Tag-along with Ted
Quill. It would appear that in my enthusiasm for everything equine, I'm gathering a collection of Coffeys! There is often mention in my regular race reports of thoroughbred trainer Austy Coffey, and his son, Harry, a successful jockey, both based in Swan Hill, but regularly attending the Donald and District Race Club meetings ... This time my equine adventures led me a little closer to home, with a visit to one of the local Coffey horsemen, Ted, who took me for a tour of Birchip like I’ve never had before.
Birchip Historical Society looks back on forty years
Historical Society members met at the Museum archives on Wednesday, August 9, for their annual meeting, marvelling that 40 years had passed since the first meeting was held at the Birchip High School in 1983 where a good crowd led by Mr George Gould agreed that a museum was needed and a Society was formed.Three of those original members are still members and office bearers.
VFF condemns incursion on to farm properties
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) is dismayed by the recent actions of transmission network operator AusNet Services after its workers entered farm properties along the Ballarat to Bendigo transmission line, without any prior contact or seeking permission from landowners.
Charlton RSL commemorates Vietnam Veterans’ Day
Members of the Charlton RSL Sub-Branch marked Vietnam Veterans’ Day last Friday – August 18 – with a dinner and commemoration service to honour and recognize the contribution of those who served and fell in Australia’s longest military engagement (1962-1972/3) of the 20th Century.
Skilled international workers are vital to small rural communities
Blake Lee. Businesses of every size, in every industry, in every corner of the country, are experiencing the worst skill and labour shortages in decades – a challenge that is worsening by the day, particularly in rural communities. Skilled migration is one of the policy levers available to governments to address workforce shortages in the economy.
Ancient archery descends on Dunolly
Alyssa Walker. A group of over 50 archers descended upon Dunolly on August 4, preparing to defend the realm for the annual medieval shoot. With no one too old or too young to join the ranks, archers seized their cloaks, bows, and quivers (and in some cases, their armour) and took to the shooting range for the two-day competition.
War in Ukraine: Do we make a difference?
Alison McEwen. Victor Boltak writes from Ukraine: "… And your help (Ukraine Appeal) is valued very highly here. "Recently I donated $275 USD for medicine which was taken yesterday to a so called ‘stabilization point’ – this is the first medical help point close to the battlefield where the wounded are delivered from the front lines and where military doctors try to give the first aid and stabilize the condition of the wounded so they could be further moved to the field hospital.
Bulls bond with buddy programs
Blake Lee. Local sporting clubs provide an opportunity to bring people together, increase participation in sport, promote social connection and create a sense of belonging. In recent weeks, the Birchip-Watchem football and netball clubs have been fostering this opportunity by hosting buddy programs to build and strengthen bonds between senior and junior players.
Archers out in force
The Donald Archery Club held its annual 2-day competition shoot on the July 8 and 9. Participants came from many locations, including Bendigo, Mildura, Colac, Geelong, and Bacchus Marsh (and including local members who range from St Arnaud, Warracknabeal, Brim and Donald).
Bad medicine for regional Australia
Trent Twomey. Sixty-day dispensing may sound good, but dig a little deeper and it’s rural and regional Australia that will pay ... “You don’t know what you got ‘til it’s gone.” It may as well be the theme song for 60-day dispensing, where pharmacists will be required to dispense two months’ worth of medicine for the price of one month.
