The Weekly Advertiser – Wednesday, August 30, 2023

Partnered approach

BY SEAN O’CONNELL

AWimmera

Aboriginal corporation has clarified the aims of an agreement signed by Traditional Owners and State Government amid recent conjecture surrounding its implementation.

The ‘Recognition and Settlement Agreement’ formalised between Barengi Gadjin Land Council and State Government in October, outlined a number of practices, including co-management, local council cooperation and enhanced employment opportunities.

BGLC chairperson Dylan Clarke said the implementation of the agreement now allows First Nations people to be more involved in certain matters of land and resources, as well as work towards economic independence.

Mr Clarke said practices of comanagement of land and resources mentioned in the agreement, between BGLC and other parties, were critical to the work of the corporation going forward.

“It allows us to have input into how land and resources are maintained, to include cultural values and intrinsic knowledge of country,” he said.

Mr Clarke said shared management would allow better practices to be implemented, to the benefit of natural resources.

“It’s about making it better for the environment, our community and also ensuring we have our say,” he said.

“For too long, we’ve seen some drastic impacts on flora and fauna, including some that have died out.

“Part of the solution is having balance between who is involved.”

Mr Clarke said the 10 council areas that fall within the remit of the agreement, including Horsham and Ararat rural cities, and West Wimmera,

Hindmarsh and Yarriambiack shires, would have opportunities to work with BGLC.

“We’ve been open to negotiating or talking to councils,” he said.

“I think it needs to be more of a partnered approach. We’re open to talking about all the issues – big or small.

There are groups who have already entered into agreements with other councils.”

Yarriambiack Shire mayor Kylie

Zanker said the council’s positive relationship with BGLC would continue as a result of the agreement, including through the Local Government En-

gagement Strategy, which asks local governments to enhance relationships and provide opportunities for First Nations people.

“The ‘Recognition and Settlement Agreement’, specifically the Local Government Engagement Strategy, provides structure for actions and initiatives that we, as council are already completing, such as acknowledgement of country, consultation with Traditional Owners on projects and collaborating on advocacy, strategies and events,” Cr Zanker said.

Continued page 3

GREAT POTENTIAL: A visit from CR Kennedy drone wrangler Tim Hamond caused excitement at Murtoa’s Stick Shed last week. A drone-mapped, three-dimensional model of the Stick Shed will guide maintenance priorities of the historic structure. Story, page 5. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

New assessments guide learning

BY SEAN O’CONNELL

only one source of data the school utilises.

Results

for 2023 National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy, NAPLAN, tests, while assessed differently to previous years, will help guide schools going forward, Wimmera principals say.

Ararat Marian College acting principal Matthew Summers said 2023 NAPLAN results were ‘difficult to compare’ with previous years, with changed testing leading to diminished results across the board.

“Across the entire country, overall results have gone down,” he said.

Mr Summers said it would be difficult to draw any conclusions for a couple of years from the new standards, which included tougher assessment criteria; but reinforced NAPLAN was

“In terms of us, we’ve been a part of a literacy program with Melbourne University and the Archdiocese of Ballarat,” he said.

“With this triangulation of data, we have seen improvements already.

“Overall, we have seen growth in our reading and spelling throughout the past couple of years.”

With rural students one of the groups identified as falling behind in the 2023 results, Mr Summers said there were several challenges for the cohort.

“I think for any rural school, travel is a factor – time spent on buses each day,” he said.

“There are also restrictions around subjects and what can be offered.”

Mr Summers said subject selection

was based on student preferences, the number of students in a given year level and also availability of teachers, with teacher shortages having an effect in regional areas.

He said the school had introduced a few different initiatives to better help students with additional needs, and demand for such programs was another finding from the 2023 NAPLAN results.

“We run a relatively large number of individual learning programs,” Mr Summers said.

“We have introduced specialist classes, especially at junior and middle school level.

“Again, that comes down to staff loading.”

He said the school also focused on improving teaching at the school, with

an initiative aiming to run pedagogical practices for about five years and a program called ‘Responsible Thinking Process’ helping with classroom behaviour.

Stawell Secondary College principal Murray Hart said the school’s 2023 NAPLAN results would help inform the school’s decisions going forward.

“Our NAPLAN results provide a snapshot of our students’ skills and understanding,” he said.

“Our school, through our teaching and learning teams, will analyse these results to identify any skill areas that require improvement and ensure that all students are receiving support to help them to continue to improve.”

Mr Hart said students completed NAPLAN online for the second time, across two weeks this year, and their

results showed signs of growth and achievement.

“In many areas, our students are performing at or above the state average across our year seven and nine cohorts, which is very pleasing,” he said.

“Of note is the performance of our year-nine students in reading, where nine students received recognition for exceeding expected levels.

“In year-seven, our spelling results were well above the state average, and we acknowledge the collaborative efforts from our feeder primary schools in their support of our students in excelling in these areas.”

NAPLAN assesses students in years three, five, seven and nine, in categories of numeracy, reading, writing and conventions of language.

Partnered approach

From page 1

Mr Clarke said the agreement brought many employment opportunities for First Nations people, both within the corporation and across different sectors.

“That can be opportunities for BGLC, landowners, or in policy,” he said.

“It can come from state agencies that we might have a partnership with, such as Parks Victoria.”

Mr Clarke said opportunities for economic development underlined in the document would support local First Nations businesses and secure the future prosperity of BGLC.

“It’s about the relationships and other opportunities for businesses who might not have got their foot in the door for tender,” Mr Clarke said.

“Internal to us, we want to be a multi-generational corporation for our families and community.

GOOD CAUSE: Wimmera Against Cancer in Kids, WACK, will host a car show in the west carpark at Horsham Plaza on Sunday. The Father’s Day event will raise money for Wimmera families dealing with childhood cancer. Nash Clark, 10, shows his support. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

WACK to host Father’s Day car show

Wimmera Against Cancer in Kids, WACK, volunteers are hosting a car show to raise money to support local families dealing with childhood cancer.

The car show will be on Father’s Day, this Sunday, from 9am to noon, with cars and motorbikes on display

as well as trade stands. Car and bike enthusiasts can show off their vehicles and catch up with like-minded owners.

Vehicle owners are welcome to set up their vehicles in the west carpark at Horsham Plaza before 8.30am on the day and depart at noon.

This is the third year the group has hosted a Father’s Day event. The carpark provides plenty of space for vehicle displays, with a vacant carpark between each vehicle to be COVID safe.

Vehicle owners can simply turn up on the day and pay a $10 donation.

Community members are invited to attend by gold-coin donation. Trade stands are also welcome by donation.

Rotary Club of Horsham will operate a barbecue on the day. People wanting more information can call Simon Clark on 0429 941 241.

“As an agency, we have different grants and providers, but we are looking at moving away from some of those structures and red tape.

“There’s lots of different things we support our community with – that all comes at a cost.

“Part of that economic strategy is looking at all the streams BGLC has and looking to see what our people want to pursue.

“Working towards sustainability as an organisation in the Wimmera – it’s not just Horsham, we want to get out in regional and remote areas and people who aren’t living on country.”

PUBLIC TOILETS TO BE UPGRADED

Four public toilets in Horsham are set to be upgraded over the coming weeks.

Facilities at the Botanic Gardens, Weir Park, Baker Street (former Visitor Information Centre) and the Woolworths carpark will be refurbished inside and out. Horsham’s D.L.W McMaster Property Maintenance has been awarded the contract with works including plumbing, electrical, building and painting.

New fittings will include stainless-steel toilets, cubicles, hand dryers as well as painting and flooring renovations. Works will be done in stages and the project will be fully completed by mid November.

The toilets will be unavailable at certain times during the works, with signage in place.

Chief Executive Officer Sunil Bhalla said clean, safe and accessible public toilets played a major role in the liveability of the city for residents and visitors.

“All of these facilities were showing their age and the community told us that upgrades were needed,” he said.

Skate stars coming to Horsham FREE LESSONS THIS SUNDAY

It’s time to whack on the helmet and hit the half-pipes – Horsham Rural City Council is bringing two of Australia’s leading figures in skating to the Wimmera for coaching and competition events at Horsham Skate Park.

Six-time Australian scooter champion Taj Shambrook and Australian Skateboarding Federation Chairman and international judge Renton Millar will be the stars of the show.

• Free skateboarding and scooter lessons - Sunday 3 September

The main skatepark competitionSunday 17 September.

“We are excited to be coming up to Horsham for two events, and bringing with us really high quality athletes in our sport in Taj Shambrook and Jake Harvey,” Mr Millar said.

“We look forward to seeing what the local young riders are capable of, as well as helping foster a really positive culture around the Horsham Skate Park,” he said.

The HRCC initiative is supported by Freeza and the Victorian Government.

Scan to register for Sunday's lessons.

HAVE YOUR SAY

Current Community Engagements

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

PARKING REVIEW

The community is being encouraged to share its feedback on the city’s parking system as part of a HRCC six-month review. Visit hrcc.vic.gov.au/parking-feedback or pick up a hard copy form at the Civic Centre.

Submissions close 5pm Friday 8 September.

“Council aims to maintain our public facilities in good order so they can be used by our community and visitors for years to come.

“The facility will be lighter, brighter and more modern and the upgrade replaces aged equipment with more robust fittings.”

The $236,000 project has been funded

under HRCC’s Capital Works Program. Council is considering future options for public toilets in Roberts Avenue and at Horsham City Rowing Club. More information regarding those facilities will be available as part of next year’s budget process.

TENDERS AND RFQ

Q06/2024

DETAILED DESIGN OF 2 RECREATION PARKS FROM CONCEPT DESIGNS

Detailed design and construction drawings for Sunnyside and Skate Park precincts

Closes 12noon, Friday 1 September

Q23-032

NETBALL PAVILION CONSTRUCTION

Netball pavilion, associated infrastructure and landscaping at Horsham City Oval

Closes 12noon, Monday 11 September

Q07/2024

FIREBRACE ST TRIAL PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS

Line marking, parking alterations, installation of rubber kerbing, signage, rubber speed cushions, a layback and ancillary landscaping.

Closes 12noon, Monday 11 September

24-004

LANDSCAPE DEVELOPMENT- THE STATION YOUTH CENTRE

Undertake works at the front sections of 14-16 Pynsent St Horsham

Closes 12noon, Tuesday 12 September

Q08/2024

DRAINAGE UPGRADE JUNG

Upgrade of drainage at Store Street, Jung.

Closes 12noon, Wednesday 13 September

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST 24-005

MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF PEDAL BOATS

HRCC is seeking a commercial operator to manage and operate 10 pedal boats on the Wimmera River, Horsham.

Closes 12noon, Monday 18 September

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

Drone aids in site restorati on

BY JESSICA GRIMBLE

Adrone-mapped, three-dimensional model of Murtoa’s Stick Shed will guide maintenance priorities of the historic structure.

The Stick Shed, recorded on the National Heritage List, is the only remaining emergency grain storage built during the Second World War.

Its committee of management undertakes regular and ongoing maintenance, with the help of grants or self-generated funds, to protect and preserve the iconic building.

The Stick Shed committee of management secretary David Grigg said plans to replace a number of poles within the shed would be reviewed following a visit from CR Kennedy

Heartfelt donation

A Horsham girl who relies on a cochlear implant to hear has thanked her long-time speech pathologist by presenting the hospital that helped her with a donation to continue its work.

Horsham West and Haven Primary School student Katie Schumann made Christmas ornaments with her grandfather Lee Schumann to fund a significant donation to the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital in Melbourne, due to a special bond she formed with speech pathologist Denise Courtenay.

Katie’s mother Rebecca Schumann said the $2322 cheque, which was presented to Mrs Courtenay after she made a presentation to Katie’s classmates last week, was the second donation she made.

Last year, the family travelled to Melbourne to donate $1150.

“Katie and her grandfather, for the past two Christmas’, have made Christmas trees, little angels and doves and they have sold them to people in the community,” Mrs Schumann said.

“One hundred percent of those profits Katie has been donating to the Eye and Ear Hospital and its cochlear implant clinic.

“Katie was born profoundly deaf. We were told of her diagnosis at three months of age – and she has known Denise since she was six months old.

“Her grandfather actually had the

drone wrangler Tim Hamond last week, who used an ExynAero autonomous drone to scan the interior and exterior of the building.

“We immediately got excited by that. We identified the potential of it,” Mr Grigg said.

“The 3D scans can identify problems with the poles and help us with maintenance.

“CR Kennedy has agreed to work with Period Building Conservation to identify maintenance issues in the shed.”

Mr Grigg said Period Building Conservation was a company that specialised in the restoration of heritage buildings, and its representatives worked with specialists such as structural engineers to complete

“We immediately got excited by that. We identified the potential of it. The 3D scans can identify problems with the poles and help us with maintenance”

– David Grigg

work safely and in line with heritage features.

He said Period Building Conservation consultant Greg Owen had identified deteriorating joinery, and the lifting of a number of poles, as pressing issues to address in the short to medium term.

He said ideally, initial maintenance would be completed by March 2025.

“Those problems will be examined

through the drone system and then in a few weeks’ time, Greg and Tim will do the whole shed and we’ll identify long-term issues that need addressing,” Mr Grigg said.

A variation to an existing heritage grant will fund initial works, with additional money from the committee’s coffers completing works across about two years.

The Stick Shed, on the Wimmera Highway, is open seven days a week from 10am to 3pm.

Mr Grigg said about 23,000 people visited the shed last financial year.

“We are confident, through the promotion received through MasterChef filming an episode in the Stick Shed, that those numbers will increase this year,” he said.

ACE team recognised

Members of Horsham’s ACE Radio team are among contenders for national recognition.

Adam Roche is a finalist for best individual talent and best content director; Hugh Dougherty is a finalist for best newcomer off-air; Sophie Jackson is a finalist for best imaging producer; and The Vic Hotel’s, ‘If these walls could talk’ by Danica Turvey, Adam Roche and Alex Davidson is a finalist for best station-produced commercial campaign in the country division at the Australian Commercial Radio Awards, ACRAs.

Winners will be announced at a gala event in Sydney on October 14. The nominations were among 21 finalists across the ACE Radio Network, which also included ‘The Morning Rush’ as finalist for best-on-air team.

Roche, Horsham’s content director for MIXX FM and 3WM, said it was particularly notable for teenager Dougherty, who had worked behindthe-scenes for almost two years, to be recognised at a young age and at commercial radio’s highest honour.

idea of selling the goods for a charity and Katie decided that she would like to donate to the hospital.

“Without the Eye and Ear Hospital, Katie would not be able to hear.”

Mrs Courtenay said she made the trip to Horsham to visit a ‘very special girl’, who she had known since Katie was first referred to the clinic.

“For a particular type of hearing

loss, which is the one Katie has, I work with them all the way through an assessment process and then in the early months and years after the cochlear implant, to make sure the implant is functioning,” she said.

Mrs Courtenay said her presentation to Horsham West’s year-two students helped teach Katie’s classmates about sound and hearing.

“I tried to teach the children that sounds are pretty special and I hope they had fun thinking about all the sounds that they like,” she said.

“And also a little bit about how the ear works and how a sound is heard, because we talk about hearing with your ears but your brain is involved as well.”

– Sean O’Connell

“I’m immensely proud of our team who day-in, day-out entertain, engage and inform our listeners across our wide broadcast zone with 48 hours of radio every day,” Roche said.

“To see hard work being acknowledged for our small team, at such a high level, isn’t the reason why we do it; but it is nice to have that recognition.

“We couldn’t do what we do without our clients and importantly our listeners.”

SUPPORTERS: Horsham West and Haven Primary School student Katie Schumann has donated money to Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital. Katie is pictured with her family, grandparents David and Linda Mill, parents Rebecca and Tim Schumann, grandparents Lee and Vikki Schumann, brother Jax and sister Bella, and hospital speech pathologist Denise Courtenay.

Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Tim Hamond

Flood panel request

BY ABBY WALTER

The next stage of a process to change flood overlays across Horsham Rural City is progressing.

A State Government spokesperson said the Victorian planning minister, Sonya Kilkenny was considering a request from Horsham council to appoint an independent panel to review a proposed flood amendment and submissions.

“Through an independent panel process, all submitters would have the opportunity to be heard, before recommendations are provided back to council,” the spokesperson said.

A flood amendment is a planning control, known as an overlay, that allows a council to make land development decisions to protect vegetation, heritage and buildings subject to flood risk.

The new amendment for Horsham will update controls across large areas of flood-prone land throughout the Horsham municipality.

Almost 50 submitters responded to the flood amendment during a consultation process earlier this year.

Twenty submissions cited concerns about insurance implications from the amendment. The council report indicated insurance companies would base their premiums on their own assessment of risk.

The report stated insurance was not a relevant planning matter the council or Planning Panels Victoria could take into account when deciding whether to apply a flood control.

Seventeen submissions cited con-

cerns the amendment would allow development in flood-prone areas.

The council report stated the purpose of flood controls defined what an acceptable threshold for managing risk was and the council applied that based on Wimmera Catchment Management Authority flood investigation reports.

Horsham council unanimously supported a motion to request the planning minister appoint a panel.

Safer community

Councillor David Bowe said, at the council’s July meeting, the amendment was an exercise in ensuring the safe and sustainable betterment of the community.

He said it would ensure the council and community were better prepared and informed on the impacts of flood events, to ensure homes, businesses and recreational areas were safe.

“We should embrace these proposed changes and prioritise safety in line with the Victorian Flood Plain Strategy,” Cr Bowe said.

Cr Flynn said it was critical planning decisions were made with the best information available.

“I think it is worth noting more than 4500 letters were sent to affected property owners and occupiers, and we had notices in newspapers, information on our website, landholders meet with council and dropin sessions at Horsham, Natimuk and Dadswells Bridge,” she said.

“We had 46 submissions, seven of those have been resolved and withdrawn, six are resolved and waiting for formal withdrawal, 31 remain unresolved and two people

supported the amendment.

“From the information our submitters provided we have been able to make 10 changes.”

Six flood studies undertaken by Wimmera CMA guided the amendment.

The studies included Horsham and Wartook Valley Flood Investigation

2019, Natimuk Flood Investigation

2013, Warracknabeal Brim Flood Study Investigation 2016, Mount William Creek Flood Investigation 2014, Wimmera River and Yarriambiack Creek Flow Investigation 2009-10 and Lower Wimmera Flood Investigation 2016-17.

The request for the minister to appoint an independent panel would allow all submitters to be heard through a panel process. A twoperson panel would have up to 30 business days to submit its report to the council, which is then required to publicly release the report within 10 business days from receiving it.

The council would consider the report and recommendations and either adopt the amendment with or without changes, and then request approval from the minister, or abandon it.

The overlays will require a planning permit and referral to Wimmera CMA for technical advice as the responsible floodplain manager for new buildings, some extensions to existing buildings and other new developments.

The overlays would ensure any future development or redevelopment recognises and appropriately responds to the location of areas that might be subject to inundation.

PROUD: Matt and Kaylene Linsley of Acacia Caravan Park, Ararat with their Victorian Caravan Parks Association awards. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Top accolades for Acacia

Matt and Kaylene Linsley are the toast of the caravan park industry.

The owners of Ararat’s Acacia Caravan Park received the coveted Victorian Caravan Parks Association’s president’s award, recognising their outstanding contribution to the association and its members; and were also named joint winners of the workplace excellence award in recognition of their collaborative workplace environment.

The awards were presented at a gala dinner following the 2023 VicParks Conference, which brought together more than 260 delegates and exhibitors in Ballarat earlier this month.

The couple had ‘no clue’ they were considered for the major award until the citation was read.

“You don’t nominate. It’s an award for a caravan business that epitomises the whole association and what they stand for,” Mr Linsley said.

“We always volunteer for stuff, we make the effort to go to South Australia

and Melbourne to caravan and camping shows, hand out all their caravan guides and do a bit of spruiking for ourselves and Ararat.”

VicParks president David Pratt said Mr and Mrs Linsley were ‘positive, humble and all-round good people’ who were always learning and willing to support others.

Mr and Mrs Linsley took over operations of the park almost seven years ago and said ‘a little bit of love’ to refresh facilities, supported by a consistent staffing team, was critical to their success.

They acknowledged COVID-19 lockdowns were a challenging time, but also offered the business valuable lessons.

“When we hit the ground, we hit the ground running. We were working in the business, not on it,” Mrs Linsley said.

“As horrible as COVID was, I think we’re better for it as a business, better for it as a whole. We were able to really focus – and breathe.”

Date: Friday 22 September 2023 Time:

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Dedication to community

Acommunity-minded Wimmera personality is celebrating her 100th birthday with parties and afternoon teas with family and friends this week.

Lorna Austin, of Kaniva, attributes her long life to working hard, keeping a positive outlook, living a healthy life, being grateful, helping others and keeping in touch with family.

Mrs Austin was born to Stanley and Beatrice Henman on August 29, 1923 in Rainbow. She grew up with three older brothers — Cyril and Norm, deceased, and Reg, who is 103 yearsold; and two younger siblings, Alec and Margery, deceased.

Mrs Austin’s parents share-farmed at Nypo, near Rainbow. She recalled her mother telling her that they would experience many dust storms and when lifting her babies from their beds, a white patch would be left on the pillow where the baby’s head had been, surrounded by orange dust.

When Mrs Austin was about five, her parents purchased land at Sandsmere, north of Kaniva, and her family relocated. A wagon and horses carried the family’s furniture and belongings during the three-day journey.

Mrs Austin went to Sandsmere State School No. 2721, which was fourand-a-half miles from her home and was where she did all her schooling.

She left school at 14 to help on the farm with jobs including milking cows, separating milk, feeding calves, pigs, lambs, turkeys, chooks and collecting kindling for wood fires, as well as helping her mother in the house.

When the Second World War began, Mrs Austin was 16 and her three older brothers enlisted, while she helped

her father on the farm by driving the tractor, fallowing, sowing and harvesting crops.

Mrs Austin wore overalls at this time and hated them, so she never wore long pants or trousers again.

She was involved in a War Workers Auxiliary and was secretary of the Sandsmere branch. The group knitted socks, caps, jumpers, cardigans, scarves, mittens, and handmade shirts, handkerchiefs, face washers, pyjamas, pillowcases and bandages for soldiers.

Mrs Austin played the organ at the church at Sandsmere.

She met Douglas Austin when she helped his mother at their house in Sandsmere and had seen him at dances, cards, concerts and strawberry fetes. They married in March 1946 at Kaniva Anglican Church, had a wedding breakfast at the Sandsmere Hall and went to Melbourne for their honeymoon on the Overland train.

They had three children, Noel in February 1947, Heather in October 1948 and Maree in May 1950.

Mrs and Mr Austin made their home at Sandsmere where they built a new house and lived through droughts and very wet years when Bunyip Swamp would flood almost to their house.

Daughter, Maree van Kempen said Mrs Austin worked hard in the home while she was also involved with the local church and tennis club.

“She was very proud of her children and she felt very satisfied when she dressed them up in clothes she had made — whether it was to go to the local Sunday school, the big occasion of the Sunday school anniversary, a fancy dress ball or concert, dances or Christmas tree gatherings,” she said.

“The children also had special homemade outfits to wear to the Kaniva Show each year.”

Mr Austin died in 1996 and Mrs Austin lived independently until November, when she contracted COVID. She now resides at Kaniva Karinya Nursing Home.

Mrs Austin was involved with Sandsmere Ladies Group, Red Cross and the Country Women’s Association. She travelled across the state

A ‘big tick’ for Eventide

Stawell residential aged care facility, Eventide Homes, has received ‘outstanding’ results in a new, onerous re-accreditation process.

Chief executive Gary Simpson said the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission had provided a detailed, 72-page report along with the facility’s re-accreditation to August 2026.

“That’s a big tick for Eventide Homes,” he said.

“We’ve had setbacks along the way and had to realign our thinking, practices and structures, but we got there due to the quality of our staff and volunteers.”

with CWA group conferences, concerts, trips and fun days.

She received a special award in recognition of her services as a playing member and contributor of Kaniva Bowls Club for more than 50 years.

She played golf in winter.

Mrs Austin collected for the Royal Institute for the Blind and is a life member of the Kaniva Agriculture and Pastoral Society after more than 60 years of service.

Mrs Austin has 12 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and two greatgreat-grandchildren.

“Lorna has always loved family gettogethers and rarely refused an invitation to be with or go to a family event,” Mrs van Kampen said.

“Lorna is very excited and a little overwhelmed about attaining the grand old age of 100 years but is hoping to continue being healthy and happy for a few more years yet.”

It comes after assessors arrived, unannounced, at the facility in June where they audited the facility against 42 national aged care standard criteria.

Mr Simpson said assessors reviewed policies, procedures, files and records; interviewed management, staff and residents; observed care services and staff and resident interactions; and spoke with residents’ family members.

“That was the most intense audit I’ve ever participated in” he said.

“We knew it was going to be demanding when, upon arrival, the lead auditor handed us a long list of documents required to be produced to them within one hour, which our team provided within minutes.”

Mr Simpson said the audit results put a stop to unfounded rumours the facility had failed its accreditation.

“That rumour was going around before we even had an audit, so I guess it was just somebody’s misunderstanding of the facts,” he said.

Accreditation is required every three years.

“Lorna is very excited and a little overwhelmed about attaining the grand old age of 100 years, but is hoping to continue being healthy and happy for a few more years yet.”

– Maree van Kempen of her mother Lorna Austin, right

Travel platform lists Grampians

Visitors have ranked Grampians natural attractions, historical sites and a zoo within the top 10 percent of global attractions listed on an online travel advisory platform.

The Pinnacle, Boroka Lookout and Reed Lookout in the Grampians National Park, Gariwerd, Halls Gap Zoo, Ararat’s J-Ward Museum and Great Western’s Seppelt winery have received ‘Travellers’ Choice award’ badges on Tripadvisor for 2023 –which recognises accommodation, attractions and restaurants that ‘consistently earn great reviews’ from travellers and are ranked within the top 10 percent of properties on the platform.

Great Western Enterprises is the custodian of the almost 160-year-old winery and its chief executive Bruce Ahchow said the winery’s story had ‘captivated’ visitors.

He said Seppelt’s underground cellars, hand-dug in the 1800s and arguably the longest in the Southern Hemisphere, captivated both wine enthusiasts and people with an interest in Australian history.

“While we regularly monitor reviews and ratings, the recognition that our team is providing an exceptional experience on a global scale is truly a testament to the years of dedication that has gone into making Great Western such an amazing place to visit,” he said.

“During the past 12 months, Seppelt Great Western witnessed a record-breaking influx of visitors.

“With more than 1000 people experiencing our unique underground dining, nearly 10,000 individuals exploring the historic underground cellars, and more than 25,000

guests enjoying our cellar door, we are thrilled that our post-COVID recovery strategy has not only restored but surpassed prepandemic visitation numbers.”

Five-star winery rating

Mr Ahchow said Seppelt was also triumphant in the recent release of the 2024 Halliday Wine Companion.

The winery has secured a coveted five-star winery rating, garnering six gold medals and achieving impressive ratings of 90 points and above for 10 of its wines.

The Drumborg Riesling 2022 received a ‘remarkable’ score of 97 points.

Clare Dry leads the winemaking team.

Mr Ahchow said the winery sought to offer not only quality wines; but also an immersive experience connecting consumers and visitors with the winemaking progress and its history.

He said rapid growth of regional wine tourism was a ‘compelling testament’ to consumers’ ‘growing curiosity’.

“In the realm of wine tourism, consumers are driven by a thirst for knowledge, a desire to understand our wines’ unique qualities, and an intrigue into the story behind our enduring legacy,” he said.

“To cater to this surging demand, we are proactively expanding our team and infrastructure to accommodate the growing influx of tourists.

“We currently operate more than 30 accommodation rooms in Great Western, and we are enthusiastic about enhancing both the capacity and quality of accommodation options for the benefit of the Grampians region.”

Fostering healthy food options

A community engagement initiative is boosting young people’s appreciation and access to healthy and delicious food and drink.

The Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation is delivering its Healthy Kids Advisors initiative across 13 priority communities in Victoria, encouraging participation in the statewide ‘Vic Kids Eat Well’ movement.

Lauren Dempsey is healthy kids advisor for the Northern Grampians, based at Stawell West Primary School, and works with health promoters to support students at Stawell West, Stawell, St Arnaud, Marnoo, Halls Gap and St Patrick’s Catholic primary

Gala Gala

schools and St Arnaud Secondary College.

Ms Dempsey and the schools integrated positive opportunities to support healthy, fun learning during the students’ weekly routines.

In the example of Stawell West, this has included building a pizza oven and making pizza dough from scratch, before sharing a meal together.

Ms Dempsey is often called on for recipe ideas and food education activities, teaching students how to select and prepare healthy, seasonal ingredients.

She said students had the opportunity to try different foods – many of them declaring a love for sushi and brussel sprouts.

“It’s about supporting settings to create a healthy food environment for young people,” she said.

“It’s not about eating right or wrong, good or bad, but just trying a variety of food and having options available at a sports club or a school.”

Ms Dempsey said she hoped to connect groups such as community gardens or men’s sheds, which had offered to build garden beds at schools, into existing initiatives.

Advisors are also based in Buloke and Southern Grampians shires.

Funding for the program is subject to review at the end of the financial year.

TASTY CHOICE: Healthy kids advisor Lauren Dempsey with Stawell West Primary School students Chelsea Pascual and Selina Walker. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Beating heart of our communities

Halls are the beating heart of communities.

A beloved place and space for gatherings, celebrations, commemorations and farewells. Sometimes in emergencies and times of need.

An important social outlet where memories were, and continue to be made – across generations.

Often hosting sporting endeavours, activities and hobbies, clubs and initiatives for people and groups of all ages.

If the walls could talk.

Today The Weekly Advertiser celebrates the legacy and pride of place the near-neighbouring Sailors Home Hall at Murra Warra and Wallup Hall have had within, and for, their communities for a century.

They are two of many across the region which, while their use has evolved over time, remain as important as ever – to local residents and beyond.

The memories shared from Sailors Home and Wallup will evoke a smile, a laugh, a knowing nod. They are memories many rural communities can relate to.

Personally, they draw fond reflections of the annual Brimpaen Christmas tree and Australia

EDITORIAL

By Jessica Grimble

Day breakfasts – the two all-community social gatherings of the year; or the various Laharum events whether it be the faint memory of a kinder concert or afternoon teas at tennis or footy and netball events such as the yearly talent quest.

The people, the buzz of the room, the sights, sounds and smells are etched into the brain.

Halls offer such incredibly rich insights into a community’s history.

The walls of most community halls are adorned with memorabilia from over the years – trophies and tributes of times past.

And for some halls, they remain largely as they once were; a time capsule, perfectly preserved.

• If your community is hosting a celebration or milestone, let us know via email to jgrimble@ aceradio.com.au

Retain town’s village feel I was interested to read Grampians Tourism chief executive Marc Sleeman’s comments in the Grampians Tourism news this week and although I welcome an increase in accommodation for the Grampians region, I feel compelled to make the following comments.

In the early 1990s, I was a Stawell Shire councillor, chairman of the Stawell Shire planning committee and a member of the then Stawell and Grampians Development Association.

During this time I was heavily involved with developing a framework to be implemented into the planning scheme to suit Halls Gap – mainly because the township was situated within the mountain range. A couple of the reasons for this was to prevent indiscriminate development in the township, as well as appropriate development on the valley floor, which was seen from many vantage points in the Grampians area.

At the same time I was the shire’s representative on the then Great Western Progress Association, now Future Committee.

During this period, a large industrial storage shed was built in the main street, 100 metres from the centre of town. To avoid this sort of thing happening again in the ‘attractive wine village of Great Western’ – Arthur Kuehnes’ Grapes and Gold, 1980; various documents, instigated by the shire, were produced, with the majority of the input from residents of Great Western.

The latest document is the Great Western Future Plan 2014-24. This document clearly states any development in the central township area should retain a village atmosphere, be in keeping with the surrounding buildings and features and there should be a minimal effect on surrounding residents.

The difference between the two documents is that one is part of the planning scheme and therefore a legal document, and the other, although it is referred to by the shire for most works involving Great Western village, is a reference document to guide council in its decision making.

I congratulate the Halls Gap developers and have been informed that in this case there has been widespread consultation, that residents have been well informed throughout the process and that their input has been welcomed.

The Great Western development, on the other hand, has had no such input. It covers the best part of four housing blocks, is entirely insensitive to the surrounding area and would, in my opinion, be more suited to a large regional city than the historic wine village of Great Western. There is a widespread feeling among Great Western residents who feel the village would benefit far more from tourism if development was more in keeping with present features. This has been experienced by many other townships around the country where unique characteristics have been nurtured and built upon.

on behalf of the Great Western community, is bound by the present document.

In conclusion, although it’s probably not part of Marc Sleeman’s brief as chief executive of Grampians Tourism, I would strongly suggest he listens to all sides of the argument when this sort of application arises, get a balanced view, that big inappropriate buildings don’t necessarily increase tourism, that residents other than the developer are worth listening to and that not all objectors are whingers and knockers.

Bill Kilpatrick, Great Western Freeze amid price surge

Member for Lowan Emma Kealy says both levels of Labor government have promised cost relief, especially on power bills, but it hasn’t made an impact as we all experience surging power prices.

She wants more gas supply, but this will take many years to come online and only at much higher prices than renewables because of world market pricing.

The Federal Nationals also want nuclear power for electricity generation, but it would be 2040 before a nuclear industry could be established in Australia and, again, it is much more expensive than renewables.

Also, pausing the rollout of more transmission lines, which support the new renewable energy power grid, will only increase power prices. Renewables, pumped hydro and batteries are the way to go.

I agree that ordinary people and small businesses are suffering and the state and federal governments can do much more.

To be fair, State Labor has a renewable energy target which will help reduce power prices, has provided power bill relief and will ban gas to new homes in 2024, which will save money. They have provided cost-of-living relief in other ways – the $5.3-billion Big Housing Build, sick leave for casual workers, $5 train travel in the regions and free kinder for three and four year-olds, etc.

Federal Labor has reduced expected electricity and gas bill increases in the coming year. They have provided cost-of-living relief in other ways – reduced the cost of medicines, increased Job Seeker and Commonwealth Rent Assistance, and boosted housing supply through a new housing agreement with the states.

But state and federal governments have to build a lot more housing stock than this. It was eight percent of total stock in the 1980s, is two percent now, and needs to be 10 percent, according to experts.

WINNING STYLE: Horsham Calisthenics College hosted three days of competition at Horsham Town Hall, welcoming competitors from across the state and South Australia for team and solo sections. Horsham club soloist Olivia McFarlane competes in a calisthenics senior solo category on Saturday. The Horsham club enjoyed success throughout the weekend, with sub-junior, junior and intermediate teams aggregate winners, and its senior team awarded reserve aggregate. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

I feel this is a classic case of the baby being thrown out with the bath water and the unique attributes of our wine village are being sacrificed for some dubious benefit to the rest of the shire. Council, in their wisdom, has chosen to ignore the majority of recommendations in the Future Plan and predominantly focus on development. The reason seems to be that it ‘ticks all the boxes’ from a planning point of view. I would respectfully suggest it doesn’t tick enough.

The Great Western Future Committee, in acting

We need more money from the Petroleum Resource Rent Tax, not the minor amount Federal Labor has organised with the connivance of the fossil fuel industry. We need to reduce the phase three tax cuts which give $8000 to people on $200,000 a year but nothing to someone on $45,000 a year. We need to bring back the low middle income tax offset worth $1500 to people on $50,000 to $90,000. This would give the Federal Government the money to help with ordinary people’s power bills.

Meanwhile, battlers freeze in their homes, some suffer exorbitant rents and they don’t have money in their pockets to support our local businesses.

Rob Blakeley, Horsham

Thanking our community

A shared love of sport brought runners Robyn and Shane Young together — and has underpinned their business success for 25 years.

The owners of Stawell Sportspower and Stawell Tackle and Marine have long celebrated the sporting aspirations, the debuts, achievements and successes, and the stories and good times among the local sporting community. This week commemorates 25 years in business.

Robyn says the pair were grateful for the supportive community, locally and afar, who had continued to support the business for generations — including during the population swell of Christmas and the Easter long weekend, when Stawell hosts the iconic Stawell Gift. “We’re seeing another generation of customer coming though. The little kids when we first came are now coming back with their little kids,” Robyn said.

Originally a general store, the building later became

home to a sporting store that began a legacy stemming about 70 years. Previous owners, Noel and Celia Raitt, ran the store for 20 years in their own right.

Robyn and Shane added the designated fishing space, in an additional, next-door shopfront, about 15 years ago.

Robyn said supporting young staff to get their start in the workforce was rewarding.

The business is now for sale and Shane said it was time for someone else to ‘have a good time’ in the space.

“It’s been such a great time for us, and it’s time for someone else to have a really good time doing what we’re doing, in a successful business,” Shane said.

“It’s been amazing — and the past eight months have been the biggest of our 25 years.

“The local connection is really quite strong. Especially in COVID, it encouraged people to look in their own town.”

MILESTONE: Robyn and Shane Young are celebrating 25 years in business. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Wallup Hall is home to generations of special memories, as an important location for community gatherings, parties and events and the base of many clubs.

Born a year before the hall was built, on neighbouring land to his family’s farm, Ian McRae, 101, recalls hugely popular community picnics and oldtime dances.

The picnic’s traditional rooster chase is a memory that brings a chuckle as Mr McRae recalls children’s efforts to catch the bird.

“The kids all used to line up and they’d let this rooster go out on the oval. Whoever caught it got the rooster, but a lot of times it used to evade them under the hall and they’d have to crawl under the hall to finally catch the rooster,” he laughed.

Old-time dances at Wallup and neighbouring communities including Murra Warra’s Sailors Home Hall and Aubrey Hall were popular, and committee members took great pride in maintaining candle-greased floors, which were ideal for waltzing.

“All the little halls around here had pretty good floors – Sailors Home, this one, the Aubrey Hall. There used to be quite popular dances; there was one nearly every week,” he said.

Lynette Bolwell learned to rollerskate at the hall.

“The roller skating was a popular thing. They’d put bars around the hall, take all the seats out and we’d skate and skate. That went on for a good few years,” she said.

“Then in later years, there were cabarets. I live for the hall. I just love the hall.

“We still have an Australia Day celebration and New Year’s Eve party

“The roller skating was a popular thing. They’d put bars around the hall, take all the seats out and we’d skate and skate”

– Lynette Bolwell

Balls were famous in their day. Wallup Hall was also home to primary school concerts, Wheat and Wool Grower Association and Victorian Farmers Federation, VFF, meetings and tennis club afternoon teas.

KidsSafe Days for surrounding primary schools were held during the 1990s and early 2000s, with sponsorship from GrainCorp and VFF.

Today, Wallup VFF Ag Group continues to thrive with regular meetings and training opportunities for Longerenong College students.

The Wallup community will celebrate 100 years of their hall on Sunday, September 10 from 11am.

Hall committee president Tim Bolwell said the celebration would include lunch, reminiscing and re-enactments – though he stopped short of a re-run of the rooster chase.

every year – and that’s when you met up with all the neighbours.”

Wallup Pipe Band practiced at the hall for more than 60 years, until more recent times, and its Caledonian

“I don’t know about that. There are too many mobile phones these days,” he said.

“It will all be on Wallup time – everyone is usually about an hour late.”

A long, important history

The Murra Warra community banded together 100 years ago, donating money and land to establish an important central gathering point.

Sailors Home Hall, on Blue Ribbon Road, officially opened on October 16, 1923 – giving permanent home to community gatherings that previously occurred on farms.

It has gone on to host debutante balls, old-time dances and other notable local events, along with individual and family celebrations such as 21st birthdays and kitchen teas.

A centenary celebration on October 15 from 2pm will bring the community together to reminisce and celebrate the hall’s long and important history.

Hall committee president Robert Byrne said people were invited to share in afternoon tea and a roll call, while a photo and memorabilia display would include a dress worn at the hall’s opening event and a debutante’s dress from the 1960s.

Past office bearers received a personalised invitation to the event.

He said the hall’s use had evolved and changed over the years, including by the next-door Murra Warra Tennis Club, Murra Warra Ladies Club

whose members fundraised for local charities including healthcare, as a playgroup, and as host to Dimboola Old-Time Dance Club from 1980 to 2003 – all of which have since ceased operation.

The hall made a brief appearance on movie, The Dressmaker, which was filmed at various Wimmera locations in 2015.

Infrastructure upgrades have occurred throughout the years to ensure the hall’s modern comfort and suitability – often with the community’s financial backing.

“We still have cards every fortnight in the winter – and that’s been going for about 60 years,” Mr Byrne said.

“There are basket teas and land auctions, but the hall is not used like it used to be. This is possibly the last celebration we’ll have for the hall.”

The origins of the hall’s name remain somewhat unclear.

It is believed two sailors, presumably deserters, arrived in the area and found employment as shepherds on what was then known as the Wilson brothers’ Kewell Station; at least one of the men is buried nearby the hall. Their identities remain unknown.

The RV Service and Repair Specialist

MEMORIES: Ian McRae, left, points to a photograph of himself as a Wallup Pipe Band member. Mr McRae, Lynette Bolwell, Tim Bolwell and Rob McRae, and the Wallup community, are preparing to celebrate 100 years of Wallup Hall. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

CENTENARY: Sailors Home Hall committee president Robert Byrne and member Phil Pietsch prepare for the hall’s 100th birthday celebrations in October. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Infrastructure consideration

LIFE’S WORK:

Grampians

Health’s new capital projects director is seeking to progress infrastructure projects and priorities — from major projects to those that enhance wellbeing and patient experience.

Stuart Squire arrives at the health service with expertise in infrastructure development and a track record delivering multi-million dollar projects across sectors including roads, public transport, national parks and community sport.

He will oversee all aspects of infrastructure planning, construction and renovation initiatives of capital projects across all campuses.

He said a number of infrastructure projects at the service’s Horsham, Stawell, Dimboola and Edenhope campuses were in initial planning stages but details were not able to be disclosed, yet.

“As I’ve just joined the team, I’m looking forward to progressing these plans,” he said.

“Our engineering, support services and capital project teams have recently collaborated on a number of projects.

“At our Dimboola campus, we are investigating dining room refurbishments that will provide an inclusive environment and allow all residents to come together; while at Stawell, a new nurse call system is being installed.

“At our Edenhope campus, we recently completed a stunning First Na-

tions Garden during NAIDOC Week which provides a nurturing and inclusive environment for our residents.”

Mr Squire said projects were prioritised according to several factors that aimed to deliver ‘future-focused’ infrastructure that ‘enhanced delivery of patient care’.

“These factors include healthcare needs, demand for healthcare in the community, resources and goals to optimise health and wellbeing,” he said.

“We engage with key stakeholders and user groups in the design and construction process of projects.

“There will be opportunity for community engagement with longerterm infrastructure initiatives and associated infrastructure priorities.”

The health service’s chief redevelopment and infrastructure officer Veronica Furnier-Tosco said Mr Squire, having held key senior project management positions at VicRoads and most recently Parks Victoria, demonstrated ‘exceptional’ project management of complex facilities.

“Stuart’s visionary approach and commitment to excellence align perfectly with Grampians Health’s mission to provide the highest standard of care to our patients, including care closer to home,” she said.

“His extensive background in infrastructure development will be instrumental in driving our infrastructure projects forward, ensuring that our facilities support the delivery of exceptional healthcare services.”

Passion builds career longevity

Shane Dumesny has seen hardware stores come and go in Horsham and the needs of customers change across decades of experience in the industry.

The 70 year-old has worked in the Bunnings Warehouse timber and trade department for 12 years and has spent most of his working life at hardware businesses in the rural city.

Mr Dumesny said he started his career at Gerlach’s hardware shop where he spent 16 years, after having difficulty finding an apprenticeship.

“When I left school at 16, I tried to get an apprenticeship as a plumber or electrician but there was nothing available,” he said.

“I left Gerlach’s when the Kmart complex was built and went to Sharry’s Hardware for a few months.”

He moved to Weight’s Mitre 10 in 1986 and has remained at the Wilson Street site since. It went on to become Dahlsens and later, Bunnings.

Elders Southern Wool Report

“One of my best memories from when I was working at Mitre 10 was when they built a new shed to accommodate steel and I was in charge of running that,” he said.

“There was a great expansion of staff at Mitre 10 from 11 to 54 in a short period of time. The building expanded and we went from hardware into giftware, agricultural stuff and also the steel yard.”

Mr Dumesny said the change required employees to expand their knowledge as customers would come into the store to buy timber or pulleys and also ask about saucepans while they were there.

Having recently turned 70, Mr Dumesny said he had seen a lot of change in the hardware industry in Horsham, but he would continue working at Bunnings for a while yet.

“When I started, there were about four hardware stores in town. We are down to two,” he said.

Apart from a short stint working at a bakery in Port Fairy, Shane Dumesny has spent the majority of his career working in the hardware industry in Horsham.

“There were no computers until 1986 and everything was hand-recorded and we used docket books. “Me and one of the other guys had a daily competition to see if either of us could make $100 in cash sales for the whole day.”

He said despite changes, people could visit Bunnings and find whatever they needed — even if it took a special order.

“Bunnings has been fantastic. You couldn’t wish for better people to work with,” he said.

He said, as he got older, he planned to spend more time fishing and working on his vegetable garden. He said young people starting out in their careers should visit careers expos and try their hand at anything that piqued their interest.

“Get a fairly good education, find what you want to do and take it from there,” he said.

Elders provides a range of selling tools and options to help you maximise sales of your clip, including auction, auction forward, Wooltrade,

Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

CALL FOR SUPPORT: Ararat Legacy president Stuart Kerr with Legacy Week co-ordinator Kevin Bowles and Legatee Darren Bahl are calling for support during Legacy Week, this week.

Campaign supports families

Legacy has stood beside the families of veterans, providing them with essential social, emotional and financial support for 100 years.

The annual Legacy Week appeal has run since 1940 and is a time for all Australians to show their support for the widows and children whose loved ones have served.

Volunteers across the Wimmera and Grampians — including Horsham and Ararat — will be selling badges and gathering donations during Legacy Week, this week.

Ararat Legacy, which encompasses the communities of Stawell, Beaufort, Avoca, Willaura and Ararat relies on community support to raise money to care for war widows across the region.

Ararat Legacy president, Legatee Stuart Kerr said the club looked after 68 families, providing services such as home care visits, welfare support, social outings and get-togethers.

“Legacy Week is our annual major fundraiser and a chance to conduct face-to-face badge selling,” he said.

Seeing green despite dry

Construction of the Horsham Agriculture SmartWater and Integrated Water Management Project is underway.

Pipes have been laid throughout this month along Natimuk Road, Wimmera Highway, Riley Road, Florence Street, Geodetic Road and Curran Road in Horsham.

Once construction is complete, the SmartWater recycled water pipeline will run along the Wimmera Highway from Rudolphs Road to the Horsham Racecourse; and north along Curran Road to the Aerodrome, Langlands Park and Blue Ribbon Road.

The pipeline will enable access to recycled water for green spaces in Horsham including the racecourse, cemetery, sports ovals and Langlands Park.

“This project will mean that our community will have access to green spaces, even during drier periods, helping us to build a climate-resilient region.”

Upgrades at the Horsham Wastewater Treatment Plant and Agriculture Victoria’s Horsham facilities are also underway as part of the project.

These upgrades will include a dissolved air flotation plant being built at the wastewater treatment plant to further improve water quality before it is delivered to customers.

Major upgrades of irrigation systems at Agriculture Victoria’s SmartFarm are also included.

Customer benefit

“These funds are our mainstay to supporting those dependents in our care.

“A good example has been our recent $200 winter subsidy to all our widows living independently, which was so extremely well received.

“In the next few weeks with both Legacy Week and Legacy Centenary Torch Relay in Ararat on Saturday, September 9 it is going to be a busy time for our Legatees.

“We hope communities will continue their most generous support.”

Residents’ satisfaction steady

West Wimmera shire residents consider the appearance of public areas, elderly support services and enforcement of local laws as the council’s highest-performing areas.

An annual community satisfaction survey has found residents’ perception of the council’s overall performance remained consistent with the previous year, earning it a score of 59, compared to 60 last year, out of a possible 100 — above the statewide average score of 56. Its lowest-performing areas were unsealed roads, slashing and weed control, and sealed local roads.

Chief executive David Bezuidenhout said while it was an excellent result, there was still work to be done.

He said it had been a challenging year with significant wet weather impacting maintenance programs.

“We are obviously pleased with the fact that our overall performance has been well above

other small rural councils and the state average. However, that would not stop us from trying to improve on all areas — especially our roads,” he said.

“Our advocacy plan includes the improvement of roads managed by VicRoads, and we are pushing this very hard in our monthly meetings with the department.

“We will continue to do the best for our community and these results reflect that we are on the right track.”

Ararat Rural City Council received an overall performance score of 63 — the highest of all Wimmera and Grampians councils.

Yarriambiack earned an overall performance score of 59, Northern Grampians, 54, Hindmarsh, 53, and Horsham Rural City, 45. The survey, conducted annually, is a legislated requirement of all councils.

JWS Research completes the survey on behalf of Local Government Victoria.

These spaces typically rely on drinking water or stormwater for irrigation purposes.

GWMWater managing director

Mark Williams said the project focused on improving the quality of, and access to, recycled water — opening up greater opportunities for reuse and integration with other water sources to provide a secure supply for the region.

The project is scheduled for completion later this year.

“The Wimmera is particularly susceptible to periods of drought, as we saw with the Millennium drought,” he said.

Customers located along the SmartWater pipeline route and nearby the Horsham Wastewater Treatment Plant have a chance to submit proposals for the purchase and reuse of recycled water.

Expression of interest forms are available online via gwmwater.org.au/ HorshamRecycledWaterEOI or by phoning the GWMWater call centre on 1300 659 961.

The federal government’s National Water Grid Fund, Agriculture Victoria and GWMWater are funding the project.

The state government is funding local connections through the Integrated Water Management grant program.

NOW VISITING STAWELL

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

Working together to address needs

As this is my first column for The Weekly Advertiser, I thought I would share a little bit about myself and look at some of the highlights since I moved to Horsham to join Federation TAFE as Wimmera campus director 18 months ago.

Before moving to Horsham, I was living in Melbourne and working for a large vocational education and training provider, across both metropolitan and regional campuses.

Having worked in this sector for 25 years, I’m pleased to say that education isn’t just my profession; it’s also my passion.

Since arriving in Horsham, the local community has been incredibly welcoming, and it has been really inspiring to hear so many stories of how Federation TAFE has helped people change their lives for the better.

This inspiration has helped drive some of the changes we’ve made since I’ve joined and although it is great to see the positive impact these changes have brought, there is still a lot more we can be doing to support this wonderful community.

Having worked in both metropolitan and regional Victoria for so long, I know success in delivering quality education is built

COMMENT

upon solid relationships with local businesses, government authorities and most importantly, students, to ensure we’re aligned with what the community needs — not just now, but in the future as well.

We’ve taken a number of steps to ensure that Federation is better integrated into the community.

Supporting growth Recently, the office of Wimmera Southern Mallee Development, formerly Wimmera Development Association, relocated to our Baillie Street campus which has strengthened our partnership as we work together to address the training and jobs needs of the region.

We have also extended our agreement to host the Wimmera Southern Mallee Local Learning and Employment Network, LLEN, on our campus for a further three years.

Federation University Australia has also established the Horsham hub of our Future Regions Research Centre, FRRC, led locally by Dr Cathy Tischler. This hub boosts our research

For Sale

capabilities in western Victoria and has partnered with local industry, community, and government to tackle the big issues facing regional communities.

They’ve already had a positive impact on the region, and there’s other exciting projects on the horizon so watch this space.

All of these recent changes highlight our commitment to the region and our desire to work collaboratively with both the community and industry in order to deliver training and education that will help grow the region. By providing the right training and education for the jobs that are in demand in the region, we can encourage more people to stay in the region.

Everyone at Federation knows that we have an important role to play in helping local industries thrive by delivering quality training in areas where skills shortages exist.

I look forward to sharing more insights into the goings on at Federation TAFE and some of our future developments, as we work together with all of you to help build a brighter future for our community.

director.

BUSY: Horsham police Senior Sergeant Brendan Broadbent, Horsham Combined Probus Club president Bob Sloan and Acting Sergeant Mitchell Gallop, pictured during Horsham Combined Probus Club’s latest meeting at Horsham RSL. The police officers spoke to members about highway traffic issues and the role of Horsham Transport Group, especially concerning heavy vehicles on main highways. The Probus club has about 70 members and meets monthly at Horsham RSL. Its walking and cycling groups meet weekly, a 20-member ukulele group ‘The Silver Strings’ play at functions on request, a dine-out group has a meal at a restaurant or hotel once a month, and the club organises trips and outings — including a group trip to Kangaroo Island, and another group embarking on a cruise from Melbourne to northern Queensland soon.

Help at hand for businesses

Hindmarsh Shire Council is encouraging eligible businesses to apply for the first round of the Hindmarsh Shire business assistance grants for 2023-24.

The council allocated $20,000 towards the program in its annual budget. Applications close on September 29.

The grants previously supported businesses to generate new employment opportunities, supported existing businesses to grow, and attracted new businesses to the shire.

The 2023-24 program offers support and assistance across two funding categories. The business development category will

help existing businesses undertake projects or initiatives worth up to $2000, with a contribution from the business of 1:2 of the grant.

Initiatives could include staff recruitment, business planning or the obtaining of building, planning and health permits.

The ‘Streetscapes’ category will help existing businesses to undertake streetscape improvements to a value of up to $3000. Businesses must match 1:2 of the council grant. Application forms are available via the council’s website at hindmarsh.vic.gov.au/ Apply-for-Grants

4 hectares/9.88 acres

8 Premium allotments with • Mountain Views

• Fully Fenced - 104m x 384m Lots

• Bitumen Driveways

• Extra wide 7.0 mt crossovers

• 2 phase 40 amp power at pit

• GWM Pipeline water available

• Lots 1&5 will have 4000m3 drainage Basins

Priced from: $385,000 - $395,000

Titles are expected early 2024. Secure your block today.

Haven – 68 Hunts Road

Great location at Haven

5435m2 – 1.35 acre

This 5435m2 / 1.35 acre block should excite a few buyers looking for a large sized allotment, set amongst other quality homes with plenty of space for a new home & shedding in the sought after Haven area.

Well located on minutes from the CBD and only a short walk to the Haven school via the walking track at the rear.

GWM Town water is already connected with power available at the pit.

Price: $315,000 Mark Clyne

• Christine Brown is Federation University’s Wimmera campus

with Christine Brown Federation University Wimmera campus director

YYarriambiack arriambiack

Paediatric First Aid Session - Register Today

News

Next Council Meeting: Wednesday 27 September 2023

Council would like to invite parents, grandparents and those community members in care of infants to a free Paediatric First Aid Session. Training will be delivered by Tegan Roche of Casey Kosch First Aid Training.

Wednesday 6 September, 7pm - 9pm

Yarriambiack Shire Council, 34 Lyle Street Warracknabeal

This 2-hour introductory session will provide participants with the knowledge and skills to apply first aid to infants and children. Registrations are essential and can be made directly with Council's Maternal and Child Health Nurse Michelle Schilling on 0437762104. This training is funded by Yarriambiack Shire Council.

Next Free Green Waste Period (All Transfer Stations)

Tuesday 3 - Sunday 8 October

Request For Tender Now Open (C337-2024) Building Demolition & Asbestos Removal Panel of Suppliers https://www.eprocure.com.au/yarriambiack/

Mayoral Matters Update

R a b l P a r k M u r t o a W a r r a c k n a b e a l L e i s u r e P r e c i n c t

Hopetoun Recreation Reserve Minyip Recreation Reserve

C o u n c i l h a s p a r t n e r e d w i t h R o s s P l a n n i n g a n d t h e c o m m u n i t y t o d e v e l o p M a s t e r P l a n s f o r t h e f o l l o w i n g f a c i l i t i e s : T h e M a s t e r p l a n i s d e s i g n e d t o p r o v i d e C o u n c i l w i t h a c l e a r d i r e c t i o n o n f u t u r e i n f r a s t r u c t u r e a n d p r o j e c t s f o r t h e s i g n i f i c a n t r e c r e a t i o n s p a c e C o m m u n i t y m e m b e r s a r e e n c o u r a g e d t o p r o v i d e f e e d b a c k o n t h e d r a f t m a s t e r p l a n b y c o m p l e t i n g t h e o n l i n e f o r m a t h t t p s : / / w w w . y a r r i a m b i a c k . v i c . g o v . a u / E n g a g eW i t h - U s / S h a r e - Y o u r - F e e d b a c k b y T h u r s d a y 1 4 S e p t e m b e r F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n c o n t a c t C o u n c i l ' s S p o r t a n d R e c r e a t i o n C o o r d i n a t o r o n 5 3 9 8 0 1 0 0

Congratulations to the Mallee Machinery Field Days committee on another wonderful event. It was a great opportunity for us to meet with community members and discuss a wide range of council services.

Our site had a constant stream of visitors who enjoyed exploring the Words on Wheels van and the Green Wagon whilst hearing about Council’s plans for the current financial year and into the future.

Future planning has progressed for a number of our recreation facilities, with draft master plans developed for Rabl Park Murtoa, Warracknabeal’s Leisure Precinct

and the recreation reserves at Hopetoun and Minyip

Future planning has progressed for a number of our recreation facilities, with draft master plans developed for Rabl Park Murtoa, Warracknabeal’s Leisure Precinct and the recreation reserves at Hopetoun and Minyip These master plans are designed to provide Council with a clear direction on future infrastructure and projects for the significant recreation space. Community members are encouraged to provide feedback via Council’s website, via email or by post These facilities are significant to the liveability of our communities and by developing master plans we can continue to advocate for funding to ensure they continue to service the sport and recreation needs of the community

On August 15, Cr Tom Hamilton, Tammy Smith CEO, Council Officers and l attended the Rabl Park Community Meeting The meeting was well attended, and the community was gracious in allowing us the opportunity to explain what lead to the sudden closure of the wooden Rabl Park bridges, why the bridges need to be removed, and what solutions we have already implemented and plan to implement to address community concerns As a Council we acknowledge the importance of Rabl Park to the community, and that closing the bridges did present with pedestrian safety issues Our staff have worked efficiently to provide walking tracks at the Northern end of the park and plans are well underway to address the southern end of the park

The first of our housing units are making their way to Woomelang, with Murtoa’s units to follow shortly after Two units will be installed on the Brock Street site as part of our social housing project Housing continues to be an issue in our region and these units will help ease the burden in some of our communities Updates on the delivery of the units and installation will be promoted on our Facebook page and in our weekly e-newsletter Yarri Yarns

As we head into spring it’s lovely to see the fields of green and gold throughout the shire and local events increasing as the days get longer. If you’re hosting an event, make sure you register it with Council’s Events, Business and Community Officer to discover how we can assist in making your event a safe and enjoyable experience for attendees

Financial education

Think back to when you got your first job and that sweet taste of financial independence.

Regardless of what age you started working, it’s unlikely you knew how to manage that first paycheck.

Let’s face it — our world isn’t particularly adept at teaching financial literacy to the younger generation.

I don’t know about you, but when I was in school, we learned trigonometry — SOH-CAH-TOA is still permanently etched in my brain — which has been helpful for all the times I’ve needed to solve the missing sides and angles of a right triangle, but not so much for managing my financial affairs as an adult.

It’s time we change that narrative by sparking open, honest discussions about money and giving our young adults the financial tools they need to flourish.

Open discussions

Money talk has often been cloaked in secrecy and even considered taboo in some households.

This needs to change.

Parents can play an integral role in setting their children up for financial success by fostering an environment where money conversations flow freely. Open dialogue demystifies the world of finance and empowers young adults to make informed decisions.

Positive language

As we foster an environment of open discussions around money, it’s important to remember that the language we use significantly impacts the subconscious beliefs and attitudes our children will develop.

FINANCE focus

with Robert Goudie

CFP GradDipFP Consortium Private Wealth

Just as negativity can breed fear and anxiety, positive language can cultivate a healthy relationship with money.

Instead of saying, “We can’t afford this,” try saying, “Let’s work out how we can save for this.”

This small shift in dialogue encourages a mindset of abundance and possibility rather than scarcity.

It helps young adults view financial challenges as opportunities for growth, aiding them in building a positive and proactive belief system around money.

Goal setting

Goals give us direction and purpose.

Whether saving for a first car, paying off a student loan or investing in their first property, encouraging young adults to set and work towards financial goals from an early age is a great way to help them build discipline and a future-focused mindset.

It’s equally important to celebrate milestones, no matter how small. Positive reinforcement nurtures a sense of achievement and motivation, propelling them further on their financial journey.

Essentials of budgeting

Ever heard the saying, “Failing to plan is planning to fail”?

That’s precisely why budgeting is

so important. Budgeting is not about limiting yourself; it’s about making your money work for you.

The 50-30-20 rule, where 50 percent of your income goes towards needs, 30 percent towards wants, and 20 percent towards savings, is a great place to start for young adults because it’s simple and gets them in the habit of saving from an early age.

Responsible spending

Managing your money doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the things you enjoy. It’s all about responsible spending.

Need versus want is a timeless debate, but helping young adults to understand the difference is key.

Impulse spending is something that can often sabotage budgeting and saving efforts.

A great tip for young adults to help them avoid impulse spending is to implement a 48-hour waiting period for non-essential spending.

This allows time to consider whether the purchase is within their budget and aligned with their financial goals.

We’re not just equipping our young adults with financial knowledge; but empowering them to build a successful financial future.

So, let’s keep the money conversations flowing and start helping our young adults build habits that will set them up for financial success.

The narrative changes today.

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

Author’s achievement

It’s never too late to follow passions and dreams.

Cherry Morgan, a resident of East Grampians Health Service’s 70 Lowe Street, has published her first book at age 78.

The murder mystery is titled, ‘The Canal Princess’.

Mrs Morgan has always had a love of writing and has written many stories over the years, but only completed her first novel after an injury kept her chair bound and unable to walk in 2017.

The book has only recently been published, after a friend took her story to an editor, who said it was good enough to publish.

“I’m still shocked and surprised,”

Mrs Morgan said. “When I first saw it in print, I nearly cried.

“I didn’t honestly think I was good enough.”

Mrs Morgan has always loved murder mysteries and when asked where the inspiration came from, she tapped her head and said, ‘it was all up here’.

“‘The Canal Princess’ features many twists and turns and will keep you guessing and turning the pages,” she said.

“A murderer is on the loose, who has killed two women so far to cover up an unusual crime, and has made several attempts to kill a third, but all is not as one might think or expect.”

The book is available from Amazon Australia.

PUBLISHED: 70 Lowe Street resident Cherry Morgan with her book, ‘The Canal Princess’.

Book week

CREATIVE: Students across the Wimmera embraced Book Week celebrations, bringing to life their favourite characters. Pictured, clockwise from above: Leni Gabbe and Harper McKinnon at Ss Michael and John’s Primary School’s Book Week parade; Horsham Primary School princesses, Novalee Oosthuizen, Immi Lane, Halle Batson, Mackenzie Biggs and Adaline Harris; Saxton Steicke, Tanisha Heins and Lola Bales, Horsham Primary School; Logan Elliott, Ss Michael and John’s; Horsham West Primary School’s ‘Where’s Wally’ contingent; Holy Trinity Lutheran College’s Tyler Grieger and Anne Amilegbe; and centre, Maya Smith, Meg Arnel and Luella Ruwoldt, Holy Trinity Lutheran College.

Growing a social, thriving network

BY ABBY WALTER

Gather, Grow and Thrive is returning to Rupanyup, bringing together rural women for connection and celebration.

Partners in Ag is hosting the event in association with Rupanyup Living, The Wimmera Grain Store and Seed ’n’ Sprout on September 8.

Partners in Ag business development officer Katherine Colbert said the event was for rural women from across the Wimmera, Mallee and beyond.

“We aim to balance the day between education, guest speakers, celebrating what we grow locally in the Wimmera and social connection,” she said.

“Last year was our first event, but the idea has been 10 years in the making.”

Rupanyup Living owner Claire Morgan, also a project working group member, said she had been speaking with Wimmera Grain Store’s Jenny Moore, nee Matthews, about the need for a rural gathering in the region for several years.

“We felt something was missing in the region for people to come together. I spoke to Katherine and Partners in Ag to see if they wanted to work with me to help bring it all together,” she said.

“It’s all about connection, conversation and support we can create, which we need.”

Ms Morgan said people travelled from across the state to attend last year’s event.

“The noise and chatter was amazing when everyone was gathering at the tables. It was beautiful; I had goosebumps,” she said.

“My favourite part was seeing everyone in the room and the buzz that comes from people coming together to celebrate living rurally and the connections we make.

“It’s also a chance to support local businesses and highlight what we do and provide in the region.”

Ms Morgan said Gather, Grow and Thrive was not just for women on farms.

“We have a lot of young professionals living in the region as well, so we’re catering for them to come along, too,” she said.

“We invite any woman to join in, be part of the community and network.”

Ms Colbert said Rachel Kelly of Proagtive was guest speaker at this year’s event.

“Last year the morning education piece was around building resilience, particularly with seasonal conditions,” she said.

“We focused on looking after ourselves and filling our cups before looking after our family, farm and business. This year, the education session will be on succession planning, which, from our perspective, is a topic that comes up at every workshop.

“The need for succession planning on farms is every farmer’s business and, potentially, is not being done as proactively as it should be.

“It’s also important to discuss succession for small or family-run businesses, as well as wills and estates.

“The session is to get people thinking about it, talking about it and if they have been through the process, reviewing it, because as agriculture is constantly changing, so is succession.

“It’s exciting to be bringing the session to the event and allowing women to ask questions and discuss the topic in a safe environment.”

Ms Colbert said the afternoon was deliberately unstructured to allow people to network.

“Last year we had people running into others they hadn’t seen for 20 years from across the region,” she said.

“It was also about getting back to socialising and connecting, so this year we have recognised the unstructured social part of the day is just as important as the educational aspects.”

The event also aligns with Women’s Health Week.

Ms Colbert said celebrity chef Simon Bryant would work with a local

dietician to demonstrate how people could use locally-sourced and grown products for nutritional value.

“They will show people how they can replace ingredients and food with locally-grown products and how to look at nutrition and diet-based improvements when thinking about their health.”

Ms Colbert said the size restriction of the Rupanyup hall kept attendance to 100 people, however, it also kept the event authentic.

“We’ve been very lucky that we’ve had wonderful support from local women and also people travelling from further afield,” she said.

“People are planning to take the trip to see family and friends in the Wimmera during the weekend.

“Last year we sold out and had a waiting list – we could have sold another 20 tickets at least. Getting 100 women in a room is pretty special.”

Ms Colbert said she loved being able to give back to the community she had grown up in.

“I also love the fact I have been able to work with Claire and Jenny, who are excelling in highlighting what we grow and value-adding to their family farms,” she said.

“What we are doing is special and authentic and something we can’t get elsewhere.”

Tickets can be purchased via partners inag.org.au/home/gather-grow-andthrive

“Turn that scrap laying

place into money! Take it

Manhari Metals,” she said.

Manhari Metals are one of the largest exporters in Victoria.

With locations in Horsham and Ararat, we are committed to giving you the best prices for all your scrap metals.

CONNECTION: Rupanyup Living owner Claire Morgan and Partners in Ag business development officer Katherine Colbert prepare for the second Gather, Grow and Thrive event. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Heat test for Wimmera crops

Agriculture Victoria research at Horsham SmartFarm is assessing the impact of heatwaves and rising temperatures on field crops.

The Free Air Temperature Extreme, FATE, facility involves computerised, custom-engineered trolleys mounted with infrared heaters which will provide information about heatwaves on cereal, pulse and oilseed crops.

Agriculture Victoria research leader of crop agronomy, Glenn Fitzgerald, said the FATE facility would study the impact of heat extremes on crops grown in the Wimmera.

“Heat extremes are expected to become more prevalent and more severe under climate change,” he said.

“As we know, we do see more prevalence of heatwaves, more variable rain, seasonality is changing and is expected to change more.

“FATE is set up to look at heatwaves, but we also have the ability to control irrigation so we can set up experiments to look at different amounts of water or drought.”

Dr Fitzgerald said the technology was unlike standard chamber-based studies on heatwaves.

“These trolleys sit in the ‘free air’ in paddocks and radiate heat directly onto the plants growing underneath, while still exposing them to wind, rain and other atmospheric conditions in a real-world setting,” he said.

“We can program the FATE computers to dial the heat up or down and change the frequency, severity and duration of our simulated heatwaves.”

Dr Fitzgerald said because Australia was a hot and dry country, it was important to look at heat and water simultaneously.

“We want to look at heatwaves under the influence of different levels of soil water as well, because we know crops respond differently to those climate change factors,” he said.

“However, we don’t have a good handle on how they change, and it varies by crop, so we’re trying to learn how to respond and adapt better.”

Dr Fitzgerald said the research would help guide farmers as the climate be-

came more uncertain and variable.

“If we can, for example, we work with the pre-breeders — the groups of scientists who look at developing new crops with new traits for heat tolerance or drought tolerance,” he said.

“What we can do is take those and test them in this facility to try to speed up the selection process to validate or invalidate genetics.

“Once we validate them, then they can provide them as new crops and varieties for farmers.”

Dr Fitzgerald said the research went beyond the obvious conclusion that a hotter climate and heatwaves would reduce crop yields and grain quality.

“This season we are doing heatwave research on wheat and lentils, which

‘Bee’ alert, says chief

Beekeepers are urged to remain vigilant in monitoring for Varroa mite, and keep up-to-date with permits, as Agriculture Victoria strengthens surveillance in response to detection across the border.

Victoria’s chief plant health officer Rosa Crnov said no Varroa mite had been found in Victoria to date.

SIMULATION: Researchers are using new infrared heaters on trolleys to mimic heatwaves and improve crop tolerance to heat.

will feed into other work at the SmartFarm on grain traits being studied by our teams who work in crop quality, plant genomics and breeding.

“We are aiming to simulate droughtlike conditions, which will allow us to understand the different impacts heatwaves and drought have on crops.”

The State Government funds the FATE facility as part of Agriculture

Victoria’s 10-year Agriculture Strategy and the Safer Smarter Farms Program, which highlights risk management and adaptation to climate change.

The Grains Research and Development Corporation provided a further $800,000 in funding to expand the FATE facility in 2023-24.

New South Wales’ Department of Primary Industries confirmed Varroa mite in beehives at Euroley in the Riverina and Euston in the Sunraysia region on Thursday, resulting in a new biosecurity emergency order.

Dr Crnov said Agriculture Victoria biosecurity officers were undertaking targeted surveillance in the Sunraysia.

“Victoria is committed to the national response plan and will be undertaking further surveillance in the region,” she said.

Under the nationally-agreed response plan, no hives can move within 25km of an infested beehive. This applies to beehives in Victoria located within NSW’s 25km zone at Euston.

A permit is required for anyone bringing bees, hives, queen bees, used beekeeping equipment, pollen for bee feeding, and bee products, including honeycomb, into any part of Victoria from another state or territory.

Any suspected detection should be reported to the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881.

Industry prepares for positive spring

BY ABBY WALTER

Lamb and mutton producers

broke records across the board in the most recent quarter, after a record-breaking 2022.

Australia produced the most lamb on record during the 2022 calendar year. The past quarter recorded the most lamb meat ever produced in a quarter at 149,385 tonnes.

Sheep slaughter for the quarter was more than 2.5 million – the highest since December 2019.

Horsham Elders territory sales manager Cam Smith said lamb and sheep numbers looked good heading into a new season.

“We’re expecting a whole heap of new lambs to come into the market throughout spring,” he said.

“Locally, we’re seeing good finishing and as the days get longer and warmer, we’ll see well-bred lambs finish well.”

Mr Smith said prices, however, had reduced in recent weeks.

“The drop is due to the export market and a wet spring, and wet early winter affected growth potential of lambs, which also caused a price drop,” he said.

“Due to the weather, they haven’t finished as strongly as they could, going into this season, however, we are expecting that to improve.”

Mr Smith said he was also expecting prices to improve.

“In Wagga Wagga on Thursday we saw prices increase, on average, by $20 on the week before, so we hope to see that trend across a lot of markets,” he said.

“Producers can likely expect reasonable prices in spring and with secondary-type lambs going for better prices than in recent years, it’s an opportunity for restockers to purchase.

“All indications show, and based on trends around the country, there will

be a price rise in the next 18 months.”

Meat and Livestock Australia, MLA, reported lamb producers were tracking 7.7 percent above year-on-year levels, or 20,000 tonnes for the first six months of 2023.

MLA market information manager Stephen Bignell said it indicated another strong, potentially record-breaking year for Australian lamb producers.

“Following a significant flock re-

build during the past few years, we have seen significant lamb slaughter across the nation in the first half of this year,” he said.

“More than 11.5 million lambs were processed to June 2023, which is the second-highest start to a year since 2018 when more than 12 million lambs were slaughtered.

“This is an extra 1.24 million lambs slaughtered when compared to 2022 –an uplift of 12 percent year-on-year.”

The most recent quarter also saw lamb production records broken, with 149,385 tonnes produced in Australia – four percent more than the previous record set in June 2018.

Mutton production is also seeing higher levels than previously recorded.

Sheep slaughter for the quarter was 2,550,700 head – the highest in nearly four years.

Mr Bignell said nearly five million sheep had been processed so far this year.

“This is an extra two million compared to the same point in 2022, equating to an additional mutton throughput of 68 percent year-on-year,” he said.

“Victoria is contributing the most to the big jump in mutton slaughter, with Victorian processors working through one million sheep so far this year.” Lamb and sheep proceeds were above first-quarter 2023 levels and the same as in March 2021. The gross value of sheep and lambs slaughtered increased by 1.9 percent to $1.2 billion. In the 2022-23 financial year, lamb and sheep farmers made $4.8 billion for the sale of animals to processors.

GOOD SEASON: Andrew Taylor, of Elders, at Horsham Regional Livestock Exchange sheep sale last week.

Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

“Locally, we’re seeing good finishing and as the days get longer and warmer, we’ll see well-bred lambs finish well”

– Cam Smith

The day the farmers came to town

From left field

Thetractors rumbled into Spring Street last week.

Apart from anything else it was a great sight. A reminder to our metro cousins there is an industry beyond the city limits. An industry that feeds new money into the economy every year. An industry that continues to be a strong contributor to the economic health of this nation.

The tractors, or at least their drivers, were protesting government plans to build high-voltage transmission lines through western and central Victoria.

I don’t sense anyone disagrees with the need to find ways to supply reliable, affordable and sustainable energy to businesses and households.

In a resource rich and large nation such as ours, you’d think this would be pretty basic. But clearly it’s not. With any significant infrastructure project there will be individuals who are more heavily impacted. It seems reasonable they should be genuinely consulted and well compensated if they are being asked to make sacrifices for the greater good.

The tractor drivers are clearly saying proponents of the transmission lines

have not put enough focus on either of these issues.

Putting aside the specific circumstances that led to this protest, I was struck by how privileged we are as

Australians to have the right to protest. Apart from the guy in the black BMW, who was caught between a Case IH Maxxum and a John Deere 7210 travelling at a touch under 10

kilometres an hour, the Melbourne CBD crowd seemed quite accepting of the temporary disruption to their daily activities. They respected the rights of this group to be heard. And

the protesters and authorities worked co-operatively to ensure everything went smoothly.

It would be easy to take this for granted, but as the graph, left, shows, only about 2.3 billion of the world’s 7.9 billion people live in a fully functioning democracy. For the other 5.6 billion, protesting against government decisions is either banned completely or brings with it significant personal risk.

Another aspect of the recent protest to think about is the merits of making it party political. Many of the protesters wore t-shirts calling out ‘Labors’ transmission lines. Whilst I get the temptation to name the ruling party of the day, does a focus on the politics rather than the policy immediately turn off a large chunk of the audience?

It may be many Labor voters would actually support consideration of a different solution to the transmission option put forward by the energy market operator. But calling out the political party they support loses them right up front.

It’s a question those of us in ag need to think carefully about. As society becomes more urbanised we’ll need to refine our narrative. We’ll need traditional Labor and Greens voters to understand our point of view. And I think that will require a strong focus on articulating logical policy rather than being drawn into party politics.

with David Matthews

Global pursuit for genetics

Wimmera stud sheep breeder

Fiona Cameron welcomed a contingent of 18 sheep producers from South America to her Koonik Dohne stud at Nurcoung, near Goroke.

The group, including 17 farmers from Uruguay and one from Chile, were in Australia to look for potential sires to use in their Dohne breeding flocks.

“Two of the members spoke English, but for the rest, it was Spanish,” Mrs Cameron said.

“We quickly learned that ‘mucho lano’ meant they thought our sheep had a lot of wool.”

The group visited different studs in Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia.

Mrs Cameron said most of the visitors were men and were keen to hear her story of starting the Dohne stud herself in 2008 — 10 years after the breed was introduced to Australia from South Africa.

“They had come to Australia to look at Dohne sheep and chose six different studs and we were privileged to be included on the list,” she said.

“They asked about my story and I showed them how I make my life easy with things such as the Shear Easy machine, which immobilises sheep for easy shearing.

“I also showed them the EID —

electronic identification device — technology used to record and keep all our data, which is then transferred to Sheep Genetics for individual animal analysis.”

While in the Wimmera, the visitors inspected stud sires and the Koonik 2022-drop ewes and ram hoggets.

Mrs Cameron said she and other breeders were now waiting to hear back from the visitors to see which studs they had chosen to source ge-

netics for future use in their flocks in Uruguay.

“This delegation’s visit illustrates how sheep breeding is such a global pursuit,” she said.

“Dohnes were developed in South Africa in the 1930s, they came to Australia in the 1990s and now, in the 2020s, Australians might be exporting some of our genetics to South America.”

Closer to home, the Camerons are

Streamline office tasks

Agriculture Victoria is offering free workshops, designed to streamline and simplify running a farm office.

Statewide agriculture recovery manager Tess McDougall said the workshops were part of a suite of programs to support farmers impacted by last year’s floods and storms.

Workshop facilitator Carmen Quade of Agrifocused said there was an abundance of options for storing records and analysing data.

“They range from carefully-kept historical diaries to notes on the back of an envelope right through to top-ofthe-line, app-based ag tech solutions,” she said.

“The requirement of running a farm office can be complex and time-consuming and the workshop aims to help farmers customise their record-keeping programs in a way that makes sense to them.”

preparing to market their Dohne genetics with two annual ram sales scheduled in Victoria and South Australia in the next six weeks.

Named the Ultimate Dohne Ram sales, the auctions begin with 40 rams being offered at Mt Pleasant in South Australia on September 18.

The action continues with the Victorian Ultimate Dohne Ram Sale offering 80 rams at the family’s Nurcoung property on October 6.

The half-day workshops are at Wodonga on September 12, Tatura on September 13 and Swan Hill on September 14.

Topics include legal requirements for farm businesses, record-keeping for tax and livestock purposes, cloud-based and paper-based systems, overcoming barriers to change, tips for book-keeping programs, data security and fraud.

More information is available online at agriculture.vic.gov.au/events or by phoning the Agriculture Recovery Team on 0427 694 185.

VISITORS: Nurcoung stud sheep breeder Fiona Cameron, third from right, with South American sheep producers who viewed her Dohne rams and ewes during a visit to various studs in Australia.

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Discreet action

Acatch cry often used to describe farming is that farmers are price takers, not price makers.

None more so than in Australia where just a few supermarket giants dominate the domestic food industry.

It is similar in other facets of agriculture, such as key inputs including fertiliser.

On Country Today we’ve taken several different perspectives on the current chronic shortage of urea.

Australia is a net importer of urea and therefore exposed to the vagaries of the international market.

During the past few years we’ve seen influential factors not part of the equation such as the COVID-19 pandemic shutting down much of the global shipping trade, and then the war in Ukraine. Most recently, the Northern Hemisphere drought has forced shipping restrictions through the Panama Canal to preserve water. Reuters has reported that, “Ship owners have the options of carrying less cargo, shifting to alternate routes that can add thousands of miles to the trip, or grappling with queues that earlier this month backed up 160 vessels and delayed some ships by as much as 21 days.”

Domestically, the shortage of fertiliser has seen large fertiliser suppliers renege on contracts with farmers who had pre-ordered, arguing it was necessary to ‘ration’ what supplies they could import.

Maybe you’re one of the farmers who have missed out? Well read on, as help might be at hand.

Enter stage left the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, ACCC, once

Country Today

with Libby Price

dubbed the toothless tiger of regulators unable to rein in the dominance of multinationals.

This month on Country Today, we broadcast two stories with a focus on the work of the ACCC.

The first was about complaints from farmers that three of the major fertiliser companies were not delivering on orders.

ACCC deputy chair Mick Keogh told Country Today, “We’d had quite a few concerns expressed to us by farmers about how fertiliser contracts work and the sorts of changes and cancellations that had been experienced by farmers who thought they had a firm contract, so that triggered an investigation into fertiliser suppliers and farmers.

“We’ve been through, in detail, their contracts. The unfair contract law at the moment enables the court to make specific clauses of those contracts void if they’re deemed to be unfair.”

So, the fertiliser suppliers have changed their contracts as requested.

Without the ACCC, individual farmers would have to take the suppliers to court, which is an expensive and fraught process.

The ACCC is now a tiger that doesn’t so much roar but flexes its claws discreetly to make sure the big boys of town are behaving.

AUCTION SUCCESS:

From left, Tom Walker, Bella O’Brien, Ian Klowss, Roly Coutts, Peter Rogers and Daniel Rogers, front, with an equal top-price ram at Glenelg Regional Merino Field Day sold by Mount Yulong to Oakland Vectis.

Merinos attract strong support

The Glenelg Regional Merino Field Day attracted 74 registered buyers to Balmoral Recreation Reserve this month.

During the open-cry ram auction, 99 of 107 rams on offer were sold with a top of $7000, twice. The average price for the sale was $2439.

Stud Park South and Mount Yulong studs sold the two toppriced rams.

Valleyella sold five of eight rams at an average of $1700 and a top of $2000.

Wurrook sold five of five rams at an average of $3500 and a top of $6000; while Glen-

donald sold 17 of 17 rams at an average of $2602 and a top of $6000; and Melrose sold four of four rams for $2000 a head.

Glenera North Poll sold five of six rams for an average of $1450 and a top of $2750; Stud Park South sold four of four rams for an average of $4000 and a top of $7000; and Elmbank Poll sold seven of eight rams for an average of $1428 and a top of $2000.

Kurra Wirra sold three of three rams for an average of $4083 and a top of $6000; Kevlyn sold 12 of 12 rams for an average of $2125 and a top

of $3000; and Gringegalgona sold eight of eight rams for an average of $1781 and a top of $3000.

Gleneden sold 12 of 15 rams for an average of $2729 and a top of $5000.

Mount Yulong sold eight of eight rams for an average of $3937 and a top of $7000; and Thornlea sold six of nine rams for an average of $1083 and a top of $1500.

Last year 86 of 96 rams were sold for an average of $2230, however, the top sale was higher than 2023 at $7250.

Interaction a winner

An impressive Mallee Machinery Field Days crowd earlier this month proved to agriculture businesses that field days remain as relevant today as they did when the first Australian field days were hosted almost 60 years ago.

The event attracts an average of 8500 visitors and more than 350 exhibitors annually.

Morrow Motor Group’s Wade Morrow, an exhibitor at the field days, said the site was full and had a good representation of industry, businesses and products.

He said despite advances in technology and accessibility to information through the internet, ‘nothing’ could beat seeing products in-person – as well as catching up with clients face-to-face.

“There is only so much you can see through a computer screen,” he said. “For us, it’s about being able to sit in a vehicle, feel the leather and look at the intricacies of a car.

“Especially for larger ticket items such as cars or farm machinery, you can’t beat having a look and seeing it in person.

“I think field days are as relevant today as they have ever been.”

Goldacres’ Steve Lang said field days were about catching up with

current and potential customers and sharing ideas and information about machinery and the industry.

He said people visited the field days from a wide geographical area and with a good season to date, 2023 saw positive inquiries from customers.

“People deal with people – current and new clients can read and research as much as they want, and that’s a good thing, but they still need to come and see us and hear information straight from us,” he said.

“Field days in general are really good because everything is in one

Study insight

Birchip Cropping Group, BCG, is offering a tour, designed for high school students, at the organisation’s annual main field day at Kinnabulla.

The September 13 event, north-west of Birchip, will share the latest in local agronomic research including disease management, new varieties, new herbicide technology, nutrition and farming systems.

It will focus on how farmers can build resilience in times of drought.

The student tour will run concurrently with sessions designed for attendees, including farmers and advisors.

“BCG’s main field day is an excellent opportunity for students to gain knowledge and begin to form networks that will put them in good stead for their future careers,” she said.

Activities include a careers panel, engaging with farmers and researchers, as well as a treasure hunt.

State Government funding will assist students from Birchip, Boort, Charlton, Donald, East Loddon, Pyramid Hill, St Arnaud, Wedderburn and Wycheproof schools to attend.

Event organiser, BCG’s Louisa Ferrier, said renowned experts in their field would share their knowledge.

place. People can look at the same product across different brands, see their options and compare specifications to find exactly what suits them and their needs.

“They also have the opportunity to speak directly to the businesses who build or import products and who know the technical aspects.

“It’s a chance to compare everything in one place at one time.”

The event is a fundraiser for Speed Lions Club, which donates proceeds to community groups and charities — and has done so since the event’s inception in 1979.

North Central LLEN agriculture education project co-ordinator Susan Gould said a student tour was an ‘authentic’ way for students to immerse themselves in broadacre cropping and livestock research.

“The tours will leave a legacy on the students and, eventually, our region,” she said.

“For our students who aspire to be farmers, it is essential to show them the depth and range of quality information available in their local region.

“For those who are passionate about science and research, this opportunity also showcases high-level jobs that can be found in our region.”

Ms Gould said tours would open students’ eyes to the breadth of career opportunities.

“SARDI Principal Scientist’s Peter Hayman, FAR Australia’s Tom Price and Agriculture Victoria’s Hari Dadu, together with BCG researchers, are already locked in to present at the flagship event, with more announcements to be made shortly,” she said.

“We are fortunate to work with some of the best agricultural researchers from across Australia and beyond, and our field day is a great way to bring this work to our members, our farmers and the communities they live in.”

The field day is at BCG’s main research site, seven kilometres west of Kinnabulla, on Kinnabulla West Road.

People wanting more information about becoming a member, or about the field day, can phone 5492 2787.

FUN FOR ALL AGES: Charlie Oliver and his grandson Charlie Oliver check out equipment at the Mallee Machinery Field Days at Speed earlier this month. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Future-proof tactics

Southern Wimmera and central Victoria farmer-driven group

Perennial Pasture Systems is hosting its 14th annual conference on Tuesday.

Perennial Pasture Systems was formed in 2007 and 197 farm businesses across central Victoria and the southern Wimmera have since joined the group.

This year’s annual conference is at Ararat Town Hall.

It begins with a session about farm and pasture investment.

Lisa Warn of Warn Ag Consulting will discuss how she updated financial data from a pasture investment project that was completed in 2018.

The ‘Greenfields Project’ was a full pasture and infrastructure analysis on recently-purchased land at Glenlofty, near Elmhurst.

Ms Warn will present results using 2023 prices and costs.

Cam Morris of Ag Diagnostics will continue the pasture investment theme by looking at management options to improve profitability on existing paddocks before a pasture renewal stage.

Mr Morris will also present plans for his recently-purchased farm on his home territory of King Island.

Melbourne University Professor Bill Malcolm will complete the first session, when he analyses farm expansion options.

The second part of the conference is

a joint session with a focus on farm employment.

Carlyn Sherriff of Pinion Advisory and Terrinallum Estate farm manager Stuart Robinson will present information about finding quality staff and how to be a preferred employer.

Think Agri’s Kate Burke and Dan Jess of Illoura Farms at Ballyrogan will tackle the main theme of the conference, ‘Rolling with extremes — Are we ready or just going steady?’.

The session will look at on- and off-farm tactics to help ‘bullet-proof’ a business.

Participants can see many of the

Contract concerns

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, ACCC, has moved to rectify reports of farmers not being able to source fertiliser, particularly urea, despite pre-orders.

Deputy chair Mick Keogh said the commission had received ‘quite a few’ concerns from farmers regarding fertiliser contracts — including farmers believing they had a firm contract, but who were experiencing changes and cancellations.

“That triggered a look at the nature of the contracts between fertiliser distributors and farmers,” he said.

He said as well as three significant distributors, the ACCC looked into national body Fertiliser Industry Association’s templated contracts.

businesses — less than $10 million turnover, or less than 100 full-time employees.

“Most farm businesses engaging in negotiating a contract for fertiliser supply will fall into that category, so it was an added incentive on the distributors to make sure they address the terms of their contract.

“The risk is, as of November, if complaints were made and upheld, they could face significant penalties as a consequence.”

Mr Keogh said without the ACCC, farmers would have needed to take distributors to court.

day’s themes implemented during a tour of Tom Brady’s new property ‘Jallukar Ridge’ at Rhymney.

The group will welcome AFL personality Peter Jess to the conference dinner as a guest speaker.

He will share his story of playing football for Avoca, later becoming a player manager. He is now focused on the welfare of former players who have long-term effects of concussions received during their playing days. People wanting more information, or to attend the conference, can contact yadin061@tpg.com.au

“Our work included consideration of some of those templates and we would hope the association would make some changes to its template contracts that are used by a lot of distributors who are supplying farmers,” he said.

Mr Keogh said the unfair contract terms law currently enabled a court to make specific clauses of contracts void if they were deemed unfair.

“Unfair means unbalanced in terms of the rights and responsibilities of the purchaser and the seller,” he said.

“We pointed out that as of early November, a new law will come into place, which imposes a penalty for including unfair contract terms in contracts that are offered to small

“That’s very costly and all a court can do under current law is say a term is void in a contract and unenforceable, but the contract still stands,” he said.

Mr Keogh said the new law was incentive for suppliers to ensure they do not have any onerous clauses.

“It’s the sort of clauses that allow, for example, distributors to unilaterally, without consultation, vary the volume of fertiliser or the price supplied or the time it would be supplied, even though it’s specified in the contract,” he said.

He said there were limited international sources of many fertilisers that were subject to shipping and demand. “Distributors can’t over promise and make more certain shipments are arriving before they offer it to farmers,” he said.

Sentiment on the improve

Consumer sentiment research from Meat and Livestock Australia, MLA, shows Australians are eager to learn more about the beef and lamb industries.

The annual research measures and tracks consumer sentiment towards the red meat industry.

MLA managing director Jason Strong said this year’s insights indicated higher levels of industry knowledge were linked to more positive perceptions of the industry.

“The more consumers learn about the industry, the better their perceptions become,” he said.

“It goes to the heart of the very positive story our industry can tell around environmental sustainability, human nutrition, and animal welfare.

“Trust in the industry increased to 66 percent, from 60 percent last year, indicating that the more you know, the more you appreciate and understand the industry.”

Mr Strong said consumers appreciated opportunities to analyse nutritional aspects of red

meat and understand its production methods and sustainability efforts.

The research found 77 percent of Australians considered the industry an important part of the economy, while 72 percent of respondents considered red meat production as a key employer in regional areas. It showed 26 percent of consumers who feel knowledgeable about the beef and lamb industry were more likely to consume red meat compared to a year ago; while 15 percent of all other Australians said they were more likely to eat red meat compared to this time last year.

Mr Strong said while nearly one-in-three people believed they knew the industry, 53 percent wanted to learn more about red meat production.

“This is because red meat production is intertwined with various aspects of Australian life including the economy, culture, health and environment. There’s also a strong desire to see kids learn about the industry in schools, with 71 percent agreeing with this statement,” he said.

Kate Burke

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.

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

DAILY CONVENTIONAL CROSSWORD 15 X 15

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.

Crossword

Note to Editor: Created in QUARK XPRESS. VER.4.03 Items not needed for publication can be erased as each is in

Fit the given numbers into the hexagons so that where the hexagons touch, the numbers will be the same No number is repeated in any hexagon

bmpuzzles Distributed by Knight Features

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION

FOCUS

Focus

An All Australian Word Game

* Each word must contain the centre ‘Focus’ letter and each letter may be used only once

* Each word must be four letters or more

* Find at least one nine letter word

* No swear words

* No verb forms or plurals ending in ‘s’

* No proper nouns and no hyphenated words

TODAY’S Good: 14 words

FOCUS Very good: 20 words

Excellent: 30 words

Spot the 5 Differences

caul clue clued crude cruel cued curd curdle cure cured curl curled deuce dual ducal duel ecru educe elude eluder equal lacquer LACQUERED laud lauder lucre lure lured quad queer reduce rude rued rule ruled ulcer urea ureal

Reference: Macquarie Concise Dictionary Focus No. 3888

Join the Dots

What is this? Find out by joining the dots.

on This Day

Brothers invest in nightclub

1. Students across the region celebrated Book Week recently. What plant-based ingredient gives a book’s page its strength?

2. Charles Darwin is famous for developing the theory of evolution. What is the title of his most famous book?

3. The kakapo is a famous flightless bird from New Zealand, but what type of bird is it?

4. Which sense does a cochlear implant assist?

5. The Kármán line separates Earth from space. How far up is it?

6. The Sea of Tranquility involved what historic event in 1969?

7. What one-hit-wonder British pop band, led by American songwriter Kenny Young and with Australian lead singer Susan Traynor, had a hit with the 1976 song S-S-SSingle Bed?

Lucky sTars

ARIES: (March 21-April 20)

Lucky Colour: Cream

Lucky Day: Monday

Racing Numbers: 7.8.3.4.

Lotto Numbers: 1.13.23.34.45.5.

A period in which you should use tact in all your dealings with people, as saying the wrong thing could cause problems. Keep out of arguments with family.

TAURUS: (April 21-May 20)

Lucky Colour: Green

Lucky Day: Tuesday

Racing Numbers: 6.7.3.4.

Lotto Numbers: 3.12.23.24.35.44.

If you have done the right thing in the past now is the time when the rewards will come in. Also a period of good news from faraway, and some travel plans could be in the agenda.

GEMINI: (May 21-June 21)

Lucky Colour: Peach

Lucky Day: Thursday Racing Numbers: 8.9.3.4.

Lotto Numbers: 1.23.23.34.43.44.

It would be a good idea to talk over your plans with loved ones to avoid any problems later on. Things should work out very well during this period and many new ideas should work out successfully.

From The Weekly Advertiser archives: August 29, 1998 – Horsham brothers Robert and Mario Macchia have invested $250,000 and three years of their time to create what they hope will become one of Horsham’s premier night-time attractions. The brothers’ Kannen’s Nightclub, which opens next month, aims to provide entertainment for all ages and groups, ranging from under-age discos to nights for the over-35s.

10 years ago: August 28, 2013

An arts project based on the creation of a new Australian rules football game involving three teams playing simultaneously will unfold at Dock Lake Reserve, south-east of Horsham, on October 5. The project, the brainchild of Melbourne conceptual artist Gabrielle de Vietri, will feature a game with three sets of goal posts on a circular playing area and a specific set of rules.

Five years ago: August 29, 2018

Liberal Member for Wannon Dan Tehan and Nationals Member for Mallee Andrew Broad have won portfolios in Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s new ministry.

One year ago: August 31, 2022

Grampians Health will develop master plans for hospitals at Horsham, Edenhope and Stawell. It comes after the amalgamation of Wimmera Health Care Group, Edenhope and District Memorial Hospital, Stawell Regional Health and Ballarat Health Services last year.

FIVE-DAY forecast

15°

8. Ridley Scott’s 1982 cult movie Blade Runner, starring Harrison Ford and Rutger Hauer, remains a favourite for Wimmera sci-fi enthusiasts. What musical artist, who won an Academy Award for his synthesised music for Chariots of Fire, composed the score for the film?

9. Historic Wimmera and Australian sporting representative Unaarrimin was better known as what?

10. In 1893 members of a group called the New Australia Movement, founded by prominent Labor figure and newspaper founder William Lane, tried unsuccessfully to establish a utopian socialist settlement in what country?

Answers: 1. Cellulose. The cellulose found in plants such as wood, straw and bamboo is used to make book pages. 2. On the Origin of Species. 3. A parrot. The kakapo is the only species of flightless parrot in the world. 4. Hearing. 5. The Kármán line is at an altitude of 100 kilometres above sea level. 6. Humans -tak ing their first step on the moon. Astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed a lunar module in the ‘sea’ before stepping onto the moon surface. 7. Fox. Young also composed ‘Under the Boardwalk’ for the Drifters. 8. Vangelis. 9. Johnny Mullagh. He was a star all-rounder in the Australian Aboriginal cricket team that toured England in 1868. He was from Harrow. 10. Paraguay. The settlement, involving 238 adults and children eventually -dis solved. There are now about 2000 descendants of the settlement still in Paraguay.

CANCER: (June 22-July 22)

Lucky Colour: Blue

Lucky Day: Tuesday

Racing Numbers: 8.4.5.6.

Lotto Numbers: 6.7.23.34.41.33.

You could find yourself in a situation mostly your own making that could bring too many offers. You might need to talk yourself out of it with skill. Some travel could come unexpectedly.

LEO: (July 23-August 22)

Lucky Colour: Violet

Lucky Day: Saturday

Racing Numbers: 5.6.3.4.

Lotto Numbers: 1.13.23.35.28.6.

Very successful period for career matters and any new venture try not to take too much notice of a jealous person around you. Someone will change their opinion about you.

VIRGO: (August 23-September 23)

Lucky Colour: Orange

Lucky Day: Monday Racing Numbers: 8.4.5.6.

Lotto Numbers: 1.13.23.34.35.7.

Communication is the word. This period will work out well if you make sure your lines of communication are clear. There could be some changes made in your working environment.

LIBRA: (September 24-October 23)

Lucky Colour: Mauve

Lucky Day: Thursday

Racing Numbers: 8.9.4.2.

Lotto Numbers: 1.15.24.37.45.9.

Not a good time to mix personal affairs with business matters – there could be some big gains if you can juggle your cards right with people in high places. Some luck is also in.

SCORPIO: (October 24-November 22)

Lucky Colour: Green

Lucky Day: Tuesday

Racing Numbers: 8.4.6.7.

Lotto Numbers: 5.7.23.34.33.44.

Entertaining at home should be very successful and enjoyable. Many advances could be made by friendly gestures. Also a lucky period for starting something new with a new partner.

SAGITTARIUS: (November 23-December 20)

Lucky Colour: Blue

Lucky Day: Monday

Racing Numbers: 9.4.5.6.

Lotto Numbers: 4.12.23.34.42.11.

It would be a wise move to check all fine print in your papers before signing anything. There is a sign of strong growth in financial matters and some support from people that matter.

CAPRICORN: (December 21-January 19)

Lucky Colour: Yellow

Lucky Day: Wednesday

Racing Numbers: 8.3.5.4.

Lotto Numbers: 1.14.23.34.45.22.

Not a good period for long term money matters at the moment. Wait till later date before deciding what road to take – ask an expert for advice.

AQUARIUS: (January 20-February 19)

Lucky Colour: Cream

Lucky Day: Thursday

Racing Numbers: 7.8.3.4.

Lotto Numbers: 1.13.23.25.34.44.

You might have to do some fast talking to get yourself out of a problem. Not the time to listen to gossip – make sure you know the facts before deciding on anything.

PISCES: (February 20- March 20)

Lucky Colour: White

Lucky Day: Thursday

Racing Numbers: 7.8.4.5.

Lotto Numbers: 1.13.23.24.34.35.

There should be enough time to get your work done without mixing it with your private life. You could be talked into something you will later regret. Your loved one should be helping you a lot.

Elevated experience

Chery to launch second SUV model behind already available Omoda 5

The three-variant range will be available in both front and all-wheel drive configuration, all featuring the Chinese manufacturer’s 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine.

The Tiggo 7 Pro will join the Omoda 5 in Australian showrooms, offering what the importer says is a ‘stylish and feature packed’ model that is already sold in more than 80 countries.

Since its debut, Chery has sold more than three million examples of its Tiggo SUV range; the Tiggo 7 Pro notching up more than 500,000 units in more than 50 countries since its debut in 2020.

Fitting in the upper small-SUV segment, the five-seat Tiggo 7 Pro is ex-

pected to rival the likes of the GWM Haval Jolion and Nissan Qashqai.

The Tiggo 7 Pro measures 4500mm in length, 1824mm in width, 1746mm in height and rides on a 2670mm wheelbase.

Ground clearance is listed at 210mm and cargo space 475 litres.

Kerb weight is noted at 1497kg in front-wheel drive form.

In its home market, the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro is tuned to output 147kW of power at 5500rpm and 290Nm of torque from 2000 to 4000rpm.

It is offered exclusively with seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

WLTC combined-cycle fuel consumption is listed at 7.1 litres per 100km.

The model rides on strut, front, and multi-link, rear, suspension and is halted by four-wheel disc brakes.

Electrically-assisted steering is fitted as standard with 18 and 19-inch alloy wheel options available.

Chery has yet to announce Australian specifications or pricing, but has confirmed three grades will head Down Under – the front-wheel drive Pro Urban and Elite, and all-wheel drive Ultimate.

In its home market, the Tiggo 7 Pro arrives generously equipped, a characteristic we expect to be seen on Australian models.

Externally, the model range arrives with features including electric folding and heated wing mirrors, a panoramic sunroof, tailgate spoiler, auto LED headlights, DRLs and tail-lights, roof rails and privacy glass.

Inside, features include Bluetooth connectivity, a 10.25-inch infotain-

ment array with voice control, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, six-speaker sound, wireless device charging, dual-zone climate control, a seven-inch digital instrumentation screen, 360-degree parking camera, and front and rear USB charging ports.

On the safety front, and once more in domestic form, the Tiggo 7 Pro features omnidirectional airbags, a ‘super strong’ body, and an extensive list of electronic driver aids including rear parking sensors, speed limit reminder, tyre pressure monitoring, anti-lock braking, traction and stability control, hill start and descent control, blind spot monitoring, door open warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, forward collision warning and autonomous emergency braking.

Seven colours are available includ-

ing white, silver, grey, blue, black and red.

Chery offers its Omoda 5 with a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. That model also receives a fivestar ANCAP safety rating.

Chery Australia managing director Andy Zhang said as the Tiggo 7 Pro arrived on Australian shores in the coming months, it would bring with it an impressive international sales history and an award-winning reputation for blending style, safety and technology.

“This, coupled with Chery’s commitment to delivering unmatched value to Australian new-car buyers, is set to elevate the driving experience to new heights within this category,” he said.

– Matt Brogan

2016 Mitsubishi Triton Dual Cab 4X4

FORD Everest Sport 7St Wagon

SUZUKI Swift Navigator

2020 TOYOTA Corolla Hatch

$44,990

5 Spd Auto, 4x4, 3.0L Diesel, 118,632km. 1XN-2NM Drive Away $47,990 2020

TOYOTA HiLux

• Hard-working V8-powered Big Horn joins Ram Trucks Australia’s line-up — Page 41

Chery will introduce its petrolpowered Tiggo 7 Pro mid-size SUV to Australia later this year.

Ram’s Big Horn ‘a true workhorse’

Ram Trucks Australia has announced the arrival of the 1500 DT Big Horn variant.

Priced from $119,950 plus on-road costs for the short 1700mm tub, and $120,950 plus on-road costs for the long 1930mm tub, the duo is available to order now.

The news comes at the same time Ram Trucks Australia ups the pricing on a number of models in the range, including its larger Heavy Duty line-up, by $3000, and the flagship 1500 DT-series TRX by an additional $15,000.

Positioned as the new entry point to the 1500 DT range, the Big Horn features the same mild-hybrid 5.7-litre

in Australia. More than 1000 parts for the DS, DT and Heavy Duty models are produced in Australia, bringing with it a raft of supply chain benefits.

The Ram range begins with the DSseries 1500 Express Crew and Warlock II variants, followed by the new DT-series 1500 Big Horn, Laramie, Laramie Sport and Limited, as well as the Heavy Duty 2500 Laramie and 3500 Laramie.

The range is rounded out by the flagship sports model, the 1500 TRX.

Ram Trucks Australia national manager Jeff Barber said year-to-date sales of the range was up 51.2 percent to the end of July.

He said the DS-series was now on run-out from $98,950, drive-away.

Are you ready to make a splash this summer?

Poolwerx is your swimming pool maintenance team. Your trusted partner in creating a sparkling and inviting oasis right in your backyard.

James & Grace Dixon will keep your pool water balanced, ensuring it’s safe for your family and friends. No more worrying about pH levels or algae growth.

Leave the debris and leaves to Poolwerx. They can skim, vacuum, and brush your pool, leaving it crystal clear and ready for you to enjoy.

We also inspect your pool’s equipment, including pumps, filters, and heaters, to make sure everything is running smoothly. If a repair is needed, we’ll handle it promptly.

Achieving the perfect chemical balance is an art, and we’re masters at it! We will keep your pool water safe, sanitised, and comfortable for swimming.

Let us take the hassle out of opening your pool for the season and closing it when summer ends.

Classifieds

GRAY (nee Bennett), Maud

Passed away at home on August 20, 2023 aged 95 years.

Dearly loved wife of Alex.

Loving mother of Sharon.

A special thankyou to Dr Kannan and staff, Wimmera Palliative Care team and District Nursing Services.

Forever in our hearts

PALLOT, Kath

Passed away suddenly on August 22, 2023.

Dearly loved wife of Mal.

Loving mother and motherin-law of Chris & Josie, Nick & Lucy.

Adored Nan to Clayton and Deacon.

Our lives were much brighter with you in it

PALLOT, Kath

‘Wherever a beautiful soul has been, there is a trail of beautiful memories.’

Kath was a valued staff member at Laharum Primary for 20 years.

Our sincere condolences to Mal, Chris, Nick and family.

Laharum Primary School

PELCHEN

(nee Petschel), (Elsa) Lois

6-6-1937 to 24-8-2023

Beloved wife of the late John. Loving mother of Michael and Joy, Diane and Chris.

Adored Gran of Joshua and Eliana, Emie and Jack, Madeleine, Isaac and Dylan.

ROBERTSON, Gary

Anna, Boys & Families

Have our deepest condolences for your loss of such a wonderful person.

May the special memories you made together navigate you through this difficult time.

Rest in peace, Robbo Deck & Sal

ROBERTSON, Gary

The Coughlin Park Bowls Club Board and its Members wish to express their deepest sympathies to Anna and the Robertson family on the passing of Gary (Robbo) a great mate, friend and valuable member of our club and will be sorely missed.

VALE Gary (Robbo) Robertson

ROBERTSON, Gary

Anna, Nick, Luke, John, Bill, Tom & Families.

May loving memories of Gary (Husband, Father & Grandpa) give strength and comfort in this time of sorrow.

Know that our thoughts & prayers are with you and all your families.

Our deepest condolences for your loss of a great man, and mate to us all.

The team, new & old at Choices Flooring.

RYAN, Yvonne Melva “Von”

28.08.1940-24.08.2023

To our dear Mum and Nana

You are loved. You are remembered. Reunited with Dad and Poppy (Gordon).

Love you to the moon and back.

Simone, Kell, Jordan and Georgia. Monique, Simon, Bree and Alex.

SMITH, nee Lehmann, nee Wedding, Gloria Dawn

July 16, 1936 to August 22, 2023

Passed away peacefully aged 87

Much loved wife of Eric.

Loving mother of Perry, Noel, Pamela, Kaye & Trudy.

Grandmother of 7, great grandmother of 9 & great great grandmother of one.

Forever In our Hearts

GRAY (nee Bennett), Maud

Maud Gray will be farewelled at a private family gathering.

Trevor Bysouth & Daughter Ph 5381 1444 AFDA Member

PALLOT, Kath

Funeral arrangements for Kath Pallot have not yet been finalised. Details will be advised as soon as possible.

Trevor Bysouth & Daughter Ph 5381 1444 AFDA Member

PELCHEN

A funeral service for Lois Pelchen will be held in the Zion Lutheran Church, 121 Vectis Station Rd, Vectis on Monday, September 4 at 11am. A burial will follow in the Quantong Cemetery.

JOHN DUNN FUNERAL SERVICES

Ararat 5352 1047

RYAN, Yvonne Melva “Von”

Funeral arrangement for Von Ryan have not yet been finalised. Details will be advised as soon as possible.

Trevor Bysouth & Daughter Ph 5381 1444 AFDA Member

SMITH, nee Lehmann, nee Wedding, Gloria Dawn

The Funeral Service for Gloria Smith will be held at the graveside at Nhill Lawn Cemetery, Friday, September 1 at 1pm

Emiley & Mathew Bone Nhill, Dimboola & Kaniva District Funerals 0419 008 464

Creative & Traditional Designs

1 Chocolate mini Dachshund, female, vacc, vet checked, m/ chip# 953010006162922

$2500 each, located in Nhill Ph 0431725487

Black faced Dorpers joined $140 each Ph 0429912620

SLEEP, Steve 21-3-1962 to 28-8-2022 365 days since you closed your eyes and shattered my world. Waiting for the day I am in your arms again. Love you forever. Your loving wife, Annie.

Funeral Directors

Ph: 5382 1149 | Email: admin@hdf.com.au

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

Budgies, young, asstd colours $10ea Ph 0423182267

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

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

ANIMALS -

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

• Individual microchip numbers

• Vet certificate to exclude individual animals from needing microchips

• Domestic animal-business number

PLUS a source number from the Pet Exchange Register

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

German Shepherd puppies , great temperament, toilet trained, straight, two boys and two girls, source# MB115424, m/chip# F 95301000661546, F953010006610248, M953010006610331, M95301000661015145 Ph 0421018631

Goats Boer and boer cross from $100 each Ph 0427361940

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

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

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

Kildare Border Collies now have a litter of purebred puppies for sale at $1,800, we have been breeding border collies for over 50 years and strive to breed quality true to type and temperament in our puppies. Our pups have calm natures and make excellent working dogs or family pets. Three are chocolate and white puppies 2 female and 1 male and the remainder are female black and white puppies with piercing dark eyes and traditional black and white markings. Born 28/05/2023, all have fun loving natures and ready to find their forever home. All puppies have been microchipped, vet checked vac/wmd, m/chip# 991001005403261/2368 source# MB196330, call Brendan Hogan for more information Ph 0439971754 Donald Labrador Puppies, Purebred, 5 black females and 5 black males

Born 14/7 due for pick up 8/9, vet checked, m/ chiped,vacc and wormed source# MB131530, m/chip # 985141006234027/26985141007 305210/17 $1500 Ph 0429821171

Horsham

Labrador pups, 2x chocolate, 4x black, mix sex, great natured, mchip# 96000015967567/80 2076/970033/65574/801447/ 969196 source# M6227250 Ph 0418519231

Pigeon fantails, lots of colours, $5 each, plus other breeds, no texts Ph 0408846796

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

Purebred Cocker Spaniel puppies, black and gold, DOB 19/06/2023, ready in a few weeks, vet checked, vaccinated, etc, Microchip no 956000014851219, 956000014847574, source no RV185238 Ph 0429912620

Roosters, ducks and guinea foul wanted Ph 0469740723

Salami pigs wanted Ph 0481864397

Sheep agistment available at Kewell , accommodate approx 130-140, feed wall advanced Ph 0427895097

2005 Caravan Excel 511, air bag, roof lift, 2x120 AH batteries and solar, 3 way fridge, gas heating, tv, full awning annex, d/bed, plenty storage $21,000 Ph 0419566055

2005 Traveller Caravan 19’ Hurricane, shower and toilet, full annex $35,000 Ph 0417555823 Ezytrail camper, Sterling G, Mark 2, EC $21,999ono Ph John 0427562876 Galaxy 2007, new Tebbs annexe, a/c, oven, fridge, rego, batteries $25,000ono Ph 0402933972

Safari 236 Caravan 2011 with roll out awning, 90 watt solar panel, 30amp solar regulator, 15” off road rims and tyres, elec brakes, battery pack with Anderson charge plug, 3 water tanks, air conditioning, ensuite shower, toilet, washing machine, vanity, storage, 4 burner stove, oven, microwave, 184L automatic 3 way fridge, television, CD/DVD/AM-FM radio, “L” shape seating, q/bed, and much more, EC, as good as new, no catches, genuine sale, if you are serious this is a must see, too good to miss $63,000neg Ph 0429671764

Safari Delta 216, 21’6” 2015 build, full ensuite, q/bed, full solar independent off road suspension, full oven, large fridge, microwave, washing machine, leather seating, large oven, full length annexe, colour coded to match van, this is the van with the lot, selling due to no further use $49,700ono Ph 0429198599

Notice is given that the

ANNUAL GENERAL

MEETING of the HORSHAM & DISTRICT RACING CLUB will be held at West Side Horsham, Bennett Rd, Horsham on Thursday, October 5 2023

6pm – Dinner will be served prior, in the West Side Bistro (bookings are essential)

7.15pm – AGM commences in West Side Function Room

The agenda will include nomination of committee members and receive the financial statements & annual report for 2022/2023.

Eligible members are invited to nominate for election to the Committee. These nominations must be made in writing, signed by two voting members and be received by the Club Manager by 5pm Friday, September 29, 2023.

For nomination forms and pre-meeting dinner bookings contact Club Manager, Charmayne Parry on 0417 404 185 or email c.parry@countryracing.com.au

Dimboola Natimuk

Lutheran Parish

Sunday, September 3

Edenhope 9am HC

Goroke 11am HC

Natimuk Join Vectis

Vectis 10am LR

Dimboola 9am LR

PAPER DRIVE WILL RETURN ON NOVEMBER 5, 2023 FROM 9AM

Papers can be dropped off at Selkirk Drive on Sunday if required

Leave your old newspapers and catalogues out for residential curbside pick-up within the Horsham township.

Horsham Apex Club wish to advise that their September paper drive has been postponed. NEW MEMBERS WELCOME

Practical Writing Workshops

Everyone has a story to tell, but how do you get started? What should you do, and what should you avoid?

Join author Graeme Gibson in a practical writing workshop in creative non-fiction. Suitable for almost any area of interest - memoir, family history, local history, personal essay, travel diary, and feature articles.

Stawell Library – 1pm - 4pm, Tuesday 5 September 2023

Booking – 03 5358 1274

St Arnaud Library – Wednesday 6 September 2023

11am - 12pm – author talk followed by a light lunch 1pm - 4pm – writing workshop

Bookings essential for catering 03 5495 2188

BRENT McALISTER CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

horsham@ontgroup.com.au

horsham@ontgroup.com.au www.ontgroup.com.au

DUE TO COMPANY GROWTH WE HAVE MULTIPLE VACANCIES FOR HC & MC DRIVERS

disappointments of life. So, what can we do about it? If you’re anything like me, you pick up the Bible and you look for stories or verses to give encouragement from those of yesteryear who have been hurt as you and I have been. But sometimes it feels empty right? Countless prayers, tears, maybe even sleepless nights amount to seemingly no answers or clear vision about how to proceed. So where is the God of big promises in the Bible during these times?

A striking revelation that came to me one afternoon. While walking a dirt track and pouring my heart out again to God about the mounting injustices that seemed to be befalling me, I realized, even God doesn’t get everything He wants.

When you pause in the business and selfishness of life to consider the most powerful being, who by His very word things exist, does not get everything He wants either, suddenly not only do the worries on your shoulders seem a lot smaller, but that you have very good company in your corner, and you’ll find a quiet humility extinguishes the burning anger or crushing sadness that may have been assaulting you.

Author: Karen Rowe

The Weekly Advertiser

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST RESIDENTIAL BUILDERS

Ararat Housing Enterprise Pty Ltd is a newly established company with the vision to provide affordable housing options to residents within Ararat and the surrounding area.

Ararat Housing Enterprise is looking for Residential Builders to provide an Expression of Interest in undertaking residential construction of houses to be built as a part of this project.

Documents can be received by emailing: info@ararathousingenterprises.com.au or phone 0421 501 502.

Submissions close Friday 22 September 2023 at 2pm.

Tim Harrison Director

Quotations are invited from suitably qualified and experienced Contractors for:

2023-2024-05 – CONSTRUCTION OF A CANE BALL COURT SURFACE, NHILL

The specific requirements are detailed in the Request for Quotation documents which can be downloaded via Council’s website at www.hindmarsh.vic.gov.au/ caneballcourtconstruction

Closing time for the above Tender is 2:00pm on Wednesday 4 October 2023

All enquiries should be directed via Simon Landrigan, Project Coordinator on telephone (03) 5391 4444.

Greg Wood

Chief Executive Officer

Cathodic Protection

Remediation

Contract Number: C01256

Tenders are invited for the design and construction of a package of Cathodic Protection Remediation works.

The Contract scope of works includes:

> Sacrificial anodes and impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) systems at three sites.

> Reinstatement of ground level CP Test Points with raised test points at 8 locations on the Mt Zero Pipeline.

> Reinstatement of ground level CP test points with in-ground boxes and marker posts at 8 locations on the Horsham High Level Pipeline.

> Replacement of power supply on the existing ICCP system on Stawell Road (Wimmera Bridge).

A compulsory site meeting will be held 10 am Tuesday 12 September 2023, starting at Morson Pump Station, Intersection of Old Hamilton Road and Osborne Road Horsham. Tenderers who do not attend pre-tender site meeting and do not make prior contact with GWMWater’s Senior Project Engineer, Nathan Harders, with a valid reason for not attending will not be considered for tender evaluation or award.

More information regarding this tender is available on our website at gwmwater.org.au/tenders

Tender closes: 2 pm, Thursday 21 September 2023

GWMWater reserves the right to accept tenders in part

The lowest or any offer not necessarily accepted.

Mark Williams

Managing Director

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

11 McLachlan Street Horsham

Call: 1300 659 961 (business hours)

info@gwmwater.org.au | gwmwater.org.au

Place

– the largest circulating newspaper in the Wimmera, southern Mallee and Grampians.

(03) 5382 1351

• Female

• Caring nature

• To follow a care plan

SLEEPOVER

For

• Police check required

• Very rewarding

• Non-stressful position

• One-on-one

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

Coordinator Strategic Planning Band 7 ($96,520 - $107,991 per annum) or

• Band 8 ($112,094 - $125,612 per annum)

Permanent Full-time or Part-time

• Flexible working arrangements available

Gardener/Labourer

• Band 3 ($60,459 - $63,121 per annum, plus allowances)

Permanent

• 8 day working fortnight

Customer Service & Sales –Lawrence & Hanson, Horsham

About us Lawrence & Hanson is Australia’s most recognised electrical wholesaler. Our heritage is strong. Since 1886 we have been supplying electrical products to customers across multiple market sectors, including residential, commercial and industrial.

What you would do in this role

• Serve customers on the counter, answer phones and email enquiries

• Prepare accurate quotes for customers

• Develop relationships with customers

• Be a product knowledge expert to help customers find products they need

• Actively work as a member of the team to ensure our branch is presented in the best way

How can I tell if this is for me?

• Customer and sales focused with experience in a similar role

• Excellent problem solving skills - support our customers to find what they need

• Proficient with computer technology and systems – we will train you

• A positive and optimistic attitude

• Experience in a trades environment will get you off to a flying start, but it is not essential if you’re passionate about learning our industry and product range

How to apply

If your experience reflects the criteria outlined above please call Angela from our recruitment team on 0407 543 122, Daniel on 0437 845 135 or alternatively please email

Senior Coaching Positions Available

The Warrack Eagles Football & Netball Club Inc. are looking for passionate & dedicated individuals to be involved in the Club for 2024 in the following capacities.

Senior Football Coach Reserves Football Coach

A Grade Netball Coach

B Grade Netball Coach

C Grade Netball Coach

The successful candidates will have the ability to lead, develop and expand our football and netball squads to achieve their full potential. Interested parties are to submit an application in writing to warrackeagles@gmail.com by Friday, September 29, 2023.

For more information please contact Paul Rowe on 0457 826 265 or Jules Phelan 0448 564 353.

Branch Sales Representative –Lawrence & Hanson, Horsham

About us

Lawrence & Hanson is Australia’s most recognised electrical wholesaler. Our heritage is strong. Since 1886 we have been supplying electrical products to customers across multiple market sectors, including residential, commercial and industrial. What you would do in this role

• Maintain strong relationships with suppliers and customers

• Grow business with existing and new customers

• Increase sales activities across multiple product ranges

• Maintain account and call plans including activity

• Monitor product pricing and trading margins

• Capitalise on sales and margin opportunities

How can I tell if this is for me?

• Customer and sales focused with experience in a similar role

• Self-motivated and driven to efficiently manage your own time to achieve targets

• Trade or product knowledge desirable – or a keen desire to learn

How to apply

If your experience reflects the criteria outlined above please call Angela from our recruitment team on 0407 543 122, Daniel on 0437 845 135 or alternatively please email your resume to daniel.schaper@lh.com.au & recruitment@lh.com.au

Reception Administration Position

FULL TIME

We are currently seeking a highly motivated person with exceptional customer service skills to join our administration team.

If you are a person that strives to provide awesome customer service; has excellent communication and administration skills; has strong Microsoft Office competencies; has great time management skills and works well in a busy team environment then we may have the perfect position for you!

Watts Price Accountants offers:

• Great variety of work

• Flexible work arrangements

• Plenty of client contact

• Excellent workplace facilities

• You’ll be working with great clients & team members

A position description is available from our website or by phoning our office on (03) 5382 3001.

Applications can be emailed torichardk@wattsprice.com.au or forwarded to us by Monday 11 September 2023; “Reception Administration Position” PO Box 118, Horsham Vic 3402

Bennett Freight & Co Pty Ltd

B-Double Truck Driver

Mainly Grain Cartage

Home most nights

Must have: MC License & Good driving history 0428 121 857

2024 Teaching Positions

Ss Michael and John’s Primary School invites applications for the following position:

Classroom Teacher

Full Time Ongoing Position

The Ss Michael and John’s school community is committed to the safety, wellbeing and protection of all children in our care.

An exciting opportunity exists to join Ss Michael and John’s PS, an innovative, vibrant and dynamic Catholic school. The successful applicant will join a culture of dynamic learning and positive student wellbeing.

Experienced and Graduate teachers are encouraged to apply. Application package and job description are available to download from the school website: www.smjhorsham.catholic.edu.au or view teachers.on.net

Applications close: 04-09-2023

Positions commence: Term 1 2024

be someone making a difference for people in your community

Employment Opportunities

**Attractive salary packaging in addition to salary**

See our website for further information

We are seeking committed and passionate people who are ready for exciting and rewarding careers in our growing community health organisation

Case Manager Step Thru Care

38 hours per week

$36.00 to $47.50 per hour

Mental Health Support Worker –

Connecting2Community (C2C)

38 hours per week

$32.21 to $41.52 per hour

Contact: Danny O’Brien

Program Leader Family Violence (Home Agency)

38 or negotiated hours per week

$51.90 per hour

Contact: Gemma Beavis

Intensive Drink and Drug Driver Behaviour Change Facilitator

3.04 hours per week

$36.00 to $42.60 per hour

Contact: Sarah Sargeant

Closing: 12pm Monday 4 September 2023

To download a position description and key selection criteria form visit our website: gch.org.au

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

be someone making a difference for people in your community

Employment Opportunities

**Attractive salary packaging in addition to salary**

We are seeking committed and passionate people who are ready for exciting and rewarding careers in our growing community health organisation

Community Development Worker

38 hours per week - 12 months fixed term

$47.50 per hour

Contact: Sarah Sargeant

Closing: 12pm Monday 18 September 2023

To download a position description and key selection criteria form visit our website: gch.org.au

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

Position Vacant:

Administration Officer

3 days per week – 9am-4pm

A position is available for an enthusiastic and motivated Administration Officer, based in the St Paul VI Catholic Parish office in Horsham. We are looking for a person with sound knowledge of Microsoft Word, Publisher, Excel and PowerPoint.

Must have excellent computer, communication and organisational skills, and be able to work independently as well as part of a team. A Working with Children’s Check and National Police Check are required for the successful applicant.

A position description is available at the Parish Office, 10 Roberts Ave, Horsham, ph 5382 1155 or email managerwimmeramallee@ballarat.catholic.org.au

Please submit application letter and resume with two referees listed, by close of business Friday, September 8, 2023.

STEEL FABRICATOR BOILERMAKER

A position has become available in Stawell for a qualified or competent operator.

Please send your resume to: jeff@ricksteel.com.au

Program Leader Healthy Communities

38 or negotiated hours per week

$51.90 per hour

Contact: Kristy Price

General Maintenance Handyperson

22.8 hours per week

$33.22 per hour

Contact: Luke Bibby

Case Manager Perpetrator Family Violence

22.8 hours per week

$32.21 to $41.52 per hour

Contact: Gemma Beavis

Laser Plumbing Horsham is restructuring to support our growing business and continued focus on providing great service for our clients and tradespeople.

11 September 2023

To download a position description and key selection criteria form visit our website: gch.org.au

POSITIONS AVAILABLE

Plumbing Manager – multiple positions available, industry experience not essential

Team Leader – multiple positions available, industry experience not essential

Plumbing Technical Support & Quality Assurance – qualifications required

Flexible working arrangements (hours, days, remuneration)

For more information call the office or email HRWHS.horsham@laserelectrical.com.au

Laser Plumbing & Electrical Horsham 89 Plumpton Road, Horsham Phone: 03 5382 1375 horsham@laserelectrical.com.au

weekenD finaLs

COUNTDOWN: It was a big weekend of Wimmera and Horsham District league football and netball finals. Pictured, clockwise from above: Horsham’s Imogen Worthy takes control of the ball despite efforts of Stawell’s Lauren Homden; Jeparit-Rainbow’s Daniel Batson eyes the ball; Horsham Saints’ Becker Irwin breaks free from Southern Mallee Giants opponents; Ethan Appleton, Harrow-Balmoral, on the run; Southern Mallee Giants’ Mickitja Rotumah-Onus; centre, netballers Jedda Heard, Horsham, and Ebony Summers, Stawell; Giants’ coach Kieran Delahunty; Sacha McDonald, Edenhope-Apsley, looks to pass; and HarrowBalmoral’s Nick Pekin celebrates with Greg Hamilton.

Pictures: PAUL CARRACHER

Hockey finals raise the bar

BY SIMON KING

Wimmera Hockey Association semi-finals on Saturday provided six high-quality games, and preliminary finals this Saturday are set to raise the bar even higher.

The turf pitch at Dimboola Health and Fitness Centre will be the venue to decide the remaining grand finalists, where any result in any of the three matches would not be considered an upset.

Open, Warracknabeal Hoops v Kaniva Cobras

2023 head-to-head record: Round four, Warrack Hoops 2 drew with Kaniva Cobras 2; round nine, Warrack Hoops 2 d Kaniva Cobras 0; round 12, Warrack Hoops 1 d Kaniva Cobras 0.

The head-to-head record this season between the Hoops, who finished second on the ladder, and Cobras, who finished third, suggests the former team will go into the preliminary final as slight favourites, but it would be unwise to think this would be an easy game.

Both teams are coming off intense matches last weekend, so have had similar preparations, and both will feature several potential matchwinners on the team sheets who will all present a challenge for their opponents to mark the entire game.

They play contrasting styles, with the Hoops’ game plan focused on regularly stringing together a series of short passages of play, while the Cobras have earned considerable success with their long, solid hitting style, both of which have proven successful on the Dimboola surface. Either team would be worthy of a place in the grand final, so it will come down to who fires on the day to earn a crack at the Tigers in the ultimate match.

Women, Yanac v Warracknabeal

2023 head-to-head record: Round two, Yanac 7 d Warracknabeal 0; round six, Yanac 5 d Warracknabeal 0; round 13, Yanac 4 defeated Warracknabeal 1.

This game could provide one of the surprises of the season.

Yanac has enjoyed a consistent year, only dropping two matches to undefeated Kaniva, but successfully holding off all other challengers.

Caris signed

Former Horsham Saints footballer Rene Caris has signed with the GWS Giants as a replacement player for the NAB AFLW season.

Caris joins the 30-player list in replace of Megan Gaffney, who will miss the 2023 season due to an ACL injury.

Caris’ most recent form was on display in the VFLW competition where she helped the Collingwood Magpies to the 2023 VFLW grand final.

The 184cm ruck was drafted to the Cats via pick 35 in the 2018 National Draft.

After making her AFLW debut in round five, 2019, the 24-year-old played 12 games before being delisted at the end of season six.

Since joining the Magpies’ set-up in the VFLW program and as an AFLW train-on player, the versatile tall has worked on her craft in the ruck as well as a key forward.

Giants Media AFLW list manager Tyson Bourke congratulated Caris.

“Rene has been a player we have been following for a while,” he said.

“She had an excellent season playing for Collingwood in the VFLW, including a strong finals series, which was capped off with her performance in the grand final.

“She is strong and athletic and will be an excellent fit for our club.”

With a one-sided record against Warracknabeal in its favour, Yanac can justify going into this game with confidence, but should also be cautious of taking this game too lightly.

Warracknabeal has struggled recently, having last played finals in 2018. Its most recent season-decider was in 2009, but after an inconsistent start to this season, the team has shown steady improvement leading up to the finals.

Although Warracknabeal has spent 12 of the 15 rounds in fifth place on the ladder, it reclaimed a place in the top-four on the result of the final game of the last round.

With confidence from this lateseason surge and then holding its nerve to win a semi-final last week in a shootout, in a game where all the pressure will be on Yanac, it is not inconceivable that Warracknabeal could continue its dream run for another week.

Under-16, Kaniva Raiders v Horsham Bombers 2023 head-to-head record: Round one, Horsham Bombers 5 d Kaniva Raiders 1; round seven, Kaniva Raiders 3 d Horsham Bombers 0; round 1, Horsham Bombers 2 drew with Kaniva Raiders 2.

Three teams dominated the under16 competition this year, including Yanac Warriors, who have already qualified for the grand final, and the two teams that will face off in the preliminary final.

Kaniva Raiders and Horsham Bombers could not be more evenly matched in their three meetings throughout the season, with one win each and a draw.

The Bombers scored seven goals against their opponent and the Raiders scored six against the Bombers.

On the field, both teams feature several dominant older players who regularly catch the eye, but also have a roster of keen younger ones capable of doing their bit to influence the result and cannot be underestimated.

With all of this information available, it is still impossible to confidently predict a winner, and it will take something special on the day to separate two otherwise very evenlymatched teams.

Semi-final results –

Open: Yanac Tigers 3 (Goals, K. Croot, J. Cramer, T. Alexander; Best, B. Alexander, R. Croot, T. Alexander) d Warrack Hoops 0 (S. Schultz, T. Jorgensen, J. Harris).

Kaniva Cobras 3 (L. Mills 2, L.

Schultz; L. Mills, L. Schultz, C. Beattie) d Horsham Hurricanes 0 (D. Jochinke, W. Gulline, T. Batchelor).

Women: Kaniva Women 3 (J. Braisby, Q. Pearse, J. Hauselberger; Q. Pearse, H. Pearse, J. Hauselberger) d Yanac Women 2 (A. Farmers, M. Mackley; M. Mackley, E. Alexander, A. Farmers). Warracknabeal

Women 4 (C. Bennett, B. McMaster, D. Templeton, L. Eilola; B. McMaster, C. Hadzig, L. Eilola) d Nhill Thunderbirds 3 (K. Clark, S. Rowe, R. Clark; K. Clark, C. Tischler, N. Kuhnell).

Under-16: Yanac Warriors 2 (H. Zanker, S. Pedie; Archie Zanker, L. Cramer, C. Zanker) d Kaniva Raiders 1 (L. Krelle; C. White, F. Dodson, L. Krelle). Horsham Bombers 2 (T. Batchelor, A. Heal; T. Batchelor, H. Mackereth, J. Schwarz) d Nhill Leopards 0 (T. S. Bee, D. Clark, O. Bone).

Preliminary final fixture

Dimboola Health and Fitness Centre – Saturday

11am: Under-16 – Horsham Bombers v Kaniva Raiders

1pm: Women – Yanac v Warracknabeal

3pm: Open – Warrack Hoops v Kaniva Cobras

Giants head of women’s football Briana Harvey said it was fantastic to add a player of Caris’s calibre and experience to the team’s list so late in the season.

The Giants will face off against the Swans as part of the opening round of the season on September 3.

Dean takes lead

Matt Dean was elected president of Grampians Cricket Association for season 2023-24 following its annual meeting.

Dean succeeds Marc Brilliant, who did not seek re-election after five years.

The positions of vice-presidents were not filled at the meeting, but administrators were all re-elected, with Scotney Hayter, secretary, Luke Stevens, treasurer, and Andrew Wood, assistant secretary-treasurer.

Other board members elected were Gary Hannett, re-elected, and Matt Heffer.

Andrew Wood was appointed umpires adviser with umpires fees reset at $120 a day.

A survey at the meeting showed team numbers would be stable for the upcoming season.

It is expected remaining office bearers would be filled at the next delegates meeting this week.

Unfortunately, it appears both Alexandra Oval in Ararat and Central Park in Stawell will be unavailable for most of the season due to both ovals being renovated. – One Short

HOT ON HIS HEELS: Kaniva’s Tom Krelle, right, runs with the ball with Horsham Hurricanes’ Jonathon Horsfall in pursuit. Picture: SIMON KING

Available Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm

Trio’s winning run continues

Wimmera greyhound trainers returned to the winners’ circle with a bang last week.

This included Andrea Gurry of Nhill, training a treble at Warrnambool, Garry George of Beulah, a trifecta at Horsham, and the Smith team, who kept their winning run ticking over.

George finished one, two and three in the 485m maiden event in Horsham on Monday last week, when Irrigation led from start to finish, one-and-a-half lengths in front of kennel mates Ultimate and Lady Affogato, in the respectable time of 27:80sec.

Pat and Cliff Smith of Wonwondah continued their great run of form, with West On Strobe claiming the grade five 485m event. Leading from start to finish, Strobe was challenged strongly throughout the race but kicked hard to fight off the challengers, going home a half-length winner in the smart time of 27:22sec. West On Strobe has now won four of his past nine races, with a further three minor placings.

Gurry then made the trek to Warrnambool with three runners on Tuesday and returned with three winners.

Miss Verdansky started the winning streak, jumping straight to the front in the grade seven event over 390m and giving nothing else a chance, winning by close to three-and-a-half lengths in the time of 22:43sec.

Raven Quail then stepped up to the 450m journey and produced the same result.

Beginning only moderately, Quail produced a perfect rail run to go past the early leader and then hold off challengers, charging late and hitting the line in 25:76sec – half a length too good for his rivals.

Box ONE

with Peter Carter

Loco Tonto was the most impressive of the three for the simple fact he missed the start and was back midfield in a tight squeeze on the corner, but on straightening simply exploded to pick up the leaders and go away close on a four-length winner in 22:64sec.

Friday racing returned to Horsham for the second meeting of the week and the success continued to roll for regional trainers with several minor placings and victories to George, Rodney and Kerry Prowse and Peter Carter.

Glow brought up George’s second winner for the week, breaking her maiden status. Beginning midfield, she worked hard across the field to assume control by the first corner and was never troubled from there, winning by three-and-a-half lengths in the smart time of 23:46sec.

Another Houdini for Peter Carter of Horsham was successful in the fourth race on the card. Beginning well from the inside draw to lead and then holding off an early challenge as the greyhounds cornered, straightening, she went away a two-and-a-half-length victor in 23:35sec.

Let’s Go Kay for the Millington and Prowse team of Redcliffs was a super run from back in the pack, storming home over the early leaders to win by close to one-and-a-half lengths in 24:06sec.

A special mention to Tracey Salter and Greg Turnbull who won with Tears Away in the smart time of 23:42sec. The Salter and Turnbull team of Crowlands nursed Tears Away back to full health after the greyhound became sick with a virus.

DAY OUT: A field of 54 players competed in Horsham Golf Club’s annual Beth Officer four-ball bestball stableford event. Officer was a member of Horsham Golf Club and served as vice-president in 1976-77 and captain in 1979. When she and her family left Horsham in 1981, she donated a Cup for a foursomes event, which has since become a four-ball best-ball stableford event.

Marie Oliver and Barb Hawkins, pictured, were the latest winners of the event with a score of 45 points.

Rebels preparing for finals berth

Greater Western Victoria Rebels boys’ team is gearing up for the first round of finals after securing a second-place finish in the Coates Talent League season.

The Rebels will play Murray Bushrangers on Sunday at Mars Stadium, Ballarat.

The team secured its finals berth, and home final, with a 56-point win against the Western Jets on Friday.

Horsham Saints’ export Joel Freijah was named among the best players for a second week in a row after two goals and 17 disposals.

Rupanyup export Connor Weide-

mann had 14 disposals for the game and Minyip-Murtoa’s Oscar Gawith had five disposals.

The Rebels had an early lead and continued to build on their margin.

They restricted the Jets to one goal a quarter and despite a tough third quarter, won 13.16 (94) to 4.14 (38).

The Rebels girls’ team will also take to Mars Stadium on Sunday for its final home-and-away round of the season.

The Rebels, in ninth position on the ladder, will play against the Bendigo Pioneers, sitting in 16th position.

Round 16 saw the Rebels narrowly lose to the Western Jets on Friday night, 3.5 (23) to 3.7 (25).

The Rebels started strong and held a lead going into the main break, but were unable to maintain their momentum.

The second half of the game was low-scoring and the Jets managed to sneak across the line.

Horsham Demons’ export Olivia Brilliant was named the McDonald’s player of the day. She was also named among the best players with 13 disposals.

Captain Pins impresses for McIntyre

BY TONY LOGAN St

Arnaud owner and trainer

Denis McIntyre made the right call about two years ago when he opened the cheque book to purchase a four-start, one-win, three year-old gelding from New Zealand.

The now five-year-old bay named Captain Pins took out the $20,000 Allied Express Rising Stars Pace at Tabcorp Park in Melton on Saturday night – his eighth win since crossing the ditch to call Australia home.

First up since an unplaced run at Melton in April, Captain Pins proved too good for $1.65 favourite The Chancer, Nathan Jack – enjoying a perfect trip throughout courtesy of driver Michael Bellman.

“Denis has given the horse plenty of time to mature,” Bellman said.

“He hasn’t been pushed and hopefully we’ll see the benefit this time in.”

The team travels to Melton again on Saturday for the $25,000 Rising Stars final and, given a decent barrier, look awfully hard to toss.

Sanderson in upset

Charlton-based concession driver

Ryan Sanderson landed an upset winner at Melton on Saturday when he led from barrier to post with four-yearold mare Courmayeur in the $20,000 Betavet Trot for Yabby Dam Racing and trainer Anton Golino.

Despite coming into the contest on the back of an impressive laststart victory at Bendigo, Courmayeur ‘blew like the north wind in betting’ but refused to give in when challenged

Jackaroo to host clinics

A decorated Australian lawn bowler will be in the Wimmera next month to lend his expertise to regional bowlers, who will be able to apply his knowledge to the upcoming season.

Australian Jackaroo Barrie Lester is hosting coaching sessions on September 25 and 26 at Ararat Bowls Club, Horsham City Bowls Club, Warracknabeal Bowls Club and St Arnaud Country Club.

The champion bowler, who lived in Wedderburn, near St Arnaud, for many years, will host four sessions across the two-day period, with each lasting for three hours.

Bowls Victoria North West Victoria country manager Josh Thornton said Mr Lester would bring a wealth of experience, including Commonwealth Games and Australian Open successes, to his coaching.

“Barrie is one of the most decorated bowlers of the past 10 years,” he said.

“Playing at the higher level, his

understanding of the game is very strong.”

Mr Thornton said Mr Lester would cover aspects of the sport including technique, as well as tactics and strategy.

“People will be able to take some of that back to their own clubs,” he said.

“From the brand-new bowler, through to people who have been playing for more than 10 years, everyone should be able to take away at least one thing.”

Mr Thornton said the sessions were capped at 40 people, with registrations already filling up for several of the locations.

He said local clubs and their members had received an email from Bowls Victoria with a link to register.

On September 25, a 9am session will take place at Ararat Bowls Club before a 2.30pm session at Horsham City Bowls Club. On September 26, Warracknabeal Bowls Club will host a 9am session before a 2.30pm session at St Arnaud Country Club.

in the final 200m and gave Sanderson his 74th win for the season.

Bellman back home

Ararat staged a competitive card of harness action on Sunday and, as usual, driver Michael Bellman made a visit to his home-track and winner’s circle. Bellman lined up with six-year-old gelding Micton Mouse in the $7000 Girls Night Out Ararat

19-10 Pace for trainer David Barbetti, just three days after finishing a close second at Charlton.

After working hard from gate six to cross to the pegs and enjoying the benefit of a leisurely mid-race half in 64.3 seconds, Micton Mouse managed to hold off a late challenge from Dancingonstarlight, Ryan Sanderson, to score by a half-head in a rate of 2:02.6 for the 2195m journey.

Dunn rewarded

Horsham horseman Aaron Dunn was rewarded for making the long haul north on Friday when his two-year-old gelding Komodo led all the way to score on debut at Mildura.

Showing race sense beyond his years, Komodo did plenty of work out of the gate and through the first 400 metres to hold the lead, then responded when Dunn asked to ease the tempo in the middle stages.

Favourite backers were confident of a collect at the bell and Komodo did not miss a beat as he went on to score by a neck in a rate of 1:59.6 for the 1790m journey.

Exell ‘feeling good’

Horsham owner-trainer Janet Exell took out the ‘lucky last’ with six-year-

old mare Its A Good Feeling after few anxious moments before the start of the $7000 HERO Retirement Planning Month Pace at Charlton on Thursday.

Driver Declan Murphy made a gear failure call to the starter in the scoreup and the red light was signalled for a false start. After making the necessary adjustments for ‘take-two’, Murphy made the most of the coveted pole position and managed to secure the sweet spot on the back of the favourite Our Rocky, Ryan Sanderson.

At the top of the home stretch, Its A Good Feeling quickly had the better of the leader to bring up her fifth career victory from 66 starts. The mare did not win a race until her 40th start, last September at Swan Hill, but in the 26 starts since, has won another four, with 12 first-four placings.

CBL start

Horsham Hornets are locked into the Country Basketball League southwest conference for the 2023 season.

The 2023 CBL season includes 72 teams, 39 associations, eight conferences and 411 regular season games.

The south-west men’s conference includes nine teams that will play 16 games. The Hornets’ opposition is Ararat, Colac, Hamilton, Millicent, Mount Gambier, Portland, Terang and Warrnambool.

The south-west women’s conference includes six teams that will play 10 games. The Hornets’ opposition is Colac, Millicent, Mount Gambier, Portland and Warrnambool.

CBL manager Matt Royal said he was excited for the season launch. “We can’t wait to see CBL action back for the 2023 season,” he said.

“The league is solidifying its place on the league calendar as it offers the talent from country Victoria the time to shine on court. With so many associations returning, this season will be the most competitive yet.

“The country basketball community is as excited as ever.”

HOST: Renowned lawn bowler Barrie Lester, who competes with the Australian Jackaroos, will host four coaching sessions across the Wimmera next month.

arounD The LeaGues

Premiership within reach

BY SEAN O’CONNELL

Thefinal day of the Mininera and District league senior football calendar is drawing near, as teams progress through finals fixtures and others fall short.

Wickliffe-Lake Bolac, after succumbing to premiership favourites Tatyoon in the qualifying final, will take on Woorndoo-Mortlake for a chance at premiership glory.

The Tigers come into the preliminary final after defeating a plucky Glenthompson-Dunkeld team.

Wickliffe-Lake Bolac coach Sean Trevaskis said Tatyoon outplayed his squad to advance to the grand final.

The Magpies coach said his team did have some encouraging patches, getting through the Hawks’ defence and scoring quickly, but gave up almost 30

Players, coaches on move

As the end of the 2023 finals series nears, Horsham District and Wimmera league football and netball clubs are making moves to secure players and coaches for next season.

In Wimmera league, Horsham announced Jasper Gunn would be making a move from Kalkee to the Demons senior football team for 2024.

Horsham also recently announced Ryan Kemp would be re-joining the ranks at the Demons and Jordyn Burke would step back into the senior football coaching role.

Dimboola re-signed Jack Landt as senior coach and he will be supported once again by assistants Ben Miller and Billy Hayes.

Ararat announced Tom Mills and Tom Williamson would remain on the Rats’ list in 2024.

Horsham Saints re-signed Ben Knott as senior coach and he

AROUND THE LEAGUES

Wimmera

Senior football

scoring shots itself. “We didn’t play with enough dare and got pushed to the outside too much,” he said.

“We were poor defensively, 28 scoring shots is a lot, and they were able to open us up time and again, so that is an area we will look to tighten up.”

Trevaskis said Tom Gibson, Bradley Keilar, Robert Brown and Chris Hilet were among his team’s better players, using the ball well to set up attacking play.

He said Woorndoo-Mortlake finished second on the ladder for a reason and his team would look to limit their time in possession.

“The Tigers will play a tough brand of footy,” he said.

“They will get it into their good ball users’ hands and take territory through their foot skills.”

Trevaskis said special attention

“There’s only three teams left and a lot of teams who would love this opportunity. It doesn’t change our thinking, too much. We need to try and get the game on our terms; whichever team can do that will get the result”

– Sean Trevaskis

would need to be given to Tigers players William Paulin and Jordan Buckley, who could be match winners given the opportunity.

“We can’t afford to let them get off the chain too much, otherwise the game will be lost there,” he said.

Trevaskis said it was exciting to still be playing football at this time of year.

“There’s only three teams left and a lot of teams who would love this opportunity,” he said.

“It doesn’t change our thinking, too much.

“We need to try and get the game on our terms; whichever team can do that will get the result.”

Woorndoo-Mortlake was able to achieve a 27-point win against Glenthompson-Dunkeld on Sunday.

Liam Cameron, Thomas Gough and Tyler Fowler were among the Tigers players who drove the result.

The two teams, Wickliffe-Lake Bolac and Woorndoo-Mortlake, play on Saturday at Alexandra Oval, Ararat for a spot in the grand final.

The Mininera and District league grand final will take place at Conna Wilson Reserve in Mininera on September 9.

This week: Second semi-final, Ararat v Southern Mallee Giants at Anzac Park, Warracknabeal on Saturday. First semi-final, Horsham Saints v Dimboola at Beulah Memorial Park on Sunday.

Last week: Qualifying final, Southern Mallee Giants 16.10 (106) d Horsham Saints 5.4 (34). Elimination final, Dimboola 13.7 (85) d Minyip-Murtoa 11.9 (75).

A Grade netball

This week: Second semi-final, Horsham Saints v Horsham at Anzac Park, Warracknabeal on Saturday. First semi-final, Stawell v Dimboola at Beulah Memorial Park on Sunday.

Last week: Qualifying final, Horsham 70 d Stawell 28. Elimination final, Dimboola 53 d Nhill 41.

Horsham District

Senior football

This week: Preliminary final, Jeparit-Rainbow v Noradjuha-Quantong at Kaniva Recreation Reserve on Saturday.

Last week: Qualifying final, Harrow-Balmoral 17.17 (119) d Jeparit-Rainbow 5.6 (36). Semi-final, Noradjuha-Quantong 15.9 (99) d Rupanyup 13.11 (89).

A Grade netball

This week: Preliminary final, Laharum v Rupanyup at Kaniva Recreation Reserve on Saturday.

Last week: Qualifying final, Edenhope-Apsley 51 d Laharum 49. Semi-final, Rupanyup 58 d Noradjuha-Quantong 37.

Mininera and District

Senior football

This week: Preliminary final, Wickliffe-Lake Bolac v Woorndoo-Mortlake at Alexandra Oval, Ararat.

Last week: Second semi-final, Tatyoon 14.14 (98) d Wickliffe-Lake Bolac 7.14 (56). First semi-final, Woorndoo-Mortlake 9.15 (69) d Glenthompson-Dunkeld 5.12 (42).

A Grade netball

This week: Preliminary final, Tatyoon v Woorndoo-Mortlake at Alexandra Oval, Ararat.

Last week: Second semi-final, Ararat Eagles 37 d Tatyoon 36. First semi-final, Woorndoo-Mortlake 35 d Hawkesdale-Macarthur 31.

North Central

Senior football

This week: Second semi-final, Sea Lake-Nandaly Tigers v Birchip-Watchem at Wycheproof Recreation Reserve.

RECRUIT: Jasper Gunn is the latest signing to be announced at Horsham for the 2024 Wimmera league season. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

will receive support from Benny Ward, Jacob O’Beirne and Sam Clyne next season.

Minyip-Murtoa appointed Gareth Hose as coach for 2024.

In Horsham District league, No-

radjuha-Quantong re-appointed Damian Cameron as senior football coach.

Jai Thompson has been reappointed as Harrow-Balmoral’s senior coach next year.

Emily Langley will return to the Southern Roos after time at Cavendish Football Netball Club and Minyip-Murtoa as A Grade coach.

– Abby Walter

Last week: First semi-final, Nullawil 13.12 (90) d Donald 9.8 (62).

A Grade netball

This week: Second semi-final, Boort v Wedderburn at Wycheproof Recreation Reserve. Last week: First semi-final, Nullawil 33 d Birchip-Watchem 31.

• Full scoreboards and ladders for all grades are available via the league pages at playhq.com

horshaM DisTricT LeaGue

Team pressure building

BY SEAN O’CONNELL

There is everything to play for in Horsham District league senior football, with Saturday’s preliminary final set to decide the grand final match-up.

Senior football

Qualifying final – Harrow-Balmoral v Jeparit-Rainbow

Highlight of the match: The way the Southern Roos are coached, combined with the players’ fitness, had them looking very professional against Jeparit-Rainbow. The Southern Roos fitness allowed them to implement a full-ground defensive press, where the whole team worked up the ground and back just as hard.

The player of the match: Simon Close has both natural football ability and strong aerobic fitness. Playing as a centre-half forward, Close can mark the ball at centrehalf back and work his way back to goal and get on the end of a mark inside fifty.

Semi-final – Noradjuha-Quantong v Rupanyup

Highlight of the match: Noradjuha-Quantong relied on the all-around quality of its team to get the job done. The club has a saying, ‘when it’s your turn to go, you go,’ and this was clear in its tackle pressure. When they won the ball, the Bombers were not afraid to chip it around, but also ran the ball really well, delivering to forwards who finished their opportunities. The player of the match: Jason Kerr had a standout game for Noradjuha-Quantong in midfield.

A Grade netball

Second semi-final – Edenhope-Apsley v Laharum

Highlight of the match: It was a great contest and close across the whole game. Laharum came out strong in the first quarter and Edenhope-Apsley had to make some changes. The Saints were able to peg it back and it was close from there. The player of the match: It is hard to pick just one from Edenhope-Apsley – no-one could go past Sacha McDonald in goals, while Lavinia Fox also played well, and Emily Burgess was strong in defence. Laharum’s Caitlin Story was solid in goals. First semi-final – Rupanyup v Noradjuha-Quantong

Highlight of the match: Rupanyup came out strong and dominated the game. Noradjuha-Quantong could not get a flow on so when Rupanyup got a jump on them early, they didn’t look back.

The players of the match: Rupanyup’s goalies, Zanaiya Bergen and Bianca Drum, were standouts. Bergen was strong underneath the ring and both were difficult to stop.

Jeparit-Rainbow and NoradjuhaQuantong come into Saturday’s game at Kaniva Recreation Reserve off the back of two very different performances.

Storm, having secured a second chance, were unable to mount a sustained challenge against Harrow-Balmoral.

For the Bombers, their victory against last year’s premiers Rupanyup was another step towards a home grand final.

Noradjuha-Quantong coach Damian Cameron said his team endured an ‘intense game’ to come out victors against the Panthers.

“There was never really a moment when we were comfortably in front,” he said.

“We were up by three goals a few times, but Rupanyup can score quickly.”

Cameron said the result took a team effort, which started from the defensive end and went right through the team, putting Bombers forwards in a position to convert

scoring opportunities. “It’s hard to win big finals if you are not playing a complete team game,” he said.

He said Dylan Bushby, Zane Batson and Dawson Cross were among the forwards who led the line, kicking truly nine times between them.

Cameron said his side would take confidence gained from its round nine win against Jeparit-Rainbow into Saturday’s preliminary final.

“They’ve obviously got a starstudded side, with guys who have played good footy in different places,” he said.

“They will be pretty disappointed and should come out firing.”

Jeparit-Rainbow co-coach Scott Driscoll said his team needed to get back to playing on its own terms after falling to Harrow-Balmoral.

“We’ve got a bit of work to do, which is not necessarily a bad thing,” he said.

“We had not seen the Southern Roos since round three, but they played really well and didn’t allow us to get into the game.”

Driscoll said Trent Burgoyne and Matthew Synoradski were both shining lights for his team in the loss, working hard to get the side on the front foot, with Thomas Schumann and Simon Clugston

playing well in defence. He said his team would need to get back to playing the football that secured it second place, against the Bombers.

“We just need to take a bit more risk, back our game style, create

and run to put Noradjuha-Quantong under pressure,” he said.

“We’re expecting them to be ready to play a grand final and we have to bring that same level of intensity.”

Rupanyup and Laharum ready for showdown

Rupanyup and Laharum have one more chance to progress to a Horsham District A Grade netball grand final.

The two teams will play in a preliminary final at Kaniva on Saturday. The winner will face Edenhope-Apsley in a grand final the following Saturday, while the loser’s season will end.

Laharum co-coach Olivia Jones said a two-goal semi-final loss to Edenhope-Apsley at the weekend had given the Demons confidence heading into the preliminary final.

“Saturday proved what finals netball is all about – the atmosphere was amazing, and it was a hotly contested game,” she said.

“We exceeded our expectations as we know how elite the EdenhopeApsley line-up is and that has given us confidence.”

Jones said Edenhope-Apsley was renowned for capitalising on every opportunity for an intercept and would score off it.

“We kept possession of the ball well to limit those chances,” she said.

“We kept our line-up the same, while they had to make some changes – Bec McIntyre was getting every rebound, so they moved Sacha McDonald into goals, which was a real credit to our team.”

Jones said while Laharum and Rupanyup had met twice during the season, they had not met with full-strength teams.

“Rupanyup has been a bit unpredictable this season with injuries and travellers, so we don’t know who we will be lining up against,” she said.

“We’re going to focus on us and

will stick to what we did against Edenhope-Apsley with an unchanged line-up.

“It’s sure to be a great game and we’re hoping for good crowds again for the real finals atmosphere.”

Rupanyup coach Georgia Hiscock said she was looking for a 100 percent effort for four quarters from her team this week.

“The benefit of the games being recorded is that we will be able to go back and watch them to see what we need to do on Saturday,” she said.

“We will stick with our structures and are hoping for a repeat of the game just gone, which was a cracker.”

When the two teams met during the season, Laharum won on both occasions, the first by one goal

and the second time by 42 goals. Coming from sixth position on the ladder heading into finals, Hiscock said it felt good to defeat Noradjuha-Quantong in the semi-final.

“The nerves were high and we knew it would be a tough game,” she said.

“We were off to a good start and that continued. I was pleased with our defensive pressure, particularly around the centre passes.

“Our defence kept Shannon Couch to one of her lowest goals scored for the year and that was a big effort that went towards the win.”

Edenhope-Apsley will have another week off as they prepare to face either team in the grand final at Quantong Recreation Reserve on Saturday, next week.

– Abby Walter

wiMMera LeaGue

Giants, Ararat battle for grand final spot

After a weekend of upsets, the second round of Wimmera league senior football finals will determine the first team to secure a grand final place.

On Saturday, Southern Mallee Giants, fresh off a convincing win against Horsham Saints, will take on the formidable Ararat at Anzac Park, Warracknabeal, for a spot in the last game of the season.

The Sunday game at Beulah Memorial Park pits the Saints against Dimboola, who came from behind to overcome Minyip-Murtoa last weekend.

Dimboola coach Jack Landt said his team was able to regroup after finding itself six goals down at quarter time against the Burras.

“We made it hard for ourselves in the first quarter,” he said.

“After that, we got back to our DNA, playing a positive brand of football and locking the ball inside fifty.

“We have a good list of players and we got back to playing as a team and backing each other in.”

Landt said the result was especially welcome given his team’s difficult run into finals, with its last win coming in round 12 against Horsham Demons.

“I think in the last month we would probably play a bad quarter a game – and it was similar against the Burras, but we were able to overcome it,” he said

The Dimboola coach said mid-

fielders Dylan Landt and Billy Hayes were standouts in the Roos’ midfield, driving his squad forward out of stoppage.

Ahead of Sunday’s clash, Landt looked back on a four-point loss to the Saints in round seven and a wider margin in round 16.

“I definitely don’t think we’ve played our best footy against the Saints,” he said.

“They spread by hand pretty well around the ball and move it quickly into the forward line.

“We’ve got to stop that and make them rush.”

He said his Roos would go into Sunday’s do-or-die clash with a newfound belief and use their underdog status to their advantage.

AFTER THE SIREN

“We go into a game where all the pressure is on the opposition,” he said.

The Saints come into the match off a 72-point defeat at the hands of Southern Mallee Giants.

Angus Martin held up well for the losing team in defence, with Max Bryan providing plenty of run from the wing.

The Giants were led by Kieran Delahunty in the ruck, with Mickitja Rotumah-Onus providing a presence around the stoppage and will be asking for more of the same against Ararat.

The Rats come into the second semi-final well-rested after the week off due to finishing on top.

Roos ready for challenge

BY ABBY WALTER

Stawell and Dimboola have an all-or-nothing battle ahead in Wimmera league A Grade competition to remain in the premiership race.

The teams will meet at Beulah Memorial Park for a semi-final, which will see one team eliminated and the other progress to a preliminary final.

Horsham defeated Stawell on Saturday in the qualifying final and will play Horsham Saints on Saturday for the first position in the grand final on September 16.

The Demons were too strong for Stawell and as their momentum and speed built, they were able to increase their margin to win by 42 goals.

Goal attack Imogen Worthy played a strong game and was wellsupported through the midcourt by Romi Miller.

Horsham Saints will be coming off a week’s break and after concluding the season undefeated, will be hoping for a win straight into the big dance.

Dimboola defeated Nhill by 12 goals at Ararat on Sunday to progress to the first semi-final.

Dimboola co-coach Nicole Polycarpou said she was looking forward to the finals feeling on Sun-

day, with the team focused and a supportive crowd.

“We will bring the good energy from last Sunday into this game, and if we play how we did then, I feel very confident,” she said.

Polycarpou said it was good to have a win against Nhill after losing to the Tigers in round 10.

“It has lifted our confidence and we feel ready for anything coming into a semi-final,” she said.

“Billie Barber was amazing – she knows how to settle the game and remind us to play at our pace.

“Olivia Jorgensen shot well and held her own against many changes of defenders.”

Stawell’s Jemma Clarkson worked hard through the midcourt on Saturday and will be looking for another strong performance this weekend.

Warriors’ wing defence Meg Walker played a crucial role for the team and was well supported by the effort of goal defence Lisa Considine.

Stawell defeated Dimboola on both occasions they met during the home-and-away season, by 13 goals in round four and 16 goals in round 13.

shirtfront the

with Kuges, Cobba, Easty & Hugh

Senior football

Qualifying final – Horsham Saints v Southern Mallee Giants

Highlight of the match: Zach Robins’ defensive job on Saints forward Mitch Martin was crucial to the Giants’ win. When the pair met earlier in the year, Martin kicked 10 goals, but the versatile Robbins held him to two on Saturday.

The player of the match: Kieran Delahunty has returned to the Giants’ line-up in the past couple of weeks and dominated the ruck contest on Saturday. The three-time Toohey medalist is a big-game player who will continue to be important in the Giants’ finals run.

Elimination final – Minyip-Murtoa v Dimboola

Highlight of the match: Jayden Lehmann, in only his second senior game for the year, rucked all day against Lachlan Delahunty. Lehmann was tasked with bringing the ball to ground against the favoured Delahunty and his competitiveness was integral to the outcome.

The player of the match: Billy Hayes was outstanding in the Dimboola midfield, along with Matthew Rosier. Hayes’ workrate allowed him to get to contests and link-up with others. After an injury-interrupted year, his work around the contest on Saturday was something to behold.

A Grade netball

Qualifying final – Horsham v Stawell

Highlight of the match: There was a moment in the first quarter after Stawell seemed to have more possession early on, where Horsham settled and their plays clicked – the Demons’ momentum increased, and they moved down the court quickly from that moment on.

The player of the match: Horsham’s Romi Miller played a crucial role in the midcourt with her speed and agility. Her vision down the court allowed her to make smart and on-target passes.

First semi-final – Dimboola v Nhill Highlight of the match: The first quarter went goal for goal and proved it was the start of an exciting finals series. Both teams started strong and came out with determination.

The player of the match: Dimboola’s Ash Morrish was a key feeder into the Roos’ goal ring at wing attack. She fought hard for possession and positioned herself well down the court, particularly in the goal third.

–Sean O’Connell

STAND OUT: Horsham’s Romi Miller was a stand out in Saturday’s qualifying final against Stawell. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

sporT

Leaders show form

BY DAVID BERRY

The top-of-the-table teams showed the class and strength that has them in leading spots in Volleyball Horsham’s winter season.

In A Grade, Phantoms had to pull out all stops to beat a plucky Heidelberg to consolidate their spot on top of the ladder.

Very little separated the two teams early in the first set until Tom Roberts went to serve and with some cleverly placed serves and some strong attacking from Oscar Jackman and Tyler Puls, the score quickly went to 14-8, which proved to be a bridge too far for the Heidelberg team.

Captain Tyler Puls encouraged his young team to keep taking the game on in the second set, and that they did until Emily Hannan went to serve for Heidelberg at 20-24 with a nothing-to-lose mentality and some well-placed sets by Nathan Berry, Heidelberg attacked and levelled the match at 24-all.

The rest of the set went point for point, with firstly Phantoms gaining a set point, only to see Heidelberg deny them.

At 28-27 a service error by Heidelberg gave Phantoms the sniff they needed and Puls took full advantage when he confidently attacked with his trademark swing-

ing jump serves to take the set 30-28. The win kept Phantoms on top with an unblemished record after five rounds.

In A Reserve, Von Steiger Shadows came out on top ahead of Nitro, in a clash of the two undefeated teams, only after the young Nitro team threw everything at their more experienced opponents.

Von Steiger Shadows got off to a strong start, claiming the first set, with Tayla Eltze in everything, ably supported by the bighitting Adam Harrison. Both teams attacked confidently in the second set, with the score going point for point from 10-all right through until 25-all, but the steady hand of Harrison was the difference in the end and Von Steiger Shadows were able to take the second, 27-25. Nitro fought back to take the third and gaining the all-important bonus point, which could very well decide ladder positions come the pointy end of the season.

Lakers, Birds of Prey, Rangers and Heidelberg were the big winners in the women’s competition, with all four moving into the top four.

Blockparty, in B Grade, KFC Black in C Grade and HTLC Tigers in juniors, all had strong

Agricultural Farm Hand Traineeship

Horsham

Closing date: September 12, 2023

Requirements:

• Genuine interest in livestock and mixed farming

• Willingness to learn and adapt

• Be physically able to carry out the work

• Willingness to commit to work and study

• Current Manual driver’s licence and reliable transport (desirable)

For more information contact Daryl Eastwell on 0407 364 654.

Aged Care Support Traineeship

Stawell

Closing date: ASAP

Requirements:

• Caring & patient individual with passion for industry

• Positive attitude and able to adapt to varying situations

• Physically fit and enjoy being active

• Current National Police Check Clearance

• This role requirements staff to be fully vaccinated against Influenza & Covid-19

For a confidential discussion, please contact Daryl Eastwell on 0407 364 654.

wins to consolidate their positions on top of their respective ladders and have set themselves up as competition pacesetters.

Vipers take on Pirates

Melbourne Vipers will go back to the drawing board this week in preparation for their final home game on Saturday against Queensland Pirates.

The Vipers men lost to Perth Steel 4-1 in round three and will hope to regain Monash pass-hitter Scott Johnson for this do-or-die match against their northern counterparts.

The team will look at their blocking strategy after being completely outplayed in that department against Perth, while Johnson’s availability will give the squad the depth it needs to rejig their line-up to have more of an attacking presence from behind the setter.

Their first home game drew a better-than-anticipated crowd at Dandenong Stadium, and with Queensland perennially a strong team, Volleyball Victoria has opened up ticket sales early to ensure everyone who wants a seat gets one this week.

People can visit Volleyball Victoria’s website to book tickets, otherwise the match will be streamed on SBS On Demand from 6.30pm on Saturday.

Trio prepare for state course

Three Wimmera swimmers are heading to 2023 Victoria Age Short Course Championships on Friday, where they will test themselves against other competitors from across the state.

Matt Ellis, Chase Briggs and Ellua Boyd will represent the region at Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre.

Ellis will compete in the 100-metre individual medley and 100-metre breaststroke. He said he hoped to knock four seconds off his time to achieve a national record.

“My original goal was to knock a few seconds off my time, but if I’m really going for it, I’m hoping for the national time,” he said.

“The last meet was country championships where I took six seconds off my time.”

In his first time attending championships, Briggs will swim in the 200-metre breaststroke.

“If I just get a reasonable personal best, I’ll be happy,” Briggs said.

“I’ve been swimming for about seven or eight years. It’s enjoyable – you get to socialise with your friends at meets and it’s fun to get in and compete with them.”

Boyd will compete in the 50 and 100-metre freestyle events.

“I just want to get some new PBs and enjoy myself,” she said.

Apprentice Chef – 2nd Year

Horsham

Closing date: September 12, 2023

Requirements:

• Able to organise efficient work schedules

• Good interpersonal, communication and customer service skills

• Able to work as part of a team

• Able to work under pressure and stay calm in difficult situations.

• Be available nights and weekends.

For more information contact Paul Barnett on 0458 706 272.

Road Worker

Donald

Closing date: ASAP

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Medium Rigid Truck Licence

• Traffic Management Certificate or willingness to attain

• Plant operator’s competency

• Current First Aid Certificate

• Experience in a similar role advantageous

To discuss this opportunity further, contact Nathan Keel on 0408 109 324.

Apprentice Chef – 2nd/3rd Year

St Arnaud

Closing date: September 12, 2023

Requirements:

• Good interpersonal & communication skills

• Be able to work in a busy team environment under time constraints

• Show initiative and good organisational skills

• High level of personal cleanliness

• Willing to obtain a Police Check and Working with Children’s Check

• This role requires staff to be fully vaccinated for COVID 19

For more information contact Kate Clark on 0428 971 821.

Seasonal Field Worker Intake

Horsham

Closing date: ASAP

Skills and Experience:

• Ability to work both autonomously and in a team environment

• Strong attention to detail

• Willingness to work both indoors and outdoors

• Physical fit and able to meet manual requirements

To discuss this opportunity further, contact Nathan Keel on 0408 109 324.

READY: Swimmers Ellua Boyd, left, Matt Ellis and Chase Briggs will represent the Wimmera at the 2023 Victoria Aged Short Course Championships in Melbourne on Friday.

Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Hose to coach Burras next season

BY ABBY WALTER

Minyip-Murtoa has appointed a renowned Wimmera senior football coach to stand at the helm in 2024.

Gareth Hose, who has senior football coaching experience at Beulah and Noradjuha-Quantong, will coach the Burras next season.

Hose said he was excited about the opportunity to coach at MinyipMurtoa.

“Taking the role was not just about me, I have young children and the club presented as family-orientated and that was appealing,” he said.

“It’s going to present a new challenge and I am looking forward to working with people at the club next year.”

Hose said his coaching philosophy was to work with the playing group to strive towards success.

“It’s why I do that job – I coach players to improve them,” he said.

“It can also change with the club and the team, depending on what they need.

“Working with a new playing group will present a new challenge and I haven’t coached in Wimmera league before, so that is also exciting.

“The current group is strong and has

sound structures on and off the field.

“It’s positive to be coaching a group which this year had good numbers on the track for training.

“If we maintain that, it allows for me to work with them on a game style and game plan that we can implement on game days.”

Hose said he would be assisted by Tanner Smith in the coaching group.

“There’s a mix of youth and experience on the team, which is great,” he said.

“There’s also ex-coaches on the list, which will be good.”

Minyip-Murtoa’s senior football season ended on Sunday during an

Croquet season launch

The Wimmera Croquet Association launched its new season earlier this month, with Horsham Croquet Club, Dimboola Croquet Club and Kalimna Park Croquet Club all springing into action.

Wimmera Croquet Association secretary Donna Frost said the pennant season starts in September and people wanting to join were welcome to visit a local club.

“We’re always looking for new members,” she said.

“People can either come down to Horsham Croquet Club or Kalimna Park Croquet Club in Horsham,

or if they come from Dimboola they can head along and have a hit at the croquet club there.”

Frost said croquet was a very accessible sport and people unfamiliar with the game were encouraged to give it a try.

“If you have been playing tennis or golf and you are finding it a bit more difficult, croquet is very easy on the body,” she said.

“It’s easy to learn and it’s a very sociable game.

“We play in groups of four, so you have always got a partner and it’s just a fun thing to do.”

What’s Chiropractic got to do with football?

In a game of football, it’s important that each team-player play their role. They are experts in what they do.

Defenders, mid-fielders and forward players they all have their game. If, however we stack the defence to stop the opposition scoring the ball gets stuck in the backline and there is no-one to kick it to. Health choices can be like that. When there is pain, some people just take medication or wait for it to go away. That’s like playing only defence. It’s a low scoring game.

Chiropractic is designed to move the vertebrate and get the nervous system responding to all states of play. Chiropractic keeps you moving so the rest of your body can work better.

“Taking the role was not just about me, I have young children and the club presented as family-orientated and that was appealing”

– Gareth Hose, right

elimination final against Dimboola, after a tough fight that saw them lose by 10 points.

Hose will take on the coaching role from Tim Mackenzie, who has been senior coach since the 2022 season and took the Burras to a premiership.

Minyip-Murtoa also won a premiership in 2019.

FIRST HOOP: Wimmera Croquet Association president Charles Rees watches Dimboola member Bob Gooding run the first hoop of the 202324 Wimmera croquet season at Horsham Croquet Club.

Pictures: PAUL CARRACHER

READY: Horsham Croquet Club president Donna Frost and guest Di Trotter open the Horsham Croquet Club 2023-24 season.

LONG-TERM: John Hill, 92, opens the 2023-24 Kalimna Park Croquet Club season. Mr Hill has been a member of the club since 1985.

Vol. 26 No. 9

Wednesday, August 30, 2023

Fierce finals

Edenhope-Apsley’s Lavinia Fox positions herself in front of Laharum defender Ema Iredell to gain possession of the ball during a Horsham District league A Grade netball second semi-final at North Park, Stawell on Saturday. The physical game secured the Saints a grand final berth with a 51-49 win. Laharum will face Rupanyup in Saturday’s preliminary final at Kaniva. Story, page 56.

Picture: PAUL CARRACHER