Established in 1981 as the
proudly serving Melton and Moorabool
17 JUNE, 2025
Celebrating creativity
Wombat Regional Arts Network’s Tracey Taylor, Miranda Williamson and Lou Callow at the Ballan Arts Space. (Damjan Janevski) 483578_01
Wombat Regional Arts Network is set to recognise its 25th anniversary later this year with an evening of storytelling and celebration. At the celebratory event on Saturday, October 18, members of the art network will share its history with the wider community through storytelling and displays of photos and memorabilia acknowledging the individuals and groups involved. Founding member and artist Lou Callow said that long before the group was formed, there was and “continues to be support for engagement in, and evidence that the arts are integral to the character of our community”. “We believe that not only is it important to acknowledge our achievements over 25 years, but to also acknowledge all of those who have supported and worked alongside us, for the benefit of the community,” Callow said. “There are so many stories to share, some hilarious, mischievous, educational, and inspiring – contrasted with stories of loss and sadness … [reflecting] who we are and what we have achieved as an arts group.”
Budget wishlist An in-house bush crew, electric vehicle chargers, and football oval redevelopment were some of the nine submissions received by Moorabool council as part of its draft budget process. At a council meeting on June 11, councillors considered nine written submissions from individuals and community groups across Moorabool. Wallace Recreation Reserve committee of management member Jacob White submitted a business case for $709,060 towards oval redevelopment as the highest priority in the reserve’s master plan. He said the oval deteriorates rapidly in wet weather, resulting in clubs cancelling
and relocating training sessions. “The poor condition of the oval is well-known amongst the players and supporters of all clubs within the Central Highlands Football League, and as a consequence, it is now impacting the club’s ability to both recruit and retain players, and to establish a senior women’s team,” he said. A submission from Moorabool resident Tanner Hill called for council to consider the development of an in-house bush crew that could assist with continuous land maintenance and improvement, feral species control, and increase community engagement through initiatives like planting days. A Darley Neighbourhood House
spokesperson wrote to request a review of annual funding for the organisation, citing a rise in costs and rates with an increase in demand for its support services leading to funding not keeping pace with operational needs. Two written submissions called for inclusion of funding for electric vehicle chargers. A Bacchus Marsh BMX Club spokesperson wrote in support of council’s inclusion of funding for concreting the berms at the club’s track. Balliang East resident Chris Sharkey objected to the draft budget’s proposed average rate increase of 3 per cent, and spoke in-person at the June 11 council meeting. “Rates, for us, is one of the three biggest
expenses that we have now in our business and growing … for primary producers in the shire now, it is extremely expensive in rates,” Mr Sharkey said. “We’re less than one per cent of the community, we feel that this has been going on for years, and we have not been listened to – and we’ve had enough. It’s beyond a joke.” As reported by Star Weekly, at the May 14 council meeting, some councillors also spoke against a three per cent average rate increase. Cr Tom Sullivan said that a zero rate increase “at this time would be the appropriate response,” and Cr Ally Munari expressed concern about a rate rise when also considering the cost-of-living crisis and the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF).
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