The Weekly Advertiser – Wednesday, August 20, 2025

Unhappy REZolution

BY LAUREN HENRY

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 Zones, REZ – areas where the government wants to build wind, solar and battery projects – with the Wimmera Southern Mallee zone more than doubling its footprint, and an area south of Harrow and Balmoral added to the South West REZ.

The draft plan had previously outlined nine REZ – including two offshore – with the Wimmera Southern Mallee REZ located on the Henty Highway, north of Horsham and the other Grampians Wimmera zone across the Northern Grampians Shire, north of Stawell.

But the finalised plan now includes both the Wimmera Southern Mallee REZ and Grampians Wimmera REZ as two sections in a Western REZ.

The meeting was originally intended as a community conversation with Member for Mallee Anne Webster and Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie, also the federal shadow minister for infrastructure, transport and regional development, but developed into a protest at Marnoo Recreation Reserve, with farmers bringing their tractors, trucks, abundance of signs to outline their views, and even a couple of dogs.

Northern Grampians Cr Murray Emerson was also at the meeting – last month the council made a submission to formally oppose the REZ being placed in their shire.

The Marnoo and surrounding communities have long been fighting against the Victoria to New South Wales Interconnector, VNI, West project, which proposes a high-capacity double-circuit overhead transmission line that will cut across agricultural land, forming a conduit between the Western Renewables Link, WRL, pro-

ject at Bulgana, east of Stawell, to New South Wales.

But the VNI West project was just one of the projects opposed at the meeting, with opponents of various renewable energy projects as well as the government’s planned REZs.

Kanya farmer Marcia McIntyre said it was typical of the government to say ‘how much they had listened and how transparent’ their process was – but communities knew the truth.

“Our community was determined not to be a REZ from the very beginning – we went to every meeting. We did hundreds of submissions,” she said.

“We created our own mapping, which we were all involved in, and we added every person’s land to the map that was opposed.

“The land that’s in the red there, they do not want, they will not host any turbines, solar panels, batteries and

“ We need to make sure we do make this about the economy,” he said.

“Our fight is definitely not against the city people. Our fight is with the Labor governments at the moment, and their out-of-control way. They want to bulldoze and railroad us out here in the bush.

“Our farms aren’t for sale. The gates are locked.

“Get behind the people who are out there fighting for your land, fighting for your community to stay as it is –because we love our communities out here.”

Ms McKenzie encouraged the farmers to ‘stay strong against a government that doesn’t respect them’.

transmission lines. It’s now 600,000 hectares and growing.”

Ms McIntyre said claims that people would save $20 on their energy bills a year were not correct.

“Everybody knows our bills are going up and they’re going to continue to go up. There’s no real evidence to support any reduction in bills – in fact, it’s the opposite. This really needs to be called out,” she said.

“You would also think that avoiding prime agricultural land and areas with high biodiversity values would be a priority, but no, they put some of the best agricultural land in the state and they smashed it right up beside Kara Kara National Park, which includes a number of conservation reserves that are internationally recognised key biodiversity areas.

“ It’s insane to think that putting a zone in this area is ever going to be successful.

“We just want to farm and grow food and fibre for Australia and the world.”

Ms McIntyre said property owners in REZ areas faced land devaluation, disruption to community cohesion, a loss of community members, and increased fire risk and difficulty fighting fires.

“There’s the inability of people to live in their own homes,” she said.

“There’s contamination of soil and waterways with chemicals, continuous construction and road issues, noise, dust, worker camps, loss of birds, bats, and biodiversity.

“There’s a long term cost to the shire, which we will all pay for via our rates. We will be fighting these renewable projects forever.”

Wallaloo and Gre Gre District Alliance chair and farmer Ben Duxson said  it was a ‘government-induced energy crisis’ that was forcing the changes.

“Community after community have to stand up and say no to these projects being built because it has significant environmental, social and economic impact,” she said.

“These projects are impacting the mental health and social cohesion of these communities, trashing the environment – some very significant environmental sites are going to be impacted by the rollout of these projects.”

Dr Webster, shadow minister for regional development, local government, territories and regional communications, said she, Ms McKenzie and the Nationals supported the farmers.

“We do not need Mallee turned into an industrial wasteland,” she said.

“VNI West, WRL and the REZ are being driven by an ideology from Energy Minister Chris Bowen and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, which forces the states to fall into line with federal renewable energy targets.

“These projects are being supported from federal coffers.”

The plan outlines that expanding renewable power generation will cost $7.9-billion, but its modelling claims that Victorian energy bills could be $20 less for households and $50 lower for small businesses each year.

Continued page 3

Drawn12noon Friday,September 5, 2025

HRCC NEWS

Subsidised cat desexing program

Thanks to support from the Victorian State Government Animal Welfare Grants Program, Horsham Rural City Council is pleased to offer subsidised cat desexing to eligible residents.

The out-of-pocket cost for the owner after the subsidy will be just $45 per cat. This subsidy can be claimed on up to two cats per household, and the program will run until spots are depleted.

This offer is available to Horsham residents who have a government issued concession card. This includes health care card holders and pension/concession card holders.

People wishing to benefit from this program must provide proof of Horsham residency, such as a driver’s license, utility bill or concession card with accurate address.

Why should you get your cat desexed?

There a wide range of benefits to desexing your cat. A desexed cat is less prone to running away, less likely to fight other cats and less likely to spray around the house.

Desexed cats are also less prone to certain cancers.

Apart from health benefits, preventing unwanted litters will keep from unnecessarily burdening pounds and rescue groups.

Owners of desexed cats also receive a discount in registration fees.

To book into the program you can:

• Scan the QR code, or

• Call or visit Horsham Library for assistance with booking; 5382 5707.

Farm Drought Support Grants

If you're a farmer dealing with the challenges of drought, the Victorian Government's Farm Drought Support Grants could help.

With up to $5,000 (ex GST) available, these grants can support essential on-farm improvements, such as water infrastructure, storage facilities, stock containment, and even new options like water carting and pasture re-establishment.

It's a great opportunity to make your farm more resilient—don't miss out! Find out if you are eligible by scanning the QR code.

Know what's happening at HRCC. Subscribe to our weekly email newsletter.

Nearly

a

year

on,

Bradbury Lane reopens

After nearly a year of closure following the devastating fire in October 2024 that destroyed the Farmhouse Providore and Café and severely damaged Exquisit, Bradbury Lane has officially reopened to the public.

The laneway, which links the Bradbury carpark to Firebrace Street, had remained closed despite nearby businesses resuming operations, due to ongoing cleanup efforts and safety concerns.

New, safer speed limit on Wilson Street

To improve safety, the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) is reducing the speed limit to 40km/h on Wilson Street (Wimmera Highway) in Horsham’s central business district, effective from 11 August 2025.

This change will apply to the section of Wilson Street between Urquhart Street and Gardenia Street, which was previously set at 50km/h.

Council supports this change by DTP as part of efforts to improve safety in this busy area which is a key route for both local and freight traffic as well as significant pedestrian and vehicle movement.

Wimmera MEMPC seeking new Committee member

The Wimmera Municipal Emergency Management Planning Committee (MEMPC) is seeking expressions of interest from community members in the Horsham Rural City who would like to join the committee.

The MEMPC is seeking to appoint one representative who would ideally have an understanding of the Victorian emergency management arrangements and can effectively represent the Horsham Rural City community. The position is voluntary and you must be available to attend at least four meetings annually. Meetings are rotated across the Hindmarsh, Horsham, West Wimmera and Yarriambiack municipalities.

Expressions of interest should include a one-page statement outlining your interest in the position and the attributes you would bring to the role based on the selection criteria in the position description.

For further information and a copy of the position description, please contact Coordinator Wimmera Emergency Management Team at wemt@hrcc.vic.gov.au or phone 03 5382 9777.

Expressions of interest close on Friday 22 August 2025 and should be forwarded to John Martin, Municipal Emergency Management Officer at council@hrcc.vic.gov.au or PO Box 511, Horsham 3402.

Next Council Meeting: Monday, August 26, 2025 - 5.30pm Horsham Rural City Council: 18 Roberts Avenue Horsham | Postal

Email: council@hrcc.vic.gov.au | Web: www.hrcc.vic.gov.au

Q02-2026

ALBERT STREET, BOWDEN STREET AND RAILWAY AVENUE SPEED TREATMENTS

Closes Wednesday 20 August

26-005

OCALLAGHANS PARADE UPGRADE - FIREBRACE STREET TO HOCKING STREET HORSHAM

Closes Tuesday 5 September

Wimmera Libraries is here for the community — and we are keen to know what you think about your local 'community living room'.

This survey is your chance to share what you love about your library, what could be improved, and where you would like us to focus our attention next. Whether you visit often, occasionally, interact with us online, or from home, your input helps us grow and evolve.

The survey takes only a few minutes, and invites your feedback on everything from our programs and collections to our spaces and services. It’s an important part of making sure we stay responsive, inclusive, and community-led.

Have your say by completing the survey before Monday 25 August.

ROAD MANAGEMENT PLAN REVIEW

The Road Management Plan is a document that describes the responsibilities for road management, including those of Council, landowners and a range of utilities.

For Council, it also identifies the thresholds at which a defect in the road or its surrounds triggers a maintenance response, and the timeframe for those responses.

The Road Management Plan establishes the minimum maintenance standards Council aims to achieve in relation to its road network (rural and urban). This includes aspects like:

• The frequency of inspection of different classes of roads and footpaths

• The size of defects at which an intervention is triggered

• The response time for different types of defects.

You can have your say by submitting an online feedback form, emailing your feedback to council@hrcc.vic.gov.au or posting your feedback to Horsham Rural City Council, PO Box 511, Horsham VIC 3402 before Wednesday 17 September.

For details visit the Engage Horsham section of HRCC's website

‘Outrage’ over footprint expansion

BY LAUREN HENRY

Yarriambiack Shire Council is ‘outraged’ by the expansion in footprint of the Renewable Energy Zone in its shire outlined in the Victorian Transmission Plan.

Mayor Kylie Zanker said there was no clear picture regarding the gigawatt capacity of what was now being called the western section of the Western REZ.

Cr Zanker said while it was important to emphasise Yarriambiack council did not oppose renewable energy, as outlined in its position statement, it and the community felt ‘completely blindsided’ by the changes to the plan.

“In meetings with Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio and VicGrid, assurances were provided regarding the development of the draft VTP, which we were advised, followed comprehensive capacity assessments and identification of specific energy requirements,” she said.

“When released, it was noted the draft had a smaller footprint and reduced megawatt capacity compared to current proposals for the shire.”

The Curyo Windfarm and Wilkur Energy Park were located outside the boundaries of the initial REZ.

The Curyo Windfarm, expected to generate up to 1000MW; Wilkur Energy Park, up to 776MW; Campbells Bridge, up to 1000MW; and Warracknabeal Energy Park, up to 1650MW; are proposed developments that will affect Yarriambiack Shire – and the megawatts expected from the projects far exceed the draft plan’s target additional 320-480MW of wind generation in each REZ.

“VicGrid and the government were fully aware of the projects planned across our shire and their capacity when the draft plan was released,” Cr Zanker said.

“Our assessment indicated the draft plan was developed with capacity demands in mind. We were confident the extent of prospecting within our shire substantially surpassed anticipated needs, acknowledging that certain planned projects might ultimately not proceed.

“As a council, we have noted the significant anxiety and concern these proposed projects have generated within our community.

“As a council we have taken the high ground, been respectful, we have reached out and consulted and tried to get the government to understand the impact that both mining and renewable energy is having on our shire – our respectful engagement has got us nowhere.”

“Our respectful engagement has got us nowhere”

– Kylie Zanker, right

Cr Zanker said she felt ‘broken and extremely disheartened’, and sympathised with her fellow councillors who have also consoled many residents, believing the region was oversubscribed with prospectors, which was reflected in the draft plan.

“As councillors, we are angered, outraged and blindsided by this significant change – we want to know, how did VicGrid get it so wrong?,” she said.

“Why did they consult, release a map then change it up so significantly. Why do they pretend to care what we think when their actions clearly show the opposite?

“This government is about taking from our communities and giving nothing in return.”

Cr Zanker questioned where the government funding was to support such large-scale changes and where was the ‘supposed community benefit’.

“Our local government funding is reduced, our buildings and roads are deteriorating, we have no funds to build further connecting infrastructure to support our ageing residents, our housing stock is decimated, and the government has put nothing on the table to bring our community on a journey,” she said.

“The government gave us a false sense of security and then threw us a hand grenade. We are the people on the ground, having to pick up the pieces of a broken community.

“We deserve better, our rural communities are the backbone of this state, and this is how we are repaid.”

Buloke Shire Council also expressed ‘deep disappointment’ with the government’s handling of a major expansion to REZ’s footprint, which now pushes significantly into Buloke communities.

“When change of this scale is introduced with little-to-no warning, it doesn’t just raise concerns, it has significant impacts on our community,”

Buloke Mayor Alan Getley said.

“Council objects to VNI West in its current form, we remain firmly aligned with our community and have called on the State Government to engage genuinely and constructively with our community and council.

“This announcement from VicGrid further diminishes trust in the state from our community.

“It’s one thing to shift the goalposts, but this feels like moving the entire

field, handing the rulebook to one team – renewable energy companies – and leaving the other team, our community, in the dark.”

Cr Getley said the council acknowledged some landholders had chosen to participate in renewable energy projects, and encouraged everyone to share their views respectfully.

VicGrid’s view

VicGrid chief executive Alistair Parker said VicGrid had ‘carefully considered all the feedback it received from communities, regional stakeholders, traditional owners and the agriculture and energy industries’ in preparing the plan.

Mr Parker said the plan would ensure an ‘orderly energy transition and has been designed through consultation to minimise impacts on landholders, regional communities and crucial regional industries like agriculture’.

“VicGrid has worked hard to balance a range of factors as we make difficult decisions about where energy infrastructure is needed to deliver reliable, affordable power to Victorian homes, businesses and industry,” he said.

Mr Parker said in response to feedback following the release of the draft plan in May, VicGrid had adjusted the size and shape of renewable energy zones and refined some of its transmission projects.

Some areas have been removed from or added to zones, and new separate sections have been added in the South West REZ and Central North REZ.

Mr Parker said the Wimmera Mallee REZ had been ‘expanded to allow for an increased number of projects currently in development’.

He said there had been ‘clear feedback from industry stakeholders about the size of zones’.

“Industry stakeholders consistently told us the size of zones and the amount of energy generated from each

zone needed to be at a level that enabled the development of technically and commercially viable renewable projects,” he said.

The area covered by proposed REZs takes up about 7.9 per cent of Victorian land, with less than one per cent of land needed to host physical infrastructure like wind turbines, solar panels and access roads.

People living within REZs will have an opportunity to provide further feedback and seek more information through another six-week consultation process to formally declare renewable energy zones.

WestWind Energy has two projects in the Western REZ – Warracknabeal Energy Park and Wilkur Energy Park. Managing director Tobi Geiger welcomed VicGrid’s announcement following ‘months, if not years, of meaningful engagement and considering feedback from many stakeholders’.

“The VTP is an important step towards ensuring that Renewable Energy Zones and upgrades to the electricity transmission network are adequate to host new renewable energy generation,” he said.

“The Wimmera and Mallee are areas of outstanding renewable energy resources – both solar and wind – and for that reason they have become a focus area for us.

“The establishment of the Western Renewable Energy Zone confirms our thinking and has the potential to become one of six green energy powerhouses in Victoria for generations to come. The Western REZ will contribute significantly to meeting Victoria’s – and Australia’s – renewable energy targets and will also bring billions

of dollars in investment, including shared benefits to these important regions.

“The west and north-west of Victoria can play a critical role in addressing climate change and securing Victoria’s future energy needs with minimal impacts to biodiversity and existing land uses such as agriculture.”

Member for Lowan Emma Kealy said the government’s continued contempt for regional Victorians had hit a new low, with the unexpected expansion of REZs, and Labor’s continued railroading of communities in its rush towards renewables was ‘disgraceful’.

“Our communities had no idea this was coming, and those whose properties are now within the expanded zones have not been consulted,” she said.

“These are not small changes, but significant shifts that push renewable energy zones into entirely new communities, without any thought given to the people who live there and whose livelihoods are inherently tied to this land.

“The government expects our region to do the heavy lifting for the state by hosting more renewables, but continues to treat us with contempt and gives us nothing in return.

“Instead, we’re left with more potholes and crumbling roads, less housing options, and fewer health services.”

For more information on the plan and consultation webinars, which begin today, Wednesday, people can visit www.energy.vic.gov.au/renewableenergy/vicgrid/the-victoriantransmission-plan.

Unhappy REZolution

From page 1

Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio said the new plan was ‘making sure the right infrastructure is built in the right place at the right time to deliver a reliable and cheap renewable energy source into the future.

“Our focus is on delivering cheaper power bills for Victorian families – helping to cut the cost of living and put more money back in the pockets of Victorian families,” she said.

Ms D’Ambrosio said more than 42 per cent of the state’s electricity was produced by renewable energy over the past financial year – exceeding Victoria’s legislated renewable energy target of 40 per cent

and putting it well on the way to meeting the next target of 65 per cent renewable energy generation by 2030 and 95 per cent by 2035.

Victoria hosts more than 90 largescale renewable energy projects, and there are more than 50 gigawatts of proposed or committed renewable energy projects on their way.

VicGrid, the State Government body in charge of co-ordinating the planning and development of Victoria’s Renewable Energy Zones and transmission infrastructure to support the transition to renewable energy, set out the draft plan in May, and was met with strong opposition in the Wimmera during community consultation.

Change to speed limits

BY BRONWYN HASTINGS

Speed limits have been reduced at Horsham and Haven in the past week, in a bid to increase safety for pedestrians and road-users.

Horsham’s Wilson Street, which extends from McPherson Street to Gardenia Street, has decreased from 50-kilometres-per-hour to 40kph, while its continuation as Natimuk Road remains 60kph.

A Department of Transport and Planning spokesperson said several factors were considered when speed limits were changed.

“We take a number of factors into consideration when making speed limit changes, including the number and type of vehicles using the road, as well as the historical safety record of the road,” they said.

“Speed limits are subject to a rigorous review process and are considered on a case-by-case basis.”

Speed limits are set by teams of road safety specialists who review speed limits against speed zoning policy and speed zoning technical guidelines.

The spokesperson said the action had been taken to increase safety due to significant pedestrian activity in the area.

“We’re lowering the speed limit on Wilson Street to keep pedestrians and drivers safe,” they said.

“By making sure the speed limit is right for the road, we can help prevent crashes from happening and reduce the severity when they do happen.

“We advise drivers to observe speed limits in place and to always drive to the conditions.”

Horsham Rural City Mayor Ian Ross said council supported the decision for Wilson Street, which was a key route for local and freight traffic.

“Horsham’s Town Hall is an example of one of the key sites that fronts Wilson Street,” he said.

“This speed limit reduction will make it safer for patrons attending events at that venue.

“Reducing the speed limit brings it in line with the surrounding 40kph central business district zones and will give drivers more time to react in emergencies, helping to prevent accidents and reduce the severity of those that may occur.”

Haven’s Hamilton Road 70kph zone has been extended south, and McPherson Street’s 60kph zone towards Baillie Street has been reduced to 50kph.

Further details of speed limits in Victoria can be found at the DTP website.

Club prepares for annual competition

Horsham’s annual calisthenics competition has expanded by a day, accommodating an influx of new entries.

About 400 entrants, arriving with families, coaches and supporters, will compete in team and solo competitions across four days, starting tomorrow.

Combining elements of gymnastics, ballet, dance, singing, marching and apparatus work, Horsham Calisthenics College sub-juniors coach Lauren Dempsey said the sport was becoming more popular.

Ms Dempsey said competitors from the age of three to 30 and above gain a range of skills at the college.

“It’s a sport where people learn technical skills by using apparatus like clubs and rods, as well as marching and dancing,” she said.

calisthenics as accessible as possible for everyone,” Ms Dempsey said.

“People can come along on the day and buy a ticket to watch family and friends, or just to see what it’s all about.

“People also learn a lot of other skills, from discipline, to balance, coordination, teamwork and confidence.

“This year the competition is four days – normally we go three, but we’ve had so many entries this year we’ve had to extend it,” she said.

“Calisthenics is growing, and having a competition in a regional area where it’s accessible for a lot of other regional clubs, even interstate as well, is great.”

“We get so much confidence just from being on stage.

“It’s a really great vibe backstage, and everyone gets along and has a good time.”

Participants and their families volunteer to help in the running of the event, which raises money for the college.

“We have all hands on deck volunteering and helping out, which helps to keep fees down for the girls and costs down for families, so we can make

“Later on in the year, around October, we’ll have some come-and-try classes where people can try a couple of classes for free, and if they like it, begin next year in a new season.”

The competition’s schedule includes graceful and calisthenic solos, and team events, from 2pm tomorrow until late Sunday afternoon.

People can find competition information and tickets on Horsham Town Hall’s website. Prospective participants can find information on the college’s Facebook page.

– Bronwyn Hastings

Cold case arrest

Aman already in custody was arrested in Ararat on Thursday for the murder of a woman in St Kilda more than 30 years ago.

Homicide Squad detectives charged the man, 67, in relation to the death of Samantha Mizzi, who died following a fatal assault on March 29, 1994.

The man was already in custody for other matters.

He has been charged with murder and two counts of rape.

The man, bald with a long grey beard and wearing a fire rescue t-shirt, appeared at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Thursday afternoon for a short hearing, and will next face court on December 18 for a committal mention.

He is understood to have previously been convicted of several sex offences and was labelled ‘a serious danger to the community’ by a judge in 1998 for molesting and abducting a 10-yearold girl.

A November 2023 suppression order prohibiting his identification is still in effect in the County Court, preventing the man being named in media reports.

The body of the 24-year-old Castlemaine mother-of-two was located by a passerby in bushes at the rear of a property on Brighton Road about 11pm that night.

Ms Mizzi was unresponsive and taken to hospital but died the following morning.

Police have been investigating

the case for more than 30 years and earlier in 2025 issued a plea for more information on Ms Mizzi’s death.

Police will allege Ms Mizzi was severely beaten with an object and sexually abused before being stripped and left to die.

Her belongings were stolen and the weapon used in her alleged murder was never found.

She had travelled to St Kilda the previous day in a bid to earn money to support her children, who were at home being cared for by a friend.

Detective Inspector Dean Thomas, of the homicide squad, said the arrest and charges highlighted that detectives remained committed to holding people involved in violent crimes to account, no matter how many years later.

“It also shows that progress can be made on cases, even after decades have passed, and that we can begin the process of providing families with long-need-

ed answers,” he said. “If there are people out there who have information about a crime such as this, no matter how many years have passed, I can assure you that it’s never too late to come forward.

“Any piece of information will be assessed thoroughly by police in the hope it can provide new avenues of enquiry for an investigation.”

Ms Mizzi’s daughter and son sat in the front row of the courtroom during Thursday’s court hearing.

Outside court, Steven and Tanille said they were relieved someone had finally been charged over their mother’s death.

“We’re very grateful this person’s in custody and we’re going to take some time as a family to process everything,” Steven said.

“We’ve got a long journey ahead. No one’s safe from a crime of this nature.”

Tanille said they were still processing that someone had been charged.

“It sends a very powerful message, if someone can be convicted after 31 years. It’s a big deterrence,” she said.

The investigation into the murder remains ongoing – anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crime stoppersvic.com.au.

– With AAP

Stepping up to stamp out crime

A decrease of shop theft incidents and positive response to increased police presence in Horsham’s shopping precinct will see the extension of Horsham police’s targeted threemonth foot-patrol operation.

Operation Ridgeback concluded this month, however Sergeant Tianne Harris said the tasking would continue as an ongoing priority.

“The original aim was to deter shop theft and provide a visible reassurance to both customers and staff – police conducted extra foot patrols of Horsham’s central business district retailers, and engaged with the community in a really positive way,” she said.

“We have had some great feedback and results, with shop theft incidents decreasing over the three-month period.

“Retailers and customers responded positively to the increased police presence, and our members also appreciated the opportunity to be more active in the community.”

Horsham Senior Constable Ben Taggart said he and colleague Senior Constable Lauren Barton were among members regularly tasked to foot patrol during the operation.

“We patrolled during extended business

hours to include places like Bunnings and the supermarkets, and as part of that we spoke to managers, who appreciated us touching base with them,” he said.

“We have caught a few offenders and I’m sure we’ve prevented some issues as well.”

Senior Constable Barton said foot patrols gave different opportunities to driven patrols.

“It is good to go out and do foot patrols instead of being in the car – it’s good to get out on the street and see people,” she said.

“We’re happy to help people out if they have any concerns or wish to report anything.”

Senior Constable Taggart said offending by youth was topical within the community.

“That’s another good thing about us getting out there, is that we can deter some of that as well,” he said.

“We’re here to help everyone – we’re not scary – so feel free to come and have a chat when you see us.

“We’re also happy to stop and speak to everyone who wants to have a chat or have a photo taken with us – I’ve got no qualms with that.”

RENTAL PROVIDERS:

Date: Friday 12 September 2025 Time: 9.30 am - 1 pm (lunch

Location: Horsham Golf Club (or option to join online) Register: gwmwater.org.au/stakeholderworkshop

Securing the future

The Victorian Farmers Federation, VFF, has called for swift action to fund and complete key water infrastructure projects including the East Grampians Rural Pipeline project, needed to secure the future of critical water supplies for rural communities and agricultural industries.

The VFF listed five projects across Victoria that need state or federal government funding.

The East Grampians Rural Pipeline is in need of further government funding after a cost blowout, which saw the project scaled back before extra funding was made available through the State Government’s drought response package.

In July, the government announced a further $15-million for the East Grampians Rural Pipeline, with GWMWater to contribute another $15.6-million to the project.

GWMWater has applied for federal funding through the National Water Grid Authority.

The VFF has backed the appeal to the Federal Government to release further funding for the project, which would ‘safeguard water access for drought-prone communities’.

VFF president Brett Hosking said the opportunities for farmers, rural communities and the environment from reliable, piped water supplies had been highlighted during the current drought.

Mr Hosking said the challenge for government was to see the benefits expanded across all water supply regions to ensure communities were better prepared for future droughts.

“A reliable water supply is absolutely critical for farmers and when the tap runs dry, it’s diabolical,” he said.

“We’ve seen that in recent times and it brings farmers and the industry to its knees.

“Reliable pipeline infrastructure is essential for drought preparedness, providing consistent and efficient access to water when natural supplies run low.”

Smart investment

Mr Hosking said the water projects were a smart investment that government could immediately commit to.

“It’s about using one of our most precious resources, water, in a way that ensures food security alongside greater community and environmental outcomes as we face an increasingly uncertain climate future,” he said.

“We don’t know when this drought will break, but we do know there will be more to come and securing our water future through a network of key water projects is critical for drought preparedness.”

Mr Hosking said the proven success of the Wimmera-Mallee Pipeline should be seen as a blueprint for the future.

“The Wimmera-Mallee Pipeline shows what is possible when governments invest in modern water infrastructure,” he said.

“It’s resulted in enormous benefits, including increased crop yields, improved water security, better firefighting capacity, and reassurance in knowledge their livestock and farms have year-round access to safe water.”

The other projects listed by the VFF were the Balliang Western Irrigation Network; the Pyrenees Pipeline project; the Coleraine to Casterton Pipeline; and Heytesbury District Pipeline Strategy.

“These projects are planned and ready to go. In some instances, we have construction crews at the ready just waiting for final funding,” Mr Hosking said.

“Without reliable water supply, Victoria’s farmers and communities remain vulnerable to running dry.

“Investing in these pipelines is helping to future-proof our industry.”

GWMWater managing director Mark Williams said he was pleased with how construction of the pipeline was tracking, with 330 kilometres of pipeline installed so far, using a mix of trenching and horizontal drilling.

GWMWater contractors have also completed 185 water meter connections.

“For many of these farms, that connection is a game-changer – supporting day-to-day operations and improving quality of life in the east Wimmera and Grampians region,” he said.

“To help us reach even more properties, we’ve submitted a funding application to the National Water Grid Authority, requesting a $30.6-million matching contribution.

“We’re currently waiting on the out

come, and if successful, it’ll allow us to expand the pipeline even further.

“We’ll continue to keep landowners updated as more information becomes available, especially those interested in connecting to the pipeline.”

Horsham Arts Council, president Nick Wilson: Horsham Arts Council will use a $1000 grant from Horsham Sports and Community Club to paint the exterior of its

President Nick Wilson said it would make the ‘shed’ as inviting and professional as possible.

“It will certainly stand out,” he said.

“We’ve had many grants from HSCC over the years, and they are so

of HAC. Applying for the grant is very simple.”

“We want to entertain people, but we

“We are open to

New laws for ‘post and boast’

New laws passed through State Parliament last week will result in people facing more jail time if they share content about their criminal activity on social media.

The Crimes Amendment Performance Crime Act 2025 outlaws the behaviour of ‘posting and boasting’ about certain crimes on social media and messaging apps.

The new offence targets those who publish content bragging about their involvement in serious crimes such as affray, burglary and robbery, car theft, carjacking, home invasions and violent disorder – including anyone encouraging or facilitating the crimes.

Anyone found guilty of a specified serious offence who has also posted and boasted about it will face up to two years’ jail time, on top of any other penalty imposed for the substantive offence.

Currently – until the laws come into effect upon Royal Assent this month – posting and boasting could be considered as an aggravating factor in sentencing – but the new standalone offence will see offenders face tougher penalties.

The laws respond to the trend among young people who are posting mostly on Tik Tok and Snapchat about their crimes.

Authorities are concerned it encourages copycat offending, re-traumatises victims and disturbs the community.

Third parties who are not involved in the offending such as witnesses, bystanders and journalists will not be captured by the new offence.

As a journalist I have seen many incidences of criminals engaging in the act of ‘post and boast’ – particularly on media organisations’ Facebook pages.

At a previous newspaper I worked for, we posted on our Facebook page a police appeal for a man wanted on a warrant for failing to appear in court for burglary, theft and drug-related offences.

The man’s name and photo were published – on the request of police – which is standard practice for when the police are chasing a wanted person.

A few days later a man with the same name as the wanted man – except for the Christian and surnames swapped around – commented on the post saying ‘I know where he is’.

He then proceeded to make further comments,

EDITORIAL

By Lauren Henry

using some colourful language and threatening the newspaper to take down the post.

We promptly informed the police. And we did not remove the post.

Media reports about criminals or alleged criminals are often not taken well by those directly involved.

Prior to social media, it was common practice for either the defendant or their family to directly contact editors and managers to try and prevent their names and-or offending being published or broadcast.

Nine times out of 10 it didn’t work. Do the crime, do the time, as they say – and sometimes having the case reported on and made publicly known is actually more punishment than what is dished out by the courts.

Except, of course, when a court rules in favour of a suppression order, which restricts media outlets in naming the accused, and reporting any factors that might lead to their identification.

The suppression order usually only lasts until the accused is found guilty – unless there are other factors involved. It’s not until then that the truth can be widely published and broadcast.

Reporting of crime is done so mostly as a general deterrent to others – and it is also done in the public interest.

But a key factor in why reporting the outcome of a court case is so important is for the victim or victims of the crimes.

Those people have not only endured the crimes – and often more than is either not reported to police or cannot be proven so it doesn’t lead to charges – but they have also had to go through what can often be a long, drawn-out process through the court system.

It can be such as rollercoaster ride of emotions for victims, and no matter what the result of the case, no one is a winner.

But to have the crime and punishment made public can help with serving of justice, and healing for the victims.

Hindmarsh tip hours change

Hindmarsh Shire Council is modifying the operating hours for all transfer stations in the municipality during the summer period to ensure the safety of both staff and the public.

A proactive measure to minimise fire risk during the hottest part of the day, transfer stations will open from 9am to noon from December 1 until February 28. Council’s standard operating hours will resume on March 1. All transfer stations will be closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, as well as any day with a catastrophic fire danger rating. More information and opening times for each station are available on council’s website.

Talking green energy blues

Everything you know and love about rural Australia is about to change due to industrialisation via mining and renewable energy projects.

And, at what cost?

Loss of food production, loss of open spaces, big horizons, escapes to nature, environmental damage, food contamination, water resources exhausted, community division, and in some cases, the ultimate sacrifice, due to mental anguish.

Climate change is real.

Producing energy from the wind and sun is ideologically the right thing to do. But first, let’s consider these questions.

Which areas have varying degrees of wind and sunshine? Everywhere.

Which areas are primarily untouched by a built environment? Rural areas.

Where is energy consumption the greatest? Urban areas.

Where are there already buildings and infrastructure such as factories, car parks, shopping centres, office blocks, sports stadiums, highway sound barriers, bridges and the like, already built, that can host renewable energy technologies? Urban areas.

Which areas have been developed with buildings and infrastructure, at the cost of the natural environment? Urban areas.

Which areas are least susceptible to bushfires, that can significantly impact renewable energy assets? Urban areas, offshore.

Which areas require the least amount of crosscountry transmission lines? Urban areas.

For the purposes of this exercise, let’s use AI to help define ‘urban’.

“A human settlement with a high population density and a built environment, characterised by features like buildings, infrastructure, and a concentration of commercial and residential activity. These areas are typically associated with cities and towns, contrasting with more sparsely populated rural areas.”

After the Black Saturday fires, the only recommendation from the Royal Commission that has not been implemented, is to bury all the transmission lines. So, having not done that, why are we then going to criss-cross rural areas with even more transmission lines?

How nervous do you think rural people will be feeling on the next 45-degree day with a howling

northerly wind? The climate experts are telling us this type of weather will be happening more often.

So, rather than mitigating the risk, we are increasing the risk exponentially by running transmission lines everywhere.

Defending literally hundreds of renewable energy assets scattered across the countryside will be virtually impossible, given a major bushfire event. And given how the CFA has been treated in recent times, renewable energy assets will be the last thing volunteers will be racing to protect. The CO2 emitted from one major bushfire in an afternoon will erase any CO2 emission savings from renewable energy assets in an entire year. Transmission lines historically have been used to transport energy from the source – coal-burning power stations – to places that do not have these energy producing resources.

Wind and sun are all around us in varying degrees, in every location, producing energy. Why do we then need to transport it hundreds of kilometres to other locations?

The footprint of an urban environment, no matter how big or small, could incorporate the footprint of the renewable energy technologies to power these areas, either within, or on the outskirts of the urban area, with minimal transmission lines, and no damage to the surrounding environment.

Any new suburb or housing development could be energy self-sufficient, with wind and solar renewable energy technologies incorporated into the development.

As part of this ‘energy transition’, maybe we all need to modify our lifestyles and only consume the energy that nature provides. Is this not the green dream? Is this not the netzero objective that we have been taken down the road, at a hundred miles an hour?

Everybody needs to play their part to achieve this ideological goal. It is not right that a select few provide most of the energy, for the masses that continue consuming vast amounts of energy, without any consequence to their lifestyle or immediate environment.

If net zero is the objective, everybody needs to play their part, not just rural Australia. We don’t need to destroy the environment to save the planet.

Paul Drendel, Jung

Grow Local, Eat Local

We're calling for expressions of interest from passionate home cooks to enter our upcoming community cooking competition, with recipe submissions open from July 28 to August 25 and an exciting final to be held in Nhill in early October!

OCTOBER 2025

Expression of Interest or phone Jake Wiffen on 03 5391 4312

Community help integral to plan

Transmission Company Victoria, TCV, is encouraging landholders and community members to share their local knowledge of environmental and social values to help inform technical studies for the VNI West Environment Effects Statement.

A community session will be staged at Stawell Entertainment Centre, from 3pm to 6pm on Thursday, August 28.

There will also be other sessions in Charlton, Kerang and Murrabit.

The sessions will give people the chance to speak with TCV and technical experts, learn more about the EES process, and share insights about local land use, environment, and community values.

TCV spokesperson Mick Douge said community input was critical to a comprehensive and accurate EES for VNI West.

“Local people understand the places in which they live and work better than anyone,” he said.

“Their knowledge helps ensure our assessments reflect real conditions on the ground and what matters to the people who live in the area.”

The EES process is administered by the Department of Transport and Planning on behalf of the Minister for Planning, who determined in 2024 that an EES would be required for VNI West.

VNI West will connect Victoria and New South Wales with high-voltage transmission infrastructure to support renewable energy and maintain grid reliability.

However, the project has been met with sig-

nificant criticism by affected landowners where the transmission line is proposed to be built –starting in Bulgana, east of Stawell, through to Kerang in northern Victoria.

The EES must be completed and other state and federal approvals obtained before construction can begin.

The VNI West EES is currently underway, with technical studies on topics like ecology, agriculture, traffic and transport, landscape and visual amenity, social factors, and cultural heritage.

In July, TCV announced a new completion date of late 2030 – a delay of two years.

There are two formal stages of EES engagement – the first was the draft scoping requirements and investigation topics, which were released for public comment in November 2024; and the second stage will be the public exhibition of the EES, expected in late 2026.

“Community feedback has already helped refine the project easement and identify areas for initial environmental investigation,” Mr Douge said.

“We’re now encouraging anyone with local knowledge – whether it’s about native vegetation and animals, roads, heritage or other values – to come along to an upcoming EES community session or get in touch in a way that suits them.”

People can share their local knowledge via an interactive map, or for more information on the EES, visit www.transmissionvictoria.com.au.

Community members can also email enquiries@transmissionvictoria.com.au or call 1800 824 221.

ECSTATIC: Horsham business owner Tanya Coutts is happy to see Bradbury Lane reopened to the public and welcomes an increase in foot traffic. Her business closed for four weeks after the Farmhouse Cafe fire in October 2024. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Bradbury Lane reopens

Horsham’s Bradbury Lane has officially reopened to the public after nearly a year of closure.

A fire in October 2024 destroyed the Farmhouse Providore and Café and severely damaged neighbouring shop Exquisit.

The laneway, which links the Bradbury carpark to Firebrace Street, had remained closed despite nearby businesses resuming operations, due to ongoing cleanup efforts and safety concerns.

Mayor Ian Ross said while some minor works were still pending, the area was now safe for pedestrian access.

“There are still minor works to be completed on the pavers, but aside from that, it’s safe to reopen,” he said.

He also noted that repair and construction on the adjoining buildings would continue over coming months.

“Until those works are finished, the pavers can’t be replaced, but we’ve installed temporary barriers and bollards to ensure safety,” he said.

Cr Ross thanked the community for its patience during the extended closure.

“We understand this has been inconvenient for local businesses and their customers, and we sincerely appreciate everyone’s patience as we worked through it,” he said.

Abode Living and Giving owner Tanya Coutts said she was ‘ absolutely ecstatic’ to have the laneway re-opened.

“We are really excited because we have noticed a difference in the foot traffic around this particular area of the street, so it’s wonderful to have it reopened,” she said.

“We look forward to seeing people wandering up and down the laneway once again.”

Battery warning following fire

Horsham Rural City Council is urging residents to safely recycle batteries following a fire earlier this month during routine garbage collection in the Horsham urban area.

The truck driver noticed smoke coming from the truck and promptly moved the truck to the outskirts of town where the contents of the truck were dumped safely on the road reserve.

Horsham CFA crews attended and extinguished the blaze.

While the driver was unharmed, the truck sustained minor cosmetic damage.

It is suspected the fire was sparked by a lithium battery incorrectly placed in general waste.

The driver acted decisively under pressure and was commended for her professionalism.

Mayor Ian Ross thanked emergency services and praised the driver’s quick response.

“When a fire breaks out in a garbage truck, it puts people in danger – including drivers, emergency responders and the broader community,” he said.

“Safe disposal of batteries is one small thing that we can all be doing to reduce the risk of these types of fires.”

Council notified EPA and followed its clean-up directions, with the extinguished waste safely transported to Dooen Landfill.

In the past year, Horsham residents recycled nearly 1.1 tonnes of batteries – equivalent to

more than 47,000 AA cells – and about 70 tonnes of e-waste through council collection points.

Lithium-ion batteries are a growing fire hazard in household waste streams, with batteries able to ignite when crushed – such as during compaction in trucks – posing serious risks to waste management staff.

The fires can be difficult to extinguish, can reignite, and release toxic gases.

Council encourages community members to avoid placing any battery – AA, C, D, 9V or rechargeable lithium batteries in household garbage or recycling bins.

People can recycle through designated collection points: Horsham Transfer Station, Kenny Road, Haven; Civic Centre at Roberts Avenue; and Horsham Library, McLachlan Street.

Council is soon installing new battery and e-waste stations at Kalkee Children’s Hub and Horsham Aquatic Centre.

To further reduce fire risk, people can tape over battery terminals before recycling so contacts cannot spark when coming into contact with metal.

“Recycling batteries correctly is a simple but crucial step we can all take to prevent fires and protect our community,” Cr Ross said.

“By disposing of batteries in the right way, we safeguard not only the people handling our waste but also our environment and infrastructure.

“It’s a shared responsibility that can make a real difference.”

PLANTING FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE: Snape Reserve’s committee of management collaborated with Zoos Victoria and Trust for Nature in a Myoporum parviflorum planting day near Dimboola, to provide essential habitat for the endangered golden-rayed blue butterfly. Native to Victoria, the butterfly has been found in 12 locations across the state. The planting team, pictured from left, Zoos Victoria’s Sarah Silcocks, Snape Reserve volunteers Ian Flux, Greg Bourke, Coral Schmidt, Sharyn Cook and Lynne Coughlan, and Zoos Victoria’s Angie Symon.

Energy-backup

system for Pomonal

A state-of-the-art energy-backup system will be installed at Pomonal Hall through a partnership between Ararat Rural City Council and the Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance, CVGA. The hall serves as a community hub, meeting space and designated emergency relief and recovery centre for the Pomonal township. It played a central role in supporting residents during and after the bushfires that struck the region in February last year.

The agreement between the council and the CVGA came as part of the CVGA-led Powering Resilience in the Regions, PRITR, project, funded through the State Government’s 100 Neighbourhood Batteries Program.

Pomonal Hall is set to be equipped with a 25kW-50kWh battery-storage system, integrated with solar panels, providing up to two days of backup power for emergency and essential services, even if the electricity grid goes down.

Ararat Mayor Jo Armstrong said the project would help ensure the hall could continue to op-

erate as a safe haven for residents during emergencies, while also lowering long-term energy costs for the community and reducing reliance on diesel generators.

“The Pomonal Hall is at the heart of the town, and we’re determined to ensure it is properly supported, especially during emergencies,” she said.

“This backup energy system is more than just an upgrade to infrastructure, we know it’s an investment in the wellbeing of our community and their safety.

“We’re looking forward to partnering with CVGA on this project.”

Cr Armstrong said the council would reinvest energy-cost savings and equipment-lease revenues generated from the backup system into further community initiatives.

The project is scheduled for completion in the 2025-2026 financial year, with installation works to commence following regulatory and gridconnection approvals.

Council invites residents’ input

Northern Grampians Shire residents have a final opportunity to shape several strategic documents outlining the municipality’s future, ahead of their formal adoption in October.

At the August council meeting, councillors approved in-principle the 2025-29 Council Plan, incorporating the 2025-29 Municipal Health and Wellbeing Plan, along with 202535 asset and financial plans.

The council plan and municipal public health and wellbeing plan sets out key goals in health, education, economic growth, sustainability and infrastructure, integrating community vision and wellbeing.

The combined document provides a strategic four-year guide to how the council will support the Northern Grampians Community Vision 2041, ‘To love where we live’.

The draft plan includes the five goals the council is seeking to achieve throughout the next four years: Live it up – health, wellbeing and community; Build it up – education, housing and skills; Business buzz – agriculture, economy and tourism; Clean it up – sustainability, climate and waste; and Do it well –infrastructure, finance and corporate services.

The plan details the 15 strategies the council will use to achieve each goal, along with the 40 actions it will pursue to achieve each strategy.

The plan includes a range of specific tasks, outlines how performance will be measured, and explains how supporting strategies and plans align with achieving the organisation’s long-term goals.

The asset plan provides a framework for maintaining and upgrading infrastructure assets, ensuring service equity and community

resilience, while the financial plan focuses on long-term financial viability, aligning with strategic documents and emphasising community involvement.

Mayor Karen Hyslop said together the plans created a cohesive roadmap for achieving the council’s vision and addressing current and future challenges.

She said councillors had endorsed the documents for community feedback and encouraged anyone wanting to make a submission to any of the plans to do so by 5pm on Friday.

“The draft plans have been informed by extensive consultation with the community, stakeholders and relevant experts, and have taken months of preparation,” she said.

“I would like to thank the council staff for the time and effort they have put into these plans, which are incredibly detailed.

“I’m really proud of the plans we have endorsed – I think they are some of the best plans we have had – and I encourage anyone wishing to have their say to do so as soon as possible.”

Submissions must be made in writing and can be made via the council’s website, www. ngshire.vic.gov.au.

Submissions can also be made via direct mail and addressed to: Chief Executive Officer, Northern Grampians Shire Council, PO Box 580, Stawell, VIC, 3380.

Copies of all three plans are available on the webpage or people can also view them in person at council’s customer service offices in Stawell and St Arnaud.

Council will review all submissions in September, with all three plans scheduled to be endorsed at a council meeting in St Arnaud on October 6.

Library upgrade pays off

Ararat Rural City Council officials have praised the municipality’s libraries for a successful past 12 months.

In the past financial year more than 23,000 people visited Ararat Library, with more than 41,500 items loaned across the municipality – including more than 9000 loans at Lake Bolac Library alone.

The council also highlighted Ararat Library’s outreach services, which helped 141 active outreach borrowers, including deliveries to housebound residents, local retirement villages and prisoners in correctional facilities.

Ararat Library also supported literacy and social connection initiatives, with more than 1800 participants attending

early-years programs like Baby Rhyme Time, Pre-School Storytime and Lego Club.

In the past financial year Ararat library underwent internal upgrades, growing its collection of local-history resources and providing more comfortable, modern spaces for community use.

Adult library members also made use of free informationtechnology access, with 40 residents receiving one-on-one technology tutorials.

Ararat Rural City Mayor Jo Armstrong said the region’s libraries had demonstrated a positive impact on residents across the municipality, with a welcoming atmosphere and diverse range of resources. She invited people to join

Ararat Library to make use of its storytime sessions, physical books, magazines, movies, eBooks and more, while encouraging Lake Bolac locals to make use of the Lake Bolac Library facilities.

“Our libraries are important centres for knowledge, creativity, and social connection. These results reflect our commitment to building an informed, connected, and resilient community,” she said.

Cr Armstrong said the council was committed to fostering lifelong learning, equitable access to information and community wellbeing for all residents.

People can find out more about the Ararat and Lake Bolac libraries online at ararat.vic. gov.au/services/library.

talgic journey for families, Disney fans, and supporters of the arts.

The concert is also part of BPAC’s ongoing August 30, with both a ing performance. Tickets are available at bpac ballarat.org.

Free sanitary dispenser at library

Ararat Library will offer free sanitary period products through a vending machine in its accessible bathroom, supported by Ararat Rural City Council.

The dispenser at the facility, which is open to both Ararat residents and visitors, will contain free pads and tampons.

Mayor Jo Armstrong said the initiative supported the council’s ongoing work to improve community wellbeing, and would remove barriers for people to participate in work, school, sport, and daily life.

Cr Armstrong said the dispenser provided a

Wednesday, August 20, 2025

discreet and easy way to access period products without cost, aligning with similar programs rolled out across Victoria.

“We’re proud to join the statewide program delivering free pads and tampons. We know that access to basic necessities like these can make an immediate difference in people’s lives,” she said.

“With the installation of this vending machine, we are supporting dignity for everyone who uses our public spaces.”

For more information people can visit the Better Health Channel at freepadsandtampons.vic. gov.au.

Solar storage with AI that learns

Wade’s Horsham is offering worldfirst SigenStor – an AI-optimised, five-in-one bi-directional energy storage system made by Sigenergy, that is Australia’s safest.

Created by a three-decade solar industry professional, the system combines an energy management system, electric vehicle charger, photovoltaic inverter, battery pack and battery power conversion system in one modular unit.

SigenStor is the first of its kind to allow a mix-and-match combination of five- and eight-kilowatt modules up to 48 kilowatts in the one unit, including electric vehicle modules, which click together and begin commissioning in minutes.

The bi-directional charger allows the transfer of energy from V2H – vehicle to home – and V2G – vehicle to grid, so in a blackout, a home can potentially draw power from a car.

Built-in ports allow separate systems to be wired in, such as hot water services and pool pumps, so when excess power is detected by the system, it is directed to onsite systems rather than being sent to the grid.

AI technology learns your household consumption, which then optimises where the power is going, and saves energy to use later.

It can be programmed so different appliances can be turned on at different times, such as a hot water service, to take advantage of peak solar times.

They provide flexibility in supplementing on-grid power, or allow users to enjoy life completely off-grid.

FIVE-IN-ONE: Stuart Jose with a new Sigenergy

Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

The SigenStor is IP66-rated, so it can be installed outdoors in carports, garages or alongside homes, in most weathers.

The system’s high safety standard is owed to five layers of protection, including temperature sensors, a fire-retardant gel wrapping, a fire-suppression system and automatic shutoff of the affected module, which ensures the continued delivery of energy in the event of a fault.

The Federal Government is offering a rebate of up to 30 per cent on the usable storage capacity of batteries – for example, for each multiple eight-kilowatt battery, people can claim a rebate of about $2500, meaning for 16 kilowatts, $5000 can be

claimed. People can talk to the staff at Wade’s Horsham for a free, no obligation quote to discuss options of solar systems, from adding the SigenStor to an existing system, to installing a system from scratch. Wade’s Horsham staff can also assist in claiming the Federal Government rebate.

Integrating Solar Inverter, EV DC Charger, Battery PCS, Battery Pack, and EMS into one powerful energy system – this is our reolutionary 5 in One Home ESS.

Simpli ed to give you a smart and seamless experience. Versatile in nature, caters to every energy usage scenario. Stylish front eagle eye and side ambient lighting design blend elegantly with any surroundings.

Ready to impress

Volkswagen has announced the arrival of its remaining ID.4 and ID.5 electric SUV variants into Australian showrooms, taking to four the number of models available.

The mid-sized quartet kicks off with the ID.4 Pro from $59,990 plus onroad costs, and similarly equipped coupe-style ID.5 Pro from $62,990 plus on-road costs.

Volkswagen Australia says the duo offer a high level of standard specification that includes 19-inch alloy wheels, IQ.Light Matrix LED headlights with adaptive high-beam, 3D LED tail-lights with dynamic indicators, keyless access, a powered tailgate, and a panoramic roof with electric blind.

The pair further offers ArtVelours microfleece upholstery, power adjustable front seats with memory and a newly updated massage function, heated front seats, heated steering wheel, trizone climate control air conditioning, 12.9-inch infotainment, Area View 360-degree camera and, on MY25.5 models, Wireless App-Connect for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

‘Pro’ variants are powered by a 210kW electric motor set on the rear axle offering a zero to 100kmh time of 6.7 seconds.

WLTP driving range for the ID.4 Pro is listed at 544km and 543km for the ID.5 Pro.

Both variants offer an 82kWh battery pack, 11kW AC charging, and 175kW DC charging function.

Meanwhile, the sportier ID. 4 GTX, priced from $69,990, and ID.5 GTX, from $72,990, add 250kW all-wheel drive performance to the fold, alongside an increased driving range –511km and 543km for the ID.4 and ID.5 GTX respectively – 20-inch wheels, harman/kardon premium audio system, unique front and rear bumper designs, body-coloured bodysides, embossed sports seats with integrated head restraints, black styling elements, and front fog lights.

The sportier variants are said to accelerate from standstill to 100kmh in as little as 5.4 seconds, and like the Pro grades offer an 84kWh battery pack, 11kW AC charging function or 175kW DC charging function. Metallic paint is available as a $1000

option on Pro variants and $1300 on the GTX duo.

The ID.4 Pro is further available with an exterior style package for $1000, adding a contrasting black roof, silver roof rails, and silver pillar and trim.

All ID.4 and ID.5 grades offer Volkswagen’s Travel Assist – combining adaptive cruise control with active lane assist, side assist, emergency assist, oncoming vehicle braking when turning and swerve support, safe exit warning, proactive passenger protec-

tion system and front/rear parking sensors – with an extensive range of active and passive safety features, including eight airbags.

Volkswagen Australia continues to offer a free 7kW home charger, plus standard installation, valued at $1899, on all ID.4 and ID.5 models while stocks last.

Volkswagen passenger vehicles head of product Arjun Nidigallu said the ID. 4 and ID. 5 showed BEV demand was ‘indeed strong when you have the right line-up available to customers,

at the right price, from a brand people trust, and with a level of aftersales support that inspires total confidence’.

“With Volkswagen’s decades-earned engineering prowess resulting in class-leading dynamics, elegant European exterior design, superbly intuitive interior ergonomics, and quality fit and finishes, all combined with value proposition that puts competitors on notice, the ID. 4 and ID. 5 have arrived to impress,” he said.

– Matt Brogan

Cupra’s Raval Australia bound

Cupra’s product strategy in Australia continues to evolve, with the recent arrivals of the Terramar petrol-hybrid and Tavascan battery-electric SUVs to be followed by a series of newgeneration models including the Raval hot hatch and a large SUV.

Scheduled for unveiling in late 2025, the Raval will enter production at Seat-Cupra’s Martorell factory in Spain early next year, with an Australian launch expected to occur in 2027.

Cupra Australia head of marketing Jeff Shafer confirmed to GoAuto that local efforts to secure the Raval for this market were well-progressed.

“Raval is something we are working very hard to bring to Australia as quickly as we can. There will be a lot of news towards the end of the year, and early 2026, at a global level and I can’t wait to see the final reveal,” he said.

The Raval, derived from the Urban Rebel concept shown at the 2021 IAA motor show in Munich, is the lead vehicle for the Volkswagen Group’s lower-cost MEB entry battery-electric vehicle, BEV, architecture, which will also spawn the Volkswagen ID.2 and Skoda Epiq.

While the Volkswagen and Skoda will cater to a broad audience, the

reputation of hot Cupra versions of the Seat Ibiza while providing a BEV alternative to the likes of the Volkswagen Polo GTI.

Preliminary dimensions indicate the Raval will measure about 4036mm in length while riding on a 2600mm wheelbase, with proportions similar to a Mini Cooper.

Two battery configurations – estimated to be 38kWh and 56kWh usable – will be available in Europe, with

will offer up to 450km range, while the fastest trim of the exclusively front-drive Raval will have 166kW of power.

While Australian BEV customers have typically prioritised longer-range vehicles, Cupra believes a shift might be underway in which buyers appreciate that lower-range, urban-focussed BEVs might be useful as a second car.

“We want to offer a choice for customers who have different needs in

that is more used as a primary vehicle, and therefore it needs to be a bit more of an all-rounder.

“There are some cars that might be more focused on being the second car in a household, and they can be a bit more urban-focused and about that compact size that works well in the city. Raval definitely has a space within that framework.”

Work continues on a larger electric SUV designed to sit above the

Initially, the big SUV was envisioned as a key prong of Cupra’s much-hyped entry to the US market – a plan that was recently deferred.

The unnamed large SUV is expected to be underpinned by the Volkswagen Group’s next-generation SSP BEV chassis.

SSP has been delayed multiple times, which could make a swap to the PPE platform that underpins the Porsche Macan, Audi Q6 E-Tron and Audi A6 E-Tron more attractive.

“There are discussions about a larger SUV, which would be directed at the US market but available to other markets like Australia. I think there is room for a product like that in our range,” Mr Shafer said.

Cupra’s medium-term roadmap includes a second generation of its bestselling nameplate, the Formentor.

While this vehicle, currently offered in petrol and plug-in hybrid, PHEV, form in Australia, was also intended to go BEV-only, that plan could be revised given uncertain BEV demand.

Beyond its disclosed new models, Cupra is seeking to expand the role of electrified powertrains locally, with PHEVs earmarked for performance trims as Australia’s New Vehicle Emissions Standard, NVES, will

TaKe a BreaK

On This Day

From The Weekly Advertiser

archives: August 25, 2005 –Warracknabeal lawn bowler

Josh Barry returned from the World Cerebral Palsy Games in New London, Connecticut, USA, with two medals. He teamed up with Queensland bowler Ashley Pardon to win gold for Australia in the pairs event before the two completed an Australian quinella in the singles with an English bowler, taking the bronze. Barry said the conditions for the bowls were unusual; “Connecticut was in a heatwave when we got there and then it poured rain for two days and washed out the bowling green. We ended up playing on a makeshift green they set up on an ice hockey rink and it wasn’t really up to standard.”

10 years ago: August 19, 2015

Wimmera residents became concerned when Great Southern Rail released its 2016-17 timetables and fares for The Ghan and Indian Pacific services and details of The Overland were not available after December that year. Great Southern Rail chief executive Chris Tallent said the company was waiting for responses from Victorian and South Australian governments.

Five years ago: August 19, 2020

Horsham Youth Action Council members voted ‘The Station’ as the name for a new multi-purpose space, formerly Horsham’s fire station, on Pynsent Street. Members, including Venetia Kardogeros, Isabelle Oman, Malachy O’Brien, Bethany Arnup, Armani Scollary, Scarlett Munday-Terry and Shivansh Bhutani, were excited for different organisations to use the space for study, activities and hanging out.

One year ago: August 21, 2024

Hindmarsh Shire Councillor Rob Gersch announced he would not stand at the upcoming elections, ending his almost-40 years on council. He served as mayor and shire president, and was instrumental in establishing Rural Councils Victoria.

1. Born on this day in 1948 in West Bromwich, England, was which rock vocalist, for the lesser-known Band of Joy and The Yardbirds?

2. In which song does Dolly Parton sing, ‘please don’t take my man’?

3. How many cells are there in a Sudoku puzzle?

4. The English translation of Proust’s most famous work is, In Search of Lost – souls, love, war, or time?

5. Which watch company has a pointed crown as its logo?

6. When spring arrives with warmer weather, the Wimmera will have isolated nests that will be home to small families of eyases. Eyas is occasionally used as a name for a baby what?

7. What superhero was played by actor Ezra Miller on the big screen, but Grant Gustin on the live-action television series?

8. What kind of fruit can be found at the top of the men’s Wimbledon trophy – apple, strawberry, orange or pineapple?

9. Are the native pigeons with the pronounced feathers pointing from the top of the heads, that we regularly see in the Wimmera, officially called crested or top-knot pigeons?

10. Dying on this day in 2012 at the age of 95, was which comedian and actress?

81. 4. Time. 5. Rolex. 6. Unfledged hawk or falcon. It was a term commonly used in falconry. 7. The Flash. 8. Pineapple. 9. They are crested pigeons. Although many of us call them topknot or toppies, topknot pigeons are a different Australian species of pigeon, more common in Queensland and New South Wales rainforests and woodlands. 10. Phyllis Diller.

Answers: 1. Robert Plant. He was the lead singer and lyricist of the rock band Led Zeppelin from its founding in 1968 until their breakup in 1980. 2. Jolene. The 1973 hit was inspired by a real bank teller’s interactions with Parton’s husband Dean when they were first married. She reportedly said it was a running joke between the pair, with the teller paying him a lot of attention. 3.

Getting in touch with The Weekly AdverTiser

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Advertising: Mark Sulic: 0407 313 456, marks@team.aceradio.com.au; Lee Meadows: 0407 046 864, leem@team.aceradio.com.au; Kelly Schilling: 0437 894 257, kschilling@aceradio.com.au; Danica Cutter: 0488 473 562, dcutter@aceradio.com.au; Heidi Higginson: 0438 759 220, heidih@aceradio.com.au; Lily Olver: 0411 784 001, lolver@aceradio.com.au Newsroom 5382 1351: Lauren Henry: lhenry@aceradio.com.au; Bronwyn Hastings: bhastings@aceradio.com.au; Colin MacGillivray: cmacgillivray@aceradio.com.au; Georgia Bailey: georgiab@team.aceradio.com.au The publisher and general manager is Brendan O’Loughlin,

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FOR THE WEEK AUGUST 24 TO AUGUST 30

ARIES (March 21 - April 20)

Lucky Colour: Silver

Lucky Day: Tuesday Racing Numbers: 8, 9, 4, 5

Lotto Numbers: 8, 2, 4, 16, 28, 33

Loved ones may be unco-operative or argumentative, requiring patience to maintain harmony and peace. For those who remain tolerant, there will be more reasons to celebrate than regret. Happy travels and opportunities to mingle with VIPs are indicated.

TAURUS (April 21 - May 20)

Lucky Colour: Lemon

Lucky Day: Sunday

Racing Numbers: 6, 9, 1, 2

Lotto Numbers: 1, 17, 23, 34, 44, 45

Carefully read the fine print on any essential documents. Confidence in your abilities will help you achieve your goals. Many will explore new adventures, which will bring excitement and potential rewards.

GEMINI (May 21 - June 21)

Lucky Colour: White

Lucky Day: Monday

Racing Numbers: 7, 9, 1, 4

Lotto Numbers: 1, 16, 23, 34, 36, 22

Luck is improving, making this an excellent time to plan and try new ventures. If you require further clarity on long-term commitments, consult experts before proceeding.

CANCER (June 22 - July 22)

Lucky Colour: Green

Lucky Day: Friday

Racing Numbers: 7, 8, 9, 3

Lotto Numbers: 1, 16, 23, 34, 41, 22

A busy period lies ahead – ensure others are pulling their weight. Celebrations of your success are on the horizon, and a surprise gift may bring you delight.

LEO (July 23 - August 22)

Lucky Colour: Cream

Lucky Day: Sunday

Racing Numbers: 6, 8, 4, 5

Lotto Numbers: 1, 17, 23, 36, 42, 11

Financial gains and pleasant surprises are in store. Prepare for visitors and social activities, but avoid overindulgence to keep things enjoyable.

VIRGO (August 23 - September 23)

Lucky Colour: Mauve

Lucky Day: Tuesday Racing Numbers: 7, 9, 3, 4

Lotto Numbers: 1, 16, 23, 34, 41, 22

Travel is likely to be enjoyable. Old problems may be resolved, and reconnecting with past contacts can be delightful.

LIBRA (September 24 - October 23)

Lucky Colour: Yellow

Lucky Day: Sunday

Racing Numbers: 7, 9, 3, 5

Lotto Numbers: 3, 6, 23, 31, 22, 28

You’ll have the ability to influence others and achieve your goals. Real estate dealings could prove profitable, and you may uncover answers to longstanding mysteries.

SCORPIO (October 24 - November 22)

Lucky Colour: Orange

Lucky Day: Wednesday

Racing Numbers: 6, 9, 3, 4

Lotto Numbers: 1, 16, 23, 27, 34, 41

Travel promises to be more engaging than usual, and good news is on the way.

Happy surprises await, but be cautious about engaging in gossip.

SAGITTARIUS (November 23 - December 20)

Lucky Colour: Red

Lucky Day: Saturday

Racing Numbers: 6, 8, 3, 4

Lotto Numbers: 1, 15, 23, 35, 41, 22

Your energy levels will help you tackle uncertainties. Longstanding issues may finally be resolved, and new ventures are set to succeed. Love relationships could heat up.

CAPRICORN (December 21 - January 19)

Lucky Colour: Silver

Lucky Day: Thursday

Racing Numbers: 4, 6, 2, 3

Lotto Numbers: 1, 14, 23, 27, 34, 38

A restless feeling may lead you to take risks in romantic pursuits. Money should come more efficiently, and career achievements may place you ahead of the competition.

AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 19)

Lucky Colour: Violet

Lucky Day: Thursday

Racing Numbers: 5, 7, 3, 4

Lotto Numbers: 1, 16, 23, 26, 34, 39

You may face challenges due to others’ problems and demands on your time. A recent setback could be a blessing in disguise, offering unexpected benefits.

PISCES (February 20 - March 20)

Lucky Colour: Red

Lucky Day: Tuesday

Racing Numbers: 7, 8, 9, 3

Lotto Numbers: 1, 14, 23, 34, 45, 22

Travel expenses may rise as a busy period approaches. Expect more incredible popularity from those who can assist you with your ambitions. Loved ones may surprise you in delightful ways. yOur

real deal on finance

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

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.

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

VET the backbone for industries

National Skills Week, from August 25 to 31, encourages school-leavers and those looking to change careers to consider all their options, particularly a career in a trade through Vocational Education and Training, VET.

This year’s annual initiative will see more than 500 events nationwide under the theme of ‘Explore ALL the Options’.

The week aims to raise awareness of public understanding of the benefits and opportunities in the VET sector, highlight career options, and address skills shortages, showing that VET is the skills backbone for the industries driving regional and remote Australia.

National Skills Week chair Brian Wexham said the week played a piv-

otal role in raising awareness of the diversity of careers VET offered.

“It highlights the skills needs of industry, the jobs now and the jobs of the future,” he said.

“Whether you are a high school student or a parent looking to provide guidance to your child, we invite you to use National Skills Week to explore all the options available through VET.”

Mr Wexham said people could check out free TAFE courses, investigate apprenticeship degree courses and examine courses and careers that connect to a passion.

“Delve into the diversity offered through VET, get inspired and discover the many rewarding career pathways and options available that will

Positive pathways to help drive careers

Horsham College’s Jack Crute and Brock Clark are studying automotive in the VCE vocational major stream, to give them workplace experience and a head start in their careers.

Jack, a year-10 student, is aiming to gain a heavy diesel apprenticeship, while year-11 student Brock has an eye on aviation.

One day each week they do workplace learning, and a second day each week they do VET.

College VET co-ordinator Lyndon Kuhne said the boys were among about 400 students across 18 courses run by three Registered Training Organisations, RTOs, in the LLEN cluster, which reaches from Kaniva to the other side of Ararat.

“LLEN is amazing, and the RTOs –Fed Uni, SkillInvest and the college –we all just work together to be one of the best clusters in the state,” he said.

“We also have students in a ‘Head Start’ program – it is designed for students to go through the system and be offered a school-based apprenticeship, which would be two days in the workplace each week.

“Ultimately, they would transition from there into a full-time apprenticeship.”

Brock, a second-year VET student, said he did his year-10 work experi-

ence last year at Horsham Aerodrome.

“Working in aviation is something that I’ve thought about, but I never thought I’d do it,” he said.

“Then last year I did my work experience out there and liked it, so I applied to do my work placement there.

“I’ve been out there since the start of the year.”

Jack said he made arrangements to enter the program early, which was an option for year-10 students, with availability dependent on year-11 uptake.

“I think if you’re not enjoying school in a classroom, it’s the best thing you can get into,” he said.

“And get into it early. My brother didn’t start until year-11, I started in year-10 instead, which gives me the option to do a second VET course in year-12 if I don’t get a school-based apprenticeship.”

Mr Kuhne said students studying VCE’s academic stream could also do VET.

“The whole vocational area is just exploding in popularity, it’s getting bigger and bigger,” he said.

“You don’t have to wait until you’re 19 or 20 before you dip your toe into the vocational space.

“You can do it when you’re 15 or 16.”

help ensure young Australians are job ready,” he said.

VET is also key to achieving the skills needs of industries across regional and remote Australia, where job vacancies are growing at faster rates than metropolitan areas.

Health, construction, hospitality and retail are among the largest employing industries requiring VET-qualified staff, including those in shortage such as aged and disabled carers, truck drivers, and electricians.

Mining continues to be a large employer of VET-qualified workers, while the clean energy transformation is creating significant employment opportunities in regional and remote Australia for people trained through VET.

“By providing all individuals with targeted training in areas of skills shortages, such as trades, technology and healthcare, we are not just preparing them for jobs,” Mr Wexham said.

“We are empowering them to thrive in dynamic industries that provide a rewarding career, which also helps to drive the Australian economy.”

Through vocational education and training, jobseekers can follow their interests and trial their careers, including during school through VET in school subjects or school-based apprenticeships and traineeships.

Post-school, traineeships and apprenticeships give jobseekers a reallife, practical chance to learn the skills, while working on site to fill skills gaps while they are training.

Apprentice Support Australia chief executive Lee Xavier said this year’s theme highlighted the diverse pathways available through VET, from school-based programs to traineeships and apprenticeships, tailored to meet local industry needs.

“In regional and remote Australia, apprenticeships and traineeships are more than education – they are a lifeline for economic growth, job creation and community resilience,” he said.

“Apprenticeship Support Australia is proud to support initiatives to encourage individuals to discover the rewarding careers that begin with skillsbased learning.”

For more information or to get involved, people can visit the official website at nationalskillsweek.com.au.

Mr Kuhne said employers involved in the program saw the value in it.

“It’s really well-supported by employers in the Horsham area, and it is keeping the kids local,” he said.

“They don’t have to travel away for training, their families and support networks are here, and that helps the community.

“We know what it’s like trying to recruit volunteers for the CFA, or the local Lion’s Club – when you’ve got more of these young adults in the community, it helps everyone.”

The college has a picture display in its office of about 50 former students who have transitioned into schoolbased apprenticeships during the past 18 months. “We’ve had so many success stories where kids have just transitioned straight into work,” Mr Kuhne said.

“It gives them a good pathway, and positive pathways is what we’re all about.”

EMPLOYERS: Seeking

Apprentice, Trainee or Labour Hire?

POSITIVE:

Now is the time to express your interest as a host employer.

Get in touch today on 1300 135 008 or scan to learn more:

Celebrating staff

The skills, talent and pathways that make a workforce strong and diverse will be highlighted at West Wimmera Health Service as part of National Skills Week.

The health service offers a wide range of employment opportunities, from nursing and clinical specialties to education, in-home and community care, maintenance and engineering, allied health professions, administration and finance.

Whether someone is beginning their career as a trainee or apprentice or stepping into a leadership role, every position contributes meaningfully to the wellbeing of the community.

At West Wimmera Health Service, it is seen firsthand how invaluable real-life experiences can be for long-term, fulfilling careers.

Staff work closely with training providers, schools and community partners to create opportunities for people looking to start or grow a career in health or community services by supporting Vocational Education and Training, VET,

work experience, apprenticeships, traineeships, and professional development.

West Wimmera Health Service cheif executive Ritchie Dodds said National Skills Week was a chance to celebrate and recognise the team’s contributions.

“Whether it be providing care that promotes independence, maintaining our facilities to remain safe and functional, providing vital clinical services for West Wimmera, or ensuring efficient operations behind the scenes – every skill, role and person makes a difference,” he said.

“As National Skills Week is celebrated, West Wimmera Health Service staff hope to inspire others to consider the many rewarding roles available through vocational training and to show that there is no single path to success.

“Whether you’re passionate about people, practical work, numbers, or health, there’s a place for you at West Wimmera Health Service.

“Explore the possibilities. Grow your career with us.”

Emmetts growing local talent

The best way to grow a strong future in the region is to invest in young people today – that is the philosophy of John Deere dealership group Emmetts.

That is why its school-based apprenticeships give year 11 and 12 students the chance to work, learn, and earn while finishing school –gaining real-world skills without leaving their community.

For many, it is the first step into Emmetts’ TechSTAR apprenticeship program, a structured fouryear pathway to becoming a fully qualified agricultural technician.

TechSTAR apprentices work alongside experienced mentors, train on the latest machinery and technology, and graduate with a nationally recognised trade qualification.

Two youngsters at Emmetts’ Horsham branch are proof of just how valuable the TechSTAR pathway can be.

Jakob Shrive, 18, of Douglas, attends Monivae College in Hamilton and started with Emmetts after completing work experience in year 10.

“I wanted to do year 12 but also get an apprenticeship,” Jakob said.

“The school-based apprenticeship is good because you can still go to school, but also get hands-on experience in the workplace you want to work in.”

Jakob said his work experience

placement made the decision easy.

“I really enjoyed it, so I wanted to work here in the future,” he said.

His advice to other students?

“Try and do a work experience so you get a taste of what you could be doing,” Jacob said.

While starting any new job meant getting to know new people and processes, Jakob said the transition had been smooth.

“There’s no stress, really. I’ve known everyone here, so it makes it a lot easier,” he said.

Matthew Quick, 17, from Horsham College, also began his journey with a work experience placement.

“I grew up around John Deere machinery and was always interested in fixing it,” Matthew said.

“I’ve always wanted to work for Emmetts, but Mum and Dad said I was too young until now.”

For Matthew, the hardest part was getting over the nerves of working with adults while still young, but he said that was part of the learning process.

Matthew’s advice to other students is simple: “Don’t be afraid. It’s better to go out there and try. We’re all people – we all make mistakes.”

For Emmetts, programs like school-based apprenticeships and TechSTAR are about more than filling roles – they’re about creating career pathways that keep skills in the region and give young people the chance to thrive.

Celebrating pathways to participation

Hands-on science workshops for Victorian school students are shining a spotlight on the wide range of careers in agricultural research.

Agriculture Victoria’s Get into AgSTEM program last week launched a new workshop exploring on-farm energy generation and cultivation of plants under solar panels.

Get into AgSTEM is a free curriculum-linked education program delivered by Agriculture Victoria and offered to secondary school students.

Agriculture Victoria community education manager Anna Vietz said the new Energy Ag – Agrivoltaics workshop gave students the chance to use laboratory-scale solar panels and circuitry to generate power.

“The workshop offers students the opportunity to get hands-on experience while exploring how global climate change is altering climate variables in Victoria and how this can impact farming,” she said.

“We are looking forward to rolling out this workshop and welcome any interested school teachers to get in touch with us to find out more.”

The Energy Ag – Agrivoltaics workshop was funded through the Agriculture Energy Investment Program and will be delivered to students across the state.

“The school-based apprenticeship is good because you can still go to school, but also get hands-on experience in the workplace you want to work in”

–

Jakob Shrive, right

The innovative Get into AgSTEM program opens the doors to Agriculture Victoria’s state-of-the-art research facilities at AgriBio in Bundoora, and the Hamilton, Horsham, Tatura, Mildura and Ellinbank SmartFarms.

Students work to complete practical activities based on current research projects run by scientists at Agriculture Victoria, learning molecular analytical techniques for on-farm efficiency improvements, through to digital data collection for precision agriculture.

By showcasing research and innovation, Get into AgSTEM links studying STEM at school, with high-tech, cross-disciplinary skills that are relevant to future careers in agriculture. Teachers interested in the program can visit the Agriculture Victoria website for more information at agriculture.vic.gov.au/support-andresources/education/get-into-agstem.

Careers with Smallaire

Smallaire is a family-owned and operated business which commenced business in 1974 and it’s current direction was in response to the long hot Wimmera summers.

The business is built around the needs of each individual client and their circumstances relating to air movement, be it agricultural, commercial or domestic.

What began as a local business now caters for clients across Australia and overseas, including Russia, the United States, Holland, South Africa and more.

PATHWAYS

Vocational Education & Training

Igniting a Spark of Curiosity

Horsham College aims to spark curiosity and help students find what they are looking for in a career through a personalised education journey that resonates with their passions and equips them with future success.

VET Program Offerings

“I’m

environment with a nice wide variety of work to do everyday... you learn a lot of different skills. By the time you get to tradeschool, Smallaire have already taught you a lot of the skills you need to know, so school is a breeze.” Josh is now an OH&S Officer and General Supervisor

Braydon has just become a qualified metal fabricator welder and been promoted to Welding Supervisor.

Braydon Witney

Jock Baker, left, has worked for Smallaire for 30 years. He began work in the factory, became a supervisor, completed his metal fab apprenticeship with us as an adult, and has since become the general manager of Smallaire. He is also a shareholder.

Horsham College offers students many on campus VET (Vocational Education & Training) programs, including: Automotive, Sports, Aquatics and Recreation, Music, Screen and Media and Cookery. Horsham College is a training provider and member of the Wimmera Southern Mallee LLEN administered VET cluster. This gives students the choice of 17 VET course offerings.

Foundations for Success

Horsham College VET programs allow students to learn and develop targeted and practical skills that are directly applicable in a workplace.

Workforce Ready

Horsham College have graduates that pursue and are work force ready for employment. Our 2024 graduates gained apprenticeships in many sought after industries such as building, civil construction, plumbing, electrical, automotive and hairdressing.

Activating the future of Ararat

T

he Ararat Youth Activators, AYA, initiative continues to gather momentum in 2025, with term three bringing two new experiences for students: First Jobs Matter and Future of Ararat.

Delivered in partnership by Ararat Rural City Council and Crazy Ideas College, AYA has already engaged hundreds of young people across Ararat in hands-on learning experiences that build real-world skills, spark fresh thinking and connect students with local opportunities.

Earlier this year, students from Ararat and Marian colleges took part in Social Innovators, a high-energy, innovation workshop where teams tackled real community challenges.

Several of the most promising ideas are now being brought to life through Ideas2Life, with Marian College students currently working to launch the young-people-driven initiatives into the Ararat community.

The momentum continues in term three with First Jobs Matter, a oneday deep-dive where students explore local employment pathways and pitch ideas for new entry-level roles that create value for both young people and regional employers.

It is practical, fast-paced and designed to help young people build confidence and connections that matter.

Later this term, Crazy Ideas College will also deliver the Future of Ararat – a bold new national initiative that

positions young people as co-creators of their community’s future.

The festival will bring together students, educators, community members and civic leaders to explore critical themes such as liveability, sustainability, belonging and the future of work.

The initiative is focused on ensuring young people are not just prepared for the future, but are actively involved in helping to shape it.

“The Ararat Youth Activators pro-

gram is truly making a difference in the lives of our young people, and it’s also creating real-world mentoring opportunities for our local business community,” Ararat Mayor Jo Armstrong said.

“With initiatives like First Jobs Matter and Future of Ararat on the horizon, we’re building a generation of skilled, confident and communityminded individuals.”

Cr Armstrong strongly encouraged

career with Skillinvest.

local businesses and community organisations to be involved.

“By participating in one of these initiatives you’ll have the opportunity to offer insights, provide mentorship, and even explore new entry-level roles,” she said.

“Your participation plays a really important role in shaping our future workforce and ensuring our young people have more opportunities for professional development.”

“The work underway in Ararat is a brilliant example of what becomes possible when we back young people with the right experiences and support”

– Charlotte Kidd

Cr Armstrong said the AYA initiative, now in its third year, reflected the council’s long-term commitment to strengthening skills, aspirations and civic participation among local young people.

Crazy Ideas College is a futurefocused organisation helping young people, communities and businesses connect and collaborate in powerful new ways.

Crazy Ideas College has worked with more than 50,000 young people across Australia and New Zealand, equipping them with the tools, mindsets and networks to thrive and to shape the future of their communities.

“We see young people as a critical force in regional transformation,” Crazy Ideas College head of place partnerships Charlotte Kidd said.

“The work underway in Ararat is a brilliant example of what becomes possible when we back young people with the right experiences and support.”

Your leading Apprenticeship, Traineeship and Labour Hire provider

Our team of professionals can help you find an apprenticeship or traineeship in almost any industry

If you’re seeking Labour Hire or upcoming seasonal work, now is the time to register for employment.

Get in touch today on 1300 135 008 or scan to learn more:

Seek work experience opportunities

Seek structured workplace learning placements

Apply for gap year positions

Attend our careers expos

Attend onsite career information sessions

Consider local traineeships and apprenticeships

We encourage professional development and upskilling in all areas and assist where possible for individuals to achieve their work-based and study goals

If you are interested in learning more about us or our career opportunities and pathways, please contact our Training Officer / Careers Advisor by calling (03) 5391 4344 or email education.department@wwhs.net.au

Shaping Future Workforce - ‘Placement Day’

Over 400 students from across the Wimmera Southern Mallee are expected to apply for schoolbased VET programs for 2026 – and ever y one of them needs real-world experience

Could your business help shape the future by offering a Placement Day?

Your involvement helps students gain practical skills, explore career pathways, and build our region’s future workforce your future workforce

WSMLLEN are taking expression of interests from businesses as enrolm

Register your interest today and help a young person take their first st into the world of work. Visit: www.llen.com.au or email eo@llen.com.au

Supporting employment growth

Across the Wimmera and Mallee, the Axis Employment Transition to Work program is transforming the lives of youth by providing meaningful job opportunities and the ongoing support needed to succeed.

Through partnerships with employers such as Stawell’s Krause Bricks, the program is helping young people build the skills, confidence, and experience they need to thrive in the workforce.

Transition to Work, TTW, consultant Karl Mitton said the program was designed to support young people aged 15 to 24 who were ready to enter the workforce but needed help getting started.

“The program offers tailored support from local employment consultants, who assist with everything from resume building and interview preparation to providing essential work clothing, personal protective equipment, and even funding for industry-specific licences like forklift or driver’s licences,” he said.

“For the participants, this is more than just securing a job. It’s about creating a foundation for long-term success.”

Mr Mitton said one employer who had embraced the TTW program was Krause Bricks, a well-established business in Stawell known for its high-quality brickmaking.

job-readiness skills, and providing continuous support throughout their employment journey.

“TTW is all about providing that extra layer of support to help young people transition into the workforce,” he said.

“Whether it’s offering help with resumes, assisting with necessary workwear, or helping them get the right licences, we’re there every step of the way. We’ve seen such incredible growth in these participants, and it’s so fulfilling to see them thrive.”

Mr Mitton said the TTW program was not just about placing young people in jobs, but about ensuring they had the ongoing guidance they needed to build a lasting career.

“Jaydon Hemley is one such success story – he joined the program almost two years ago, having previously struggled to maintain consistent employment.

“However, with the ongoing support of TTW and the stability offered by Krause Bricks, Jaydon now works four to five days a week and has become a reliable and valuable contributor to the workplace.”

Mr Mitton said Declan Phillips was another participant who had flourished through the program.

“Initially he was lacking in confi-

“The company currently employs five TTW participants, each of whom has made significant strides in both their personal and professional development,” he said.

What is Transition to Work?

dence, but Declan is now thriving at Krause,” he said.

“In the near future, Axis Employment will assist Declan to gain his forklift licence; an important step that will expand his career opportunities.

“Tarquin Young is another participant whose hard work and dedication have not gone unnoticed – he has been offered a full-time role at Krause Bricks thanks to his exceptional performance.”

Mr Mitton said Aston Crawford made the shift from fast-food to a more hands-on role at Krause.

“Aston is thriving at Krause, and regularly works four to five days each week. He has really enjoyed the shift

Transition to Work (TtW) is a service that supports young people in making a successful transition into meaningful education or employment.

The service is designed specifically for those aged 15-24 who are not in education or work, and aims to help young people find and maintain employment, or build skills through vocational education and training.

AXIS Employment deliver the TtW service throughout the Grampians region, with offices located in Horsham, Stawell and Ararat.

TtW for Participants

Our TtW program is tailored to meet your individual needs and our dedicated Youth Consultants will provide you with the employment support that allows you to reach your full potential.

To help you into appropriate employment or education opportunities, including apprenticeships and traineeships, we will:

• Provide you with career advice that is relevant to your skills and interest

• Help you to develop practical skills and confidence to become work-ready

• Source education and training options

• Find job opportunities, including work experience placements

• Connect you with relevant local community services

to a more physical role,” he said.

“Krause production manager Mark Moustos has been an unwavering supporter of employing local youth through the TTW program.

“Mark believes in the potential of young people and has seen firsthand the positive impact the program has had on his team.

“He is proud to offer a supportive work environment where young employees can develop the skills they need to succeed in their careers.”

Behind the scenes, Mr Mitton plays an integral role in the success of young participants.

He works closely with each individual, helping them set goals, develop

“The success of the TTW program in Stawell is a shining example of how collaboration between local businesses and community support programs can empower young people to achieve their potential,” he said.

“With businesses like Krause Bricks leading the way, more local youth are gaining the skills and confidence they need to excel in the workforce.

“The TTW program is a testament to the power of investment in local youth – creating not just employees, but confident, skilled and motivated individuals ready to make a lasting impact on their community.”

For more information on the Transition to Work program or to find out how to participate or become an employer partner, people can visit www. caei.com.au or call 1800 811 622.

TtW for Employers

As a well-established specialist provider of employment services in the Wimmera Mallee Region, AXIS Employment have the experience and expertise to support the employment needs of local business and labour markets. We understand that you as the employer are a critical partner in the relationship to facilitate, create and support employment positions and work experience opportunities for young people.

AXIS Employment is committed to providing employers with motivated TtW candidates, who are appropriate and well prepared for work. We will be responsive to your organisation’s employment needs through transparent, direct communication with you.

Our specialist staff will support you and the TtW participant with a comprehensive range of postplacement support services to ensure that placements are sustained.

LOCAL TRADE DIRECTORY

Rowe’s also offer self-storage, warehousing and courier services so they have your needs covered.

Call Rowe’s Removals on 5358 3942 or email removals@clarksfurnture.com.au

Classifieds

~ BOLWELL-MINNE ~ August 21, 1965

Congratulations Bev and Brian on your 60th Wedding Anniversary.

Lots of love, Shaz, ❤, Leigh, Sam, Matt & families xxxx

BAIRD, Christopher Alan “Topha”

Passed away at home watching his beloved Hawks, on August 7, 2025 aged 60 years.

Loving brother of Jeffery (dec), Graham “Bear” (dec), and Stephen “Beaver”.

Loved son of Alan & Marilyn (both dec).

Uncle to Ashleigh and Luana. Go Hawks

BIRD, Noel Robbie

Passed away on August 11, 2025 aged 91 years.

Dearly loved husband of Margaret for 70 years.

Loving father and fatherin-law of Graeme & Jenny; Max & Wendy; Rosemary & Graeme.

Adored Pa to 9 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild. Now at Peace

COYNE, Kerry of Rainbow on August 4th, 2025

Loved Wife of Allan

Loved Mother of Sandra, Michael, Andrew, Patrick and their Families

In keeping with Kerry’s wishes a private Cremation has been held.

GLEN, Ian

Aged 93 years

Dearly loved Dad of Leanne Bell, Maree & Colin Peters, Leo Glen, Neil Glen, Andrew Glen & Jackie, and Regina Greenwood.

Loved pa of 15

Great grandpa of 20

Graveside service to be held from 1:00pm, 25th of August at Minyip Cemetary.

HAWKER, Edwin Thomas ‘Ted’

Passed away on August, 10, 2025, aged 98 years.

Dearly loved husband of Marjorie.

Loved father and father-inlaw of Len & Anne, Yvonne & Peter (dec) & Alan & Deanna.

Grandy was adored by all his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

Horsham & District Funerals

Dylan & Amity Hartwich 5382 1149

HAWKER, Edwin Thomas ‘Ted’

Dearly loved husband of Marjorie

Loving father and father-inlaw of Len and Anne Grandy to Luke, Naomi, Amanda and Christian

Great Grandy to Emilia, Sebastion, Beau and Delphine Forever in our hearts Cheerio Grandy

KRAUSE, Roy of Minyip on August 15th, 2025 Aged 91 Years

Loved Husband of Lorraine

Loved Father & Father-InLaw of Stephen & Raeleen, Dale (dec), Sharron & Bobby

Loved Grandfather of 5

Loved Great Grandfather of 6.

KRAUSE, Roy Walter

Passed away peacefully 15-8-2025, aged 91

You said I was the love of your life and you were mine. Married for 67 years. Till we meet again, Lorraine

KRAUSE, Roy Walter

30-6-34 to 15-8-25

A life well lived, filled with simple joys.

Dad had a lifelong love of the outdoors – fishing, shooting, yabbying, his veggie garden and most of all his family. Sadly missed by Sharron, Bobby, Kane, Paisley, Watson, Courtney, Jordan & Jacoba

KRAUSE, Roy Walter

Passed away peacefully at Dunmunkle Lodge on August 15, 2025 aged 91.

Loved father and father-inlaw of Stephen and Raeleen. Adored Pa to Edwina, Gavin and Jess.

Great Grandpa to Kaleb, Ben, Kailie and Jaxon. Keep Shooting Roy

OLIVER, Ian Dennis

Passed away on August 17, 2025 aged 82 years. Dearly loved husband of Carolle.

Loving father and fatherin-law of Barbara & Colin; Paul & Rosemary; Peter; and Helen.

Special friend of Tim. Grandpa to four grandchildren.

Now at Peace

OLIVER, Ian Dennis

Passed away 17th August 2025

Beloved brother & brotherin-law of Valerie (dec) & Ian Mills (dec), and Thelma & Roy Henwood. At Peace

BAIRD, Christopher Alan “Topha”

The Funeral of Christopher Alan “Topha” Baird will take place at St Andrew’s Uniting Church, Horsham on Friday, 22 August 2025 commencing at 2pm.

Please wear your Hawthorn Football Club colours in support of Topha.

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

Trevor Bysouth & Daughter

Ph 5381 1444

AFDA Member

BIRD, Noel Robbie

The funeral of Noel Robbie Bird will take place at the graveside, Goroke Cemetery on Thursday, August 21, 2025 commencing at 1.30pm

Trevor Bysouth & Daughter Ph 5381 1444 AFDA Member

GLEN

A graveside service for Mr Ian Glen will be held at the Minyip Cemetery on Monday, August 25, 2025 commencing at 1pm

W.B. Gardiner & Son Funeral Directors Warracknabeal 0407 340 064

HAWKER, Edwin Thomas ‘Ted’

The memorial service to farewell the late Mr Ted Hawker will be held at the Church of Christ, Horsham on Friday, August 22, 2025 commencing at 2pm A private interment will take place.

Dylan & Amity Hartwich 5382 1149

KRAUSE

The Funeral of Mr Roy Krause will leave the Lutheran Church Minyip on Friday August 29th, 2025 after a Service commencing at 1:30pm, for the Minyip Cemetery.

W.B. Gardiner & Son Funeral Directors Warracknabeal 0407 340 064

OLIVER, Ian Dennis

Ian Dennis Oliver will be farewelled at a private family gathering.

Trevor Bysouth & Daughter Ph 5381 1444 AFDA Member

ARGENT, Shirley Lorraine

22.04.1938 - 21.08.2015

Those we love don’t go away, They walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard, but always near, Still loved, still missed and very dear.

Those we love we never lose, Always in our thoughts, Forever in our hearts, We treasure the past, With memories that will always last.

Love always Joanne, Alistair, James, Emily, Olivia, James & Mila.

Bereavement Thanks

Thank you

~

KOOP ~ Keith

The family of the late, Keith Koop, wish to convey our heartfelt thanks for the many expressions of sympathy, support and kindness shown to us during our recent loss. Your messages, flowers, cards and presence at the funeral service provided great comfort during a difficult time.

Thank you

BROE, Lorraine Joy

10/11/1946 - 22/08/2024

We cried when you passed away, We still cry today

Although we loved you dearly

We couldn’t make you stay. Your golden heart stopped beating, We laid you down to rest God broke our hearts to prove he only takes the best.

We still have so many questions left unanswered, We will never stop hurting, We will never get over it, We will hold you in our hearts until we are together again.

Miss you every day

Love always and forever

Your loving husband Robert, Christine, Melinda, Mick, Emily and Layla.

Port Fairy 4-bedroom off-peak escape, ocean views, just $1140! Call Langley’s now to book 0355682899

~ TEPPER ~ Marion ‘Janice’

We wish to sincerely thank our family, friends, and community for their kindness, support, and sympathy shown following the loss of our beloved Wife, Mum, Mother-in-law and Oma. Your presence, messages, flowers, and thoughtful gestures have meant more than words can express.

We sincerely thank Professor George Kannourakis, Dr Mohamed Mahmoud and the medical team at St John of God, Ballarat, for their care and compassion.

A special thank you to everyone who assisted with Janice’s farewell. Your kindness and support helped to make the day easier, and your thoughtfulness has been a great comfort to us all during this difficult time.

❤ e Tepper Family

3 year old black and tan bitch working kelpie, great yard dog, Ph or PM for details to Harry 0458318200

Aged pensioner looking to buy a male chihuahua, 1 1/2 - 2 years old Ph 0421237043

Beeamma White, Australian White Stud purebred rams, private sale on farm, BRUC, ACC, OJD, VAC, ewes available, Elders Alan Thompson 0427849779, Rod Donnell (08) 87582095

Bristlenose catfish, great tank cleaners $5ea until sold out Ph 0474159010 after 6.30pm

Budgies, assorted colours $10 each Ph 0417533579

Cocker Spaniel pups for sale, pure bred pups black, female available from September, microchip# 978142000982266

Source# R185238 Ph 0429912620

Kelpie puppies for sale, good working parents, great temperaments, 2 male brown/ tan, 2 female black/tan and 2 male black/tan available, currently 7 weeks old and have been vaccinated and microchipped, source# MB 286176, 956000018852127, 956000017246586, 956000017239009, 956000017249996, 956000017239349, 956000018852851, $500 Ph 0408575398

Love birds assorted colours $20 each pick up only Warracknabeal Ph 0447776408

Mixed breed of goats, pregnant females, young male goats, mixed sheep available for sale, call for prices Ph 0414851313

Princess Parrots for sale , breeding pairs, various colours Ph 0439655239 Stawell area

Purebred black faced Dorper, rams and ewes, rams 2yrs old, ewes 9months old, pic# 3HSDC083 Ph Liz 0419664345

Purebred German Shepherd, 7 months, black and tan, great temperament, toilet trained, straight, one boy & one girl source# MB115424, m/chip# 956000016586733/6681104 Ph 0421018631

Reduced price to reflect age of puppies, Spoodle puppies, 2 Spoodle girls - could one of these girls be the missing piece in your life, raised in a loving family environment with sweet natures, 6 week vacations, microchip and vet checked, ready to join their new furever families born 9 May, microchip# 956000017221175 & 956000018924045, source # EE223376 $2000 price neg Ph 0400035456

Welsh Pembroke male and female Corgi puppies red and white, born 11/6/2025, vet checked vacc and microchip, available on the 8/8/2025 for there new home, microchip# 953010007914643, 953010007914649, 953010007914762, 923010007914686, the pups are reg with MDBA and come with Pedigree paper on limited reg, source# RB110579 Ph or text for pic and info 0448024815

Caravan 20’ full length, solid annex, ensuite shower, basin toilet, on permanent site in Portland Seaside Caravan Park, fully furnished, for holidays or permanent living $5800ono Ph 0432544164

Caravan 2015 Jayco starcraft, 16ft, queen sized bed, tv, full sized fridge freezer, microwave, gas electric hotplates and oven, toilet and shower, full annex, sway bars $42,000 ono Ph 0417573022

REDUCED Toyota Coaster camper, 2 seater, diesel heater, 1hz motor, solar and 12v awning much more $35,000 Ph 0418325662

Archery equipment , 3 compound bows, 35 pound youth bow, 60 pound adult bow, 16 wheeler antique, 1 45 pound Samic longbow, arrows, tool boxes, apres and fletching jig $500 Ph 0429164375

Brick pavers , H shaped, beige colour, 1600 $800 Ph 0459027575 Stawell

Stereo $200, Outdoor setting $150, a round table and chairs

REDUCED $290, a beautiful organ paid $8000 selling for $3500, fridge $200, Chiffonier paid $950 selling for $350, outdoor vacuum $50, ironing board $60 Ph 53824788

Stihl FS 38 whipper snipper, just serviced, VGC, $65 Ph 0427911765, 0477138363 Nhill

Extreme Motorboat, low hours, well maintained, $45,000 Ph 0428788212

Restored Antique cast iron/ timber garden benches $250 each Ph 53522691

Colorado Summit 210E 21’

Roof top tent, 2024 Outback Tourer, hardshell with ladder, 230 watt solar panel & roof rack, 12V power inside, 2 x cig socket & 2 x USB ports, 360 LED internal light strip, 1.5 width x 2.1 length, EC $2500 Ph 0418350445

Camping equipment, 2 dome tents, 10 man and 4 man, sleeping chair tent, 3 roll up tables, shower tent, 2 gas stoves, 4 spare bottles, camp kitchen, blow up q/bed $450 Ph 0429164375

13’ 1992 Colt Caravan, tv, a/c, 2way fridge, awning, VGC, reg till May 25, as is $8500 Ph 0487750540

1998 Cameron Canvas Camper , fully enclosed annexe, off road tires, double innerspring mattress, always stored undercover $5000ono Ph 0439553575

2000 Jayco starcraft , full annex, TV lots of extras, very good condition, one owner, very little use $20,000 or nearest offer Ph 0456601681

2013 Jayco Starcraft , 21’, one owner, very little use, as new, many added extras suit retired couple planning to travel $39,000 Ph 0427909230

2014 JB dirt roader

19’caravan, full ensuite queen bed, 3 way fridge washing machine, reverse cycle a/c diesel heater, Sirocco fans, 2 solar panels, 2 batteries, 280 litres water $44,000 Ph 0427902375 Beulah

2017 Ezytrail Stirling, excellent condition, forward folding hard floor, full annex, 600w inverter, TV, 80lt WACO fridge, memory foam mattress topper, always stored undercover, $18,500 ono Ph 0439022870

2017 Jayco Starcraft caravan, 16’, queen size bed, full oven, ensuite, easy to tow, hardly used, as new van Ph 0429982394

2019 Ezy Trail Stirling GT Mark 2 camper, EC, full annex, used 4 times, full rego $14,999 ono Ph 0428820446

Queen bed, large ensuite, full oven, 3way fridge, washing machine, A/C, diesel heater, sirocco fan, solar panels., lithium battery, AC-DC charger, rollout awning Great condition many extras $48000 ONO Ph 0400189163

Jayco Finch Pop Top, double beds with fly mesh, electric brakes, boat rack, annex $12,000 Ph 53582560

MDC Highside Cruiser 2019

3 ton McHitch, fridge, redarc dc to dc charger, EC $14,500 Ph 0407147996

REDUCED 2014 Jayco Silverline Outback 23ft-72-1, satellite dish, gas heater, 4 x 130 watt solar panels = 520 watts, Epever Triron 42ION MPPT 40 AMP controller, 2 x llithium batteries, 227 litre compressor fridge/freezer, full annexe

$48,000 Ph 0448099981

REDUCED 2018 Dingo

Ultimate Camper , heavy duty top of the line off-road trailer including boat rack, fully enclosed annexe including ensuite, lots of storage, built-in instant gas hot water to sink and shower, dual AGM batteries and built-in inverter and charger, innerspring mattress and ability to make up second double bed, two new off-road tyres, VGC, Y76535 $16,500ono Ph 0407360212

REDUCED Jayco Optimum 2013 motor home 28.5’, 2 slides, extras inc, 400 watt solar, diesel heater, bulbar, security system, 92,000kms, $150,000 Ph 0438951101

REDUCED New Age 2013 , queen bed, TV, large fridge, microwave, gas/electric hot plates, toilet, shower, washing machine, full annex, sway bars, $44,000 Ph 0427778747

campervan , light weight, easy to tow and setup, annexe, two single beds, EC $13,900 Ph 0429585845

4080B with forks and bucket, GC $15,000 Ph 0419389693

Expression of interest, for sale, international 511 28 row trash floats combine, 211 33 tyne scarifier, 18 disc Connor-Shea hyd lift 4 fold, B46 baler working order, Lowan round bale carrier Ph 0407911884 evenings

Ferguson Grey Tea 20 , egnine rebuild, trans resealed, new steering wheel and dash, brake recline, good tyres, good HYD system, new paint, POA, inspection invited Ph 0429491426

Header Gleaner R62, retired, no further use, $15,000+gst Ph 0438701392

11 PVC pipes, 39” long x 6” diameter, $50 for the lot Ph 0428504301

2 saddles, 2 bridles, 2 horse bits, 1 drench bit, 1 riding cap Ph 0447590865

5 step platform ladder , galvanised, on wheels with brakes $450 Ph 53522691

Camping Equipment, including as new Yamaha 2KVa inverter generator never used, aqua cube shower, porta potty, Komodo pantry, and clothesline $2500 Ph 0458683879

CCE cage on wheels 6x4 well made $400, 500 gallon ex fuel tank $100, Coolgardie safe $100, Ute crate, 6x4 tub tight $50, Bailey extension ladder 5.3 extends to 6.3 $500, new Holland Mower GC with parts, 44g drums ideal for grain feeding cattle, best offer Ph 0429857207

Folding bike with training stand $350, Snow sled 1050x500 $45 Ph 0418992631

Galvanised trailer, 5x5 $800 Ph 53522691

Gold and opal ring, approx 80yrs old, current valuation $4500 would like $2500 Ph 0458014560

J Berends pasture harrows 8’ $400 Ph 0429309491

Kirby Avalir 100th Anniversary, EC, clean and functions perfectly, includes filter bags, brand new home care system, all attachments some brand new $750 Ph 0429679481

Omega gold watch, approx 65yrs old, still keeps perfect time $1500ono Ph 0458014560

Pea straw small square bales, $7 per bale, great garden mulch, pickup or delivery to Horsham Ph 0488303725

Rinnai Convector portable gas heater, VGC, $50 Ph 0427911765, 0477138363 Nhill

Round bale hay ring $350 Ph 0429200566

Sherwell PTO bin $1200 Ph 0428857312

Strongberg Carlson Console Radio, ex condition Ph 53824316

Tent Dune Eyre, 10x10, near new, easy set up for Easter Ph 0491644368 Horsham

Toledo 4 berth dog float, good condition, reg til Dec 25 $950 Ph 0400192571

Round dining table with 4 velvet chairs $340 Ph 53824788

Single bed, excellent condition, includes mattress if needed and doona

$100 ono Ph 0417566140 Wall unit sliding door & shelves $30, coffee table with tiled top $25, timber corner unit $15, outdoor setting with 4 chairs & laminex oval table $80 Ph 0409967815 Horsham

Pietscraft 3.5m Fishing Boat, 15hp, Johnson tilt trailer, boat cover, all accessories $5000 Ph 0428822730

Stacer Aluminium fishing boat, 25 horsepower Yamaha outboard motor, trailer & boat registered, VGC $6000 Ph 0498549832

Aspire wheelchair, as new condition, barely used once a day for 3 months, extremely comfortable, cost $3500 from Action AIDS, reduced price $950 Ph 0427562913 Horsham Freedom forearm walker $250, wheelchair $150 Ph 0437600095

Quickie electric wheelchair, hardly used, EC $16,000 neg Ph 0429881523

Top Gun mobility scooter, EC, shade canopy, front basket, rear carrier, inspections welcome $4000 Ph 0438354414

2011 Honda 750 Shadow Shaft, as new cond, reg til 2/26, spares inc some new, 27,700kms

$5250 Ph 0488023477

2020 Harley Low Rider 107, FXLR 1745 cc, heaps of extras, EC, rego 3 monthly basis, 27,270 kms, 2K4ZJ $20,000 Ph 0409590596

BMW K1200 RS, 2010 model, comes with panniers, top box, reg til Aug, RW, BY136

$4800ono Ph 0419508310

Stawell area

REDUCED BMW R1200RT Solo, 2007, Ex SA Police, GO, HGR, EWS, CC, RW cond, unregistered, service manuals

$3000 Ph 0428154961

Hilux Toyota tray, excellent condition with push on tarp

$1200 Ph 0484355030

2010 Holden Captiva , 4-cylinder automatic, petrol, cruise control, 5 seats, 5 doors, a/c, electric windows, tinted windows, remote central locking, parking sensors, black exterior and black/grey interior, 205,602 km still works well, has wear and tear for its age, some paintwork damage to bonnet, selling due to new work car

$2500 Ph 0438132484

Mitsubishi Lancer, 2000 model, excellent condition,TXU090, RWC on sale, 92,813 kms genuine $2750 Ph 0418319587

1994 Ford ED Futura Auto

4.0i, drives strong, great duco, no RWC or rego $5500 Ph 0409423541

2005 SP Mazda 3 Hatch, 5 speed manual, power steering & aircon, black in colour, 1YD6TE, 193000km, RWC, $4500, Ph 0423335246

2013 Ford Mondeo Zetec hatch, auto, economical turbo diesel, silver colour, full service history, registered June 25, RWC, 317,000km, 1AG2PW $5500ono Ph 0428928248

Honda Civic , 1994, great condition with RWC, automatic & aircon, colour black, Vtech motor, vin

JHME6548005203141 $10,000 Ph 0428501109

Peugeot 407 HDI, beautifully cared for car, $8000 Ph 0484355030

Please is there anyone who can help puppy girl and I, and buy our car so we can buy a new scooter? Ford Territory, 3mths reg, RWC, 2BT9VM Ph 0402363355

Please is there anyone who can help puppy girl and I, and buy our car so we can buy a new scooter? Nissan X-Trail, call for details Ph 0402363355

REDUCED 2013 VE Commodore V6, grey, aftermarket exhausts, aftermarket speakers in doors, subs in boot, GC, will provide road worthy certificate, 240,000km, ZOT852 $9000 Ph 0488050839

2011 Triton Extra Cab 4x4 diesel manual ute, towbar, trailer brakes, extra battery, trade racks, business sold no longer needed, current RWC, 40,000km on fully rebuilt engine, WWT002 $16,000 Ph 0419505783

Ford BF Sedan 2005, dual fuel, ex cond, 280,000kms, WIY315 $4500 Ph 0468 559 166

2005 Isuzu NPR250 car license truck, 6 months rego, 230,000kms, 1OC9FA $22,500 Ph 0438521591

2014 Toyota Hilux , 3 litre diesel, new shockers and springs and injectors, oil filter and oil every 600km, great for towing vans, 290,000kms

$25,500 Ph 0417109816

2019 Ford Ranger XLS grey double cab with full screen, very good condition 125,000km, 8 mths rego, new tyres, snorkel, arb bull bar, air bags, side steps, black duck seat covers, under tray tool boxes, many extras always shedded, minimal towing

$45,000 inc Gst Ph Andrew 0427923236

Toyota Ute, no Ev tax on this one, dual cab SR5 auto transmission, 3 litre motor, diesel, 2011 model, RWC supplied, high rise canopy, tub liner, trailer pull, electric brakes, as new inside, 106,500 kms, YFK992 $32,500 plus Gst Ph 0428 832 227

Landcruiser ute with slide on camper, 2002, 4.2 litre diesel, 4x4, Millhaven tray towbar, bullbar, Superwinch, tool lockers, Polyair bellows, Davsher hitchhiker camper, new 90L, 3-way dometic fridge/freezer, fiamma awning, 2 burner gas cooktop/griller, sink,120kW fold up solar panels, 200W inverter, 200AH AGM house batteries, queen bed, robe, spacious storage, midge-mesh screening, Highjacker hydraulic legs, 2nd spare wheel, plus extras, excellent condition, 228,961km, HZJ79R Ph 0427482976

Looking to Buy a Home in Horsham I’m a genuine buyer seeking a house in Horsham. If you’re considering selling-now or in the near future-please get in touch. No agents, just a straightforward sale, any condition considered, call or text Ara on 0425906535

Massage

Landcruiser Prado 150 series 31/8/90 alloy nudge bar, PZQ2960420, serial# 0110 $155 Ph 53569340 or 0412482521 Landsborough

48 year old separated/single true gentleman bloke from Horsham who likes reading, music, occasionally going out for dinner then next the movies or watching movies at home, fishing and camping, walking and swimming, looking for 48+ old lady for serious relationship Ph 0491230835

Ararat man, 67 years old, interests include gym, fishing, camping, singing, acting, Lions Club, bushwalking, ballroom dancing, looking for a lady aged between 40-70 years old, Ph 0467791009 Ararat

Jill Nicholson went to Dover girls tech in the 60s Adelaide, lived 5 Broadway South Brighton left Adelaide to live in rural Victoria early 70s Ph John 0423315174

Stawell Lady recently moved to Stawell, interests include art, camping, ukulele, singing, bushwalking, dancing, looking for a respectable man for possible relationship aged between 60 -70yrs Ph 0413375338

3 bedroom house to share, near Horsham cbd, own walk in robe and ensuite, semi-furnished Ph 0427963906

Golf cleveland halo XL senior flex 5 & 7 Loft Fairway Woods, R.H, covers, mint condition, $150 each Ph 0353824210

......Don’t deprive yourself of time to be completely pampered, to made feel like you’ve not felt in a very long time, discreet in all aspects, is here at your service, can have all your sensual desires catered for including massage oils to help you relax, feel comfortable and put you in a state of euphoria, clean in all regards, a safe home environment, including off street parking that you can arrive at your appointment at ease, catering for both male and female Ph 0422275320

Sheep slaughtered at $15 per head Ph Andy 53838240

Funeral remembrance videos edited with cherished media by professional, each project individual, AI photo restoration available Ph 0478609837

Keyte’s mowing service, lawn mowing, lawn aeration (coring), block slashing, general pruning Ph 53826461 or 0429309491

Massage service, very clean, full body massages available for both men and women, very discreet, you come to us or we can come to you, call for quote and booking, in the Wimmera area and beyond Ph 0473311660

TOP STUDENT TUTORING , one-to-one individualised tutoring for Years 7-12 English, working with Children Check Ararat & Stawell, email Philippa: philippak1@bigpond.com

Aged pensioner looking to buy a male chihuahua, 1 1/2 - 2 years old Ph 0421237043

Wanted, Billy Goat service for 2 milking goats Ph 53840253

2 tanker loads of water as running low Nhill area cash paid ph 53928295 and leave message

Wanted Mackenzie punch and shear, have you got one in the shed not being used? Ph 0499911102

Christian Devotion

Facing the Mountain

One might say that peace is an absence of sorrow. Is that true? While the absence of sorrow can contribute to a sense of peace, peace itself is far more profound. One might suggest that peace is a state of mind. You will have peace when you distance yourself and the emotion. Sounds tempting to those who are rational thinkers. However, could this lead to emotional detachment?

Jesus is a man of peace, so much so that He is called the Prince of Peace. Yet, he is also known as a man of sorrow. A rather strange title for someone with perfect peace. In John 14, Jesus said, ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.’

It turns out, peace is not the absence of sorrow, but an antidote to fear. Jesus speaks of a peace that lets you connect emotionally with your circumstances without being paralysed by fear. We cannot achieve this peace with our own strength alone. Because this peace is a gift, freely given through Jesus’ grace and love.

Kevin Tanan - Olive Branch Church, Ararat

Warracknabeal Energy Park Pty Ltd (ABN 11 339 812 306) has prepared an Environment Effects Statement (EES) for the Warracknabeal Energy Park Project (the Project).

The Warracknabeal Energy Park EES is now available for public comment for a period of 30 business days. This notice is provided pursuant to the Environment Effects Act 1978 (Vic) (EE Act) and the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) (EPBC Act). Written submissions on the EES can be made between Monday 18 August 2025 and 11.59pm on Tuesday 30 September 2025.

Project Description

Warracknabeal Energy Park is a nationally significant renewable energy project that will bring jobs and wide-ranging economic benefits to the Wimmera. When operational, it will be capable of producing enough clean energy to meet approximately 12.5% of Victoria’s annual electricity needs. The project will have an installed capacity of approximately 1.6 gigawatts consisting of up to 219 wind turbines, two collector stations - each co-located with a battery energy storage system - plus a transmission line connecting the project into the electricity network at Murra Warra Terminal Station. If the Project gains all required approvals, construction is anticipated to begin in 2027.

EES process

The Project was referred to the Victorian Minister for Planning in May 2023 in accordance with Section 8(3) of the EE Act.

• On 1 September 2023, the Minister determined that an EES is required for the project due to the potential for significant environmental effects.

• On 16 October 2023, the Commonwealth determined the project is a controlled action requiring approval under the EPBC Act due to likely significant impacts on matters of national environmental significance (MNES).

• The EES process is being undertaken as an accredited assessment under the Bilateral (Assessment) Agreement between the Commonwealth and the State of Victoria under the EPBC Act, enabling a single assessment process to examine the project’s likely impacts on state and commonwealth matters. The commonwealth will rely upon the Minister for Planning’s assessment under the EE Act when deciding whether the project is approved under the EPBC Act.

• In May 2024, the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) issued draft Scoping Requirements for the Project’s EES for public comment.

• In December 2024, following consideration of feedback, the final Scoping Requirements were issued by the Minister for Planning.

These identified the matters to be investigated and documented in the EES.

• This EES has examined relevant impacts on MNES, you can make a submission on the matters assessed for the purposes of the relevant provisions under the EPBC Act, by making a submission on the EES.

At the conclusion of the EES process, the Victorian Minister for Planning will publish a final assessment of the environmental effects of the project, taking into account the exhibited EES, Inquiry report, public submissions and documents received as part of the Inquiry process. The proponent and statutory decision-makers will need to take account of the Minister’s assessment.

Procedures for the EES were published in 2023 and are available on the DTP website at: https://www. planning.vic.gov.au/environmental-assessments/ browse-projects/referrals/warracknabeal-energypark. You can also read more about the EES process for the project at the above link. Any person may make a written submission on the EES during the exhibition process. All such submissions will be treated as submissions on the EES.

How to Make a Submission

Anyone can make a submission on the EES. Submissions must be made in writing and be received by 11.59pm on Tuesday 30 September 2025. Submissions can be lodged via the Victorian Government’s Engage Victoria website at: https:// engage.vic.gov.au/Warracknabeal-Inquiry. If you do not have internet access and are unable to lodge a submission online, contact Planning Panels Victoria (PPV) through the Customer Call Centre on 136 186 (select option 6) and request a hardcopy submission coversheet.

Submissions will be treated as public documents and will be published on the Engage Victoria website. The submission process is independently managed by PPV and any enquiries regarding the management of submissions or the Inquiry and hearing process should be directed to PPV.

The Inquiry Process

The Minister for Planning will appoint an independent Inquiry to conduct a public hearing commencing in the week beginning 24 November 2025 and is expected to run for 5–7 weeks (as required). If the hearing cannot be concluded before Christmas it will continue from mid-January 2026. The Inquiry will hold a Directions Hearing on Thursday 16 October 2025 to consider the arrangements and timetable for the public hearing.

If you want to present to the Inquiry you will need to make a written submission, and mark on the online submission form that you would like to be heard.

The Inquiry will review all the submissions and the EES before providing advice to the Minister for Planning. The scope of the Inquiry is guided by Terms of Reference issued by the Minister for Planning.

Information on the hearing process and timetable will be published as it becomes available at: https:// engage.vic.gov.au/Warracknabeal-Inquiry

How to access and read the EES

The EES is now available to read and download at www.WarracknabealEnergyPark.com.au/EES

Hard copies of the EES will be made available at the following locations during the exhibition period:

• Warracknabeal Energy Park project office 104 Scott Street, Warracknabeal

• Yarriambiack Shire Council offices

34 Lyle Street, Warracknabeal

• Warracknabeal Library 36 Lyle Street, Warracknabeal

• State Library of Victoria 328 Swanston Street, Melbourne

You can request an electronic copy of the complete EES from Warracknabeal Energy Park at any time during the public exhibition period. For those who cannot access either physical or electronic sites to view the EES, hard copies may be requested and purchased from Warracknabeal Energy Park at cost. Please email: info@WarracknabealEnergyPark.com. au or call 1300 901 816.

Drop In Sessions

The Warracknabeal Energy Park project office –located at 104 Scott Street, Warracknabeal - is open Mondays and Thursdays 9am to 5pm for general enquiries. In addition, there are opportunities to meet with the wider project team at the project office after hours on the following days and times:

• Saturday 23 August, 10am-2pm

• Thursday 28 August, 5pm-8pm

Questions

In relation to the Project or EES Documentation

Warracknabeal Energy Park Pty Ltd (Proponent) PO Box 433, Gisborne Vic 3437

Ph: 1300 901 816

Email: info@WarracknabealEnergyPark.com.au

In relation to making a submission or the Inquiry

Process Planning Panels Victoria Ph: 136 186 (select option 6) Email: planning.panels@transport.vic.gov.au

In relation to the EES Process Impact Assessment Unit, DTP Ph: (03) 8572 7980 Email: environment.assessment@transport.vic.gov. au

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Valuable chances in final round

BY SIMON KING

With key positions on all three competition ladders still to be decided, the last round of the Wimmera Hockey Association’s regular season promises to be entertaining.

The valuable second chance in the finals that comes with second place on the open ladder could still change, and fourth place on both the women’s and under-16 ladders are two-way battles to see who will progress to the finals.

Open

The open division game that will hold the most interest will see Kaniva Cobras, who still have the chance of rising to second place on the ladder, play Horsham Hurricanes, who will go into the finals in fourth place regardless of the result.

Warrack Hoops currently hold second place, and with the points they receive for the bye this week, they are effectively one win ahead of the Cobras and enjoy a goal difference advantage of eight.

This means the Cobras must not only win to draw level on points, but also need the victory to be by at least nine goals if they are to move up.

Unfortunately for them, the Hurricanes play the turf at Dimboola well, so even a Kaniva victory will be a big ask, let alone by the required margin.

The last game for the round will see the competition-leading Yanac Tigers take on fifth-placed Nhill Rangers.

With neither team able to change its position regardless of the result, this may look like an unimportant encounter. Still, the Tigers will want to maintain their momentum going into the finals, and the Rangers have nothing to lose and will want to put in a good performance before they pack their gear away for the season,

suggesting this should still be an entertaining match-up.

Women

The opening women’s match is on Friday evening, when the Dimboola Roos will look to bounce back from their loss to Yanac last weekend when they take on Warracknabeal.

Defying their lowly ladder position, the Warrack team has registered a win and a draw in their previous three outings, and while toppling Dimboola on its home turf will be a big assignment, they still have the chance to end their season positively.

The most interest comes on Saturday afternoon, firstly with the Nhill Thunderbirds versus Yanac game, and then the Horsham Jets versus Kaniva match-up.

A win or a draw by the Thunderbirds will be enough to confirm they will

stay in fourth place and play finals, but considering Yanac’s undefeated record this season, inflicting their first defeat, or even a draw, could be asking too much.

A Yanac victory will keep Horsham Jets in the mix when they take to the field for the following match against Kaniva, who have shown some patchy form of late. In this scenario, if the Jets register a win, they will overtake the ’Birds by two points and claim a final berth, which looked very unlikely several weeks ago.

Under-16

While all three under-16 matches could have an impact on the matchups for the first round of finals, the one with the most significance will open the round on Friday evening.

Put simply, the winner of the Warrack Revengers and Dimboola Kan-

garoos game will play finals, and the other team’s season comes to an end.

A draw would be enough to see the Revengers, who are currently tenuously holding fourth place, remain there.

Nhill Leopards and Yanac Warriors meet in a big game on Saturday morning. While the result is irrelevant to them meeting again the following week in the semi-finals, the winner will claim the minor premiership and go into their next encounter full of confidence.

Horsham Bombers have their last chance to record a win this season when they play Kaniva Raiders, who confirmed their place in the finals with a win last week, so this will also be an entertaining game.

The under-12 development program will conclude on Saturday with its last round of games and award presentations from midday.

Round-14 results –

Open: Nhill Rangers 1 (goal, R. Reichelt; best, J. Reichelt, T. Krelle, C. Schultz) drew with Horsham Hurricanes 1 (F. Cullen; T. Leffler, A. Mullane, F. Cullen). Warrack Hoops 1 (C. Bardell; H. Johns, S. Schultz, T. Jorgensen) drew with Kaniva Cobras 1 (J. Dyer; L. Mills, J. Clark, J. Bedford).

Women: Horsham Jets 1 (L. Schilling; C. McFarlane, L. Schilling, A. Heal) d Nhill Thunderbirds 0 (K. Clark, C. Rowe, L. Clark). Warrack Women 0 (S. Williamson, H. Bentley, E. Williamson) drew with Kaniva Women 0 (N. Hutchins, J. Braisby, L. Stimson). Yanac Women 3 (C. Alexander 2, S. Hedt; E. Alexander, M. Mackley, H. Zanker, C. Alexander) d Dimboola Roos 1 (N. Kuhnell; T. Clark, B. McMaster, A. Rintoule, E. Baldock).

Under-16: Nhill Leopards 4 (B. Clark 2, O. Bone, B. Cannell; O. Bone, T. Bee, D. Bee) d Horsham Bombers 0 (H. Di Pietro, J. Mackereth, O. Knoop). Kaniva Raiders 3 (J. White 2, F. Dodson; R. Williams, J. White, D. Stimson) d Warrack Revengers 2 (N. Eilola, S. Williamson; E. Williamson, C. Bentley, S. Williamson). Yanac Warriors 7 (H. Zanker 3, S. Pedie, S. Farmers, I. Hedt, L. Dickinson; S. Pedie, A. Zanker, H. Zanker, S. Hedt) d Dimboola Kangaroos 0 (R. Williams, A. Pretorius, R. Hadzig, L. Hauselberger).

Development program: Nhill Bandits 4 (Z. Chequer 2, M. Sardhara, D. Bee) v Horsham Black Hawks 3 (M. Rose, H. Mills, L. Rose). Warrack Avengers 4 (M. Marra 3, T. Sawrey) v Kaniva Rampagers 0. Dimboola Kookaburras 0 v Yanac Lowan Stars 5 (M. Dart 2, C. Alexander, Z. Rethus, P. Dart).

Next generation volleyballers on show

BY DAVID BERRY

The future of volleyball in the region will be on full display when years seven and eight Black Ranges and Little Desert school volleyball hits off today.

The first progression towards the School Sport Victoria state finals, the winning schools will progress to the Greater Western Region finals on September 9, before the state finals in term four.

All Wimmera schools are represented across the four divisions, including for the first time at this level Ararat College.

Volleyball Horsham vice-president

Matt McLoughlin said history showed the winning teams from this event were a good chance to progress to state finals.

“The majority of the kids play regularly in the Volleyball Horsham junior competition, giving them the muchneeded match play in the lead-up to this event,” he said.

“This day is the hardest volleyball the teams are likely to face, given the strength of volleyball in the region.”

McLoughlin, a Wimmera Lutheran College staff member, has six teams participating with two teams in each of the year seven and eight girls divisions and one in each of the year

Martin finds circle

Concongella trainer Owen Martin visited the winner’s circle at Bendigo last week after his five-year-old gelding Feelingoodfreddie proved much too strong for the opposition in a $6000 pace final.

Drawn the inside of the second row over the 2150m journey, driver Neil McCallum was content to hold a position one off the markers during the early stages. When the dust settled, ‘Freddie’ sat four-back in the running line with a lap-anda-half to go and racing kindly.

McCallum sat quietly until the 700m, then released the deafeners and started a bold three, then four-wide charge towards the leaders.

At the top of the home stretch, the combo had them covered and coasted to the finish, untroubled to score by six metres in a rate of 1:57.6.

Feelingoodfreddie had rounded them up in similar style six days earlier at Ballarat, when narrowly taking out a heat of the tri-venue contest.

McCallum elected to get them going further from home in the Bendigo final, pushing ‘Freddie’ to outstay his rivals.

It took a while for the gelded son of Mr Feelgood (USA) and the Jet Laag USA broodmare Hope To Fly to learn about the winning game before he finally saluted at Charlton in February

2024, when having his 19th start. Martin’s patience has paid off since then, with ‘Freddie’ and McCallum combining for another five victories and four placings from their last 21 outings.

The team heads to Ballarat tomorrow to contest a harder race, drawn awkwardly on the inside of the second row in race five on the card.

Dunn success Horsham owner-trainer

Aaron Dunn enjoyed success at Melton on Saturday night with his handy three-year-old gelding Ruff Nut in the $8000 Nevele R Pace.

Drawn one off the pegs on the second row at the start of the 1720m sprint trip, Ruff Nut slotted into the one-out, oneback spot early, but as soon as leader Our Princess Di – David Miles – backed off the tempo, Dunn ensured a truly run contest by taking Ruff Nut up into the death seat.

After a 28 second split down the back, Dunn maintained the pressure and Ruff Nut forged clear round the home turn, straightened up and strode to the post in 28.1 to score by seven metres in a rate of 1:55.7 – his fourth win from 20 starts.

seven and eight boys, while Horsham College has two in each of the boy’s divisions and one in the girls.

“I know the WLC teams are really keen to do well as they enjoy the opportunity to represent their school at events like this,” he said.

McLoughlin said the year eight girls competition should see Horsham College progress, if they have everyone available, as they have a strong team.

“Girls like Eden Pumpa, Stella Angue and Maci James have been playing together since they were in year seven in the Volleyball Horsham junior competitions, winning each season,” he said.

With two teams in the year seven girls’ division, McLoughlin has a strong hand, but is wary of the Horsham College team.

“It will be interesting to see where Drew Armstrong plays, either with the year eight team or year seven team as she is in great form at present and has been training in the state program as she prepares for national juniors in Perth at the end of term,” he said.

The year eight boys competition has been split into two pools with six teams participating.

McLoughlin said the team to look out for in this division was Murtoa.

“They have a few boys in Bentley

Pendlebury and Kayne Sartori-Billman who are members of the Volleyball Horsham Academy Program, so will be strong players, but I know my WLC boys are keen,” he said.

“In the year seven boys’ division St Brigid’s could be the smokey as they have some talented youngsters who have had some external coaching in preparation for this event.”

It all adds up to a big day of junior volleyball where the next generation of volleyball superstars just may be unearthed.

Play starts at 9.20am and continues until 2.30pm, with all games at Horsham basketball stadium.

The three-year-old filly has not been seen since her unplaced run at Swan Hill in April, but no-doubt trainer-driver Kerryn Manning will have her ready to be thereabouts at the finish of the 1650m contest.

Manning wears the white, light blue and purple silks with the prominent Pancare logo when aboard Alifetimeforliving whenever she parades, trials or races for the charity.

The Pancare Foundation of Australia is committed to raise awareness, support families of sufferers and fund research for upper gastrointestinal cancers.

Driver Neil McCallum has the whip firmly tucked away as Feelingoodfreddie cruises to the finish of the $6000 Shehan Plumbing Pace final at Bendigo on Wednesday last week.

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Blockbuster finals series kicks off

BY COLIN MacGILLIVRAY

Blockbuster finals featuring Ararat Eagles and Tatyoon loom this weekend after an entertaining Mininera and District Football League home-and-away season drew to a close on Saturday.

Tatyoon locked in a fifth-place finish – and with it, an elimination final berth against Glenthompson-Dunkeld on Sunday – by defeating MoystonWillaura 16.8 (104) to 6.7 (43) at the weekend.

The Hawks got rolling with 10 goals to three after half time, with coach Andy Challis kicking six for the game and the team’s top goal kicker, Josh Lee, adding four of his own.

The result sealed an unlikely finals berth for the Hawks, who seemed out of contention with only one win and one draw from their first eight games before a surge in the second half of the season.

But despite Tatyoon’s strong form entering the finals, the Hawks will be tested by Glenthompson-Dunkeld.

The Rams will come into Sunday’s elimination final at Penshurst on a hot streak of their own, having won eight of their past 10 games including an 11.11 (77) to 11.9 (75) thriller against Great Western at the weekend.

The Lions, long since out of finals contention, had little but pride to play

Other leading lights for Tatyoon included Lachie McGrath, Joshua Brown, and Sean McDougall. The Pumas were gallant in defeat but ultimately outclassed, with Riley Van Dyke and Izaiyah Turner their best.

Giants write new chapter

The Grampians Giants all-abilities football team wrote a new chapter in its history this month when it made its first-ever grand final appearance.

Nine years after the Giants were established, they took on the South Warrnambool Roosters in the Football Integration Development Association, FIDA, western conference grand final at Warrnambool’s Friendly Societies Park, on August 10.

With a full side and a passionate group of travelling supporters making the journey to Warrnambool, the Giants arrived determined to embrace the occasion.

Coach Gary Ryan’s pre-game message captured the essence of the day.

“Give it your all, play for each other, and don’t forget to have fun,” he said.

While the Giants had beaten South Warrnambool, the defending champions, earlier in the season, the home side was equally determined to keep its crown.

The Roosters started quickly, putting scoreboard pressure on the Giants early to take a 14-0 lead at quarter time, but the Giants responded with grit and determination, closing the gap to seven points at half time with relentless pressure.

The Roosters edged ahead again in the third quarter, capitalising on key opportunities to lead by 16 points at the final change, and while the Giants

never gave in, they were unable to retake the lead.

The final score saw South Warrnambool 7.8 (50) defeating Grampians 4.7 (31).

Goal kickers for the Giants were Charlie Blake, Ashton McKinnon, Keefe DeGroot and Lachlan Lee.

Lee, the captain, inspired his teammates with his goal and led from the front all day, while Blake worked tirelessly in attack, McKinnon brought energy around the contest and DeGroot was a strong presence up forward.

Other top performers for the Grampians were Ryan Pulham, Tom Fleming, Sky Ralph, Brandon Micallef, Matthew Joy, Lei Calantog, Dan Quixley, Lachlan Drane, Hayden Quaife, Denny Coone, Tavis Starick, Chris Rolph, Nathan Elford, Thomas Parker, Simon Crow, and Lucas Ralph.

Wimmera Regional Sports Assembly, WRSA, program manager Matthew Jolly said the Giants’ achievement was about more than a scoreboard.

“It was about what’s possible when people of all abilities are given the chance to play, belong and compete at the highest level,” he said.

“This was a celebration of inclusive footy where athletes come together and share the field to celebrate the spirit of sport.”

for, and could have been excused for dropping their heads after falling behind by 16 points at half time, but gave their home crowd plenty to cheer for after the long break.

Great Western restricted the visiting Rams to just two points in the final quarter, nearly completing a memorable comeback that fell just short at the siren.

Best for the Lions were Josh Arkell, Alex Bonner and Kurt Dunn, while Sam Cocks and Tom Cairns kicked three goals each.

Sam McDonald kicked three for the visitors, and will be one of the danger men for Tatyoon this weekend as the Hawks attempt to advance further into the finals.

Meanwhile, Saturday’s qualifying final at Great Western will feature the

Ararat Eagles and reigning premier Penshurst in a heavyweight showdown.

For much of the season the Eagles seemed on track to finish atop the ladder and earn the first week of the finals off, but a surprise loss to SMW Rovers earlier this month saw them slip to second, and they were unable to retake top spot despite a strong 17.5 (107) to 7.12 (54) win against HawkesdaleMacarthur on Saturday.

Ararat led at every change, with Jack Wilson booting a season-best nine goals while Ben Robertson and Tom Cousins capped strong seasons with excellent performances in the midfield.

Penshurst handed the Eagles one of only two losses they suffered this season, as Bomber Josh Rentsch kicked

six goals in a 42-point win for his side in round 12.

Rentsch and Jacob Mibus loom as two players Ararat will need to stifle, with both among the top seven goal kickers in the league this season.

The winner of Saturday’s qualifying final will play Lismore-Derrinallum for the right to advance directly to the grand final, while the loser has a second chance and will face the winner of the elimination final between the Hawks and Rams.

Several other teams concluded their seasons at the weekend, with Woorndoo-Mortlake 16.12 (108) defeating Wickliffe-Lake Bolac 7.7 (49), SMW Rovers succumbing to Lismore-Derrinallum 17.20 (122) to 5.5 (35) and wooden spooner Caramut going down to Penshurst 16.12 (108) to 9.5 (59).

CELEBRATION: The Grampians Giants all-abilities football team following its first-ever grand final appearance.

Mr Jolly said everyone at the WRSA was proud of the Giants’ players, and thanked the sponsors, volunteers, coaches, families and carers who supported the team.

Whippets netball

Another all-abilities sporting team, the Wimmera Whippets netball side, hosted round three of the Regional All Abilities Netball League, RAANL, on August 3.

The round saw the Ballarat Bulldogs and Warrnambool Stingers playing games of fun and inclusive netball at Horsham’s St Brigid’s College.

The Bulldogs arrived in style, showing off their new uniforms in the first match against the Whippets, with a close battle ensuing as Lance Rosello and Indya Baulch worked hard in the ring before the game ended in a 16-16 draw.

The Stingers were the big winners of the day, running over the Whippets and Bulldogs with ease.

With three players over six feet tall and another representing Victoria in all-abilities netball, the Stingers were difficult to stop.

Despite the Wimmera’s 41-16 loss

to Warrnambool, Ella Massey showed outstanding sportsmanship and gifted the ball to a Stingers shooter to secure her first goal.

Because of her actions, along with playing outstanding defence all day, Massey was awarded the Uniting player-of-the-day award, while the incentive award went to Baulch for her incredible shooting and fun dance moves on court.

The Whippets travel to Ballarat for round four, before hosting again in Horsham in round five on Sunday, September 21.

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Bombers take centre stage

The stage is set for a classic Horsham District Football

Netball League senior football finals series, with each of the top five teams bringing a unique and compelling narrative to the action.

Minor premier Noradjuha-Quantong has hardly put a foot wrong in its quest to go one step better than last season’s narrow grand final loss, topping the ladder with a 15-1 record – its only loss coming to Kaniva-Leeor United by a single point in round 11.

The Bombers remain in pursuit of their first senior premiership since the merger of Noradjuha and Quantong in 1997, and have seemingly given themselves the best possible chance of achieving their goal.

But hot on Noradjuha-Quantong’s heels will be the team that defeated it in last year’s grand final – HarrowBalmoral.

The Roos have endured what was, by their own lofty standards, a slightly down year – albeit one that nearly any other side would accept in a heartbeat.

After going undefeated in 2023 and 2024, the Roos lost two matches this season as they dealt with a lengthy injury list.

But with the team nearing full fitness and a finals double chance in hand, Harrow-Balmoral remains confident it can win its third successive senior flag – a feat not achieved in the Horsham District league since Kalkee’s fivestraight premierships between 2008 and 2012.

Opposing the Roos in Saturday’s qualifying final at Dock Lake Reserve will be Pimpinio, a team searching to

create its own piece of history. The Tigers broke a 17-year drought between finals wins last season and achieved a goal set out at the start of the year by coach Guy Smith with a top-three finish, giving themselves at least two chances to add more finals victories to their resume.

Meanwhile Sunday’s elimination final at Stawell’s North Park will see a fierce showdown between Laharum and Kaniva-Leeor United.

The Demons are only two years removed from a winless season but have become renowned for their wellstructured defensive game style, and will be a difficult outfit for any opponent – much less one making its league finals debut.

The Cougars have reached the postseason for the first time since joining the HDFNL in 2021 and are full of confidence after a strong back half of the year, powered by mid-season recruits Tyler Roos and Josh Clayton, as well as the league’s top goal kicker in co-coach Jacob Eats.

Key to the match will be the Demons’ ability to restrict forward entries, denying Eats, his brother Lochie and fellow Cougar forward Jock Maddern opportunities to hurt them on the scoreboard.

A potential game breaker could be teenager Chase Whelan, who is, when available, the Demons’ most dynamic goal-kicking presence.

Both teams field strong ruckmen, with Hamish Bennett attempting to give his midfielders like Roos, Clayton and Sam Vivian first use, while Laharum’s Shannon Argall will set up a midfield including fellow co-coach

By Colin MacGillivray

Miller and Daniel Easson.

The Demons are coming off a 16.20 (116) to 2.5 (17) drubbing of Rupanyup at the weekend, while the Cougars stayed with Harrow-Balmoral for three quarters before running out of legs in a 9.15 (69) to 6.7 (43) defeat. The game showcased some of the players the Roos missed for a large part of the season, with Simon Close kicking three goals in just his eighth game for the year, while Cody Deutscher and coach Jai Thompson also hit the scoreboard.

With Will Plush – who missed most of last season’s grand final after being concussed in the first quarter – playing one of his best games for the season and Peter Staude also prominent, the Roos’ midfield looks to be hitting its

straps at the right time. Pimpinio will need to lift if it is to upset the Roos on Saturday after losing to Swifts in the final round at the weekend.

The Tigers never led during the 17.7 (109) to 12.13 (85) loss, although with the Tigers destined to finish third no matter the result there was little incentive for them to risk injury.

Key to Pimpinio’s chances will be its trio of senior leaders – Matt Rosier and brothers Jason and Adam Westley. Brock Hamerston, who kicked a season-high four goals at the weekend, also figures to play a prominent role.

Of the league’s non-finals sides, Taylors Lake and Natimuk United ended their season with an entertaining 10.14 (74) to 10.13 (73) win to the Lakers at Natimuk Showgrounds.

Kalkee’s season ended on a sour note with a 31.19 (205) to 5.4 (34) thrashing at the hands of NoradjuhaQuantong.

The Bombers’ full array of forward talent was on display, with Judah Hobbs kicking seven goals, Jye Walter and captain Dylan Shelley booting five each and Brock Orval and Declan Phyland kicking four apiece.

With a bye in round 18, EdenhopeApsley claimed the wooden spoon, going winless in 2025.

All five finalists capable of winning premiership flag

Ask any of the coaches of the Horsham District Football Netball League’s five A Grade finals sides, and one word is bound to come up – ‘even’.

At the outset of the 2025 finals campaign, there is a unanimous belief that any of the five – minor premier Rupanyup and a chasing pack of EdenhopeApsley, Kalkee, reigning premier Laharum and Noradjuha-Quantong – is capable of winning the premiership.

The Panthers will rightfully enter the post-season as a flag favourite after a comprehensive 49-29 win over Laharum on Saturday, but a loss to the Demons earlier this season and a narrow one-goal escape against the Saints in round 16 show they can be beaten.

The Saints will enter the finals fresh and full of confidence after a finalround bye, and will take on Kalkee in a qualifying final at Dock Lake Reserve on Saturday.

The Kees will also have plenty of reason to be confident of their chances, coming off a 48-39 win against Noradjuha-Quantong in the final round, led by a strong effort from defender Emily Polack.

In their only meeting this season Kalkee defeated Edenhope-Apsley 48-44, although the shorthanded Saints were forced to play coach Lavinia Fox in the centre rather than her

customary goal attack position during the match.

The outcome of Saturday’s final is likely to be dictated by the match-up

of Kalkee’s defenders on EdenhopeApsley’s goalies.

The Saints can claim arguably the most effective goaling duo in the

league, with mid-season recruit Dee Dee Lambert joining Fox to form a tall, athletic and accurate combination under the ring.

Attempting to stop them will be Kee defenders Polack and Lotus Martin – a formidable duo in their own right.

But each side also has talent through the midcourt, with the Saints featuring players like Hayley Campbell, Rebecca Heath and Jasmine McIntyre, while Millie McRae, Georgia Schultz and Abbey Williams will line up through the middle for the Kees.

Saint defenders Danielle Grindlay and Olivia Spence will also need to be on their toes against Kalkee goalies Jarrah Martin and Casey Rentsch.

Meanwhile, Laharum will attempt to regroup ahead of Sunday’s elimination final against Noradjuha-Quantong after its loss to the Panthers at the weekend.

The reigning premiers are shorthanded, with usual starting goal attack Maddie Iredell and depth midcourt player Lilly Weir overseas while coach Rebecca McIntyre is limited by an ankle injury that saw her miss the final three games of the season.

With McIntyre signalling her intention to play on Sunday, it could be up to another long-time league figure, Noradjuha-Quantong goal shooter

Shannon Couch, to lift the Bombers. Couch, after spending years among the league’s top goal shooters, has this season taken a back seat to Taya Quick, but scored 24 goals in McIntyre’s absence in round 17 and could be the difference in the match as Quick contends with star Laharum goal defence Ema Iredell. Also crucial will be the battle in centre, where Laharum’s Liv JonesStory will go head-to-head with Holly Nuske.

With Maddie Iredell out, the Demons will lean on a makeshift forward set-up of Jemma Thomas at goal attack alongside goal shooter Courtney Taylor, but the pair will face a huge test in the form of reigning league best-and-fairest Brooke Pay and Noradjuha-Quantong co-coach Taylor Shelley.

The league’s six non-finals sides wrapped up their seasons at the weekend, with Pimpinio coming close to its second win of the year in a high-scoring 52-49 loss to Swifts, Taylors Lake defeating Natimuk United 43-38 and Harrow-Balmoral downing KanivaLeeor United 44-38.

• For full HDFNL finals previews, see the liftout in today’s paper.

Wimmera league

Dimboola locks in last finals spot

Dimboola secured its finals spot in Wimmera league senior footy after an 82-point win over Warrack Eagles, as Nhill put paid to Minyip-Murtoa’s season in round 17 action at the weekend.

With the final home-and-away round set to play out on Saturday, the top five is now set with only positions on the ladder able to change.

The undefeated Ararat will take home the minor premiership, Nhill will finish second, while third-placed Southern Mallee Thunder, Stawell in fourth and Dimboola, fifth, could swap places, depending on results.

Nhill is hoping to muster up a fourquarter effort when it travels to Ararat this weekend – something the Tigers are yet to do for most of the season, including against the Burras.

After a slow start, Nhill kicked into gear after half-time to pile on seven goals to Minyip-Murtoa’s two.

“We still haven’t put a four-quarter performance together, but we came out in the second half and were much better – something clicked and we actually started enjoying it and started to

play good footy,” Nhill co-coach Jake McQueen said.

“It was a must-win for them to try and make finals so we knew they were going to come out hard and put a good side in, which they did, but I think we just had a bit more fitness in the tank and run over them in the end.”

Liam Albrecht, Clay Shadforth, kicking four goals, and Adam Zimmermann excelled for the Tigers.

“Clay is very elusive and knows where the goals are. He brings the tackle pressure – same as Glen San-

iong –  both of them up in our forward line, they bring that perceived pressure and are just very good players to have in our team,” McQueen said.

Zimmermann, who has shouldered a lot of the Tigers’ ruck duties this season, played in the forward line.

“We’ve chucked him up forward the last couple weeks and he’s provided a lot, given us a lot down the line, taking a lot of contested marks and he actually had a really ripper game on the weekend, so he was well deserved to get the best,” McQueen said.

McQueen said this Saturday’s match against Ararat was a ‘bit of a dead rubber’ with the result not going to impact either team’s spot on the ladder.

“I wish someone could give me the recipe on how to beat them, but I’m sure as a coaching group, we put all our heads together and try and come up with a plan – we’ll try a few things that we haven’t probably done previously just to see what will work and what won’t work come finals time when hopefully we play them,” he said.

Ararat scored another big win – with a 93-point win over Horsham Saints

at Coughlin Park. After holding the Saints to just one point in the first quarter, the Rats were quickly out to a 30-point lead.

Winning just about every centre clearance, Ararat had the football in their forward half for about 90 per cent of the quarter.

But the home side came out in the second quarter and impressed, outscoring the Rats to kick four goals to the visitor’s one.

The Saints’ first three goals of the quarter, two through Jaxon Crooks, had them within 15 points of the ladder-leaders.

Ararat didn’t utilise their possessions as well, but were also under more pressure, particularly in their forward line, resulting in rushed shots at goal.

It took co-coach Tom Mills to steady the ship for the Rats and kick a goal late in the quarter to go into half-time with a 17-point lead.

However that is where the good news ended for the Saints as they failed to kick a goal in the second half, as Ararat piled on 12 majors.

Midfielders Sonny Kettle, Ben Tay-

Thunder’s ‘cool heads’ produce major upset

Southern Mallee Thunder produced one of the upsets of the Wimmera league A Grade netball season when it knocked off Horsham Demons on Saturday.

Playing at Horsham City Oval, after an even first quarter, the Thunder blew the home side out of the blocks in the second term to take a 31-24 lead into half-time.

The Thunder’s defensive pressure and superior control of the ball helped them increase their lead to 49-32 by the last break.

Despite a Demons’ comeback in the last quarter, the cool heads of the Thunder prevailed and allowed them to walk away with a 59-47 victory.

Southern Mallee Thunder co-coach Steph Thomson said she was proud of her team’s win over the Demons – a feat never achieved under the merged club.

“We haven’t beaten Horsham since Giants days in 2021,” she said.

“We knew it would be a tough one but to beat Horsham, who sit second, was definitely the confidence-boost

we needed. Everyone played their role and we had a great support crew cheering us on.”

Thomson said the strong start set them up for the win.

“It helped that everyone was really calm and composed,” she said.

“We controlled the ball a lot better than previous weeks – example – we didn’t rush or panic when we got an intercept, which meant we could convert more into goals.”

Abby White starred in goal-defence, leading the way with defensive pressure and her work rate, and was well supported by fellow defender Sydney Thorogood to make life hard for Horsham goalers Imogen Worthy and Georgia Batson.

The Thunder’s attacking end held their own, playing smart netball as centre Codie Robins was exemplary in diving for the ball and feeding superbly into the goalers – Thomson shooting a game-high 40 goals.

Southern Mallee’s attention now turns to what should be a tight contest against Dimboola this weekend.

For the underdone Demons, who suffered another injury with goalkeeper Sienna Manserra coming off during the match, they should be able to recompose against Minyip-Murtoa on Saturday.

Across Horsham at Coughlin Park on Saturday, two top-five teams battled it out in the stadium.

While the scoreboard showed the Saints dominated Ararat 80-49, the match was hotly contested by both sides.

The Rats went into the match without Faith Biddle, and when her sister Paige went down with an injury in the second quarter, the Rats were forced to make positional changes and field an even younger side.

The Saints made the most of their class and experience, and put their foot down in the third quarter to increase their lead from 14 at half-time to 20 by the last break.

Saints shooter Jorja Clode played her usual consistent game, scoring 58 goals, while centre Ashlee Grace also stood out.

For the Rats, goal-attack Maggie Astbury and goal-shooter Laney McLoughlan created a strong duo, making the most of wing-attack Jess Taylor’s feeds into the ring.

In the final home-and-away game of the season, the Rats face Nhill, and will hope to set themselves up for finals with a confidence-boosting win, while the Saints will have a bye.

Nhill comes off a 58-42 win over Minyip-Murtoa where Ruby James, with 37 goals, and Brooklyn Fraser were judged best for the Tigers.

Meanwhile Dimboola is charging towards finals – and after the Demons’ loss – now have a chance to secure second spot.

Both the Roos and the Demons are on 44 points, with just 2.61 in percentage separating them.

But after scoring a 47-37 win over Warrack Eagles on Saturday, they will need to up their game against the Thunder to give themselves a chance.

lor and Jake Robinson were again named in the best as they dominated the clearances and racked up possessions, while Kettle also kicked four goals to be the Rats’ most prolific goal-kicker for the match.

Co-coach Tom Mills and Tom Williamson chipped in with three goals each.

Meanwhile across at Horsham City Oval, Southern Mallee Thunder was proving it had come good just in time for finals with a 69-point win over the Demons.

Sam White booted six goals to be named in the best alongside captain Billy Lloyd and coach Kieran Delahunty.

The Thunder now has their sights firmly on Dimboola in what should be the match of the round this weekend.

The Roos are also in good form, and did not take it easy against the Eagles, dominating after quarter time through the likes of Lachlan Mackley, captain Ben Miller, and key forward Jackson Calder, who kicked five majors.

The other matches in round 18 are Warrack Eagles play Stawell, while Minyip-Murtoa host the Demons.

Paige and Stephanie Glover were standouts for Dimboola on Saturday, dominating the defence end, as the Roos utilised their bench, giving plenty of players court-time and an opportunity in various positions.

TERMITES, Spiders, Black

But the match-up between the Roos’ star goal-defence Bridget Dorrington and one of the league’s best goalattacks, Steph Thomson, will be one to watch this weekend.

&

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Students eye championships

Students participated in a school clay target north-west zone championship shoot at Horsham on Thursday, in an event where winners will progress to compete at state level.

Zone president Wayne Sanders said the competition was open to all students, not just those who were members of a club.

“It’s open to anyone, as long as they’re a school student,” he said.

“We have 41 shooters across senior

boys, junior boys, senior girls, junior girls, and we’ve also got a five-person team event, for any of the schools that have enough members to run a fiveperson team.”

The north-west zone, one of four Victorian zones, takes in Mildura, Kaniva, Nhill, Horsham, Stawell, Castlemaine, Maryborough and Kerang.

“The place-getters of all four zones will come together at Echuca for a state final,” Sanders said.

“Competitors in each age group, and the top schools, will shoot off.”

Blandthorn, McPhee win

Horsham Pigeon Racing Club members competed in races from Lismore and Mildura, with Murtoa’s Ern Blandthorn and the McPhee family the respective winners. The Lismore race on Wednesday, an airline distance of 168 kilometres, saw 13 members and 199 pigeons entered.

Blandthorn’s winner averaged 1231 metres a minute, or 74 kilometres an hour. Bruce Rentsch placed second by three minutes.

Weather conditions were suitable, with a mild nine-to-16 south-south-westerly breeze along most of the flight path.

Racing pigeons do not fly in a direct path between the release point and their home lofts; the prevailing wind on the day can make a difference in some races. The wind on this day had pushed the leading mob off-line slightly, they may have entered the home area somewhere between Glenorchy and Murtoa.

The race from Mildura on Monday saw 17 members enter 656 pigeons, where an eight to 19-kilometre south-easterly breeze resulted in slower leading velocities.

The winning bird averaged 64.5kph, covering the journey in four hours and seven seconds, 17 seconds ahead of John Muszkieta in second place. Brian Watts was third, six minutes and nine seconds behind the winning entry.

The club’s next race is from Coombah, New South Wales on Friday, an airline distance of 418 kilometres.

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Warracknabeal to host Cup trophy

BY COLIN MacGILLIVRAY

The Melbourne Cup trophy has visited many communities in its storied history, and will returnto Warracknabeal.

That fact is set to change on August 30 when the 18-carat gold trophy ar-rives to coincide with the running of the Sheep Hills Cup, forming part of a Melbourne Cup Tour that started in New York City and will takein35Australianlocations.

The annual tour began 23 years ago, and Warracknabeal Racing Club man-ager Emma Beaton said locals were thrilled the trophy would finallyvisit theirtown.

“The whole region is fairly racingcrazy,” she said.

“We’ve got a big community of horse racing – trainers as well as race

enthusiasts – in the Wimmera region, so it’s good to have it for people to come and celebrate the people’s cup, as they call it.”

The trophy will begin the day with a visit to the Sheep Hills Silo Art at 8am, before forming the centrepiece of a community barbecue at the Warracknabeal Lions Club Flora and Fauna Park run by the Rotary Club of Warracknabeal.

The barbecue, at 9.30am, is free to attend, with people welcome to hold the Melbourne Cup and pose for photos.

The trophy will then visit the Yarriambiack Lodge aged-care facility before making its final stop at Warracknabeal Racecourse for the running of the Sheep Hills Cup.

As part of the tour, two past Melbourne Cup winners – Prince of Penzance and Twilight Payment – will

visit the town along with some prominent racing identities.

Longtime Warracknabeal Racing Club committee member Lance Huebner said the Melbourne Cup’s visit would be a milestone in the history of the Sheep Hills Cup, which was run at Sheep Hills for the final time in the 1960s before moving to Warracknabeal.

“Most of the community was there that warm summer’s day in 1966 to see Justice win the cup in a threehorse field on a flint-hard dirt track. It was the last time they raced at Sheep Hills after more than a century,” he said.

“This year’s meeting at Warracknabeal, with the Melbourne Cup on course and two champions in tow, will be the biggest highlight in the Sheep Hills Cup’s long history.”

Ms Beaton said being part of the

Melbourne Cup Tour had the additional bonus of entering Warracknabeal into a national sweep.

“A part of this tour is that when you nominate to be one of the host towns, you put forward a local charity and during the Melbourne Cup race in November each club draws a barrier in a sweep,” she said.

“If the horse from that barrier wins, $50,000 goes to the charity you’ve nominated.

“We’ve chosen local disability-support service Woodbine, so it’s not just about the Melbourne Cup coming to town – there’s a real community purpose behind the tour.

“We’ll be following it up on Melbourne Cup day with a gathering for everyone out at the race club. We’ll be cheering on the horse from whatever barrier we draw, so we’ll be following it here as a bit of a social day as well.”

CROQUET SEASON OPEN: Dimboola Croquet Club past president Charles Rees makes the first hoop in the Wimmera Croquet Association’s 2025-26 season at Horsham Croquet Club last week. People of all ages are welcome to join either of the association’s clubs – Horsham and Dimboola – and can find more information about the sport at www.revolutionise.com.au/ wimmeracroquetassoc. Horsham Croquet Club will open its season tomorrow, with guest Wimmera Regional Sports Assembly’s Tony Caccaviello to run the first hoop.

Laser

stimulates

Ms Beaton said the trophy’s visit was a great way of bringing together the past and future of racing in the Wimmera.

“It’s good that it combines with the Sheep Hills Cup, because that race has been around for longer than the Warracknabeal Cup,” she said.

“Obviously it’s not held on the same racetrack, but it’s a race at a sort of junction where the modern meets tradition.

“It fits right in with the Melbourne Cup being quite traditional in nature, but then you’ve got this swarm of younger people wanting to be a part of it and the excitement it brings.

“The Melbourne Cup used to bring so much hope. It’s not just for racing enthusiasts – it still is the race that stops the nation.”

Planning for tennis season

Central Wimmera Tennis Association has put the call out to new and returning players ahead of its 2025-26 season, which begins on October 4 for seniors and October 11 for juniors.

Association secretary Sharon Clough said team nominations were due by September 1.

“All clubs are keen to hear from any new players wanting to take up the sport,” she said.

Clubs expected to nominate senior teams are Brimpaen, Central Park, Drung South, Haven, Homers, Horsham Lawn, Kalkee, Laharum, Natimuk and St Michaels.

Clubs with junior teams are Central Park, Haven, Homers, Horsham Lawn and Natimuk. Quantong will not field a team this season.

Association president Rod Shurdington said it would be good to build on the number of teams from last year.

“We want to keep the competitions thriving,” he said.

“Our match play, which has been moved back half an hour to start at 5.30pm Fridays, is a beginner competition.

“Players learn the basics of game play, as well as scoring, played on modified courts with low compression balls.

“Teams will play at the one venue rotated between Haven, Horsham Lawn, and Central Park tennis clubs, which makes it a fun night for our youngest tennis players and families.”

For contact details of clubs, people can call Ms Clough on 0438 823 971.

Brooke Cochran, from a 14-strong Kaniva College shooting team, lines up a target at a North West Zone school shoot at Horsham Clay Target Club. Forty one students from across the Wimmera and Mallee competed in the event on Thursday. Story, page 50. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Vol. 28 No. 8

Wednesday, August 20, 2025

Young guns on target

Kaniva-Leeor United’s road to the finals

Coaches: Jonno Hicks, Jacob Eats

Round 1: L. 11.9 (75) to Rupanyup 13.8 (86). Away.

Round 2: W. 18.5 (113) d Natimuk United 15.5 (95). Home.

Round 3: W. 14.15 (99) d Edenhope-Apsley 5.0 (30). Home.

Round 4: L. 9.9 (63) to Taylors Lake 11.11 (77). Home.

Round 5: L. 7.4 (46) to Laharum 20.8 (128). Away.

Round 6: W. 14.10 (94) d Kalkee 14.6 (90). Home.

Round 7: L. 6.12 (48) to Harrow-Balmoral 8.10 (58). Away.

Round 8: W. 21.17 (143) d Pimpinio 8.6 (54). Home.*

Round 9: L. 11.11 (77) to Swifts 13.8 (86). Away. Round 10: Bye.

Round 11: W. 9.7 (61) d Noradjuha-Quantong 8.12 (60). Home.

Round 12: W. 15.19 (109) d Natimuk 2.10 (22). Away.

Round 13: W. 19.12 (126) d Rupanyup 4.7 (31). Home.

Round 14: W. 13.8 (86) d Edenhope-Apsley 8.7 (55). Away.

Round 15: W. 16.18 (114) d Taylors Lake 9.8 (62). Away. Round 16: Bye.

Round 17: W. 14.9 (93) d Kalkee 7.5 (47). Away.

Round 18: L. 6.7 (43) to Harrow-Balmoral 9.15 (69). Home.**

*Highest score. ** Lowest score.

Total: Won: 10. Lost: 6. For: 1390. Against: 1050. Points: 40. Percentage: 132.38.

Leading goal-kickers

Jacob Eats 74, Lochie Eats 33, Jock Maddern 21, Riley Vivian 13.

HDFNL FiNaLs

Leap of faith

Kaniva-Leeor

United’s senior footballers are ready to earn the respect of their peers as they embark on their first finals campaign since joining the Horsham District league in 2021.

The Cougars have finished among the bottom three teams on the ladder each season since joining the league, compiling records of 3-13 in 2022, 5-11 in 2023 and 4-12 last year after their debut season in 2021 was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But this season has been a different story, with a strong recruiting drive coupled with internal development earning the team a 10-6 record and a long-awaited finals berth.

Co-coach Jonno Hicks said 2025 had marked ‘a big step forward’.

“There’s lots of guys who have really stepped up and developed as the year has gone on. There’s been improvement across the board, which has been great,” he said.

“We’re still really young. We’ve got a long way to go and it’s nice to know there’s plenty still to work on.

“We’ll keep chipping away.”

for Cougars

The Cougars have been one of the in-form teams during the second half of the season, going 7-2 in their final nine games after an up-anddown start to the year.

The team’s biggest distinction was a one-point win over minor premier Noradjuha-Quantong in round 11, making it the only side to beat the Bombers this year.

Aiding the turnaround were midseason recruits Tyler Roos and Josh Clayton, adding skill to an onball unit led by star ruckman Hamish Bennett.

The Cougars’ resurgent midfield has resulted in plenty of opportunities for the league’s leading goalkicker Jacob Eats, who booted 74 majors in the home-and-away season to finish 14 goals clear atop the table.

Eats and his brother Lochie, who kicked 33 goals, are two more key additions for Kaniva-Leeor this season, taking up leadership positions during the summer – Jacob as cocoach alongside Hicks, and Lochie as vice-captain.

Hicks said he had been impressed with his team’s improvement during the year.

“We had some games at the start of the year where we thought we were around the mark and didn’t quite

execute as well as we could have,” he said.

“Obviously picking up Tyler Roos and Josh Clayton in the middle of the year has been fantastic, but the rest of the group has lifted too.

“We were developing even without those guys, but to have two quality midfielders and quality people join the team has made a big difference.”

But despite his team’s strong run of recent form, Hicks warned finals success was no certainty, with Sun day’s elimination final opponent, Laharum, having dealt the Cougars their largest loss this season.

“In the middle of the year, finals were a bit of a dream, so our finish has been really strong. We’re hoping to carry that form in,” he said.

“Laharum is a really well-coached side. They set up really well defen sively, so it will be a really big task for us.

“I don’t know how the rest of the teams rate us. I think we’ve prob ably gone about it the hard way our first few years in the league.

“We haven’t been that competi tive and I don’t think we’ve really earned the respect of our opposition yet, but maybe this year we’re tak ing some steps towards that.”

Players to watch

Jacob Eats

The Cougars’ success in the finals could be dictated by how many goals Eats is able to kick. The key forward topped the league leaderboard with 74 majors this season, with bags of five or more goals on seven occasions. The co-coach and his brother Lochie have both recommitted to the Cougars for next year, giving the team a boost.

Hamish Bennett

A long-term stalwart for Kaniva-Leeor, Bennett has continued to build his reputation as one of the league’s top ruck practitioners, being named among the best players on an equal-team-high nine occasions this year. Bennett will face a big task in Sunday’s elimination final against Laharum’s Shannon Argall.

Tyler Roos

The son of Tammy Roos and AFL great Paul, Tyler has been a stellar mid-season acquisition for the Cougars. Slotting straight into the midfield, Roos has hardly missed a beat since debuting in round nine. He has also shown an ability to hit the scoreboard, kicking six goals in eight games.

Blake Dodson

Dodson earned plaudits from co-coach Jonno Hicks as one of the Cougars’ leaders in the back line. Playing off a half-back flank, Dodson has enjoyed a strong season after returning to the club following a five-year stint in the Adelaide Footy League.

Proudly brought to you by:

Laharum’s road to the finals

Coaches: Shannon Argall, Robbie Miller

Round 1: W. 13.16 (94) d Kalkee 3.8 (26). Home.

Round 2: L. 8.15 (63) to Harrow-Balmoral 13.9 (87). Away.

Round 3: L. 11.12 (78) to Pimpinio 12.11 (83). Home.

Round 4: W. 12.14 (86) d Swifts 8.12 (60). Away.

Round 5: W. 20.8 (128) d Kaniva-Leeor United 7.4 (46). Home.

Round 6: L. 6.3 (39) to Noradjuha-Quantong 9.9 (63). Away.**

Round 7: W. 31.18 (204) d Rupanyup 2.1 (13). Home.*

Round 8: W. 15.13 (103) d Natimuk United 7.6 (48). Away.

Round 9: W. 16.12 (108) d Edenhope-Apsley 4.6 (30). Home.

Round 10: W. 25.15 (165) d Taylors Lake 4.4 (28). Away. Round 11: Bye.

Round 12: L. 6.8 (44) to Harrow-Balmoral 12.12 (84). Home.

Round 13: W. 18.9 (117) d Kalkee 5.5 (35). Away.

Round 14: L. 8.7 (55) to Pimpinio 13.11 (89). Away.

Round 15: W. 10.6 (66) d Swifts 6.1 (37). Home.

Round 16: Bye.

Round 17: L. 9.6 (60) to Noradjuha-Quantong 15.9 (99). Home.

Round 18: W. 16.20 (116) d Rupanyup 2.5 (17). Away. *Highest score. ** Lowest score.

Total: Won: 10. Lost: 6. For: 1526. Against: 845. Points: 40. Percentage: 180.59.

Leading goal-kickers

HDFNL FiNaLs

Laharum Football

Anything is

fter bowing out of last season’s final race in the first week, Laharum has waited 12 months for

In 2025 the Demons find themselves in another elimination final, this time against upstart Kaniva-Leeor United. But co-coach Shannon Argall said this year’s team was more well-rounded than the 2024 squad, adding offensive potency to a well-structured defence that has become the Demons’ calling

“We’ve had a much bigger focus on our ball use, particularly in offence this year,”

“The foundations of our defence are really settled and ingrained from the last couple of years, but we knew this year that if we were going to make inroads that we needed to kick more goals, and that required adjustments in the way we played. “That’s reflected in our percentage.

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HDFNL FiNaLs

possible

“We’ve had some really good wins and we’ve had some tight losses against sides that are above us on the ladder.

“If we put it all together and we’ve got a full, healthy playing list, anything is possible.”

Health has been a key variable for Laharum this season, with the Demons battling a lengthy injury list at times during the year.

But with co-coach Robbie Miller returning to full fitness, wingman Pat Latanzio and defender Will Miller back in the line-up and recruit Brodie Mines nearing a comeback after a month on the sidelines, Argall said the side was approaching full strength at the right time of the year.

“We had a really tough six or eight weeks through the middle of the season where we had up to seven players out,” Argall said.

“We’ve been lucky enough that we’ve been able to rest and manage them and provide recovery opportunities for those players.”

Despite the injuries, Laharum has been buoyed this season by the emergence of players like Chase Whelan.

The teenager, who also plays for the club’s under-17 side, has been a dynamo in 2025, finishing in the top 10 in league goal-kicking despite playing just eight matches.

An onball unit featuring Argall ruck-

ing to the likes of Miller, Daniel Easson and Reuben Launder will have its hands full against an equally dangerous Kaniva-Leeor United midfield, but Argall said the hurdles the Demons had already overcome would hold them in good stead as they sought to improve on last season’s finish.

And whatever the outcome of Laharum’s finals campaign, Argall said the club had enjoyed a successful year.

“As a club I think it’s important for us to reflect on and appreciate that we’re leading into a finals series with all four football sides in the finals,” he said.

“To go from two years ago when we had a winless year in the seniors and talks of mergers, there’s been a hell of a lot of groundwork to get us to this point from the board, the volunteers and the playing group.

“It’s really exciting to see all four grades playing finals, and it’s something we don’t take for granted.”

Making

That’s

Players to watch

Chase Whelan

With commitments in the Laharum juniors and a Victorian team that won a gold medal at the School Sport Australia football tournament, Whelan has played sparingly for the senior side this season. But when he has, the teenager has set tongues wagging, with 36 goals in just eight games, including nine against Rupanyup in round seven.

Phil Butsch

While Whelan and Brodie Mines have been Laharum’s top goal-scorers this season, Butsch provides a vital third option. The veteran has achieved plenty in football, having won the Toohey Medal as the Wimmera league’s senior best-and-fairest in 2012, but he remains hungry for success.

Monty Wynne

With the nickname ‘Silk’ the youngster earned plaudits from co-coach Shannon Argall as a potential finals X-factor. Crossing to the Horsham Demons when Laharum was unable to field an under-17 side two years ago, Wynne has returned to Cameron Oval to great effect in 2025.

Robbie Miller

The co-coach remains a game-breaker for Laharum, playing onball but with the ability to push forward and kick valuable goals. His battle against Kaniva-Leeor United midfielder Tyler Roos will be engrossing. Miller has been reappointed senior coach at Laharum in 2026 – set to be the standalone coach after Argall decided to step down.

New-look outfit

Coach: Guy Smith

Round 1: W. 21.13 (139) d Edenhope-Apsley 6.5 (41). Away.*

Round 2: W. 16.15 (111) d Taylors Lake 10.11 (71). Home.

Round 3: W. 12.11 (83) d Laharum 11.12 (78). Away.

Round 4: W. 11.11 (77) d Kalkee 11.7 (73). Home.

Round 5: L. 7.11 (53) to Harrow-Balmoral 11.9 (75). Away.

Round 6: Bye.

Round 7: W. 9.8 (62) d Swifts 6.9 (45). Home.

Round 8: L. 8.6 (54) to Kaniva-Leeor United 21.17 (143). Away.

Round 9: L. 3.3 (21) to Noradjuha-Quantong 7.13 (55). Home.**

Round 10: W. 14.13 (97) d Rupanyup 9.10 (64). Away.

Round 11: W. 15.9 (99) d Natimuk United 7.9 (51). Home.

Round 12: W. 13.10 (88) d Taylors Lake 12.8 (80). Away.

Round 13: W. 17.11 (113) d Edenhope-Apsley 7.4 (44). Home.

Round 14: W. 13.11 (89) d Laharum 8.7 (55). Home.

Round 15: W. 7.6 (48) d Kalkee 5.6 (36). Away.

Round 16: L. 12.4 (76) to Harrow-Balmoral 21.14 (140). Home.

Round 17: Bye.

Round 18: L. 12.13 (85) to Swifts 17.7 (109). Away.

*Highest score. ** Lowest score.

Total: Won: 11. Lost: 5. For: 1295. Against: 1160. Points: 44. Percentage: 111.64.

Leading goal-kickers

Nick Groves 37, Thomas O’Dwyer 32, Jason Westley 18, Dylan Bates 16, Cullen Williams 15.

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impinio entered last year’s Horsham District Football Netball League finals with a huge weight

The Tigers had gone 15 years without a finals appearance – and 17 years without a finals win – but broke through for a stirring 16-point elimination final win before falling to Noradjuha-Quantong

Coach Guy Smith said while last year’s finals campaign had been an emotional rollercoaster for the club, this year’s outfit entered more grounded and, crucially, was in a better position for a deep finals push.

“We’re a different balance now. That finals hoodoo is off our back,” he said.

“We’re very different from last year. Our side is a bit of a new-look side.

“We’ve had some new players come into the club, which has balanced things

HDFNL FiNaLs

in for long haul

“We’re always pretty confident, and whenever we come up against teams where our back is against the wall, we don’t drop our heads and lose the plot anymore.

“We know how to find a way and actually win some of those games where we’re put under pressure.”

Among the new players giving Pimpinio a boost this season is forward Tom O’Dwyer, who has given the team an added dimension in attack alongside last season’s leading goal-scorer Nick Groves.

Other key pickups for the Tigers this season have been utility Cullen Williams and ruckman Matt Healy.

But while Smith said his team’s depth was the best it had been in years at the start of this season, the Tigers have needed every bit of it to propel them to a top-three finish.

“It’s funny – our senior side has been a revolving door pretty much all year and in no game have we ever played with our full list,” he said.

“In our last home-and-away game against Swifts we had our full side on the park for the first time all year, so we’re actually in a good spot coming into the finals.

“Hopefully we can keep that full list and finish the year off strongly.”

While Pimpinio’s recruits have added to an already potent team from last

year, Smith said the Tigers would look to ‘the usual suspects’ – senior leaders Matt Rosier, brothers Adam and Jason Westley and Brock Ham erston – to lead them to further finals success.

Every bit of those players’ experience will be required if the team is to upset two-time reigning premier HarrowBalmoral in a qualifying final this weekend, with the Roos having beaten Pimpinio by 22 points in round five and 64 in round 16.

But Smith said his team was up for the fight.

“Our expectations are to win every final,” he said.

“We’ve worked really hard and we’ve been focused right from the word go at the start of the year.

“Ladder positioning is super im portant and thankfully we’ve been able to get ourselves into a position where we’ve got a double chance, so we know we’ll be in the finals for the long haul, which is good.”

Players to watch

Matt Rosier

Rosier has set the standard in the Pimpinio midfield since crossing from the Wimmera league’s Dimboola more than two years ago. His superb ball use and hard running place him among the upper echelon of midfielders in the Horsham District competition.

Tom O’Dwyer

While Nick Groves was tremendous for Pimpinio last season, booting 48 goals, the Tigers could sometimes be overly reliant on his production to kick a winning score. O’Dwyer added another potent element to the team’s forward line, kicking 32 goals to go along with Groves’ 37 and only going goalless once this season.

The Westley brothers

A two-for-one special, brothers Jason and Adam excel across the ground. Captain Jason leads the team by example with his attack on the ball in the midfield and is always a threat to hit the scoreboard, kicking 18 goals in 13 games this season. Meanwhile Adam has been one of the team’s most consistent players, being named in the best players in 10 of his 16 matches.

Matt Healy

In his first season at the Tigers after crossing from Swifts, the ruckman has been an excellent addition to a dangerous onball unit. Healy can often be a barometer for Pimpinio – when on his game, he gives the Tigers a big advantage.

Coach: Jai Thompson

Round 1: W. 17.12 (114) d Taylors Lake 11.10 (76). Away.

Round 2: W. 13.9 (87) d Laharum 8.15 (63). Home.

Round 3: W. 9.15 (69) d Kalkee 5.4 (34).

Round 4: Bye.

Round 5: W. 11.9 (75) d Pimpinio 7.11 (53). Home.

Round 6: W. 9.8 (62) d Swifts 8.6 (54). Away.

Round 7: W. 8.10 (58) d Kaniva-Leeor United 6.12 (48). Home.

Round 8: L. 8.4 (52) to Noradjuha-Quantong 13.9 (87). Away.**

Round 9: W. 16.17 (113) d Rupanyup 5.3 (33). Home.

Round 10: L. 8.8 (56) to Natimuk United 9.6 (60). Away.

Round 11: W. 28.14 (182) d Edenhope-Apsley 3.3 (21). Home.

Round 12: W. 12.12 (84) d Laharum 6.8 (44). Away.

Round 13: W. 29.21 (195) d Taylors Lake 5.6 (36). Home.*

Round 14: W. 16.11 (107) d Kalkee 6.7 (43). Home.

Round 15: Bye.

Round 16: W. 21.14 (140) d Pimpinio 12.4 (76). Away.

Round 17: W. 14.13 (97) d Swifts 7.10 (52). Home.

Round 18: W. 9.15 (69) d Kaniva-Leeor United 6.7 (43). Away.

* Highest score. ** Lowest score.

Total: Won: 14. Lost: 2. For: 1560. Against: 823. Points: 56. Percentage: 189.55.

Leading goal-kickers

Cody Deutscher 32, Ethan Appleton 31, Simon Close 26, Mitchell Grant 23.

Roos ‘breaking

THE ROAD TO QUALITY STARTS HERE

In pursuit of a third-straight Horsham District league premiership, Harrow-Balmoral’s senior football side could be called the ‘Demolition Men’ just as easily as their official moniker of Roos.

Coach Jai Thompson said the theme of the 2025 season for his team had been ‘breaking brick walls’ – a reference to the psychological toughness required to win three flags in a row.

“When you’re going for your first premiership, you’ll do anything to win it – you’ll do extra training sessions, recover well and do everything right,” he said.

“Then it’s about breaking through that brick wall of ‘oh, we’ve already done it so it doesn’t matter if we lose this one’.

“We wanted to try to break that down and pretend like this is our first one.”

Mental fortitude has been required more this season than in either of the past two premiership campaigns.

After going without a loss in 2023 and 2024, Harrow-Balmoral dropped two games this season, succumbing to Noradjuha-Quantong by 35 points in round eight and Natimuk United by four points in round 10.

While those losses – and a series of other too-close-for-comfort results – came while the Roos were missing several key contributors, including

HDFNL F

brothers Simon and Michael Close, forward Cody Deutscher, midfielder Will Plush and Thompson himself, the coach refused to make excuses.

“We obviously had some key components missing, but we think we should still have beaten teams even without those guys,” he said.

“It’s a learning experience for those other players who got to stand up and play some different positions, and we learned a lot about our team through that period.”

Among the players to lead HarrowBalmoral through its difficult patch were Peter Staude, who shouldered even more midfield responsibilities, while small forwards Mitch Grant and Ethan Appleton applied constant pressure.

Connor Deutscher started the season at full-back before being moved forward to cover for the Roos’ injuries, kicking 11 goals before returning to the back line.

“To lose those couple of games took that monkey off the back and relieved a bit of pressure. The guys are playing good footy with a bit of freedom,” Thompson said.

“We’ve started getting our ball movement right and our defensive work right, mostly from the vision we watched from the games we did lose where we didn’t have our experienced players in there.”

With his team nearing full strength following a difficult year, Thompson said the Roos were well placed entering finals.

“Most of the teams in the finals are fast-paced, hard-running teams who like to get on the outside, so we’ve got to try to squeeze teams up, win the con tested footy, which we’re really good at, and give our forwards some good looks,” he said.

“If we can be really good in tight and then try to get the ball on the outside for us and get it down to them as quickly as we can and we lock it in our forward line, I think we can really put some heavy scores on some teams.”

But while the Roos are finding form at the right time of the season, brick walls remain to be broken in the finals.

Thompson said his side was ready for the challenge.

“Three premierships in a row is not something that we’ve belted down that we need to win,” he said.

“But it’s a long way back to get to this opportunity again, and that’s something we have spoken about.

“You either go for your third now while you’ve got the two in the bag, or you have to start all over again.

We’re looking forward to a good finals series.”

Harrow-Balmoral

Roos

brick walls’ Players to watch

Anthony Close

The captain of the Roos will be a key to their chances for a third successive flag. Close shouldered the bulk of the ruck duties in the past two years, but the emergence of Noah Hildebrand has allowed Close to play more as a forward this season, where he often draws the opposition’s third defender.

Peter Staude

Unlucky not to win best-afield honours in last season’s grand final triumph, Staude is a contested ball beast and sets the tone for the Harrow-Balmoral midfield. Coach Jai Thompson believes Staude has taken his game to a new level this year, standing up to lead the team amid a raft of injuries.

Connor Deutscher

While Cody Deutscher has emerged as one of the competition’s best half-forwards in the past two seasons, his brother has played a less heralded but no less important role. Thrown forward mid-season, Connor has returned to his customary position at full-back and will take the opposition’s best key forward.

Ethan Appleton

Appleton has, along with Mitch Grant, been a vital piece of the puzzle for the Roos this season as a pressure forward, helping to lock the ball in the forward line. He kicked 31 goals, placing him second on the team.

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(40). Home.

Round 3: W. 18.16 (124) d Natimuk United 11.8 (74). Away.

Round 4: W. 22.22 (154) d Edenhope-Apsley 7.7 (49). Home.

Round 5: W. 23.17 (155) d Taylors Lake 6.5 (41). Away.

Round 6: W. 9.9 (63) d Laharum 6.3 (39). Home.

Round 7: W. 20.15 (135) d Kalkee 5.3 (33). Away.

Round 8: W. 13.9 (87) d Harrow-Balmoral 8.4 (52). Home.

Round 9: W. 7.13 (55) d Pimpinio 3.3 (21). Away.**

Round 10: W. 24.18 (162) d Swifts 2.6 (18). Home.

Round 11: L. 8.12 (60) to Kaniva-Leeor United 9.7 (61). Away.

Round 12: W. 16.16 (112) d Rupanyup 4.2 (26). Away. Round 13: Bye.

Round 14: W. 12.13 (85) d Natimuk United 6.3 (39). Home.

Round 15: W. 29.17 (191) d Edenhope-Apsley 4.1 (25). Away.

Round 16: W. 30.15 (195) d Taylors Lake 4.4 (28) Home.

Round 17: W. 15.9 (99) d Laharum 9.6 (60). Away.

Round 18: W. 31.19 (205) d Kalkee 5.4 (34). Home.*

* Highest score. ** Lowest score.

Total: Won: 15. Lost: 1. For: 2056. Against: 640. Points: 60. Percentage: 321.25.

Leading goal-kickers

Brock Orval 50, Judah Hobbs 49, Dylan Shelley 45, Jye Walter 40, Declan Phyland 28.

Ithas been a long 11 months since Noradjuha-Quantong’s 13-point loss to Harrow-Balmoral in the 2024 Horsham District league grand final.

For the Bombers, who came close to a remarkable flag only to fall just short, there has been plenty of time to reflect.

But rather than wallow in misery, Noradjuha-Quantong coach Damian Cameron said his players have

used the experience as impetus to improve this season.

The Bombers have lost only once this season en route to a minor premiership and a league-best percentage of 321.25.

Only a one-point loss to KanivaLeeor United in round 11 prevented the Bombers from recording an undefeated home-and-away campaign.

But Cameron knows finals will be a different ballgame, and the only chance for his team to assuage last year’s pain lies in the four weeks ahead – not the 18 up to this point.

“Obviously finals are a different story. You never know what’s going to happen,” he said.

“Teams we’ve faced during the year and beaten might have different sides and game plans coming in, so we’ll have to take it week to week.

“We have worked hard to lock in top spot, we don’t want to get complacent, we want to stick to what’s been working.”

in run for flag

Sticking to what has worked will mean sticking to nearly everything the Bombers have done this season.

The team boasts the most potent forward line – having kicked 2056 points – 496 more than the nextclosest team, Harrow-Balmoral.

Four Bomber players are among the top 10 goal-kickers in the league, with Brock Orval, Judah Hobbs, captain Dylan Shelley and Jye Walter all kicking more than 40 goals.

Fuelling Noradjuha-Quantong’s scoring output is an onball brigade headed by ruckman Jack Vague and midfielders such as Jayden Besford, James Gregg and Declan Phyland.

And the back line, while less heralded, contains seasoned performers like former captain Wade Francis.

But Cameron believes the Bombers’ success this season has been fuelled less by individual stars and more by team process – a process that starts each week at training.

“We’ve had really good numbers on the track and I think that motivation probably does stem from last year,” he said.

“We’ve been lucky to have had big numbers at training on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the year, even when the weather’s been crappy and you might expect things

to drop off a little bit. It’s probably showing up on the field because of that – we’re well prepared and well drilled.

“Fitness has come into it a lot for us too.

“A couple of years ago we were a lit tle bit underdone compared to what we are now, and we were losing games or mak ing things a lot tighter than they needed to be in the second half, whereas this year we’ve been able to finish games off really strongly.

“We’ve been practicing the sort of game style we want to play for a couple of years now and it’s starting to sink in and become natural now.”

And while Cameron has not harped on last year’s disappoint ment, he knows it will give his side extra motivation.

“Obviously it will get brought up on rare occasions, but you try not to focus too much on that and just focus on your next step forward and what we’re doing right now,” he said.

“If we need that little bit of a kick or extra motivation, it’s good to remind them of that and how much it hurts when you come so close but don’t get the chocolates.”

Players to watch

Declan Phyland

Phyland has proved a tremendous addition to the Noradjuha-Quantong line-up this year after being recruited from the Loddon Valley league in the off-season. Filling out the Bombers’ midfield rotation after the loss of James Hallett – a key contributor in last year’s grand final side – Phyland has also showcased his ability to hit the scoreboard with 28 majors for the season.

Jack Vague

Regarded as one of the best ruckmen in the competition, Vague gets the Bombers’ potent onball unit going. One of the best players in last season’s losing grand final effort, Vague will need to be in peak form for Noradjuha-Quantong to contend for this year’s premiership.

Jye Walter

Another vital addition to the Bombers’ team is Walter, who returned to the club this season after two years with the Wimmera league’s Minyip-Murtoa. Walter has kicked 40 goals and has the versatility to play multiple positions.

Dylan Shelley

A true leader, the Bombers’ captain can play wherever the team needs him most. He spent much of last season as a defender but has been used more often in attack this year, where a 10goal haul against Swifts in round 10 showed what he is capable of.

Coaches: Taylor Shelley, Fiona Rowe

A goalie who uses her height in the ring to her advantage. Quick is unafraid to shoot a long bomb and more often than not will sink it – adding excitement to the game with her difficult shotmaking.

Morrish brings ‘a very different style’ to the league after joining the Bombers from Dimboola in the Wimmera league. Her strength is her processing speed, keeping her opponents on the back foot by making quick decisions and releasing the ball up court.

‘We have faith’

hile Noradjuha-Quantong was the last team to lock in an A Grade netball finals berth and faces an uphill battle to reach the grand final from fifth place, the Bombers are undaunted. Co-coach Taylor Shelley believes the competition is the most even it has been in years, and that any of the five finals sides can cap-

“I think it is very open and it will be about who turns up on the day and who can perform better and more consistently for four

“We obviously had a big loss to Edenhope-Apsley a few weeks ago, but earlier in the season we only went down to them by three goals, and it was the same with Laharum – we’ve each won a game against each other. Then Rupanyup has beaten everyone else but lost to Laharum.”

The Bombers will also draw confidence from last season’s finals campaign, in which they nearly qualified for the grand final before losing a thrilling preliminary final to Rupa-

board, while Couch, for years a fixture at the top of the goal-shooting tally, has taken a supporting role with 214 this year.

But the Bombers are far from one-dimensional, with Shelley and 2024 league best and fairest Brooke Pay forming a strong defensive tandem, while Holly Ross, Jayne Tucker and Kate Cameron are effective conduits through the midcourt.

Importantly, Shelley believes the four-quarter consistency she said would be required for any of the five finals sides to claim this year’s premiership is starting to show itself at Noradjuah-Quantong.

While the Bombers dropped their round-18 match against fellow finals side Kalkee at the weekend, she said her team’s form had been trending in the right direction.

“I think we are definitely getting there,” Shelley said of her team’s consistency.

“That was without a doubt a struggle for us at the start of the year, and Fiona Rowe and I as coaches knew we had to work on it.”

Shelley said a 15-goal win against reigning premier Laharum in the season’s penultimate round had been a nice reminder that her side was on track as it reached the finals.

Kate Cameron

Noradjuha-Quantong has arguably improved its line-up compared to the one that took the court in last year’s finals, adding goal attack Taya Quick alongside towering shooter Shannon Couch to give itself one of the most potent tandems in the league. Quick has netted 416 goals this season, placing her second on the league leader-

“It gives us a bit of extra confidence in our ability, but I don’t think we ever really needed that. We do have faith in where we’re at,” she said.

“We’ve had a couple of losses in recent weeks that probably weren’t ideal, but we nearly went all the way last year and we’ve had a pretty strong season so far this year.”

Heads held high

Laharum’s back is officially against the wall.

After capping an undefeated 2024 season with a premiership, the Demons have encountered several roadblocks during their title defence. The most pressing of issues is the fact they will be unable to field their strongest line-up in Sunday’s elimination final meeting with Noradjuha-Quantong.

Already without star goalie Caitlin Jones-Story for the season, the team will have to contend with the loss of goal attack Maddie Iredell, who is in the United States coaching another of the Demons’ players, Lilly Weir, as she prepares to compete in the CrossFit Games.

To top it off, coach and starting goal keeper Rebecca McIntyre tore ligaments in her ankle late in the season, forcing her out of the final three games and limiting her mobility.

While McIntyre plans to take the court this weekend in hopes the Demons can extend their season by another week, she admitted her side faced its toughest challenge of the past two years.

She said Laharum had hoped to qualify for a topthree position, giving itself a double chance and Iredell and Weir time to return if the side lost in the first week, but was now facing a do-or-die match.

“We always knew it was going to be tight for us to qualify for the top three and we obviously didn’t plan for me to be injured,” she said.

“I’ll just have to suck it up and take one for the team, because if I don’t play we won’t have a bench because of our injuries and people away.”

Despite the daunting task, McIntyre said her side remained confident it could defeat the Bombers.

“We match up on Noradjuha-Quantong well usu-

ally. When your back is against the wall and you know you haven’t got another chance, hopefully you just find a way to win,” she said.

“We’ll see whether we live to fight another day.”

McIntyre said the unavailability of sev eral key players would also give valuable finals experience to the next generation of Laharum talent.

“Hannah Plazzer stepped up into A Grade and is playing really well.

At the weekend she had four quarters of really hard, intense netball against the best team in the league and she held her own,” McIntyre said.

“It’s exciting for the future to see where she’ll be, because she’s got a lot to give and she gets a chance now to be part of A Grade finals, which doesn’t always happen as a 16-year-old.”

With experienced players like Liv Jones-Story and Ema Iredell still in the line-up, Laharum will remain a dangerous opponent for any finals side.

McIntyre said she considered her team’s title de fence a success no matter the results of the coming weeks.

“We’ve stuck together. We’re very close friends off the court, so we’re still here and we still back each other,” she said.

“We haven’t been used to losing much in the last couple of years. We lost the most we have for a while this year, but we’ve held our heads high and kept going and focused on what we can control and what we can improve on.

“Everyone has stood together and that’s something I’m proud of.”

Coach: Rebecca McIntyre

Round 1: W. 44 d Kalkee 43. Home.

Round 2: W. 55 d Harrow-Balmoral 48. Away.

Round 3: W. 74 d Pimpinio 30. Home.*

Round 4: W. 47 d Swifts 38. Away.

Round 5: W. 45 d Kaniva-Leeor United 26. Home.

Round 6: W. 41 d Noradjuha-Quantong 28. Away.

Round 7: W. 47 d Rupanyup 43. Home.

Round 8: L. 39 to Natimuk United 43. Away.

Round 9: L. 49 to Edenhope-Apsley 54. Home.

Round 10: W. 58 d Taylors Lake 29. Away.

Round 11: Bye.

Round 12: W. 37 d Harrow-Balmoral 26. Home.

Round 13: W. 57 d Kalkee 33. Away.

Round 14: W. 57 d Pimpinio 39. Away.

Round 15: W. 53 d Swifts 34. Home.

Round 16: Bye.

Round 17: L. 31 to Noradjua-Quantong 46. Home.

Round 18: L. 29 to Rupanyup 49. Away.**

* Highest score ** Lowest score

Total: Won: 12. Lost: 4. For: 763. Against: 609. Points: 48. Percentage: 125.29.

Ema Iredell

While her twin sister Maddie is out for Sunday’s elimination final, Ema will give Noradjuha-Quantong plenty to think about. She flies around the defensive end of the court with ferocious athleticism, racking up deflections and intercepts

Liv Jones-Story

The consistent metronome of the midcourt, Jones-Story has helped drive much of the Demons’ recent success. She will need to be at the top of her game to help defend her team’s premiership.

Kalkee’s road to the finals

Coach: Paula Wiedermann

Round 1: L. 43 to Laharum 44. Away.

Round 2: Bye.

Round 3: W. 52 d Harrow-Balmoral 30. Home.

Round 4: W. 48 d Pimpinio 46. Away.

Round 5: W. 51 d Swifts 35. Home.

Round 6: W. 59 d Kaniva-Leeor United 24. Home.

Round 7: L. 35 to Noradjuha-Quantong 37. Home.

Round 8: L. 41 to Rupanyup 50. Away.

Round 9: W. 51 d Natimuk United 30. Home.

Round 10: W. 48 d Edenhope-Apsley 44. Away.

Round 11: W. 54 d Taylors Lake 38. Home.

Round 12: Bye.

Round 13: L. 33 to Laharum 57. Home.**

Round 14: W. 59 d Harrow-Balmoral 20. Away.

Round 15: W. 66 d Pimpinio 20. Home.*

Round 16: W. 48 d Swifts 47. Away.

Round 17: W. 49 d Kaniva-Leeor United 28. Home.

Round 18: W. 48 d Noradjuha-Quantong 39. Away.

* Highest score ** Lowest score

Total: Won: 12. Lost: 4. For: 785. Against: 589.

Points: 48. Percentage: 133.28.

Players to watch

Emily Polack

Polack provides a steadying presence in the Kees’ defensive arc, reading the play and shutting down opposition attackers all season. She displays composure under and sets up much of Kalkee’s transition from defence to attack.

Millie McRae

The engine of Kalkee’s midcourt, McRae is creative and dynamic. She possesses excellent court vision.

Full team effort

GO KEES!!!

eath, taxes and Kalkee playing finals – these are three constants in life as a Horsham District A Grade netball supporter, and 2025 has been no exception.

The Kees, who have more A Grade premierships than any other club, have continued to quietly achieve this season, finishing in third place courtesy of a final-round win against Noradjuha-Quantong and earning themselves a double chance in the process. The result set up a blockbuster qualifying final against Edenhope-Apsley – a team Kalkee beat by four goals in their only meeting this season – at Dock Lake Reserve on Saturday.

But while the Kees had the edge on the Saints earlier this year, coach Paula Wiedermann said it was no guarantee of success this weekend.

“Honestly, with how close the competition has been this year, I don’t think there’s just one team to beat,” she said.

“Any side that’s made it to finals has shown they can win big games, and on the day anyone can take it. What I will say is there are a few teams who’ve been really consistent across the season, and we’ll need to be at our best against them.

“But for us, the focus stays on our own game – if we execute well and play to our strengths, we give ourselves the best chance no matter who we face.”

One of Kalkee’s main strengths is its

defensive unit, which has allowed only 589 goals this season – the second-lowest mark in the league behind minor premier Rupanyup.

Emily Polack and Lotus Martin have given opposition goalies difficulty all season, while a midcourt featuring Millie McRae and youngsters like Georgia Schultz and Abbey Williams has also played its part in disrupting transition opportunities.

Jarrah Martin has been the team’s number-one goalie when available, with others including Casey Rentsch, Jenna Bywayers and Wiedermann also rotating through attack.

But Wiedermann said finals success would come down to team effort and mindset rather than individual brilliance.

“To be successful it’s going to come down to consistency and composure, executing our structures for the full four quarters, staying disciplined under pressure and making the most of our opportunities,” she said.

“We know every team in finals can push hard, so it will be the little one-percenters that make the difference. In terms of adjustments, it’s less about changing our game plan and more about sharpening what we already do well – tidying up our connections in attack, staying accountable defensively, and backing our fitness to finish strong.”

A win this weekend would put the Kees within touch of yet another grand final appearance, but for Wiedermann, this season has been as much about ensuring continued future success.

“We have had the opportunity to have 13 girls play A Grade this season. I see those as opportunities for the growth of players to try new positions as well as a higher grade for some,” she said.

HDFNL FiNaLs

Consistency key

The Edenhope-Apsley Saints could be timing their run to perfection as they enter the 2025 Horsham District league finals seeking a third A Grade premiership in four years.

After back-to-back flags in 2022 and 2023 the Saints were dethroned in an elimination final last season, but with a few fresh faces in the line-up – as well as the return of some old ones – the team has returned to the league’s upper echelon.

Edenhope-Apsley finished second with a percentage of 135.89.

A season highlight came in round nine as the Saints defeated reigning premier Laharum by five goals.

But while that match was one of the team’s high points, coach Lavinia Fox believes her squad did not begin to hit peak form until a 48-goal thrashing of Pimpinio in round 13.

“I think we’ve really hit our straps at the right time of the season and we’re putting out some really good netball,” she said.

“The game against Rupanyup in round 16 was a really good test for us. To only lose by one goal I think shows that we’ve got the potential to go well in the finals, given that they’ve been setting the benchmark for most of the season.

“Now it’s just about finding that consistency. I think that’s probably what’s going to separate teams in the finals, is if you can put together a consistent four quarters – if you have a lull you’re probably going to lose.”

But building consistency has been a process for Edenhope-Apsley, which this season has incorporated Victorian Netball League-listed players like goal shooter Dee Dee Lambert and defender Olivia Spence into its line-up, while also welcoming back former players Hayley Campbell and Mereana Crawford.

“They’ve all been standouts, as well as Jas McIntyre who is a 17-and-under player who was in our senior side last year but has taken off this year,” Fox said.

“Her development has been incredible and she’s been a fantastic wing defence-centre for us.

“Seeing everyone’s individual performanc es lift has made me really excited.”

The Saints were given a bye in the final round of the season, which Fox said present ed both positives and drawbacks ahead of a qualifying final against Kalkee.

“I think we would rather have had a game leading into the finals,” she said.

“On the other hand it’s nice to have a week off leading into finals as well just to rest the body. It just depends on how you look at it.

“It’s fortunate with the new structure of the finals that we should get a second chance, but obviously we’ll be looking to win. We don’t want to fall into that second chance if we don’t have to.

“Our first goal was to make the finals and we now know that we’ve done that, so now it’s about seeing what we can do within that finals campaign.”

W. 58 d Taylors Lake 35. Home.

Round 9: W. 54 d Laharum 49. Away.

Round 10: L. 44 to Kalkee 48. Home.

Round 11: W. 53 d Harrow-Balmoral 36. Away.

Round 12: W. 58 d Swifts 45. Home.

Round 13: W. 77 d Pimpinio 29. Away.*

Round 14: W. 65 d Kaniva-Leeor United 35. Home.

Round 15: W. 63 d Noradjua-Quantong 42. Home.

Round 16: L. 46 to Rupanyup 47. Away.

Round 17: W. 60 d Natimuk United 35. Home.

Round 18: Bye.

* Highest score ** Lowest score

Total: Won: 12. Lost: 4. For: 867. Against: 638. Points: 48. Percentage: 135.89.

Dee Dee Lambert

A mid-season pickup for Edenhope-Apsley who has slotted into the forward arc alongside coach Lavinia Fox to give the Saints arguably the most potent goaling duo in the league.

Olivia Spence

Along with Fox and Lambert, Spence rounds out a trio of Victorian Netball League-listed players on the Saints’ list. Playing at goal defence, Spence reads the game well and applies good pressure.

Rupanyup

Coach: Georgia Hiscock

Round 1: W. 65 d Kaniva-Leeor United 16. Home.

Round 2: W. 54 d Noradjuha-Quantong 29. Away.

Round 3: Bye.

Round 4: W. 63 d Natimuk United 26. Home.

Round 5: W. 42 d Edenhope-Apsley 29. Away.**

Round 6: W. 59 d Taylors Lake 25. Home.

Round 7: L. 43 to Laharum 47. Away.

Round 8: W. 50 d Kalkee 41. Home.

Round 9: W. 58 d Harrow-Balmoral 22. Away.

Round 10: W. 68 d Pimpinio 27. Home.*

Round 11: W. 64 d Swifts 24. Away.

Round 12: W. 47 d Noradjuha-Quantong 33. Home.

Round 13: W. 53 d Kaniva-Leeor United 18. Away.

Round 14: Bye.

Round 15: W. 65 d Natimuk United 31. Away.

Round 16: W. 47 d Edenhope-Apsley 46. Home.

Round 17: W. 45 d Taylors Lake 21. Away.

Round 18: W. 49 d Laharum 29. Home.

* Highest score ** Lowest score

Total: Won: 15. Lost: 1. For: 871. Against: 464. Points: 60. Percentage: 187.72.

Zanaiya Bergen

Bergen has assumed the mantle as the league’s best goal-scorer this season, with Laharum’s Caitlin Jones-Story on the sidelines. Bergen has shot a league-leading 506 goals in 2025 – 90 more than second-placed Taya Quick.

Holly Ross

Recruited from Pimpinio, Ross has been an outstanding addition to the line-up. Whether playing at goal defence or across the defensive side of the midcourt, Ross’ game has risen to new heights.

Standing tall

After years of toil, Rupanyup’s firstever A Grade netball premiership could be only four weeks away.

The Panthers have built towards ultimate success in the past two seasons, but ran into a Laharum road-block both times – losing to the Demons in a preliminary final in 2023 and a heartbreaking grand final last year.

But this season has seen Rupanyup take its game to new heights – they topped the ladder by a two-game margin, with a league-best percentage of 187.72.

Their sole loss came by four goals in a grand final rematch against Laharum in round seven, but they took revenge in a 20goal win against an understrength Demons team in the final round at the weekend.

Coach Georgia Hiscock, who was a member of the 2023 Rupanyup squad before missing last season due to overseas travel, said the team had set itself up with an excellent chance to finally capture a premiership.

But she warned it would not come easily, with the Panthers set to run a gauntlet of evenly-matched finals foes.

“It’s both scary and exciting. No one is really safe. Noradjuha-Quantong, who are fifth, match up exceptionally well on us, and do every time. It really could be anyone in the top five that wins,” she said.

After a few testing wins this season, Hiscock said her team had shown itself capable of standing up under intense pressure.

“The biggest difference in finals is just that extra pressure – the atmosphere. It’s excit-

ing. Everyone takes it to that next level,” she said.

“Against Edenhope-Apsley in round 16 we won after the siren, but we were four goals down with two minutes to go, so to fight back showed we handled that pressure well.”

One of Rupanyup’s strengths has been its in-game rotations, utilising a deep midcourt through which the likes of Hiscock, her sister Ally, Meg Cashin, Holly Ross and Maddi Morgan can all run.

Zanaiya Bergen is the team’s focal point, scoring a league-high 506 goals this season, but Morgan, Ilze Van Zyl and Bianca Drum have each spent time alongside her at goal attack. Goal keeper Victoria Taylor anchors the team in defence, with Ross and Lucy Bussenschutt also spending time in the defensive arc.

“We’re quite lucky that we’re able to make a lot of rotations. I think in one game this season we made 35 changes, which is extraordinary,” Hiscock said.

“When you look at the other teams they probably maintain their core seven players throughout most of the game, whereas we chop and change quite a lot, and it means we’re able to run out with fresh legs.”

While the Panthers have not dwelt on last season’s grand final loss, Hiscock said she hoped it would spur her team to cross the final hurdle this year.

“The girls still feel the sting from that loss, so we definitely do use it as motivation,” she said.