Vol. 29 No. 6
A FREE PUBLICATION FROM YOUR LOCAL RADIO STATIONS 3WM AND MIXXFM
Wednesday, August 5, 2026
SWAN SONG: Natimuk Brass Band has disbanded after 124 years, citing declining member numbers and increasing members’ ages. It is the end of an era for band members, from
left, Brian Lewis, 87, Charlie McCuish, 88, and Bob White, 88. Story, page 3.
Picture: PAUL CARRACHER
Club rebuild letdown H
BY LAUREN HENRY
orsham councillors have hit out at the State Government for failing to adequately fund fire recovery in Natimuk.
At last week’s council meeting, councillors passed a motion to auspice government funding applications to rebuild Natimuk Bowling Club, which was damaged in January’s Grass Flat fire. The clubrooms were destroyed and the synthetic green incurred significant damage. The $1.7-million project will include $940,000 for a new pavilion and related works and $780,617 for the green and related works. The project will be funded by
$440,000 from the bowling club’s insurance; with hopes to receive $500,000 from Sport and Recreation Victoria’s Local Sports and Infrastructure Fund and $780,617 from SRV’s Community Support Fund, CSF. It is understood CSF grant applications are only invited under specific circumstances, and will require political support such as Natimuk Bowling Club seeking election commitments from the various parties ahead of the State Election in November. Horsham Mayor Brian Klowss was forthright in his assessment of the situation, and said although he was 100 per cent behind the funding application, it should have already been funded by government recovery money. “I’d like it noted that I’m very dis-
appointed after discussions with relevant ministers afterwards, even the premier, that this was going to be funded through the recovery after the fire,” he said. “Having been quite heavily involved in the fire and in meetings before it – this and the two other sporting clubs that were impacted by the fire were going to be funded. The rebuild was going to be funded. “Anyway, it’s disappeared. So it is actually very, very disappointing from a State Government level to have to be doing this for a sporting club that is out of existence until they get a rebuild. “It’s very disappointing because this is going to draw the process out even longer for them.
“I think it’s a great idea that we’re actually going in to do it, but we shouldn’t really have to be doing it.” The criticism follows Nationals MP Annabelle Cleeland’s claims in her electorate where the Longwood bushfire occurred, recovery funds had not been distributed fairly and were ‘severely underfunded’. Cr Ian Ross said the Natimuk Bowling Club was ‘so important’ for the rebuilding of the fire-affected town, but it was unfortunate the government and politicians promised there would be funding and that had changed. “But council can provide the oversight, the governance and help play an important role,” he said. Cr Cameron McDonald said there was a revival of bowling across all age
groups, and Natimuk Bowling Club was a community asset and gathering point. “After a fire, government really does open its mouth and promise big and deliver little,” he said. “And they will say ‘Yes, we’re here to help you, and we’re going to put back whatever is possibly lost’ so this is an opportunity for them to actually do that. “I would be very surprised if this didn’t go through.” In a letter to the council, Natimuk Bowling Club president Bob Pritchett and secretary Graeme Brown wrote that members had voted to proceed with the funding strategy at a meeting on June 22. Continued page 3
IN THIS ISSUE • Mental-health advocacy • Fire findings tabled • New business board • Burras premiers Phone: 03 5382 1351 Read it online: www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au
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Friday, August 7, 2026 12noon to 3pm in the centre mall!
are g n i t a r b e l e c
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5 ● Colouring station
Kids – complete the colouring and we will give you a free goodie bag
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