“OK”! What a weekend!
Jenny Pollard. As the adrenaline rush from "OK Motels" subsides, Charlton can reflect on how the modest little festival, which began back in 2018, has now grown into a full-on, "all-of-town" experience as 800 visitors descended on the "Friendly River Town" to make last weekend’s event one for the record books.
Local cups carnival
Peter Hibberd. Over the next three weekends the Boort, Birchip and Charlton Clubs will run their feature meetings with the running of their pacing and trotting cups ... On a very competitive day of racing, drivers Damian Wilson and Alex Ashwood took the driving honours with each having a double.
New local health service networks
The Victorian Government has announced 12 Local Health Service Networks. These have been designed following consultation and feedback from health services, and in response to the Government’s plan to improve access, equity and care closer to home. The Board acknowledged correspondence from the Minister for Health, placing EWHS within the Grampians Local Health Service Network.
For developing workforce accommodation – transmission company seeks public input
Community members in the Buloke Shire are encouraged to share their interests and concerns with Transmission Company Victoria (TCV) to help shape the development of workforce accommodation for the VNI West project. Recognising that many areas in the VNI West project corridor face housing availability and affordability challenges, we’re inviting input on our approach to developing workforce accommodation.
Last chance to see
The Giant Russian Sunflowers at Donald’s Red Gate Community Garden are in the final days of their spectacular bloom. Measuring some four metres in height (that’s around 14ft in Red Gate parlance) with seedhead/flowers weighing in at around 2 kgs (4lbs?), they have been photographed many times by visitors passing through town and locals alike.
Anglers locked in at Lock 9
The Donald Angling club headed up to Ned’s Corner at Lock 9 for their annual Australia Day Long weekend competition. Glorious weather, great company and one or two good fishing yarns made for an enjoyable weekend for all in attendance.
New book celebrates the Modern Merino
Heather Fleming. A new book detailing the story of the Modern Merino sheep in Australia was launched at the Grampians Estate Cellar Door at Great Western last weekend. "Collinsville and Beyond: a pastoral history of the Modern Merino," was written by Chris Guthrie, well known breeder, classer and consultant from Rich Avon, near Donald.
The ‘Burn is back on track
Peter Hibberd. The Wedderburn and District Harness Racing Club returned to its own track last Sunday, with a major upgrade to the Donaldson Park complex and torrential rain last year, the club finally got to run its feature races.
Calling a spade a spade, it’s like calling a spud a spud
Peter Hobbs. ... three major issues ... The first is the invasion of arable land which will reduce the capacity to grow the primary products for food production; the second being the thoughtlessness in procuring land that has been with families for generations; and the third and perhaps the most devious is the government’s divide and conquer tactics resulting in friendship and harmonious neighbourhood destruction.
Roulettes in the sky
Bruce Stewart. Many hundreds of people gathered the other day at the Epsom/Huntly showgrounds on the outskirts of Bendigo in anticipation of a visit from the Roulettes – the Royal Australian Air Force’s formation aerobatic display team. Our patience was rewarded as right on schedule I spied six rapidly moving black dots coming in from the north east.
