open men division.

Hermans, 16, said it was a ‘massive’ relief to finish in third position.

“I broke my left leg twice last year, and once was at Volo Park. I hadn’t ridden there since I had broken my leg,” he said.

“To come third after that was a big accomplishment.”

Hermans said in a big arena, he kept focused on his breathing and remained calm because it was a very different environment from where he practised.

“I know I can do the tricks in the run, so it just comes down to doing them well on the day,” he said.

“I come up with my runs on my own and occasionally I’ll get some of my mates to help out with them.”

Keating said he had been riding scooters since he was a two year-old.

Rebels fire

“I enjoy it because it’s fun. I get to hang out with my mates and ride with them,” he said.

“I am pretty excited to be going to nationals – I didn’t expect it.”

Hermans said he was self-taught with help from friends.

“We learn from each other when we’re at the skate park together,” he said.

“When I was younger having older kids riding around was great because they would give us tips.

“Now we get to pass that down, so I’ll give Nate and the other younger riders tips, too.”

The national championships run from April 14 to 16.

Gymnasts bound for state championships

Six Natimuk and District Gymnastic Club gymnasts are preparing for the 2023 Senior Victorian Gymnastics Championships at Geelong Arena this weekend.

Hailey Puls, Brooklyn Fraser, Lani Jones, Edward Jones and Remi and Eli Bailey qualified for the championships following trials at the State Gymnastics Centre in Prahran earlier this month.

In men’s artistic gymnastics the gymnasts compete on highbar, parallel bars, pommel, vault, floor and rings.

The three level-six boys collected individual apparatus placings at the qualifiers, with Remi Bailey finishing second overall and Edward Jones, third.

In women’s artistic gymnastics, the gymnasts compete on floor, beam, vault and uneven bars.

Puls, level 10, qualified in fifth position overall, with a second placing on floor. Fraser, level 10, qualified in eighth position and Lani Jones, level nine, 15th.

Head coach Lynette Morrow said it was the highest number of gymnasts the club had sent to senior championships.

“Everyone ups the ante for finals,” she said.

“Everyone competing walks

in on even ground and the way the gymnasts perform on the day is what matters.

“We have some things up our sleeves and the gymnasts have done their routines hundreds of times, so now they just have to go out and do their best on the day.”

Morrow said as the championships inched closer, nerves were starting to increase.

“This is the final, so there’s definitely some nerves, but we just have to do what we know well and hope that’s enough,” she said.

“I try not to put too much pressure on placing – the goal is to hit their skills and complete their routines.”

Morrow said it was the first time the club would see a national level-10 competitor at the championships.

“To have Hailey, our national level 10, heading to the championships is exciting – it’s a big thing to be up there in the top level,” she said.

The championships begin on Friday and will run for three days for competitors in acrobatic gymnastics, men’s artistic gymnastics, trampoline gymnastics and women’s artistic gymnastics.

–

Three Wimmera footballers contributed to Greater Western Rebels under-18s boys’ first win of the Coates Talent League season.

The Rebels defeated Bendigo Pioneers by 16 points at Mars Stadium, Ballarat.

The team will look ahead to round two against Sydney Swans Academy to continue to test their skills.

Horsham Saint Joel Freijah scored one behind and had 17 disposals for the game.

Minyip-Murtoa’s Oscar Gawith had four disposals and two tackles while Tyler Pidgeon had four disposals.

After losing to Geelong Falcons in round one, the Rebels girls’ team bounced back to defeat the Pioneers in round two by 29 points.

Dimboola export Brook Ward had nine disposals and took three tackles. Horsham Demons’ Greta Arnel and Adelle Weidemann and Laharum’s Poppy Peters played in the under-16s game against the Pioneers.

Grampians win

Chalambar, representing the Grampians, won the Wimmera Bowls Region Midweek Pennant finals and will now represent the region at Bowls Victoria’s State Pennant in May.

Chalambar competed against Boort, representing North Central; Rainbow, North Wimmera; and Horsham Sunnyside, Wimmera, at St Arnaud.

The three-round finals series saw Chalambar defeat Rainbow, 57-32, Sunnyside, 53-36 and Boort 64-28.

Chalambar rinks were Hans Holz, Rhonda Wall, Michael Franklin and Chris Young, s; Geoff Wilkinson, Carroll Arney, Garry Todd and Karen Brennan, s; and Harry Wheeler, Kenneth Arney, Richard Harricks and Trevor Preston, s.

Demons ready

Horsham Demons youth girls and women’s football teams are kicking off the Western Victoria Female Football League season this weekend.

It is a grand final rematch on Friday night between the Demons’ women’s team and Hamilton Kangaroos.

The Kangaroos defeated Horsham in the premiership game last year and new and returning Demons players will be determined to show what they can do. Youth girls will play on Sunday against Portland to begin their season. Both matches will be played at Horsham City Oval.

Abby Walter

PREPARED: Natimuk and District Gymnastic Club’s Hailey Puls will compete at the 2023 Senior Victorian Gymnastics Championships on Friday.

Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

“When I was younger having older kids riding around was great because they would give us tips. Now we get to pass that down, so I’ll give Nate and the other younger riders tips, too”

– Jed Hermans

The national stage is waiting for Horsham scooter riders, from left, Nate Keating, Connor Briggs, James Moore and Jed Hermans as they prepare to compete in the 2023 Australian Scooter Association National Championships. Horsham’s Anderson Dike will also join the riders at nationals at RampFest Indoor Skate Park, in Melbourne, in April. The riders qualified at the weekend, finishing in the top 10 at state titles. Story, page 67.

Ramping it up

Picture: PAUL CARRACHER