The Weekly Advertiser Horsham
FIRESTORM FEROCITY
Authorities are still investigating the cause of a fire that claimed 17 homes in Natimuk and surrounding districts on Friday. Asset losses from the Grass Flat fire sat, as of yesterday, at 17 homes; 15 sheds and outbuildings; 30 stock losses; Natimuk...
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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
The Weekly Advertiser and radio stations 3WM and MIXX FM wish our valued readers and listeners across the Wimmera, Mallee, Grampians and Western District a very happy and safe Christmas. The next edition of The Weekly Advertiser, after a Christmas and...
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Plan reset for bypass
Anew community reference group will guide a Horsham Rural City Council project plan to finalise a bypass route around the city. Councillors passed a motion at Monday night’s meeting to confirm its intent to identify a preferred alignment for a full...
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Tourism boost plea
Atourism chief is urging people to put an ‘SOS’ out to friends and family to visit the Grampians, Wimmera and Mallee regions, in what is predicted to be one of the lowest years of tourist spending in six years. Grampians Wimmera Mallee Tourism chief...
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‘There’s a lot at stake’
Protesters from as far away as Melbourne and Castlemaine joined landowners at Wallaloo East yesterday against the Victoria New South Wales Interconnector, VNI, West project. About 150 people gathered at the property where Ben Duxson, head of the...
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CLEAN AND CLEAR:
Ally Wake won Wimmera Equestrian Club’s 120-centimetre jump-off class in its second standalone event at Dimboola on Saturday. Competitors from across Victoria and interstate competed in the two-day event, with winners to progress to the Australian...
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‘Back our farmers’
Victorian Farmers’ Federation has launched a campaign titled ‘Help protect Victorian farmland’ as landowners across the state refuse renewable energy company representatives entry to their properties in peaceful standoffs. On Monday, Victoria to New...
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OFFICIAL:
As communities paused to recognise the 11am, November 11 armistice that brought about the end of combat during the First World War in 1918, Horsham secondary school elected leaders for 2026 attended their first official duty. Horsham marked Remembrance...
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Call for fire review
West Wimmera Action Group has called for changes to planned burns and fire management practices in a comprehensive review of the Little Desert National Park fires in January. A 61-page document has been sent to fire authorities Department of Energy,...
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BRACE YOURSELF:
MIXX FM’S second annual Halloween event will petrify, terrify and gratify people of all ages, this year with its haunted house theme of a cursed carnival. With entry by gold coin donation, the circus is open from 5.30pm to 7pm, and from 7.30pm to 9pm...
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‘Keep our doors open’
More than 200 neighbourhood houses across the state might close if Neighbourhood Houses Victoria’s State Government campaign fails to secure a $11.7-million funding increase. An extra 25 per cent of funding is needed to meet the cost of employing...
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Peaceful,passionate protest
Asteady stream of protesters driving farm machinery, trucks and vehicles interrupted work on a water pipeline to the Donald Mineral Sands project near Minyip on Monday. About 80 people – including farmers, townspeople and children – descended on the...
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Whatever it takes
Bentley Clugston’s community is rallying around him and his family following a life-changing medical diagnosis that requires ongoing treatments in Melbourne each week, while his family seeks options to bring treatments regionally. Diagnosed with...
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Foster care shortage
With just 20 foster carers in the Wimmera, Uniting Victas has issued a plea for people to open their homes to children in need. The number of foster carers across the region has reached a critical low, while the number of children and young people...
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Finals fiasco
Awimmera tumultuous week for the Football Netball League has resulted in the resignation of its chairman. Peter ‘Billy’ Ballagh announced on Monday his resignation, effective immediately, following a tough week at league headquarters. The...
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United for a cause
The memory of Horsham’s Charlie Heinrich will be honoured at an ‘Out of the Shadows’ walk next Wednesday, led by his sisters Maggie, Lucy and Ellie. Raising awareness of mental health and money for Lifeline on September 10, World Suicide Prevention...
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RELATABLE:
Horsham College’s production 13 The Musical opens at Horsham Town Hall tomorrow night, with seasoned performers from its student body telling the story of teenagers growing up and fitting in. The family-friendly production will be paired with a foyer...
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Unhappy Rezolution
Vehement opposition to the State Government’s energy plan was on show at a protest meeting at Marnoo on Monday morning. The government’s finalised Victorian Transmission Plan, announced on Sunday, now includes major changes to the Renewables Energy...
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TAKING STOCK:
Balmoral’s Glenelg Regional Merino Field Day saw 71 of the 95 rams offered sold, for an average of $2362 and a top price of $8000. Awards were given to Glenera North for the best group of sale rams, Glenpaen for champion long wool sale ram, and Stud...
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CREEPY AND KOOKY:
The Addams Family: School Edition will be staged by Wimmera Lutheran College students next week, with Zara Nichols, left, as Morticia, Evan Hahn as Gomez, and Rhianna Williams, Wednesday. Williams describes her portrayal of Wednesday as ‘confusing – a...
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CENTRE STAGE:
Rehearsals are in full swing for the annual Wimmera Music Eisteddfod, which will be staged at two Horsham venues on Friday and Saturday. Vocal soloists, ensembles and choirs, strings and a new speech drama section will showcase Horsham and district...
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Trial site concern
Asoil scientist who believes WIM Resource’s Avonbank site at Dooen cannot be rehabilitated to pre-mining productivity will be a guest speaker at a mining and renewables forum in Horsham next week. John Russell, who spent most of his working life at La...
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Pipe dream reality
A$15-million boost for the East Grampians Rural Pipeline forms part of the State Government’s latest drought funding, but not all councils are satisfied with the package. Ararat Rural City Council welcomed the government funding, which will also see...
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Minyip mine angst
Resources Victoria’s approval of a work plan for Astron Corporation’s Donald Rare Earth and Mineral Sands Project marked a significant step in giving the green light to construct one of the world’s largest rare-earth mines, The State Government work...
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TRIBUTE:
Australian music icons Dobe Newton and Roger Corbett of The Bushwackers perform at Horsham Town Hall on Sunday. The concert was organised by North West Grampians Lions Club and raised money for mental health program Grampians Health Rural Outreach...
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HOW CAN YOU: I RESIST
Ararat Regional Theatre Society will present musical Mamma Mia over the next three weekends, starting with opening night on Friday. Featuring ABBA’S timeless hits, high-energy dance numbers and endless laughs, Mamma Mia is the story of Sophie’s quest...
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Rain welcome relief
Agreat sense of relief was felt across the Wimmera and Grampians at the weekend as decent rain put moisture in dry soil. While farmers and leaders have welcomed the rain, they have also warned the region was still in need of drought assistance. The...
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NEW CHAPTER:
Ararat library’s refurbishment was unveiled at a free community open day yesterday, which featured morning tea, activities and giveaways, and showcased the space’s new flooring, mobile shelving, improved signage, soft furniture and public computers....
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Drought help appeal
Hindmarsh and Yarriambiack shire councils will advocate to the State Government to be officially drought-declared. Earlier this month, the State Government pledged an additional $15.9-million in drought support for farmers in 13 extra local government...
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One voice
Representatives from across the Wimmera and Grampians were front and centre at a protest against the State Government’s Emergency Services Volunteers Fund in front of Parliament House in Melbourne yesterday. Thousands of people and 100 Country Fire...
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ANNIVERSARY SHOWCASE:
A cast of 70 is mid-way through its run of Horsham Arts Council’s The Last 10 Years, which features songs from 16 shows including Annie, Rent, Little Shop of Horrors, The Wedding Singer and Rock of Ages. The Last 10 Years is a celebration of the...
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Stawell left smiling
Australia’s oldest and most prestigious footrace, the Stawell Gift, brought thousands of people to the region across the Easter weekend, giving the community more traction in its bushfire recovery. Grampians Tourism chief executive Marc Sleeman said...
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Uni growth plan
Federation University is calling for the major federal political parties to back a $28-million skills investment package in the Wimmera-southern Mallee region. Development of the university’s Wimmera Southern Mallee High Growth Community Partnership...
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PASSIONATE ABOUT POULTRY:
Wimmera duck breeder Andy Flett, with one of his Elizabeth ducks, which he wrote a book about to celebrate 50 years of the breed. Mr Flett is preparing for the Wimmera Poultry Club’s annual auction this weekend. Full story, page 3.
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REFRESHED:
Rupanyup’s silo art has been renewed by street artist Smug, after fading and rusting affected the original work. Julia Volchkova’s 2017 painting depicted sporting identities Ebony Baker and Jordon Weidemann. Smug, who also painted silos at Wirrabara,...
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Council suspends deal
Horsham Rural City Council has suspended its Memorandum of Understanding with mining proponent WIM Resource. Councillors voted at Monday night’s meeting to formally suspend the MOU, subject to further review. Council signed the MOU in July 2022,...
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Mine licence feedback
WIM Resource has applied for a mining licence for its Avonbank project – a mine eight kilometres north-east of Horsham. The Resources Victoria regulator has accepted the application – which marks another step in the statutory process in approving the...
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Relief funds fall short
A$29-million fire recovery funding package, announced by the state and federal governments yesterday, has been met with a mixed reaction. Provided through the jointly-funded Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, more than...
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Weekend showcase
Horsham is set to host its biggest weekend of the year with thousands of people to line the banks of the Wimmera River for The Weekly Advertiser Horsham Fishing Competition on Sunday. With a prize pool of more than $40,000, organisers expect about...
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Political pressure
Dunmunkle Land Protection Group will look to form a political party ahead of next year’s state election, in a bid to stand up for farmers’ opposition to mining projects on agricultural land. DLPG has joined an alliance with Minefree Wimmera Farms and...
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Aligned forces
Mine-free and anti-renewable energy groups across the Wimmera plan to form an alliance to have a stronger presence in promoting agriculture. Mine Free Wimmera Farms, Wimmera Mallee Environmental and Agricultural Protection Association and Dunmunkle...
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Fire risk remains
Both the Grampians and Little Desert fires are contained but firefighters remain on high alert with an increased risk of fire danger in the region today and tomorrow. While declared contained on Sunday, firefighting management consider the fires not...
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Under fire
Member for Lowan Emma Kealy has put the blowtorch on the State Government’s inaction to provide funding support to fire-affected businesses and residents across the region. In Parliament yesterday, Ms Kealy questioned the government on business...
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Remain vigilant
A64,000-hectare fire in Little Desert National Park forced the evacuation of Dimboola, Wail and Pimpinio and destroyed Little Desert Nature Lodge on Monday. The day of extreme fire danger saw high temperatures, winds up to 70 kilometres an hour and...
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Community spirit personified
AHorsham businessman, a Girl Guide and a Mother’s Day event to educate about heart disease will be recognised at Horsham Rural City Council’s Australia Day awards. Gavin Morrow will be awarded the council’s 2025 Citizen of the Year Award in...
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Pipeline delay angers
The Grampians fire and last year’s dry season has placed even greater emphasis on the need for secure water from the East Grampians Rural Pipeline. There is a growing unrest from farmers across the Ararat municipality regarding the delay in completing...
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Calling for support
Acollective sense of relief was felt across the Grampians region on Monday after a decent drop of rain resulted in a 21-day long bushfire being contained. The bushfire, which began on December 17 after dry lightning started multiple fires in the...
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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
The Weekly Advertiser and radio stations 3WM and MIXX FM wish our valued readers and listeners across the Wimmera, Mallee, Grampians and Western District a very happy and safe Christmas. The next edition of The Weekly Advertiser, after a Christmas and...
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A win for WIM
WIM Resource’s Avonbank mineral sands project at Dooen has hit a major milestone in the approval process with the State Government yesterday signing off on its Environment Effects Statement. Planning Minister Sonia Kilkenny announced she had approved...
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Enforcing a safe summer
Public safety, liquor licensing compliance and road safety will be the focus of Victoria Police’s Operation AURA. Police will work alongside entertainment venue operators and licensees in a bid to keep the community safe across summer. The operation,...
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Consultation plea
Horsham Rural City Council will lobby the State Government for a three-month extension of community consultation for the Dyurrite Cultural Landscape draft management plan. At Monday night’s council meeting, the newly sworn-in council moved a motion to...
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Approval confusion
Confusion reigned last week as Dooen landowners were told the State Government had approved Avonbank mineral sands mine. Landowners received calls from WIM Resource, who wants to mine agricultural land 15 kilometres north of Horsham for mineral ore,...
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Rallying for Natimuk
Natimuk residents have vowed to continue fighting Parks Victoria’s plan to ban a majority of rock climbing at Mount Arapiles. The small community turned out in force on Wednesday evening to oppose the changes to the Dyurrite Cultural Landscape draft...
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Climbing curtailed
Changes to the Dyurrite Cultural Landscape draft management plan will ‘severely curtail climbing’ at Natimuk’s Mount Arapiles-tooan State Park, Climbing Victoria says. The updated draft management plan is now available for public consultation until...
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Planning for growth
Aplan to develop community and support early education in Horsham’s south is at the core of West Vic Business’ latest project. The planned Haven development was also the focus of a town strategy masterclass program. West Vic Business ambassador...
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Crops hit hard
Severe hail and rain across parts of western Victoria last week were a further blow in an already tough season for the region’s farmers. A drier than normal season, plus frost damage, were already affecting farmers’ decisions around their...
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Farmland under attack
Wimmera-mallee farmers are under increasing pressure from energy organisations who want to build infrastructure on their land. Renewable energy companies, such as wind farms, along with Transmission Company Victoria’s VNI West transmission line...
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Candidates quizzed
Expenditure on projects, traffic matters, youth advocacy and attendance at council meetings were hot topics at a forum for Horsham council candidates on Monday night. The public had a chance to hear directly from 14 of the 15 candidates at the forum,...
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Berry special win
Former Wimmera footballer Jarrod Berry has added an AFL premiership medal to his trophy cabinet after his Brisbane Lions overcame the Sydney Swans in Saturday’s grand final. Berry played a key role in the game, registering 20 disposals, a goal and a...
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Social housing boost
Social housing in Horsham has increased with the official opening of a $10-million project featuring 25 new, tenant-ready modular homes. Designed and constructed by build group ARKIT in Sunshine and transported to Horsham, the 22 two-bedroom and three...
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A SPLASH OF COLOUR:
Wimmera Spas and Pools owner Melissa Watts is among Horsham traders decorating shop window displays with purple for the launch of this year’s Relay for Life cancer fundraiser. The relay, at Horsham’s Coughlin Park on October 18, is an overnight event...
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Club set to tee off
Horsham Golf Club is working on a concept plan to incorporate a lifestyle living housing development, solar farm, and adventure golf course. The golf club’s vision is to incorporate its plans to align with a private hotel and accommodation development...
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Search for new CEO
Horsham Rural City Council is on the hunt for a new chief executive after Sunil Bhalla resigned. A statement released by the council yesterday morning said Mr Bhalla and council had ‘mutually agreed to part ways’. Councillors had a special meeting at...
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Pressure mounts
Pressure continues to build on Horsham Rural City Council after more than 60 people attended Monday evening’s ordinary meeting seeking answers. Security was present at council chambers as mineral sands opponents, business contractors, farmers, council...
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