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Rain greets tree planting

superadmin — Mon, 13 May 2013 22:56:37 +0000

MORE than 80 people donned their raincoats and gumboots to take part in a Yarrilinks tree planting activity to celebrate or remember their mums on Mothers Day.
Yarrilinks coordinator Tim Inkster said he was extremely happy with the amount of people who braved the weather to take part in the event.
“All up about 200 trees and understory shrubs were planted in Symes Reserve to help with the diversity in the area,” Mr Inkster said.
“Most people planted at least one tree however, some planted three or four,” he said.
“The event is hosted nationally every year and next year we may look at hosting it at Murtoa.”
“We do not want the event to clash with other Mothers Day events like the Mothers Day Classic hosted in Horsham and Rupanyup.”
Mr Inkster said it was fantastic to see so many children attend with parents and grandparents.
“We usually struggle to get people in the middle aged bracket to do environmental work,” Mr Inkster said.
“I also need to thank Warracknabeal Rotary Club members for giving up their time to cook pancakes for all of the volunteers,” he said.

• PLANT: Yarrilinks coordinator Tim Inkster (left) helps Reuben Ferguson (centre) Amber, 8, (second from left) and mother Luisa Schellens (right) plant a tree during the annual Yarrilinks tree planting day on Mothers Day at Symes Reserve.

Suits tested at training

superadmin — Mon, 13 May 2013 22:50:54 +0000

WARRACKNABEAL Fire Brigade firefighters were given an opportunity to learn how to use a Hazmat suit during Tuesday’s regular training session.
As part of the brigade’s ongoing training program, firefighters learned how to use the suits, and the special breathing apparatus inside.
With an airtight seal, the chemical proof suits have a self-contained breathing system inside, or can be hooked up externally.
The suits are used during incidents involving poisonous gas, chemical spills and chlorine gas, or other fire situations where dangerous gas or liquids are involved, and firefighters were given an opportunity to try the suit, even if they did not have breathing apparatus training.
At this time of year, when many farmers are starting to use chemicals, and there are many extremely poisonous chemicals used in the agricultural industry, the training proved timely.
Members also learned at training that the breathing apparatus bottles, which previously had to be sent to Ballarat to be filled, will soon be able to be sent to Longerenong, with the CFA establishing a filling service at their training ground.

• MOONWALK: Warracknabeal Fire Brigade firefighters (from left) new member Jason Wright, Rob Nelson and Jordan "Stumpy" Williamson ham it up for the Herald camera with a moonwalk in their Hazmat suits during Tuesday's training.

100 plus gliders converge on Warrack Aerodrome

superadmin — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 04:52:31 +0000

Model gliding enthusiasts from across the country started to arrive in Warracknabeal yesterday, to compete in a high level Aerotow scale model glider competition being held over four days at the Warracknabeal Aerodrome, finishing on Sunday.
Event organiser, Mike O’Reilly of Model Flight in Adelaide said, “the numbers of competitors is looking really good and there will be some impressive tow planes and large gliders (up to a massive eight metre wing span).
The Herald understands some aircraft have two way radio control units, that trasmit from the glider back to the pilot on the ground, barometric conditions to optimise flying time for the pilot.
Fifty or more participants in the ‘fun fly-in’ are arriving with around 100 scale model gliders, 15 large radio controlled tow planes…and perhaps even a jet turbine aircraft.
The large tow planes are used to launch gliders up to a flying height of 1000 feet above the ground before release and if weather conditions are kind pilots may be able to find rising thermal air currents to soar on, for extended periods of time.
“There is also a chance of a model ‘jet turbine’ powered aircraft being present. That long runway is very tempting for a model jet enthusiast,” Mr O’Reilly said.
The Herald understands the public is welcome to visit the aerodrome and view the gliders and tow planes, but visitors are requested to remain in the public area outside the airfield unless invited to enter the area by an official. These aircraft and other equipment on the ground are both valuable but also extremely fragile.
Thanks for the copy of the article. Good stuff. Not a lot more to report other than the number of people is really good and there will be some very impressive tow planes, large gliders and maybe even a model jet turbine powered model present. That long runway is very tempting for a model jet.

• UP AND AWAY: Gliders with a wing span of up to eight metres are towed up to 1,000 feet by radio controlled powered model aircraft over a four day Aerotow fly-in at the Warracknabeal Aerodrome.

Woodbine works continue

superadmin — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 04:50:49 +0000

WOODBINE’S Individual Residential Lifestyles house appears to be on track for its scheduled completion and handover in early September.
The developer, Contract Control Systems, has already completed the site scrape in Noall-st, prepared the building footprint and imported clean fill for the compaction of the site of the slab.
Woodbine chief executive Bernie O’Connor said he was pleased with the progress to date.
“The under slab electrical works are all but complete and the plumbing is well under way,” he said.
“The commitment by Contract Control Systems to lease a house in Warracknabeal for an on-site foreman has made liaison so much easier.”
“If all remains on schedule, we should see the brickwork start in the second week of June, and people will then be able to see the house take shape”.

• WORKS: Contractors Jeff Miller, (operating the excavator) and plumber Josh Mibus continue work on Woodbine's Individual Residential Lifestyles house, scheduled for completion in September.

Community remembers

superadmin — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 04:48:29 +0000

YARRIAMBIACK Shire communities paused yesterday to remember fallen comrades, loved ones and those currently serving in the Armed Forces, during ANZAC Day services at Warracknabeal, Sheep Hills Brim and Minyip.
Assembling at Sheep Hills Cenotaph in the chilly dawn air, attendees were moved by the dawn service which featured the playing of the Last Post, and a presentation by Warracknabeal Secondary College student Connor McKenzie, one of a group of Warracknabeal Secondary College students who plan to attend the Fields of Flanders in France for ANZAC Day next year
Connor said, “It is very important in today’s society that we continue to remember the ANZAC spirit. The society we have today could have been very different if the diggers of yesterday did not sacrifice their youth and go to war.”
“We must not ever forget our ANZAC’s as they had made many sacrifices to ensure we have inherited the safe, and peaceful country we live in today,” he said.
Later in the morning, the focus moved to a service at the Brim Memorial Hall, with WSC student Tenaya Zanker’s speech focussing on sharing her thoughts and values about the day.
“I am honoured to be invited today to share my thoughts and values regarding the ANZAC’s and ANZAC spirit,” Tenaya said.
“I am extremely lucky to be one of 12 Warracknabeal Secondary College students who will be travelling to France in 2014,” she said.
“The ANZAC spirit is relevant today because it is about being brave, having determination, courage and fighting for what you believe in.”
“In today’s ever-changing world, this is important when standing up for others, facing your fears and going over and above to help someone.”
Tenaya said ANZAC Day is significant to her because she believes it is important to honour war veterans, current fighting soldiers and soldiers who have sacrificed their lives for Australian ideals.
“These people serve and many have died to protect our country so we can live with freedom and express ourselves without worry. These brave people are the reason that we live the way we do today,” she said.
“The ANZAC’s have helped to create Australia’s national identity by being role models, never giving up, thinking of others and making sacrifices so that others lives could be better.”
“The examples that the ANZAC’s show are bravery, respect, courage, determination and honesty, these are character traits that all Australians should aim to show.”
Tenaya continued by saying it is important to remember the ANZAC’s as we enter the future, because the ANZAC’s are a huge part of Australian history.
“They are something we want our children and their children to remember and acknowledge because, without them, Australia wouldn’t be the same wonderful country it is today,” she said.
Assembling at the Warracknabeal Cenotaph at 10.45am, a large crowd of attendees, returned servicemen and women, the service included cubs, scouts, school representatitives and many district organisations laying wreaths to show their respect.
After a delayed start at the Cenotaph a short march was conducted from the ANZAC Park gates to the Molly Taylor Kiosk where the service continued.
Guest speaker Lachie McGinniss, also from WSC said, “It is very important to remember the ANZAC spirit, as it is embodied in the no-worries attitude of every hard working Australian today”.
“ANZAC Day is important to me, as like many people in this community, some of my ancestors voluntarily enlisted to ensure that the future of Australia is one that we can be proud of. These young Australians contributed in the greatest of ways, to the building of our nation, which is why we are here today,”
“A large part of our national identity can be traced back to our involvement in the First Wold War. Australians took war very seriously, but at the same time we surprised our enemies with signs of mate-ship, kindness and willingness to help wounded soldiers regardless of uniform,” Lachlan said.
Pausing for one minute’s silence, attendees were moved by the playing of the Last Post by Bandmaster and bugler Ken Smale.
A service was also held Minyip at 1pm.
For a more comprehensive coverage and pictorial of district ANZAC Day services see Tuesday’s Herald.

• FUTURE GENERATIONS: Representing another generation of Australia’s armed services, who have left our shores to protect the freedoms Australia enjoys today, Chris Roche from Brim nurses his son Seth 18 months as he plays with Chris’ militaty medals, during yesterday mornings ANZAC day service at the Warracknabeal Cenotaph. Chris represented his country in Afghanistan with the Armoured Corp from June 2011 to January 2012, while behind him to the left, Lachie Schultz, who also saw service in Afghanistan with the Infantry in 2008/9 follows the mid morning service.

Hewitt’s enjoy success at crop comp

superadmin — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 23:07:20 +0000

VICTORIA’S 2012 Rural Ambassador and finalist in the Australasian Rural Ambassador awards, Rose Harris, was the guest speaker during the 2012-13 Warracknabeal Agricultural and Pastoral Society annual dinner on Friday.
During the annual dinner presentations were made to the winners of the 2012-13 Crop Competition.
Chief steward of the wheat competition, Bruce Hein, commented on the excellent quality of the winning crops, despite the dry finish to the season.
Winners of the southern, or heavy land, wheat crop were Kim and Lyn Byron, closely followed by runner-up Mick Morcom, while in the northern, or Mallee land, wheat competition, the winning crop was grown by Tim and Fiona Hewitt with runners up Tim and Julia Hausler.
The trophy for the Champion Wheat Crop was awarded to Tim and Fiona Hewitt, with a perfect score of 100 percent, which also saw them judged the best in the Wimmera group of Show Societies. Runners up for the Champion crop were Kim and Lyn Byron, also with a perfect score of 100 percent.
Steward of the canola section, Dale Stronach, congratulated the canola crop entrants and introduced sponsor, Wavel McPherson who presented the prizes to Mick Morcom, who was named winner ahead of runners up Mr and Mrs Hewitt.
Following the awards Ms Harris spoke to the audience about journeys; firstly talking about her journey as a country girl who moved to Melbourne, before moving back to her hometown of Donald where she is employed as a journalist.
Ms Harris is secretary and a passionate committee member of the Donald Show Committee as well as a contributor to several community organisations and she spoke of the journey she had undertaken with her husband and two small children, in a campervan, to Darwin, to take part in the Australasian Rural Ambassador Awards.
Ms Harris said she interviewed many people in small country towns along the way and discovered a pride in their agricultural regions and a celebration of regions through local shows.
She urged the audience to capitalise on the strengths of the region, form partnerships with other community groups, rather than competing for manpower and sponsorship money, and showcase the area through the Agricultural Show.
Ms Harris said embrace the new ideas and start some new traditions:“It is about thinking outside the square, thinking longer term and thinking of ourselves hosting professional events.”
During the evening, president Jean Wise, recognised the work of long-standing committee member Jack Pickering, who has recently retired, and presented him with a certificate of appreciation.
Mr Pickering’s particular interest for many years was organising the annual grand parade at the Warracknabeal Show.

• CONGRATULATE: Winners of the 2012-13 Warracknabeal Agricultural and Pastoral Society crop competition (third from left) Tim Hausler, Mick Morcom, Kim Byron and Tim Hewitt are congratulated by (from left) Warracknabeal A and P Society president Jean Wise, sponsor of the crop competition canola section Wavel McPherson, (from right) 2012 Victorian Rural Ambassador Rose Harris and wheat competition chief steward Bruce Hein.

Team spirit high for relay

superadmin — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 23:05:47 +0000

WARRACK Wheelies and Triangle Titans cycling team members are ecstatic to have completed, respectively, their 14th and fourth Murray to Moyne cycling relay.
Cycling an impressive 520 kilometres, the teams joined 1700 other cyclists for the event, aimed at raising funds for their various health services.
For Warrack Wheelies, although the total amount raised is as yet unknown, all team members are exhausted, but feeling good, according to cyclist and support crew member Marie Aitken.
The 2013 Warrack Wheelies team included Christine Gunn, Cameron Whelan, Martin Monk, Wendy Hewitt, Mark Peters, Geoff Krahe, Brad Martin, Megan Preusker, Peter Quick, John Bish, Rob Lehmann, Marie Aitken, and Birchip’s Ben Brady and Josh Bear.
“The conditions were excellent for the ride with a northerly tail wind for most of the ride from Mildura to Hamilton,” Mrs Aitken said.
“With it being warm, not too hot or cold, the conditions were perfect,” she said.
“John Bish, riding his first Murray to Moyne, did a fabulous job, covering a lot of kilometres and completing the Hamilton to Port Fairy leg relatively comfortably.”
Mrs Aitken also rode the event for the first time, completing various sections from Mildura to Warracknabeal, and said the team was excited to be, for the first time, one of the first groups to ride into Hamilton on Saturday evening.
“We also had an early departure time from Mildura, thanks to our ‘gun’ riders, Cameron Whelan, Brad Martin, Paul Clyne and Geoff Krahe, who were the faster members and who were often following the lead vehicle,” Mrs Aitken said.
“There was absolutely wonderful team spirit shown throughout the weekend, with the faster riders willing to hang back and give the slightly slower members encouragement,” she said.
A combination of an early start and a good tail wind saw the team ride through Warracknabeal two hours earlier than expected, and Mrs Aitken apologised on behalf of the team to anyone who came to support the Wheelies and found they had been and gone.
“The entire team rode the 100kms from Hamilton to Port Fairy together on Sunday,” she said.
“At the end we were all exhausted but feeling good, and, thankfully, no one suffered any injuries.”
Setting a goal to raise $1000, Mrs Aitken said she believes the team will have easily raised the amount however, also said the team plans to host a quiz night in the future to further boost their efforts, and all team members are looking forward to participating again in 2014.
It was a similar story for Triangle Titans, with support crew member Tracey Chenoweth commenting that all of the Titans “rode extremely well as a team”.
“It was a fantastic team experience and the conditions were wonderful for the ride,” Mrs Chenoweth said.
Also arriving earlier than planned, Mrs Chenoweth said the team received good support from the community when they rode into Murtoa.
“Fortunately there were no major accidents or injuries among the team, apart from a few sore calves and tired bodies on the Sunday,” Mrs Chenoweth said.
“Everyone was happy with themselves and all are ready to go again in 2014,” she said.
“It is just fantastic what the Triangle Titans do for Dunmunkle Health Services and all deserve a pat on the back for their wonderful effort”.

• CHEERIO: Warrack Wheelies team members (from left) Martin Monk, Megan Preusker, Wendy Hewitt and Chris Gunn give a cheery wave to the Herald camera at Dooen during the Murray to Moyne cycling relay.

Walking for Wattle

superadmin — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 00:48:34 +0000

RURAL Northwest Health supporters will take a considerably long walk this weekend to help raise important funds for the Warracknabeal campus.
Staff, residents and supporters of RNH plan to walk from Hopetoun to Warracknabeal to raise money for RNH’s Wattle Unit, which recently won a major Victorian Healthcare award for person centred care.
“Walk For Wattle” organiser Katie Ramsdale said the memory support unit that cared for people living with dementia, relied on outside funding for its innovative programs.
“We’ve been recognised for the work being achieved in Wattle, but a lot of the programs we have introduced are above and beyond aged care standards,” Ms Ramsdale said.
“We can keep on achieving wonderful results if we have the support of the community to keep investing in our programs and infrastructure,” she said.
The rehabilitative therapist said RNH wanted to build a pergola for the unit and a small men’s shed for Wattle’s backyard.
“Those two items are our number one goal for now,” she said, “If we can keep on making improvements to Wattle, we can continue to raise the bar and be the benchmark to which Australia’s other aged care facilities aspire.”
Ms Ramsdale said she was also hoping to attract business sponsorship from the region for the event.
“It would be fantastic if we could attract a major sponsor to support it,” she said.
The 70 kilometre walk will start from the Hopetoun campus at 7am on Saturday and Ms Ramsdale, who is expecting about 30 people to participate in the walk, said the walkers hoped to be in Warracknabeal by 7pm.

• WALK: Rural Northwest Health's Katie Ramsdale (left) and Alison Fisher hope to raise funds for Wattle Unit this weekend when they walk from Hopetoun to Warracknabeal during the "Walk for Wattle".

Shazzas and Dazzas galore

superadmin — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 00:06:18 +0000

THERE were flannelette shirts, “blueys”, ugg boots, thongs and tattoos, real and fake, as far as the eye could see on Saturday night when Warracknabeal Town Hall auxiliary committee hosted “Bogan Bingo”.
THAC vice president Stacey Drage said, despite facing the possibility of cancelling the event on Thursday, 66 tickets were sold for the event.
“We pre-sold 38 tickets and 28 were sold at the door on the night,” Mrs Drage said.
“It was a good night, which helped raise $500 for the committee, which will be used to upgrade the hall,” she said.
Enjoying many laughs, “unique” bingo calls, music and air guitar competitions, attending bogans were kept in stitches by the comic stylings of the “host bogans”, who sported flowing mullet wigs, stonewash denim and fetching metallic leggings.
“Everyone got into the spirit of the night by dressing up and there were a few new faces among the crowd, of those who had never been to bogan bingo before,” Mrs Drage said.
“It was the third time the committee had hosted bogan bingo and we want to try and get the town hall used, and show people that it is worth investing their time and money into,” she said.
“Thank you to the businesses who donated prizes, including woolunderwear.com who donated a $130 pair of ugg boots for the raffle.”
“Also to the Werrigar for donating a gift voucher, Home Hardware for the esky, the Commercial for a meal voucher, Fishers IGA and Mensland.”
Taking out the first game of the night, Mel Griffin won a flanelette shirt and umbrella, while second game winner Maree Bell claimed an esky as her prize and the raffle was won by Emma Mansfield.
Anita “Shazzy” Ward impressed the crowd with her air guitar moves while several bogans put their best dance moves to the test to win “best bogan”, with Kylie Zanker and Craig Byron securing the prestigious titles of best female and best male bogans.
A “biggest loser” competition saw several bogans de-robing for the prize, eliciting shrieks of hilarity and horror, in some cases, from the crowd, with one bogan, who shall remain nameless, left with just an inflatable guitar to cover his “bits and pieces” at the end of the game.
“We will host bogan bingo again, but only if there is strong interest shown from the community,” Mrs Drage said.

• BOGANS: Maree Bell (right) waits as her bingo card is checked by the "host bogans" during Saturday's hilarious Bogan Bingo at Warracknabeal Town Hall.

$275,000 infrastructure boost

superadmin — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 22:04:35 +0000

MAJOR infrastructure projects at Beulah, Hopetoun and Woomelang received $275,000 funding from State Government’s Local Government Infrastructure Program last week.
Member for Mildura Peter Crisp who visited Beulah on Thursday said the funding allows Yarriambiack Shire to get on with delivering priority projects for the community, including the redevelopment of council’s Hopetoun depot, development at the Woomelang and Hopetoun Caravan Parks and finalisation of the Beulah Weir gates project.
“This allocation of $275,000 from the Local Government Infrastructure Program will help make Yarriambiack Shire an even better place to live,” Mr Crisp said.
“This funding represents a significant investment and will be used for infrastructure project which are priorities for these communities,” he said.
Yarriambiack Shire Mayor Kylie Zanker said Hopetoun received $125,000 to redevelop councils Hopetoun depot, as well as $50,000 for a new amenities block at the caravan park.
“The refurbishment of the toilet block will ensure that it is at a standard that will entice tourists to the area,” Mayor Zanker said.
“Although I often see a full park when driving through, this refurbishment will increase the tourism options available to people when they visit Hopetoun,” she said.
“It is a good park, in a wonderful community, and a brighter and modern amenities block is just what every tourist is after.”
Mayor Zanker said Beulah residents were thrilled to receive $60,000 to finalise the Beulah Weir gates.
“The weir gates are a wonderful asset and, as they were already installed as a matter of priority after the 2011 floods, the $60,000 funding will assist to compensate for the money already spent,” Mayor Zanker said.
“It was an extremely proud moment to stand near the gates and know that the community, in partnership with council, had achieved so much,” she said.
“After visiting the new and impressive weir gates, the excitement was to continue. Jenny and Peter from the Wimmera Mallee Catchment Authority announced that 50 megalitres of water would be put into Beulah creek and recreational area, increasing the water levels within the catchment.”
Woomelang residents were excited to learn that the Woomelang Caravan Park will receive $40,000 to increase the facilities available.
Mayor Zanker said tourists are a valuable resource and funding that increases the facilities available to them is always greatly appreciated.
“Community members at the funding announcement commented that the resources will assist with both visitors and district residents alike,” Mayor Zanker said.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional and Rural Development Peter Ryan said the projects supported in Yarriambiack Shire were part of a package of 87 projects nominated by 14 councils, totalling $15.2 million, from their four year funding allocations.
“State Government’s $100 million Local Government Infrastructure Program provides financial certainty and a degree of flexibility for rural and regional councils when planning and prioritising their infrastructure budgets,” Mr Ryan said.
“Since the program started in 2011, State Government has provided more than $90 million for 358 projects across rural and regional Victoria which councils identify as priorities for their community,” he said
“The remaining 10 percent of funds in the program will be allocated as councils continue to determine their priority infrastructure projects.”
The Local Government Infrastructure Program is a key component of the $1 billion Regional Growth Fund which supports regional cities and country communities to create new prosperity, more opportunities and a better quality of life.
Mayor Zanker said funding announcements such as these highlighted how incredible things can unfold, offering positive results to communities supported by council and State Government.

• INSPECT: Wimmera Catchment Management Authority representative Peter, Member for Mildura Peter Crisp, WCMA representative Jenny, Yarriambiack Shire Mayor Kylie Zanker, and Councillor Andrew McLean inspect the completed weir gates at Beulah last week.