Established in 1981 as the
proudly serving Melton and Moorabool
10 FEBRUARY, 2026
Melton roll up your sleeves Donars are being invited to roll up their sleeves and give blood as Lifeblood hosts a blood donation popup in Melton this month. Lifeblood spokesperson Aania Tandon encouraged locals to book in now if they are feeling healthy and well. “A blood donation is a selfless gift that can not only save lives but can improve the quality of lives and give people more precious time with their loved ones,” she said. Ms Tandon said there are many people who can benefit from blood donations, including cancer patients, women giving birth, and trauma victims. The blood donation appointment takes only one hour, with the donation itself only lasting up to 10 minutes. “It’s very important donors have had enough to eat and drink the day before and day of their donation,” she said. “When you are well hydrated, your blood volume is higher which leads to a smoother donation, and it helps your body recover quickly.” Details: www.lifeblood.com.au/ donor-centre/vic/melton-pop-up-donorcentre Lifeblood champion Renee Warner, with session leader Yvette Youl, and registered nurse Cassandra Neal. (Damjan Janevski) 532439_01
Charging up tourism By Jack O’shea-Ayres
our traders and stimulating employment opportunities.” The motion was brought forward amid strong growth in EV ownership across Victoria and Australia. In the first half of 2025, electric vehicles reportedly accounted for more than 12 per cent of all new car sales nationwide, up from 9.6 per cent in the same period the previous year, with June recording a peak market share of almost 16 per cent, according to the Electric Vehicle Council (EVC). “This trend is only going to increase, especially with government incentives and
a greater awareness of climate change,” Cr Keogh said. More than 350,000 Australians are now driving EVs, while Victoria alone had just over 50,000 registered electric vehicles as of mid-2024, according to the EVC. Despite evidence supporting the need for electric charging stations across the municipality, Cr Paul Tatchell criticised the idea on the basis the shire did not have enough power to support them. “The reality is, in all seriousness, we don’t have enough power,” Cr Tatchell said. Continued: Page 9.
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Moorabool’s electric revheads may soon have more options on where to charge their cars across the shire. Moorabool council moved on implementing plans to investigate the feasibility, costs, delivery models and potential partnerships for installing electric vehicle charging stations in locations across the municipality at its 4 February meeting. The plans were brought forward by Cr John Keogh, who said the charging stations would increase the shire’s rate of visitors.
“Presently, with no EV stations located between Ballarat and Melton, we are missing an opportunity to increase our daily visitor numbers uptake,” he said. Cr Keogh said installing or encouraging charging infrastructure within walking distance of the Bacchus Marsh and Ballan shopping precincts could support tourism, boost local spending and improve regional connectivity. “If EV stations were located within easy walking distance of our Ballan and Bacchus Marsh shopping precincts, we would encourage visitors to recharge, explore and spend locally, benefitting
Helloworld Travel Bacchus Marsh